An Eternal Wintre

Chapter 13

Papers flutter from the wind coming through the open window in the prince's bedroom. Strands of hair fall in his face and stick to his forehead with sweat. Prince Mal's been working over the letter for days.

Already a village –Garnak- has been destroyed. Will there be more attacks? The image of a burning village flashes in his mind, but he shakes it from his head. The prince is already nervous enough as it is with trying to find out where they took Anai and how he could get her back.

The king's army has been trying to find the girl for days and have come up empty handed for days. No leads have been found on the whereabouts of her either. Anai's a dead-end and may just be dead somewhere, her body rotting away. Mal wouldn't accept it, not until he'd see a body. He'd never give up on her.

Clenching his teeth, he bathes and puts on a red suit, white trousers, golden buttons. He combs his hair and lets it fall softly against his head before straightening his coat lapel. Seeming presentable, he exits and locks the room before going to the court room where his father would be hearing requests and pleas of assistance.

Prince Mal enters the room just as an old woman clutching the hand of a little girl stands and blesses the king and his kindness, walking past the prince, little girl in hand. He lets them past before striding right up to his father, cutting in front of whoever was next. He felt bad for taking another's place but he brushed it aside, thinking of Anai. "Father." His voice firm, daunting.

"Ah, my son, how are you faring?" The king's smile is full of warmth but the prince doesn't fall for it, not this time. Prince Mal straightens and stands tall.

"I would like to lead a search team in finding Miss Anai. I'll leave by tomorrow with my cavalry or I will leave alone." Peasants stand all about the room, some nobles mixed in with them, all whispering to each other.

Undaunted, the king only nods and stands, regarding his only son. "My son is quite noble in his proposition. Ladies and gentlemen, shall we allow him to search for his future wife and our future queen?" he asks the audience. They all seem to give an answer and the king nods in agreement. "Quite. Well then my son, you shall have your cavalry tonight and leave tomorrow morning, bright and early. Find our future queen and bring her back to us. Let us bring those shape shifters to justice!" Common people cheer for their king in agreement and seemingly have forgotten why they came before the prince arrived.

Prince Mal briskly leaves the room, the doors gently closing behind him as he exits. Voices echo back at him as more people ask for the king's help with something but all Mal thinks about now is Anai. I'll bring you back Anai. I promise.

***

Night strikes quickly, signaling the arrival of Mal's small army of men for his search party. "It's important that we find Anai as quickly as possible," Mal is saying, hands behind his back and walking in front of the line of men. "She's very dear to my father and I as well as to the crown itself and throne. She is our future and we must keep our future light and strong. We will stop at nothing to bring her back. Do you men understand?"

"Yes sir!" they say in unison, saluting him and mounting there horses.

Mal thinks to himself, Forget tomorrow, we're going now. Mounting his stallion, he pulls on the reigns and turns it around towards the gate leading out of the courtyard. The line of men follows him out of the yard and towards the boundaries of the city. One man rides up by his side, General Jackson. "Sir, where do you plan on searching? We have looked everywhere as far as Lutenia permits us," he says, hands tight on his reigns. Prince Mal looks at the tall man.

"Have you checked everywhere General?" he asks before turning back to look ahead of him, towards the forest. General Jackson follows the prince's gaze as he answers.