The Unwanted Prince

Ch. 8 - Adrian

Swearing an oath, in my opinion, had always been the hardest part of taking a  quest. An oath was a promise. And in this case, it was the promise to bring a princess back to her kingdom after fourteen years.

Other may say it's the journey that's the most difficult, or the final boss fight.

No, it's the oath.

By swearing an oath, the quester takes full responsibility.

The responsibility of both the quest, and its consequences.

I'm not dumb.

The king didn't tell me, the guards didn't tell me, not the old creaking priest who sworned me into the quest told me.

But I'm no idiot.

At the end of the quest, whether I complete it or not, there will be a war regardless. Either that war be because I slayed the Emperor or the Emperor forced Novaria's princess to marry him. Whatever the outcome is, I'm going to be responsible for it.

That's why swearing an oath is the hardest part.

It's the final reminder that tells me, or any quester, that their actions hold consequences. This was reality as well, that the journey was not supposed to be a fun happy-go-lucky adventure with friends and bonding moments. No, it was a journey that was a trigger to a bomb.

I'm sure those who had taken the quest before me were nervous. I know deep down I am.

But they're dead, or missing. They don't exist anymore. Those people arne't around to suffer their failures.

If I'm lucky, I'll die on this quest. I also won't be around to see the end. Of course, people will blame me for the war. Me, Prince Adrian of Tavern, was Novaria's (and frankly all of humanity's) last hope of saving this princess. If I fail, I'll be blamed for all eternity. But at least in my death, I won't see any human's distaste in my failure.

But, in the very small chance I so succeed, the humans will love me. I saved a lost princess! It would be fantastic!

I can just imagine it.

A feast, just for me. A marriage with the most powerful princess in the human lands. A hand in Novarian military. I'll have power, control, and people under my feet.

I'll be a better king than my brother could ever hope for.

Even if the Dark Empire wages the frozen war again, attacking humanity in vengence for their slayed emperor, I'll be the one in charge.

"Why do you have that scary look on your face?"

I jumped, surprised at the voice behind me.

I was outside, prepping Rat for the journey ahead. I had already gotten ready myself, wearing my usual getup whenever I head out on a rescue mission. That being a dark red padded vest over a simple tunic, my black pants strapped in leather that held small knives. You never have enough blades on you.

Though I must admit, my boots needed to be replaced. They were tattered from the last princess rescue I did. That sphyinx managed to dig their claws into my boot, thankfully the shoe guarded my actual flesh.

I glared at who had disturbed me.

Mar was right there, wearing a much different armor than I saw her in last night. Actually, she was pretty much only covered in armor on the top, a grey chestplate with brown accents on it shined as the sun hit it. She must've polished in recently.

Her arms were covered in metal guards as well, matching her chestplate and rounded shoulder pads.

The rest was what I assumed was a thick pair of black pants tucked into dark boots.