The Oath Forge

Chapter One

The fallen Prince of Meridian had his doubts about the current unfolding events. While being freed from his cell was a welcomed change, one long overdue, that was far from enough to forgive the slithering creature before the prince.

Cedric was in his true form, with the spider, Miranda, on his right shoulder. They had many fights over the last few years, yelling at each other from their respective cells, and making up after days of silence. They had somehow escaped a few months ago, puzzling the guards and Elyon's court. The Fire Guardian had arrived to read everyone's mind, even his, to search for clues, but no one saw or knew anything.

It was jarring, seeing the guardian, as she was older in her human form than he remembered. Hair long in many small braids and her form shapely. More time had passed in his imprisonment than he realized. As he had not even seen Elyon in many moons as well. Phobos was just a forgotten memory, wasting away in a stone cell laced with wards and spells.

So, it was a real shock for the two escapists to return for him at all.

To his astonishment, they had both focused their magic to recreate the forms he had punished them with years ago. And, using tools made from Cedric's hard scales and Miranda's spider silk, had gained their freedom. Gaining his freedom, though, was less sneaky, as his powers were bound as long as he was in Elyon's castle.

They had managed to completely free him before the alarm was sound, and they had pursuers. The prince's liberation was timed well with Elyon's absence. Miranda had set up plenty of traps on their escape route, trapping most of the guards, with Cedric knocking aside any that dared get in the serpent's path.

They traveled down and into crumbling tunnels and dilapidated sewer systems. Before the prince could complain of the surroundings, the two in front of him walked into a false wall, magic flickering as they passed through. He followed, as anything was an improvement, and was rewarded with the white walls of the Infinite City, lit by green flames. Now, outside Elyon's domain, magic turned in him, burning his blood, pricking his skin, flooding his body.

His power returned.

Phobos snapped his fingers, the rags he wore stretched and soften, flowing around him in a simple, but proper, black robe, with a dipping collar showing the symbols of power at his neck. His hair, kept short, grew. Strands finer than Miranda's silk and near as white as the surrounding walls. His tattered shoes became fine slippers.

"Better," he mused as the snake and spider approached him, taking human forms.

While they didn't wear the tattered clothes they escaped in months ago, what they did wear was barely an improvement and was, frankly, an insult for him to be seen with or to grace the City.

He snapped again and they flinched, only to look in shock as they both now wore clothes similar to their preferred looks from years ago, hair and skin immaculate.

"Also better," Phobos said. "Now, tell me, why free me?" he asked, staring at Cedric. The snake had enough sense to fall to his knees and bow. Miranda quickly followed.

"You are our Prince," he said, head low, arm across his chest.

"Oh?" Phobos mused, lifting a hand, electricity jumping between fingers. "I did not get the impression that meant much to you, Cedric, when you swallowed me on Kandrakar."

Cedric flinched but did not dare look him in the eyes as he said, voice pleading, "I have had years to wallow in my shame. I should have told you I had deduce the Keeper's plan. Ensuring your victory and rule. My weak nature led to all our imprisonments."

Phobos laughed, voice echoing in the grand halls, and released a blast at Cedric. He didn't move, only clenched his teeth and held in a scream. Miranda flinched but didn't move.