Chapter 5 - His Thoughts and Her Plans

“I will not change it even if you can.”

Reis hid in the dark alley while his mind was recalling what Nyneve said.

What does she mean by that? Is she saying I have no used for her? Then why help me then? Was she acting coy all this time?

Reis shakes his head to shatter his thoughts. Nyneve was really clueless about his power and his form until he revealed everything to her.

It’s not that I find her ugly, he thought. But that led him to be confuse even more. Wait. What am I saying? I’m just trying to figure out if I offended her. Damn it!

Reis became alert when he saw the prince wearing a cloak and hastily went on to follow someone.

Looks like I’m not the only one who’s hunting tonight.

The prince followed behind a woman. When they both made a turn, Reis could not help but sense something was wrong.

Soon, Reis heard the woman screamed.

Reis run while still in his human form. He was about to help whoever it was in danger when he was stunned to see that the woman and the prince has blood stained on their clothes. But the prince is now kneeling while he hold tightly on his stomach.

“You stabbed him,” Reis accused the woman.

“He attacked me first!” the woman yelled defensively before she ran away from the scene.

“Blood… I want blood,” the prince murmured deliriously while he gathered blood on his hands.

Reis could not grasp what he was saying at first until he heard a set of footsteps. Other men heard the scream so they rushed to where it came from. When Reis saw it was the knights of the prince he hurriedly escape. But someone already spotted him.

“You there! Stop!”

He did not listen. He ran and hides into the forest and let the darkness enfolds him.

The following day, Nyneve woke up early.

She was done packing her things and was ready to embark on a journey. She decided to stick to her idea to leave that town. The only memento she took from her father’s box was an amulet. In it was a sketch of her parents when they were younger.

Her mind still kept on worrying about Reis. But she kept on reminding herself that he was right. She has no right to stop him from doing whatever he wants. They were just strangers who helped each other out. Yet when she heard the footsteps of a horse, she immediately opened the door to see if it was Reis in his unicorn form. But to her dismay, it was a knight. And he came to tell her about the terrible news.

“Nyneve Brummell, you have been summoned at the presence of the king and the queen to testify regarding the murder of Prince Artavius.”

“W-what?”

Reis was hungry as he walks in the marketplace.

He could not find any decent food in the forest so he decided to go back. He should have went to Nyneve first. But no. His pride could not allow it. They already parted ways and that was it.

A crowd on the wooden stage caught his attention. There seemed to be an argument between a royal family and some commoners.

“What do you mean you do not know of that man? Was he not your companion yesterday?”

“Yes, your highness. But I was only assisting a stranger.”

Nyneve? What is she doing up there?

“She seemed guilty. Perhaps she was his accomplice,” a man murmured near Reis.

“But why would she want to kill the prince? Nyneve has nothing to do with them,” a woman responded.

Everyone was looking up at the stage where, only yesterday, was a platform for awarding the winner of the race. Now it seemed like an execution was being held as two knights positioned themselves on each side of Nyneve.

“Are you telling the truth, my lady?” an old man asked while looking sternly at Nyneve. “The prince died and only your companion was there at the scene.”

“So… he didn’t kill the prince then?” Nyneve asked and that made the old man raised his eyebrows.

“No. But we believe he knew what has transpired.”

“Then why do you look for him as if he was the criminal? I have been brought here to testify of his whereabouts. But the moment I told everyone I knew nothing of him, I as well was treated like I had committed a crime,” Nyneve said boldly.

She was trying not to show her fear. She still could not believe that the prince is already dead. But upon hearing some details about the murder she could not help but feel relieve that Reis may not be the one who did it.

“Just tell us where he is so we can get this over with!” the queen demanded. “My son died and I will not rest until someone gets punished!”

“I am here,” Reis said loudly that everyone turned on his direction as he walks towards Nyneve. “This woman and I has nothing to do with the crime I witnessed last night. The prince was following a woman and was stabbed before he killed his target.”

“Are you accusing my son to be the murderer instead?”

“It is what I saw. And I do not lie. The prince intend to kill a woman last night. He needed—no—he wanted her blood.”

“That is blasphemy!” the queen yelled while shaking in anger. Meanwhile, the king was holding his breath as he listened.

“You knew why your son needed blood and why he must keep on killing. It was his curse. He should not have drank a unicorn’s blood.”

The queen was shocked for a few seconds before she laughed. “A what? A unicorn? Surely you read too much fairy tale young man. Unicorns do not exist.”

“I only heard about this from our ancestor,” Reis seriously said. “I never witnessed it myself until last night. A human who drank a unicorn’s blood would have eternal youth. But it has its side effect. Or like I said, a cursed. For if someone killed a unicorn, a craving of blood, a thirst that comes and goes during the night to recall a life that was taken will take place.”

“Enough! This is nonsense!”

“No. Not nonsense. And here is the proof.”

Reis turned himself into a unicorn for everyone to see. Nyneve was afraid how the people would react to him. But once the king and the queen decided to capture them instead of admitting to what the prince has done, Nyneve had no other choice but to run with Reis.

Hold on to me!

Nyneve followed his command. He carried her and she hold on to his neck. Reis run as fast as the wind that blew during a storm. No one could stop them. The moment they reached an open field leading to her home was the only time they can finally slow down and feel safe.

“What do we do now?”

First, we’ll gather your things and we’ll move on to the next town.

“You talked as if it was that easy.”

It is if we hurry. You just need to pack quickly.

“I’m already done packing.”

Oh, so you’re really leaving this town?

“Yes.”

Then… can I come with you? Reis asked hesitantly. You were right you know. I shouldn’t have seek revenge. It was wrong of me to think I should take matters in my own hands. I forgot that our kind should only heal and not kill anyone.

“So the prince was really cursed?”

Yes.

They have reached her home and she quickly gathered the belongings she intends to bring with her. They left before the knights had followed their tracks.

“Do you really want to come with me?” she asked Reis while looking at him in his unicorn form. “I do not have a certain destination yet but I intend to travel far north.”

That sounded like a good plan to me.

“Then promise me one thing if we’ll be together in this journey. Promise me that you will no longer try to harm anyone. No matter what.”

Reis could not easily agree for he now knows his temper and that he is imperfect. He could easily react or be affected by any injustice he had witnessed himself.

“Reis? Do you promise?”

I will if you promise to do the same and that you will not forsake me if I made a mistake.

“Okay. We’re in agreement then?”

Yes. I promise.

Reis let Nyneve ride him again and the two set off to find a new place they could call as their new home.

THE END