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Time to do it. Time to prove he’s a big boy now. Andhera was still shaky and unsure on his nightmare steed when their mother, the Queen of Air and Darkness, ordered him sent to the frontlines of the war against the goblins.
“A prince must know the taste of battle.” Advisor said quietly, expression unreadable as he looked down at the child he watched over, the child he was about to send into the battlefield, donning his armour for the first time.
He was riding into battle now, among their forces, watching a battalion of goblins led by the most intimidating one they’d seen in their life. He was much taller than the young Andhera, with a military coat and a glaive held in his hands. And Andhera was desperate to prove himself, prove he was strong enough, big enough, to not be a disappointment. Not be the boy hiding behind the pillar. Maybe he’d earn the approval of his mother, of his fellows.
He charged toward the tallest, scariest goblin commander, blood on his sharp teeth as the rage of bloodlust clouded his eyes. Andhera was terrified, but this was what they were meant to do. Fight. So they fought.
They panicked, when the goblin yanked them out of their saddle. He was light and rather small, especially compared to the beastial power of his rival, and they were flung out of the saddle and hit the ground, hard . It was raining, and the mud was slippery, and small, quiet Andhera used that to hide from the fight. He was meant to be a fighter, to strike, but he was terrified out of his mind. He could see and hear the goblin stalking him, searching.
He found him in his hiding place, their breath quick and eyes wide. The goblin looked like the monsters their court spoke of when discussing the war.
“Coward!” He roared, striking down at Andhera. The slippery ground was in his favour, and he slipped away, raising an arm in a pathetic attempt to shield himself, scimitar dropped and shield clutched to himself. His shaky, ragged breaths were loud, even with the sounds of distant battle still ringing. Something changed in the goblin’s eyes when he saw that. “Take off your helmet, prince of the Unseelie. I want to see the face of the coward who wouldn’t even fight for his honour!” The contempt in his voice was clear, but also something wavering. Hesitant. Andhera did as they were told, trying to school their features, but the tears welling in their eyes were clear and humiliating.
The goblin sucked a hissing breath in, taking a step back and lowering his weapon. There was a war going on in his expression, and the rage and bloodlust drained from his face.
“So the Unseelie sent a child to fight us? I am… unsure, who this humiliation is directed at.” His ears were still alert, searching for any sign of battle or ambush, but he didn’t seem outright hostile.
“A-a prince must know the taste of battle if they wish to rule.” Andhera quoted shakily, trying to scramble up in an armour that was slightly too big, too heavy. The goblin watched that, quiet.
“… that they might.” He agreed eventually, and stepped forward. Andhera flinched, but his rival only reached a hand out to help him stand. “And what is this prince’s name?” He asked, offering a hand in peace, or so it appeared.
“Andhera. My name is Andhera.” He took the hand offered to him, appreciating the help in standing in the slick mud and heavy armour. The goblin held him by the forearm, like the handshakes he saw soldiers give one another.
“Well, prince Andhera… today you can tell your queen that Captain K.P. Hob of the Goblin Court has bested you, and elected to spare your life. I will not kill an untested child. There is no honour in that.” The goblin’s firm hold on his arm was warm and solid, and Andhera was caught between his fear of the man and the almost embarrassing craving for touch, for connection, that he sorely lacked.
“I didn’t think the Goblin Court cared about honour.” Andhera said genuinely as the captain let go of his arm. Captain Hob grinned with his terrifying, sharp teeth, and licked his hips with a long tongue.
“Many don’t. Some do. Find me when you’ve grown some, prince Andhera. I would be happy to best you in battle then, if need be.” He bowed, before letting out a terrifying howl and rushing away, back into the fray.