Captive

Chapter 1

"Good morning, son."  King Areos of Darsh greeted the arriving figure as he stepped through the dining doors.

"Father." Louis nodded cordially with a smile, then his brother.
"Niall."
"Good morning, brother."
Niall squeezed Louis' shoulder as he sat himself down beside Niall's customary seat.
"Today is your fast, is it not?" The King asked Louis feigning disinterest.
He worried about the well-being of his son, in his fragile and unwell state. Everyone tried harder than they should to discount the fear but it was all the King felt. Day and night. Louis was a wonderful heir to the throne of Darsh, a kind heart and just ruling set firmly in place. However, he was not a warrior and not strong-willed like his younger brother who nonetheless idolised Louis.

"Yes, it is. Will you still not join me?" Louis threw back.

"You know, son, that I throw out all the food in this city for you to be happy. But not for this cause, not today."

The King was wise, he thought, in denying his eldest son the honour of having the King's backing in his fast. Louis misunderstood the words of preacher some days ago and took it upon himself to resurrect the issue and correct what was set in stone wrongly.

Louis was all the King wanted in a son. He adored him ever since he was an over-happy chubby baby that never ate and always laughed too loudly. When they found out how ill he was, the King was devastated. Louis insisted that it was just a sign from God, encouraging him to do good in this world before he left it for good. Every night the King cried, and every night Louis tried not to.

"How long will you fast for, Lou?" Niall addresses the Prince informally with the nickname that arose when Niall had mispronounced his brother's name.

"This week alone." He replied.

"What is the cause?"

"Not at the table." The King cautioned.

"It's okay, Father." Louis smiled and the King glared at him.

"The fast is for the God Apollo. He-"

"I said not at the table." The King cuts Louis off.

"When you wish to discuss matters of war at the table I do not object, Father." Louis responds calmly.

"Because matters of war will save lives!"

"By taking half of them as well!" Louis stands, now infuriated. His head felt heavy and so did his heart.

"I advise you to rethink this fast."

"Duly noted and the answer is no." Louis returns with a soft sigh. "I'll be tending to the candles at the temple if you so decide to come by and pledge your support. Father. Brother." With slight nods he departs from the grand dining area.

Louis went to the temple down by the shore, was greeted cordially with respect as he was still the Prince despite his constant insisting that he held no rank in the house of the Gods.

He was tending to the candles when it happened. The lamps rattled and there were shouts from the beach.

"Priest?" Louis looks, wide-eyed at the head of the temple.

"It's alright, Prince. The guards are here to escort you back to the city." He reassures the young man.

"What about you? The temple-"

"Do not worry, my Prince. Go now."

Louis hurried in the direction that the Priest pointed out, lifting the flowing fabric of his blue attire to make his jog faster and easier. He gets to the door and regrets making it this far.
Blood. Everywhere his eyes land, limp soldiers and warriors losing what kept them moving. Life. Louis' eyes fleetingly take everything in once, before shrinking back into safety of the temple but strong arms grip his soldiers.