25

Prince Xavier had convinced his father to stay in the Kingdom of Men until the wedding day. At first, his father was hesitant because of what had happened, but Xavier explained that it'd be a waste of resources for them to leave only to have to turn around and return.

Xavier was standing in the massive kitchen cradling a small cup. He took a tentative sip.

His father entered. "So, when were you planning on telling me of your feelings for Princess Kaya?"

"Excuse me?" 

"That must be the reason King Kojo wants to wed you, no?" King Davis snaps his fingers and maids file into the room.

Xavier moved out of their way as they scurried around the kitchen to get breakfast prepared. He took another sip from his cup before answering.

Sure, Princess Kaya was a stunning girl with knee-long hair and beautiful blue eyes. Xavier had first met the princess when he was six, his father had been having lunch with Kingo Kojo, and bored he decided to wander off.

He came across a room where she'd been working on her sword forms. Even at the tender age of six, she'd been a sight to behold, but Xavier would never admit to these feelings.

Xavier feared that admitting his feelings would complicate their friendship and potentially ruin the comfortable dynamic they had established. He worried that she might not feel the same way and that it would create an awkwardness between them that could never be repaired. Ultimately, Xavier chose to bury his emotions, silently cherishing the memories of her grace and skill from a distance. 

"I'm not sure." Xavier managed, fighting the heat rising on his cheeks.

King Davis nods. "I'm sure that's why." he took a cup from a maid, took a sip then made a face. "What is this?"

"Jasmine tea," Xavier said, glad for the change in subject. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I didn't think they'd serve it to you."

His dad waved off the apology, placing the cup on the counter. "It's alright. King Kojo said he'd be sending that boy from yesterday to help you in the markets. What's his name? Eli or something?"

"Oh." Xavier swallowed down the rest of his drink. "Yeah, that's his name."

"That was a nice thing you did. Healing him." his dad patted his shoulder. "You're just like your mother. I'll be having breakfast in my room."

His father gave him one last smile before leaving the room.

Xavier put his cup down and then rushed to his room to change clothes before his journey to the market. When he came back down, Eli was sitting at the table eating from a plate.

His feet didn't even touch the floor he looked so frail. Eli beamed when he spotted him. "Prince Xavier. Are you ready?"

"Yep."

Eli pushed from the chair, thanking the women who had prepared the meal before opening the door and letting Xavier step out first. Eli followed.

There were two horses out front and Xavier glanced over at Eli. "Did you really come here to take me shopping?"

"Nah. One of your buddies from the Resistance stopped by and said he wanted to give you his congrats for the upcoming wedding."

Xavier's eyes widened. What?!?

Eli climbed on his steed. "Yeah. He told me to talk to you about joining."

As Xavier climbed into place his statement almost had him eating dirt. He straightened. "Do you know what you're getting yourself into?"

They traveled for a while in silence. Then Eli cut in front of him and pulled out what looked like a dead mouse from his pocket.

"Eli..what-?"

Eli slid off of his horse and crouched beside Xavier. He laid the mouse on the ground and then sliced it open, blood spilled from the wound.

Startled, Xavier pulled on the reigns, pulling his horse back. "Eli what-"

Eli then dipped his index and middle finger in the small puddle pooling around the animal's body a drew an unfamiliar mark on the ground. He started muttering under his breath and a small black cloud formed around the mark and slowly got bigger.

Xavier stared with his jaws slack. What the hell?!?!

A moment later, the cloud cleared and a young elf was standing there completely nude. Startled, he wrapped his arms around himself. "Hi-Hi, sir!"

Eli collapsed onto his side and Xavier scrambled down, pushing the elf aside to scoop the boy up.

"Eli?"

Eli stirred and blinked up at him. "I'm alright. Just a little winded. It's been a while since I've done that."

Xavier turned back to the elf who was now looking around in amazement. "How-Why-?"

"I know." Eli pushed to his feet and reached for a bag hanging on his horse. "I can't do it too often. Otherwise, my hair will lose its color. Um...did you happen to bring any extra clothes?"

Rolling his eyes, Xavier took off his cloak and tossed it in the elf's direction. "How did you do that?"

Eli pulled out a vial and took a sip before putting it away again. "Um..." he shrugged a shoulder. "It was a book I found in my father's things. I guess he was hoping to sell it."

"Eli. This alone could get you and your family killed!! Magic here is illegal, especially dark magic!!" Xavier began to pace anxiously. "What were you thinking?!"

"Where am I?" the other elf whispered, running his fingers along the horse's mane. "Is this heaven?"

Eli laughs. "This is as far from heaven as you can get. This is the Kingdom of Men, welcome to hell." he turned back toward Xavier. "I know what the Revolution does and I want to help."

"And if you're caught? What then? I can't save your family from King Kojo's wrath!"

"Let me handle that."

Xavier pondered his question. Though he'd be a huge help he'd also be a liability, but then again he could be the new set of eyes and ears at the palace. Sighing, Xavier grasped Eli's outstretched hand.

"Alright. In a few days, we're going to be setting up explosions in the mine. And smuggling out elves." Xavier glanced warily at the other elf. "But I need a set of ears and eyes at the palace to listen out for anything going on in the mines, got it?"

"Yeah." Eli nods toward the other elf. "What are we going to do with him?"

Xavier chuckled and climbed back on his horse. "I'm not sure. Hey, what's your name?"

"Um.." the elf blinked. "I'm not sure."

Xavier raised a brow at Eli who pursed his lips. Turning back to the elf Xavier held out a hand and helped him climb on. "Well, how does Oshen sound?"