Currents

Chapter Two

Eneas was waiting outside for his little brother, watching the sun rise slowly into the sky. Finally, he spotted his brother running up to him, his sandals in hand and barefooted.
"Put your shoes on Vivar," Eneas scolded playfully, "You don't want an earful from mother now, do you?"
"I am, I am," Vivar put his shoes on, "I just didn't want to make you late."
"You're not, Atlantis isn't going to sink just because I'm late. Now, let's go."
The two brothers set out into their city, merchants already bustling out to get their stands ready to sell their goods. Eneas brought out a small sack of coins, seeing what he had before stopping over at one.
"Good morning Eneas," the merchant greeted, "The usual?"
"Yes," Eneas nodded, "An extra for my brother please."
"Taking Vivar on his first rounds of the city? My how fast he's growing."
"I know, I couldn't be any prouder."
Vivar smiled, saying a thank you when handed the small loaf of cake; both brothers went and found a spot to sit down and enjoy their treat. Eneas looked over and saw Vivar looking lost in thought.
"Why are you thinking so hard?," Eneas poked a finger between his brother's brows, "You'll get wrinkles."
"Do you think I'll ever become a good soldier like you?," Vivar asked.
"Of course you will; remember that every soldier is different in personality. Just remember to put the good people first."
Vivar smiled, Eneas smiling back.
"Help! Someone help!," a woman shouted, "Someone is being chased by a shark!"
Eneas bolted to his feet, racing over to see what the situation was. Down below in one of the ocean canals was a young man pressed up against the wall on a small cliff. A shark was circling around, coming up to snap at the man's feet whenever the water rose.
"Is that prince Jace?," a farmer's wife asked her friend.
"I believe that is!," the friend responded, "Oh dear, he must be saved!"
Eneas looked around, seeing a wooden beam going across. He then spotted some rope and a large metal hook; a plan formed in his head. He quickly tied the rope to the hook, looking back ever so often to check on the endangered prince. He hopped onto the ledge, swinging the hook around and then flinging it. It wrapped itself around the wooden beam, securing itself in place.
With a big breath he jumped, swinging himself down and towards the prince; the prince let out a gasp as he saw the shark aiming for his leg, ready to let out a scream. It came out as a cry of surprise when an arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him away from the danger. He felt solid ground beneath his feet, and he looked up to see who saved him. The sun highlighted the soldier's lightly tanned skin, his black hair ruffled from the slight breeze, and his dark chocolate-brown eyes stared right back into his ocean-blue ones.
"Are you alright my prince?," the soldier asked.
Jace blushed a bit, but pulled away to gather his composure.
"Yes, thank you," he responded, "I should've been more careful."
Royal guards flooded into the area, surrounding the soldier and the prince. One stepped forward and towards the prince.
"Prince Jace, your father demands that you return home at once," the soldier grasped his arm.
"Do not touch me," Jace pulled his arm away, "I can hear you just fine."
He turned back to the soldier, giving him a small nod.
"Thank you," he said.
Eneas watched the prince walk away surrounded by soldiers. Vivar ran up to his side, looking up at his brother in admiration.
"That was amazing Eneas!," he was jumping in excitement, "You saved the prince! You're a hero!"
Eneas snapped out of his trance, giving his brother a grin.
"All in a day's work Vivar," he ruffled the top of his little brother's hair, "I would do that for anyone, and you should too. Now, let's keep going. There's bound to be more people that need our help."
The two brothers walked around for the rest of the day, making it back home an hour before sundown.
"Welcome home my two brave soldiers," their mother greeted, "How was your day?"
"Eneas saved the prince, mother!," Vivar explained, "It was amazing!"
"The prince?"
Eneas only shook his head; he walked back outside to watch the sunset, gazing out on the horizon to watch the great ball of fire set below the ocean. He thought back about the prince, that once in lifetime chance for a city guard to meet the son of the king. He remembered the pressure of being the only one qualified enough to save prince Jace, and how much fear he felt for the punishment if he failed; he could have been executed. But he didn't, so there wasn't anything he should worry about. So why was he still thinking about him?
"Eneas!," his mother called for him, "Supper time!"
With a smile, Eneas headed back inside. Back at the palace, Jace was locked inside his room until his father deemed him worthy enough to leave. He was leaning in the archway of his balcony, gazing out onto the view of the city. He was loosely hugging himself, the memory of the soldier's arm wrapped around his own waist protectively still fresh in his mind. He wanted to turn back and ask for the soldier's name, but his nerves were so caught up, only a simple "thank you" came out.
What is your name?, he asked.