Anthony's Point of View
A woman's voice pulled him from unconsciousness.
"Hey, Reivan, who's this guy? Weird helmet, strange thing he was riding."
Who are these two?
"No idea. Maybe he's from Zura, I don't know."
"Would've been better if you hadn't destroyed that thing." She arched a brow, lips pursed as she leaned toward him.
"Don't start. I just wanted to knock him off so we could grab the princess. How was I supposed to know it would explode?" Reivan grimaced, turning his face away.
Anthony's eyes fluttered open. His wrists were bound, ropes biting into the skin where his watch still clung. Beside him, Princess Emily lay unconscious.
The nearly white-haired man in black gloves steered the carriage.
His uniform's different. Black, with blue trim. Is he their leader?
Next to him sat a woman — hair a pale golden shade, maybe twenty-five, clad in a blue uniform.
And where's the other man in blue who was chasing the princess?
The night sky loomed darker by the minute, shadows stretching long. The carriage jolted along a dirt road winding through the forest.
"Light the torch, it's too dark now," Reivan ordered.
Anthony thought to speak, to stall, maybe even negotiate, but the woman rose, drawing her blade. He dismissed the idea at once.
"Get that horse moving. We've got company!"
From the trees burst a tall figure in a wide samurai hat — Kenji — his katana crashing against the woman's blade in a shower of sparks.
What?
"Hold them off, Niora!" Reivan yanked the reins, spurring the horse into a harder gallop. "I was an idiot sending Yan ahead. Should've known Moonlight would be after us."
Another figure soared behind, skimming the ground. A young man. He flung his arm and the rear wheel shattered on impact.
I saw him at the castle… so Moonlight's that gray-clad group? Or just these two?
Reivan snapped his fingers, thrusting out a hand. Air whirled violently, suspending the broken side of the carriage in midair.
Magic? Whatever it is, this is my chance.
Anthony rolled fast, seized Emily, and leapt from the cart. Before the ground could crush them, a frigid gust sliced his skin, holding them afloat.
Reivan swung his arm toward them, carriage lurching with the broken wheel slamming earth.
At the same instant, Niora altered the arc of her blade, striking her attacker and sending him tumbling from the cart.
"Trying to flee in the chaos? I'll give you a point for that." She sheathed her sword and stretched out both hands, snaring Anthony and the princess midair.
No, no, no… I don't even know these people or this princess, but going with them can't be good.
Suddenly, his body jerked backward.
The flying youth now hovered closer, one hand shaped like a "C", fingers splayed toward him.
"Reivan! Malivor's pulling them!" Niora gritted her teeth, struggling to hold both captives.
"I can't! If I drop the wind, you won't be able to hold both."
He thought for a heartbeat, then barked: "Let the guy go!"
Weight slammed back onto Anthony. Niora's grip faltered, one hand insufficient.
"What?! He's got to be a spy!" she protested, glaring at him.
"The princess is the mission. He's just baggage."
"You can explain that to the commander later." She hissed, dragging Emily back inside. The cart lurched, lifted once more by Reivan's gale, and rolled on.
Anthony was pulled the last stretch into Malivor's reach. Exhausted, Malivor dropped from flight, chest heaving.
"Damn bastards… you just had to show up and ruin everything," he spat, collapsing into a sit. His eyes flicked to Anthony. "And you, who the hell are you?"
"My name's Anthony. But you can call me Tom."
"Tom?"
Before he could press further, Akeno and Kenji galloped in with an extra horse. From a distance, Akeno's lips moved in frantic warning he couldn't make out.
Moments later, they arrived.
"We need to get out of here now! I should've stayed with the horses, but soldiers left the city. I had no choice but to follow you. And who's this?"
"I'm Anthony. You can just—"
"He's the one who helped the princess earlier." Malivor scratched the back of his neck. "I almost had them both, but Reivan ditched him and kept only Emily. L-let's go. Akeno, the potion."
"It was meant for the princess, but it'll work on him too."
"No, wait, you don't need to—"
Akeno had already leapt down, seized his jaw, and poured the vial's contents into his mouth.
Damn it… I was just heading home, planning to eat, game a little, sleep… How the hell did it come to this?
...
Royal Court Hall, Tânoa
The chamber simmered with tension. A round table, finely carved, clashed with the nobles bickering around it.
"Enough!" The burly blond-haired man slammed a finger against the wood. "You think only of yourselves and your profits. Think of the kingdom. Think of the people."
A lord raised his hand, voice measured.
"Your Majesty, joining the Council will strike directly at the noble houses. I request more time, so we may weigh all possibilities and make a decision both wise and just. For our people, and for our families. King Noryan, I beg you, consider it."
"Duke Wilson, that will not be—"
Thlac!
The doors swung open, silencing all.
"Forgive the intrusion, but I bear urgent news for His Majesty." The messenger bowed upon the carpet.
With a nod of approval, he approached the throne. Whatever words he whispered drained the king's face of color.
"Your Majesty?" someone pressed across the table.
"Y-yes… I grant Duke Wilson's request. This meeting is adjourned, we reconvene in the morning." Noryan rubbed his temples.
The nobles rose in near unison, offering shallow bows before filing out, whispering speculation about the message that had shaken the ruler.
The messenger turned to leave, but Noryan caught his arm, keeping him close.
The hall, vast and vaulted, loomed with carved wooden panels depicting an angel and a man conversing beneath a great tree.
"How long ago? Has the cavalry been ordered? Are soldiers already searching the city and surrounding roads?" His lips pressed taut as he struggled to maintain composure.
"It is already done, sire. The kidnappers are being hunted here in Tânoa, and riders dispatched to every city. They wore blue uniforms; there is no escaping Darcus Kingdom."
"Cursed dogs… they took my Emily." Noryan buried his face in his hands. "Bring them back dead, and if they harm her, I want them tortured in the square before execution."
"My lord, everything possible is being—"
"Silence!" His fist crashed upon the table.
The men flinched, head bowed to the king's fury.
"Ready a carriage. I will write a letter and you will carry it to the Empire at once."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The messenger departed, leaving Noryan clutching his signet ring. A single thought gnawed at him.
Could this be… because of the prophecy? No, it can't be… unless—
"Saint Darcus!" The words escaped in a gasp as the realization struck him cold.