Andy hauled the injured prince up the spiral stairway hurriedly followed by the peasant that dared to tell the king the truth.
Dragging Xavier into the prince's quarters, he slammed the door. The room was huge, in the center sat a bed with down and velvet blankets draped over a thick mattress nested in an ornate frame. Beside the bed was a bureau carved as intricately as the bed. Ten yards to the left of the bed was a pool of water. Shocked, the peasant looked closer and realized the water was moving, like part of a river had been placed in Xavier's room. Towels lay folded next to the pool.
Staring in awe the peasant took a step closer to the prince. Trying to hide his amazement, he asked the question that had been bothering him for quite some time now.
"Xavier, why did you stand up for me?"
The prince, who was now being attended to by Andy who hurriedly cleaned the gash on Xavier's arm, smiled.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"I am a peasant."
Xavier rolled his eyes.
"So?"
"So, you shouldn't have risked your well being for mine! You are the future king!"
Xavier stood, ignoring Andy's commands for him to stay were he was.
"That makes me no better than you," Xavier whispered than said more confidently, "I am no better than any peasant or citizen of Avanlünd! It is our actions that should make us better or worse."
Andy slapped a bandage on Xavier. Xavier grimaced. Andy spoke before the prince could complain.
"Shut up, Xavier. Your father will hear."
"I don't care," the prince responded "the king deserves to be-"
Andy clamped his hand over Xavier's mouth.
"Shut up! We can't afford for you to get another injury!" Andy practically screamed at him, "I told you to just go along with it but no, you have to disobey again!"
Xavier stared at the young servant, his best friend.
"I am sorry, Andy. I couldn't let another die." Xavier whispered.
Andy turned to the peasant.
"What is your name?"
"Blair." The peasant looked at the prince. "I owe you with my life, Xavier. How can I repay you."
Xavier blushed and shook his head. "There is no need. Do you need a ride home? I suspect your family needs you." Bracing himself against the bedpost, he gestured to the bureau. "Andy, with you grab me some coins?"
Andy rushed to the bureau and pulled out a velvet bag filled to the brim with gold coins. Enough change to feed an entire family for months. Handing the sack to Xavier, Xavier looked inside.
"This should be enough for a while. If you need anything contact me." Xavier placed the bag in Blair's arms.
"Xavier, I can not accept this!"
"Take it," the young prince replied. "It will do you more good than it ever would for me."
"Thank you," Blair looked stunned. "If I can every do anything to repay you... or come close to repaying you I promise I will."
"Andy, why don't you get him a fresh pair of clothes and a ride home."
Xavier smiled. "Thank you for standing up against the tyrant we have for a king."
