Play Me a Melody [ONC 2022]

Chapter Four: Richard

After having had some rest in an inn, Richard stepped out into the town. The early morning sunlight bounced off of Richard's golden curls as he took everything in. The town square bustled with activity as people began their day. Shops were being opened, chatter broke the morning silence and there was the delectable scent of fresh bread in the air. It was enough to make Richard's mouth water. Richard had been to the town square before but he had only ever seen it through the windows of his royal carriage. A carriage that had constant guards surrounding it.

Seeing everything up close and personal was an entirely new experience. He felt like Ishlora was a place he had never seen before, let alone was a prince of. That fact did not sit quite right with him. He did not like that something that should be so familiar to him was quite the opposite.

Richard knew that the reason for this was because he had never traversed from location to location on foot before. Or on his own. There was always someone with him and he had not been aware until this moment that he was used to the presence of another person.

Was this perhaps why his mother had wished for him to go on this adventure? So that he might get to know the land that he would one day rule more intimately?

Richard had always thought of himself as a loner. The fact that he was actually the sort of person that deeply relied on the company of another person was a little uncomfortable. He did not think that there was much that could be done about that. It was not like he would be on his own for much longer. He still needed to find the hired man that would be acting as his guide and guard. Once he found the man with the two blue feathers and the signal was given, Richard would safely be on his way with his new companion.

With this in mind, he headed towards the location where the rendezvous was meant to take place. The young prince's heart thrummed with excitement and anticipation. Richard wondered what sort of things and places he was going to see on this journey of his. What he did know was that this was going to be the most exciting adventure he would have before becoming King.

As he moved through the busy streets, Richard was bumped and jostled. It brought with it another uncomfortable realization: he was used to people naturally clearing the way for him whenever he went somewhere. His journey had only just begun and he had already learned so much about himself. Richard hoped that not everything he learned about his own self would make him feel like the most spoiled royal in the world.

It was taking Richard a while to find the fountain where he was meant to meet his hired man. He felt like he had been walking all day when it had just been a half hour at most. When the prince finally found the fountain, Richard was so excited that he immediately rushed towards it. In doing so, he failed to notice that a carriage was swiftly moving through the street he was crossing. It was the neighing of the horses that caught his attention first and he narrowly missed being run down by them.

While Richard remained unscathed, the same could not be said for his clothing. The carriage wheels had sprayed mud in his direction and left his garments dripping in mud. He had also fallen into the arms of a man which only added further insult to his rapidly deteriorating dignity. Even as Richard inwardly bemoaned his current indignation, he couldn't help but wonder if the man trained daily. How else could one explain those broad shoulders and firm chest?

Richard did not notice that he had been kind of squeezing those strong arms in fascination until an amused voice spoke. "Do you plan to leave my arms anytime soon? Or will I have to carry you with me?"

Richard's face flushed a deep red in his embarrassment. "My deepest apologies. Of course I plan on... well, plan on leaving your arms." He loathed his current inability to speak properly. Richard also found that he could barely meet the other man's eyes.

Instead of moving out of the man's arms, he stayed in position as something caught his eye. A blue feather in the front pocket of the man's coat! Richard's heartbeat quickened in his chest and his eyes widened. His gaze snapped up to see if there was a blue feather in the man's hat. Despite his current awkward situation and earlier embarrassment, Richard's earlier excitement returned in full force.

"It's you! Finally!" In his excitement, Richard completely forgot for a moment about the signal that the hired man should have given. He decided that perhaps the man had not had a chance to give it since Richard had ended up falling into his arms. Besides, how many people went around with blue feathers in both their hat and front pocket? The young prince was sure that he had found the right man.

"I'm sorry but do you know me?" There was evident confusion in the larger man's face and in the tone of his voice.

Richard supposed that was to be expected. After all, the man would have no way of knowing what he looked like beyond vague descriptors. It was not like he was the only blond man in the kingdom and not many of the common folk knew what he looked like from a close distance.

"No, I should be the one that is sorry. The confusion here was my fault. I am Arlington, the man who hired you as a guide and guard."

"Arlington?" Richard could not tell if the way the man said his alias was with derision or not. "Your parents big fans of the royal family?"

"I suppose - from the sounds of it, you aren't too fond of them?" That was going to be rather awkward. Perhaps he should keep his actual identity a secret.

"I would not say that. I just do not care much for them. Anyway, let me guess. You are the son of some small town merchant who has come to explore the main part of the kingdom?"

"That isn't right at all but I did hire you to help me become more acquainted with different areas of the kingdom. Are you able to do that?"

"I can do that, sure. There is not a lot I will not do when given the right amount." The suggestive nature of the other man's words were lost on Richard. "Though that might require you actually leaving my arms."

Richard had been in the man's arms since the moment he had fallen into them. He finally let the man out of his grip and adjusted his own jacket as he moved away from the man. "Let us find somewhere to eat and I will discuss more of what I expect out of you." He tried his best to give off an aura of being authoritative and in charge. 

He was failing at it.