{Music Recommendation: Love and War ~ Fleurie}
"Oh Adric, His Majesty, sleeping so soundly while I’m stuck here... watching you snore. You’re supposed to be the hero," Rowan sang in a high-pitched tone, dangling the chain that was used to tie him, making annoying noises that disturbed even the soldiers of Eridor.
One of the soldiers angrily pointed at his face, "Shut up!"
Rowan ignored the warning. This time, his voice was even louder, "Brave and true. But... now I’m the one, waiting for you!"
"I agree with them, shut up, Rowan," Adric groaned as he tried to touch the back of his head, which was throbbing, but he couldn’t because, for some reason, his hands wouldn’t move.
Rowan gasped, "Oh, look who is awake. Welcome to the team of captives," the sarcasm laced in Rowan’s words didn’t go unnoticed by Adric.
Adric chuckled softly, looking down at his feet, which were bound in chains, including his hands. He was tied to the same tree as Rowan, both their backs touching.
"This is not how to thank your savior," Adric muttered, his eyes roaming the area to see the soldiers of Eridor training not far from them.
Rowan sucked his teeth, "I told them to kill me because I was so sure you’d invade this place and kill every last soldier of Eridor, and I will die a happy man. . . But when I saw you walk in here alone, I almost asked their king to take me as one of his." the king’s personal guard mused, a wry smile spreading across his face.
"I wanted to come kill you myself for letting yourself get caught," Adric said with a mocking tone, raising his eyes to look at the chain that held them.
Rowan opened his mouth to talk and then nodded, "I knew it! You would never come here to take me back alive."
"You must have cried all night, waiting for me to come save you." Adric remarked, dragging the chain forward to check it’s strength, as a mischievous grin spread on his lips.
Rowan sucked his teeth, doing the same thing with his chain. "Fine! When is Malcolm and the soldiers coming in to save us? You might not know it, but standing like this hurts my back."
"Just me," Adric replied nonchalantly.
Rowan sucked his teeth, trying to think of what Adric’s words might mean. Then he said, "Just you? Like you’re already tired of standing, or just you-"
"Just me, as in the only one here to rescue you," Adric’s reply was loud and clear that the soldiers turned to look at them. One of them walked towards them.
Now standing in front of them, the soldier of Eridor pointed at them, "What are you both talking about, your plan to escape?"
Rowan nodded, "My point exactly. That is what we are supposed to be talking about. Can you please tell him?"
"Do you not trust that I can get you out of here all by myself?" Adric asked, as if someone wasn’t standing in front of him.
Rowan rolled his eyes, "I was going to trust you, but then you are here, chained with me."
The Eridor soldier in front of them started laughing, "I thought the King of Avon was someone we should be scared of. Turns out he is just weak."
Rowan raised his face, glaring at the young man in front of him, "What did you just say about His Majesty?"
"What are you going to do? You’re in chains, and I’m not."
Adric closed his eyes, shaking his head in pity for the ignorant man, "You don’t want to rile him up. He can be a little testy when angered, and he’s already angry right now."
The soldier looked at the two men who were arguing a minute ago, now defending each other. Not heeding Adric’s words, he continued.
"Why was he offended? Because I called his king weak?"
Rowan’s eyes darkened as he glared at the young man in front of him, "You know I can’t hear you, right? Come a little closer and speak louder."
"Don’t," Adric advised with a relaxed tone, but the soldier decided to try, and he took a step closer to Rowan. When he opened his mouth to talk, Rowan pulled his chain, using it to grip the man’s neck tightly, almost choking him.
The rest of the soldiers saw this and gathered around them, pointing their swords at the king of Avon and his personal guard.
"Rowan, let him go. We are here for peace," Adric spoke with a tired voice, but Rowan continued to choke the man, whose face was now turning white. "You won’t? Fine, I’m not with him," he shrugged, turning his face to the other side.
With the small commotion outside, the Crown Prince of Eridor stepped out of his tent, pushing his own soldiers to the side.
"What is going on here? How did a chained man get you?" he asked the soldier, who wasn’t able to talk as he was about to lose his life.
Rowan didn’t loosen his grip; he tightened the chain one more time, ready to end the man’s life.
"Let go of him this instant!" The Crown Prince of Eridor commanded, but it was as if his words provoked Rowan even more, as he turned the chain one more time around the poor soldier’s neck.
Adric tutted, "Tsk, hm..." he hummed. "Rowan, let him go," he instructed, and with one move, Rowan removed the chain, pushing the soldier, who was now breathing heavily, grateful that he was alive.
"You dare lay your hands on my men when you’re chained? Are you not afraid of death?"
Adric chuckled, "You mean him? No, he is not." He replied, now with a serious tone he asked, "And is this how you welcome your guests?"
"Guests?" The Crown Prince asked. "You are in chains, not guests."
Adric looked at the chain that held him. "Don’t be deceived by what you see," he muttered. "I am here to ask that you end the war."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince, including his men, started laughing, pointing at Adric as if he had lost his mind.
"The war only ends when you bow to me and accept defeat. Then I shall consider," The young Prince continued. "And that would cost Avon their port, three hundred women, and seven hundred bales of silk, seventy horses. That is the only conversation I’m willing to have with you."
Rowan scowled, doing little to hide his amusement, "Three hundred wome- This man has lost his-"
"Rowan," Adric called him in a low voice, so he wouldn’t have to finish his words. "Prince of Eridor, my only bargain is that we end this war with no more bloodshed. Accepting defeat and bowing to Eridor won’t be happening."
The Crown Prince nodded, "I knew you’d say that. When you’re ready, we can talk better. And also, this soldier of yours will be given to Eridor as a slave."
Adric laughed when he heard this, "Prince of Eridor, hm..." he hummed. "I have given you the best offer I can. When I’m ready, you might not be."
"We will see about that." Saying this, the Crown Prince walked away, his soldiers following him.
Rowan exhaled, shaking his head, "We had all the chances to end all of this. Why did you stop me? Do you not want to leave here?"
Adric smiled, "I want to, trust me, Rowan, but I’m making sure this is the last time I will return to the battlefield."
"So you do have a plan?" Rowan asked impatiently.
Adric sucked his teeth, "I believe I do, just hoping it works."
"Whatever it is, please just be quick. I am really tired of standing," Rowan remarked, pushing his leg to the side.
Adric turned, trying to see Rowan’s face, "Who was it that was ready and willing to die for the crown? You clearly asked them to kill you."
"I was then, but not anymore. I want to go home." Rowan replied, shaking the chains again.
Adric’s eyes softened. "Home," his voice was barely audible, thinking about Oriana at the moment. He could give anything in the world to be beside her again. And he prayed silently in his heart that his plan works so he could end the war once and for all and return home.
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