Marius went back to his room, to think about his assignment. Being honest, Elsurion was a bit hot-tempered at times, but Marius agreed that this was no joking matter. Marius tried to recall what he knew about Ayumir: A small kingdom, compared to Solaria, that is. Nothing extraordinary, except for the mines. Ayumir was adjacent to mountains, that house an arcane deposit. Famous for it, they made the upper levels into an attraction. They cleverly left a few crystals here and there just for the excitement of the visitors. As far as he recalled, the crystals were processed into jewellery. Charms, necklaces, brooches etc. It was Ayumir’s main source of income. It’s been a few years, so Marius did not remember his trip too well. He did not know much about their ruler either. He would have to think of a disguise, Marius was not known in Ayumir, true, but that did not mean he had to lurk around as himself there, did he? Marius was a decent actor, his days as a gamin made him into one. Marius called for a servant to bring him a new set of clothes, to make him look like a man on a pilgrimage. Yes, the days when Marius still was a stray child on the streets of Solaria. His mind drifted back to the day he made Elsurion’s acquaintance. The day that changed both their lives forever.

Elsurion was only a prince then, a boy still. Marius went to the market, he was out to steal some food for the day. He roamed through the crowd, tried to make out a stand with many costumers, so he was less likely discovered when snitching something away. One stand caught his eye; it was a fruit stand. As if by chance, Marius wriggled his way trough the mass of costumers until he reached the front row. He waited for a while, then reached out to grab an apple. He grabbed it, but just as he was about to quickly pull his hand back, Marius hand was grabbed! A man next to Marius seemingly watched Marius and decided to stop him. Curses!

“Aha! You were about to steal this apple, were you not?”, the man took the apple out of Marius’ hand and held it in front of Marius’ face as if this situation needed further proof. Marius had to act quick, before someone else noticed him! He spat in the man’s face and kicked him in the tibia. The man cried out in pain and surprise and let go of Marius and the apple. Marius picked up the fruit and ran. Due to his small size, he easily made his way back through the crowd again. He barely heard the man shouting behind him: “Thief! Stop him!” Marius smirked and took a bite out of the apple he ‘conquered’. He roamed away from the stand on the lookout for a loose purse on someone’s belt or something worthwhile he could steal. That was when he discovered three, shady figures in a dark, narrow aisle to his right. He got curios, as nobody else seemed to notice them, all the people at the marked where too busy to turn their head. Marius got closer, he tried to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“What were you doing at the market, huh?”

“I…I was just…looking around.”

The other boy shoved him against the wall. “Sure. Just looking around. All by yourself?”

“Yes…”

“Look at this fellow, running around at the market all by himself, ain’t that convenient?”

“He looks wealthy. Hand us your money, or do we have to take it by force?”

“I do not have…”

The other boy slapped him.

“Can’t fool us! You look wealthy, wealthy people never leave home with empty pockets! I think we should break a few of his fingers for fun!”

The boy stepped away from them, closer to the wall. By Solaria! He knew this boy! Wasn’t this the prince? What was he doing here? Did he not have an escort with him? Solaria help him, he really looked like the prince! Were those two idiots out of their minds? Mugging the prince could lead to an assault by the royal guard on the strays of the town! It was hard enough not to get into trouble with the patrols on the streets every day and now these two tried to rob…Marius had to do something. But wait. Should he walk in and warn them of their own stupidity? Or…a smirk appeared on his face. Marius could play hero…maybe he could even get a reward. He was sure he could beat those two grunts. Diplomat or hero? He weighted his options. Hero, it was. Marius let go of the apple and ran towards them and slammed the head of the boy to the left against the wall, he did not get back up..

“Two against one seems a bit unfair, don’t you think?” Marius threw a punch in the direction of the second boy. He was, unfortunately, quick enough to react and took a side step. He struck Marius with his elbow and Marius was thrown back, he crashed against the wall.

“Mind your own business, wimp!” He tried to land another hit. Marius was barely able to dodge the fist that came at him.

“Hey!”, a voice from the back yelled. The prince stepped in and jumped on the boy’s back. The boy fell to the side with the prince on top of him.

“Ah! Get off me!”, the boy yelled out. He smacked the prince off himself.

“Sweet dreams bloke!”, Marius kicked into the boy’s face. He heard some bones crack.

Marius stood there and looked down at what he had done. He forgot to consider if they were part of a gang or had friends close by. If yes, they would come after Marius shortly.

“Thank you.”, the prince said. “I…”

“Thank me later, if you still can! We need to get away from here! What if they were not alone? Quick!”

Marius grabbed the prince and they ran out of the aisle together.

“You are the prince, are you not?”, Marius asked, while he was looking for anyone following them.

The boy nodded.

“Thought so. What in Solaria’s name are you doing here alone? Don’t you have an escort or something?”

“I…slipped away from the palace. Alone.”, the prince replied.

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m tired of constantly being observed and guarded! Father never lets me out of the palace!”

“A palace where everything is served to you, I’m sure. Nothing to long for, always having a full stomach. Guards that surely slap everyone in the face that dare to disagree with you. Yeah, what a nightmare. I cannot hold back the pity I feel for you.”

Elsurion looked to the side in shame. Seems like Marius hit a nerve there.

“I have no idea what you were thinking, but you need to get your sorry butt back to the palace.”

Elsurion remained silent. Marius pulled him by his arm.

“Come on, before anyone else tries to mug you or worse!”

“Why…?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you save me in the first place?”

“Imagine you were king. If your son gets assaulted by strays, what would you do with them?”

“I…I don’t know…”

“Gonna answer that question for you: Imprison them! Purge the streets! Or straight out kill them! I want to live. My life’s not worth all that much, but it’s still a life. So, move!”

Elsurion looked at Marius in shock. Marius snorted and dragged him along. They could not go to the market. If anyone recognized the prince, Marius was dead. How did the prince even make it this far on his own? Marius was too angry to ask him. The two boys would have to us the backyards of the city. Marius knew the backyards were a dangerous place, a lot of strays, bandits and what not. If they were spotted, chances were that other strays would attack them instantly. Worse, if they recognized Elsurion, they would likely kidnap or straight out kill him. Marius had an idea: The roofs…

“Can you climb?”, Marius asked him.

“What? What for?”

“The rooftops.”

The prince looked up. He hesitated, then looked down on the ground and shook his head. Marius shut his eyes in frustration. If Marius recalled correctly, there was a ladder leading up a few streets from here. The two would go there.

“There is a ladder up the roofs not far from here. Follow me and don’t wander off, prince.”, Marius said over his shoulder.

Carefully, they made their way through the alleys. They spent a few minutes in silence. After they turned around a corner, the prince asked: “What is your name?”

“What do you care?”

“I want to know whom to thank for still having all my fingers intact.”

“I’m Marius.”

“Thanks Marius. I’m Elsurion.”

“Albeit almost no one knows your face, Everyone in Solaria knows your name moron.”, Marius scolded him. The prince stopped walking. Marius noticed and stopped dead in his tracks and turned around. The prince looked at him with a sad face. For Solaria’s sake! What a whiner! But, in the prince’s defence, he just wanted to be nice. Marius’ harsh answer was uncalled for. He sighed.

“I’m sorry pri…Elsurion. Alright? Can we please move on?”

Elsurion started to walk towards him again. Good. Just as Marius turned and wanted to set foot again, they heard talking in the distance.

“Somebody’s there…”, Elsurion whispered.

“Shh! I heard!”, Marius hissed. “Back behind the corner, we wait until they passed by.”

Hastily they moved back. The voices became louder. A few boys it seemed. They bragged about a man they just robbed. Apparently, he bought a brooch for his wife and they took it from him. Marius was a bit jealous of them for having acquired something so worthwhile. The duo waited until the talking became quieter, then the two made their move. As they sneaked onto the street, the stray boys came from, Marius heard clattering and someone falling over behind him. He jumped and turned around! It was Elsurion. The prince had knocked over a few bottles, slipped and fell to the ground. Dear Solaria, he could not believe what a clod this guy was. Predictably, Marius heard the boys shout in the distance. They noticed them. Marius closed his eyes for a second and asked himself: “Why me? Why me of all bloody stray children in this damn town?”

Having wasted precious seconds already, Marius rudely pulled Elsurion up.

“Move!”

Marius ran ahead. Perhaps the two could reach the ladder before the strays caught up with them. The prince followed Marius. Dear Solaria, Marius would punch the prince in the face for this if they made it to safety. Marius could hear their pursuers footsteps now, they came to check.

“Faster! The ladder is just up ahead!”, Marius panted. Just a little further. There it was!

“Quick! Climb up!”, Marius shouted.

The prince started to climb. The steps came closer. How many of them? Two, they could fight off. Three and beyond were out of question. There they were. Three of them.

“Hey! What are you doing there?”, one of them yelled.

“Shit!”, Marius cussed. He looked up to see how far the prince had climbed yet. About half the ladder.

“Get them!”, the stray boy said.

Marius broke out of his paralysis and started to climb after Elsurion. He felt his ankle getting grabbed. They tried to pull him down!

“No clue whatcha doin’ here wimp, but this is our territory!”

Marius kicked in the direction the voice was coming from. He heard a cry of pain, seems he hit the guy. Elsurion was atop the ladder and looked behind him to check for Marius.

“MOVE!”, Marius yelled. Marius had made it to the middle of the ladder, when the strays started to climb um the ladder behind him.

“You’re dead you little punk!”

Marius’ heart was racing. He felt his heartbeat back at his throat.

The stray boy he had kicked, shouted: “Get the others!”

“Shit! Shit! Shit!”, Marius whispered. They would call for other members of their gang. He finally reached the top of the ladder. The boy had to shield his face from the sun. Elusion was waiting for him.

“Run!”, Marius commanded the prince.

“Where to? I lost my sense of direction, where are we?“

Marius let out an angry sigh. “One sec.”

Elsurion gave him a puzzled look. Marius looked behind him. The stray boys face showed up. “Here goes nothing.”, Marius said.

He kicked the strays face, before the boy could climb on the roof completely. Chances of the stray surviving that fall were slim. Marius heard him scream as the boy fell. The impact came. It sounded like all the bones in a man’s body breaking simultaneously. Marius had just killed another stray. By Solaria. Marius did not dare thinking about what they’d do to him. He was such an idiot. Trying to save this little whiner. Marius stared at the edge of the roof.

“Marius…?”, Elsurion’s voice was shaking.

Marius turned around in the blink of an eye and gave the prince a look that made his blood freeze. He could tell.

“There will be more. Go!”

Elsurion did not move, so Marius just walked past him, deliberately bumping harshly into the princes’ shoulder. The boys were not at their destination yet, there was no time for a break. Marius heard the princes’ steps catching up, assuming the bump broke Elsurion’s stupefaction.

“Keep the pace!”, Marius ordered the boy, as he jumped down to a lower roof. Marius looked up behind him. Elsurion was hesitating.

“Jump down and roll to compensate for the impact. Just as I did. Come on!”

The prince was afraid, it was written all over the boy’s face.

“Come on! Don’t be such a whiner and jump!”

Elsurion hesitated again but dared to jump down. He rolled as Marius told him but failed to get up afterwards. Instead, Elsurion fell flat on his face. Marius honestly did not know if he should kick him or laugh at him. Admittedly, it was hilarious in a weird way.

“You ok?”, Marius asked.

“Yeah…I…”

“Then get back on your feet! They will catch up any minute!”

The boys ran across the roofs. They passed laundry, chimneys and birds that scattered in all directions when the two approached them. Marius was afraid. Showing it to the prince was out of question. But, dear Solaria was he afraid what the other strays would do to them should they catch up. Damn it, this was the third pack of birds they disturbed. This one made a lot of noise and could surely be seen from a distance. If their pursuers were smart, they could tell where Marius and the prince passed through. Admittedly, the prince kept the pace, but he was not nearly as swift as Marius. The boy wasted precious seconds every time there was sharp corner to run around or an obstacle to climb over. Hm. Royals. Not a day would that boy survive on the streets. Despite being afraid for his life, there was some schadenfreude, seeing the prince struggle. Did he have any idea, what a stray went through? Day by day, Marius had to fight. But that whiner had everything handed to him. Marius got angry at Elsurion again. He felt such jealousy towards the prince. Distracted by his upcoming anger, Marius saw the incoming fist too late. It came to fast. A boy hid behind the corner Marius approached and hit him. Caught off guard, Marius stumbled back in pain, Elsurion, too slow to react, slammed into him. They both went down. Marius stood back up in an instant to fight back. The stray that ambushed the two boys, surprised by Marius quick recovery, was hit in the abdomen and cringed. Marius planted a punch on the stray’s chin, his opponent went to the ground. Marius turned around to check for the prince, but it was too late. Two boys already were next to Elsurion and lifted him back on his feet. A third stray appeared behind them. Shit. Elsurion took a hit and crashed against the wall.

“You! You two little dicks! Thought you get to mess with us huh?”

Marius was grabbed and thrown to the ground. A kick in his ribs followed. Piercing pain shot through his body, he cried out.

“What are you too up to, huh! Huh? Think you could get away from us?”

Another kick.

“Talk you piece of shit!”

Marius was lifted, and slammed against the wall, the air was pressed out of his lungs. Marius coughed. The stray hit him again. Marius tasted blood I his mouth.

“Stop!”, a voice yelled from behind. It was Elsurion. That boy surely had a death wish. On the other hand, Marius was grateful for every second he got to regain his breath. The stray before Marius turned around and looked at the prince. He let go of Marius.

“Looky here, a hero.”

The stray took a few steps towards the prince and observed him.

“What did you say?”

“Stop hitting him.”, Elsurion replied, but with a lot less courage in his voice. Marius knew what would follow now.

The two strays grabbed Elsurion and held him tight. The stray that punched Marius, now gave Elsurion a taste of his muscles. The prince was hit multiple times. Marius turned away his head. The sound was enough really. Elsurion went down like a bag of potatoes. Poor fool. The stray, obviously satisfied with his work, kneeled. He came close to Elsurion’s ear and whispered:

“You were saying?”

No response.

“Though so.” The stray turned to Marius again.

“Now, where were we?” The stray cracked his knuckles.

“I…said…stop…”, a quiet voice spoke.

The stray and Marius turned to Elsurion simultaneously.

“What?”

With shaking legs, Elsurion got up. The stray laughed. The other two strays joined in.

“Haha, wow. You fuckin’ serious whimp? You’re barely able to stand.”, the stray chuckled.

“Stop. Hitting. Us.”

While the strays could not stop laughing, Marius got chills. Something was off. Terribly off. The prince’s voice had changed. He was angry. Very angry. That boy was in no position to give orders, or yell at these strays, yet he did. Elsurion lifted his head. He looked directly at the stray that hit him before. Elsurion’s face was an angry mask. What in Solaria’s name was going on with him? Marius noticed, this was the first time he looked the prince in the eyes for more than one or two seconds. Marius was hit by a strange feeling of terror. What had gotten into that chap? The stray seemed to catch up too.

“Hey, what’s with the look on your face, huh? That supposed to be spooky or somethin’?”

The prince rested there, like a statue. For a moment, none of them moved. Something terrible was about to happen. Marius was sure. Elsurion started screaming and jumped at the stray before him. The prince ripped him from his feet, both fell. Elsurion was sitting on the stray boy and pressed his hands against the boy’s face. What was the prince doing? No matter what it was, it caused the stray to scream in agony.

“Ah! It burns! It burns! Shit! Take that fucker off me! Ah!”

Paralyzed, Marius watched the two other strays trying to get Elsurion off. They succeeded, but…but…dear Solaria! The stray boy, his…his face! It was burned! He cringed on the ground and cried out in pain.

“Ah you fuckface! I’ll kill you! I’ll fucking kill you!” The stray rolled around on the floor, punching into the air. The other two were frozen in place out of shier terror. Elsurion turned around and choked the second stray with both hands. Smoke emerged from his face and cloths. Slowly, tiny flames started to spread, until he the stray was completely on fire. Amazingly, the prince was not caught in the flames. How…how did he do that? Was this a self-defence weapon only royals carried? Elsurion let go and the stray tried to put out the flames to no avail, screaming in pain. The third stray turned around and ran for his life. The last of the strays, the “ambusher”, was still lying on the ground, unconscious. Elsurion went to him and observed him for a moment, Elsurion looked grim. Then, the prince kneeled and pressed his hand on the unconscious boy’s chest. The strays clothing caught fire almost instantly. The stray awoke. Confused, he looked around. When he realized that he was on fire, he yelled and started to roll around. As the stray before him, he failed to put the fire out. He burned alive. Elsurion turned to Marius. Elsurion’s gaze was piercing. Marius took a step back. Whatever happened to Elsurion, that clumsy chap from before, he was no more. He seemed evil. Marius felt like he was touched by an aura of anger. Elsurion’s eyes did not appear to be human anymore. Oh Solaria…the prince would burn him too, would he not? No! All this trouble, just to be killed? That was just not fair! Well not without a fight! Marius made himself ready to fight the prince off, he would most likely jump at him any second now…

But, to Marius surprise, the prince did not. In fact, Elsurion simply broke down. What? What in Solaria’s name? Then it hit Marius: It was true! All the rumours that spread around the king and his son! The were…they were…sorcerers! Monsters! That must be their magic! How terrible!

Shocked, Marius took another step back. What should he do now? What should he do? There could be other strays coming! Or the prince could kill him outright, once he got back up. Was…was all that clumsiness just an act? Why did Marius even need to save him in the first place? Why did the prince not simply eradicate these boys that tried to mug him earlier? The prince moved. Marius flinched. Elsurion blinked a few times, then looked at Marius.

“Where…what happened?”

Marius dared not to answer.

“Marius? What…? Have I been out?”

Marius just nodded.

The prince sat up and looked around. Elsurion squealed.

“What the…what happened to them? Did…did you do that?”, the prince asked.

“Hardly. You set them on fire!”

“I did WHAT?”

“You touched them, and they went up in flames!”

“You’re joking.”, the prince was back on his feet and approached Marius.

“Stay away from me!”, Marius stumbled back. Elsurion stopped. “It is true what people say about you, and your father, the King! You are spellcasting monsters!” Marius felt a wall in his back. “Don’t…don’t think I’ll let you have me without a fight!” Marius looked at him like a cornered animal. Scared and aggressive.

Elsurion looked confused, hurt even. The prince looked around once more.

“You are serious?”

The prince looked at his hands.

“I burned them? How? I don’t remember anything!”

Marius was weighing his options. The prince seemed distracted. He could run before the prince could react. Marius prepared to dash away, yet a split-second before he did, the prince asked, still looking at his hands:

“Marius, what are the people saying?”

This question. This question would haunt Marius for a very long time. Marius hesitated.

“What did you say?“

“What are the people saying about us Marius?”

Marius did catch Elsurion the first time. What Marius really meant was: How? How could the prince not know? Marius window to run away had passed.

“You cannot be serious. You really don’t know?”

“No.”

This, somehow, got to Marius. He felt compelled to explain. But, he also felt guilty when doing so.

“That…er…That…”, Marius felt a bit ridiculous. “That…well…that your father hexes people. That he secretly made pacts with demons to receive a son, but the queen had to die as a price. That he promised his soul to mystical spirits for great, magical powers. That you, his offspring are a beast. That is why he never showed you to the public.”

During Marius’ speech, Elsurion’s face filled with ever growing disbelief. Marius felt worse with every word he spoke. He, as well, wondered why the prince did not just kill him off. Was it true? Could he not remember? Marius would go on with his list of rumours, but he felt Elsurion got the picture. Or at least, the frame of the picture. He also saw that Elsurion was hurt.

“That is what people say? That is…that is what they say about us? You’re lying!“

“I speak true.”

“But, my father, he is a good man, a righteous ruler! And he told me our subject loved us! Also, father does not hex people or any of the other accusations you just made! You cannot speak true!”

Marius felt kind of cornered. He had to admit, when speaking it out loud, it sounded completely ridiculous. But wait! Marius almost let himself get lulled by the prince! His expression hardened again.

“Yes, I was listening to myself. It makes sense to me.”

Elsurion looked at him in confusion again. Marius silently pointed at one of the corpses. Elsurion opened his mouth like he wanted to say something. But after a few seconds the prince apparently thought better of it and remained silent.

“Thought so. I am not fooled by your acting. I don’t know why you put up this ‘charade’, why you let those two strays mug you before, and frankly, I stopped caring. Just kill me already.”

“I have no intention of hurting you, even though you act like a complete prick! You still saved me!”

“I saved you because I don’t want the king to start a purge on the streets of Solaria just because his son wandered off and almost got himself mugged. Do you know what consequences that could have?”

“Only because of that?”

“By Solaria, you are naïve.”

“I…do you really think if I could burn people just like that, I would be here?”

“Beats me.”

“I told you, I have no idea how I did that!”

Marius just shrugged his shoulders.

“Please…I am just an ordinary boy! It’s all rumours! There is nothing special about us! I don’t know what I just did!”

Elsurion let down his head.

“I just want to go home.”

For Solaria’s sake! This boy! Why could Marius not just walk away?

“Please. I need your help. Please get me back to the palace. I don’t know what to do.”

Marius hands were shacking out of fury. He wanted to walk away and leave the prince to himself. He really wanted to. Marius heard a loud caw behind him. The boy flinched and turned around. A raven sat behind him. He did not hear him fly here. The raven was…admittedly…large. He stared at Marius and flung his wings and cawed loudly. What the? The raven kept cawing. Marius felt uneasy. It was almost creepy. The raven pointed it’s beak towards the palace for a moment, then looked back at Marius. The raven cawed again. Even louder this time. The raven pointed towards the palace again.

“Elsurion?”

“Yes?”

“You see that raven too, yes?”

“I do.”

“Swear this is not your doing!”

“What? Do you think I can create birds out of thin air too?”

“You tell m…”

The raven cawed again, he spread his wings to appear even larger. It almost seemed like it threatened Marius. He took a few steps away from the bird.

“Alright, you know what? Fine! I get your sorry butt back to the palace! Just make this creepy bird disappear!”

“It’s not me!”

Marius kept staring at the bird, and the raven stared back. Eyes on the creepy bird, Marius carefully went along the wall, pulling Elsurion along. The bird’s gaze followed their every step. Somehow, this raven caused Marius more anxiety than all the strays together.

“Careful, don’t agitate the bloody thing…”, Marius whispered. But the bird just sat there, watching.

It seemed the boys were no longer followed. Either Marius and Elsurion lost the strays or there were none of the bunch left to persue them. Marius could think of nothing else but the birds gaze, he felt it in his back as the two boys closed the distance to the palace. Marius constantly turned around to check if the bird followed them. But there was no raven to be seen.

“What’s the matter with you, Marius?”

Marius flinched.

“Huh? What?”

“Ever since we met that raven, you are paranoid. Did it scare you that much?”

“Oh don’t give me that now! You scaredy cat have no right to make fun of me!”

“I was not making fun of you, I just noticed you constantly looking up to the sky, as if you expected that raven to reappear at any moment.”

Marius did not reply for a brief period of time, then said: “Mind your own business, alright?”

There were no more conversations between the two after that. The boys eventually found another ladder to climb down and get back to the streets. When they got close to the palace, Marius said to Elsurion:

“Put your hood back up for the time being, will ya? Just until we reach the palace. Otherwise people might think I kidnapped you or something when they recognize you.”

Elsurion hooded himself.

“Why did you even recognize me? Have you been present at one of the few occasions father showed my face publicly?”

“Yes. About two years back, your father led a parade through the most important streets of the city. You sat in a wagon, it was difficult to peek in from below. By chance, I stood on a low rooftop and caught a glimpse of your face from above. Must admit, it was lacking in terms of safety measures. Sure there were guards, but I remember thinking to myself, if I were an assassin, I would have struck from above if I wanted to take you out.”

“Well, father more than made up for it by never leaving me out of the palace in the first place the rest of the time.”

“We saw why, today.” A sentence Marius instantly regretted. He stopped and turned around. “Sorry Elsurion.”

“It’s fine. I have no idea what is going on with me either. I know it must be hard for you to live on the streets. You want some of my coins?”

“Save it. I may be a stray, but I have some dignity left still.” Marius sighed. He just could not stop making Elsurion feel bad. “Look, it’s appreciated. But you do me the biggest favour if you just go back to the king, live your happy life and never cross my path again.”

Elsurion nodded.

The palace itself was surrounded by another small wall. The only means to get through was a wide archway. Merchants, travellers and diplomats who had business with the king or his advisors were constantly going in and out. The duo made their way through the stream of people. When they passed the archway, Marius said: “I think that’s far enough. You’ll be okay from here on.”

“Think so.”

“Goodbye Elsurion.”

“Yeah. Thanks again, Marius.”

“It’s alright. Just, stay inside the palace from now on. I will not risk my neck for you again.”

Marius winked at him.

“Also, don’t set the palace on fire, alright?”

With all that happened, Marius knew this was a very insensitive comment. Still, Elsurion seemed to get the joke. Elsurion’s face, worried before, showed a little smile. At least, the prince knew what sarcasm was. Marius, in all honesty, was about to turn around and walk away from all of this. He wanted to forget this day and move on with his life. Marius felt a tiny bit of sympathy for the prince. Even though he was a whiner and scared the ever-loving daylight out of Marius, the prince seemed innocent enough, despite what happened. Still, the stray had no intention of seeing the boy again or solving the mystery that surrounded the boy. Marius just wanted to leave and forget what happened. He had idea about what fate had in store for him. It all happened to fast. Marius set out to walk away, when A guard posted nearby, yelled out: “Your highness? Your highness, is that you?”

Marius flinched and turned around. A very dumb reaction of his. The guard had recognized Elsurion and looked over to Marius.

“Hey! You there, boy! Stop right there!”

Marius tried to run away, but the guard was faster. He took a hold of Marius. Two additional guards surrounded him and Elsurion. One of them kneeled and looked under Elsurion’s hood.

“It is the prince! Quick! Get him back to the palace, the king will be relieved! Take this stray boy along, he surely has something to do with the prince’s disappearance.”

Marius still felt the fear to this day, when he thought back. He was so afraid what the guardsmen would do to him. He, a stray boy, surely was not worth a penny to these men. HMarius would be interrogated and imprisoned. The prince loudly complained against Marius being taken along, but Marius was too terrified to listen.

The boys were brought directly into the throne room. The king sat on his throne, talking to what looked like a diplomat. One if the three guardsmen kneeled and said: “My king, our deepest apologies for this disturbance, but this matter requires your immediate attention, sire. We found your son, the prince.”

The king, after firmly apologising for rescheduling to the man he was speaking with, jumped off his throne and run towards Elsurion. He hugged his son and said: ”Solaria be praised! Elsurion, are you alright?”

“Yes, father. Please, you crush me.”

“Oh, my child. I was so worried.”

Marius heart took a hit. It hurt to see the king showing affection for his son. Marius’ parents were dead. Fallen in the war the king himself started! Marius was overwhelmed by sadness and anger. It took all his restraint not to try breaking free from the guards and going at the king’s throat! Marius stared at Elsurion and his father furiously. The kings gaze turned serious.

“You snuck away son, did you not?”

“I…father…”

“Why did you run away Elsurion? I told you, you are much safer in the palace! The world is a dangerous place!”

Only now, the king took note of Marius presence.

“Who is this boy?”

“He was with the prince, my king.”, one of the guards said.

“That is Marius. Please father, tell the guards to let him go, he did not do anything.”

The king eyed Marius. The kings look was suspicious.

“Adjourn all appointments. Leave us alone. This applies to everyone aside from you two.”, the king looked at Marius and Elsurion. The guardsmen left momentarily. The royal guard positioned throughout the throne room and on the balustrade left as well. The boys were alone with the king now. Marius was too scared to be astounded by the glory of the throne room. He could only think of what the king would do to him now.

“What happened today. Tell me everything.” The kings gaze showed a mixture of curiosity, anger, worry and most of all: fear. This, Marius noticed. The king was afraid of what tale the boys would tell. Elsurion started with how he snuck out of the palace and went to the market. Of when Marius rescued him and their escape. When Elusion arrived at the part of the story that contained burnt stray corpses, the king was not shocked, or not that Marius could tell. The king closed his eyes for a moment, like he expected it. Marius could not hazard to guess why. Every normal person would not believe what Elsurion said. Including Marius, if he hadn’t witnessed it himself. The king did not interrupt him. Even though Elsurion hesitated from time to time, having trouble to make it sound believable himself. When Elsurion concluded, the king let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes once more. The ruler of Solaria took a deep breath and looked at his son with deep sorrow. Marius tried to grasp what the king was thinking to no avail. The king saw something only he knew. Eventually, he reached out and stroked his son’s head.

“Guards!”, the king calling out to the guardsmen broke the silence in a way that made Marius flinch. The guardsmen arrived.

“You called, sire?”, the guards said and bowed.

“Take my son to his room, he is not to leave it until I arrive.”

The guards took Elsurion away. His father ignored Elsurion’s shouting. The king kept looking at the door to the throne room, even though the guardsmen and the prince were already gone. Marius kept quiet, fear had him speechless. The king’s head turned to Marius eventually and addressed him: “Marius.”, the king’s gaze pervaded every fibre of Marius’ body.

“Y…yes, sire?”

“It is good that you did not interrupt Elsurion. He does not need to hear the details just now. So, what exactly happened during the part he could not remember?”

“I…I…”, Marius was unable to speak properly.

“It is alright child. I will believe you. Tell me everything.”

Marius gulped and took a deep breath. He told the king what happened. Every detail. How scary Elsurion was, how inhuman he seemed. How he burnt the stray children. When Marius was done, the king took another deep breath.

“You may not realize the situation you are in, but rest assured, you are very lucky. You have my gratitude for bringing my son back to me, Marius. Unfortunately, the knowledge you know possess, is too dangerous. For me, for my son, for yourself. I can not let you walk away with it.”

Marius felt his heart skip a beat. The king wanted him dead. Of course. Fucking royal scum. The king knew what he wanted to, so Marius was useless to him. Stupid. He never should have helped Els…

“The most I can do to express my gratitude, is presenting you with a choice.”

That was knew. Did Marius get to choose how he would be killed? How generous.

“I offer you a post in the palace.”

“Sire?”

“I do not wish to sentence a child to death, Marius. Moreover, one I probably owe my son’s life to. Alas, if you wish to decline my offer, your life will be forfeit.”

The king turned around and looked at one of the stain glass windows.

“It pains me to imprison my son in a golden cage, Marius. He could use a friend.”

Marius had to process this. Although, there wasn’t much to process. Life imprisonment or death. But at least the prison was shiny. Marius did not want to die. He was no pushover either, he could work. And he could deal with the nuisance that was Elsurion. Marius was sure there was a catch to this, and no pleasant one at that. However, a part of him screamed to jump at this offer and kiss the king’s feet in everlasting gratitude. A post at the palace? Even if the only thing Marius got to eat here were kitchen leftovers, it was more than he was used to. No stray would turn this offer down, no matter the tail.

The king turned again to face Marius, looking at him I a mixture of expectation and concern.

Marius retorted his look, and eventually stated: “I accept.”