Impenetrable- Sequel to Arcanum

Chapter 3: Colt

I finally broke away from the crowd, and groaned silently and ran my fingers through my gelled hair.

It wasn't fair that I had give up every fiber in my body just to be noticed. It doesn't even matter either. My brother is going to get the spot as king when he's older no matter what. But if I didn't do what I did, then it'd be like I never existed.

I sat on the sidelines, and watched people dance. I didn't really fancy with marrying a woman yet. Nor did I ever feel romantically attracted to anyone. Besides, all the women are after my brother.

"Hey, Colt. What are you doing over here?" My brother, Spruce asked as he walked over, and I shrugged.

"Just resting I guess." I said over the music, and straightened myself. He handed me some punch, and I said my thanks, before I looked back at the party. I could see Spruce just fidgeting to get dancing again, so I motioned him to go dance away. He smiled, and disappeared in the crowd. I slouched slightly for a moment, and sighed. I'd much rather be in my room reading my book right now, or writing my story.

"Ah this is the second son, Colt!" A couple walked over, and they shook hands with me, but they seemed to be more interested in finding my father and my brother. I narrowed my eyes silently but kept my smile all the same.

When they left, I leaned back in my chair.

"Why are you sitting over here all alone?" My father asked, appearing beside me. I looked over at him calmly, and shrugged.

"I'd rather not be here." I admitted. He simply shook his head and obviously tried to sit down beside me, but was quickly pulled away by other people, wanting to talk to him. I scoffed and watched him. He's never had time for his children. Spruce knows it too. We barely get to spend anytime with father.

I looked towards the big window that was at the front of the kingdom and I could make out the moon glowing in the dark sky. I got up, and made my way through the crowd, and walked outside. The moonlight made everything seem illuminated, and more beautiful than it appeared. I found a patch of grass under a tree, and decided to sit down, not caring if I got my suit a little dirty.

"Colt..?" A voice spoke from behind, and I looked to see Kaliska standing there.

"Oh, hello Princess." I greeted formally, instantly straightening my back, and scrambling to my feet before I brushed myself off. She didn't seem to take notice of any of this.

"What are you doing out here, alone?" She asked as she walked over. I gave a small smile.

"It was getting a little stuffy in there, plus it's a beautiful and remarkable night." I said quietly as I looked up at the dark clouds. She stood beside me, and I could feel heat radiating off her. It felt nice.

"So do you have any hobbies?" She asked, and my mind instantly shouted "archery." But I quickly shooed the thought, and hummed slightly.

"I guess mostly writing." I said, and she nodded.

Father always told me to not tell people that I was into archery. Turns out it wasn't very royal  like. Or something.

"Well I like-" She got cut off by a loud explosion, that made her lose her balance and I quickly caught her.

"What was that?!" She gasped, and I frowned in confusion, before I helped her back up, and raced back inside, to find smoke rising from a hole in a wall. I immediately rushed forward, only to have arms close around my shoulders.

"I have one!" My captor shouted, and I struggled but it was in vain. He was at least a head taller, and much bigger muscles to add to that.

"Get off my brother!" I heard Spruce shout over the noise, and suddenly the man was gone, with Spruce standing there, holding what looked like a plastic knife that was being served on the buffet table.

"Are you okay?" He asked me as he quickly looked over me, and I nodded. In any other case, I would've been angry for him treating me like a little kid, but I knew I had no chance against someone like that.

I nodded my thanks, before I rushed off with him towards the hole. There in the hole, there were people with black clothing rushing in, disrupting the party in the most rude way. I felt anger flare at this.

But suddenly, there was a bright flash, and a lot of the black clothed people were laying, unmoving. My father was glowering a bright green as he glared in fury at the hole.

"Stop breaking the damn walls!" He snapped, and I shook my head in disbelief. Was he really not caring about the people that were intruding?! I rushed forward with my brother, but he stopped me.

"Colt I need you to go see if everyone is alright!" He said to me, and I shook my head in frustration, but bit my tongue before I could give a sharp reply. I turned away, and ran to the guests.