The Sting Of Bitter Stars

[Kyte]

Urval awoke that morning to the sound of ship bells, and the directions of quartermasters. He had managed to find a reasonable looking inn the night prior, and after eating his fill of flavorful fish stew, he slept in a nice and comfortable bed for the first time in days.

 

The boy rose to a sitting position and stretched his arms up, his shoulders and spine popped into a comfortable looseness. He yawned, throwing the covers off his half-naked form, and rolled out of bed wearily, and padded to the window.

 

From there, he could see the early morning bustling of exporters, importers, and adventurers taking their stocks over the ramps to their ships. Even from his second story room, he could hear the grunting of their efforts, and the jovialness of their conversations.

 

Urval rubbed the sleep from his eyes, as he examined each ship, and their respective crews. One of them was to be his ticket off the shore, and away from the country, preferably as far as possible. He just hoped that they'd allow him passage, or even allow him to work on a vessel in exchange board. If worst came to worst, he'd have to find a way to sneak himself into one of those tubs.

 

The ex-prince picked up his bag, and began rooting for a change of clothes. His riding gear wasn't going to be proper attire for sailing, or even convincing a sailor. Luckily, he thought to bring something much less conspicuous.

 

By the time he dressed himself, tied and tucked his hair into a cap, he dubbed himself ready, and took out of the room, heading down for breakfast. Little did he know that Deniz was nearby, looking to save him from the dangers that were lurking just around the corner...

[Yukio Takamiya]

Deniz watched the first ship coming into the dock but the prince was no where in sight. In fact, the whole area was still practically deserted with a few slaves loading and unloading goods. Which means that Urval should still be in an inn, question is which one. The sky was still pretty dark with the tiniest beams of the sun peeking out from the horizon, he should still have a little time to ask around. Starting with the cheapest inn, Deniz went down the column, he gathered that Utval would be running short on money.

 

It wasn't until the sun was almost fully up that he finally spotted Urval. Keeping his hood on, Deniz walked into the inn and sat at a corner table where Urval would not spot him. He had no doubts that the prince would bolt the moment he was spotted. Currently, Urval was waiting for his breakfast to be served, wearing clothes of poor quality to probably board a ship without revealing his identity. It just so happens that Deniz was sitting beside the serving counter when a man approached the inn owner.

 

"Hey owner, this serving for that lad in the cap?" He asked cheerfully but Deniz sensed that it was feigned. He remained in his seat and watched the man. "I'll serve it for you," the man took the tray and Deniz watched him sprinkle something into the broth before serving it to Urval.

[Kyte]

Urval leaned his elbow on the table, balancing his head in his hand, as he waited for breakfast to be served. He drummed his fingers over the table, as he thought about the voyage he was about to undertake. He had always wanted to travel... to see the world, and everything it had to offer... Though somehow, the sweet taste of freedom was undercut by a bitter sensation.

 

Perhaps Urval did feel a little guilty about leaving the castle, and about shirking his responsibilities... He knew that his brother was too selfish and too greedy to make for an effective king and leader of people, though he wasn't one to make judgments himself. Really, had either of them really been right material to be a just and fair king? Urval just supposed it was good that whatever damage his brother did end up doing, it was going to be a short rule, the people, and that mysterious man of the night, would make sure of it.

 

He shook the thought from his head, his breakfast finally arriving. This wasn't his problem anymore. No skin off his nose. Now, he merely needed to focus on his new life as a citizen and refugee. He'd eat his breakfast, find a ship that headed to a new country, and that would be that.

 

"Hm..." Urval looked curiously at the bowl in front of him, picking up a spoon hesitantly. Though he loathed to express it, he was used to bread and eggs for breakfast; a thin broth in the morning was a completely alien concept... He stirred the bowl's contents, trying hard to keep his face from screwing up distastefully, as he worked the diligence he needed to convince himself to begin eating it.

[Yukio Takamiya]

When Urval had started stirring the broth with a look of disdain plastered on his face, Deniz had hope that he had perhaps discovered the poison. But as soon as he started lifting the spoon, Deniz almost fell off his seat. Standing from his seat, he hurriedly ran and slapped the spoon from Urval's hand. As soon as the liquid touched the floor, it sizzled. To actually use acid to kill the prince, how clever.

 

People started shouting at the inn keeper. "Its not me! I never added anything corrosive into the broth!" But Deniz ignored the commotion and leaped over the benches in pursuit of the escaping assailant. He landed in front of the door, blocking the entrance but the assassin did not stop running. Within his tunic, he produced a dagger and plunged the knife towards Deniz's chest. Without time to grab his sword, Deniz lifted his arm and protected his chest while punching the assassin across the face with the other. But it was far from over, the assassin fell over the benches but got up just as quickly.

 

The pain in his arm was excruciating but Deniz tried not to think about it, instead he focused on the enemy in front of him. The assailant had once again charged at him but Deniz was ready this time. Pulling the dagger out of his arm, Deniz dodged the attack and swiftly moved behind the assassin and held the knife to his throat before making a clean slice. The body fell to the ground and people all around started screaming again. By now, they were all huddled in a corner of the room staring at Deniz like he was some sort of abomination. Deniz stared at his arm which was still bleeding profusely then at the blood that had sprayed around during the fight before blacking out.

[Kyte]

Urval looked to the sizzling floor in shock, dread eating away at him, as effectively as the acid ate at the floorboards. He kicked himself for letting down his guard. He was such a damned fool!

 

He watched, as Deniz pursued and fought the attacker, wincing, as he saw the knife bit into his arm. The fight was bloody and rabid, as he watched from the sidelines, everyone else ducking under the tables, or huddling closer to the corners. Urval couldn't move, far too shocked about what was happening, he was rooted to his seat. It wasn't until the assassin was finally defeated, and that Deniz started swaying, that the boy finally found the sense to get up from the table.

 

Urval managed to catch Deniz before he fell to the floor. He clutched the man awkwardly, as his legs strained to keep his heavier frame up. "Hey! Don't be fainting at a time like this! HEY!" He struggled to lift Deniz into an upright position, trying to get him back to his senses, until he heard the heavy footsteps of multiple runners outside. "Goddammit..." Urval cursed, willing to bet those were more assassins.

 

Urval looped on of Deniz's arms over his shoulder, trying to get him on his feet. "Come on!" He grunted. "We gotta run!"

[Yukio Takamiya]

The faces of his smiling parents invaded his vision, but Deniz knew that it was a dream. Because there was know way that they were alive. He felt his hands being grabbed and looked up to see his royal brother smiling at him. He recognised this scenario, it was his fifth birthday. The family had never failed to forget his birthday no matter how busy they were. And when they celebrated, the whole country celebrated together. Deniz guessed that in a way, he was actually more fortunate than Urval when it came to families. But the misfortunate side was that it ended too soon, so soon that he actually didn't want this dream to end. He wanted to sleep on forever so that he could always be this happy.

 

Deniz was vaguely aware that he was on horseback due to the constant jerking which eventually shook him up. He was on Finn, lain across the stallion's back like a sack and a leg came into his vision. "Stop the horse," he said. When the horse stopped, he slid down and looked at Urval. "Couldn't have given me a nice bed for saving you?" After speaking, he winced at his own arm which had been bounded by a piece of cloth torn off his own cloak. 'How hospitable,' he thought as he mourned his favourite cloak which was now jagged at the ends.

 

To be honest, he half expected Urval to leave him to bleed out and board a ship judging by his anger on their previous encounter. But right now, Urval didn't have a chance to leave the country. "How long have I been out?"

[Kyte]

Urval rode with gusto. The sun was beginning to dip towards the west, signalling the afternoon hours. The port was long behind them now, and for a good while, he believed he'd finally lost his pursuers. He heard the lump from behind him start to talk, so he slowed the horse to a stop, letting Deniz slide off to the ground.

 

The boy scoffed. "I thought bandaging you and dragging your heavy, limp body past a gauntlet of angry mercenaries to your waiting horse was compensation enough..." He kept his low-brow gaze on the path, as he hopped off the horse himself.

 

Urval was... miffed to say the least about the situation. He was incredibly angry that his plan to leave the continent fell through, but on the other hand the person responsible had saved his live, (yet another time) so he wasn't allowed to even complain about it. All he was left to do was stew with his emotions, while he tried to come up with another plan...

 

At the wounded man's question, Urval shrugged. "Long enough for me to suffer swords, arrows, and gunpowder..." He listed the events of the narrow escape to Deniz. "Oh, yes, and the part where a man's face was melted by a bowl of morning broth, that was an enjoyable treat." He said sarcastically, giving a shiver. That hadn't been a pretty encounter. "Not looking forward to ever seeing him again."

 

Urval sighed, collapsing into the grass, suddenly incredibly tired. If he could, he would just like to will himself to melt into the grass. Let the earth yawn and take him now, his mind was prepared, his body was willing...

[Yukio Takamiya]

"I appreciate your help, thank you." Deniz thanked Urval who was now lying on the grass. He stood there staring at the prince at the same time pondering on how he should inform Urval on the current situation. "Originally, I intended to take matters into my own hands. But something cropped up which which required myself to come looking for you." Taking a deep breath, Deniz continued. "Your father has been murdered, probably the same night you left. Currently, your brother has claimed that you are the culprit that has run away to avoid prosecution. Only you and I know that you are not the culprit seeing as I was outside your room that night. But right now, there is a large bounty on your head. Not only assassins are after you, bounty hunters have joined in. I'm afraid you are in more danger than you could imagine Your Highness. Its impossible to leave the continent peacefully."

 

Deniz walked towards Finn and gave him a carrot from his sack. "I'm not asking you to go back. That is just courting death. But you have to prove your own innocence unless you want to be pursue your whole life which will eventually end. I will have this matter investigated and look for evidence. And before you start acting stubborn again, I'm going to tell you that you don't have a choice if you want to stay alive. In the mean time, please stay hidden, attacks are going to be more frequent this time." Deniz winced again at the pain in his arm, the wound was still bleeding slightly, the piece of cloth wasn't going to last.

 

"We'd better look for a safe place to hide first," Deniz said pulling Urval up with his unwounded arm. Once they found a place to hide Urval, he could visit the nearest pharmacy to get medical supplies.

[Kyte]

If Urval was feeling shocked or morose about the news that Deniz gave him, it certainly didn't show. He remained on the grass, staring into the bright blue sky. Perhaps he should be a little more concerned about knowing his father was now dead, and that his life was in greater danger now than ever before... But the most Urval could muster was a simple grunt.

 

Even if he wanted to feel bad about all of this, Urval was just too exhausted. The morning was a huge ordeal, and he still hadn't eaten breakfast. Now it was noon, and he was just running on fumes and determination.

 

Urval sighed, as Deniz suggested he laid low, and they should find a place to hide. "Whatever..." He wasn't up to arguing right now. He let the man pull him to his feet, so they could hurry on their way. "Where do you suggest we go?"

[Yukio Takamiya]

"That barn that you spent a night in seems like a pretty good place," Deniz suggested. "It doesn't seem to be very far off from here anyways," he continued recognising the road ahead. Noticing Urval's fatigue, he urged the prince onto Finn," get on." Deniz grabbed the reins with his good arm and pulled the horse along the path. "Take your time to rest, we will be moving slowly," Deniz said as he walked, Urval probably wasn't accustomed to travelling which was why he got tired quickly.

 

When they reached the barn, Deniz left Urval with Finn and walked to the nearest town. Looking for the pharmacy didn't take a long time. After purchasing what he needed he asked the owner for a parchment and quid with ink. Writing a short note on the parchment, he returned the quid and left the shop. Upon leaving the town, Deniz placed his thumb and forefinger into his mouth and blew. Two short whistles and one long one, not long after, a pigeon swooped down. Deniz tied the piece of parchment to the pigeon's feet and the pigeon took off towards the rebel army's hideout. If everything went well, he should have a reply within the month regardless of results.

[Kyte]

Urval didn't argue as he got up on the horse, he nary had the energy to. It was a silent ride, Urval was more or less dazed for the trip, and if Deniz had spoken, he never replied.

 

Much like his first time in the barn, Urval curled up in the hayloft, tucking himself into a comfortable position, while his protector's horse grazed below. With hardly much else to do, he retrieved a leather journal from his bag. Originally, it was to be a chronicle of his adventures, once he was off the country. However, since that was a huge failure, he settled for the notes of a fugitive on the run.

 

The words flowed much more naturally than he thought they would, given his fatigue. Perhaps it was his lack of caring that made the process more streamlined. By the time he had started, from the morning he decided to leave the castle, to his amazing escape in the port town, he had filled out a fair number of pages through his fountain pen.

[Yukio Takamiya]

When Deniz reached the barn, it was mid afternoon. He put away his purchases and placed a loaf of bread and a bottle of water in front of Urval. He didn't say anything about his note to the army. After all, it was just asking them to investigate the king's death, he would do this on his own. Urval didn't seem too concerned about the loss of his father which was to be expected. But right now, Deniz just had to protect him till his innocence has been proven. Hopefully, the prince wouldn't give him too much trouble until then.

 

Deniz let out a large sigh. He didn't know why he even bothered to come in the first place. Back at the village, his body just took over and before he knew it he was already looking for Urval. The prince made it very clear that he wouldn't govern the country, so he wasn't of any use anymore. His death wasn't any of Deniz's concern. Deniz was supposed to be planning the attack on the castle, instead he was here protecting the immature young man. Perhaps he just didn't want his years of protecting Urval to go to waste.

 

"Until the matter has been investigated, you have to stay here. I'll find some way to make sure no one enters this barn."

[Kyte]

Urval said nothing, as he shut his journal, and immediately attacked the loaf of bread that was given to him. It was pretty meager, but it was still better than nothing. He had the whole thing devoured in a matter of minutes, washing it all down with a hearty swig of water.

 

He hummed in response to the man, now taking a moment to regard him. Writing in his journal, he'd had opportunity to think about him, which left him wondering. "Why did you follow me?" He asked, feeling curious. "Since last we spoke, we both seemed to agree I wasn't your concern anymore."

[Yukio Takamiya]

"Who knows?" Deniz replied. "Perhaps its because you reming me of myself when I was young." Turning to look at Urval, he gave the prince a humorless smirk,"clueless about everything." This was said to rile him up. Even if the prince didn't him any reactions, Deniz knew that he would be raging on the inside. Urval wasn't the type to take criticism, he learnt that when he saw the prince's expression at being called spoilt.

 

Deniz stood up and looked around the barn. He wrecked his head for an idea to keep unwanted visitors out. Should perhaps set up a few props to scare them away. Walking towards the large stack of hay that Urval sat on, he pushed the man aside and gathered a portion of the hay. Looking around for some string, he found a stack of ropes tangled in a corner. He shaped the hay into a human sized figure, tying it up in different places where the 'joints' were supposed to be. When he finished he admired his handiwork. Lastly, he tied the remaining longer rope around the hay figure's neck.

 

The barn had a really high ceiling but fortunately, a long ladder as available, leaning against the wooden wall. Climbing up the ladder, Deniz tied the rope to a wooden bar. After that, he placed the ladder lying on the ground right below the figure. In the dark, this would look like a suicide. He would figure out something else for the day.

[Kyte]

Urval snorted. "Funny..." He turned to glare at some panel of wall, to avoid looking at Deniz. He shouldn't have expected a serious answer. It was obvious that the man held very little respect for him, despite all the rescuing that had occurred in the past.

 

When he was pushed, Urval sentenced another glare at Deniz. Was it too difficult to have merely asked him to move aside? At this point, the boy was sure that the older man was actively trying to irritate him. He watched the man thoughtfully as he worked now, gazing at him like he was trying to solve a puzzle. There was so much about this stranger that didn't add up. His obscure motivations, and his contradictory attitude, it left Urval to wonder.

 

"Saving my life, hiding me away, staging suicide with hay puppets... That's alot to do for someone who means 'nothing' to you." He emphasized, as a call back to their previous conversation. "You even said you plan to clear my name, but at what benefit to you, I wonder?"

[Yukio Takamiya]

Deniz spared Urval a sideway glance then adverted his eyes to looking at the puppet. "As I have told you on our previous encounter, I have reasons. But they are not for you to know." Walking to the other side of the hay stack, he sat down. "At least not now, you will find out yourself even without me telling you." He laid down on the hay and let out a tired sigh feeling fatigued all of a sudden,"all in good time," he said and closed his eyes.

 

After a while, the sounds of rain invaded his ears and Deniz opened his eyes. Standing up, he walked towards a window and turned the knob beside it, a wooden panel slid down, blocking the rain from entering. He did the same for the others before walking towards the bag of purchases. Taking out a roll of bandages, Deniz unwound the piece of cloth from his arm and replaced it with the bandage.

 

"Sleep, I'll stay up to guard tonight," he said and moved to sit by the entrance.

[Kyte]

Urval scoffed. "If I survive that long... Or even reserve interest for that matter..." He slumped in his spot of hay. As a prince and a target, Urval had always had to endure whispers and hidden agendas. So many a time he wandered the castle, more or less hiding in plain sight, overhearing the hushed mutterings and conspiracies of people who would assumed he wasn't within earshot. So many people who wanted things from him, or who wanted him out of the picture. "I'm too damn tired of secrets..." He grumbled, rolling over to face the wall.

 

The boy said nothing from then on, choosing merely to stare at the planks of wood that made up the wall, as he curled in silence. This wasn't how escape was supposed to go. By now, he should have been far out into the ocean, and even farther from his brother's grasp. Now he was a fugitive, forced to live the next foreseeable future within this drafty prison of a barn...

[Yukio Takamiya]

Through the night, Deniz sat by the door of the barn listening to the beats of the rain upon the roof and windows. As he stood guard, many thoughts went through his mind. Worries of what might happen next. Thoughts of how Raphael was handling stuff on the other end. It wasn't that he didn't trust Raphael, but without being there to oversee things himself, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. And things were never good when he felt uneasy. The pigeon wouldn't return for a while, until then, he would have to protect Urval and keep him away from crowded areas.

 

Letting out another sigh, Deniz bent his head and buried it between his knees. Somehow, taking care of Urval was harder than his own responsibilities. He was only nineteen for godsake, and here he was risking his own life to protect someone just two years younger than him. If he had a choice, he wouldn't be doing this. But it would be even better if Urval hadn't chose to run away in the first place. Still, who knows what might happen even then.

[Kyte]

Urval dreamt of the sea that night. He dreamed of swinging about the yards and over the decks, hard working sailors singing a jovial ballad of some adventurer, and the spray of the brine. He dreamed of clear blue skies, white sails, and an endless horizon, filled with the promise of endless opportunities.

 

As he took in the glorious blue yonder, he felt a nameless presence by his side, alien yet familiar all at once. It was warm, comforting, and inviting, and Urval never hesitated to cozy further into it. He didn't shy, to the strong and sure arm that draped over his shoulder to squeeze him in closer. His heart fluttered at the feel of a nose brushing over his temple, as soft lips whispered to his ear-

 

He woke at that moment, blinking in confusion, as his conscious mind fought to gather his faculties and remind him of where he actually was. Back in the barn.

 

Urval sighed in utter and complete disappointment, rolling over onto his side, and curling into a meek position. Suddenly, the chill of the barn felt much worse than it had before. The familiar, hollow ache he usually felt had inflamed, growing to a painful hunger that groaned deep within his chest. It was moments like this was what made his existence feel like true agony.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Dawn broke and the sun's rays peeked through the tiny gaps of the closed window. The rain had finally stopped. Deniz who had his head buried between his knees the whole night finally looked up. Weight pulled on his eyelids and he rubbed them. Deniz stood up and surveyed the surroundings for reasons unknown to him, he just felt like something was amiss despite being awake the whole night. Walking over to the mountain of hay, Deniz watched the still sleeping prince. Urval seemed to have aged the past week without the luxuries he had as a prince. A frown was etched into the prince's brows as he slept. Deniz squatted down and massaged it away gently with his thumb before moving back to his spot by the door.

 

Letting out the umpteenth sigh, he raised his head and stared at the ceiling. He would stay awake until Urval awoke.

[Kyte]

Urval awoke to the sounds of birds chirping, and sunlight beaming inside. He groaned, lifting himself from the hay, rubbing the sleep away from his face. He wasn't sure when he fell back to sleep for the second time that night. He could remember staring at the wall long enough, lusting for a dream that'd never come true. Evidently, he must have faded without realizing.

 

He stretched his hands up towards heaven, loosening his sleep-taut muscles, before clambering to his feet. Urval regarded Deniz with a nod, completely unaware of the intimate touching that had happened earlier. He combed a hand through his hair, grimacing at the gloss and tangles he felt at his fingertips. He desperately needed a wash.

 

"I'm going out to the water trough." Urval declared, walking towards the door.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Deniz nodded his reply tiredly. He felt weary and weak, alo most like as if he were ninety instead of nineteen. Moving over to the hay mount, Deniz lay down and covered his eyes with his arm. Wondering if he was supposed to stand guard by Urval or snould he just stay where he was. He couldn't bring himself to get up after lying down. Perhaps he should have made sure that Urval came back before going to rest.

 

Deniz closed his eyes. The worries of his comrades running through his head again and again. This couldn't keep up. He had to get everything over and done with as soon as possible. Listening to the splashes of water outside of the barn, it somehow soothed him unknowingly. Deniz drifted off soon after.

[Kyte]

Urval, shirtless, was knelt next to the water trough. He scooped out the water from his hands, tossing it over his body in an attempt to rinse off the grime of his travels. He sighed, wishing he at least had the luxury of soap help with a more thorough cleaning...

 

After a while, he had become reasonably satisfied with his hygiene. He just leaned on the rim of the trough, feeling a familiar sense of fatigue take him over. Idly, he sat there, stroking his hand through the water, and watching the light of the day ripple over the surface.

 

Was having a fair and happy life simply too much to ask? Was he really just a clueless and naive enough to think that he could ever have a future like that for himself? It felt like everything he had gone through during the last few days have all been signs that anything he tried to achieve on his own was only an effort in futility. Perhaps, in his case, things truly were hopeless...

 

Urval lurched up from the trough, thinking it was about time to re-enter the barn and dry off, before he caught cold. As he came through the door, he noticed Deniz in the stack of hay he had used for a bed. Urval hummed thoughtfully, going over to his bag. Getting his cloak, he threw it over Deniz's sleeping form. Though he thought himself to be a miserable human being, at least no one could say that Urval wasn't without manners...

 

Retrieving a book from his bag Urval sat over by Finn, cracking it open, so he could kill time with just the barest bit of ease.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Deniz felt unpleasantly hot and cold at the same time, his arm hurt like a bitch and itched as well. Cold sweat rolled across his skin and he pulled the cloak on top of him closer not registering that it didn't belong to him. Finally he couldn't take it and sat up weakly. He unbounded the bandages and grimaced at the gruesome sight of his arm. As he thought, without being disinfected by alcohol, his arm had gotten infected. Some parts had rotted and yellowed with pus and his raw flesh couldn't heal. He groaned at the pain and wrapped it up with a clean set of bandages. The infection had incurred a fever and Deniz found it difficult to even move. He took heavy breathes and staggered outside to the water trough.

 

Splashing water over his face, Deniz felt the tiniest bit better from the heat and plopped down on the ground, too weak to get up again.He needed a physician fast, or the fever would kill him. Apparently, Finn who had followed him out was clever enough to realise that his master was ill. He bent down and slipped his head under Deniz's torso, moving until Deniz was atop his long neck before getting up. Deniz slid down Finn's neck and onto his back, lying the same way Urval had placed him when they fled from the assailants.

 

"Stay in there and don't come out.......until I return,"he said weakly, assuming that Urval was there to hear him. Finn trotted off carefully with his master ensuring that Deniz didn't fall off. The way to the nearest town played out in his head.

[Kyte]

Urval had all but finished the book, cover to cover, in the time that Deniz had disappeared. How long? He couldn't say. He had been good about staying within the confines of the barn, he couldn't say he felt he had an accurate grasp of the time.

 

From what he could tell, it seemed that night was coming upon him, the last bits of light had begun to disappear on him...

 

"How long was he supposed to be?" He wondered to himself, lifting himself to stretch his muscles. He froze, when he heard movement outside.

 

Could that have been Deniz? How could he be sure? He could hear someone shuffling about in the coming dark. Urval's nerves buzzed anxiously, this didn't feel right...

 

Quietly as he could, Urval made his way to the ladder in the barn, climbing up to the hayloft to hide. He lifted the ladder up behind him. If it did turn out to be an intruder, at least they couldn't climb up after him...