Relentless

Chapter one

Raphael sighed when he saw the gate to his home. It had been too long.

He nodded at the guard as he walked past; he had to inform his family that he was back.

Raphael walked through the open corridors of the old stone castle. His parents were in the big common room with the big arches that lead out into the gardens that his mother spent so much time talking care of.

He found her talking to a gardener, Alec, about some flowers at the entrance of the garden.

Raphael waited until Alec had stepped away before he stepped forward. “Mother,” he said bowing from the waist.

“Raphael,” she ignored the formal gesture and hugged he son. “You have finally come home. We haven’t received word form you in many weeks.”

“I was too close to the boarders, I apologize.”

Victoria smiled in understanding. “Your father is in his office and after you speak with him, your brothers are training the warriors, greet them before you retire to your rooms.”

“Yes, mother,” Raphael said and left to find his father.

“Greetings, my son,” Raphael’s father said as he entered.

“Father,” he replied bowing just as he had done with his mother.

“Sit, you must be tired from your trip.” Mason said as he gestured to the seat in front of what you’ve learnt.”

Raphael sat, “The farmer was right, there were people camping on the boarder, near where the Walker trees are. I saw remains of the small fires around that area and foliage had been disturbed. Whoever it was made no attempt to cover up that they were there.”

Mason looked thoughtfully at his son, “Do you think they were locals?”

Raphael shook his head, “If it had been locals they would have left neater sites besides, no would chance sleeping so close to the boarders.”

Mason narrowed his eyes, “What do you think they were doing?”

“I think they were hunting something. There were some faded tracks that kept circling around.”

“How old were the tracks?”

Between two to three weeks, some of the disturbances were older at least a month or two.”

“Did you see anyone, anyone at all?”

“No, by the time I arrived, the most recent signs were one day old.”

Mason nodded, “Do you think there is any threat that w should prepare for?”

“I think we should not act to hastily but should be on the look out for anything that could add more to the suspicions.”

Again, Mason nodded, “You are very observant and patient, good traits for a leader, as well as being intrusive. You will make a legendary commander of our warriors and will be an invaluable asset to your brother when he steps into my place as king. “King Mason smiled at his son, “Go, rest, Raphael, you have been gone for over two months and deserve a peaceful sleep.”

Prince Raphael stood and bowed to his father.

Raphael went to the training fields to greet his brothers, just as his mother had ordered. He had two brothers, Kaydian and Aidan, twins. Kaydian was the first born and therefore first in line to take the throne. Aidan was the brains of the family, reading and memorizing every book and piece of literature he could lay his hands on.

Both men were married. Kaydian to a tall, slim young woman with flowing blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin, named Orchid. She was a fisherman’s daughter who had been selling his catches in the market when they met. She had a gentle nature and was very kind, good qualities for a future queen.

Aidan was married to a young woman named Lillian, a sandy, curly haired woman with brown eyes and a pretty smile. Their mother had hired her assist the royal librarian which is where she and Aidan met.

Both women were pregnant with his brother’s children. Orchid was five months along and Lillian, four and a half.

“Brother,“ Kaydian nodded before turning back to watch a group of warriors doing hand to hand combat.

“How have the men been?” Raphael asked as he joined his brothers watching the fights.

“We did not have to do much; they are well trained and know which drills to do when we do not.”

Just then, the fight ended. It had been a six on one and as the Princes looked up, they saw the six big men lying on the ground and a tiny, slim figure was walking away.

“Who is that?” Raphael asked.

“We don’t know. He showed up one day about a month ago while the others were training and joined in. One of the men managed to get him to tell him his name, Gabriel but that’s all we know.” Kaydian answered.

“You let an unknown fighter join our warriors to learn our styles without learning anything about him first. And by the looks of the men over there, a very trained man.”

“He has made no threat and lives in one of the houses at the very end of the palace’s grounds. I don’t think he has ever been in the palace.” Kaydian replied.

 “There were some suspicious characteristics by the boarders around two months ago and he appeared a month later. We have to be cautious.”

“Do you want the men to bring Gabriel in to be questioned?” Aidan asked.

Raphael shook his head, “We don’t know how skilled he is and if there really is a threat. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

The brothers nodded.

“How are my sisters doing?” Raphael asked to ease the tension.

“Well, they are slightly testy with the pregnancies but all is well.” Aidan answered.

“That is good.” Raphael nodded. “I would like to get some rest.”

“Peaceful rest, brother.” Aidan replied.

Raphael nodded. And went to his room to bathe and rest.