Adventures in the Sacred Forest

Chapter 4: The Prank Wars

As the sun cast its warm glow over the Aguarius Estate, Almas and Creetan eagerly mounted their horses, accompanied by their father, High Lord Gidon Aguerius. The air buzzed with anticipation as they prepared to embark on their journey to Jaspen, the capital of the Aguarius Province, where the King of the Yucaipan Kingdom awaited their arrival.

As they trotted away from the estate, Crusty trotting along with them, Almas couldn't help but feel a mischievous spark within him. This journey presented the perfect opportunity to engage in some brotherly rivalry. Not to mention get back at Creetan for all the mean things he did to him, most of which he couldn't remember, but that wasn't important.

On the first day of their journey, as they made their way through lush meadows and winding forest trails, Almas seized every opportunity to pull something off against Creetan. He surreptitiously tied knots in Creetan's saddle straps, causing him to struggle with disentangling them. Almas would stifle his laughter, pretending innocence as Creetan shot him suspicious glances.

But Creetan was not one to be outdone. When they stopped to rest by a babbling brook, Creetan seized the chance to strike back. As Almas took a refreshing drink from his water flask, he spluttered in surprise, realizing Creetan had swapped his flask with one filled with tadpoles in it.

As they continued their journey towards Jaspen, the mischievous rivalry between Almas and Creetan escalated, leaving a trail of laughter and bewildered reactions in their wake.

One sunny afternoon, the travelers found themselves passing through a small village nestled amongst rolling hills. The village buzzed with excitement as news of the High Lord and his sons' arrival spread like wildfire. Villagers lined the streets, waving and cheering as they trotted by, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Almas glanced around, spotting a bucket perched precariously on a rickety wooden beam above the road. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he nudged his horse closer to the beam, positioning himself directly underneath it.

With a swift tug on the reins, Almas feigned a stumble, causing his horse to rear up. Startled, the horse kicked its hooves, jolting the beam and sending the bucket flying through the air. The bucket arced gracefully before landing squarely on Creetan's head, dousing him in a cascade of water.

The onlookers erupted into fits of laughter, their cheers echoing through the village square. Almas struggled to contain his own laughter, his shoulders shaking as he watched Creetan's stunned expression.

Their father, High Lord Gidon Aguerius, raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Boys, I hope you know the villagers will remember this day for a long time."

Almas and Creetan exchanged sheepish glances, their faces turning scarlet as they tried to stifle their laughter. Their father chuckled softly, unable to suppress his own amusement.

The escorts, stoic and composed throughout the journey, finally cracked a smile, their stern expressions giving way to hearty laughter. They had witnessed the mischievous escapades of the two brothers and had become secretly entertained by their antics.

As the laughter subsided, Creetan removed the drenched bucket from his head, his wet hair plastered to his forehead. He looked at Almas, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well played, brother," he said with a smile. "But remember, the day is not over yet."

Their pranks continued into the evening when they arrived at the welcoming village of Redbrook. The inn, a cozy retreat adorned with wooden beams and flickering candlelight, provided a warm respite for the travelers.

As they settled into their rooms, Almas' mind buzzed with ideas for the night's prank. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he realized he had the perfect plan.
Under the cover of darkness, Almas tiptoed into Creetan's room. With careful precision, he rearranged Creetan's belongings, leaving them in amusingly disarrayed positions. Shoes were placed atop the bed, while his clothes were arranged in a comical fashion.

Almas stifled his laughter, his heart racing with anticipation for Creetan's reaction. With his mission complete, he stealthily retreated to his own room.

The following morning, Almas awoke with a mix of excitement and curiosity. He couldn't wait to see Creetan's face when he discovered the prank. As they gathered for breakfast, he cast a furtive glance at Creetan, noticing the bewildered expression on his brother's face.

As they mounted their horses, ready to continue their journey, Almas couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He was already plotting the pranks for the day, determined to outwit Creetan once again.

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Almas spurred his horse forward, eager for the day's adventures and the inevitable retaliation from his brother. The prank wars had only just begun, and the journey to Jaspen promised to be filled with laughter and surprises.