Long live the king

Chapter 3

The guard took one step closer, now standing face to face with Col.

- I said move! as the guard spoke he aimed a kick at Col's knee, but the prince was ready. He jumped and grabbed the guards wrist in the air.

In a couple of seconds, the guard was laying on the ground, the whole market stopped and stared at them, it's was a rare sight to see a guard being defeated. Col turned around and walked away like nothing had happened. But the offended guard couldn't let it go that easily, he jumped back up to his feet, breathing heavily with anger. 

- Come back here scum! Col didn't react at all to the command, he was a prince, he didn't need to obey a simple guard. 

A terrified scream echoed throughout the market, it reached Col's ears and made him turn around.  A little boy, not older than ten years, stood in front of the angry guard. A heavy sword rested on his shoulder. 

- Get back here and take your punishment or this boy will take it for you, everything fell dead silent, not even the birds sang. 

Col let out a laugh, it was not a nervous or a terrified laugh, just an innocent laugh. He drew his sword, swinging it playfully. 

- Let's make a deal. We duel, here and now. If I win you let both me and the boy go, if you win I'll take my punishment, the circle of people surrounding them started to whisper in excitement. 

- If I'm going to fight you, I wanna see your face.

Col sighed, he grabbed the rim of his hood and pulled it back. The people gasped and the closest ones stumbled away in fear. 

- Still wanna fight me? the guard's former courage had turned into dust, the boy saw his chance and broke free, disappearing into the crowd and thereby safety. 

- I'm s...so s..o..rr..y your maje...sty, I didn't know it was you, trembling with fear and respect the guard bowed. 

Col tried to smile at him, but that made the guard take a step back. The prince sighed again, he looked at the beautiful blue sky, wishing he could be up there instead. 

- A mistake can be made by everyone, now disappear from my sight, with an annoyed voice he gave the order and turned around just to stare his father in the eyes. 

The king looked at his son, eyes burning with anger. The prince knew what was about to happen and he didn't like it. The king's hand grabbed Col's shoulder, slowly the nails dug into his skin, causing arrows of pain to shoot throughout his whole body. Col bit his lip to hinder himself from screaming. Smiling like a demon the king pressed even harder. Col closed his eyes, trying to focus on his breathing instead of the inhuman strength his father possessed. 

- What are you doing out here? the voice sounded like the calm before a storm, Col's heart rushed, he clutched his fists to keep silent. It's a test, it's just a test. If I talk back I'll fail and worsen this. Just keep calm, keep calm, keep calm!

People moved at unease, they stared at the king, some with thankful eyes, some with terrified eyes and hearts beating fast in fear and anger. Col broke the eye contact and looked down at his brown shoes, they were still dirty from yesterdays hunt. The punch was harder than usual, Col fell to the ground, his cheek burning like fire. A well-pointed kick hit his hurt shoulder, he gasped in pain. 

- ANSWER ME!!! the king screamed.