Chapter 2: Return of A Prince
Two hours ago, there was a man who had labeled himself as "Roy Crecy" who assumed the identity of a wealthy businessman. He had an entourage of ten guards and two assistants, all meticulously selected for this covert journey. The air inside the luxurious land wagon, known as the Genyrre, was thick with an air of secrecy and anticipation. Their destination, a distant Europan kingdom, was shrouded in mystery.
"Mr. Roy, the first course is here!" One of his entourage called him, using the fabricated name that concealed his true identity.
"There's no need for us to use those names, Henry," Roy replied, his voice carrying an air of authority that belied his hidden noble lineage.
"My apologies, Sire Alexi," Henry corrected himself, adhering to the agreed-upon title, then opened the door of their opulent quarters.
The attentive staff took care of the remnants of their meal, a gastronomic delight that reflected the luxury of their surroundings. Marmalade, jam, butter, and bread followed the sumptuous soup, creating an atmosphere of indulgence that momentarily masked the underlying tension.
"The service is first class, I'm impressed!" Adela, one of Alexi's trusted companions, complimented the impeccable service.
"Sure it is!" Henry chimed in with a satisfied smile, savoring the momentary respite.
"The Genyrre is one of the finest land wagons in Europa. It's well-armed and armored with thousands of regulars. I am sure your security is assured, my liege!" Adela reassured Alexi, who sat uncomfortably in his seat, his thoughts seemingly distant.
Clearing his throat, Alexi responded to Adela, "Not all fortresses are invulnerable. Anything can happen at any time."
A shared glance between Henry and Adela conveyed their understanding of the inherent risks. "Shall we inform our liaisons?" Henry asked, sensing the need for preparedness.
Clad in his black long sleeve with a white coat bearing the Lion's Iron Crest, the symbol of the Dynellan Family, Alexi emanated a regal presence that contrasted with the clandestine nature of their journey.
"It has been a while since we left home, my prince!" Adela remarked, breaking the momentary silence.
"It is indeed, and we will take it back!" Alexi declared, his eyes reflecting a determination that transcended the personal.
After the crucial conversation, a high-ranking liaison named Angela arrived, knocking on the door of their quarters. Genuflecting respectfully, she began to report, "Sire, the enemy has begun its move on the neighboring Doran Kingdom; the capital city is under siege."
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Alexi's shoulders. "If the city was blockaded, this route is not secure!" he burst into anger, the unforeseen circumstances disrupting the carefully laid plans.
Adela and Henry, displaying a united front, uttered in unison, "We are humbly sorry, sire!"
"No need to apologize or explain. We must leave," Alexi declared decisively, his mind already strategizing the next move.
Turning to Angela, he commanded, "Rise, inform the captain to get the ship ready immediately. We're leaving."
Angela nodded and left the room to convey the urgent message to the ship's captain and other liaisons. The atmosphere within the quarters became charged with a sense of urgency as Alexi directed his entourage to pack only the essential documents and items.
Exiting the room with purpose, Alexi led his entourage, a procession of determined individuals bound by loyalty and a shared destiny. The once-promising leisure trip had transformed into a mission fraught with uncertainty and peril.
On their way to the tenth floor, a female officer in a crisp white uniform appeared, accompanied by five soldiers. Recognition flickered in her eyes as she beheld the Lion's Iron Crest adorning Alexi's chest. A mixture of disbelief and urgency colored her words, "You're not supposed to be here!" The red-haired officer, exclaimed.
"Whatever treaty was signed by Europa and the Heathens without the approval of the Dynellan Family will not be legitimate. I have the right to the throne and must rescue my people held by the heathens. You have no right to stop me!" Alexi asserted, his voice unwavering.
Caught between duty and conflicting orders, Selena contacted her superior officer, relaying the unexpected presence of the heir to the Dynellan Dynasty. The response was one of incredulity, "He's not supposed to be here!"
"What!?" Her superior officer replied in surprise. "He's not supposed to be here!"
"I know, but what should we do?" The lady officer asked.
"We will have to force him back to Svedenia. Drag him if you must. No one must know that he was here!" Her superior officer replied to her.
"You leave me no choice. We will have to drag you even if you resist!" Selena told Alexi.
"Over my cold corpse!" Alexi replied, then ordered his entourage to aim their rifles at their fellow Europan soldiers.
"Are you mad!?" The lady officer replied. Her men did the same and aimed their rifles at the silver-haired man and his entourage.
The standoff ended when the lady officer suddenly received a transmission from her superior officer. Her face drawn with disbelief at what she had heard, she ordered her soldiers to lower their weapons, "After this ordeal, we will deal with you myself and drag you back to exile if I have to!"
Adela seeing the Europan officer leave asked Alexi, "What now sire?"
"We will head out as planned!" Alexi said and continued on his way.
As they neared the elevator, an alarm pierced through the air, signaling an impending invasion. The crew's announcement further intensified the urgency, revealing the impending threat – the Umayar, the very menace that had ravaged Alexi's kingdom years ago.
Despite the pleas of his companions, Alexi's determination surged. Ignoring the counsel to avoid discovery, he clutched his revolver, declaring, "I won't go out without a fight!"
"Not a good idea, sire! You shouldn't get discovered or captured by the enemy. Think about the people in our kingdom who are still fighting despite your absence!" Henry implored, attempting to dissuade Alexi from a perilous course of action.
"No! I will fight!" Alexi proclaimed, his eyes ablaze with a fierce resolve. He ordered his guards to accompany him, setting the stage for a confrontation that would test their mettle.
"We cannot stop him in that state," Adela conceded, her gaze reflecting a mix of concern and determination. She followed Alexi and the others into the heart of the impending turmoil.
Meanwhile, in the deepest recesses of the dungeons, Luca, a prisoner held with his fellow captives, experienced a moment of hopelessness. As the prospect of being sold into slavery loomed, a sudden disruption shattered the monotony of his despair.
A loud clang of steel echoed through the dungeons, capturing Luca's attention. Intrigued, he approached the door of his cell, where a towering man with a mace stood, accompanied by liberated prisoners. "Come with us if you want to live!" the massive man declared.
"Thanks!" Luca expressed his gratitude, his eyes reflecting a mix of astonishment and gratitude.
"What is your name?" the massive man inquired.
"My name is Luca," he responded, ready to embrace the uncertain freedom offered.
"Good, let's get out of here!" the massive man exclaimed, leading the motley group of liberated prisoners into the labyrinthine passages of the dungeons.