Chapter Text
The kingdom of Dema never slept. Guards patrolled the streets under the watchful eyes of the vultures that perched along the walls. Servants worked late into the night to keep the noble people warm and comfortable in the chilly evening air.
The sun had vanished behind the horizon hours ago when Prince Clancy, heir to the throne, was finally dismissed from the tutelage of the Bishops Reisdro and Nills, and summoned to the King’s chamber.
Clancy was his public facing name, the name he went by to anyone outside of the four walls of his room. In the privacy of his own mind, he had a different name, the name no one could take away from him – Tyler.
"Enter."
Tyler pushed the heavy door open and entered, head bowed in respectful deference. "Your majesty," he said. "You wanted to see me?"
"Clancy. Come here, child."
King Nico sat at his desk looking over papers full of various proclamations and laws sent up for his approval. He didn't look up as Tyler walked over, just continued reading like Tyler wasn't even there.
As he waited, he admired the red cloak wrapped around the king's shoulders. It had a soft fur lining at the neck, and fell to the floor in a ripple of rich fabric. An extravagant crown rested on Nico's brow, giving his severe expression more grandeur. He was great and terrible, and he had many ways of making you feel that. It was a common occurrence to be left waiting after being called by the king. He often used it to unnerve the lords and council members, simultaneously wasting their time and reminding them that he was more important than them.
"I trust your studies have been progressing adequately?" Nico finally broke the silence.
"Yes, your majesty," Tyler nodded. "The Bishops have been very pleased with my progress."
Nico hummed disinterestedly. "How has your diplomacy been going?"
Tyler fought to keep his face expressionless, but displeasure twisted his lips. "Very well, my lord. Certainly better than my…previous attempts."
The king finally looked up, eyebrows raised in disbelief, mouth pressed into a thin line. "Are you certain about that, Clancy?"
Somehow Nico always knew the exact tone of voice to use that made Tyler feel like he was still a child. "Yes, my lord. I have been trying."
"Trying does not mean succeeding."
Tyler fought back the urge to snap back at Nico, knowing he was trying to get a rise out of him. The last thing he needed was to yell at his father and prove his doubts correct. "My tutors have given me glowing reviews," he said through gritted teeth.
Nico sighed. "Clancy, you understand why I must press you on this. It does our kingdom a disservice when the prince cannot control his emotions. We don't need a repeat of last year's banquet, do we?"
"No, my lord," Tyler said, twisting his hands together behind his back. His nails dug into the sensitive skin of his palms as he tried not to let his displeasure at being reminded of that incident show on his face. He had tried to tell the princess to back off politely, but she just would not take the hint. That wasn’t his fault.
Nico watched him for a moment, black eyes piercing straight through him. "I need to know that I can trust you with more important things, Clancy. I won't be around forever, you know, and one day you must step in to take my place."
"I know," Tyler said.
"You don't know," Nico said. It stung, the casual dismissal. "And that is my fault."
Tyler's head snapped up. It was unlike Nico to admit that he had faults, especially when it came to Tyler. "My lord?"
"I have kept you close to me for far too long," Nico said. "You will go to our allies in the West and arrange a treaty with them."
"Really?" Tyler couldn't stop himself from saying. He fought to keep the corners of his mouth down.
Nico raised his eyebrows. "I am trusting you with this, Clancy. You will not have me to fall back on if you mess up. And we both know what can happen if you do."
Their eyes both fall on Tyler's hands, covered in black gloves as always. Tyler quickly moved them behind his back, shame creeping up his throat like a rash. "Of course, my lord."
"A convoy has been put together," Nico continued. "And the knight Sir Joshua will escort you personally."
This time Tyler couldn't keep the displeasure from appearing on his face. A babysitter. It was just confirmation that Nico didn’t fully trust him. "Of course."
"Do you have a complaint, my child?"
Tyler bowed again, glaring daggers at his shoes, employing every tactic the Bishops had taught him to reign in his temper. "Of course not, my lord. When do we depart?"
"You will leave at dawn. Collect your things tonight." Nico picked up a letter opener and twirled it in his fingers, surprisingly dexterous. "You would do well to not disappoint me, Clancy."
Recognizing it as the dismissal it was, Tyler straightened and made his way to the door, adjusting his gloves self-consciously. Nico was already back to his work, ripping open the seal to a letter as if Tyler had never been there in the first place.
Tyler made it back to his chambers and dismissed the servants before they finished packing his things. They looked as though they wanted to protest, but a glare from the prince sent them scurrying.
He sighed, exhaustion evident, as he took in the mess they'd made of his carefully cultivated space. He didn't blame them, they were only doing their jobs, but it made his life so much harder when they moved his things away from the places he'd put them in. He could do the packing himself, and that way his things would stay where he liked them.
Tyler collapsed into the seat behind his desk and rubbed his temples. Nico had given him next to no information about what he was expected to do on this diplomacy mission. It probably didn't matter anyways- the king was throwing him into the lion's den, watching to see if he'd fight or if he'd let the lions win. No matter what the outcome was, Nico would have some lesson in the end. If he failed it was because he let his emotions control him. If he succeeded, it was because of everything he’d learned from Nico. Never mind the fact that the king hardly ever deigned to actually teach him himself – no, he left that unenviable job to the Bishops, his advisors and councillors.
He let himself imagine for just a moment that he had never been chosen to be a prince at all. He imagined what it might have been to grow up with real parents, like the mother he’d had before Nico found him. His name was the only thing he still carried from her, the only thing that still connected him to the life he could have had before.
But Tyler knew he didn’t deserve that life, didn’t deserve her.
After all, he was the one who killed his mother.
+=={:::::::::::::::::>
The training grounds are hardly ever empty. There's always some kind of commotion happening — companies running training exercises, knights showing their squires and pages the proper way to care for armor, hunting dogs baying as they catch the training loons thrown for them.
The chaos didn't often bother Josh, but he much preferred to train at dusk. Luckily he's enough of a senior knight in the retinue that he can choose his own times to run solo drills. He came from a small village, and even now, six years after his first arrival to the capitol city, he still favored training in seclusion and solitude over the never-ending bustle Dema brings.
Evening training just has far more benefits to it. Even with the final sounds of the day in the distance, he could hear the way his blade sang through the air before it landed with a satisfying thud in the straw dummy before him. The last few glimmers of the sun glinted off of his armor as it began its final descent behind the walls, casting the training grounds in shadow. The comforting ache of good exercise settled into his muscles like an old friend, promising a good night's sleep.
A voice calling his name broke him from his training-induced trance. He turned to see Jenna, a fellow knight of his company approaching, armor already off for the day.
"Working hard as always?" She asked, a touch of humor to her voice. It was a well known fact that Josh would stay on the training grounds long after everyone else.
Josh huffed out a laugh, sheathing his sword. "I was just finishing up. Did you need me for something?"
"Not me," Jenna shrugged. "His majesty has requested one of our company's presence come tomorrow."
"The king?" Josh asked, surprise raising his volume louder than he'd meant it. He caught himself before he continued. "What does the king need from us?"
Jenna raised her eyebrows. "Well, we are the most decorated company in his majesty's retinue. Apparently there's some off-the-record mission having to do with a high ranking noble. I wasn't able to hear all the details, but the king is trying his best to keep everything very close to his chest. From what I've heard, it's basically a bodyguard position."
"And he wants one of us for it."
"One of us?" Jenna laughed, her blue eyes sparkling with that amusement she always had when one of the other knights said something stupid — an unfortunately very common occurrence. "He doesn't want just any of us, Josh. He obviously is going to appoint you."
"Me?"
“One of these days you’re going to break free of your own self-deprecation and realize just how good you are at all of this,” Jenna said. “You’re better than this place, you know.”
Josh had long since grown out of the wide eyed wonder he’d first come to the kingdom with, but he still found his gut reaction was defending Dema. He knew now that the city was far from perfect, but some childish part of him still held it in high regard.
He shook his head at Jenna. “I don’t know what else I would be doing if not this,” he said. “I don’t have many skills outside of this.”
Jenna looked him up and down appraisingly. “I don’t know. I can think of some things you’d be very good at. You’re a natural leader.”
“Okay, did someone pay you to flatter me this much?” Josh asked, knowing his cheeks were probably red and flushed from the compliment. He never knew how to handle it when someone praised him to his face.
“No one has to pay me, the look on your face is priceless enough,” Jenna shot back. “You should find Bishop Keons, he was looking for you.”
Josh huffed as the realization dawned. “I was already chosen, wasn’t I?” At Jenna’s nod he sighed and continued, “And you already knew.”
“Got it in two,” she confirmed cheerfully. “You’d better get over there, don’t want to keep the Bishop waiting.”
+=={:::::::::::::::::>
The Bishops not only oversaw the city’s religion, but they were also the most trusted advisors of the king.
Josh had never had too much contact with them, but he knew they made most of the decisions that affected his daily life- what time the morning bells rang, when the knights had off for holidays, when curfew began. They were the link between the king and the people – King Nicolas and his son, Prince Clancy, hardly ever showed themselves to the people, instead ruling through proclamations given by the Bishops. Talking to Bishop Keons would be the closest Josh would come to speaking to royalty.
“Sir Joshua,” the Bishop greeted as he slowly entered the chapel. “Come in, come in.”
Josh bowed at the doorway before making his way farther into the sacred room. He hardly ever set foot in the chapels scattered around the city except for holidays and mandated events. He had been knighted in this very room, but that only heightened the anxiety that began to build in his chest at being in the room. Something about it made him feel small and worthless, like he was just an ant about to be stepped on by a giant boot. It didn’t help that Keons had called him his full name, with his title. It made him feel stuffy and self-important.
“I am sure you have heard of your assignment already,” Keons said as Josh stopped behind him. The Bishop was standing on the dais where he led the proceedings, though the book of Vialism and the Neon Vials usually present was nowhere to be seen.
“I have, your worship,” Josh said.
“Please, just call me Father Keons,” Keons said with an affectionate smile, turning towards him.
Of all the Bishops, Keons was always the one Josh liked the most. The other Bishops were serious and holy, never breaking the facade of the pious holy men. Father Keons was, well, fatherly, and interacted with the people with a level of compassion and care that the other Bishops lacked.
“Of course,” Josh said, knowing he would absolutely not be doing that.
“Your assignment tomorrow is very important, Joshua,” Keons said. “Details about this convoy have been kept secret because you’ll be guarding a very important person.”
“I will protect them with my life,” Josh said, the standard response that any knight worth his sword would give. “To my last dying breath.”
“Good,” Keons smiled again, this time a little thinner. Some level of worry showed up in his eyes, apprehension that looked out of place on a Bishop’s face. “Joshua, you will be escorting the prince on this journey.”
Josh had to take a second to process that information. Prince Clancy of Dema was a notorious shut-in. He barely ever left the walls of the castle, let alone the kingdom. Josh had only seen him twice- once at his knighting, where he’d stood at the King’s side with a bored expression on his face the whole time, and once accidentally when he’d turned down the wrong corridor and saw him coming out of the library. Both times the Prince had seemed disgusted at the mere sight of him, like he was nothing more than dirt on Clancy’s shoe.
“I know, it’s surprising,” Keons said, seeing the look on his face. "Nicolas likes to keep Clancy close to him. Finally, he has decided to let the boy experience the reality of this continent.”
Josh nodded along, pretending it wasn’t weird to hear the Bishop talking about the Prince like this. It sounded more like an uncle speaking about his nephew than a holy figure speaking of the King’s ward.
“You both may encounter more than you expected on this journey,” Keons continued. “I see many hard decisions in your futures. But I trust in you, and I trust in him, and I believe that you can both do what must be done.”
There was an intensity to Keons’ words, like there was some truth hidden behind them that he couldn’t speak out loud. Josh could feel the apprehension from the Bishop transferring to him – something would happen on this journey, something neither of them could predict. And he would have to protect Prince Clancy through that something.
“I will do whatever it takes,” Josh said. Despite his misgivings about Clancy, he had a job to do, and he was determined to do it. Even if Clancy was as arrogant as he seemed, Josh would protect him with his life.
Keons nodded, looking satisfied with Josh’s answer. “Farewell and good tidings then, Sir Joshua. I hope to be here to greet you upon your return to the city. And it wouldn’t be a terrible thing to see your face at the weekly service more often.”
Josh smiled politely and began to back out of the room, glad to be given an out. “Of course, your worship. Thank you for all you have given.”
“May the ashes of those who have passed mark our way forwards,” Keons said. It was the final verse in the Book of Vialism, and often used as parting words between Vialists.
Josh left the chapel, leaving the Bishop standing on the dais looking up towards the ceiling like the answer to an unasked question would be written on the grey stone.
+=={:::::::::::::::::>
The morning sun had barely begun to kiss the horizon when the convoy arrived in the courtyard to begin the journey. Servants scurried around, securing luggage into the carriages, adjusting saddles and stirrups on horses, finishing the last minute preparations. Knights stood by observing the proceedings, both those assigned to the convoy and those staying behind, making sure that all was well before the journey began. Nobles watched from the castle walls, gossiping behind fans as servants fed them grapes. Even nobles who notoriously hated waking up early had gathered. It was a monumental occasion- the first time the prince was sent out on the King’s behalf.
All eyes were drawn to the prince as he stepped into the courtyard, flanked by knights. Surprisingly, no servants followed him, and he carried his own bag, a fancy leather shoulder bag that surely cost more than Josh’s yearly wages.
Prince Clancy’s eyes scanned everyone in front of him with a disinterested affect, before his eyes fell on Josh. He stalked up to him like a cat hunting its prey, something almost like interest glinting in his eyes.
“Sir Joshua,” Clancy said. His voice was higher than Josh had been expecting, but just as condescending as any royal’s. “I understand you’ve been chosen to be my bodyguard on this convoy.”
Josh swept down into a proper bow, pushing aside the twinge of annoyance at being called his full name. “Yes, your highness. The preparations are almost complete. We can begin the journey in under an hour’s time.”
"Lead the way then, Sir Joshua," the prince said with a smile just a touch too condescending for Josh’s taste.
Josh huffed, unconsciously gripping the hilt of his sword tighter as if he were about to draw it. "I’d prefer if you just called me Josh."
Clancy looked taken aback by that for a second, his eyebrows practically in his hairline, before his face smoothed back out, that practiced affable smile returning to its place."Interesting. You don't care for your honorable title, sir knight? The title that represents your loyalty to this kingdom?"
"I don't need a title to prove I am loyal," Josh said. "Josh is what I prefer."
The prince eyed him with an expression that Josh can't name. An unfamiliar emotion danced in his eyes, glinting in the sunlight like the first spark that starts a fire. The silence lasted for a second too long, lingering in the air long enough for awkwardness to appear between them like a barrier.
”Fine, then,” Clancy said. “Lead the way, Josh.”
Josh couldn’t shake the feeling that Clancy was laughing at him, but he just couldn’t stand the thought of being called Sir for however long this journey would take. Dealing with a royal looking down on him was nothing new.
He nodded in acknowledgment to the knights who had followed Clancy from the castle, moving to take their places in the convoy. One of the knights, Sir Brendon, made a face at Clancy’s back and Josh made one back in agreement. It was going to be a long journey, and Brendon didn’t have to spend it directly in contact with Clancy.
Luckily, Josh’s job should have been easy. All he had to do was watch for highwaymen and the Banditos, a tribe of rebels who made it a point to attack and take down any travelers related to Dema. But they were leaving early enough, and the journey had been kept secret, so their enemies shouldn’t be able to put together an attack that quickly.
The first few hours were nothing too strenuous. Every once in a while Clancy would ask a pointed question, as if trying to catch Josh in a lie, but for the most part they stayed silent and ignored each other. It could almost be considered peaceful, if not for the borderline violent rumblings of the wheels over the unpaved road.
Things come to a head when Clancy draws the far-too fancy drapes over the window. They were made of a heavy material, maybe velvet, that blocked out sunlight.
“Keep those open,” Josh said, reaching over to the window.
“The sun is in my eyes,” Clancy countered. “And it's my carriage, anyways.”
Josh had to resist the urge to scream. “Your majesty, my job is to keep you safe. I have to be prepared for any threats that might come. I need to have an unblocked line of sight.”
Clancy laughed, sounding genuinely amused. “Who’s going to attack us? Forest criminals? I thought I was being escorted by the finest knights in the kingdom.”
His words were confident, but that confidence drained quickly when the carriage came to a grinding halt. The two were thrown forwards, Josh barely stopping himself from falling on the seat across from him.
He frowned as he looked out of the window. The sun was beginning its descent, and the shadows were growing longer with every minute that passed. The forest that surrounded them was quiet and still, but not in a peaceful way. It was still in the way a predator was as it stalked helpless prey through the wilderness. It was a pause in the same way the sky paused right before lightning cracked it in two.
"We shouldn't have stopped," Josh said, hand clutched around the hilt of his sword. He moved to open the carriage door, sparing only a quick glance back at Clancy. "I'll go check it out. You stay here."
Clancy sunk back in his seat, not arguing back for once in his life. He had gone a little pale, and it was the least confident Josh had ever seen him. His throat bobbed like he was working up the courage to say something, but he gave up and just nodded instead.
Josh turned the handle, but before he could fully open the door a scream pierced the air. It was the bolt of lightning that started the storm, and as if it were a cue, more shouts and the sound of sword meeting turned the silence into pandemonium.
"New plan," Josh said. "Get out, now!"
He jumped out first, eyes scanning the area to quickly try and figure out just what the hell was actually going on. The other Deman knights assigned to the caravan were engaged in mini battles with figures cloaked in olive green. The yellow accents on their clothes revealed who they were immediately- the Banditos. A few bodies lay on the ground already from both sides, but the Banditos had come with far more numbers than the knights could counter.
The analysis happened in seconds, Josh's mind already racing to come up with a solution to get his men and the prince out alive. He considered hiding Clancy and joining the fray, but another two knights went down, and he came to a difficult decision.
"We have to run!" He said, grabbing Clancy's arm forcefully. Touching royalty was a death sentence normally, but this was a life or death situation. He couldn't worry about noble sensibilities when assassins were after them. "Head straight into the forest, and keep running. Don't run in a straight line, dodge and weave, okay?"
Clancy hesitated, face going paler and paler as he took in the violence around them. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out, just a choked gasp that fell between them like a stone.
"We don't have time for this," Josh insisted. No one had noticed them yet, but it was only a matter of time. "Go, now. I'm right behind you."
The prince shook his head vigorously and seemed to steel himself. "Okay," he whispered. "Okay."
Josh drew his sword and stepped into the light. "Now!" He shouted.
Clancy took off running, surprisingly fast for a sheltered prince. Josh followed close behind, eyes and ears open and straining for any indication of the Banditos coming after them. They managed to make it halfway across the road before yells of alarm sounded behind them, cutting through the chaos.
The sound of a bow creaking as its string was pulled back caught Josh's attention and he cursed as he realized he hadn't caught sight of any archers. This ambush was well-planned and, unfortunately for them, running without a hitch. Josh allowed himself to wonder for half a second how they’d gotten word that they would be traveling on this road, then shoved it out of his mind with practiced focus.
The arrow released and streaked through the air, silent and deadly. Josh prepared himself to dodge as well as he could, trusting his armor to take most of the damage, but before the arrow struck Clancy was suddenly there, stumbling in its path. Time slowed as it buried itself in the Prince’s back with a sickening thump.
Clancy went down, and for a terrifying moment was entirely too still. Josh caught up to his fallen body and turned him over, pulse jumping as Clancy's eyes stayed closed, eyelashes fluttering on his cheek.
“Clancy,” Josh said, patting his cheek lightly to wake him up. The yelling was getting closer, and he had to get the prince up and moving if he could. “Clancy, come on, you have to get up.”
Clancy’s eyes opened before he squeezed them shut again, squinting in the bright sunlight. “Wha-“ he muttered.
“No time, we have to go,” Josh said, practically yanking him up by his uninjured arm. Clancy cried out at the movement, but it was just in time for a Bandito to lunge for them, sword drawn.
Josh quickly maneuvered Clancy behind him and blocked the swing. “Run!” he ordered, before pressing forwards to challenge the Bandito. Their swords met in a clash of sparks, Josh’s style more defensive while the Bandito came at him offensively. He kept most of his attention on the fight before him while part of it tracked Clancy’s progress towards the tree line. The prince was stumbling, moving slowly, but at least he was moving.
Before he could get too distracted, Josh broke their stalemate and pushed the Bandito’s sword to the side, breaking through his guard. He locked his sword into the hilt of the Bandito’s and twisted, forcing him to drop it and allowing Josh to get close enough to land a blow to his head, knocking him out.
The sounds of fighting were beginning to die down as the Bandito’s got the upper hand. Josh watched Sir Brendon attempt to stab a red-haired Bandito in the back, only to be beaten back by another one coming to her aid. He watched Brendon fall, but didn’t stop to watch him die. It felt like a betrayal, even if he hadn’t liked the man, but he had priorities.
He took off after Clancy, catching up quickly. The prince was obviously struggling, but Josh grabbed his arm and pulled him away quickly. They had to get as much distance between them and the defeated convoy as possible.
Josh turned to look back at Clancy. It was strange to see a noble so disheveled, but the worst part was the look on his face. He looked scared, in pain, and worst of all, pleading. Like he was hoping Josh would have the answers of what to do next.
“We just have to get away,” Josh said, hoping he sounded confident enough. “Just- keep going. I’m covering you.”
And so they ran deeper into the forest, leaving the distant shouts of Banditos to be swallowed by the trees, but all Josh could think of was Keons’ warning about hard decisions coming their way.
He just hoped that Keons’ faith wasn’t misplaced.