Friend

When he saw Skall, he knew that they were in trouble.

Sylvie on the other hand, tried to salvage the situation. She sprung backwards and did her crazy laughter.

"Pleasant night Skall. Are you here to talk to our hostage? I assure you, he has been a good boy. Isn't that right Erik?"

Erik was still surprised but he tried to act with her. Sylvie's life depended on his ability to act.

"Shut up crazy bitch. I'm about to sleep and the two of you are keeping me awake. If this is not torture, then I don't know what this is."

He eyed Skall. The prince's expression didn't change. He walked towards Sylvie with a few of his men following him. "You're good Sylvie, too good. I was almost tricked again by your act. I'm impressed. But your act ends now Sylvie."

Skall grabbed Sylvie's hair. "I know what you did. I know that you betrayed us. For that, you must be executed." The prince then looked at the other Wismarines inside the tent. "Transfer Erik to Prince Ivan's tent."

Skall again looked at Sylvie. "As for this bitch, I will end her life myself. Traitors don't deserve to live."

Erik realized that everything had fallen apart. They can't lie to Skall anymore. Hearing Skall say that Sylvie will be executed made him desperate.

"No! Skall don't!" he rattled the bars of the cell with all his might. "I forced her Skall. I forced her to help me escape! It's not her fault. Please!"

The Wismarine soldiers opened the cell and dragged him outside. He tried to escape but he was powerless.

"Listen to me Skall. I will not escape again! I promise that I'll behave from now on and I will never dream about escaping. Just let her go." He was almost crying as he pleaded but Skall didn't listen to him.

He could see that Sylvie was in pain while Skall was dragging her by the hair. She shook her head to him and forced a smile as if telling him to just accept what's going to happen.

But he can't and he won't. He will probably lose his sanity if something happens to her. He must do everything.

He tried to pull his hands from the grip of the Wismarines. The sweat lubricated his forearms and he was able to free himself. He ducked to avoid the hands of another Wismarine.

He ran towards Skall. He will wrestle Sylvie away from the prince and they will escape.

But before he could reach the prince, some Wismarine soldiers had already caught him again. He lost his balance and fell forward. His chin hit the ground causing him to almost lose consciousness.

With his remaining strength, he tried to stand up again. He couldn't. He was too weak.

And then the ground beneath his face started to shake. He thought it was an earthquake but he was reminded of a second possibility. He looked around and the second possibility was confirmed.

He saw Timothy riding at the front with his soldiers. Compared to before,Timothy's soldiers were fewer. But Erik estimated that the force was enough to defeat the Wismarines.

"Formation!" Skall screamed but it was too late. Timothy's soldiers descended upon the Wismarines and a fierce fighting commenced. It was chaotic and Erik lost sight of Skall and Sylvie.

The Wismarines at his back didn't even join the battle and ran away. He then felt someone grab his arm and helped him stand.

"Come with me Erik." He was still dazed from his earlier fall but he recognized that it was Timothy.

"Tim?"

"Yes it's me Erik" His vision cleared and Timothy's face was revealed to him. "Let's go while my soldiers are keeping them busy."

"No Tim. He got Sylvie. He will kill her!"

He began to look for Sylvie and then he saw her. Skall tied her hands and dragged her onto a horse. They escaped with a few Wimarines.

Timothy grabbed his arm. "He is luring you Erik. Sylvie is a bait to lure you again!"

He pulled his arm away. "I don't care!"

He ran to the nearest horseman he could find. He didn't care if whose side the man was fighting for.

"Lend me your horse!" he ordered.

The soldier looked confused at first but he eventually dismounted the horse. Erik pulled himself up and wasted no time to chase after Skall.

He could still see them. His body was aching but he continued.

She was crazy sometimes and she can be annoying. Her habit of rubbing her hair against his was irritating. It tickles him. Her sense of humor was abysmally dark. Her laughter was eerie and the scar on her face was not attractive. She talks nonsense sometimes and she loses track of what she was saying.

But she was Sylvie and she was important to him. She entertained him during his darkest times. She risked her life just to set him free.

He made a promise to her. He will take her to Greenwater and she will relish in the beautiful waters of Greenwater bay. He will help her find that scar-erasing herb even if they'll have to circumnavigate the world for it.

He doesn't stand a chance against Skall and the rest of the Wismarines. His body is weak and he was alone. Nevertheless, he will get her back.

"Don't worry, we'll catch up to them. These horses are from Tulosa." Someone said beside him.

He looked at the direction and saw Timothy also riding with him. There were also several allies following them.

"What are you doing Tim!?" he exclaimed. "You are a King!"

His heart was almost stopped by Timothy's actions. Timothy was a King now and Kings must be protected. Now Timothy was galloping with him into danger.

"Go back Tim! I told you, you are a King!"

"I am Erik. I am a King. But that's why I'm doing this. How can I become a King of a nation, how can I become a father to the people, if I can't even protect the happiness of my friend? I'm sorry for the other night Erik. I'm really sorry for leaving you like that."

He sighed. "This is dangerous! You are a fool Timothy." He pointed at him. "A fool you got that!?"

Timothy laughed and then handed him a sword. "Then, will you fight with a fool?"

He took the sword from Timothy's hand and grinned. "I will fight with a friend."

What Timothy said was true, the horses are fast. It didn't take them long to catch up to Skall and the Wismarines. They hit the enemies and a bloody melee ensued.

Erik ignored the other Wismarines and focused on Skall. The prince was holding Sylvie with one arm.

He slashed towards Skall and his sword was parried. He tried to stab and Skall deflected the blow.

But he was not alone. Sylvie wriggled from Skall's hold and was able to hit the prince with her elbow. Skall was stunned for a bit and Erik saw an opportunity. He again stabbed his sword.

Unfortunately, his blow was too weak to penetrate Skall's lamellar armor. He retracted his arm to make another stab but Skall tilted his body and used Sylvie as a shield.

Erik stopped his arm. "Leave her out of this Skall! Look around. We outnumber you."

Skall looked around. Erik saw desperation on the prince's face, probably after seeing that defeat was imminent.

"You're right. You can have her but I won't let you capture me"

Skall then stabbed Sylvie's leg and she screamed in pain. Erik was about lunge forward when Skall stopped him.

"It's not fatal!" Skall shouted and Erik halted in fear that the prince's next blow will be. "But after I remove my sword, she will bleed. You can still save her life if you hurry so don't get any funny ideas of chasing after me"

Skall then removed his sword and dropped Sylvie from the horse. The prince left in haste with the surviving Wismarines.

Erik dismounted from his horse and examined Sylvie. She was unconscious and the wound on her leg was bleeding. He needed to stop her from bleeding to death.

He ripped a part of his clothes and was about to wrap it around her wound when Timothy stopped him.

"You'll only get her sick with those dirty rags" Timothy then took a bandage from a small bag on his horse and used it to stop the bleeding. "Let's go back to the camp." He said.

*****************************************************************************

It was almost dawn and Timothy was tired. But he can't sleep yet. He was back in his tent awaiting reports of the battle. Most of the men haven't returned yet.

"Your Majesty, Erik Connel requests an audience" the guard outside announced.

"Alright" He said as he washed his dirtied face. He then wiped with a cloth.

"She will be alright Erik. They said that her wound is not that bad. It will scar though." he said after Erik entered but got no reply.

He approached Erik and noticed that he was looking down. "Erik?"

"I hated many things about you!" Erik started with an unfriendly voice. "I always hated outdoor camping. I mean, who loves to be out there in the open with bugs?! I hate it that your looks are better than mine and that you are always trying to show it off. My nose is better than yours anyway. Even until just a couple of years ago, I had always been jealous that Freya likes you. I hate that I became your squire. It's insulting Tim! I hate that people are always talking about your exploits. I hate that you left me. I was hurt and I felt betrayed. There are many things I hate about you Tim."

Erik stopped and finally looked at him. "But for every single thing that I hate about you, there are dozens that I love. You are my friend Tim, the closest one I have. The best one that I have"

Timothy sighed. "I also hate many things about you Erik. I hate that you are physically stronger than me. I hate the way you eat. It's a little disgusting. I hate that you are hogging all the wine when we drink. And don't get me started with your jokes. Sometimes they go too far."

He offered his hand to Erik. "Nevertheless, you are the greatest friend in the world for me."

Erik smiled. "I can't do that Tim. We are not equals anymore. I am a noble and you are a King."

Erik then knelt in front of him.

"King Timothy Castonia, I, Erik Connel, heir to the City of Greenwater and its surrounding lands, swear my loyalty to you. I will never betray you and will serve you with all my being. My sword is yours, my shield is yours, my strength is yours, and my friendship is yours. I promise this to you with the Omniscient as witness."

"I accept your fealty. Rise Erik Connel. May you serve me with loyalty"

Erik rose and the oath was complete.

Timothy then embraced his friend. "Welcome back Erik"

Erik also did the same. "Thank you Tim"