Once Upon An Arrow

Chapter 6

Canicus's POV

When I regained consciousness, my eyes were heavy and I struggled to open my eyes, I couldn't sense anything in my surroundings. After a few minutes which felt like eternity, I hear footsteps, they were nearly completely silent as they came to a stop next to me. I sensed a shift and something in front of me when my body finally sprang back into action. I grabbed what seemed to be a hand and managed to pin the person underneath me, then I heard an all too familiar voice screaming.

"Canicus! Wake up! You're going to crush me!" Casimir screamed while trying to throw me off. My eyes did not feel as heavy as before and I could properly open them, I quickly rolled off him so he could breath, slightly regretting it as I become dizzy. Looking at my surroundings I see that I'm back in the camp. He started to explain as he stood up, brushing off the dirt in the process.

"After not finding the weapons, we set off after you, only to find you right behind a tree next to the camp, unconscious. We struggled to wake you up, so we laid you down next to the fire. We tried again this morning, but to no avail. It is high noon already." My thoughts finally order themselves before the memories of last night came crashing down on me.

"We need to move," I declare and quickly get my things and myself ready, the men already in position to proceed, "we have delayed long enough, thank you for helping me."

And so, we finally set off toward the kingdom, hopefully with no more interruptions.

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Prince Nathaniel's POV

+Morning after Sir Canicus was put to sleep, before he woke up+

I think I startled my tutor when he arrived in the library, prepared to sigh a long, disappointed sigh, then turn around and attempt to find me, only to see me studying history of all things. I have never seen a man turn that pale since the gardener realized his wife found his journal of his nightly activities. I hid my smile and with the most serious face that I can muster, said:

"You are late sir, but no matter, I have already finished today's readings last night, hence I will continue with private study." It took all my very being not to burst into laughter as he stumbled forward and looked through the work I have done, the readings he set for me was relevant to family crests, so I finished them last night.

"I-I see..." he mumbled, confused he set the book down after he was finished reading through and walked out of the library as if in a trance. One of the servants walked past him and with concern quickly hurried to his side and aided him to walk. I really do enjoy this; I should incorporate controversy a lot more in my daily life, it makes things a lot more fun.

I kept on researching while waiting for my mother, who promised that she would give me more insight on the events that happened during the war. However, when the second hour has passed, I grew concerned that she decided to evade me again, so I went looking for her.

Something seemed strange, there were no guards nor servants in sight, the hallways seem eerily quiet. I finally reach the throne room, and see my father frozen in his throne, a stern expression on his face. Mother bore one mixed with confusion and delight, seeming to battle with herself on how she should act. I now see the missing servants hiding behind a set of doors diagonally before the thrones, and all the guards are spread through the room, even some of the knights who have returned had their swords drawn.

I set my attention to the centre of the room, where most guards were. They formed a circle, and in the midst of the silence, stood a cloaked figure, with what seemed to be a spear tied to a holster and a staff in their hand. The cloak, staff and spear are the finest pieces that I have ever seen, there are what seems to be vines of silver entwined on purple handles. Unfortunately, I am standing too far to see all of the details, but everything of this figure screamed power.