A Sun Drop

Prologue/Chapter 1

The village was beaming with gossip. Small groups of both men and women littered the tiny cobbled streets and alleyways, their face a-light with excitement and the buzz of important news. The Prince of their Kingdom was travelling through the countryside, visiting all the little towns and villages - he was said to arrive in Ives later that very day. No one could withhold their enthusiasm! No one, that is but Urijah Niut, the village's 'demon' but no one cared about that...

It was around noon when the Prince arrived. He was boxed by four blank-faced, alert bodyguards; each scanned the immediate area, looking for any signs of danger. The Prince himself had shoulder-blade length silky, black hair that was pulled into a low ponytail and shining bright purple eyes. Dressed in crisp, fitted black military uniform adorn with the bright blues gems and sash across the chest as a sign of the Royal Family, the young man looked quite dashing.

The village Leader blushed when the Raven smiled at him after dismounting his horse. "Ah,w-welcome to Ives, the - the Village of the Rivers!" the slim man blurted. His short stray brown stuck up randomly and his brown eyes were gleaming with uncontrolled adoration for the man in front of him. "We are honoured to have you here! I'm - I'm the Leader - Mayor, I suppose - Jervon Kartoof at your services!"

Smiling, the purple eyed man said, "No, the honour is mine, Mayor Kartoof! I am, as you probably already know, Prince Ægir Cnut." Pausing, he gestured to the men standing impossibly close to him and added, "These are my bodyguards: Jay'Dl Towle -,"

He was over 6 foot tall is bright blue eyes and short black hair, it flicked unevenly upwards at the tug of the wind. His gloved hand rested on his sword, which was tucked neatly against his dark grey uniform. His thin lips were pulled into an almost sneer, his face blank; thoughts hidden from view. He jerked his head in acknowledgment.

" - Wil'Den Smith -,"

Smith stood at almost the same height of his charge, he had chin length gingery hair that curled gently at the tips and pitch black eyes that were so dark the pupils couldn't be seen at all. His uniform was the same colour and cut as Towle's; he had a small scar just under his left eye. He watched the Mayor with a small smile gracing his lips; he nodded his head, murmuring a small, "Greeting," when his master spoke his name. It was then the Mayor noticed a large handle sticking upwards from the back, it appeared to be an axe.

The Mayor quivered in unknown fear.

" - Alfonse Kimberly -,"

Kimberly wore round sceptical glasses, that concealed his eyes from view most of the time. His hair dead-straight pitch black was also chin length but was pulled into a small ponytail. His eyes were acidic green and his face was complete devoid of emotions - even more so than Towle's. He stood a head taller than the Prince, who was 6'4''. His hands rested on two long broad swords that were strapped to either side of his waist, a twitch of the fingers was all the acknowledgment the Mayor got.

'Does he want to - to chop me up!?' he thought panicked.

" - And, of course," the Prince cheered, with a quaint smile, "Eva'an Black!"

Black was the shortest of the group, only 5'9''. He had long brown hair that reach the middle of his back and dark blue eyes that were nearly black themselves. He was noticeable carrying a weapon. It didn't appear as if he had any type of weapon on his person. He also remain silent and still. Like a slab of stone.

Quivering in noticeable fear, the Mayor mustered up his strength, "I-it is an-an honour to have s-such formidable Warriors of Un'GeLeE! To-to not only have the P-Prince but - but -"

"That's quite alright, Mr. Kartoof!" Smith interrupted, "You have honoured us with your words! However, Prince Ægir has been eager to see the lush lands of Ives! Won't you show us?"