1 Chapter 1

I was born the youngest of 4 brothers. The eldest excelled in his subjects and no doubt made the perfect crown prince. Each son was consecutively less talented and less ambitious. As the youngest, I was consequently the worst son. This only bothered me to the extent of my tutors and nurses warning me on what must have been a weekly basis to keep my ambitions in check. But I cannot complain about my childhood. I was happy as many children never are, free to frolic around the palace, and as my eldest brother with all the restrictions of being the crowned prince could not have been.

At the age of 14, it was decided that I would be sent as a tribute to the Empire of Escar. As a vassal state of Escar, the Kingdom of Mostana customarily sent one royal daughter of each generation to be wedded off to one of the lords of Escar. As I had no sisters, I was to be a hostage at Marigold Palace in the capital of Escar. I can't remember being particularly saddened at having been sent away. There were things I would miss of course- the chef's sweet buns or playing cards with boys my age- but I had no concrete relationships that kept me anchored to my homeland of Mostana.

When I arrived, I was assigned a nurse by the name of Anna. She saw to it that I was well fed. Otherwise, I was left to my own devices. I could no longer act as carefree as I had in Mostana, so I found quiet occupations, like reading in secret nooks in the library of the palace I stayed in or tentatively exploring the dusty servants' hallways of my wing. The only thing really expected of me was that I occasionally sent letters home to reassure my family that I was still alive. Anna always supervised these, and as such I never wrote anything too personal, not that I had anyone I wanted to send personal letters to.

Sometimes I grew so lonely or frustratingly bored that I would cast Anna or any other servant out of my quarters and pace around my room for hours, cursing my family that viewed me as a pawn and cursing this damned new land that I wasn't even allowed to go see. During those times I would resolve to change something. But I never quite landed on what that something was and as soon as my fit was over the compulsion would fade, and I would settle back into my daily life of taking solitary meals and studying the cracks on the walls.

Even as I grew physically from a boy to an adult, my mind felt trapped in the confines of Marigold Palace. I spent five years this way.

Once a year, I was allowed into the main palace, all gleaming marble banisters and high ceilings, and so big I could hardly hope to ever find my way out without help. During these times, the Emperor of Escar would summon me to his office. He would inquire as to how I found my stay as a guest, and how my relatives abroad were faring. I could never completely ascertain the true purpose of these meetings, as I'm certain he did not truly care how I found the palace's hospitality and even more certain he knew better than I how my relatives were faring. But once a year, he asked. The visit never took more than five minutes and once it was over I was whisked back into the minor wing of the minor palace I stayed in, where I would remain for the next year.

But this year, the visit was different. I arrived outside the door of the Emperor's office, having been guided by one of the main palace women, wearing my best tunic and having taken more care than usual to smooth my black hair back. The guard outside the room waved us off when we approached.

Ten minutes after having arrived I began to feel restless. This was different than it had ever been. Eventually the door opened and a man with a thin face wearing round glasses poked his head out. He fixed his gaze on me and waved me in without a word. I glanced at the woman. She nodded and I entered the room. The man shut the door after me and took a place behind his liege lord.

Immediately I lowered myself into a bow. "Your Majesty, I have arrived."

After gazing at the floor for a few long silent moments, the Emperor's gravelly voice beckoned me to rise. As I took in the rest of the room, blinking a few times to accustom myself to its brightness, I noticed another man off to the right of the Emperor's desk.

His arms were crossed and he had on an irritated expression. He was tall with dark blue eyes and light brown hair. "Father," he began, "With our intel, surely we can fake it. But this- this isn't right."

The Emperor remained silent and looked tired, as if he had argued this point the entire afternoon.

Meanwhile, I realized my mistake. "Forgive me Your Highness, I didn't see you at first so I…" I trailed off.

"No," he said, briskly dismissing the apology, avoiding my eyes.

I dared to speak again, "Your Majesty, perhaps if I have interrupted you at an inopportune time…" I said trailing off yet again. Was it really so difficult to finish a damn sentence?

The Emperor finally spoke, "No, you'll stay. I've summoned you today with a slightly different itinerary." He slowly rubbed his gray beard as he contemplated for a moment. "Are you aware of recent activities in your homeland of Mostana?"

I racked my brain for answers. As complacent as I had grown these past 5 years I hadn't read reports about my hometown in favor of burying myself in fantastical tales. "Your Majesty, perhaps you could be referring to… the… recent initiative to increase cultural trade with the Empire of Escar?" I could've kicked myself.

The Emperor barked out a short laugh. "Trade yes, cultural no. Your people," emphasis on the your, "have been accumulating iron. Steel. God knows what else. If you know anything, now is your chance to spit it out."

"Your Majesty, all of my correspondence with Mostana is monitored-"

"There is always a way to get information in" interrupted the Emperor.

I stayed silent, hands gripping my pants, and wished I could go back to my quarters.

The Emperor began again, softer this time. "Son, you were sent here to ensure your people stayed loyal to the empire, but at this rate, all your work and sacrifice will have been for nothing." I couldn't say that I had neither worked nor sacrificed anything, so I simply nodded instead.

"That's why I'm going to ask for your cooperation. From tomorrow onwards, you'll be staying in Green Tower." My head shot up and my mouth opened. "No, you've not committed any crimes, but we need to make it clear to Mostana that we won't hesitate to use any means to maintain peace. I'd like to say you can simply say in your letters that you're imprisoned, but there are eyes and ears everywhere. The more convincing, the better. And… though I know Green Tower has a reputation preceding it, you will still receive better treatment than the average prisoner."

I could not help but let some of my indignation show, "Your Majesty, surely you must know that whatever plans my family has will not stop with my imprisonment?"

The Emperor leaned forward and pinned me with his eyes. "Maybe not. But that is what a hostage is for. Dismissed."

Feeling dizzy and disoriented, I stumbled toward the door without so much as a bow.

I had heard the Green Tower had once had a different name, but that was long ago. Now, the "Green" referred to the green moss that covered its interior and exterior. It contained prisoners who had committed the most heinous of crimes, including being a foreign prince it seemed. The death toll was the highest out of all prisons in the empire due to the combination of neglectful treatment from the guards as well as the awful hygiene. There were not many who were able to live out their terms.

I had to avoid it. Somehow.

But escaping into a foreign country of which I had little knowledge, equipped with nothing but the things on my back, while somehow managing to elude the Kings' Knights seemed impossible. Still, it was better than rotting away in some prison. If my family really wanted to begin a war, my presence here would not stop them. In any case, I had to prepare quickly. The King didn't say when I was to be sent away, but I knew he was not a man that delayed. Likely, he would allow me enough time to enjoy a few more meals in the palace as a final gift.

The magnitude of what I intended to do crept down my neck, leaving in its wake a sheen of sweat. I closed my eyes and clasped my trembling hands together in an attempt to steady myself. I had grown up knowing I was at worst an obstacle and at best a pawn to my family, but as unambitious as I was I had never thought my role would lead me to real trouble. I berated myself for having let myself grow comfortable here. I had grown comfortable, and neglected my studies in both academia and weaponry. I had always imagined myself growing old in some forgotten corner of this godforsaken palace, if not completely happy, then at least comfortable and fed.

Once I was back, I dismissed Anna early, faking a headache. No doubt aware of my situation, she left without inquiring further. I selected a plain satchel and stuffed into it things I thought I might need, as well as anything that looked like I might be able to sell at market. As a spoiled prince, I had never needed to keep any coins myself.

After the sky began to turn pink, I followed the other servants in front of me down and wended through the throngs of people and animals in the courtyard. It seemed every few steps someone collided into me, so clearly, everyone else was as eager as I to leave the palace, except that they would be back the next day.

Clutching my bag, I finally neared the palace gates. There was a bottleneck effect as the masses jockeyed to pass through the narrow gate. Every step I took closer made my heart pound even harder, and I felt as though I would never arrive. But right as I passed through the gates and into the capital city of Mostana, I felt a firm hand clasp over my shoulder.

I looked up and to my right. A tall man with light brown hair and blue eyes peered down at me, brows furrowed. "Wait a minute, you're that prin-"

Before he could finish I ripped away and pushed through the throngs. I could hear shouts of anger but I paid them no mind. I ran out into the streets and narrowly dodged a carriage before turning down an alleyway. I heard a call for guards. My breath came out raggedly through my throat and my neglected muscles ached. This was not what I had planned.