“What are you going to do when you get back to Dalenia?” Jale asked.

Jale’s hands were bound with thick tight rope. One of Prince Salren’s soldiers was pulling him along behind his horse. In front of the soldier, Prince Salren rode on his large grey-speckled animal. They were winding their way along a narrow path that perched precariously along the side of a mountain. On one side of Jale, ten meters below, was a torrential moving river, and on the other side, a towering forest.

“I saw that you received another parchment yesterday,” Jale continued.

“Again, I will remind you, it is none of your business,” Prince Salren said over his shoulder. “How many times do I need to tell you that you’re not in charge, Jale?” He glanced back at Jale and sneered. “And never will be, I might add.”

Jale chewed on his lip refraining from biting back. He was going for slightly annoying but charming at the same time. Determined to find out more information, he pressed on. “Just let me know if my friends are still alive? Galton? Ralen? Have you heard anything?”

“They are the least of my concern right now,” Prince Salren replied coldly, but he sighed and cast an irritated look at Jale.

Jale gave him a wry smile. “You know I won’t stop unless I find out.”

Prince Salen glared. “I do not know if they survived. All I know is that a small group of men managed to escape the onslaught of Prince Vox’s men.”

“And your men,” Jale added.

“Yes, and my men,” he said without any emotion. “Prince Vox’s men are still looking for survivors. If they agree to join Prince Vox’s army, they will be allowed to survive. If not, they will be hunted down and killed. Happy?” Prince Salren asked.

Jale closed his mouth. It wasn’t the news he wanted to hear. Impatience was tempering his mood. His current situation was frustrating to say the least. It was going to be a long, tedious journey on foot traipsing along the dirt trails and roads that led back to Dalenia. Prince Salren pushed at a steady pace. Not too fast that Jale and Satner would become exhausted to the brink of collapse but fast enough that they slept well every evening. Prince Salren wanted them alive on their arrival.

He was also taking a less than direct route, a different way compared to how The Emperor and Jale had traveled previously. Clearly, he did not want to risk running into more trouble on the main road.

Jale found this interesting.

He coughed, clearing his throat.

“I see you’re taking a different route back to Dalenia,” Jale started. “Are you worried about running into more trouble on the main road? Are you taking precautions, Prince Salren?” He paused dramatically. “Are you worried for your own life as well?”

Prince Salren’s head snapped around to Jale. “Keep asking questions like that and I’ll have you gagged all the way back to Dalenia.”

Jale turned his head and smirked. He would stop for now, but constantly barraging Prince Salren with questions was at least providing him with some enjoyment.

For the most part however, Jale remained locked in his head, in his own grief and mourning. He was still unable to come to terms with the death of the love of his life. But it was part of his nature to think of the future, to keep striving forward and to find a way to survive. Without a doubt, only trouble awaited him back in Dalenia.

How long Prince Salren wanted them alive when they returned to Dalenia was the question that Jale deliberated on. Jale looked over his shoulder and met Satner’s gaze. He was following the next horse behind Jale, his hands bound in the same manner as himself.

Jale frowned. No doubt, he was more valuable than Satner. Satner was backup. If something happened to Jale, Prince Salren would use Satner as a bargaining chip instead to get back into the palace. He wasn’t that notable in the grand scheme of things, however Satner was high up enough to have enough intelligence to share. The main problem was, would Satner have any value if Jale was still alive? Jale didn’t think so.

It was for this reason, Jale held grave concern for Satner’s safety, and he feared Satner would not last long upon their return to Dalenia. He wouldn’t be set free, and he wouldn’t be released back to the army. There was too much of a risk he would spread the news of what had really happened at Camp Rein.

The everyday soldiers who may surrender to Prince Vox and Prince Salren’s armies wouldn’t know of what really happened. They wouldn’t know that suspicions were on Prince Vox for his involvement. They wouldn’t know that Prince Salren had been forced to bargain with Prince Vox to ensure that the camp and Prince Vox’s men had not attacked him either.

Jale wanted Satner to escape. He was a capable warrior, and he had only demonstrated loyalty to the Emperor until his misstep with Teal. They hadn’t been able to speak at great length which each other since being caught, but they communicated instead by writing messages in the dirt or drawing pictures in the ground to note and share their observations. Jale had disliked Satner back in Dalenia, yet he was now turning into a valuable companion on this journey of hell.

So far, Jale and Satner had determined who of Prince Salren’s men were weak, who were strong, who got bored quickly and who always maintained their focus while on duty. A mixture of weak and bored soldiers would increase their chances of escape.

Prince Yernal, however, seemed to be also aware of his soldiers’ capabilities and to their dismay, he always had a mixture of men on guard. A plan would be hard to formulate. Any attempt of escape would have to come from a sudden lapse of judgement from the guards which meant that Jale would have to stay alert at all times.

Today was their seventh day of capture and there was still five weeks’ worth of walking until they made it back to Dalenia. Jale’s attention turned to the water in the river below. It was calmer now that the path moved beyond the noisy fast rapids. It was still moving swiftly and for as far as he could see, there were no more rapids up ahead. An idea popped into Jale’s head, and he saw an opening for Satner to escape. He just didn’t have a way to share it with him.

He looked at the riverbank and noted how its sides were lapping around the branches of trees. It indicated a higher than usual level, but it could also mean that there could be hidden objects underneath. Deep water though would give Satner more of a chance of survival. Hopefully, he wouldn’t land on any submerged rocks. Unfortunately, the water was moving in the same direction as them, however up ahead in the distance, Jale was sure he could see the river divide into two. It would be a perfect place to set things into motion.

Jale judged his time. They had been walking for several hours. Asking for a rest to go to relieve themselves and for some water to drink, should be seen as a reasonable request. Prince Salren was for the most part, acknowledging their basic needs.

As the fork in the river approached, Jale’s heart increased with excitement. He contemplated whether he should jump into the water as well. The mere thought of freedom was very compelling. He shook his head. No. He had to get back into the capital and back into the palace to ensure the twins’ safety. Satner was the one that needed to escape.

Jale looked over his shoulder and caught Satner’s gaze. It was calm but annoyed at the same time. Frustration grew. There was no way Jale could communicate or hint as to what he planned. He could only hope that Satner would act quickly enough and swim towards the other path of water that was moving away from their current trail.

Their party came around a corner, and Jale saw the perfect opportunity. The path expanded giving enough room for a group of horses to stand together in between the mountain and the cliff edge that led to the water below. It had probably been designed for this very purpose: to allow travelers to rest along their journey or to let parties pass each other comfortably.

“Prince Salren.”

“What is it now, Jale?” Prince Salren sighed.

“Forgive me, we have been walking for hours,” Jale said. “A rest if possible. Some water and a possibility to see to our other needs. This place looks better than any.”

He heard Prince Salren draw in his breath. “I don’t know if you realize, Jale, but the Empire is in a very dangerous position. I would like to get back to Dalenia as quickly as possible.”

“Well, giving us horses would certainly help.”

Prince Salren side-eyed him. “Not a chance. As much as this pace is infuriating, I can’t afford to lose you.”

“Yes, I’m fully aware that you’re using me as bait.”

Prince Salren snorted. “Do you want the Empire to fall into Prince Vox’s hands who is certainly a puppet of the Keglar Kingdom?” Prince Salren sighed. “Of course, you do.”

“I left the Keglar Kingdom a long time ago, Prince Salren,” Jale returned. “I gave it all up to work for the Talbecan Empire. I don’t know why you don’t see that.”

Prince Salren pulled his horse up and turned it around so he could face Jale. “You’ll always be a Keglan,” he spat.

“Idiocracy!” Jale cried, losing his patience and focus. “Your inability to work with me could be your very downfall!”

“Jale, I would never work with you,” Prince Salren stated firmly. He looked at the small clearing. “Here will do. Have your break. You have ten minutes to drink and refresh yourselves.”

Jale bowed dramatically and turned to the rider who held his rope. The man barely cast him a glance but pulled the waterskin free from the back of his saddle and dropped it down into Jale’s hands.

Jale gave a slight nod and was pleased that no one had been bothering to pay him enough attention because it was at that point when he put his hands up in the air, he swiftly pulled the soldier’s knife free. The sight of knife had been both pleasing and annoying him all morning. Pleasing because the moment he saw it, he knew it would be easy to retrieve, but annoying because all he wanted to do was to show the soldier how to properly hide it.

“Have a drink,” Jale said to Satner who was now standing beside him.

Satner nodded and moved towards Jale, his rider loosening the length of his rope a fraction to give him some space to move.

Jale took two mouthfuls of water and then, passed it to Satner. “Move closer,” he mumbled.

Satner’s head jerked up with interest, and he stepped towards Jale.

“Are you a good swimmer?” Jale whispered, taking the waterskin back to have another mouthful.

Satner shrugged. “Of course, I grew up by…” Satner’s head snapped to the cliff edge only two meters away from where they stood. “What!? That’s got to be a ten-meter drop!”

It was now or never. The soldiers were also taking the time to have a drink and to talk amongst themselves. Jale pulled Satner close, stabbed the knife into the rope that bound his hands and with all his strength, yanked it through.

“Hey!” A soldier from behind them barked. “Stand away from each other. No talking.”

“Of course,” Jale said over his shoulder. But instead of moving back, Jale shoved Satner towards the edge of the cliff. “They’ll murder you once we get back to Dalenia,” he hissed to Satner. “Jump and don’t look back!”

Jale didn’t give Satner time to respond for Jale put his whole weight behind his next move, diving forward and knocking Satner off balance. Satner staggered back tripping over his own feet and unable to regain his balance, fell straight over the side of the cliff. Horror filled Jale’s body, it had only been when Satner tumbled over the edge, he had seen that the knife hadn’t cut all the way through the rope. Satner’s hands were still bound, and he was still connected to the soldier leading him on the horse.

Jale dove forward and frantically slashed the knife through the rope connecting him to Prince Salren’s soldier. Shouts of alarm came from behind him, but he didn’t stop. Once, twice, the blade slashed down on the thick twining. A third time and the rope snapped free and with it, the rope and Satner disappeared over the cliff face.

Deep huge breaths escaped Jale’s lungs. The vision of surprise on Satner’s face would stay with him. Jale sunk to his knees and tried to calm his breathing. Satner’s hands were still bound together although the rope had been made weaker. Please, please, please let Satner be strong enough to break through the remaining rope that was around his hands. Otherwise, Jale had most likely sent Satner to his death.

Someone behind Jale must have grabbed a hold of his rope again for he was suddenly yanked backwards. It was enough to knock him off balance and he landed on his side. He grimaced as small stones grazed into his skin as he was dragged along the ground.

He looked up at the sound of Prince Salren storming towards him. Three soldiers were now standing at the cliff edge looking out into the water.

Jale rocked his body and swung himself up so he was back onto his knees. He closed his eyes immediately and braced himself. Prince Salren’s fist slammed into the side of his jaw, and Jale’s head whipped back. He gave it a shake and looked up at Prince Salren.

“I know, I know, I deserved that,” Jale said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “Did he make it?”

Prince Salren clenched his fists as if he was trying to stop himself from punching Jale again. Jale was fully expecting more blows. He would have delivered more if the roles were turned.

Instead, Prince Salren grabbed Jale by the scruff of his clothes and pulled him to his feet. He held Jale only inches from his face. “Don’t even think of trying to escape,” he fumed, spit landing on Jale’s face. “I will hunt you down and once I get you into the palace, I will murder you myself if you try!”

“Come on,” Jale continued to banter back. “You know full well Satner was going to be murdered when he got back to Dalenia. I, on the other hand, want to get back to Dalenia. I want to ensure the twins are safe.”

“You’re not going to get anywhere near them,” Prince Salren stated vehemently. He let go of Jale and he landed back onto his haunches. Prince Salren stormed back to his horse, snatching the rope from his soldier to hold it himself. With a swing of his leg, he remounted his horse. Once he was back in the saddle, he pulled the rope sharply and Jale tripped closer to Prince Salren.

“And still you don’t see that I’m trying to work and protect the Empire. I could have escaped and yet, I didn’t,” Jale said up to him.

“I really do not know what my brother saw in you?” Prince Salren hissed.

“What?” Jale mocked. “You’re not falling for my charm, wit and sense of humor?”

Prince Salren ignored him. He squeezed his horse’s sides with his legs and started off back down the trail. There was a hard yank on Jale’s rope, and he stumbled forward.

Jale looked over his shoulder, back towards the cliff edge. No one had said whether Satner had resubmerged and had managed to swim away. He hoped he had. He hoped that Satner was now safe and enjoying a new sense of freedom.

>>

Satner kicked hard with his legs, driving his body back towards the surface. He didn’t however, allow himself to break through the water’s surface. He had no idea if Prince Salren’s soldiers would try to kill him with arrows if he did. His hands were still tied in front of him. He strained on the rope, pulling and yanking his arms in different directions as he kicked under the water. It was his hope that he was swimming in the direction he believed was away from the cliff face and towards the other side of the river. The rope loosened and with another strong tug, he pulled his hands free. This would make things a whole lot easier.

With his lungs burning, Satner continued to swim in an underwater breast stroke, his powerful legs and arms pulling him along swiftly. The current in the river helped to speed him along down and further away from where he had been pushed over the cliff. When his mind started screaming for air and when he believed he was at a good enough distance, Satner burst through the surface.

The air surged into his lungs. He spun in the water as he gulped in more air and spied the cliff. He was quite impressed with how far he’d traveled underwater but knew that the river’s current had also helped. Fortunately, from this distance, he could see Prince Salren’s men were looking directly beneath them in the water and completely in the wrong direction to where he was now.

Satner shook his head and chuckled to himself.

Jale.

The man had tried to beat him to a pulp only a few weeks’ back and now, he had gone and saved his life. Satner could make Jale out as the water continued to carry him further away. He hoped the man would survive once he was back in Dalenia. He had no doubt that Jale’s journey, once he returned, was not going to be easy.

Suddenly remembering the fork in the river, Satner turned onto his stomach and saw that it was quickly approaching. He put his head down and started to kick. His body moved swiftly, his time growing up along-side the ocean providing him the ease to cut through the water and to go in the direction he needed.

The water carried him down and away from the part of the river that would continue parallel to Jale’s path. After another several moments, Satner turned and started to swim towards the bank of the river. Rocks met his knees as he drew closer, and he started to clamber over them instead of trying to swim.

After several moments, he trudged up the side of the river bed, holding onto the large rocks for support. Satner dropped to the ground to catch his breath, his new reality slowly sinking in. He had just escaped. He was free …and he was no longer heading back to Dalenia.

Satner looked up and gazed around. He was in the middle of nowhere. He didn’t have any food, coin, weapons or means of fast travel. He only had the wet clothes on his back.

This did not deter him. His soldier training had included basic survival skills. He would be able to survive easily.

He sighed though. The soldier training he had received, always aimed for a solider to work towards reuniting with his army or group. What did he have to reunite with now? Where should he go?

Before he could decide on anything, he would need to find shelter and food. At least he had plenty of fresh water for the time being. The forest around him would provide ample of food including fruit, grubs and mushrooms to eat. He would also be able to create some weapons to catch either some monkeys or wild turkeys for meat. The weather would be warm at night, but a fire would be suitable for the evenings.

Satner trudged up the side of the river bank and into the trees of the forest to gain his bearings and wondered how far he was away from any of the major imperial roads. Satner shut that idea down quickly. It would probably be best to stay off those roads for now with everything that was going on.

The top of the embankment presented more wilderness. He started to walk, bending down to pick up random berries and mushrooms that would make an ideal meal. Some he ignored having been taught which ones were poisonous and which ones weren’t.

As he walked, always ensuring he could hear the river, he started to develop an idea of what he should do. Those who were left behind to fight Prince Salren’s army, some surely would have survived. There was no doubt in his mind that if Galton and Ralen had survived, they would never join Prince Salren’s men. It was a long shot, and another week’s worth of walking to get back to Camp Rein. But that was his new plan. It was the logical thing to do right now.