The Golden Child

~Elias~*

I searched the crowd, hopeful to find Syren. We had become good friends these past few days, and I couldn't make it through this party without her.

Though it was a party befitting Syren's rank, it was dull, on account of the stuffy lords and hawkish ladies populating it.

After talking to Bridget for a third time, I ran into my father talking to a messenger who was sweaty and out of breath.

"Talk to Bashaki," my father said. He sounded worried, rare for him.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"None of your problem," my father growled.

"Boral has invaded Calanyun," the messenger said.

My father glared at him, and he shrunk back. "No need to worry son, enjoy the party, we'll talk tomorrow."

I worried none the less, and headed once more to find Syren. Eventually, I followed the golden bubbles. Was she drunk again? That wouldn't be good.

Finally, I found her. She floated a bit off the ground, doing magic tricks for the nobles. She did not look drunk, just exhausted and beautiful. So beautiful. I snapped out of it, and hurried to her. She took this as an excuse to shake off the nobles.

"Finally, you're here!" She gasped. She seemed tired, like she may fall asleep on her feet.

"I've been looking for you," I said.

"I've been here, doing parlor tricks for the nobles." She grimaced. "Thank you for rescuing me."

"No problem," I said and then paused. How best I break I to her that Boral was invading Calanyun? I decided to be blunt. It had always worked for me in the past. "Boral has invaded Calanyun! And the king, my father, believes we should just party all night! Humph."

"Boral has inv-" Syren started, but never got to finish. The windows exploded, men in long black robes pouring in through them. A man with a grey cap set on his forehead swung in on a rope-like vine.

"Boraleans!" Someone shouted, and the screams started.

"Quiet!" Grey cap yelled. When his order was obeyed, he smiled, revealing teeth the color of his cap. "Excellent, let us begin. This story starts with a dismissed adviser, who turned on his people and let us in to the country. Why?" He paused, searching the crowd. "We were told Calanyun had something of ours. Yes, we want Syren. She was born in Boral after all. She is our property, and we want her."

No! I thought, turning to Syren to tell her to run. Instead, I faced Alistair. I was surprised until I saw the flash of gold in her eyes. It was still Syren.

"No Syren, then," Grey cap grunted. He moved his eyes to me. "Hmm, a Prince as a consolation prize. Not half bad."

His men moved to grab me, but suddenly a voice cried out, "Stop!"