Chapter 1

   Crisp, autumn leaves softly tumbled though the warm breeze, glimmering like precious jewels in the golden light. The sun hung low in the sky, its soft glow bathing Aiden in a comforting warmth as he looked around the new surroundings that he found himself in. Lush grass littered with fallen leaves crunched under his feet as he wandered through a meadow of colorful wildflowers. A sweet, musky aroma swept past his nose, sending a sensation of warmth and comfort over him.                                      The calming atmosphere set his soul at ease as he felt he never wanted to leave this familiar yet foreign place. As he walked along in no direction in particular, a soft hum carried by the low breeze caught his attention. Drawn in by the magical and almost hypnotic rhythm, he curiously approached the direction he thought the song was coming from. Starting slow and soft in a faint melody that was barely audible, the song got louder the closer he walked towards it. 

   With the sun blaring before him, he had to squint in order to see as he slowly treaded up a slightly inclined hill. The song got louder, and he could clearly hear every note the angelic voice sang. The music sent a sensation of peace and a strong longing through him. With every sweet note sung he longed more or more to see the beauty the voice belonged to. 

   Gold blinding his vision, he arrived at the top of the hill to find the owner of the heavenly voice standing several paces ahead of him. The wind picked up, extending her melody as it gently jostled the long white skirt of her billowy dress. The golden light of the setting sun made her warm face glow and projected a divine gleam on her aureate hair as it danced in the breeze. The exact features of her face were obscured by the sun's radiant glow, only allowing him to make out the silhouette of the fair maiden. 

   Though he could not quite see, he could feel her gaze shift to him as her song got softer and sweeter. He felt as though she was trying to tell him something. Although her song had no words, it spoke to him. It delivered a message, a story, that if he listened long enough and opened himself up to the feelings it sent flooding over him, he would be able to discover what she wanted him to hear. 

   As if he was under some sort of trance, he was beckoned forward. Perhaps by the song, perhaps by her. Or perhaps both. His mind was transported into a world of sweet fantasies and pure bliss. A sensation of warmth overtook his body, stronger than the warmth provided by the heat of the sun. The warmth was like one furnished by a raging fire, but not as harsh or as dangerous. This warmth had a sweet, loving touch that was like nothing he had ever felt before. It spread across his body like a tender embrace he wished would last forever. 

   He tried to take another step forward to be closer to the loving warmth and luring song, but something stopped him. A harsh force was suddenly thrusted against him, nearly knocking him over. The revolting smell of dog's breath filled his nostrils as a slimy substance was smeared across his face by a leathery touch.                                                   Forced out of his sleep, Aiden opened his eyes to find himself back in the familiarity of his bedchamber as his Catalan Sheepdog licked his face. Letting out a soft sigh, he pushed his dog off him and sat up, propping his weary body up with his arms. 

   "Aw, Gale. Did you have to wake me up from such a sweet dream?" He mumbled in a voice still raspy from sleep. His shaggy, gray dog just looked up at him with his glossy black eyes as he let out a low, gruff bark. "Shh, we must not let mother and father hear us!" He scolded him in a hushed voice. Gale seemed to understand and laid down on Aiden's pillows without another sound. 

   Looking out his window, Aiden found that the moon was still high in the clear, dark sky and the land below was wrapped in the cold embrace of darkness as it lay in a peaceful slumber. Everything and everyone in the castle, courtyard, and kingdom were still off in dreamland except for the occasional knight standing guard, trying not to doze off as well. Everything was so quiet and serene at night. Nothing like it was during the day when industrious civilians would rush to and frow, carrying out their everyday tasks.                                                             Aiden was taken aback by the tranquility of the scene before him. It was as if the world had stopped moving. Like everything was put under a sleeping curse and he was the only one left awake. He had never seen the castle like that before. It was always loud, noisy and filled with people. This calm scenery was something he could get used to, if only it would stay like that forever. But it would not. By the time the morning arrived the courtyard would be back to its usual state of bustling civilians, squires, servants, and knights. But if everything went according to plan, he would not be there to see it. 

   Today was finally the day. 

   Grabbing his pocket watch off his nightstand, he checked the time to find that it was only one in the morning. It was much earlier than he had ever gotten up. In fact, he was not sure if it was even considered morning. It was closer to the middle of the night than anything else. But if he was going to go ahead with his plan, now was the best time to go through with it. 

   Slipping his pocket watch into the deep pocket of his trousers, he rose out of his bed, not quite fully awake yet, and dressed himself in a loose white tunic with a ruby red vest. Once dressed, he lit a candle and grabbed his satchel to fill with things he would need. He threw together some spare clothes, a compass and his map among other effects. There were only two other essentials he needed next: food and money. But before he could get those, there was one thing he had to do first. 

   Sitting down at his desk, he took up a quill and parchment. Pausing only for a moment to think, he began to write. 

Dear Mother and Father, 

I am sorry that I must tell you this through a letter, but I cannot stay here any longer, and I know that if I were to tell you this in person you would do everything in your power to stop me or talk me out of this. But I am afraid my mind is already made up. I want to see the world; I want to sail the seven seas and discover what adventures it holds. You wish for me to be king but before I can even think of settling, I wish to see the world first. I know you are simply thinking of what is good for the kingdom, but it is about time that you start thinking of what is good for me for once. You say I must marry, but I already told you I want to marry for love. I am afraid my love is not anywhere in this kingdom. Perhaps by leaving I will finally find the right one. Therefore, I am leaving you now with the promise that one day I will safely return when the time is right. But until then, the kingdom can wait.

Your son, Prince Aiden. 

   After putting the quill and parchment down, he read over his letter several times. As he read, he had half a thought of crumpling it up, discarding it and choosing to not go through with it. He had always wanted to explore the world, to sail the seven seas, but now that the time had come down to it, could he really do it? Was he ready? The days leading up to this he was so certain. There was not a single doubt in his mind that told him he could not do it. He was filled with so much anticipation and excitement that he could hardly wait. 

   But now it was different. It was no longer a dream or plot for the future. It was now about to become reality, if he truly was brave enough to go through with it. He had never gone off on his own before. The farthest he had ever traveled alone was the edge of the kingdom. To sail across the seas to foreign lands was such far away journey. Almost too far away. Could he really do it? 

   Still deep in thought, he stood up and approached his window. Opening it up, he looked down at the kingdom below as the cool, crisp air brushed across his face, waking him up. The kingdom, though shrouded in darkness, was beautiful, great, and mighty. But it was also his prison, his cage that he had to escape now or risk never getting the opportunity again. Knowing this reaffirmed his confidence. Traveling somewhere new all alone was scary, but it was something he wanted to do. It was something he had to do. 

   Closing the window, he turned around with a look of courage firmly settled on his face. Seeing his master turn, Gale stood up and stretched. "Let's go." Aiden said as he grabbed his satchel and candle before silently stepping out of his room with Gale right behind him. After quietly closing the door behind him, he crept down the long corridor and down a spiraling staircase.                                                         The week leading up to this fateful night in which he chose to enact his plan, he spent his nights studying the guards' watch patterns. Throughout the castle and courtyard there were guards stationed in specific posts. They would patrol their assigned area and would certainly stop him if they were to catch sight of him. But if his memory served him right and he was able to avoid each place where a guard was posted at, he would be able to easily escape the castle. 

   With Gale walking silently beside him, Aiden crept down a series of long hallways, carefully looking ahead to make sure the coast was clear. His first stop was the kitchen where he would grab the last bit of rations he needed for his journey. During the past several days he had carefully made a few trips to the kitchen to gather food and water, but after almost getting caught, he was not able to grab the last portion of what he needed. 

   Not sure of how long the journey ahead of him was, he would rather have packed too much food than risk running out. Besides, now that it was night, the kitchen would be empty, making it easy for him to grab whatever he wanted without the risk of being stopped by the chef or servants. Moving carefully and quietly by the dim light provided by the thin candlestick, he made his way toward the kitchen. 

   As he rounded one corner, the sudden glint of silver made him stop and press himself against a wall. After waiting a few seconds, he peeked his head around the corner to see two guards turn down another hallway. Letting out a small breath he did not know he was holding, Aiden quietly crossed the vacant hall and entered the kitchen. Setting his candle down on the countertop, he quietly rummaged through the kitchen, picking out what foods he believed were not perishable, or at least would last the longest out at sea. 

   Gale started whimpering when he caught sight of a sausage link and Aiden quickly shushed him. The dog quieted down but continued looking up at him with his shiny black eyes that held a pleading gleam. Letting out a soft groan, Aiden separated one sausage from the link and tossed it to him. Gale happily caught it in his mouth and ate it up in a matter of seconds. 

   As Aiden went back to gathering food, he accidentally bumped into some precariously placed pots, sending them tumbling to the ground. He froze. Surely that noise was loud enough to catch the guards' attention. He stood still, hoping no one heard but his heart dropped when he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps rushing down the hall.