Long live the king

Chapter 15

The fire continued to grow around the almost unconscious prince. He had a barely visible smile on his face. He couldn't see the flames any more. Instead, he saw a white mare slowly approaching him.

- N..ot...e, he coughed and reached out for her. He wanted to feel her steady breathing and look into her calming eyes. He wanted to feel safe and home. He wanted to meet his best friend again, just once.

Col was barely millimetres from touching her nose when she suddenly faded away. A shadow, formed as a person, took her place.

- N..o, No..te Note come ... b...ack, Col threw out his arm further to reach her, but she was long gone.

With his dried out and incredible red eyes the prince tried to focus on whoever stood in front of him. He became painfully aware of his burning lungs. The scent of burned flesh was overwhelming. He could vaguely detect an intense pain in his left leg. A scream almost slipped from Col when the person tried to push away the beam. Even though the beam had burned all the way into the core and half of its weight was gone, it was hard for the person to fully get it off from the prince's leg. But the pressure was a great deal less than before. Col used his last strength to drag himself forward. The person hurried to him and helped him stand. Col leaned on the person for support. Every time he put weight on his left leg he bit his lip, soon blood dripped from his mouth. All he could taste was iron with a little trace of sugar. Flames and black, thick smoke surrounded them. They heard beams and shelves crash into the floor as they made their way to the door. Two minutes later Col and his rescuer dropped down on a considerable colder floor. A third person closed the door faster than lightning. Hopefully, the fire wouldn't break through the door and burn down the whole castle. Col took several deep breaths, he stopped coughing and gained a little more conscious. Just enough to hear the ongoing conversation.

- What did you think Terina?! You could have died! a voice, which Col had begun to recognise as Keith's, said loudly.

- But I'm not, besides it's the smoke that's dangerous. The flames don't affect me, Terina coughed directly after.

Col tried to sit up, the pain in his lungs was almost gone and the pain in his leg got weaker by every second. He used the wall as a backrest.

- I know you love each other and all, but could you discuss a little quieter? The prince looked over at his sister and her boyfriend.

- Ohh, great, you're alive... Keith rolled his eyes.

- Next time, I'll try to stay dead. Thanks for the consideration, Col replied.

Subconsciously Col massaged his leg, he could feel the bone repatch itself underneath his skin. It was a weird feeling, like bugs crawling around under the skin without doing any damage. The burns on his hands were just smalls scars, barely visible. Col held his hand on his leg until he couldn't feel the weird feeling anymore. He then rose.

- How can you stand? Terina asked.

- Don't ask me, my leg just healed, Col replied.

The prince glanced at Keith who was red in his face. He held Terina's hand tightly like he never wanted to let her go again.

- Can't you even say "THANK YOU"?! Terina RISKED her life for you and you just stand there like an IDIOT! She could've died, and her death would have been on your hands then. If she dies because of you, I'll personally make sure you die as painful as possible!! Keith yelled.

- Okay, calm down Romeo. I am grateful I really am, so yeah thanks for saving me, Terina.

Col then walked toward the door, he opened it and was halfway through when he stopped. The prince looked back on his sister again.

- Terina, I will never be able to forget or forgive what has happened in the past, but I have considered your offer and I'll accept it. If I succeed to run away from our father I would like to have you as my informant.

A faint smile spread over the princess's face, she nodded towards Col who nodded back and left. Col walked through the "younger" library, the books here seemed much cleaner and less important than the older ones. The mysterious and somehow calming atmosphere in the now burned down library was totally replaced by a weird feeling like something were missing. Before leaving the "younger" library he saw Terina and Keith walking through the door of the hidden library. They held each other's hands and didn't look worried at all, the fire had probably been sealed in the library. At least not all books will burn to ash.

The prince walked down a corridor, big windows showed the castle ground outside. He stopped by one of them, soldiers ran around outside. They collected swords and packed food, some groomed their horses while other played cards. Generals made sure no one got carried away and those with children said goodbye, maybe for the last time. A strong hand grabbed Col's shoulder, shocked he took two steps back. 

- Are you ready, son? an evil grin adorned the king's face. 

- Ready for what? Col said with a monotone voice, he had already too much to worry about to care anymore. 

- The fight, we ride at dawn, his dad chuckled as he looked down on the soldiers. 

- Where are we riding towards? Col did as his father, he looked down on the soldiers. But his eyes were filled with pity instead of the hungry for power like his father's eyes were. 

- Kalabon, the king replied.

- Isn't that a little too tough target? I mean most of them practise magic there, here it's only us, Col looked at his father, he couldn't understand how reckless and stupid this man could be. 

- Some days ago it would have been but know when you have developed that powerful power nothing can stop us, Col's father grabbed his shoulder again, the prince resisted the urge to back away. 

- And if I don't want to fight? he spat. 

- You will. Remember the deal we made, the King chuckled in amusement, clearly pleased with himself. 

- You are disgusting, Col's voice was harsh and unforgiving. He backed away from his father.  

- And you are my son, which means you will do as I say, refusing to let the prince go Col's father pulled out a knife and pointed it at Col. 

Col studied the knife, the afternoon sunlight was reflected by the blade and made it look like it the blade almost glowed. He decided it wouldn't be smart to argue further with the king, not when he pointed a knife towards his throat. 

- Yes, father, Col replied. 

The slap hit hard over Col's cheek, the force made him stumble back two steps. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. The prince wasn't given the time to react before a hard punch hit him in the stomach. He sank to the floor, gasping for the air which had left his lungs. 

- King, the word was spoken in such a way Col was reminded about his status. 

- Yes, my king, Col said monotonously and bowed so low his forehead touched the cold stone floor.