The Prince

A few months have passed since I started living here. I've learned a few things in the time. First, the name of the woman who has been talking to me is Malti. She comes from a demon race called the Wani, who have scales, sharp teeth, and piercing eyes. Basically, a dragon personified. She is quite muscular and has scales covering her forearms and legs. I learned that she is also a bodyguard, but I still haven't met the person I'm supposed to be guarding. It turned out that the old man I saw wasn't the client, but instead he was working for someone else.

Most of my days are spent just training with the old man, who, as it turns out, is a sword master. Because of my small stature, I was given a rapier as a weapon to use and train with. Training was tough. I would spar with the old man over and over. Today was no different. He used a bigger, heavier practice sword, but made me use a real rapier. I made wild swings at him, trying to overwhelm him, but he would just make slight adjustments and parry my hits.

"The rapier is not about power, it's about speed and precision," he said.
He's always saying the same things... I can't keep up, I'm getting tired.

"Stop thinking about other things and focus. Use that eye of yours to predict my movements."

As he said, he did a straight kick, hitting me in the chest, and I fell backwards.

"Cough, cough"

"Focus your mana into your eye, otherwise it's just for decoration."

"I can't do that in the middle of a fight!" I was frustrated.

There were so many things to concentrate on during a fight, and he wants me to do that on top of it?

"Then learn to."

I was beyond angry. Constant, daily berating was wearing me thin. Without even thinking, I started to focus mana into my eye. He turned to look away, and in that moment, my eye saw an opening. I lunged forward with my rapier, aiming for his neck. In less than a second, he turned back, catching the blade in his hands. Blood started to drip from his hands and run down the length of the blade.

"Like that," he said, smiling.

At that moment, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway leading to the training grounds we were in. From out of the hallway, what looked to be a teenager emerged, with Malti following behind. The boy had thick, wavy hair, like a mane. The hair reached his shoulders, with a braid on his right side, adorned with jewelry. His hair was a dark golden color, and he had reddish-brown eyes. He looked to be around a foot taller than me, with a slender build.

"Zagan, what happened to your hand?" He questioned.

"Nothing, just something from training, my prince." The old man bowed his head slightly.

I made a few realizations.
The old man's name is Zagan? And he said, prince?

At first, I was confused, but quickly regained my composure. The prince turned to look at me next.

"And you are?"

"Sern... Sern Knollwood."

"Hello, Sern. I am Kos Kassim, the 2nd Prince of Amir."

I was conflicted.
So he's the son of the king... The reason I've been through all of this is because of his father... I could attack him, but Malti and the old man are right there... It would be like suicide.

"Do you want to ask me something?" Prince Kassim asked. He was now seated on a chair facing me.

"Why..."

"Why, what?"

"Why did your father attack Llanes?"

Kassim paused for a moment, then asked me a question.

"Do you know of a city called Dahmir?"

"..."

"Well, it was a prosperous city with a thriving population. 4 years ago, the armies of Llanes sacked the city and burned it to the ground. Enslaving everyone they could find. 4 years later, and the city still hasn't recovered."

He paused for a moment.

"The king could not act straight away because of civil conflicts that needed to be dealt with first. But, eventually, there was revenge for the city of Dahmir... Had my father done nothing, the people would have seen him as weak and looked for a different king or even a different royal bloodline."

"But that doesn't make it right for everyone who suffered because of your wars."

"...You're right, it doesn't. But that is simply how it is."

He paused again.

"Maybe there could be peace. But not right now. Not under our current kings."

"Why do you need me?"

"Because Zagan chose you." Kassim gestured at the old man. "He saw something in you."

Kassim went on to say. "Although I am a prince, I am merely the 2nd prince. I am not afforded the luxuries of keeping highly expensive guards and mercenaries on retainer, and so, I need to find other ways to surround myself with strong and capable allies."

"Although you are a slave, I will not treat you as such. I will even grant you a wish, as long as it is within my power."

"Why would you do all of this for a slave?"

"I believe that ruling through punishment and fear is shortsighted. Especially when those people will be responsible for your life and protection."

I thought for a moment.
What do I want? What do I wish for?

"Help me look for my parents."
I owe them this.

"It's done." He clapped his hands together. "I will do all in my power to find your parents. All you must do is swear loyalty to me and protect my life at all costs."

"I swear."

Kassim stood up from his chair and clasped his hands around mine.

"Welcome! Now we are in this together!"

I didn't know it, but my time here would shape me for the rest of my life.