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

Chapter 3

At the bladesmith's, it was dark and it smelt like burning rubber. The blade-smith was in front of the fire banging at something on an anvil. He glared up at me and went to go get something from another room. When he came out, he pushed a blade in my hands and pointed to a table with a rock on it. I understood and went to sit on the ground and used the rock to sharpened it.

I glanced at the smith as he continued banging on a sword. The sword had a golden hilt and a silver blade that reflected the sun's rays. A sword fit for a prince, I thought.

I still continued to stare at him. His brown hair touching his shoulders and falling into his eyes as he worked. His face has a couple of scars and burns, possibly from the fire or something that I couldn't put my mind on. He was dressed in a black tunic with two swords that was placed on both his sides. His pants were brown and his black boots were filled with dried mud. But my eyes couldn't tear away from a giant scar that ran down his neck. It was less bloodier than mine possibly but my mind wondered what happened. He could have gotten it from a pirate who was trying to get a dagger or a sword. Or it could have been from being punished for not being quick about something.

He lifted his head and saw me looking at him. I quickly went back to sharpening the blade. I couldn't help but ask him.

"How's your day going?" I asked trying to involve a conversation. He cocked his head. He dropped the hammer that he was using and came up to me. At first I thought he was going to hit me but he just sat across from me.

He nodded at me and I think it was the answer. He pointed to me and I said, "Alright I guess," He pointed to my eye that Aria had bandaged up. "It was punishment for escaping the castle."

He shrugged probably knowing why. I sighed and said, "I found the chance to escape and took it. I wanted to run away because I've been treated like dirt for fourteen years and I'm sick of it." He had a sorry look on his face and his green eyes looked gentle and caring. "

Where did you get that scar?" I asked. He got up and went inside. I thought I offended him but he came out with a note in his hand. He handed me it and unfolded it. I saw that it was a drawing of a pirate who looked a lot like me. His black hair were in braids and beads. His mustache looked like he was from Jewthrain. His blue eyes looked like ice from the frozen sea.

I was about to ask why this pirate looked a lot like me when our little chat- which I did most of the talking- was interrupted by Asher, who I decided to hate after what he done to my eye. The man got up while Asher came towards me. Asher grabbed my arm and made me get up. I dropped the blade and rock and asked, "What is it, Asher?" He glared at me with his slithering green eyes. A part from being in all black, his eyes really stick out.

"You're late for dinner with the royals," he said, dragging me along the way. So, King Richard has accepted Kan's proposal. I really hoped I wouldn't mess up. Because if I did, I would be in serious trouble.

~*~*~*~*~

At dinner, it was quiet. Aira was seated on the right side of the king and Kan was seated next to her. When I came in, the king gestured me to sit on his left side. My heart pounded as I sat in the chair. On the small rectangular table, there was roasted pig with lamb chops and fruit. While we ate, no one talked for a while. I kind of surprised me because I always thought they had a lot to talk about. The king was to talk first and it was to Kan.

"Kan, I'm glad that you told me to invite Aric to dinner. He's quiet just the way I like it." he said chewing on a lamb leg. I muttered to myself when he called my name wrong.

Kan nodded. Then he turned to me and said, "How does your eye feel?" I looked up and noticed that I forgot the pain.

"Now that you mentioned it," I said. "I don't feel pain."

"He has to leave the bandage on for a couple of days," Aira said. "Until it has fully healed."

"Changing the subject," the king shouted. He turned to me and said, "Arak, since tomorrow is your and Kan's birthday, I decided to add something to the ball tomorrow night." I arched a brow, probably knowing that I'm going to be tomorrow night's entertainment. He leaned forward and whispered in my ear. "Tomorrow night is when Akaenia gets a new prince." He leaned back against his chair and took a bite of a pig.

"Your Majesty, I don't understand." I said.

"Of course you do," he said. "There's a crown being made with your name on it." I'm going to be the new prince of Akaenia, I thought. My head was spinning with dizziness.

"What do you think, Arak?" Kan said. Everyone's eyes were on me and blood was running faster than lightning inside me. I turned to Aira, who was eating calmly.

"Arak," she said. "You'll be getting a better life than you have now."

"I-I don't know what to say," I said. I turned to the king and asked, "Why are you doing this?"

He chuckled. "Fourteen years ago, I've adopted you by temptation," he said, glaring at Aira. She looked uncomfortable by having her head down. "I used to think you were a rat that belonged nowhere. And now that you've grown, I see now that you worked hard to gain your freedom. Now you have, Arak." I was shocked. Why would the king pay my freedom by making me a prince?

"Your Highness," I said, standing from the table. "I'm honored but my freedom has a different definition than yours."

"Oh," he said, clasping his hands. "What is your definition of freedom that is so different than mine?"

"My freedom is where I don't feel trapped in the castle walls and travel across the Ice Sea to have adventure. Yours is," I paused, trying to the right words. "thralldom." I shut my eyes tightly, waiting for his reaction. His reaction was not what I expected.

"You're right," he said. I opened my eyes and saw him rubbing his brown bushy beard. "I'll let you go to the village from dawn to noon."

I grinned. "Thank you and instead of the room like Kan's, can I keep the room that I have now? And not wear something like a bloody royal would wear?" I asked. The king thought for awhile.

"I'll think about it. Now, go to bed. You'll have a busy day tomorrow." he said drinking from his goblet. I bowed in respect and made my way to my room which was located in the west tower of the castle. The king shouted from behind, "Don't forget that you will still be a slave tomorrow." I smirked while I climbed the right staircase. I knew that I will never in a million years be a royal.