If anyone could win a stupid idea award it will be me. And why not? Instead of trying to find a way out of this timeline I was helping people in this one and even tried suicidal things.

I should have listened when Prince said that the dungeon was heavily guarded. And by heavy, they meant 'heavy'. The guards were not only good fighters but there built in a tall, monstrous manner. Kicks and punches were lost on them and they were skilled at sword fighting and even deflected arrows and daggers thrown at them.

My needles were not enough for all those bulky humans who were not even looking human. They had ferocious eyes, unevenly crossed dirty hair and growled like a wild wolf. I was never trained for this kind of fighting because we had a little thing called guns.

"Where is your mother? We have been running for half an hour now." I asked the Prince who looked even more determined now.

"I don't know. I have never been in the dungeon before this."

"And you call yourself the Prince?" I mocked him just out of annoyance.

"Why would I come down to a dungeon, enlighten me?" He was getting short of breath.

"To know if the right people are here. To see if they just put criminals or is there someone inside who needs freedom."

My words made him silent.

We kept running from the guards that were hard to injure and even harder to kill. And that dungeon was really long. My legs were sore now and we also had a tournament to attend two days later. We can't afford to die in here.

"I have a plan," I said.

"Don't share it with me. I don't like your plans."

"We should separate. I distract them and you search for your mother." Yeah, so I am suicidal and impulsive.

"Are you out of my mind?" He sounded angry.

"Do you have any other idea?"

After a while, he said," Don't die Arthur."

I nodded, "Your soft side is showing Highness."

"You still haven't seen the scary side so you better follow my order and stay alive." He said and we separated ways.

***

Had it not been for the fool Minister I would have never found Elias' mother. I saw someone approaching as I managed to kill two guards.

"There is someone here," Minister said as he saw a lot of dead bodies and injured people.

Worried that his captive might have escaped he ran straight for the prison were looking for. It was not a normal bar prison but it was hidden behind a lot of bricks and if not aware we could have just passed right from the front of it.

I carefully followed him making sure not to be caught.

Removing the bricks from the pile he opened an iron door and I saw a woman sitting on the floor. Her sharp resemblance to Elias was uncanny. This was his mother. She sunken eyes, cut and wounds on her eyes, red shot eyes made it clear that she was tortured here.

I felt angry all of a sudden at this inhumanity and the cruelty in which Elias was living just because he was the next King.

And like I said I was freaking crazy impulsive. I stepped out in front of three guards and two others with the minister. I had my sword with me and few arrows left on me. So I shot two arrows at their hearts no taking a risk. The hulking guards were not deterred by few arrows and came forward to attack me.

I was already injured now and I had no idea where the Prince was. He was never there in time of need. So I allowed myself to get close to one of them. He gripped my neck and I got close enough to hit his nerve on the neck with my needle. This instantly affected and he fell with a thud injuring my elbow and I fell ahead as well. I think I might have broken a thing or two as another lifted me and threw me on the ground.

The pain surged through my body as I tried to breathe. But in the next moment, a dagger hit his eyes and I saw with a slight blurry vision that Elias was here. His aim certainly got better. As soon as Elias' mom noticed his son one by one guards starting falling down leaving a terrified minister.

"You insolent witch, how dare you? I will tell King about you and your son will be killed."

But the lady just smiled a sly smile.

"If he is alive till now after King's futile efforts then he will live for long now." Her gaze shifted towards me with a proud smile and she said in an ambiguous manner, "And I think my plan is working pretty well."

After that pain took over and I lost consciousness.

***

"He is my bodyguard and I can't just let him die, mother." Elias's loud voice pulled me out of hazy sleep.

My body was aching badly. I am pretty sure my ribs were broken because every breath was hurting. I opened my eyes and noticed Elias, her mother and Agnes sitting there.

I wanted to go back to my father before I die in this time.

The first thing I check was the cloth was still covering my face and I guess I had to thank Agnes for that.

"Can you hear me? Are you conscious now Arthur?" Elias asked with a tone of worry.

"I will live," I said but my suffocated tone might have conveyed my pain.

"You look awful." Elias' mother said.

"Thanks to you." It slipped out of my mouth.

"He is like that, a little rude." Elias looked apologetic on my behalf.

But the queen didn't seem at all disturbed. She just smiled at me.

"And do you save his life every time?" His mother asked.

"No, he does it mostly all the time," Elias answered generously.

"King will soon know I am out. I have to leave with Agnes for now son." She said with tear filled eyes.

"No , I don't want to be a King now. I will just leave with you."

"You can't do that. Your people are waiting for a good thing, they trust you to step over, Elias. And I can't keep hiding forever. You are my only hope right now." The woman was annoying me that bullshit elder people talk.

All hope from you and everything depended on you. She was pressuring Elias and putting all the stress on him. First, she was gone since he was a kid and had to bear all the drama alone and now she tells him that he had to be the King.

"He can do whatever he wants. It's his bloody life. No need to put all the pressure on his head. Just because he will be a King there has been enough attacks on him and there might be more." I scolded the lady, the pain making me even angrier.

Elias winced and Agnes outright glared me for my words. Like I give a shit.

"He has certain responsibilities Arthur and he was born with it the day he became the prince. Loads of life depend on his decision."

"And is it fair for one person to handle all the stress? Enough to live through all the conspiracy and threats. He is just a young man." I argued heatedly and saw defeat in her eyes.

But she just placed her hand on my shoulder holding back the tears, "That's why you are here. He does not have to bear all the alone."

And with a smile, she went away with Agnes who whispered to me before leaving, "Not much time is left, Alisha."

What did she mean about that?

"I am sorry if I offended you, your Highness," I said with zero sincerity.

He looked tired and all but he chuckled at my words, "I can't believe you actually argued with a queen but I am glad that I have someone on my side whom I can trust blindly."

"What next now?" I asked suddenly flustered at his words for me.

"Next we win this tournament and then the girl."

Elias was damn persistent I had to say. He still liked the princess!

http://www.pulsepub.net/wings-of-desire.html