Ariene's True Fate and Hayden's True Identity

Rash stood up first and led the way out back. He stuck to the walls and avoided the mess. The bartender nodded at him as he passed by. Rash gave him a quick salute back.

Hayden got up followed by Tylen. The other two pirates moved ahead of them. Tylen saw that the female one had a skip in her steps. She held bags of something behind her back, clearly meant for them to see. Her male companion chuckled at her subtlety.

Hayden's eyes widened. Was it poison? He thought. He looked at Tylen for help but his friend merely grabbed his shoulders, turned him to the right direction and pushed him forward.

The group went out to an alleyway. It was mostly empty. Water dripped down from the pipes. Cats scrambled amongst the trash hunting for food. Rats scattered to hide. The rays of the sunset provided them a stream of light.

Rash held the door open until everyone was outside. When he closed it, he leanded his back on it. The Prince and his knight stood near the wall in front of him.

Rash tilted his head. Then, he looked at Hayden in the eye and said, "Go on."

"Is this really the best you could do?" Tylen questioned him. His nose scrunched from the unpleasant smell of the place.

"I'd rather be near a bunch of people." Rash spat, providing no further explanation. His associates positioned themselves on either side of him. The male had his arms crossed and the female had her hands clenched. Their stances implied no compromise.

"Speak." The red-head demanded. Tylen noted the girl's demeanor. Out of the three, she was the smallest but her aura didn't lose to the other two.

Tylen nudged Hayden's shoulder. It was now or never.

Cleon clicked his tongue at the sight. Did the prince not speak to commoners now? He didn't seem to have any problem with it earlier.

Tylen could only hope the pirates would turn Hayden down. It was a mission no sane person would partake—not with Aurae's Princess Alkas as a possible enemy.

Hayden took a deep breath and a step forward, pretending that his knees weren't shaking, "We're looking for Ariene Athenine."

The knight saw the female gasp at the name. She clearly recognized it. Her eyes widened but she didn't give him an answer. The night seemed to grow colder. Hayden's knees almost caved under the tension.

Then, the blue-haired pirate spoke.

"Who's that? That could be anyone." A few seconds passed and the pirate perked up, "You don't mean… the illegitimate princess of Aurae?"

The red-head smacked the back of his head, "Illegitimate or not, she is a princess. People like you are the ones who fueled the siege that killed the royal family."

Cleon rubbed the sore spot. For an apprentice healer, Maia liked to hit her patients too much.

Rash ignored their banter and focused on Hayden. His voice held the same monotone Hayden heard earlier, "Isn't she dead?"

The knight shook his head, "That information is false. Prime Minister Rowan had informed us that Ariene escaped into the woods."

"The woods?" Cleon scoffed, "A child alone in the woods. Sure, she's still alive."

Tylen took a step and placed a hand on his sword. He sneered, "Watch your mouth, pirate!"

Cleon puffed out his chest in response, "What are you going to do about it? Whack a door on my face?"

The two of them stood one step away from each other. The Prince had a bulkier build compared to Cleon and had to look down to meet the pirate's glaring green eyes. Both of them barred their teeth a little, looking like wolves rumbling their growls.

"Hold on." Rash pulled the teenager by the back of his collar. The cheeky brat would have punched the man just to provoke him.

Hayden also blocked Tylen from moving closer. He looked at the Prince with steady eyes, urging him to calm down.

Tylen relaxed his stance. He didn't want to but a fight wasn't an option. Three against two wasn't good match and their opponents were all well-skilled.

Rash's swordmandship was on his level. The red-head seemed to be crafty with her toys and the blue-haired pirate may be reckless but he had good agility. Other than hitting him with the door, Tylen hadn't laid a mark on him earlier.

"She is not dead." Hayden emphasized, his brows scrunched again, "I won't believe otherwise unless I see it for myself."

Prime Minister Rowan had told him the story of a girl in a scorched white dress that came out of the kitchen and ran away from the scene.

To where? No one knew.

People believed Ariene perished in the fire with no remains. Only the court of Aurae had done a search and it ended in failure.

"You want a body?" Rash smirked. He mocked the knight for his idealistic idea, "You do know not everyone leaves a body after he or she dies?"

"That's true." The female perked up, nodding her head.

"For example?"

"Perished in a fire."

"Eaten by beasts."

"At the bottom of the sea."

Hayden took a deep breath as they snickered at him. The sides of his temples throbbed as he spat at them, "Whether this mission is successful or not will be up to me. Until then, we take the chance. This is a serious proposition."

Rash laughed quietly at Hayden's frustrated expression.

Then, like the speed of light, he took out a dagger, leaped and pushed Hayden against the wall. His forearm trapped his neck with the blade close to his ear. Rash's other hand held a sword, pointing at Tylen who sprang into action when he made his move.

Tylen glowered from the side. The pirate merely smirked at it before he gave Hayden his full attention.

In a low slurring voice, Rash said, "Interesting game you're playing, princeling? Does mommy know you're playing games?"

Hayden or rather, the real Tylen, froze on the spot under the smug smile of the pirate.