A Merfolk's Tale

Chapter Two

"We are going to get in so much trouble," Eiji said in a hushed tone as he and Shoto crept around the castle grounds as if they were thieves.

"Stop being a wuss," Shoto hissed. "Besides, you can always turn back if you're afraid of my father,"

"And leave you all the fun and the ladies? No way," Eiji said, his tone unintentionally loud and Shoto shushed him.

"Sorry," he whispered.

They ducked over some barrels when they heard footsteps of the palace guards that were roaming around the area.

"I think I heard something here," One of the guards said.

"But there's nothing here, we've already made our rounds here," Another said.

Both boys held their breaths until the footsteps faded. Shoto slowly peeked and made sure that the coast was clear and signaled Eiji to head towards the secret passage they had by the castle wall.

Only to come to a sudden stop upon seeing Tenya leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Good evening, my prince," he greeted, sarcasm present in his voice.

"Just as we were so close to getting out," Eiji mumbled disappointingly.

"Good, you're here," Shoto said coolly as he walked towards Tenya. "We need a boost to get over the walls here and you're fit to do the job,"

"I will do no such thing!" Tenya said, "Your father was beyond enraged after finding out you've been on your own just three nights ago,"

"Technically, I'm not alone since Eiji would be coming with me," Shoto said, "Another point is, you're coming with us,"

"WHAT?" Both Tenya and Eiji asked in astonishment as Shoto carried some crates and put them on top of each other until he reached a desirable height for him to be able to reach the walls. "You heard me, now come on and give me a boost or I'm leaving you two and you can face my father's wrath when he finds out I've been out alone again,"

Tenya and Eiji exchanged looks and decided that Shoto was hopeless. "Alright, hold still," Tenya said as he helped Shoto climb through the crates then Eiji and then climbed up himself until the three of them finally reached on the other side of the walls.

"Now what?" Tenya asked, scanning the area for any possible attacks.

But Eiji grinned and Shoto gave out a small smile. "Now, the fun begins," Eiji said as he and Shoto dragged the stiff bodyguard into town where it was as lively as ever.

With cloaks hiding their true identities, the trio arrived at the market where they tried in different kinds of food and drinks-- eventually ending up in a pub to get more drinks.

However, on the way to the pub, Shoto accidentally bumped into a stranger that also had a cloak over him.

"Sorry," Shoto mumbled an apology.

"You best watch where you're going, boy," The stranger said and Shoto met icy blue eyes that belonged to a face well hidden behind the hood of the cloak.

"How dare you," Tenya, hearing the conversation, stepped in. "Do you have any idea who--"

Shoto raised a hand, silencing Tenya instantly. "We will gladly be out of your way... sir,"

Shoto felt the figure smirked and his blood instantly boiled before he turned and walked towards the direction to where the pub was.

"How could you let that... commoner... talk to you like that?" Tenya asked and Eiji snorted.

"Would you like for Shoto to be caught sneaking out with us?" The redhead asked, silencing Tenya's concern.

Shoto silently ordered his drink as he thought deeply about the stranger. Those eyes were carefully familiar but he couldn't pinpoint where had he seen those eyes before.