The Taming of a Beast

Chapter 14

A/N: Enjoy!

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Kaboom!

Prince Neer growled in annoyance at another fireworks exploding in the sky. The flickers of colorful light in the dark sky did little to uplift his worsening mood. Usually the Galvadorian prince would be happy to go along with the festive mood and drown himself in wine and women, but the loss of his monster half-brother and the unknown witch was far too dampening of his spirits.

He had been working night and day, commanding his men to search for the fugitives. Now in this town, his men were plastering wanted photos with descriptions of the pair and the magical beast. But the stupid villagers were too jubilant in their celebrations to pay much attention to the wanted posters.

"How about we head over to the tavern, Your Highness? I heard Hedgewood has a specialty aged pale ale they make from the wood local to the town," his second-in-command persuaded. "After the festival, the villagers will for sure help us be on the lookout, especially with the reward offered. They will have nowhere to hide."

It was not good for Neer's men that the prince was in a foul mood. At the second-in-command's words, Neer finally nodded to the relief of his men. They were tired of traipsing through woods and sleeping in cold mud at night searching for the Beast and the witch. The thought of some hot food and a warm bed cheered them up.

Soon, Neer was feeling the bitter but refreshing taste of ale go down his throat. The local ale was stronger than he anticipated, and he relished the drink.

"Another one!" He called out. "Bartender!"

But the tavern's workers had their hands full serving other patrons. Neer felt the buzz of alcohol dull his senses, but it didn't dull his impatience at not being served.

"Hey! Don't you know who I am?" Neer moved to put his hand on his sheathed sword.

Immediately, another ale was brought into his hands by his second-in-command to prevent further trouble. He had sworn to the Galvadorian King that he would keep the prince from embarrassing his father.

"Hmmph." Neer grumbled.

As Neer drank, he felt a breath of wind pass behind him. Though he felt the alcohol dull his senses, he still had enough swordsmanship skills to sense something was not quite right.

Neer's men by his side immediately drew out their swords, blocking the thief from leaving. The tavern suddenly quieted as the patrons saw the situation.

Prince Neer sneered. "I wonder what the punishment is for thieves who dare to steal from a royal prince?"

Hearing this, the thief trembled, his knees giving way to the floor.

"Forgive me, Your Highness! I-I did not know t-that it was you. This-this one has offended." The thief bowed onto the floor, his forehead touching the dirty ground. "Please forgive me just this once!"

"Should I lop off the fingers that dared to touch my pocket?" Neer said in a lazy drawl. "Or should I just take off the whole head for a fool like you who is blind? You don't need brains, anyways."

"Your Highness!"

The thief looked at the other soldiers but all he saw in their eyes was indifference. They were used to seeing their prince's cruel methods. Besides, the one lying prostrate before them was a dirty thief, a lowlife they did not care about. For the prince to get rid of a simple thief was no big deal.

It was not the first time this thief had been caught pickpocketing, only this time the capturers had higher status and power than he had encountered. His mind and mouth grabbed for anything that he could say to diminish the chances that his head would no longer be attached to his body.