12 A Lonely Journey Looking For Her

The hustle and bustle of the streets in South-Mairak kingdom were as busy, noisy and packed as usual. The early morning trade, the loud voices of traders, children that were supposed to be in school running here and there, without the fear of upcoming vehicles. Even though the sun was blazing to its fullest on this hot afternoon, that didn't dissuade the crowd from coming out.

Amongst the busy roads, there was a guy, putting on a cape on his blond locks to hide his royal features, his attire was all black to stir away any suspicion regarding his identity. The sword he clutched steadily by his side was daring anyone to try pick a fight with him but a glare from him will send them flying away.

He turned right and the men behind him followed immediately, the prince let out a heavy sigh and mumbled.

''Mother and her foolishly loyal dogs''

Since the minute the prince left the castle to find his supposed dead sister, these three men who obviously have been sent by The Queen, have been on his tail. He passed through the Elites society, the middle class society and he is now in the rural part of the kingdom yet they are still following him like magnets and it was starting to get on his nerves.

The prince understood his mother's concern but having men following him into the enemies' territory was like declaring war and that was something the prince doesn't want at all. He needed to find a way to get them off his tails or else his sister's life would be in danger.

He turned away from the market and went through a small, lone path, he could feel the men following him at a safe distance so he increased his speed. When they finally got a deserted alley where no life was seen and the noises from the market couldn't be heard, he stopped and the footsteps behind him also stopped.

''Go back to the kingdom'' the prince said with his back still towards the men.

''I am afraid we can't do that, your highness'' one of them answered.

''Go back and tell Mother you lost my track, or else I will send you back myself'' he turned around and met the three men heads' bowed as a sign of respect for the future head of the throne.

''On the order of the Queen, we can't return, your highness'' the leader of the trio remained firm on his decision.

''Don't make me do something I don't want to do'' the prince dropped his backpack on the sandy floor and took off his cape.

He brought out his sword and took it out of the sheath.

''I give you one last chance. Go back'' he ran his hand over the sword.

When the men remained in their same position, he shrugged his shoulders and advanced towards the men who were starting to tremble from what the prince was about to do. They looked at one another, nervously and considered whether to obey the Queen's command or to run away and never show their faces to anyone.

"Your choice"

By the time they were about to make a decision, the prince used the sword's handle to hit one on his stomach and he fell down from the force and shock of the attack. Before the other two could run, it was less than a second that they were on the ground rolling in pain from the attack of the prince.

When they summoned the courage to stand up, the prince used his sword to stroke their arm, leg and shoulder, respectively and they clutched their injured parts while groaning in pain. They could never dare try to defend themselves because he was from the royal family and it would be a death sentence if they lay a finger on him so they have no other choice but to endure his attacks.

When prince Lane made sure they were injured enough to not be able to follow him anymore, he took his backpack, put on his cape and kept his sword on his waist belt. When he got close enough, he crouched and whispered a message on the leader's ear.

''Inform my mother that I will be back with my sister very soon'' he tapped his shoulder and stood up with a wary smile.

The prince drew the cape to cover at least half of his face and soon he blended with the crowd, he then went through an old brick building in which the word ''BLACKSMITHS'' was inscribed. He went up the rough staircase and took a right turn and stopped before a worn out door.

He knocked twice and left a gap before he knocked once again and the door was immediately opened to reveal a grimly looking man with white stained beards filled with dandruffs and things that shouldn't be found there, his clothes looked like rags that have been used to clean the toilet more times than can be counted.

When he opened his mouth to smile at the prince, the dangerous stench that escaped between his yellowishly fabricated teeth almost knocked out the prince but he composed himself.

''To whom do I own this pleasure, my prince?'' his dark and mysterious voice echoed down the empty hallway.

"I need something from you"

"What must be so important that the prince himself came down here to see Old Flador?"

"Give me The Forbidden" the silence was deadly after that statement, the old man stared at the prince for a while but later reverted his gaze when he saw nothing but determination in the prince's eyes.

The grimly old man opened his door and the prince run his eyes over the room or more like a dumpster that haven't been cleaned for years.

On second thought, Lane believed that Old Flador hasn't cleaned his workshop and house for centuries, the grease coming down from the walls, the mucour and cobwebs on every corner of the room and the half-eaten food containers and so much more that he couldn't dare glance at, were clear evidences.

Old Flador have lived as long as man has been on earth, nobody truly knows where he came from or who he truly is. He is one of the greatest blacksmith existing, he is known for producing different types of weapons, armour for the royal family all over the vampire realm, he is the one that invented the Python Blade that have been the protector of the Princess for centuries.

Nobody knows the real location of the old man except the royal family, his identity has been kept a secret for decades now because last century, he was abducted by another family who he had reportedly refused their offer to be their royal blacksmith and that incident left quite a big scar in the old man's heart and ever since, he has been in isolation with the help of South-Mairak royal family.

Old Flador went through the dimly lit corridor and the prince looked down wondering whether what he is about to do is the right thing but when the radiant smile of Tashina flashed through his head, his heart clenched and he confirmed that this was the only way to find her and bring her back to her kingdom.

He looked up when he heard footsteps coming his way. The old man handed him a bottle but when he was about to take it from him, he retracted his hand and looked at the prince one more time.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" the old man looked at the young prince.

"Do you really think this is the only way?"

"Old Flador, I have thought about this for days, this is the only way I can bring her back. She has been by my side all these years, going there is the least I could do for her" the prince sighed.

"I understand, you are a very smart young lad and I believe you will succeed in your mission but the content in that bottle is very dangerous and you need to be very careful. It may lead to your death" the old man said in concern.

"Thanks for your concern, I will be careful" the prince looked at the bottle in his hand and tightened his fist.

He was going to get his sister no matter what, even if he would have to give up his life.