The horse strode into a small town miles away from Urah after riding for hours.
It was his first time on a horse and he never wished to ride one again.
His whole body ached from the ride as he gripped the horse's mane,his small frame swaying with every uneven movement of the animal.
The sun's scorching heat somehow managed to seep through the clothing draped over his head .Its relentless heat penetrated the layers of cotton,making his hair damp with sweat and causing him great discomfort.
Ramses's eyes never stopped its darting around.
The town was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Stalls lined the bustling streets, their colourful wares displayed openly for passersby to admire.
Vendors called out to potential customers,eager to attract attention to their merchandise.
While groups of people gathered around the various stalls,inspecting goods and haggling over prices,others exchanged gold coins for their chosen purchases,their transactions conducted in a fascinating manner.
He thought about asking Ren where they were but immediately shoved off the thought knowing he would get no response.
Ren dismounted first before reaching up to help the young prince down.He then led Ramses inside,where the shopkeeper hurried forward to greet them.
The general ignored her pleasantries and dipped a hand in his pockets to remove several silver coins which he placed on the counter.
"I need a cloak for him.Nothing too fancy"Ren said before taking a seat.
He crossed his arms,as his face settled into a deep frown.
The woman hurried inside to return later with a black casual hooded cloak with no trace of colourful embroidery suspended in air with both hands.
"It isn't exactly his size but—"
"Put it on!"Ren cut in.
Ramses removed the cloth covering his head and allowed her to help him into the garment.
The shopkeeper's face softened.
"Well, aren't you the cutest little thing?" she cooed affectionately,crouching to his eye level before gently patting his hair.
Ramses's features stiffened.
He wasn't accustomed to strangers treating him with such casual familiarity, but he concealed his discomfort behind a smile.
"What is this place called?" he asked, glancing towards the busy street outside.
The woman tilted her head in surprise.
"Why, it's a market dear. Have you never seen one before?"
Ramses rubbed the back of his head and forced out an awkward giggle.
"No no...not really!"he answered sheepishly.
Before the woman could question him further,Ren rose from his seat.
The general seized Ramses's hand and led him out of the shop. He helped the boy back onto the horse before mounting behind him, gathering the reins in his hands.
Then,without another word,he turned the horse in the opposite direction and guided it out of town.
Ramses barely had time to settle himself before the horse broke into a gallop.
They raced along a sandy path this time,with no buildings in sight,each thunderous stride sent clouds of dust swirling into the air, while the wind whistled past their pointed ears and whipped against their faces.
Ramses shut his eyes each time the dust rose.He continued giving directions, pointing his tiny index finger each time while Ren leaned forward,one arm firmly secured around the prince's waist and his other hand held the reins.
The horse surged forward,carrying them swiftly through the windy path till eventually another town appeared in view.
They took several turns through rows of weathered buildings and passed many curious onlookers until the horse finally came to an abrupt halt before an old,dilapidated building.
"We're here," Ramses announced, peering at the structure.
Before they could dismount,a piercing cry erupted from inside followed by the sound of objects smashing against a wall.
Ramses's expression changed.
A moment later, a thin young girl came stumbling out of the building in wornout tattered clothes.
She tried running in their direction but tripped over a stone to land on her face.
Her cry rang through their ears as ten men emerged from the building behind her, their expressions dark and menacing.
Ramses stared at them in surprise.
"I certainly wasn't expecting a child"Ramses told Ren as the general helped him down from the horse.
The man at the forefront of the group approached her,his face twisted into a cruel sneer.
"Trying to run away now, are we?" he jeered. "We're taking both you and this house.No more waiting,and no more of your lies!"
"Gentlemen!"
Ramses's voice cut through the commotion.
He stepped forward,his cloak swaying around his legs as he approached the group with a composure that seemed strangely at odds with his tender age.
The men turned towards him.
"How much does she owe you?" he asked calmly.
"A child!"one of the men exclaimed.
"Run along boy unless you want us to come with us".the man infront muttered.
Ramses's brows furrowed.
"I asked again,how much does she owe?"he asked,his voice stern this time.
"Her father owes four hundred taels of gold,what is that to you!".
"Come over"
The man stepped over and Ramses opened the box to count four gold bars which he handed over to him.
"There Four hundred taels!Leave and never return!"He said,snapping the box shut.
"How does a child like you have so much gold!"
"I have some gold....what-is-that-to you?"Ramses replied, mimicking the man's tone.
The man raised a brow.
"You talk big,got some gold and know your numbers well"the man titled his head,a calculating glint dancing in his eyes."You must be some noble's kid".
Ramses cautiously stepped backwards,slowly.
"Come here!"he barked, gesturing towards the girl who quickly scrambled to her feet and ran to his side,her face pale with terror.
"I bet this noble man's lad would fetch us even more gold"The man's lips curled into a predatory smile.
Ramses's eyes widened.
Before they could reach him,he seized the girl's hand and darted behind Ren,using the general's taller frame as a shield.
"Hand over the boy!"the leader roared as a magic circle materialised before him.
In an instant,hundreds of swords appeared in the air,their sharpened points directed towards Ren and the children.
"Or you get what's coming to you!"
The general turned to both children.
"Cover your eyes and don't look until I say so"
His summon sent a huge ghast of wind their way which tossed over the general's hood exposing his scarlet hair.
The man's jaw dropped at the sight.
"Wait those eyes and hair?... there's a legend about the only living Semonio with the exact same eyes and hair...the scarlet prince?!".
"Attack!"His men chorused summoning various magic circles.
"No wait!"The man let out an outstretched hand to stop them.
"My lord—"
He stopped mid sentence,his index finger sweeping his upper jaw to gaze at the crimson red liquid,his pants was drenched in the same red liquid which tricked down his legs.
Through a sight blurred by the blood that gathered in his eyes,the man watched his men going through the same ordeal.
They dropped like flies to the ground,one after the other before his whole world went blank.
The thick stench of blood that filled the air made Ramses peer out from behind the general to see the men dead in their own pool of blood.
He looked up at the general hadn't moved a muscle,his blood shot eyes afixed on the men.
Ramses grabbed the girl's hand and led her to the side of the building where he helped her squat.
"Wait here...don't come out until I ask you to".he instructed before striding over to Ren who was busy preparing the saddle.
Then his eyes drifted to the bloody mess.
"You're not leaving those behind are you".
The general raised a brow
"Why shouldn't I?"
Ramses's brows twitched faintly in frustration.
"You!...she's just a child General!...she can't see this?"His brows furrowed."Get rid of it!"
Ren wordlessly eyed him briefly then snapped his fingers and the gruesome sight vanished.
Ramses's expression brightened as a smile curved his lips.
"Much better."
Without waiting for a response,he hurried back towards the side of the building.
The girl remained crouched where he had left her,her small hands trembling hands pressed tightly over her eyes.
He approached her quietly and knelt beside her.
"All right," he whispered reassuringly.
Gently, he reached up and lowered her hands from her face.
"You can open your eyes now."
The girl slowly lifted her head and their gazes met.
For a moment,neither of them spoke.
Ramses studied her delicate features before breaking into a warm,reassuring smile.
"Do you live here alone?".Ramses asked.
"No"she answered."I live with my old aunt"
He handed her the box with a wide grin.
"Give this to your aunt when she gets back".
"Thank you...but why would you help me?"
"Let's just say... I owe you".
"You look familiar"she said slowly, studying his face with growing curiosity.
Ramses's smile faltered.
"That isn't possible" he replied hastily. "How could that even be possible?"
His gaze dropped as lowered his head,allowing the oversized hood to slip forward and obscure his eyes.
The girl tilted her head.
"Are you truly a nobleman's child?" she asked. "You're far too clever for someone your age."
Ramses let out a small,self-conscious laugh.
"Everyone says that."
He reached for her hand and helped her rise to her feet,his head still lowered.
"I must leave now".he said releasing her hand but before he could withdraw completely,the girl had reached towards his head.
Her fingers caught the edge of his hood and with one swift movement,she pulled it backwards.
Ramses froze.
His concealed unusual hair color spilled into view,and the afternoon light caught the deep blue colour of his eyes.
The girl's breath caught in her throat.
Her hands covered her mouth as she stared at him in disbelief.
"Your hair and your eyes..."Her voice trembled.
"Your Imperial highness!"She dropped to the ground with a bow."Forgive me...Pls do not punish me"
Ramses quickly squatted before grabbing both her shoulders to help her up.
"Nothing...nothing of what happened today must be mentioned you must promise me!...if you do this i wont punish you".
"On my life your highness"She replied.
"What is your name and how old are you?"
"Phyna,seven...your highness"She answered as Ramses turned to leave.
"Phyna...."His expression brightened."just like the Phoenix..... I will remember your name".
Ramses turned and began walking away.
He had barely taken a few steps when he paused and glanced over his shoulder.
Phyna remained where he had left her, clutching the box of gold tightly against her chest as she watched him with wide, reverent eyes.
Ramses offered her one last,reassuring smile,then he flung the hood over his head, concealing his distinctive hair and eyes once more.
"Goodbye, Phyna."