Chapter 1 - Flight

Crown Prince Jooran looked out of his balcony on to the glistening, sapphire Ocean. His close fitting clothes showed off his trim, well-toned figure, but he would bear the discomfort for this one day. He was to be married off to Loren, the princess of Teothas, the neighbouring kingdom, to forge an alliance with a marriage of state.

A knock on his door brought him out of his reverie, and he turned around,
“Enter.” He called, as a member of the Sapphire Guard, the elite force of Loerean, knocked on the door again. It was Kalis, his childhood friend.
“You are summoned to the chapel.” He informed Jooran, then, seeing the distress on his friends face, he continued, “Don’t worry Jooran, you are about to marry a beautiful woman, this should be the happiest day of your life.”
Jooran looked past his friend and thought to himself, ‘beautiful yes, but what other hidden talents, or poisons she may have.’ With a heavy heart, Jooran followed his friend out of his suite.

“Where is he? Where is the boy? Didn’t Kalis find him?” King Marcus paced the outside of the doors, wringing his hands together. His head snapped up as Jooran, and Kalis ran through the outer doors, obviously out of breath.
“Where have you been? No actually, don’t answer, your bride is waiting.” With a smile and a small gentle shove from the king, Jooran walked through the doors. The guests rose as he passed, and he nodded to each of the rows accordingly. As soon as he reached the Golden Altar of Thulgar, the bridal chorus started up.

Briefly scanning the room for magic, Prince Jooran took the hands of Loren in his, but his head started swimming as the high priest of Thulgar started speaking. A dull droning filled his ears and he suddenly dropped Loren’s hands, as if they burned with infernal fire.
“I’m so, so sorry Loren.” He whispered with a hoarse voice, before he fled the chapel, Kalis hot on his heels.

He stopped when he reached the citadel gates, and felt a hand on his shoulder. Even with his heavy, ceremonial armour, Kalis could still keep up with him.
“What in the name of the Seven High Gods do you think you are doing Jooran?” Kalis asked, firmly shaking him by the shoulders.
“I couldn’t marry her, I don’t want to be shackled by this marriage.” He replied, “I’m going to The Out-Country,” He scanned Kalis’ face for a hint of sympathy; he found nothing but a grin.
“If you go, you will need an escort, you may be a match for one of the court magicians, but you will be mauled by a group of bandits.” It took Jooran a few moments for the meanings of the words to sink in, but when they did, his face lit up with a grin of his own.

In his spare rooms, Jooran found his armour stand, and his battle armour occupied it. A set of Sapphire Plate-mail that was exactly the same as that of the Sapphire guard, apart from the silver border that replaced the white. His shield, a field of Sapphire with a silver border, and a wolf over a bow. He called his spare servant over to help him don the armour. Instead of being made of heavy and cumbersome steel, like the common troops, it was made of lightweight star-iron, mined in the Crater. He strapped on his longsword and short sword, and got his servant to carry his packs, bow and shield down to the stables, where Kalis was waiting. They quickly mounted, and Jooran leant down from the saddle to grasp the hand of his servant, before he and Kalis galloped out of the Golden Gates.

“What do you mean gone? How can the Crown Prince just disappear?” King Marcus raged, “He can’t even get married properly.” The doors swung open as Corman, the Captain of the Sapphire Guard entered, sword and helmet at his side.
“Kalis is missing my lord, I believe he left with Jooran. We have reports from the guards on the walls, that two helmeted riders left from the northern gate.” As Corman reported, King Marcus just looked out of the window. “We will try to find your son as soon as humanly possible my lord…” He was cut off with a curt hand-gesture from the king. Who stated,
“I have no son now.” Corman, shocked at the words just stood back in shock. He bowed as he left the hall and thought to himself, ‘God speed my son, and be true to your pledge. The Crown Prince must not die.’ He closed the doors behind him.

~ *** ~

Jooran wiped the sweat of his brow with his handkerchief. He forgot how hot the country could be in the middle of summer, without the magic of the court mages. Yes he could cool himself down, it was a simple spell, but any use of magic, no matter how minor, could alert any magic users to his presence. He didn’t want to let anyone know where he was; he would probably be herded back to the capitol and made to marry Loren. It’s not that she wasn’t attractive, she was. It’s just that he didn’t love her, and that was what mattered to him. His reverie was abruptly stopped by Kalis.
“My prince, we are almost near the border of the county. There’s two more before the Out-Country.” Jooran simply nodded.
“From now on Kalis, call me Joor, most people know my name, and I don’t want to be found just yet.” Kalis sighed.
“Ok Joor, as you command.”

A farmstead stood just on the border of the counties, though nestled just inside Gelson. They didn’t go to the capitol that often, but the prince’s face was on the silver coins, which they may have had sometimes. It was risk that they needed to take, though they had basic rations, they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get some fruit and vegetables.
“Joor, though I follow your orders, I will do the talking, they may recognise your voice, even if they don’t go to Canthe, they may have seen you on a receiving plate.” Joor didn’t say anything, but let Kalis over take him, so that he could take the lead and seem as if he is in command.

“Greetings and well met knight.” Came the haggard call of an old farm-hand. “You are here just in time to sup with us.” He held out both arms in greeting before placing them on his thighs in the typical bow of Loerean. Jooran looked at Canthe sharply, this was something they did not need. All they had to do was barter for goods. But Canthe just smiled, and performed a small mounted bow.
“We would be honoured to share hearth and house with you this evening.” Canthe replied. Appearing suddenly at their side were two lads, no more than 10 winters old, to take their horses to the stables. Both Canthe and Jooran dismounted in a precise militarily trained manner.
“If you would follow me to the fire-house, I will see to your belongings put in rooms.” He turned and strode off, his stride quick for one so old.

After the old man was a few steps ahead, Jooran turned to face Canthe.
“What are you doing, He’ll recognize me for sure. They all will. Then I will be treated as the prince, and they will press things on us, whilst not getting a fair price for them.” He was shaking his head as he said these things.
“My prince, even if they do recognize you, these are not your nobles, they will not throw things upon you, even if you are royal. They know what they need to survive.” He laughed and patted Jooran on the back. “If I am wrong, then we will give them so much money that they won’t question what we take. And I will buy you a case of the finest wine to be found in the Out-Country”

In the centre of the long building that served as the fire-house, was a tall lean figure, his face illuminated by the light thrown off by the fire in the middle of the wall.
“Melron, Who have you brought for dinner this time?” He said this without turning, though he held no malice or ill intent in his voice.
“Master, I have two knights of the Sapphire Guard with me, they come from the capitol. They have provisions, but only trail-worthy ones, and we have food to spare.” Melron said, wringing his hands together in front of his tunic.
Canthe stepped in “We are sorry if it will cause any inconvenience to you or your own, master…” his voice trailed off.
“Miller. Janis Miller. Ex-Captain of the Light Brigade of Loerean.” And you would be Canthe, of the Sapphire Guard, and your travelling companion is none other than the crown-prince Jooran, Second Captain of the Sapphire Guard.