Execution [Book 2 of The English Lion]

XXX. Alexander

I hit the ground, annoyed at the chaotic thoughts in my mind, wanting to strangle it with my bare hands. James - the parachute was quickly folded and put back into the bag - had waited for me on the ground where I was expected to land. James has a good look over the Prince of Wales as he helps me stand.

"Are you sure nothing's broken, sir?" James asked the Prince of Wales, face etched with worry.

"James. You are worrying too much," I responded, "And I'm quite certain that nothing's broken. Only bruises. It'll heal. Now, let's go."

James nodded as we made our way to a nearby town on the border of Poland and Nazi Germany. Which wasn't far. We started making our way there, talking to pass the time. A couple of hours of walking pass by, which realistically was three and a half hours with ten minutes breaks. It was fast, wasn't it? James and I are both military trained, and we just can walk a great distance in a certain number of hours (not to brag but, I just did, didn't I?). Anywho, we arrived at the town and began looking around for a house. What house, now? A Regius Obligatus safehouse, my dear reader. Yes, you read that right. Not bad for an organisation set up by a member of the British Royal Family, right?

As James and I were looking around, we were immediately dragged by two men into a house. We were forced to sit at a table as they went on a lookout outside the house, as the door was closed behind them. James and I both look around. It wasn't bad or shabby for a house in a town. A child came out from a door, before disappearing. I glanced at James. It wasn't long until the child's mother came out. She curtsied in front of me.

"Your Royal Highness," She greeted me in perfect English, but with a thick Polish accent. I nodded curtly.

"Humilitas occidit superbiam, [Humility conquers pride,]" The woman continued, looking at me directly in the eye. I nodded. It's not surprising that I use Latin code phrases for things like this. Regius Obligatus uses this phase. Absconditus Custos uses another phrase. Hugo and I use a phrase. So, three different Latin phrases referring to different things, but it does fall under the same themes.

"Jak się nazywasz, pani? [What is your name, madam?]" I asked her.

"Since when did you pick up Polish?" James whisper asked me.

"Yesterday," I replied quietly.

"Lena, Wasza Wysokość, [Your Highness,]" Lena replied. I nodded.

"The transport to Berlin will arrive in approximately half an hour, sir. You both need a shower, food and a change of clothes," Lena told us as she points to where it is. James and I nodded and soon headed off to take a shower. Separately, of course. Ten minutes later, we were showered and changed, as we were at the table, eating. There was an army backpack that Lena gave me, which contains a number of things, from basic necessities (like a wallet, a flask for water, clothes among others), to three neatly folded German uniforms. I thanked her. James did replenish water and some other things for his bag and soon we realised that it was time for us to go because one of the two men that dragged us to the safehouse went in and nodded at Lena. Lena looked at me.

"It's time to go, sir. Good luck," Lena informed me. I nodded as both of us stood.

"Thank you, Lena," I thanked her before curtly nodding. Lena curtsied. We then walk outside in order to get onto military transport. The military transport started to move a few more moments. James and I leaned against the side of transport as anxiety slightly rises within me. I look out, as I watch the landscape change.

The transport made its way to Berlin and soon arrived in the city a couple of hours later. By the time the military transport arrived at the outskirts of the city, it was approximately 5 PM, judging where the sun is in the sky. It arrives outside a hotel - Königlicher Hirsch [Royal Stag] - where I saw Hugo standing outside, waiting. I turn back to James, smirking.