16 Chapter 15: Winter's Path

The next day Sir Jamonson arrives at the barn early in the morning. When he does he finds Vincent and Prince Winston together and Benjamin's bloody body where it had lain all night. Vincent and Prince Winston are awake when he comes upon them, though Vincent is still weak and is only able to catch a little of what occurs. He remembers a shocking, bewildering expression covering his face unable to put together what took place here.

Before he could ask anything, or at least Vincent thinks he doesn't speak, Prince Winston begins first. Vincent only hears Prince Winston tells Sir Jamonson to not worry about something, most likely Benjamin's body, and that he is what is important.

The next thing Vincent knows he is being cared for in the castle, but Prince Winston is not there. He examines himself and sees his wounds have been dressed.

"You were lucky.", comes a voice. Vincent turns his head to see one of the physicians cleaning his hands. "The wound was clean and affection hadn't set in. You will live, but you lost a lot of blood and you are weak. All you need is to eat well and rest.", the man tells him. He stares at Vincent. "You are a very loyal and strong child.", he goes on. Before Vincent can ask him what he means the door opens as Prince Winston walks in and approaches Vincent's bedside. The physician leaves the room without a word leaving the two friends to talk.

"How are you?", Prince Winston asks.

"Alive. You?", Vincent asks.

"Don't worry so much about me. You nearly got yourself killed doing that.", Prince Winston tells him. Vincent looks at him for a moment.

"How can I not when you are my best friend and the prince of this land no less? I never had a friend before you and you are the only person who got me to feel emotions and alive. I will always protect you. Because I want to.", Vincent replies.

"Argh...! And this is why I can't think of losing you. Because you are the only one that brings normalcy into my life while still allowing my to be royal!", Prince Winston says almost sounding as if he is complaining. "Either way you are not leaving this castle anymore. I know you chose to be a stable boy, but-."

"Actually...I was going to talk to you about that.", Vincent interrupts. "I honestly chose that because I wasn't sure at all what was going to happen and being a stable boy let me stay close to my old life while still coming into this new world cautiously, but now... Now I've found myself completely absorbed into it with you and I don't think it is for me to go back, but forward. So what I'm saying is...I think I need to find a new position in this world and I know what it is.", Vincent pauses for a breath. "I want to train to be a knight. That way I can protect not just you, but this whole kingdom. Will you let me do that?", Vincent says.

Prince Winston looks thoughtful for a moment and Vincent worries if he will really let him go after what happened and what they have said to each other.

"There you again sounding like an old man with those wise words of yours.", Prince Winston finally says jokingly. Vincent shoves Prince Winston's shoulder with a smile as the prince chuckles full heartedly. "Seriously though...I think your right and... I think you becoming a knight and one day joining the royal knights is the best thing you can do. Just think when I take the throne you can be my personal right hand knight.", Prince Winston suggests smiling.

"There is nothing I would like better.", Vincent says.