Fallen Prince, Risen King - The Fallen Prince

Pablo

Ten thousand troops arrived at School Town as the two hundred out five hundred men for the empress and the two thousand men dedicated to the Fallen Prince prepared to leave. "Have any of your men suffered any injuries or death on your trip, my lords?" asked Captain Howin to Lord Zhe and other lords.

"No captain, we came unscathed, though we did have one hundred bandits join us as they claim to fight for us and are part of the Fallen Prince's army." reported Lord Zhe.

"So he is alive," thought Captain Howin. "I'll inform Lord Tyron and Lord Varius about them. Have your men prepared to leave, we head to the capital, immediately." he ordered.

"Very well, captain." responded one of the lords.

Captain Howin analyzed the incoming troops that arrived, he knew fifteen thousand wasn't enough to beat forty thousand. With perhaps another thousand plus the Fallen Prince's army, the odds were still against them. "Captain Howin," called out Princess Zhen as she and her friends approach him.

"Your majesty, as much as I'll love to talk to you, I must humbly request you to leave me alone." requested Captain Howin as he calculated the likely odds.

"I'm going to have to ignore your request, unfortunately." said Princess Zhen.

"I take it, it's about Zhōng?" assumed Captain Howin.

"More specifically, his second friend." added Xing.

"Well, you should remember his name." said Captain Howin to Xing.

"But you were with them most of the time." replied Xing.

"I guess that's the reason why he told you to ask me." sighed Captain Howin as he looked out towards the troops. "I guess this does set up the same situation and a good reason for me to take a break." he said.

"So who was he? Why did Zhōng decide not to tell us about him?" asked Silica.

"His name is Pablo, and the story would perhaps help you understand the Fallen Prince a little more than you realized." began Captain Howin. "It all started..."

John tossed down a pile of sticks he found sticking out from the snow as Zhōng worked to keep the fire going. "Why can't we travel doing a warmer time of the year?" complained Jack as he shivered.

"Cause we'll be too late and I told you guys to bring extra for your horses and yourself." said Zhōng, putting the sticks John found in the fire. He built a wall out of snow to keep the breeze from putting the fire out and direct the heat to them. "Besides, be grateful you also have a cloak and clothes unlike them." Yáo picked his ears up from where he was laying as he heard his master speak. He neighed in disgust at his master's humor. "Those blankets sure keep you warm, be real pity I took them or forgot to feed you." said Zhōng, his horse shook his head and laid back down.

"Hey Zhōng, why did you decline the princess's offer to come with us?" asked John.

"I was wondering the same thing, sure we're learning well but she might have tricks that could help as well." suggested Jack.

"She could also help us gather men to fight against your brother." included John.

Zhōng put a couple more sticks in the fire as he sighed. His face was visible as the light from the flame danced on his face and his hair. "Before you guys and those who came before you, I met someone after the princess. Someone, which events that followed was perhaps what would curse me to become very careful of who l can trust." he began. "Early in the Eight-Year War,"

Thirteen years ago, the war began and was three months into it as Prince Zhōng and his bodyguard Howin walked the streets of the populated capital city. "Why do people still want war?" asked Prince Zhōng aloud.