CHAPTER 8: A FATEFUL NIGHT

"Ubuian? Wait, are you the one I saw just now…? Or are you a different one…Maybe all Ubuians look the same."

As he droned on in the background, my mind couldn't comprehend the weight of the situation. This makes no sense… so it is forcing me to…

"Oi," I squatted and whispered to his ear, "Are you being chased right now?" I scanned the surroundings, but the corridor seemed empty.

His face turned to me, but his smile faded, "Do you sense someone?"

"Yes. I need to get you out now."

The taps of footsteps on the carpeted floor, the thuds reverberating through the hallway. A butler pushes a cart of food towards this room.

"Do you know him?" I asked as I stood back up and stood at attention once more.

"I…have never seen him in my entire life."

Ah fuck. It's an assassin, isn't it

I subtly pulled the prince over to my side. My hood was still on; I hoped it didn't reveal my identity. As the butler walked past us, nothing happened. I observed his back, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It was just the typical black blazer over a white button-up. Slung around his left arm was a white tablecloth which extended to his hands. His head was bald, glinting in the moonlight.

As he turned to face the door, his gaze shifted to us. A cold, defiant stare focused on me as the prince distanced himself to try and alleviate the problem.

His gaze turned back to the door as he knocked and entered, closing it behind him before I could notice what was happening behind them.

"Why are you here, Ubuian?" He asked as he stroked his chin.

"Now is not the time for these questions. Do you know the way out?"

"Of course, I do, I am the prince."

I looked out the window, trying to discern the distance to the exit or another way out, but it seemed futile. The roofs of the chambers and walkways were all triangular and sharply peaked. The drops between levels ranged from three to four stories. Even if I could survive the fall, I doubted the boy could withstand the impact. Suddenly, lightning tore through the sky, illuminating the darkness beneath. *This is making it harder and harder.*

I shoved the windows open, letting the rain pour in. *This could serve as a distraction.* "Lead the way," I muttered, urging him on. "Pick up the pace."

He jogged through an intricate maze of well-designed corridors. The walls were adorned with gilded frames housing majestic portraits and tapestries depicting historical battles and royal lineage. Chandeliers with intricate crystal designs hung from the ceilings, casting a dim but elegant light across the red velvet carpets that muffled our hurried footsteps. Marble statues of dignified figures lined the hallways, their stern gazes seeming to follow us as we passed.

"Did you just get back now?" I asked as we dashed down a grand staircase, its banisters ornately carved and polished to a shine.

"Yes. I was heading to my room after supper!" he said excitedly.

*Does he really grasp the seriousness of this situation?* I wondered. It was hard to believe that just a few hours ago, he was terrified of me, and now he trusted me enough to run away together. But now wasn't the time to dwell on these details. I needed to ensure his safety, or we both were doomed

Suddenly, he stopped. He tried to open a door but to no avail. "What's this?" I asked as he walked back to me in despair

"This door is usually open," he pointed out, looking dejectedly at the ground. "But it seems it's locked because it's so late at night."

*Crap… what do we do now?* I scanned the room, looking for another way out, but even the windows were locked. "Where does this lead?" I asked, leaning toward the door, trying to hear the other side

"It's a backdoor of the castle," he said. "There should be keys, but they're all the way back in the other direction." He tried to turn back.

"No. Don't bother. We don't have time." I hesitated momentarily, then swung my leg forward, kicking the door with all the force I could muster.

*This has to work.* I thought as the door groaned under the impact. The rain pounded outside, adding urgency to every move. Each heartbeat echoed with the stakes of our escape.

BOOM

The doors cracked and burst open. I stepped outside to confirm my safety, but a floodlight instantly pointed at me.

"That's him!" a shout echoed from the walls above. "He's the Ubuian that killed the king and kidnapped the prince!"

The sound of shuffling steps splashed above. The plough of raindrops upon the barren soil beneath made each move I made more sluggish. I didn't have time to hesitate. Grabbing the prince, I hoisted him onto my shoulder and slid down the steep slope at the back of the castle.

"Ubuian, what's happening? Why did they say you killed the king?"

I opened my mouth, but words failed me.

I don't know what to think or do except run.

The slope grew steeper, and I finally lost my footing. We tumbled down the muddy incline, crashing into trees and rocks. I hugged the prince tightly, trying to shield him from the worst of it. Mud splashed up, coating us both, and the cold rain made the ground slick and treacherous.

We finally came to a halt at the bottom, covered in mud and bruises. I pushed myself up, shaking off the daze. "You okay?" I asked, helping the prince to his feet.

He nodded, his eyes wide with fear. "Yeah, I'm fine."

I placed him on my back and dashed off again. Cold droplets of rain occasionally blinded me, and my soaked rags clung to my skin, stinging with a cold, slimy sensation from the mud.

As we emerged into the streets, another lightning bolt tore through the sky, momentarily revealing a myriad of alleys.

Which way?

I quickly dashed to the closest one and ran through its narrow confines like a madman. I didn't know where I was going, but the sounds of horses galloping on the other side of the walls were terrifying.

Bursting out of the small alley, I realized they were right there. I instantly returned and hid behind the wall, peeking out to observe. Men on horses stood steadily, scanning their surroundings. As one of them turned his head toward us, I ducked back, holding my breath.

We can't be caught. Not now.

The air was thick with tension. Every heartbeat echoed in my ears as I clung to the prince, praying they wouldn't find us. The rain pounded relentlessly, each drop a reminder of our peril. The horses' hooves clopped closer, their riders' voices low and threatening.

"Sorry," I muttered, trying to catch my breath before peering my head out again.

"Thanks." I heard muttered, "I never trusted those stories that all Ubuians are war freaks or cruel bastards… Of course, you seem to kill without hesitation…but you seem to have something deeper within you-"

"Shush", I muttered as the horse galloped closer in this direction. I hid my head back and drew the hood back.

"Oi. Matt"

My body was stunned for a moment. I looked over to the prince, but his gaze was directed elsewhere. Further into the alley was a huge drain lid, pushed up from its usual hiding position.

"It's me, Fritz; we seem to be fated. Twice in one night."

. . .

John was approaching the alley, his steps quick and purposeful as his suspicions guided him closer and closer to finding the kidnapper. 

"John," the royal alchemist called out, stopping him in his tracks.

The Royal Alchemist glanced briefly at John. "His friends will end up saving him. Besides, he already did the job I told him about." He laughed maniacally into the howling winds, his cackle blending with the occasional drums of thunder and the rhythmic pour of rain. "He didn't even need to take the prince. How kind of him."

"Let's head back to the 1st prince."

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Sub-Quest 2: Completed! 

Rune-Crafting level 0 -> Rune-Crafting Level 1

The items: 3 x Seraphic Stones have been credited to your inventory. 

Congratulations!