Desiring to live up to his father’s reputation as a great king and a rainbow knight, Siegfried begs the Crystal Goddess for guidance. She revels to him the location of the White Sword and Siegfried is determined to find it himself, to prove he is an independent man. However, as he is leaving he is found by Gilsa (a knight on fire-watch) and Reicket (the stable master’s son) who follow him on the beginning of a grand quest…

Siegfried stood before his Goddess. Her great statue rose up so high that it broke through the ceiling. An oculus surrounded her like a halo, allowing the statue to rise from within the church up to the night sky. On bright days, full of glory and happiness, her clear crystal form would glow bright with the sun and allow rainbows to cascade down across the Kingdom. Her head was upturned, crystal eyes toward the sky and the future, letting her long hair fall down her back until it reached the floor. Her hands were stretched out, with palms opened, and her glass lips were upturned into a pleased smile. Her dress started at her shoulders, just beneath her open cape, and flowed down until it split into two long tails at her knees, dragging across the floor behind her as if she were walking straight toward him. All of her towering form rendered in sparkling colorful crystal. Once, a beautiful sparkling crystal. Now, she was dull and gray.

To Siegfried, that never mattered. His Goddess was still as beautiful as the first day his father brought him before Her. On that day, his father explained to him that they bowed only to their Goddess. He showed him how to kneel, and bow his head, and offer to her a prayer.

“My Goddess, I am eternally faithful. I am humbled before you. I am your faithful servant, and I thank you for your love.” He said.

Siegfried lifted his head, looking up to his Goddess’ form. “Goddess, tonight was my birthday. I’m sixteen now. This was supposed to be the day when I became a man, and crowned King, but… but I don’t think I deserve it. My father was a great King. He was kind, and wise, and the leader of the Rainbow Knights. My father united the lands. He made peace with the dwarves. He - he went across the land with the Rainbow Knights and defeated evil wherever it lived. My father helped restore your statue. My father brought your wisdom to the people, and expanded your city. As the leader of the Rainbow Knights, he kept darkness from the world, he defeated evil wizards, and slayed the dark hydra.”

Siegfried bowed his head, looking at his hands resting on his knees. “My Goddess, I… haven’t done any of those things. I don’t think I can become a King like my father. I’m not worthy of wearing the Crown. I might be a man now, but I haven’t done anything to prove it.”

He lifted his head again, and saw his Goddess gazing down at him. “My Goddess, please, lend me your wisdom. Tell me - tell me what can I do? All I wish is to serve my people, to serve you, and… and make my father proud.”

Her crystal lips did not move, smiling down at him, but she spoke to him as clearly as ever. “Siegfried, my ever-loyal subject… your path has already been written in blood. Travel fast to the Mirror’s Rest. There, among the snows, you shall find the destiny of ages.”

“Mirror’s Rest.” Siegfried repeated, smiling as he gazed up at his Goddess. “I shall go! I shall go, my Goddess!” Siegfried rose to his feet. “I hear you my Goddess, I praise you, and I will honor you for this wisdom.” Siegfried bowed, pressing his head down to the floor. “Thank you, my Goddess.”

“Thank you.” Siegfried repeated, rising to his feet. “I shall go to Mirror’s Rest. Immediately.”

He couldn't help smiling wider as he ran from the Church. He hadn’t lit the lights so he was running through the castle blind. Night didn’t slow Siegfried, however, because he’d lived here his entire life. Even with nothing to show him where the halls turned or where the doors opened Siegfried easily found his way. He went to his room easily enough, and tore down his backpack, and tore through his clothes, and shoved what could fit inside. But he left enough room.

He went to the kitchen, and he filled the rest of his pack with his favorite food. Apples, oranges, pears, bagels. He took down a water skin and filled it. Stuffed some of the left-overs from the party into his mouth and then pulled his pack on over his shoulders. Siegfried pushed open the door in pitch blackness to enter the halls again. There was only one more thing he needed. A sword.

All the weapons were stored outside the castle within the barracks of the guards. As a child, Siegfried played there, a little older and he trained there with his father, now he still trained. Right now, he ran in the darkness to where the weapon room was. The barracks were in front of the castle so Siegfried slipped out the side door. The yard between the castle and barracks was short, and there was a clear path between them. Siegfried knew he was on the sidewalk by the way his shoes sounded on the stones.

Siegfried came up to the barracks with a quiet walk. He knew there was a hidden door. He came to the front door and ran his fingers over the bricks as he turned around the barrick’s corner. His fingers caught on a stone that jutted out just a small bit, and he turned it, swinging the disguised door open on silent hinges. His father had shown him how to sneak into and out of the castle during emergencies, and he’d remembered everything after these ten years.

Inside, the barracks were quiet with sleeping guards. Siegfried slipped in and began moving toward the weapons. He had to go deep into the barracks to reach the weapons cache. They were kept on the first floor, in the back, and Siegfried was one of the few people who had a skeleton key to the room. He opened the door easily, but couldn’t see where any of the weapons were. He felt along the wall until he found a lamp and pulled out his lighter to be able to see.

“Cadet! What are you doing out of bed?”

Siegfried gasped and fumbled his lighter, dropping it to the floor and then covering it with his hands quickly. “I-”

A gauntleted hand grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. “Being up after lights out-” As Siegfried straightened, he gasped, and quickly let go of Siegfried. “Your Highness?”

Siegfried stepped back, and slipped his lighter back into his pocket. “Yes.”

The person who had caught him was a young man, around Siegfried’s age, dressed in light leather armor with a shirt thrown over top. He had a baton at his side, and in his hands was a single lantern. “Why are - what are -” He stumbled over his words, and shook his head. “I’ll escort you back to your quarters immediately.”

“No.” Siegfried declared. “But you can help me, I need one of these swords.”

“Your Highness, you don’t need a sword. I’ll wake someone else for fire-watch and-”

“Don’t!” Siegfried stepped forward, and reached behind the boy to shut the door. “I need to go to the Mirror’s Rest. Right now. My Goddess had charged me with the task of immediately going there, and so I must. Now, guard, help me take one of these swords.”

The cadet looked at him as if he were crazy, but his look was professional and nothing more than one of reproach. “You Highness, such a journey would be best suited to have accompaniment. Let me-”

“No.” Siegfried declared again. “I have to go now, and I - I have to go alone. It is my task, my quest, to become a man, and so it is a journey I must make. If you tell anyone, I, as King Siegfried, will have you discharged from the Royal Guard.”

“You - you can’t do that!” The cadet gasped.

“I can, and I will, if you stop me.” Siegfried smiled and crossed his arms. “So if you’d like to stay a guard, help me take down a sword.”

The cadet blinked, shocked, and then shook his head. “No, no, your Highness, it is foolish, and even if it may cost me much, I will not let you endanger yourself.” The cadet turned from siegfried and went to grab the door handle.

“Wait!” Siegfried shot forward and grabbed the boy’s hand, “Wait, wait, I am sorry. That was - uncalled for. Please, I need to do this. The Crystal Goddess has commanded it of me, and I need to prove that I am fit to be the King. Please, do not tell anyone.”

His heartfelt words seemed to make the cadet stop, more than his strength. The cadet frowned down at Siegfried, except it was contemplative, not sad. “Your Highness... doing what you’ve said is very dangerous. I cannot, upon my Oath, let you do such a thing.”

“Then - then come with me! That way, you can protect me, can’t you? And then, I can make sure you don’t tell anyone to try and stop me.” Siegfried let go of him slowly. “And - and if you refuse, then I will have your job.”

The cadet made a pained face, thinking. “On one condition. Your Highness.”

Siegfried nodded.

“You listen to what I say, and especially run if I ask you to do so.” The cadet turned to face Siegfried full on. “And if you do not, then I will throw you over my shoulder and make sure that you run. If not, then as I said, I don’t care about my knighthood, I will not let you come to harm.”

“Deal.” Siegfried held his hand out, confident that he’d not come to any situation he couldn’t handle.

The cadet blinked, shocked, and then very carefully reached out to take his hand. He then immediately kneeled, and bowed his head. “I shall protect you with my life, your Highness. I, Gilsa Ducere, accept your charge.”

Siegfried couldn’t help his embarrassment, forgetting he was speaking to someone in his court, and took his hand away. “Thank you, Gilsa. Can you please now help me take down a sword?”

Gilsa rose, his eyes slipping to the wall of weapons. “Did you have a family weapon in mind, your Highness?”

“No.” Siegfried grabbed a hold of his own hands. “No, any one is… fine.”

Gilsa paused, staring at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up… memories.” Gilsa walked over to the wall and took down a fine sword, one with a crossguard and pommel which had gemstones. He set it against the wall, then took down another. “I do not have my family’s sword either. It was lost years ago, when my grandfather fell.”

Siegfried felt comforted at the words. He felt the outreach of sympathy there, for Siegfried’s family sword, that of his father and his father’s father, was lost ten years ago. “Thank you. For the sword.”

Gilsa passed over the ruby ladened sword. Even the sheathe had six more rubies set in it. For himself he took the plain one. “Is this too heavy?”

Siegfried picked up the blade in one hand, then two, then slipped it into the empty loop on his belt. “No. I have to go to the sables next. I need to get there quickly, and horses are the quickest way.”

“Indeed. Allow me to take up my supplies, and we will go there immediately. Follow me.” Gilsa turned the lamp in the room off, and then opened the door.

Gilsa seemed to know his way around barracks as well as Siegfried in the dark. He also had the lantern in his hand, but even without it he would turn before corners were visible, and came to a stop abruptly. He turned the lantern off before slipping into the dorms, and then just as quickly came back out. Siegfried was going to ask how Gilsa was so prepared, but then realized that as a Royal Guard, it was required for them to always be ready to deploy at a moments notice. Time wasted was a life wasted.

Siegfried led the way back. They left the barracks behind quickly. The stables were just across the yard. Quicker for cavalry that way. Wooden stables made rows of shadows next to the little Lord Horseman’s house. Stomped up dirt made tracks across the yard from the years of use. Siegfried and Gilsa walked across it together, and came to the front of the towering horse stalls. Inside the massive animals were sleeping.

Siegfried leaned over the door, looking in at a sleeping black horse. Gilsa came up beside him, and also looked.

“This one is the Captain’s horse.” Gilsa supplied. “If we take him, we’ll be noticed.”

“You’re already noticed! You horse thieves!” A boy shrieked, his voice cutting across the grass.

Gilsa and Siegfried turned just in time to see the boy running at them, a wide plank in his hand, and rage full on his face. Gilsa immediately stood in front of Siegfried, and Siegfried immediately stepped aside him.

“Stop! I am Siegfried and I command it!”

That made the boy hesitate, enough to stop his run, but not enough to get him to drop his plan. His eyes grew wide with surprise, and his chin lifted with a half-formed idea. His fingers rattled on the plank. “You the Prince?”

“The King.” Siegfried said. “And I command you to give me two horses.”

“No way.” The boy declared, pressing his plank to the floor. “I’m not getting you anything.”

Gilsa leaned down toward Siegfried’s ear. “I can tie him up to a post, your Highness.”

“I heard that!” The boy snapped, “And no you can’t. I might not be a soldier, but I can sure kick your ass.”

“I insist I tie him to a post. And gag him.” Gilsa decided.

“No. Stop.” Siegfried stepped forward. “I have been given a quest from my Goddess tonight, and I need-”

“A quest.” The boy gasped, his face lighting up in excitement. “A quest?”

“Yes, and I-”

“Where to? What is it for?” The boy excitedly said, “Why leave in the middle of -” He gasped, loudly, and then took quick steps forward, “This is a secret quest, isn't it?”

“Yes. I must leave immediately, and to get to Mirror’s Rest as fast as possible, I’ll need a horse.”

The boy stepped back and crossed his arms, his grin splitting his face, and his eyes twinkling in the night. “No.”

“No? Surely you understand the importance-”

“Ah, wait. Wasn’t finished.” The boy held up a hand. “No. Unless... you take me with you.”

“What?” Siegfried scoffed, “No. This is my quest, to prove myself a worthy King, and fulfill my Goddess’ message.”

“Then you’re walking to Mirror’s-what-ever.” The boy mocked, his tone jeering but joyus.

“I’ll tie and gag him, your Highness.” Gilsa repeated, stepping forward.

“Nah-uh.” The boy stepped back. “Not before I cry out for my father. And then, the next day, I’ll be able to sing where you’ve gone.” He stepped forward. “Besides, what do you two know about horses? Do you know how to put on tack? Or even better, what they need to eat on the road?”

Gilsa looked the boy up and down, appraising him.

The boy stuck his tongue out. “So Prince, you either take me, or I’ll ruin your quest.”

Siegfried closed his hands, his palms sweaty, and then closed them again.

Gilsa let out a small huff of laughter.

“What?” Siegfried snapped, hating the fact that he had very little choice.

“My apologies, your Highness. Only that, I find it ironic that you’ve been put in the situation I was in a moment ago.” Gilsa explained, unable to suppress his smile completely.

“You get what you give, my pa always said.” The boy smiled too. “So come on, we can take Yannin, and Wix, and Sinnon. They’re young and fast, if a bit giddy at times.” He took half a step forward and then froze. “We do have a deal, right? Prince?”

Siegfried huffed. “Yes.”

“Yes.” The boy hissed, shaking his hands in excitement. “Yes, I’m going on a quest. Quick, help me grab everything we’ll need. I’ll wake the horses - get three saddles, three long stringy things, and three short stringy things. Everything should be hanging up somewhere, you’ll find it.” With his commands the boy ran down the row of stalls and jumped over one of the doors with ease.

Gilsa shook his head, and had the private thought that he went from taking commands from the King himself to a stable boy in a matter of minutes. He was used to orders, however, and did begin to scavenge around for the very poorly described items. Though, he did find the stringy ones first.

Siegfried just huffed and stewed for a moment. He had two people following him now. Two people who knew of his quest, and who would interfere with his destiny. They still had the ability to summon his mother, who would of course disapprove, or even gather more attention and spoil his personal quest for purpose. Siegfried couldn’t help but pick up the saddles when he saw Gilsa move to meet the stable hand, however.

The boy had opened two stalls, and from them took out three horses. One was a massive white horse, the other two were brown and white. One’s front was covered in great white splotches, and the other had a huge white birthmark across their belly. The three horses followed him without any leads, and the white one tried nipping the back of his shirt.

“Gimme, gimme, let's go.” The boy took hold of Gilsa by one arm and Siegfried the other, pulling them toward the horses.

With a little complaining and a few pinched fingers, the boy showed them how to place a saddle. How to lock in place the bridle, and settle the stirrups at the correct height. The boy checked everything with strong tugs as he ran his fingers across the leather riggings. He practically skipped around the horses with his hurried excitement.

“Okay, Prince, you get Wix. Other less strong person, you can get Yannin. I’m taking Sinnon.” The boy grabbed the pommel of the saddle of the white horse and swung up onto the horse. It turned its head unhappily and snapped its teeth. “And Yannin and Wix are best-friends so they can’t be separated without going berserk.” The boy grabbed the reins of his fussy white horse, calming it immediately.

Siegfried grabbed hold of the saddle and jumped up with a high leap to throw himself across the saddle, then righted himself in a much less professional way.

Gilsa very professionally ignored Siegfried being so unnoble in getting onto the horse. He hopped up himself by using his height and stepping into the stirrup and swinging his leg over.

The boy jumped up and down in his saddle. “So, Prince, where to? Mirror place? Amazing quest is waiting, let’s get a move on!”

“I know.” Siegfried said, “And we’re setting off to the Mirror’s Rest.”

The boy brought around his horse to stand beside Siegfried’s. “So uh, what exactly is this quest from The Crystal Goddess?”

“My Goddess told me that at the Mirror’s Rest I will find ‘the destiny of ages.’” Siegfried looked up to the sky. “So I will go. I will find my destiny. And I will become a man, by more than my age, but by my actions.”

“Wow…” The boy breathed out, “Destiny of ages?”

Siegfried brought his hands to the reins of his plain horse and looked toward the open road that led out from the castle. Down to the city. Off the hill. And into the land, his land of Crystalandia. “Yes. That is what I’m going to find.”

“What we’re going to find, Prince Siegfried.” The boy mocked, though it was light hearted and teasing with friendly nature instead of his taunting. “I can see it now, our names sewn into bannisters: Price Siegfried, his dashing companion Reicket, and some boring other guy - finders of the destiny of ages.”

“My name is Gilsa Ducere.” Gilsa loudly told him, “And this is his Highness’ quest, and you should feel honored to be allowed the privilege to come.”

Reicket stuck his tongue out at him again. “Prince Siegfried, his dashing companion, and the boring Gilsa who contributed nothing. That's what the bannister will say.”

“They’ll say nothing if we don’t get a move on.” Siegfried interrupted. “Come on, let’s ride.”

“Onward!” Reicket shouted, standing up in his saddle, “To destiny!” He sat down and kicked his heels in, urging Sinnon forward into a race as he hurried down the road.

“It’s my destiny!” Siegfried shouted, sapping his reigns after Reicket to make his horse run after him off into the night.

Gilsa followed them both with a sigh of regret. He had no choice in this matter, except this was exactly what he chose years ago, and once again tonight.

None of the horses were faster than the others. They raced down the path, rocketing down the hill of the capital side by side. Siegfried felt every thud of his horse’s hooves race up his chest in rhythm with the pounding of his heart. He felt nervous. He felt elated. He felt like he was standing on a cliff, preparing to jump, and he was ready to find out what was at the bottom. If he didn't, how could he call himself a King? How could he ever face his father? His mother? His sister? Even if he didn’t know what he was going toward, he would face it as a welcome challenge. Even if he wasn’t as kind or wise as his father, he’d do his best. Even if he didn’t have the Rainbow Knights, or even his father’s sword, he would lead his Kingdom justly. Siegfried was considered a man as of today, his sixteenth birthday. He was sixteen, and more than his age, more than being given the crown, he would find his way to become a man and finally make his father proud.

Siegfried practically fell down from the horse when they stopped hours later. He’d never ridden a horse this long. He’d never had to ride so carefully either. The path they had taken was the fastest out of the capital. Straight north. Into the forest, where the paths were old and mostly abandoned, overrun with weeds and rocks. Reicket had them stopping and slowing and having to go around broken walls or fallen trees instead of rushing forward and jumping over every obstacle. They’d gone as far as the horses could carry them, and finally came to a stop beside the edge of the road where a shallow creek ran with water clear enough to see the bottom. By now the midday sun was overhead so it was easy to see their way, and it was warmer than the freezing night. Being done with the hard ride was a blessing.

Siegfried landed on his feet hard and hated the way they ached as much he loved it. More than his feet - his back hurt, and it hurt in a way he couldn’t stretch away.

Gilsa dismounted next, coming over to Siegfried with quick steps. When he saw that Siegfried had settled down easy enough Gilsa turned and began scuffing his foot into the dirt. Siegfried just let out a sigh and sat down on a roughly rounded rock. Then when that hurt his behind more than the saddle, he sat on the grass. Reicket leapt down as if he had only gone for a light trot around the track and not a midnight ride through to the next afternoon. Reicket merely stretched his arms and leaned back, cracking his spine.

“This’ll be a good break for the horses, but what are we going to eat?” Reicket asked, reaching up to take hold of the white horse’s tackle.

Gilsa stopped where he was kicking up a fire pit and started at him.

“I was thinking we could try catching fish, or maybe go and forage for mushrooms!” Reicket unclipped the saddle and let it fall to the ground with the harness. “I read this book about mushrooms, I bet I could find some.”

“You didn’t think to pack food.” Gilsa flatly stated.

“Why would we need to? We’re going on an adventure, we’ll live off the land, save our money, and take what fortune gives us.” Reicket laughed happily as he thought about it, “And nap in rays of sunlight, right? Prince?” He patted the white horse on the head and moved over to Wix, who had the white stomach, to start the same process.

“I brought my own supplies.” Siegfried proudly said, pulling around his backpack and opening it up. “I probably have enough. I brought pears, apples, bagels, and some other things I like.”

“You brought… bagels?” Gilsa repeated, standing still as his mind thought and thought. “On a three day journey.”

“I only like my bagels with dripping, you pack any fat?” Reicket asked, finishing up with Wix.

“What’s dripping? Why would I need fat?” Siegfried asked, turning to pass Reicket one of the rounded pastries.

Reicket took it and tore it in half with his fingers. “Drippings just fat, you smear it all over bread or meat or things. You know, to make it taste better?”

“I use butter.” Siegfried told him.

“You didn’t… pack butter, did you?” Gilsa slowly eeked out.

“No, it needs to be kept cold.” Siegfried explained, taking out a bagel for himself.

Gilsa sucked in a long, long, hissing breath, his chest puffing out and expanding, his face sucking inward as he did, and his eyes going wide and disbelieving.

Reicket snorted at his look. “I think he’s going to explode.” Reicket shoved the pieces of the bagel into his mouth. “I’m not taking Yannin’s tack off, by the way, so you’ll have to do that yourself.”

That seemed to make Gilsa expand more, his face grow tighter, and his eyes widen farther. Slowly he raised both hands and pressed them over his eyes. Sucked in more air, and then let out a groan of annoyance which dragged on, vibrating from the center of his lungs, and growing deep and darker and more depressed with each passing moment. As he groaned he began to slide his hands down from his eyes.

Reicket tossed the bagel up and then down, smiling. “What, is it too hard for you, cadet?”

Gilsa brought his hands down beside his waist, and then pressed them down flat, as if smothering down the earth. “Your Highness. May I see exactly what you have packed for supplies?”

“Oh, so you didn’t pack food either!” Reicket exclaimed, clearly trying to turn the insult.

“My expeditionary bag has exactly three days of food in it.” Gilsa began, his hands still parallel to the ground, his eyes still wide, though now it wasn’t in shock it was with imploring disbelief. “It is non-perishable. Two meals a day. If I press down to one meal a day, that is six days. Your Highness, how much food did you pack, and what did you pack?” As he spoke Gilsa’s voice squeaked, and he came over to stand in front of Siegfried.

“I packed for three days.” Siegfried said, pulling out food as he spoke.. “I packed three meals, though. Three pears, three apples, six pieces of cheese, and six bagels. Oh, and a cut of dried meat. I don’t know how much I’ll eat, however.”

Gilsa nodded. Then nodded again. “Your Highness… Mirror’s Rest, if I recall, is a three day ride.”

“Yes, three days exactly.” Siegfried began to put things away. “So I packed enough food for myself, but if the stablehand needs it I can eat a bit less.”

“You’re not so bad after all, Prince Siegfried.” Reicket said, sitting down on the stone he’d abandoned, and crossing his legs. He popped another chunk of the bread into his mouth. “See, soldier-boy, we’re fine.”

“No, stablehand, we are not fine.” Gilsa turned around, and he began stomping violently around the marks for the fire pit. “I have at most eight days worth of food. Siegfried has six pieces of food which will spoil, and six which will go stale. Six pieces of cheese - if we keep them dry. One cut of meat that can be split evenly only three ways. You - nothing. Eat all the bread today, and tonight, two pieces each - that’s food gone for day one . Eat all the fruit tomorrow two pieces each - that’s food gone for day two. Two cheese and one strip of meat - day three. Do you see the problem?”

Siegfried thought for a moment, and as he did his face began to fall.

“No really, no. That’s enough for three days of travel.” Reicket said.

“No, it’s not.” Siegfried interrupted. “I only packed enough for three days.”

“Yes, that’s what I said.” Reicket frowned.

“And I only packed enough for three as well. At two meals.” Gilsa stomped hard on the trampled ground. “There’s six days, and three of us. My food is enough for three people for one meal over two days. We’re a day short of supplies. And neither of you are used to eating only a meal a day, riding this hard, and if we are unfortunate, a fight.

“We’ll sleep, and then we are returning, you Highness.” Gilsa planted his hands firmly on his hips.

“No!” Siegfried leapt to his feet. “No, we can’t!”

“Yeah no way are we turning back!” Reicket stood as well. “Like I said we’ll find food. There’s a river right there.”

“I’m sorry, you didn’t pack food but you packed a fishing rod?” Gilsa snapped at Reicket. “Moreover, if it were just your Highness and myself, we could’ve had enough food, but you tagged along.”

“Me?” Reicket pressed both hands to his chest, “I’m the only one trying to come up with solutions, we’re in the middle of the forest there’s got to be a way to find edible berries or vegetables. Or we could hunt something.”

“And I am sure you brought a knife to skin and mince it, in addition to knowing how to do so.” Gilsa scoffed.

“As a matter of fact, I do know how to prepare meat, soldier-boy.” Reicket stuck his tongue out, and made an ugly face.

Gilsa clenched his fist. “Soldier-boy isn’t an insult.”

“Enough!” Siegfried shouted between them. He held out his hands, and looked between them both frantically. He was already standing, but it felt like he’d risen and all the blood rushed to his head. His head was light and aching at the same time, and his eyes were stinging. “Enough alright! Stop shouting. Let’s… let’s try and think this over.”

Gilsa regained his composure and picked up his pack. “I’m sorry your Highness, but it is not safe to continue. As I said, we’ll rest, then turn back tomorrow.”

“What Reicket was saying, it should have some premise, yes?” Siegfried pressed, his voice breaking yet hopeful.

Gilsa took out a bundle of brown. He unfolded it and dumped out a pile of kindling on the mound of dirt he’d made. “Not much. We have no nets. No spears. If there isn’t any thing here we can see that we can eat, there’s little chance we could find any. Even looking for food might take more energy - and importantly time - than you have to spare.” Gilsa looked up at Siegfried’s eyes. “I am sorry, your Highness, but we need to turn back.” Gilsa stood to his full height, taller than Reicket and Siegfried. “And if you won’t return with me I’ll ride back myself and have the Royal Guards return you by force.”

“Oh come on!” Reicket shouted, “You don’t even want to try!”

“No, I do not.” Gilsa pressed a hand to the hilt of the sword on his belt. “I do not want to watch my King starve. I do not want to watch him falter because of hunger. And I do not want to be responsible for a stable hand with dreams of grandeur getting my King killed. You don’t even have a weapon - you probably haven’t even held a weapon - and you come along anyway. You come along, without supplies, without a weapon, and without even considering that we could be attacked at any moment and I will have to be the one to save you, or you will die, or you will have a limb ripped off. This may be a dream to you, but this is reality for me, and I will not let my King, or you, make a foolish mistake and get us all killed.”

Gilsa took his hand away from his sword. “It’s safer if we return. Come back with the right supplies, and with one less stablehand.” He turned to look at Siegfried again, seeing his eyes were bright red, and so were his cheeks, his head own turned. “I am very sorry, My highness, but it is for your safety.”

Siegfried squeezed his hands together. “I… I understand.”

Gilsa stepped toward him slowly, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I promise, I will see that you do make it to Mirror’s Rest. As quick as is possible. But, this was a too-boldy planned sojourn, and acted upon too quickly without thought. I promise, I will see that you make it to Mirror’s Rest. Safely, and properly.”

Siegfried let his head bob sadly in acceptance.

“I’ll get a fire started. Take some rest, and I’ll wake you up when the horses are rested.” Gilsa stepped away, and then flinched to a stop, picking up his pack quickly. “Here, this is a sleeping bag. It’ll keep you warm.”

Siegfried took the thick rolled up blanket, forcing a smile. “You’re… right, Gilsa. Thank you.”

Gilsa bowed slightly. Then his eyes cut across the air to glare at Reicket. “Take the saddle off the horse. It’s your horse isn’t it?”

Reicket crossed his arms, and turned around. “Whatever, soldier-boy. You don’t have to be so negative and rude about it.”

Gilsa unstrapped a small hatchet from his bag, “If anything happens, scream. I’ll be in earshot.”

Siegfried stepped forward, “Do you-” he swallowed his words down, then looked at the sleeping bag in his hands. “Never mind.”

“No, nothing will happen in the middle of the day. But, if it does, I’ll be nearby.”

Gilsa moved along the flow of the river toward more trees and low leafy plants. He stopped close enough they could see him, but after hacking down a few leafless branches he stepped a bit further down the river, then repeated it again.

Siegfried stared after him for a moment. He could tell that Gilsa had experience in this. Gilsa had thought this through far more than Siegfried had. He was better prepared, he had better ideas, and he Gilsa was overall more commanding. Siegfried thought he could do this. He felt that if it were a quest from his Goddess, if it was on his day, then nothing could go wrong. He should be glad that Gilsa forced himself to tag along. If Siegfried had gone alone like he planned… he should be glad that Gilsa noticed early they didn’t have enough food.

“Hey, Prince, don’t listen to that guy.” Reicket declared, his voice unhappy as he moved to take the saddle off the last horse. “He’s probably just mad that it’s not his destiny. Or that he doesn’t want to go at all. I think if we press on we can make it. Because, if it's something as important as you say, then we’ll have to make it, right?”

Siegfried let the sleeping bag unroll against the ground. “I don’t know. I think he’ll listen to me if I say to press on, but I also think he would definitely go back to the Royal Guard as well. I’m sure once I get some rest I’ll be able to decide what to do.”

Reicket let out a spiteful huff of air. “Yeah, okay.”

Reicket knew that he’d go on. He could just leave these guys behind and go forward once Sinnon was ready. Figure out where the Mirror’s Rest was and make his own way. Except if he did, then he’d bet his neck that this soldier-boy would get him arrested for abandonment of duty or something like that. Reicket was more than just a stablehand, he was more than just a blacksmith, and he might not know everything the stuck-up soldier did, but he was definitely more willing to help the Prince get where he was going.

That was how he knew he was more than just someone to dress horses. He knew exactly what the Prince was talking about when he mentioned destiny. He knew what a quest was. He knew that if they grit their teeth and pressed on they could make it, Reicket got that about the Prince, about this whole idea, and he was thankful about being allowed to come along, thank you very much. Reicket would be sure that when the Prince awoke he’d convince him to ignore that stupid soldier, press forward even if the boy went back to get the Royal Guard, because it was better to try at all then just give up.

He slapped his hands together softly, getting the dust off them. “There. How’s that? Feel better?”

The horse threw its head, turning away from Reicket.

Reicket stepped back and cracked his back. He was tired, not too sore, but he could go for a rest. He regretted a bit not having packed a blanket. The day wasn’t overly warm, not cold either, though as Reicket laid down he wished he had abit of a blanket to wrap around him. The cold kept him in and out of being awake for a few minutes, but then he was eventually able to fall asleep as the day got a few degrees warmer.

Reicket knew he only rested a bit. He woke up with tight shoulders from sleeping on his back, and as he woke up groggily he yawned and stretched his arms. The sunlight had woken him, because it moved across the sky, and also probably his bladder. They hadn’t stopped for a break throughout the night. Reicket rose to his feet so he could stagger over to the creek and relieve himself.

“Don’t pee there.”

Reicket jumped, and spun his head around, his feet stomping firmly on the edge so he didn’t fall. Gilsa was glaring at him, and when he started peeing loudly Gilsa let out a groan and dripped his head down.

“You did it anyway?”

“What’s the big deal?” Reicket said, turning his attention away from the snarky soldier. “It’s just pee.”

“You pee down river, not so close to camp.” Gilsa groaned, though then he sighed. “At least I already got my water.”

“It all gets washed away anyway, what’s the big deal?” Ricket crouched down and dipped his hands in the water, then flapped them out to dry.

“You did not just -” Gilsa was so incredilous he couldn’t even finish his sentence. Instead he shook his head, then turned his attention back to his work.

Reicket turned his attention to it as well. Gilsa had a blanket unrolled in front of him, and on it was all of their food. It was in three neat piles. One had a clearly smaller amount of food. It was all of their food, Gilsa’s and Siegfried, in addition to two washed off golden yams.

“Ha.” Reicket crossed his arms. “Told you so.”

“Two potatoes are not going to make a difference.” Gilsa mumbled, clearly in his thoughts.

“Well then we’ll hunt.” Reicket decided.

“I have a sword. You can’t hunt with a sword.”

“Then we’ll make a trap.”

“With what bait?”

Reicket thought. “The potatoes?”

“We’ll wait for how long?”

“If we set a trap up now-”

“The horses are ready.” Gilsa shifted some of the food around, making the piles a bit more even, then making an annoyed noise and shifting it around again so one was smaller. “What we can do, is press forward for one more day. One more day, and hope for a lake at the end of the river. If there isn’t, then we’ll really have no choice but to turn back.”

“So now you want to press on?” Reicket rolled his eyes.

“No. I don’t.” Gilsa’s eyes cut over to where Siegfried does. Then Gilsa began stuffing all the food back into his and siegfried’s pack. “Can you get the horses ready?”

Reicket moved toward them. They looked rested enough, though hadn’t laid down for their sleep. He had to step around the fire, wondering even when Gilsa had lit it, and then began to set everything up again. Gilsa finished returning everything to where he took it out off, then snuffed out the fire before waking Siegfried. Gilsa offered him a bit of water, and let him wake up before going to help Reicket settle the saddle on the horse he was riding.

“We’ll follow the river closer than the road. If we can find a big lake, we can get enough food for a day there, and a day back. If there’s not, then we go back.”

Siegfried pulled the waterskin away from his mouth slowly, his eyes widening. “You… you think we can make it.”

“If there is a chance we can make it, it’ll be due to a lake. That we find today.” Gilsa picked up two long and whittled sticks. They were thin, but long, and both had been sharpened into points. “But if we can’t, then that is when we’ll turn back. Catch, stablehand.” Gilsa lobbed one of the make-do spears over the horse.

Reicket grabbed it easily enough. He frowned at it, because he didn’t want to thank the rude soldier-boy for it.

“Yes. Yes, okay!” Siegfried stood up quickly, and then went over to his horse. He threw himself up onto it, and then hurried to right himself so he sat on it properly. “Then we have to hurry and find one! Let’s go.” Siegfried tugged on the reins, but he did so a bit too hard, and his horse took off with a turn to start running between the trees.

“Your High-!” Gilsa groaned and grabbed both of their bags, then without warning threw Siegfried’s at Reicket who had just sat down on his white steed. Gilsa pulled himself up onto his horse and immediately started after him.

“That hurt you - you loser!” Reicket shouted, pressing a hand to where the pack had hit him in the stomach, “Hey don’t ignore me! Don’t get ahead of me! Hey! Stupid soldier-boy!” Reicket turned his horse around as quick as he could to charge after the other two.

They moved down the creek with great fortune and speed. Siegfried led them, intentionally or not, and found his way easier than before. With the light of day they made better time. The horses thundered through the forest quickly, moving all the animals and insects out of the way. Little snakes and chipmunks skittered to the sides as they raced passed. The trees thinned out, letting them race faster across open fields, and the creek grew swifter as the bushes and stones disappeared. None of them stopped as they pressed forward. All let caution and worries move aside as their steeds pressed forward, charging across great open grass beside a river that just rushed quicker and quicker.

They moved until the sun began to set behind the flat horizon ahead. Even then Siegfried kept pushing forward. The grass began to thin out, then come up in high isolated tufts. More of the grass began to die down, levelling out into dark dirt and the grass turning into rows of clumps that rimmed small hills, low hills, and then finally surrounded the end of the creek, a huge lake that filed up the sunken in ground with dark brown water.

“Look!” Siegfried exclaimed, bringing his horse to heel, and making it trot in a big circle. “Look, we have a lake!”

“Congratulations, your Highness.” Gilsa said, smiling as he rode up beside him. “Fortune favors you.”

“See?” Reicket shoved himself between them, “Told you we could make it.”

Gila leveled a flat state at him. “You’re fishing.”

“What - I don’t have a fishing pole?” He mocked back smugly.

“You have a spear don't you?” Gilsa hopped down and dropped his pack. “I have to set up camp and take the tackle off all the horses. The least you can do is fish for dinner.”

“Excuse me, I am the one in charge of the horses.” Reicket accused, “You don’t get to -” Reicket stopped then smiled. “You know what? Go ahead. You take care of the horses, I’ll take care of the fish.”

“Me too.” Siegfried hopped down from the horse. “Lend me the spear.”

“Your Highness-”

Reicket wrapped an arm around him, “That’s awesome of you, Prince. Let’s be some real men and catch ourselves some dinner. Just ourselves.” Reicket looked over his shoulder and stuck his tongue out at Gilsa.

Since Siegfried wasn’t looking, Gilsa stuck his tongue out in a petty response. Reicket rolled his eyes, so Gilsa did so as well, then each turned to their respective tasks. Gilsa slipped off the tackle easily enough, setting it far enough away from the lake it wouldn’t get mud on it, and then began his task of ripping up enough grass to make some mockery of a usable cook fire. If he had room for wood in his pack he’d have stuffed it in there.

Suddenly someone screamed, and then gave a cheer, making Gilsa turn his attention and immediately take hold of his sword. Reicket and Siegfried were both by the lake, and Reicket was lifting a spear dripping with water and blood above his head. Gilsa let out a breath and then struck up the fire. He wasn’t sure he could do this. He wasn’t sure they could do this. But, Gilsa wanted to. He wanted to, so desperately, see what drove Siegfried to undertake this foolish task. Gilsa wasn’t even sure if Siegfried understood that. If they were just connected by the intangible legacy of their families. The weight of the loss, which Gilsa knew Siegfried understood, but wasn’t aware of.

“I got one!” Siegfried said, jumping up and then losing grip of the spear. He reached forward to grab it, lost his footing, and then ended up toppling into the lake.

Reicket started laughing at him immediately, pointing and bowing at how hard he laughed. Siegfried stood up just as quickly and jumped up at the indignity. His face was red with embarrassment and then anger, and then he smiled. Siegfried leapt out of the water and grabbed Reicket by the legs and pulled him in, causing a wild splash. Reicket gave a squeaking cry of betrayal as he was covered head to toe in water.

Gilsa watched it. And he knew then. They were doomed. When the two of them turned to face him, rage and the intrinsic human desire to force others to suffer the same sordid fate written across Siegfried and Reicket’s face, Gilsa knew he was doomed as well.