The Saintess and the Villainess

A Tale of Two Princes - Chapter 5

In the soft blue light before dawn, Prince Sebastian stood once again outside of Prince Elyon's tent, shivering slightly in the chill. He had just thrown on whatever clothes were at hand, leaving his warmest riding jacket behind without really thinking about it. His hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, stray strands of blond curls clinging to his face in the early morning damp.

Just a few weeks before he would have felt hideously embarrassed to be seen in such an unkempt fashion, but at the current moment he couldn't seem to bring himself to care.

Sebastian was out here so early because he hadn't been able to sleep. How could he, when Anne and Corvina were missing? He had tossed and turned on his cot for hours, terrible visions of all the worst possibilities dancing in his head, before he had finally given up on getting any rest.

Sebastian loved Anne and Corvina. They were his family, both of them, and he just couldn't stand the thought that something truly awful might have happened to them.

And he had selfish reasons for being worried about them as well, although he was ashamed to admit that to himself. But he had no idea what he would do without them. After all, this whole thing was their plan. He was just doing what they told him to do, and after all this he would need them to tell him what to do next. He was too stupid to know what to do on his own.

He was probably also too stupid to be of much help to Elyon in tracking them down, and it would probably be difficult to persuade Elyon to bring him along on the search. But Sebastian couldn't stand to just sit here, not knowing what was happening, not doing anything. If there was even the smallest possibility that he could be of some use, then he would do whatever it took to convince Elyon to bring him along.

When Elyon finally emerged from his tent, perfectly well-groomed despite the early hour and the desperate situation, Sebastian prepared himself to make his argument.

But Elyon didn't question him. Elyon merely stared at him for a long moment, his dark blue eyes boring into Sebastian's own, his expression unreadable.

"You can borrow a horse," said Elyon, finally. "We'll be riding quickly. I know you're unused to the terrain, but try not to fall behind."

Sebastian nearly saluted, but decided at the last moment that that would be ridiculous. So he merely nodded and fell in behind Elyon as they walked briskly towards the stables.

They rode through the forest in silence, Elyon taking the lead, and as they rode Sebastian found himself growing less and less panicked.

Elyon's presence was calming. He projected a sort of quiet power and confidence around him. Anyone in Elyon's vicinity could have no doubt that he knew exactly what he was doing. And although he wasn't bulky by any means, Sebastian could tell by the way he carried himself that the elven prince was strong and muscular. He looked like he was as used to physical labor as he was to tactical planning. Sebastian couldn't help but stare at his sturdy back as they rode, thinking about how the elven prince appeared almost monumental, like a statue of a great hero of the past come to life.

Prince Elyon was everything a prince should be.

And yet, Sebastian was surprised to find that he didn't feel particularly ashamed or inadequate to be riding along behind Elyon. He just felt... grateful to have him nearby.

Sebastian didn't even feel his usual compulsion to chatter on about whatever he could to fill the awkward silence. Instead, he just enjoyed the sound of hooves falling, birds awakening, and leaves rustling all around them as the late morning sun lit their way; and he tried not to think too much about why they were on this journey, or what might wait for them at the end of the path.