The Pirate Prince of the Ice Sea (Book 1 of The Legend Of Kaleania)

Chapter 1

I was running. I knew why but I didn't know who was chasing me. I was literally running for my life in a small, twisted village with a market place and cottages everywhere. There were cobblestone streets that was like a maze and I sometimes tripped over out of place stones. But that didn't stop me from having myself captured.

I zigged-zagged through the people on the busy streets and passed through empty allies but I was sure the person who wanted me was faster. I quickly turned into a tight alleyway to make sure that the man didn't see me. But when I took a peek over my shoulder, I saw a dark shadow closing in. So, I immediately pumped my legs harder and turned a hard left. I suddenly found myself at a dead end but the good thing was that it was dark and I did my best to hide.

A few seconds later, I heard footsteps rushing towards my temporary hiding place. I quickly clamped my hand over my mouth so that my chaser wouldn't hear my breathing heavy. When I saw the shadow of a man stop only a few feet away, I pushed against the wall with my back, trying to see if he wouldn't see me. I could see his glowing green eyes searching and a few intense minutes later, he turned his back towards me and ran off. I didn't relax until I was sure he was completely gone and when I knew, I removed my hand and collasped to the dirt ground. I was so out of breath that I could've slept right then and there but I knew I would get caught by nightfall.

I sat there, catching my breath for what felt like forever but I knew I couldn't be there for long 'cause I was sure the man would come back soon. I was about to get up and start running again but my back was hard against the wall that I suddenly fell through the wall and landed hard on my side. Apparently, there was a hole that was barricaded with wood in one of the houses and I broke it. I quickly gathered my wits and hid myself between the washing bucket and a stove. I pretty soon heard the same footsteps coming from a few meters away from me. Sweat began running down my face while my palms were becoming sweaty. My heart thumped faster and harder against my chest with every footstep landing on the dirty floor.

"Where are ya, rat?" the voice said. It was deep and sounded like a murderer trying to find his next victim.

"I promise I wouldn't hurt you." I heard a knife or a sword being removed from its scabbard. Why would he unsheath a weapon when he promised he wouldn't "harm" me?

I inhaled the smell of burnt meat and held it as the voice got closer. "You can't hide forever. Your father wants you home and I'm here to bring you to him." He's not my father, I wanted to say but I held my tongue. I didn't want to go back to that bloody castle. I've been treated like dirt and I had the bruises and a couple scars to prove it.

I exhaled, longing for air. I suddenly felt breathing down the back at my neck, so I looked up and saw his shadow gleaming down at me. He pointed his knife at me and asked, "Have you forgotten your place, boy?" I stayed silent. "What are you?" he shouted in a harsh tone.

"I'm an idiot for being a slave who's owned by that miscreant of a king." I hissed.

Ever since I was young, I became a slave when my mother left me at the door of the king's home. I didn't know what he was thinking but he apparently decided to adopt me as his son but he doesn't treat me like it. Every time I try to do something right, he'd always yelled at me for doing it wrong and I soon get beaten. And he wasn't the only rotten person who treated me in such a way. His only son, Kan, does the same thing. The only truehearted people who didn't give me evil glares and accidentally trip me while I worked was Medina and the queen. Medina took care of me like I was her son and the queen actually takes time out of her busy schedule to spend time with me.

"How dare you say that about your king and master." He sneered.

I stood up to face him and said, "He might be my king but he isn't my master. I'm my own master. I don't need to obey like a dog to him." I saw that his face wrinkled up into a very angry expression that made him raise his knife and slashed at my left eye. I cried in pain as he grabbed the back of my hair and pulled me towards him.