The Forgotten Prince

Arrival

        Pale, early-morning light slipped through the shutters of Sorran Kreeg's windows. The seventeen year old prince was still asleep, but considering the dream he was having, he would have rather been awake. 

        Sorran was being chased by something. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but there was defiantly something that crashed through the forest after him. It gave off a terrible screech that sounded like it was screaming HOOOAAR! The prince slapped aside branches that scratched his arms and face. He leapt over roots and holes. The thing behind him roared for blood.

       The monster's cry was getting farther and farther away, so Sorran stopped for a breath and turned around. There was no evidence that the monster was coming that way, and the prince was sure that he'd gotten away.

       "HOOOAAAR!"

      That noise hadn't come from in front, but from behind him. Sorran yelled and took a step back, only to trip on a root and fall on his back. The thing's hand,  more like a claw than an actual human hand, swept for his face.

      "My lord, are you alright?"

       Sorran's eyes popped open and he discovered that he was lying in his bed, drenched with sweat but otherwise unharmed. A servant was leaning over him with wide eyes.

      "Yes," the prince said, sitting up. "Obviously. I was only sleeping."

      The woman nodded. "I have prepared water for you to wash in, my lord. Your father has requested your presence in the throne room immediately."

       Sorran got up and headed into the bathroom. He pulled on a midnight blue tunic lined with gold, buckled a  short sword around his waist, and splashed some water on his face. He brushed his dark hair back from his eyes and looked himself over in the mirror. 

       Thus satisfied that he would look good for his father, Sorran left his chambers and headed down to the throne room, grabbing a pair of leather gloves on his way out. Then suddenly he remembered that he hadn't said anything to the lady who'd woken him up. So, he ran all the way back up the stairs and stuck his head back into his bedroom.

      "Thanks for getting me that water," He told the lady. He placed a gold coin on the side table and made his way back downstairs.

     Sorran slipped into the throne room through a side door. Family members were clustered all around, none of them speaking, just standing there like statues. The prince  slid in next to his sister, Alyssa, his brother, Jach, and his cousin, Damian, hoping no one would notice him. Nope, don't mind me, I've been here the whole time.

     "Ah, Sorran, my son, I'm glad you finally decided to join us," King Mallis said, clearly noticing how late his son had been to the meeting. A ripple of  laughter spread through those assembled, and the prince's ears burned. He'd only been a minute or two late.

     "As you all know," the king began. "Today is a very special day. Princess Vara, the long-awaited ambassador from Thalaros is at last coming to our lovely kingdom for a span of two months. Her father is the powerful King Alexander, so we must treat her like we would treat one of our own." He smiled as if this were a private joke. "My sons, come forward."

     Jach and Sorran stepped forward into the light. The younger boy had blond hair that contrasted his brother's dark, blue eyes that bored into Sorran's gray. They had the similar faces, but that was where the comparison ended. Jach would do whatever their  father told him, no matter what. He agreed with the king on everything, even if that meant disagreeing with everyone else. He was like a mini version of his father.