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4. Long awaited return

As the caravan entered the gates of Rish'ka it just so happen to overlap with the hour of Liru, midday, and the time for the guards to change their shifts.
It took more than an hour for the group to finally enter the city.
Fharan had not moved much during the whole procedure and only once or twice helped with a few shying mounts that did not quite like the commotion.
After they eventually arrived at their destination and all the formalities had been taken care of the group split up.
The former prince and his companion slowly made their way towards the centre of the city. He did not plan to inform any of his relatives about his return, but he was still a bit curious how everything had changed since he had left.
After organizing an inn and leaving some of his luggage back in his room he went to explore.

He didn't really have a destination in mind so he just wandered through the streets letting himself be guided by the people.
Before he realized it, he had reached the western palace gate. He cautiously checked his hood that hid his dark red hair from prying eyes. Fharan had rarely left the palace and it had been ruffly five almost six years since he had been kidnapped so no one would recognize his face, but as soon as someone would take a closer look his hair it would give him away.
It was obvious that the members of the royal family were not the only ones that had this hair color but it was very noticeable nonetheless.
The prince was surprised to see the gates wide open before he remembered that today was the day of the sun festival.
Every seven years the royal family would open their gates to grand their citizens the opportunity to see parts of the palace. Some of his fellow travellers had talked about it on their way here.
He barely remembered the last time it had happened. It almost seemed as if it had been a different world back then.
While he was lost in thought Afrit brushed past his legs and stared at him. Fharan sighed and bent down to pick him up.
"No point in reminiscing the past.", he murmured and started to walk towards the gate.
It was much riskier than just staying in the city, but even though it might become inconvenient if his identity should be discovered he did not really care much about it. He would have to return at some point. Maybe it would be easier to make up with the past when confronting it for one last time rather than letting loose ends get the better of him.

He passed the gate without any problems and slowly made his way towards the inner palace in which the royal family resided.
Hundreds had gathered today driven by curiosity to explore the emperor's residence and maybe even see a glimpse of the royal family that had recently returned from a trip to one of the neighbouring countries.
Passing the main buildings he steadily approached the east palace, which had been his home for so long. He was surprised to see that it had been renovated and even the gardens had regained their former glory. But it was still as quiet as it had always been.
Most people had stayed close to the central palace or decided to explore the gardens so only a few had found their way here.
Retreating into the shadows of the trees he sat down and placed Afrit on his lap while once again surveying his surroundings.
The cat did not stay still for long and jumped out of his arms to do its own inspections of the area instead. Meanwhile, he let his thoughts wander.
'Have they ever found the secret passage the kidnappers had used?', he wondered. Probably not, otherwise he would have picked it up from his wardens at some point.
'Was it a wise choice to return?'
He had thought it over quite a few times and did not find a convincing reason to stay away.
His plan was to attend the academy of Rish'ka which was the only one in the city that was neither only for commoners nor required its students to be of a noble bloodline.
The academy held an entrance exam at the end of the third month, thirteen days from now. It would probably be the latest point on which his identity would be discovered. Registration was a must and the papers he had gotten which proved his identity as mercenary would not last long in the prospect of staying more than just a few days. And there was still the possibility that he would need them in the future. He did not expect for everything to go as smoothly as he
wished.

The bushes rustled and Afrit reappeared. Fharan brushed a few leaves of his black fur and leaned back onto the trunk of a tree. Just watching the sky through the branches stretching out above would be enough for now.

The sun was already setting when he finally started making his way back to the inn. He was fairly surprised upon seeing the crowd that had gathered in front of the main palace.
Although he tried to keep as much distance from the masses as it was possible he still heard excited whispers. It seemed as if the crown prince had been out and was about to return.
Since he did not have much interest in seeing his brother again so soon he continued his way. But he was out of luck. Just as he reached the outer gates the princes escort blocked the way.
It did not take long and he himself came into view. High up on a mare with a reddish brown coat, smiling and waving at the people around him.
Fharan unconsciously retreated a bit further into the shadows of the wall as his brothers gaze swept over the crowd. The prince already resembled his father, from his shining green eyes to the last strands of his hair. He silently watched and was surprised as he did not find himself feeling anything at all. It was as if he had passed by a stranger on the streets. All the pain and suffering seemed to have been left behind in that dark cell that had held him for more than five years.

As soon as the group had passed and the way was clear he quietly left to return to his inn.