Prince Khane's gaze rose to meet the rider on the second horse,it was prince Eyrin .And their eyes locked in a tense stare.
Prince Eyrin's expression was one of haughty disdain, wondering who this insolent commoner was and what possessed him to disregard royal protocol. Prince Khane, on the other hand, was oblivious to the prince's identity, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
"Do you not know that you are to kowtow, or do you seek death?" Prince Eyrin demanded, his voice dripping with aristocratic arrogance.
"Who are you that I should kowtow to?" Prince Khane retorted, his tone firm and unyielding, his eyes never leaving Prince Eyrin's face.
Arnin trembled with fear for Prince Khane's life, but his own fear of standing up paralyzed him.
Prince Eyrin seethed with frustration, his mind racing with the urge to slay the insolent commoner. However, he glanced around at the crowd and restrained himself. With a fluid motion, he dismounted from his horse and stood opposite Prince Khane.
"Did you dismount from your horse to introduce yourself?" Prince Khane asked
, finding it amusing ."For one to dismount from his horse to introduce himself to me, it's an honor, indeed."
Arnin's fear for Prince Khane's life grew, as Prince Eyrin's anger intensified. The prince's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his eyes blazing with fury. Arnin knew he had to act. Summoning a surge of courage, he quickly rose and positioned himself between Prince Khane and Prince Eyrin.
As he stood there, Arnin wondered why he had taken such a risk. His mind raced to find the right words to defuse the situation. Finally, he spoke...
Arnin bowed deeply to Prince Eyrin and kowtowed, his forehead touching the ground. "Forgive him, Your Highness, forgive him! My friend has a problem with his head. I beg of you to spare his life; he doesn't know what he's saying or who you are."
Without rising, Arnin turned to Prince Khane, his voice urgent. "Kneel and kowtow! This is the First Prince of the kingdom. Obey now, I beg of you!"
Prince Khane's eyes widened as he realized who Prince Eyrin was. Yet, a part of him resisted obeying. But he thought of the fisherman and his family, and how his defiance might put them in danger.
With a hesitant glance at Prince Eyrin, Prince Khane slowly kneeled, placing both knees on the ground. He clasped his hands together and bowed his head, touching his forehead to the ground.
Palov, still on his horse, sneered, "If he's mad, he should be taken to the madhouse, not roam around."
Prince Eyrin's gaze lingered on Prince Khane's kowtowed form before he spoke in a low, measured tone, audible only to Arnin, Prince Khane, and a few nearby onlookers, "I'll spare you for now, but better wish we never met again."
Then he turned around and mounted his horse back and then he and the other horse riders rode away.
As soon as Prince Eyrin and his entourage vanished from sight, the crowd that had kowtowed scrambled to their feet and resumed their bustling activities. Traders resumed their cacophonous calls, enticing customers with their wares, while buyers continued their search for desired goods.
Prince Khane stood up, brushing off his knee, and Arnin watched him, still shaken by the close call. "Even without your memories, how could you not recognize royal attire?" Arnin asked, exasperated.
Prince Khane remained silent, his expression unreadable. Arnin's frustration boiled over. "Fine, be quiet all you want! I almost lost my head because of you. Do as you please; I'm leaving."
But Prince Khane's chuckle stopped him in his tracks. "Where are you going, Master?" he asked, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Arnin spun around, taken aback by the title. "Who is your master? Do I even know you?" he snapped.
Prince Khane's smile grew wider. "Let's meet this great master you spoke of. I've sold all my wares for today."
As Prince Khane walked away, Arnin fell into step beside him, still fuming. "I'm receiving my commission, and you haven't properly become my disciple yet. There are procedures to follow."
As they trudged through the sweltering heat, Arnin's chatter filled the air, a steady stream of words that accompanied them to their destination.
The sign above the shop creaked in the gentle breeze, bearing the inscription "Long Life" in elegant script. Horses munched on hay outside.
"Looks like Master K has a bustling day ahead," Arnin observed, his eyes scanning the horses. "And luck is smiling upon him, too. I forgot to mention, he's also a talented physician."
Upon entering, they were enveloped by the earthy aroma of herbs and the soft murmur of conversations.
Arnin's gaze landed on a young lady arranging a selection of dried plants on a wooden counter. "Greetings, my dear. Where might I find Master K? My friend here requires his expertise."
The young lady's smile was warm as she replied, "He's currently attending to a patient in the next chamber."
Arnin's hand instinctively went to Prince Khane's shoulder, his eyes drifting toward the other chamber "I'll still meet him.Once he sees my face,he will recognize me and attend to my friend"
However, the young lady's expression turned cautionary, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wouldn't advise that, Arnin. The person he's attending to is...of great importance. Please, wait patiently."
Just then,lady Pherna swept into the shop, her bodyguard shadowing her steps. Her radiant blue gown rustled as she moved, and her white hair cascaded down her back like a river of moonlight.
"Arnin, Khaillin?" she asked, her voice melodious as she saw them surprisingly.
"Miss Phera," Prince Khane replied, his eyes locked on hers.
"You also know this great master?"Arnin asked.
Pherna's gaze turned to him. "I do."
Then, she turned to Prince Khane. "Did you come for your meridians?"
"I did," Prince Khane replied.
Arnin intervened, his voice tinged with urgency. "Miss Pherna, we could have chatted longer, but we need to see the great master now." He grasped Prince Khane's sleeve, turning him toward the other chamber.
As Arnin pushed open the door, he caught a glimpse of the customer within. His eyes widened, and he swiftly pulled Prince Khane back, retreating from the room with haste.
"What did you see?" Prince Khane asked, his brow furrowed.
Arnin's voice barely rose above a whisper. "It's the First Prince. Hurry, let's leave. We'll come another time."
Fear etched itself on Arnin's face as he hastened away, pulling Prince Khane along with him.
Just then, a boisterous customer burst into the shop, his heavy blade thudding onto a nearby table. "Who's in charge here?" he bellowed, his gaze scanning the room.
As he spotted Prince Khane, his eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer.
And at this same time,Prince Eyrin emerged from the chamber, accompanied by the great master.
The man's face lit up with surprise. "Nameless? What brings you to Tamil State?"
Arnin halted, looking around in confusion, wondering where his role model is. Meanwhile, Prince Khane's curiosity was piqued.
The man approached Prince Khane, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Nameless ,Brother, have you forgotten me so soon?"
As he stood before Prince Khane, Prince Eyrin's eyes widened in realization. This man was referring to the defiant commoner as "Nameless".
So that means...