Chapter 2

"Your Highness, you can't lead the charge, not yet," Jade said as he knelt down in front of Prince Orsted after the war meeting.

"I understand your worries, but I have to. Someone has to lead the army; my father is in no condition to do it himself." Orsted patted his shoulder, wishing for him to stand. "And stop kneeling; we're alone right now."

"We're still in the war room; someone could come in."

"As if that matters. Everyone knows we're best friends, and you don't need to kneel to me." He'd like to say ever, but circumstances might prove otherwise.

"Fine," Jade huffed and got to his feet. "But I still stand firm in my thoughts. It's too dangerous for you to lead the army yet."

"You think I'm not ready?"

Jade gritted his teeth and nodded. "You're too young—"

"And who would you have me put in charge?"

"Me. I am a royal knight; I'm suited to this job."

"You're as young as I am! How is that any better?"

"I have more training."

"We've had the same training since we were tykes."

"But I'm dispensable."

Orsted growled at him. "How dare you talk like that?!"

"Compared to our only prince, I am. You have to lead the country, not me."

"And I will lead it, with my best friend, and the soon to be leader of the royal knights at my side."

"I don't think the current leader would like to hear you talk like that."

Orsted laughed. "But he's past his prime."

"He can still beat me in a fight, and you."

"True, but he was the leader of the royal knights for my grandfather and probably wants a break. Besides, each king gets to choose the leader of their royal knights, and of course, for me, that's you."

"Nepotism at its finest."

"You don't think you've earned the right to lead?"

"No more than you have."

"Ouch." Orsted held his hand over his heart. "You're probably right, though. I should take a more active role in politics to try to better our country. But first, we need to finish this war. Jade, are you with me?"

"It's not like I can let you run in there ahead of me, so you give me no choice."

Orsted held his hand out to Jade. "Together with my brother in arms."

"Always and forever." Jade shook his hand.

"We should get some rest if we're leading the charge this time."

"Indeed."

"And after this we should relax and try to find my queen before my father finds one for me."

"Not sure I can help with that."

"Considering your lack of contact with the opposite sex other than that neighbour of yours, I agree, but I meant we should find you a wife, too. You're of age."

Jade sighed and ran his hand through his long black hair. "Barely. I have no interest in romance or finding a wife to start a family. I'm only interested in keeping you safe and finding a way to stop the war and stabilize the country."

"Assuming we're successful in that, then what's next for you? You can't make being a knight your whole life."

"It has been since the moment I met you."

"Oh." His eyes widened. "So, this lifestyle is all my fault?"

"No; it's my parents who set things in motion."

"And if they set you up with a woman, will you go through with the whole family ordeal?"

"You've met my parents; I'll have no choice but to."

"Wouldn't it be better to search on your own before they have a chance to?"

"How about we make it through the war before thinking about this?"

Orsted sighed. "I was hoping it'd be something to look forward to when it's all over, but you still feel like a lost cause."

"If you have enough spare time to think about women, maybe you should focus on making a plan c through e."

"Jade, my friend, you're hopeless." Orsted patted his arm. "And it's a shame, since you seem to attract them so easily."

Jade raised an eyebrow. "Attract who easily?"

"My point exactly. Okay, I've grown tired. See yourself out."

Jade bowed to him. "Goodnight, Your Highness."

The next day, Orsted and Jade led the troops to the front lines, hoping to change the tide of war. They fought furiously to push back the enemy out of their land, using their knowledge of the forest's path to their advantage. But the stench of blood still filled the air. Bodies littered the ground of both allies and enemies.

"What do you think?" Orsted asked Jade as they stood in their main tent in the camp. "We've regained some ground, but there are heavy casualties on both sides. If only we could convince them to leave." He sighed and sat at the table they set up.

"They attacked us because they want our land and resources; they're not going to back off easily."

"They've had more fatalities than us; shouldn't that be enough?"

"That would imply they think of their soldiers as people, not cannon fodder. Remember whom you're dealing with. Obsidian doesn't care; they want to rule and plunder. We have to stop them, or they'll try to take over our neighbours next."

"Well, the biggest problem is their numbers, and the witch, Emerald. Without her, they'd fall into disarray. If we have a chance to use our special attack, we should take it."

"Oh, are you talking about me?" A woman with long green hair, wearing a black slit dress, appeared in their tent.

Orsted and Jade drew their swords. "Code zero!" Orsted yelled.

She laughed. "You boys are so defenceless."

Jade lunged at her, swinging his sword, and she disappeared. Reappearing behind him, she knocked him to the side with her staff.

"Jade!"

"I'm fine." Jade got to his feet. "Focus on the runes."

"Right." Orsted put two fingers against his rune sword and chanted.

"Oh, learned a new trick?" Emerald chuckled and floated towards him.

"No, you don't." Jade intercepted and slashed at her.

She jumped back and vanished, reappearing a few feet in front of Orsted. She held up her glowing staff. "Off with you."

"No!" Jade jumped in the way. "Arg." The blast hit Jade.

"Jade!" Orsted called out to him as he vanished. He growled and thrust his sword into the stunned witch.

"Ah!" Jade yelled as he fell through the sky towards the suburbs below.

Thud.

"Ugh..." He hit the grassy ground, hard, and pain spread throughout his body. "Orsted..." Jade groaned and struggled to move. "I must... get back to him."