The Prince

Avery lay on on the meadow grass, the cool breeze washing over him. Flowers were in full bloom and the smell was refreshing. In the distance birds could be heard chirping to each other. It was nesting season and they could be seen fluttering around and collecting twigs for their nests.

His huge Shadow Horse grazed nearby, it's sensitive ears listening to every sound in a 1 kilometre radius. The Shadow Horse was the warhorse of the Haven Kingdom. Their dark colour made them blend into the darkness at night. They also has incredible speed, which combined with their colour meant that when they were at full pace, all that could be seen was a blur.

The Haven Kingdom was a large kingdom surrounded by mountains to the south and open plains to the north. It was a busy trading hub due to Dawn river, that passed directly through the centre of the capital Oldtown.

Avery was the 4th son of the old King Harold who had died in war against the northern tribes 15 years ago. Rather than leaving the throne to his eldest son whom was only 8 at the time, for stability he left it to his younger brother Melwin.

King Melwin started his reign by avenging his brother Harold and pushing back the northern tribes. He also celebrated his memory by adopting Harolds children as his own. He was loved by the people, in his early days he promoted peace in the kingdom and the kingdom flourished. Melwin married his Queen Agnes in his 2nd year, uniting the Haven Kingdom with the Radiance Kingdom to the east.

Over time Queen Agnes grew bitter at having to parent her husband's dead brothers children, and as they had their own, she slowly turned him against them.

On Avery's eldest brother Donovan's 18th birthday Melwin visibly changed. He felt threatened by Harolds oldest son, and feared his own children wouldn't be able to take the throne. Soon after his birthday Donovan died in a strange hunting accident. From then on Melwin's rule had become tyrannical, with his every word being absolute. Harold's children were treated unfairly unless they swore allegiance to Melwin's eldest, the 13 year old Arthur.

There was a clattering of hooves as a Shadow Horse arrived by Avery's side. On it's back was a tall man clad in steel armour.

"There you are Avery!" exclaimed Caspain. Caspian was the 3rd son of King Harold, and older than Avery by 2 years. He had recently turned 19 and his long freeflowing black hair made him easily recognisable in the Kingdom.

"Go away." Replied Avery. He was enjoying the peace of the meadow and didn't want to discuss kingdom politics with his brother.

"Father says that the northern tribes are gathering forces, he fears they are on the return to the Plains." mentioned Caspian.

"He's not our father," replied Avery, who closed his eyes. "Plus, he's paranoid! The northern tribes have no reason to return."

"Revenge?" Caspian put forwards, "Father, sorry, Uncle Melwin, almost wiped them out 15 years ago."

"They wouldn't be stupid enough to come back." Replied Avery. "Not against Melwin."

The Shadow Horse's ears twitched. It scratched the ground in front of it, which was something it was trained to do when people were coming.

"Who have you brought with you?" asked Avery.

"My Lancers." Replied Caspian. Caspian was also a captain in Melwin's army. His unit comprised of 50 heavily armoured Royal Knights. "I'm heading north to Rhinetown, Melwin is preparing to increase the garrison there and pre-empt the Northern Tribes."

"Is this goodbye then?" asked Avery.

"Who knows?" replied Caspian. "I have good men, Melwin favours me, it's a great opportunity for me!"

"I worry for you, Can't you be more like Eldrich? Sat in a tower reading books and strategies?" implored Avery.

"Brother, we are similar, the battlefield calls for us, a life of adventure and danger. I love Eldrich, but a book worm will never be me." Replied Caspian, "anyway, head back to the castle, speak to Uncle Melwin."

The ground started to shake as 50 Shadow Horses with riders clad in steel arrived. They held long lances by their sides and had large swords on their backs.

"Drake reporting Captain, all men are ready to depart!" the lead Knight reported.

"Very well," Caspian replied "see you soon Brother."

Caspian clasped Avery's arm before mounting his horse and leading his men away.

Avery watched his brother and his men leave before laying back on the meadow grass. He covered himself in his dark purple cloak, which had the family crest of a flaming horse on it's back.

"F$#k" Avery exclaimed. Realising that if Caspian was heading to war, there was a good chance his Uncle would be placing all of his energy on him.

Avery whistled to his horse, "Darkline, come!"

The Horse turned and walked towards him, it crouched it's knees to the ground and allowed Avery to mount it's back.

Avery headed towards the castle whilst riding Darkline, thinking of ways to escape his Uncles gaze for a while longer. He passed farmlands and trotted by the river Dawn on his way to the bridge that would lead him back into Oldtown.

Many people waved to him or bowed as he passed, his cloak making him recognisable as royalty. As he reached the bridge leading into Oldtown the guards saluted him.

"Welcome back your highness!" shouted Chen, "Are we meeting at the Tavern this evening?"

"I hope so." Replied Avery. Chen was a very tall muscular Royal Guard who carried a huge war hammer rather than the standard spear.

"Good!" added Chen, "it's your turn to pay tonight!"

Chen's dad was a loyal knight to King Harold, and he had made sure that Chen was loyal to Avery and his brothers as they grew up.

"Every night is my turn to pay!" laughed Avery in reply, as he crossed the bridge in the town. The other Royal Guards joined in laughing with them. As Avery crossed the bridge a horseman was running towards him from the other side.

"Slow down!" shouted one of the guards.

*BANG*

Suddenly the other horse crashed into Darkline, who reared, throwing Avery off his back into the water below.

*SPLASH*