Kael jumps through the second-floor window, his body slicing through the cold night air before crashing down, right onto someone.
Oh no. Bad timing.
But it's not just someone. It's a whole group of warriors, still sweaty and riled up from training, clustered together.
His landing causes chaos, and before he can even roll away, they're all around him with startled expressions, torches lifted high.
The warrior beneath him groans but doesn't shove him off immediately. Instead, he grips Kael's waist, steadying him.
Whoa… those arms, Kael thinks involuntarily, eyes darting to the defined muscles that hold him.
He curses himself silently. What are you thinking in a moment like this?!
Scrambling upright, Kael stammers, trying to string together a believable excuse. "I-I'm sorry! I… was cleaning the prince's room, but I felt dizzy and when I got to the window I..."
The man that he crushed into watches him as if analyzing something, maybe his voice. But the way he stares on his face makes Kael's stomach flip.
"It's alright," The man suddenly says. "We'll get you help."
That voice...
Kael freezes.
It's not a voice from his past life, but it's familiar. Deeply familiar.
"It's okay," the same voice says again, this time directed at the others. "You can keep going. I'll get her help."
The warriors smirk and nudge one another, tossing teasing the man as they begin to disperse, leaving Kael alone with the man.
Before Kael can gather his bearings, the man pulls him toward a horse, lifts him onto a horse with surprising ease. "Here. Sit still."
Kael clutches the saddle instinctively, not forgetting to hold tight to the sword he's managed to retrieve. His heart pounds. Where is this man taking me?!
He doesn't get the chance to ask. They trot steadily toward the palace gates. The man approaches the guards, showing them some kind of sealed scroll and claiming the head maidens themselves have instructed that Kael be taken out for further treatment.
Kael can hardly believe it, but the guards nod and let them pass without question. After all he is a knight.
The horse picks up speed, galloping furiously through the night, hooves pounding like a drumbeat of escape. "Where are you taking me?!"
No answer.
Kael clings tighter, the wind cutting against his cheeks, his heart thudding in unison with the beast beneath them.
He realises that they're heading toward Eldoria. He recognizes the faint outline of the forest path that leads away from the palace.
Eventually, the horse slows, then stops in a quiet clearing bathed in moonlight. The man jumps off and begins pacing, his hand raking through his hair.
Kael watches, confused.
Should I run? he thinks. Now's the chance.
He almost does, his legs twitch, but something roots him to the spot.
Then the man's voice slices through the silence.
"Have you completely lost it this time?!" he yells, fury crackling in every syllable. "Did you follow me here?!"
Kael's breath catches in his throat.
That voice…
The man yanks off the headgear that masked his face. The metal clatters to the ground.
Harry?!
How did he recognise me?!
Kael stumbles, stunned. His knees threaten to buckle.
And What was he doing there? Did he follow me? But he just asked if I followed him... that means he didn't follow me.
"I asked you a question!" Harry snarls, stepping closer. His eyes burn with disbelief.
Kael blurts out the first lie that comes to mind. Since Harry just asked if he followed him, he can use that, "I-I wanted to know where you always go and what you're doing! I thought… I thought maybe you're trying to betray my kingdom!"
Harry recoils as if slapped.
"Betray it?!" he repeats, voice hoarse with rage. "You know what? I don't even know what to say to you right now. I can't think straight, not with the image of you in there... in there! Do you even realize how dangerous that place is? Of course you don't..."
Kael cuts in, the edge of defiance still in his voice. "You still haven't answered me." He insists curiously, wondering what Harry was doing in there if he didn't follow him. "Why were you in there? With those soldiers. You seem to know them too well."
Harry glares at him, fists clenching. "Because I've been training with them in secret. Do you want to know why?" His voice drops, a bitter laugh escaping him. "Because I want someone to pay for what they did. Their techniques are fast, ruthless, unpredictable. So I figured if I want to defeat them, I need to use their own methods. Their own weapon against them. That's why."
And if you wanted to know that, you could have just asked me!
In the morning I asked you not to go anywhere without me, but what did you do?! You know... I never planned to tell you this but maybe it's high time I do it. I hate Eldoria Kingdom! I hate that place. But the only reason I'm still there is you, Darien. If it weren't for you, I would have left ages ago. But lately?"
He pauses, eyes shimmering with something Kael can't name.
"Lately you don't listen to me. You rush into danger without thinking. You're always doing things on your own. And I've started wondering if you even need me anymore. And if you don't…"
His voice falters.
"Then maybe I will leave. But for you to accuse me of betraying your kingdom... for that kingdom?! Those heartless pricks in Ironvale?" He shakes his head. "It's disgusting."
Kael stands there, stunned. The weight of Harry's words presses against his chest. He wants to say something, anything, but the fury rolling off Harry makes him hesitate.
"Get on the horse." Harry says. His voice low.
Wordlessly, Kael climbs onto the horse. Harry mounts behind him and, without another word, drives the horse forward with harsh urgency.
When they arrive at Eldoria's palace, Harry guides them through back passages, dodging sentries like a shadow. Even in his upset state, he's careful, ensuring Kael remains unseen.
"Where did you get that?"Harry asks pointing the sword in Kael's hand.
"There... for protection." Kael says.
Harry doesn't say anything more, he turns and starts walking away, but Kael suddenly grabs his hand.