The Prince of Arc - Part I

Chapter 4 - Undercover

4.

I woke up the next morning surprised yet pleased by my dreamless sleep. I look over to see that Cameron's bed is empty. Figuring he must be at breakfast, I get up out of bed and walk towards the dining hall.

As I am walking down the hallways, I begin to remember last night; when Cameron passed by me to lead the way to my room. I never have seen him do something like that. He really must be losing hope in my family, because I know he wouldn't even think about that if my father actually answered all of the reporters' questions. But since he didn't, the thought not only entered his mind; but he obeyed the idea over his loyalty to my family.

You'd think I should be happy that my friend is finally realizing my point of view on all of this, but for some reason, I'm worried. Is it possible that he could eventually lose hope in me; even though I am his best friend?

Or am I overanalyzing the situation? I tend to do that a lot with situations that worry me. My mind becomes a worst-case-scenario generator, whether I want it to or not. I need to get my mind off things...

As I try to switch the subject in my head, the smell of bacon and pancakes fill the air. Perfect timing, I think. My stomach growls as my hunger begins to grow. I turn down the last hallway leading up to the dining hall and approach the huge arch leading into the room. I see a lot of the staff eating at tables close to the breakfast bar, and then I see Cameron by himself sitting at the table farthest away from anyone else. I grab a plate, put some bacon on it, and walk over to him.

"Hey," I greeted him. "You're up early."

"I couldn't sleep," He responds quietly, taking a bite out of his pancake.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Are you?" He says, returning the question.

"I'm fine too, just be thinking. But we both know that's nothing new."

"I have been too. Your points against the monarchy are beginning to make sense. Your father is a great king when the countries are happy, but when it's not, it's a different story."

"Anybody can be happy when things are good. It takes a real leader to remain calm in emergencies."

"Yeah, I know. That's what your dad needs to work on; keeping his cool no matter what. It wouldn't hurt for him to take some tips from you."

"He'd never consider any of my suggestions. If he would, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"You should become king already. You're young, but you're already wiser than him." He said, showing that he still had some faith in my family.

"I bet my dad was just like me when he was a kid. When he became king the relationship between my family and the Drakes was too far gone to be recovered, like it is now. He did the best he could, then became greedy like he is today. So who can say that won't happen to me?"

"You have a good point; but you can acknowledge the possibilities. Your father couldn't, because he was the first to inherit a broken kingdom. But you were able to see what happened when he did. You can change it Blake. Realize that. There's still hope."

"I would maybe be able to believe that if the Drakes weren't part of the problem. Now that our clans hate each other, I wouldn't be able to talk to them in person without rebels affecting everything."

"We need to figure out how to fix that, and there's no point in waiting any longer." Cameron says, rushing in the last few words. My mother's coming over to talk to us, and he clearly doesn't want her to suspect anything.

"Good morning, boys." She greets us, showing off her comforting smile. After realizing she interrupted our conversation, she adds, "Is this a bad time? I just wanted to know when I could talk to you alone, Blake."

"You're okay mom, we're just talking about a movie we watched last night. I can talk now," I say, getting up out of my seat. She gestures to me on the other side of the room, and after a quick glance to Cam, I follow her over.

"I have decided you are going to leave the palace. You need to go to Borders, because it is unsafe to stay here much longer. You're father and I will be fine, but you need to leave."

Though I know why she wants me to leave, I act as if I have no clue. She might tell me more than I know already if I act oblivious. "Really? Why Borders? Can Cam come with?"

"Yes, actually I want someone to go with you. You will be going undercover, and hopefully you'll find out where and when militias are going to attack, so we can be prepared. Since Borders is also partially in the Drake Territory, there's a better chance of finding out how the Drakes are reacting to the revolts and whether or not their citizens are revolting too. If they aren't I want you to find out how the Drakes are keeping the uprising down in their cities, okay?" Her voice sounds very calm, but she seems to be concerned. The last thing she wants is for her son to be hurt.

"When do you want me to leave?"

"Your train leaves here at 8 tonight."

"Ok, so how am I going to be undercover? I'm I going to get a fake ID or something?"

"You're going to get an outfit similar to the ones typically worn in Borders. If you want Cam to go, we are going to need to get another set."

"Yeah, I do. Where are you guys going to go? The bunker?"

"Yes, we will leave first thing tomorrow morning. I wasn't sure if you'd want Cam to go or not, so that's why I pulled you aside." She said,

"How long will we be in Borders?"

"Your father is planning a public press conference there next week sometime, so until then. Hopefully you'll find out how we can end the revolts by the time the press conference happens, that way your father will have something to say to answer their questions."

Hopefully he will answer them this time... I think before responding. "When do we get the clothes and stuff?"

"You will get them at dinner. Now go tell Cam, I have to go back to my room to get your father up." She says, pulling me for a hug. Then she walks away and I turn to go back to Cam.

"What was that about?" He asks once I sit down.

"We are going to Borders tonight. My mom wants me to go undercover to find out how we can stop the riots. She wants someone to go with me, and I want you to."

"Sure, I mean it's safer than staying here where your dad is."

"Ok good. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet though," I say, hoping he can help me make up my mind.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know if I should actually help my dad, or just do nothing."

"Well, for the safety of your family and the rest of the country, I'd say you should help. But, if you want rebellion and revolution, I'd say do nothing."

"Is it bad that I really don't want to help?"

"Well you do want to help. You just don't want to help what your parents want."

"You know what I mean, Cam. Is it bad that I don't want to support the monarchy?"

"It's bad because you are risking the safety of your family, but good because you are going for what you believe."

"What do you believe, Cameron?"

"I don't know... 24 hours ago, I thought that the monarchy was best for Sandrux. But ever since the rebel's predictions started coming true, my views have started changing. I never thought they could be right. I always thought they were just too stubborn to follow the rules. Like a bunch of rule-breaking teenagers. Sometimes though, those rule-breaking teenagers are exactly what a government needs in order to realize what they're doing is wrong."

"And if the government doesn't willingly change itself, the rebels fight until they do." I add.

"Exactly,"

"Just imagine if one of the rebels was part of the royal family. And nobody knew it until the last second."