INTO THE SHADOWS AND FAR AWAY.
After silently exiting the king's chamber, Prince Aaron initially planned on slowly walking away. However, the king's corpse was discovered a little too soon and so he had no other choice but to confront the guards.
He knew he had no time and soon, his brothers would come looking for him in rage. There was no way they could have guessed this move since he was the current target and so, he had to profit of the fury and confusion to run away. Lay low for a while. Build an incredible army so when they eventually find him later, he will tear them to shreds. That was his plan.
He slay guard after guard as he made his way to the exit door. They were quite a lot so he bore some wounds, but this was nothing compared to what he had been living on the battle field.
The guards kept coming forward and he effortlessly drew his sword against their skins, disabling some, killing some. He had played this scene countless times in his mind. He had faced similar situations more than once, however, he couldn't enjoy the scene for too long, for his plan had just begun and he had to go far away.
After successfully prying away from the guards, he made his way to the east gates where he usually met with Sean, and was more than relieved to find him there. Waiting.
"Sire!", said Sean after seeing the horrible state his master was in.
"Hurry mount your horse and follow me" Aaron shouted as they hurriedly mounted their horses and rode nonstop away from the palace towards the east and away from the kingdom.
"Sire, you should have mounted with me. You are gravely wounded"
Aaron understood Sean's worries, however, he was a warrior and felt insulted by Sean's overbearing care. He laughed out, "You should be more focused on us making it out of here in one piece Sean"
"Where are we headed your highness?"
"The Land of Esso"
"But.." Sean was speechless, the land of Esso was currently in ugly terms with Udemia and the presence of the prince there will be like calling for dead.
"That however is not our final destination as we shall go on a commerce ship from there the Nactar. I plan to start gathering some troops there and have already sent word to the west for our men to be on standby" Aaron added
Sean couldn't help but feel proud of his master he was always a step ahead. But they had to hurry as they had no time to waste.
After moving for some hours, it was already dark and they found a cave by some water to hide in. They hadn't reached a city yet so they nothing but their clothes on them.
Sean removed his cloak and laid it on the ground setting space for his master to sit for a while. Aaron was already bleeding profusely so didn't refuse the help and instead tore a piece of his clothing to tie up the tear on his stomach.
"That was a close one" he laughed.
The cave was cold and dark and so Sean decided to go out
"I am going to get sticks for a fire, Sire" but Aaron stopped him
"Remember we are still in Udemia. The last thing we need to do is to draw attention. "And Sean agreed.
He then went out to the stream to get water to cleanse Aaron's wounds.
They were currently laying on the ground. Sean continuously glancing over to see if his master had lost conscience and he took long breaks while telling him what had happened at the palace.
"He just had to agree to my terms you see" "he would still be breathing now"
Sean realized he was talking of the King. He knew it was a sensitive topic and didn't want to dwell too much on it. The pain felt by his master at that moment should be enough.
"You should go to rest, Sean. We have a long day tomorrow." Aaron said before it was all silence.
IN THE MAIN PALACE.
"Aaron that traitor! I always knew he would be the one to cause his father great pain" Cried the queen as Clark the youngest prince struggled consoling her.
"I need his head! Guards!" she screamed in agony.
"Mother, calm down. I think we should instead get you somewhere safe first. You know the situation here".
The queen was adamant of waiting for Aaron's return before taking any step.
The next day, Aaron and Sean continued their journey through the forest and soon they were at Esso.
They covered their heads as they walked into the gates of the land of Esso. Strolling through the markets quietly so as not to raise any suspicion.
"We need some supplies for the trip. Nactar is all the way to the south so the journey will be a long one" said Aaron as he instructed Sean on the things to purchase while he hid in a corner. It was safer that way as he didn't know if any of his brothers had people around there.
Sean went around the market and got supplies but couldn't get bandages or medicine so as not to raise any suspicion if the king's people sent a spy.
"Here I am master" said Sean as he made his way to where Aaron stood.
Aaron went over the supplies and then they decided to continue their journey to the south port of Esso.
Soon, they reached the port.
"Master, did you make any arrangements?" wondered Sean.
"We will make the arrangements once on the boat."
There were a lot of commercial boats.
"Silin!"
"Turs!"
…The merchants screamed drawing people to get on board with their goods.
"Sire, I don't think we'll find a boat to Nactar here" said Sean as he looked at the crowd struggling to get into the boats and pushing each other.
Aaron led him to a corner of the port. All they had to do was to find a boat almost no one got into.
"Of course we won't. This land doesn't trade with Nactar. We just need a boat which is soon leaving to sneak inside. I hope you can handle a fight." Aaron's plan was simple, sneak into a boat get rid of the few people on it and then have the captain take them to a nearby land from which they will swim to another land and take a ride to Nactar.
"I'm more worried if you would endure the trip, your majesty. I think we should have you healed first" Sean was very worried about Aaron. He didn't know how much blood he had already lost at that time.
"The most important thing right now, is to get to Nactar. I will get treatment there. It is far enough not to leave a trail"
"Lordos? Leaving soon!!" they suddenly heard a merchant shout
"Perfect. Come with me" Aaron ushered Sean towards the boat. They snuck behind some porters and hid with goods in the hold.