A mystery

"Hah! I guess I was just as important as I thought I was to human civilization!" Alexander said with a cocky smile.

Ares couldn't help but roll his eyes, 'I guess that two minutes that he was dead didn't put a dent into his big ego.' "Take it easy, that's not exactly what I meant by what I said. Who was the king before you left, do you remember?"

"Of course I do, it was Argos. And obviously since you said 'was' I'm assuming he isn't the king anymore?"

"No he isn't. Unfortunately Argos has been missing for the past year and 10 months. The king's advisor Hector has taken the throne in his absence, and the people of Corens have been suffering ever since." Ares face fell as he was saying this, and Alex couldn't help but almost feel guilty for not being around during this time.

"That's ridiculous! How does a king just disappear? Hasn't anyone been looking for him?" Alex could only wish that he had been here, with his street smarts and brute like strength he could have at least gotten some answers through certain unsavory means. At this point it could be too late.

"Most people have been suspecting foul play, but what can we do? Hector has instilled fear into all the people of the city. He put curfews in place, taxed the vendors and shop owners so high that no one can afford to sell anything, and even started posting guards in the streets to make sure everyone stays in line. I saw someone get caught during curfew the other night and he got beat severely before they emptied his pockets of all his money."

"You saw someone during curfew? Which means you were also out during curfew??" Alex couldn't help but feel a little nervous hearing this. He always felt like he needed to take care of Ares for some reason. Yes, Ares was a grown man now, but he had always been slim with a slightly feminine beauty that always made Alex want to protect him.

"Yes, I was out, but I'm being careful. I've been tracking the guard's movements and you know how sneaky I can be." Ares said this with a smirk, he was always able to sneak up on Alex when they were playing games as kids, and as adults he had to use his cunning if he ever wanted to beat Alex's larger, more muscular body in a sparring match.

"Okay okay, but it still worries me."

Alex's reply made Ares' heart beat quicken ever so slightly. "As you've been watching the guards, have you picked up any clues as to what could have happened to Argos?"

As soon as Alex asked that question, they heard voices coming from the end of the alleyway to the right of the shop they were standing in.

Ares quickly grabbed Alex's hand and practically dragged him into the back of the shop, and crouched down crawl under the shopkeepers old work bench.

"I opened up an emergency exit for myself under here if I were to ever find myself in a pinch. I'll answer your question once we make it to my other safe house."

Alex followed him without question and a bit of pride started bubbling up within him. 'All this time I've been gone, and it seems like my best friend has become somewhat of a hero.'