The Lost Prince

The Letter

I still remember the day my father was hanged and mother and I were exiled. As we left the gates of Salidor capital of Salara kingdom I took one last look at my home to see my friend Lucan with tears in his grey-blue eyes. As his silver hair blew in the breeze he called my name "Rainer!!!" and began to run to me but he was stopped by the city guards. As he fought against their grip crying and screaming I began to cry myself then they carried him back to the castle and I never saw him again. That was 8 years ago now I'm 18 as is he and I get a letter sealed with the royal seal of Salara. It was just dumb luck that it found its way to me. I had been on the move for 8 years never staying somewhere for long. I was buying food in the town of Sarato a 2 day trip north of Salidor when I stopped in a tavern to buy fresh fish and water for Miala when this messenger boy walked in and began asking after me. "Why you looking for Rainer?" Bartelo the barkeep asked him. "I have a letter of importance I must deliver to him but I haven't had any luck in finding him. He looked at me and I nodded "He's right there at that corner table over there" Bartelo said.

Bartelo has taken a liking to me and Miala. He looks at me as his son I use to stay with him as a child till I turned 12 it was the longest I've ever stayed with someone. He was a traveling merchant before he opened his tavern and he found me curled up in a damp and cold cave about 5 hours south from Salidor. He taught me the trade and how to hunt even gave me a few spell books so I could practice my magic. When I found Miala he helped me nurse her back to health. Miala is my pet wolf with her white fur and beautiful blue eyes. When he saw the bond I had with her he knew I'd be safe on my own. I found her as a pup trapped in a bear trap. Her parents no where to be seen it was as if they just left her to die. Once she saw me she did growl and show her teeth but it was out of fear. I erased closer much to Bartelo's dismay and freed her. She took one last look at me before darting into the woods. A few days later Bartelo and I were ambushed by a group of bandits who intended to rob and possibly kill us but they got a surprise of their own when Miala lept from a cliff and latched onto the leaders neck biting and eventually killing him. Using the distraction she caused Bartelo and I made our escape. Another day later she found our camp using the scent of my hands to track us and  stood guard till we awoke before approaching us. I recognized her right away as did Bartelo she was hurt from her fight with the bandits so I used what little healing magic I knew at the time to heal her injuries. Then...she never left us and slept next to me every night. "A wolf choosing a human. You just made history my boy" Bartelo said. As the messenger boy approached me, Miala who was sleeping next to me on the floor woke up and growled at him. "A...a wolf!" He cried. The customers payed him no mind as they are use to Miala.

"Calm girl its ok" I said and she huffed but laid back down. "Is she.....yours?" He asked. "Yes she is her name is Miala what do you need?" I asked. "I have this letter for you sealed with the royal seal of Salara" he said and handed me a golden envelope. Upon its back rested a Red Rose stamp the flag of Salara. "Lucan finally tracked me down.." I thought as I opened it Miala judged the chair across from me. "She's saying sit your ass down young man" Bartelo called and the messenger boy complied. "Bring him a drink please" I said. "Coming up" Astrid Bartelo's wife called back. Miala laid her head in my lap as I read. "Dear Rainer, Tis I King Zane...I guess you were expecting it to be Lucan but that is why I am writing this. 2 years ago King Isaac of Atiria sent me a letter proposing an alliance sealed in marriage to his youngest daughter Lucile. Lucan set out for Asoria but he never arrived. A week later a guard from Asoria arrived at the castle and asked for an audience. That is when the news arrived to me...Lucan's guardsmen were found dead and he was missing about 1 hours north of Asoria. I sent out my best men to locate him but they came up with nothing. I feared he may have been kidnapped by The Suden Federation. I kept my men searching for 1 year but he was no where to be found...after 2 years I received no demands for his return. Thus though it pains me to do so I must declare him dead. This pains me to no end....I am holding a service for him and I know he'd be pleased if you and your mother were to come. You have always been a son to me. I await your response, King Zane of Salara" it read. Miala licked my face because I hadn't noticed the tears that began to fall from my red eyes. "He awaits your response my lord" the messenger said. I was still in shock to properly speak so Astrid read the letter. "Oh my...the prince is missing?" She said. "Why would the king personally write you a letter? He says your like a son to him?" Astrid said confused. "Tell him...tell him I shall be there and be sure to mention Miala" I said finally. "Of course my lord! Right away my lord!" The messenger boy said and ran out the tavern as Bartelo approached me. He sat down in the same chair as the messenger boy did and Astrid sat in his lap as they looked at me.

"Rainer...you know you can tell us anything" he said. "I was born in Salidor. I lived there till I was 10 in a life of luxury as the son of a noblemen. The Prince and I were childhood friends. My father was a power hungry man and tried to overthrow the king...he was hanged for treason" I said. "Ah Lord Asoto I heard of that" Astrid said. "Yes..my name is Rainer Asoto and I'm his son...after he was hanged the king exiled me and my mother despite Lucan's pleads and we left...she however didn't survive...I was all alone till you found me" I said. "Oh lad if only I knew I'm sorry" Bartelo said. "You know the rest" I said. "That I do. To think I was traveling around with a noblemen's son haha!" Bartelo laughed. "Please don't say that...that title died with my father..." I said. "Sorry lad just so you know this changes nothing" Bartelo said. "He's right to us your still our little Rainer" Astrid said and hugged me. "Thank you..." I said. "Well I better get your bag packed up with a weeks supply. That aught to get you and Miala to Salidor" Bartelo said. "I'll pack you some fresh bread to" Astrid said. "Thank you.." I said. "Well Miala we are going to Salidor" I said and she licked my face.