Outside Dexon's palace, King Potter stood there ready to depart with Prince Gregory and Prince Gregory's bodyguard known as Bloodeye.
He was surrounded by the people who helped shape his rule, with him stood the three chiefs of Dexon: Chief Roland, Chief Otto, and Chief Odo. Queen Elina held his hand. "Come back alive," she whispered, and King Potter nodded.
King Potter turned to his only daughter Princess Helen. "If I don't come back," he started, "make sure you stay with your mother and comfort her," he said almost as if saying goodbye. Princess Helen's eyes welled up with tears. Her gaze shifted to the tall emotionless man standing a few feet away. He had promised to keep her father safe last night at the dining table, but how can she trust the word of a Prince whom her people refer to as the evil prince, though looking at him now, nothing seems evil about him except that he is strikingly handsome with his blue eyes and silver shoulder length hair, making him look almost beautiful.
King Potter turns to his son and holds him on his shoulder. "You're the king now in my absence, the kingdom is in your hands, take Care of it." Prince Liam nodded, indicating he understood all his father said.
And lastly, King Potter turns to his chief, this might be the last time he will be seeing them, and he wants to tell them how helpful they were in his two-year reign.
"You all are what Dexon is, without you there will be no me, and now as you've supported me I ask you to do the same with my son if I don't return crown him king"
"We will pray to the gods for your safe return " replied Chief Roland.
"Then I hope the gods listen to your prayers," said King Potter before turning to Prince Gregory and his bodyguard Bloodeye. "Let go." And just like that, the three ran out of their house and held on to Tarah.
*********
The road to Tarah is rough, and their horses gallop on the war, even with a horse taller than most. Warhound Prince Gregory himself could tell how rough the plain is as dust rose, making the three cover their nose with pieces of scarf-like cloths.
Prince Gregory rode in the front, in the leading position, Bloodeye to his left and King Potter rode silently behind them.
By the second day, they had reduced their speed a lot as their horses struggled on the hard, rocky ground. That was when they got to the narrow mountain path. It was not really a trouble for Prince Gregory and Bloodeye as they had gone through this path countless times in the past two years since the war started, but for King Potter who had only been to Tarah once when he was much younger and had only come with a party that brought tribute to the then Supreme King, Supreme King Usman, who was the Supreme King before Supreme King Orlando.
"Only the gods know if I will be able to go back through this path," said King Potter bitterly.
"I had promised you to make sure you return safely, and I intend to keep that promise," Prince Gregory replied, and Bloodeye was surprised to hear what the Prince said; he didn't know about the promise, but he said nothing.
"I want to believe you are a man of your word Prince Gregory"
"I am"
King Potter studies him for a moment before focusing back on the road.
When the sun retired, they made camp and lit a fire to pass the night.