The Mirror Princess

CHAPTER VII

It had been four days since the encounter with the Dark Sorcerer's shadow, and Alexios had been lucky enough to find the rest of the journey since then fairly peaceful. The prince enjoyed himself as they rode along the main road to the fiefdom of Beren, admiring the Duskwood and the calm that settled over it as the day grew later. It felt right for Alexios to call this forest home, and a small feeling deep inside wondered if he really wanted to leave the place he called home.

These kinds of thoughts had crossed his mind a few times since he had left Castle Averon. The doubts were few, but they remained nestled in the back of his mind. Those doubts had been placed there by the servant of the Dark Sorcerer, however Alexios had more faith in himself. It wouldn't do for him to quit now before he had even left the Duskwood. The prince knew that the Dark Sorcerer's words rang true in their own cruel way, that many had failed to do was Alexios sought to do, but Alexios was determined. He had a sure confidence that he would save the Mirror Princess.

Thinking of her now, Alexios had not dreamed of her again since that night after he and Carthan agreed upon the evidence of her existence an actuality. Alexios found it a little amusing that one small book written a very long time ago could make major events come about even after its author was long since dust. A single journal had set him on a long forgotten quest, and the prince intended to complete it. Alexios could easily recall every detail of the strange dream. The depressing darkness and the despairing Princess Estelle as she cried into her hands. The prince could still feel those sad emotions deep within his heart.

There was only a days journey or so between him and the castle of Beren Fiefdom now. The warm late afternoon sun warmed his face and the steady pace of Svartmone underneath him brought a calming sensation to his mind. As much as Alexios relaxed however he still kept a careful eye on the shadows of the trees. He did not want to be surprised again like he was with the Dark Sorcerer's shadow. Alexios would see the occasional group of birds flitting between the canopy of leaves and the odd hare darting for the closest bush to hide.

Nothing obviously suspicious or threatening to harm him. At least for now.

Though Alexios was still at least two days from the northern border of the Duskwood, many dangers other than orcs and their smaller cousins of goblins. The Prince of Averon knew well to be vigilant even in times of peace, and that lesson hit hard nearly three weeks ago with the Dark Sorcerer's attack on Averon Castle. Thinking further on this, Alexios had noticed that the black wizard hadn't cut what his father called a 'War Path' to Averon Castle. A War Path was a trail of destruction and conquest, and the Dark Sorcerer had done this three hundred years ago the last time he attacked Averon Castle.

He had arrived with little forewarning, the Manara Host at his command and ready to break down the gates into the city. From what Alexios understood, the Dark Sorcerer took great pleasure in bringing ruin to the parts of the Duskwood he moved his forces through on his way to Averon Castle. The most recent time he was far more subtle and easily caught the defenses unawares until it was nearly too late. This behavior also coincided with his actions as the black wizard snuck through the castle itself and into the Records Chamber. Had Alexios not been in that hall at the right time, no one would have seen the Dark Sorcerer slip into the Records Chamber. He would've gotten away with what he sought and even Carthan wouldn't have sensed him until it was far too late to do anything.

Alexios had been fortunate indeed but he had been taught that sheer luck, or talent, could only go so far until it could do no more for you. That was what consistent training was for, and was what had aided him in his fights with the black wizard's foul creatures and against the Dark Sorcerer himself. The prince's gauntleted hands clenched Svartmone's reins as he remembered the fight. He had held up well against the Dark Sorcerer's blade but his sheer experience and incredible lifespan won out. The differences between their respective skills was obvious, and Alexio's couldn't help but feel frustrated at this loss.