CHAPTER 10

Prince Arthur started dancing with Isabella, Alexander stormed off as he couldn't imagine that he had sex with another woman other than Charlotte whom he has a crush on. He went to the Black River alone and sat down on a tree that fell on the ground and stared dumbfounded. Suddenly the fog thickened in the area, making him disappear. He was pulled out from his thought when he felt someone approaching him. He stood up and he drew his sword. He rolled his eyes and sharpened his ears to listen to the sound of footsteps. "Show yourself, dumb-ass. You're barking on a wrong tree!"

Someone jumped behind him and attacked him with a sword which he immediately blocked. He noticed the gold sword and recognized who attacked him.

"Prince Arthur, is that you?" asked Alexander.

"Your skill with the sword is really impressive, Alexander!" said Prince Arthur.

"Thank you very much for your praise Prince Arthur. What you said to me is imprinted in my mind!"

Prince Arthur waved his tizona sword and the fog disappeared spontaneously. When the thick fog was gone, he threw another question to him. "Why did you leave? Don't you know that Isabella noticed you and was very saddened by your sudden departure?"

"Please forgive my sudden departure, there are many things that are bothering me at the moment and I don't want her to see the sadness on my face. She might misinterpret it," explained Alexander.

Prince Arthur placed his tizona sword in his scabbard which was strapped to his waist so did Alexander. "Let's sit down to talk and please don't call me Prince for now. To be honest, I don't want to be called by that name. I am just following my father," said Prince Arthur. He held Alexander by the shoulder and they sat side by side on the tree while looking away.

"I can see from her furtive glances at you that she likes you Alexander, why don't you try to seduce her? She is a beautiful warrioress and hardworking. Many warriors are obsessed with her beauty. It would be a shame if she ends up with another warrior!"

"Forgive me Arthur, but she is just a friend of mine, nothing more, nothing less. I've got someone else in my heart who inspires me to become a great warrior!"

"And may I know what her name is?" Prince Arthur asked curiously.

"I haven't confessed to her yet. When the right time comes, I will confess my true feelings to her!"

"I'm very happy for you, Alexander. I hope you don't forget to introduce her to me someday. I also want to find someone to love, but my eyes are picky so I can't choose just yet. For now, my attention is entirely focus on guarding our kingdom!"

Alexander gazed and smiled at the Prince. "I look forward to meeting to meeting her as well, Arthur!"

"No problem, by the way I noticed from the tone of my mother's speech that she cares about you. I'm not jealous but a little bit worried coz I feel like she has a connection with your late father, Zeus!"

"You are right in your suspicions, Prince Arthur. My father told me that he and Queen Veronica used to be lovers before she was married to your father, King Bartholomeo. The main reason why they broke up was-"

Prince Arthur interrupted him before he could finish his statement. "Because my mother only lives for her powers, jewels, and her other possessions. Something she wouldn't have if she didn't marry my father!"

"Forgive my intrusion but I can sense in your voice that you have a hidden grudge against your mother, Prince Arthur!"

"You're absolutely right, Alexander. In fact I don't feel her presence at all. She is like a ghost. She is doing what she wants in life. I'm jealous of others who have mothers who care for their children. What saddened me most is, my father is too blind to see that.

"I am sorry to hear these from your lips, Prince Arthur. I hope the time will come for you and your mother to be in good terms!"

"I am not dreaming of that anymore. Still, I am wondering why you refused to live in our kingdom? If you want, we can share my room, Alexander."

"Prince Arthur, even if I want to follow your wishes, I have to respect the rules of our kingdom. Besides, I know that your father and mother will oppose it. I'd prefer to be everywhere than to stick to one house!"

Prince Arthur and Alexander suddenly stood up when they heard footsteps nearby. They drew their swords to prepare for a surprise attack.

"Prince Arthur, be careful. This strange aura..."

"Yes I know, so King Abaddon sent his fucking werewolves, what is he up to?" Prince Arthur frowned.

Two black portals appeared and two magicians dressed in purple cloaks came out.

Prince Arthur and Alexander were surprised. "Magicians? I thought I felt the presence of two werewolves?"

Alexander turned back and saw two werewolves running towards them. "You are right, Prince Arthur. There are werewolves as well aside from this magician!"

"Be careful, Alexander. I think these magicians are being controlled!"

"Does King Abaddon have such power?"

"I don't know, but the way these magicians moved, they are not themselves!"

"I will take care of werewolves Prince Arthur!"

"Yes, let me take care of these ugly magicians!"

Prince Arthur and Alexander dashed in opposite directions to intercept their enemies. Alexander threw his shield at a werewolf and immediately beheaded it. He enhanced his speed and slashed the remaining werewolf, instantly killing it and took his shield on the ground. While Prince Arthur is in defense mode.

"Hey, would you like me to help Prince Arthur?" asked Alexander.

"No, I just exhaust my magic power and I feel tired. However, I can still fight with my Tizona sword," after the magicians attacked, Prince Arthur used his long ranged slash and he was able to cut off the heads of the two magicians who disintegrates before his eyes.

Alexander approached Prince Arthur and tapped him on the shoulder to praise him. "You did a great job, Prince Arthur!"

"Likewise, Alexander!"

"Prince Arthur you should return to the party and report to the King what just occurred here!"

"No, I don't want to ruin someone's celebration just because some stupid werewolves attempt to kill us! I will do it tomorrow!"

"Well speaking of tomorrow, there is a quest that Isabella gave me regarding a child that I need to save from the hands of pirates. I would like to ask for your permission to be absent from our training, Prince Arthur!"

"No problem, our life is far more important than anything else. Right now, we need to rest to gain strength!"

Prince Arthur went to the kingdom while Alexander went to Charlotte's room and found her sleeping. He looked at her beautiful face and kissed her on the lips before falling asleep next to her. The next day, as they were on the boat, Alexander reminded Charlotte about a few things.

"Listen to me carefully Charlotte, we don't know the dangers that lie ahead of us. Just stick to me and don't force yourself if you can't fight!"

"I guess this is the right time to apply what I have learned from our training, Alexander. I'm positive to bring the royal warrior's child back safe and sound. By the way, how was Isabella's birthday? Did she dance with you?"

Alexander bowed as he remembered what happened to him and Isabella. "Forgive me Charlotte, I don't feel like talking about her. By the time we accomplished our mission, will we leave the guild hall and forget everything that happened there, understood?"

"Gotcha, you have my words Alexander!"

When the two of them reached the island, three bandit treasure hunters wearing fancy velvet coats and jackets, taffeta breeches, gaily-colored silk shirts intercepted them with cutlasses in their hand. Charlotte hid behind Alexander in fear. Then another two bandit treasure hunters showed up.

"Be careful, these bandit treasure hunters are nimble than they look. I don't know much about them except for the fact that they worked with the werewolves! Just stay in back so you won't get hurt!"

"It looks like you were sent for this quest, fucking warrior. Let me tell you something you must know about us before you die. We are all strong and we can fight you!" said the bandit treasure hunter in the middle. "I'm Sherlock the leader of this bandit treasure hunters and I have no business with you. What we're looking for is the gold our victim's father will send us, get lost!"

"But it looks like you brought us a beautiful young lady, may we know her name?" asked the bandit pirate standing next to Sherlock.

"We won't say anything about us. Just return the child you kidnapped so no one in your stupid tribe dies!" Alexander warned as he drew his celestial sword. "You piece of trash!"

"Shut the fuck up, you're just a warrior with a low rank. How dare you mocked and insulted our tribe?" yelled the bandit in the center.

Black smoke came out from the five bandits' body and their eyes turned yellow. Charlotte saw the child behind them whose hands and feet were tied up.

"Go and fight the five bandits, I am going to rescue the girl they have taken as hostage," said Charlotte.

Alexander rushed to the bandits and they fought. Charlotte rushed to the girl and removed the ties from her body and feet. When Charlotte finished untying the girl, she took her by the hand and ran to the boat.

"Just stay here, little kid. Wait until we turn back!" said Charlotte.

"Who are you?" asked the child.

Charlotte smiled to the girl. "My name is Charlotte, and I came here to rescue you!"

Charlotte went to Alexander's location to help him with her katana. They managed to defeat the bandits and immediately boarded the boat. Unfortunately, strong waves sunk their small boat, drowning them all. Alexander manages to save the child but failed to see Charlotte.