The Prince of Arc - Part II

Chapter 20 - Happy Hunting

20.

"Amber, quiet down! I'm trying to watch the news!" Amber's mother called from the living room. "How many times do I have to tell you not to slam the door?!"

Amber had just returned from work and didn't attempt to argue. She was far too exhausted and her mother seemed upset to begin with. Why she was so upset, Amber had no idea.

"Why are you watching the news? You never do." Amber asked, walking into the living room. She looked to their ancient television set and saw Prince Lucas Drake speaking at a press conference.

"Looks like they haven't found him yet," Her mother answered. And after a brief pause, she read aloud the Breaking News panel at the bottom of the screen. "'Blake Archer on the run with rebellion leader Skylar Rains held hostage.'"

"They still haven't found him? How hard could it be?" Amber asked. "Why even bother looking? It's not like once found Blake will become a better King than his father ." Amber never was a big fan of either of the royal families, but it wasn't until 3 years ago, when her father died, that she began to truly hate the double monarchy. After her husband's death, Amber's mother became pathetically depressed. She didn't go to work for two months and in an already terrible economy she was fired. And instead of looking for another job, she urged her at-the-time 13 year old daughter to find one herself. According to her mother, Amber had only 2 choices. Either work and eat or not work and starve, because the government was not going to pay for anything, and it didn't. So Amber dropped out of school and managed to find a job at a trade post in town.

"Well he has Skylar! You know, the crossbow rebel from Borders? She is worth looking for, isn't she?" Her mother answered, her voice slightly agitated.

"I guess..." Amber shrugged. "Looks like the idiot is about to speak. Let's see what bullshit he comes up with." She said, referring to the press conference. The crowd behind Lucas had quieted down and Lucas paused for complete silence.

"Citizens of Sandrux! Blake Archer has done you all wrong! Not only has he tried to misguide you into foolish unloyalty, he too has abandoned you, leaving his half of Sandrux up for anarchy! Let me make something clear to you all, Blake Archer is not a revolutionary. He doesn't care for Sandrux and he doesn't care for you. If he did indeed care for you, perhaps as I do, he wouldn't have fled after his father's assassination. If he truly wanted a disastrous revolution, he wouldn't have kidnapped the Rebel's leader, Skylar Rains. Now if asked what Blake's true intentions are, I will reply, as so should you, that he doesn't care for Sandrux, instead he only cares for himself! Such men do not make good leaders, my people! Blake Archer would rather watch Sandrux burn! Don't be fooled to believe he has better intentions, for his intentions are only better for himself. Surely he is not fit for the throne!" Lucas paused, allowing a dull roar of approval to maximize. By allowing a few seconds of cheering, Amber could tell the crowd was believing every word that came out of the prince's mouth. He began to speak, and the cheering once again decreased to a dull roar.

"What should we do now, my people? Blake Archer is still not being held accountable for his actions. Once found, what will become of the selfish King? His country calls for him and he remains unresponsive. Well the time has come, my people, for your evil leader's return! And my family is with you, we too want him to pay for his actions! We believe all citizens deserve apologies and that is why a Drake-sponsored manhunt in search of Blake is ongoing. As long as Blake is on the run, the Arc providence remains dangerously in unorganized anarchy! This must end soon, my people, and my father agrees. Therefore, he has created an offer that will bring this manhunt to an end! And this offer, a generous cash reward to whoever finds the culprit alive first, shall be implied immediately! Imagine if you, despite if you're at home or in the crowd with me today, were to bring peace back to Sandrux and bring Blake Archer to justice! Imagine if you could have such an honor, and while also receiving 1 million dollars for your service! I encourage this to become a nationwide competition, in which friends and family gladly go on search parties for King Archer, perhaps in a way to reunite the nation as it was before the Archer's destroyed everything!" Lucas was then interrupted by an overwhelming roar from the crowd.