"Excuse me?" Daedrik couldn't find his words and so it came as only a stutter.
But Master Arachnode nodded, understanding completely, and before the prince could call him back, the young teacher was already walking towards the Great Doors ahead. It lead straight to the stairway and out into the village centre, better known as the market district.
And even when the door boomed its closing, Daedrik turned immediately to Ryder who now called in the rest of the men and women. With just a click of his finger, the maids and workers came rushing in like an overflowing pool. Soon they surrounded King Ryder, with some holding important documents and others forming the usual line in front of the throne. But Daedrik, now regaining himself, pushed past everyone.
"Father, I don't understand!"
"You do, Daedrik. You choose not to," he mused, walking around to the supper tables. It was empty now, covered by only a cream cloth, but soon they'd hold another meeting with a neighbouring village, a feast would be held.
"He was a good teacher," he nagged. "Everyday he'd take me out to the forest, where we'd hunt and use the meat for fire food. He-he taught me how to make a fire and how to stop a fire…and how to heal a fire burn and-and," he ran out of words, but fitfully searched for more, giving his father a small time to speak.
King Ryder was a wise man and took that opportunity wistfully.
"Daedrik, would you say that Master Arachnode was a young man?"
His eyes travelled around the room, trying to think of words, then eventually nodded, "yes, very young. I thought he was the slave of a travelling merchant at first."
"He is humanoid too, yes?"
"Yes…"
Very silly questions, but given no choice, he responded eagerly.
"Humanoids, no matter how interbred, have certain abilities that align with their species-kin. One of which is the ability to learn. If Master Arachnode was as young as we're aware, why do you choose to believe he possessed enough knowledge to teach you forever?"
Daedrik was about to answer, then stopped. He looked up, trying not to pout.
"So…he's gone back to learn?"
King Ryder nodded as a servant passed and handed him the schedule the queen had written up. She was in charge of events and this one was important; Daedrik could see by the lists' length.
"But…but why couldn't he learn here? Why did he have to leave?"
"Master Arachnode possesses skills no man in the Sire Region has. He cannot learn from what cannot preach. Thus, he has returned home."
"To Solestar?" The word was bitter on his tongue. It was terrible to even say and, with all the rumours of conflict, it might as well have been a slur. But Ryder nodded and Daedrik gasped.
"But what about the…war?"
"The war is not definite yet, you know this," he looked tired now, "and if Solestar chooses to let their deluded sense of pride and nationality get the best of them, they will not strike now. They are smart enough to know this."
"But what about Master Arachnode? They wouldn't let a man run away to their rival kingdom"
"They will not hurt him. The young teacher is from their inferior race and so they couldn't care what happens to them, even if he does possess culturally superior skills."
Daedrik wanted to say more. He wanted to ask more. But treading on the conversation of war was a dangerous topic and so he only bit his lip. It was more nerve wracking for himself as, in two years or so, it was predicted that Solestar would make their first tactical move on the kingdom. Daedrik was fifteen years old and in two years he'd become king. He'd own this castle, this kingdom, in less than two years… when the rival was predicted to hit their land. What would the villagers think? That, within a month of his ruling and war has been declared? The idea haunted Daedrik, but he naturally shunned negative thoughts and embraced the fact that, although Master Arachnode was gone and was in a very dangerous situation, he could still return.
"When will he come back?"
King Ryder had walked to his throne and taken a seat. Every morning he dealt with the formal letters, and afternoons he dealt with other matters. There was always something happening in the Sire Nether Kingdom.
"Master Arachnode had begun his training at birth. To excel his skills fast enough to train, he will be back in a predicted ten years."
"Ten years!?"
Ryder darted a look towards Daedrik and the boy shrunk down considerably. Still, he said nothing and sighed.
"In his place will be a huntsman from Westwood. He will take your mornings but only arrives tomorrow. You have your morning session free."
Daedrik continued to pout and, when Ryder finally noticed this, he took the ring from his finger off and passed it over to him.
"You aren't wearing your ring."
"Sorry…Father. I always put it on after breakfast."
Ryder nodded, "the idea of kingship is troublesome, but I assure that when Master Arachnode returns, the kingdom will be just as secure under your ruling. Do not think about the conflict. Do not bring up that other Kingdom. Do you understand?"
The boy nodded, clinging to the ring shamefully. He tried to. He really did. But Solestar was a dangerous place. It stuck to your head. It wasn't like the neighboring villages and kingdoms. It was part of the three main kingdoms. Those being Central Taru, Solestar, and this Kingdom called the Sire Nether Kingdom/ empire. Amongst these were smaller kingdoms and villages within the region, but the three reigned supreme for individual reasons, mainly being that of supremacy with population, wealth or power.
Daedrik didn't understand why Solestar wanted to attack the kingdom and everyone refused to tell him. There had to be a reason, but no villager knew, and if his father did, then he kept it secret.
Soon though, when they eventually pledged war, he'd learn the reason. Because as ruthless and evil as the inhabitants of Solestar were, they weren't foolish. Only foolish people attack for the sake of it.
When there was nothing left to say, Daedrik left the Great Hall and had breakfast with Queen Aniya. Ryder joined them and the two conversed privately. Likely, they spoke about the recent imports of rich minerals, and Daedrik couldn't be bothered. Even with Arachnode gone, he still had a free period, and quickly went back to the room to change. When he emerged through those Great Doors, he saw Stefan leaning against the stairway walls. The guards knew who he was and didn't pester the boy of high wealth, even when the bow and arrow stuck out in the bag like black poison in a fountain.
He grinned, "Rumours speak of the great and mighty prince being free this lesson?"
He laughed, hitting his shoulder. Daedrik hid beneath a thick cloak and a bandana. The cloth hid his dark hair and the cloak dimmed his eyes.
Outside, like this, no one could recognise him.
And he carried a bow and arrow, just like Stefan.
"Whatever shall we do, your highness?"
Ahead, the crowd below was thick and heavy, like swirling foam in water. But he looked ahead to the forest and its capsulled serenity.
"The palace is large. Most of its territories, unexplored."
Stefan threw a hand over his shoulder, "so where?"
"I heard there's been sightings of wild wolves gone mad by the forest, not far out of the breach."
"The world will think us heroes, ridding this place of those foul creatures."
"To the forest, then?"
They both grinned at each other, slick with delight.
To the forest.