Prince Aero steps out of the cave into the daylight. He stops for a few moments as he allows his eyes to adjust to the brightness. How long was he in the cave with Crimson? He had no way of knowing. As his eyes adjust, his thoughts dwell on the last piece of advice Crimson had given him. Regardless of what would happen to him in Meego, he must go. He decided to do his duty, even if it cost him his life.
After a few blinding moments, Aero could see well enough to descend to the bottom of the hill to the main road. From there it would be only an hour walk back to Argeo, the small community hub for the farmers on the plains. It was there he left his stallion named Steel. From there, he would have a day’s ride home.
Home… if he could even call it that anymore. Aero hadn’t lived in the ancient family home of Blue Water Castle since he was around ten years old and he was taken as a squire by Ser Jeffery Hard Hands, who was the first of his three squire apprenticeships. For the past twelve years Aero has been travelling the country assisting those in need, protecting the innocent, and chasing down criminals. His travels increased after he was knighted by Ser Stephan. So Blue Water may be home by name but not in practice.
Just as Aero reaches the main road, he hears a shout from his left.
“Stop! In the name of your King!”
Aero turns toward the voice to see two men dressed in armor with the royal symbol on it. He recognizes one as Will a low-ranking officer in the Capital Guard.
Will was born in the peasant town just outside of the inner city of the Capital; an area known as River Bend. According to tradition, the mothers from River Bend name their sons royal king names but shorten them to prevent from disrespecting the actual royals. Will’s name was shortened from Aero’s fathers name, William.
Aero joked with Ser Stephan once that if Will were to ever be knighted his name would be William the Malcontent, because he is always complaining. Ser Stephan corrected him and said that Will was not the type of man to even be considered for knighthood.
Ser Stephan was right. Will had a small meteoric rise to an officer in the Capital Guard, but he was always complaining about not receiving a captain position. His argumentative attitude was what had held him back for so many years despite his insistence otherwise.
Aside from his position and armor there was nothing remarkable about Will that made him stand out from the next soldier… except his constant complaining. He was average build and height with black hair cut very short all the way around his head. His tan leathery skin combined with his short black beard hide his face which takes away any features that could give him personality.
“I said stop!” Will screamed at Aero.
Will draws his sword, his companion does as well.
“Prince Aero, in the name of King William, the thirty-second, I place you under arrest. You will be returned to the Capital to await your punishment. Personally, I think they should just send your ass to Meego.” Will states.
“Guardsmen, I am on my way to the Capital, I was just heading to Argeo to collect my horse; but you are more than welcome to accompany me to Argeo if you like…” Aero responds.
“We found your horse a month ago, sent him back to the Capital. I’m sure he is in the royal stable enjoying the benefits. As for you hold out your hands.” Will states as he holds out a pair of hand binders.
A month? Had Aero been in the cave that long, Aero wonders. “Do you really think binding my hands is a good idea? The hands of a Prince, the hands of an anointed knight, and the hands of the man who killed a Halo Bear with just a dagger?”
“This time I do, I have orders from the King himself! Bring you in by any means necessary. So, hold your hands out now or we will have to force them on you.”
“My father gave you orders? In that case…” Aero holds out his hands and allows Will to cuff him. Aero has a sense of destiny now; he will go to Meego and this arrogant man is nothing more than a means to an end. He needs a ride to his Father’s home.
Aero sees the smugness on Will’s face. He knows it will be short lived because once in Court, his family will be outraged. Will looks up at Aero’s face to find a slight smile on his face.
“Go get the prisoner wagon, and let’s get this prisoner to the King!” Will shouts to his help.
“Right away Sir” the young soldier responds as he runs off away from them.
“You do realize that you are making a mistake, don’t you?” Aero asks
“Me? It was Prince Aero the Fin who entered a forbidden place to try to dodge his duty… a direct order from the King himself! Me? I’m the man that is bringing a criminal to justice. I’ll be rewarded! I’ll be promoted to Captain! I may even get a knighthood out of this!” Will says are the wagon pulls up to them.
“As you say.” Aero responds.
Will exclaims to the other soldier “I overheard the Captain telling those knights they brought in for the search that Ser Robert said there was a huge reward for whoever finds the Prince, and it was me!”
Will leads him to the back of the prisoner wagon, Aero gets in. The cage bars will give everyone a chance to see him as he enters the Capital. Will wants a show. He wants everyone to know that he is the man who arrested a royal. He’s the man that brought the criminal Prince to Justice; and everyone in the Capital will see it is him! He knows he will be rewarded! He just knows it!
Will has never smiled as big a smile.
As the cart pulls off, Aero feels he is locked in on his destiny path. He knows there is no getting away from it now. He looks back up the hill towards the cave and admits to himself, he misses the company of Crimson already.
Relics of the Old Age 