"What is a prince doing all alone in a forest filled with his enemies?" The stranger asked as they strolled around the werewoods. He pushed a branch aside to appear in another clearing. Gabriel walked just two steps behind him.
"Father sent me to deal with the rogues," Gab answered.
With a scoff, the stranger said, "He could have sent someone else. A cavalry of knights. Why risk the life of a prince?"
"I chose to do it out of my own will," Gabriel said, making the stranger halt in his tracks.
"You were foolish enough to make such a decision." His eyes found Gabriel's, assessing him like an open book. "On the contrary, I have a feeling there might be a reason for it."
He continued walking before he asked, "Was it your wife?"
