Prince Drake

Drake meets with his brother, then goes out for a night of "fun".

My eyes slid open to complete darkness. Tonight was supposed to be the night I slept all the way through. I promised myself I would stay in bed.

“Don’t get up Drake. If you get up you won’t get any sleep.” I whispered to myself.

As my teeth grit together I knew there was no way I would be able to make it. Throwing the blankets off, I reached to the desk beside my bed and grabbed the small knife on the edge. With my palm held out I slid the knife gently across the surface creating a miniature stream of blood. The blood silently evaporated into glittering energy as I pulled from the magic dormant within it. A modest orb of red light formed in the center of the room illuminating just enough for me to stand and make my way to the wardrobe. I dressed swiftly grabbing the Curor from their glass case and placing them in my back pocket.

The Curor were a set of gloves passed down in the royal family heir to heir. Originally thought to be purely decorative I discovered that the Arcane Armorer who forged them included some abilities that only a member of our bloodline would be able to activate. The Curor, once activated, would be covered in a thin layer of spiked metal perfect for perforating flesh as well as the hardest of armors. Due to the Arcane techniques used in the forging process, the Curor were also virtually indestructible and could be used to block swords and spears alike.

As I stepped out into the hallway the orb floated to my side and then took the lead through the castle. It was so peaceful at night without the hustle and bustle of royal guards and hand maidens. After an arduous journey through darkened stone passageways I finally arrived at my destination. The orb floated to the center of the room lighting my four training posts which were set up in a perfect square with rods jutting out in random angles.

Once in the center of the four posts I thought back to the conversation I had with Anna. My arms began the movements on their own slamming into each post defending against the attacks of imaginary enemies. Anna just didn’t understand the way our kingdom worked. If a force stands up to us, they have to be put down. My arms picked up speed as I got into the rhythm.

Abruptly I stopped moving, there were faint sounds coming from outside the castle walls. Not just sounds, those were screams. The orb sped ahead of me as I sprinted out of the room and down the corridors to the main entrance. Within a minute I had the Curor on and activated. Just as I reached the entry way ready for a fight the doors burst open. Six clearly drunken soldiers entered singing and cheering loudly led by a familiar face.

‘Little brother! Drake I missed you!’ Carter yelled. His arms wrapped around my shoulders and the stench of alcohol seeped from his every pore.

“I didn’t expect you back from your mission so soon brother.” I laughed nonchalantly trying to lead the men out of the castle before they awoke any of the family.

As the doors shut behind us I felt a small shiver run down my spine. Turning back to the castle one last time I scanned the building before being pulled towards the courtyard where more voices could be heard. I tried to shake the feeling of uneasiness and smiled at my brother.

“Let’s celebrate!” I called out to the other soldiers.

 

The stars were bright in the night sky, and though most of the men seemed to have no problem celebrating the night away I couldn't help but feel like there was something off. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see my now sobered brother.

“Did we lose any men?” I questioned.

Carter sighed and looked up towards the stars with a very contemplative look in his eyes.

‘You know we did. Reese, Lancaster, and the Smith boys didn’t make it. The Alliyah worshippers might look weak, but they’re a bunch of tricksters. To be honest, I’m surprised we didn’t lose more men. Luckily I got there before it could really get out of hand.’ Carter spoke softly his voice filled with emotion.

A smile then touched his lips and he took me by the shoulder leading me back to the bonfire.

‘I know it’s tough losing friends Drake, but this is going to be good for the kingdom. You know we need that land. Our people grow by the number each day and we don’t have enough food to support them all, let alone house them. Besides, it’s all over now, so come on cheer up. Have a drink with the men. It will loosen you up a bit.’ He said laughing.

Sighing I stood up from the log we had sat down on and walked towards the city.

“You know I don’t drink. I’m going out. Don’t let them get too loud.” I called over my shoulder.

The city was full of things to do, full of crimes happening at all times. Which was good, because I needed some exercise. I slid on the Curor and sliced my forehead open. The blood poured down and formed into a blood armor mask across my face. My eyes scanned the environment looking for a way onto the roof tops. There was a small fence next to a building on the left. Calculations formed over the fence showing heights and angles of trajectory. My body reacted instantly and I sprinted towards the fence and flipped up towards the roof. This was going to be a fun night.

 

The scream was shrill and piercing. I leapt from the building twirling in midair before landing between the three men that had been cornering a young woman. The men were varying shapes and sizes. The two on the outside were a bit taller with clearly defined muscles however the one in the center was shorter but built like an ox. All three were dressed in fairly simple city outfits with tight fitting shirts.

Turning to face the young lady I released the blood mask which instantaneously evaporated into glittering orbs of energy. The girl, who looked as if her dress had been torn in parts probably by the three Neanderthals in front, recognized my face immediately and ducked down in the corner of the small alleyway.

As I turned back to face my opponents a fist caught the side of my cheek sending me back a few steps. Laughing I spit the blood out of my mouth using the energy to increase my body’s natural healing factor. There was a familiar itch as the wound on my lip stitched itself back together. All three men looked surprised to see the wound healing.

“What, you’ve never fought a member of the royal family before? Don’t worry, I plan to go easy on you three.” I commented.

Slowly I lifted my hand up to my face using my teeth to pull away the Curor from my hands. After placing them in my back pocket I took a fighting stance and beckoned them forward.

To my dismay two of the men hesitated whispering to the ox. ‘I don't know if this is a good idea Ray. It’s Prince Drake, if anyone finds out we could be hanged for treason.’

Sighing I took a seat on the ground looking up at the trio with my arms crossed with an exasperated look on my face.

“If I had known you three would be such cowards I would have picked the stabbing two streets away. This is boring. Don’t you want to have some fun? Not every day you get to hit a prince you know. I’ll even promise that if you win I won't tell a soul.” I commented trying to sway their judgement.

Jumping back to my feet I had a great idea. I stepped back to the girl still cowering in the alleyway and threw my hands up as if to present her to the world.

“Tell you what, you three fight me and if you win I’ll walk away and you can continue your previous fun with the young lass here. Now that’s a good deal if I’ve ever heard one.” I declared in the most salesman voice I could muster.

The young lady began to sob quietly and I turned towards her in an effort to comfort her. Swiftly two sets of hands had grabbed me restraining my arms to each side. The two men pulled me backwards a few feet and suddenly the ox was staring me down with a vicious grin.

‘If we kill you and then her, there are no witnesses to our crimes meaning we get away without penalty. That’s the deal I’m taking.’ He boomed with a deep throaty growl.

The ox took his time rolling up his sleeves with a smug look in his eyes. Looking back and forth between the two men holding my arms I smiled.

“I’ve got to hand it to you three this is actually becoming quite fun. I knew you had it in you, you just needed a little push. Sadly though this deal wasn’t on the table. If I allowed everyone to make up their own rules you know what would happen?” I questioned in an innocent tone.

The lumbering men looked at each other and then back down at me shrugging.

“Anarchy would ensue, and if there is one thing I hate in this world, it is chaos. Don’t worry your miniscule brains about it though. I’m only going to kill the ox over there.” I continued my voice growing more intense, malice in every word.

The three men were silent, looking back and forth between each other before the ox began his bellowing laugh again followed shortly by the men on either side.

‘You talk too much your highness.’ The ox taunted taking a step forward.

Without a second thought I bit my tongue hard with my sharpened canines releasing a torrent of blood into my mouth. I shut my eyes tight and spat the blood into the air, calling on its energy to create a flash of blinding red light. The two holding my arms lost their grip for a split second, just enough to break free of their restraints and elbow them both in the throat. Healing the wound in my mouth with a few more drops of blood I spun around and slammed the two giant’s heads together before doing a swift backflip over the ox who was still stunned by the light. Pulling him backwards into a bent position I wrapped my bicep around his throat.

'You don't have to do this...' He choked out.

My voice was cold as I spoke slowly. "Of course I do. You didn't play by the rules."

Before he could begin to muster a reply I snapped his neck letting his body drop to the ground. The piercing scream was back again as the young woman who had been cowering ran away towards the main street.

“You didn’t really think I’d lose did you?!” I called after her.

With a sigh I began the journey back towards the castle.

“You should have stayed in bed Drake.” I muttered under my breath.