Chapter Ten

       

       "Good heavens!" Bek exclaimed as soon as the horrible image of Méah's wound on her back, flashed before his eyes.

        It took a long time removing the cloth that had glued itself above it, like a bandage on a wound that had been left unattended for weeks. The stinking smell of a rotten flesh made the old man cough for several times. Ferlah who was on her other side to assist, immediately looked away, not saying anything.

       Undeniably, there were something tiny wriggling on it, lively playing through the holes of the dead flesh. The wound had grown these filthy parasites the time it got infected, slowing down its healing process. Some would even flick themselves out, causing them to fall to the ground, as though rebelling about what happened to their shelter.

      Above all, of course, Méah suffered the most. She felt like the skin on her back was scraped open. The tormenting feeling made her bit Ferlah's coat that was just inches within her grasped. She didn't even realized that her hand automatically flew on it, sending it to her mouth. It stung and itched so much at the same time that she just wanted to scratch it off her whole life.

        Another one on her shoulder and another two on the side and in the middle of her stomach have the same conditions, too. She almost collapsed at the unbearable pain.

       "Too bad these were left untreated for a long time," Bek broke the silence, lightly shaking his head as he felt sorry for Méah. "These would've eaten you alive."

       Bek started cleaning it with a little piece of cloth from the hem of Ferlah's robe. They didn't have anything to use yet since it has been only been hours since they came he came here, so, Ferlah offered it and washed it herself in the nearby hot spring.

       He then started applying treatments on it. They came in liquid and powder. And then, Méah had to endure another level of torture again.

      Surprised at the fact that this 'crazy old man' was well-prepared, he was also an expert in medicine—which made him feel even more familiar to her. But then she had to ignore the feeling, thinking it maybe just some sort of hallucinations.

     So it was luck that they met him or else she would have died with these injuries. To further conclude her condition, Bek told her that she had a traumatic head injury, causing her to lost her past memories and sometimes her sanity or feel confused, dazed and disoriented. Not to mention the recurring hallucinations and delusions. She didn't even know or remember why she had such since all she knew was that she'd never had any accidents before. Or was it that she had already forgotten it, too?

    He even prevented her to never force herself to remember anything or else her brain wouldn't be able to handle it—the reason why she'd easily faint and would increase the risk of falling into a comatose state or worst, death. And the rest, nothing else but minor fracture on one of her ankles.

      However, she was advised to just go easy on herself first before he could fully acquire all the medicines needed. They were even stunned at how impossible she survived all of these.

       When the light was replaced with darkness and the stars and the moon shone in the sky, they started working on their plan.

       Méah was just laying sideways, avoiding her treated areas while the other two sat opposite each other around the small fire.

       Not long afterwards, Bek left to do his part, leaving the two of them in the cave who was in-charged for the map construction.

       But instead of talking about their plans, Méah and Ferlah talked about how ridiculous Bek was when he voluntarily came here in Beggars' Town and pretended as a 'crazy old man' just to fish informations about this wicked graveyard and its treasures.

       "Where are you going?" she asked Ferlah when saw her standing up from her seat.

      "Wait here. I...I need to find some food for us." Ferlah left quickly, not even giving her a glimpse.

      Before Méah could answer, she was already out of the cave. She just watched her figure fade under the pale moonlight.

      Many days passed and their routine continued. They've provided each of them enough food and clothing by sneaking out every night. And the improvements of their plans increased that much.

      Yet besides all of that, Méah's wounds and specifically her head injury showed an extremely slow recovery process. But that didn't stop her from helping her companions with their plans. Now, she's try to get herself used to it, in case their plans would get fully furnished earlier than they expected, then she will never be a burden to them during their escape.

     But it wasn't only her. She's not sure if Bek had also noticed Ferlah's behaviors the moment after he would leave at night. Ferlah would also leave after him with various reasons and Méah would just nod her head to it. And she had no idea where she'd gone or maybe she just wanted time to be alone. After all, she had just lost her family. She never asked anyway. Sometimes, she would catch her silently crying or tearing up on certain things.

      And sometimes, Ferlah would come back late at night after Bek had arrived, with small splashes of blood on her clothes and hands...

     

      

       

 

         It's been a month since Prince Zaeius stayed in the royal underground though it felt like decades for him. His body longed for the sun's warmth and the relaxing freshness of air. He'd been so drained looking at the same boring wall everytime he woke up in his plain bed that he even finished counting the beads hanging around the only chandelier above him. The place was exhausting him, like he's a prisoner who kept on breathing recyled air.

      But no matter how much he wanted to get out of what he described as 'hell', he can't. The giant serpent was still out there, continuously raising havoc in the kingdom. Death tolls kept on rising day by day. This made him feel useless like how can he stay hidden while the others paid their lives for the foolishness that he made? Sitting here and hearing the bad news from the outside, he suffered the most with the major loss.

     And yes, he'd never forget about his best friend and the girl. Ever since he left them without a word for he had bought the golden lies of the young general, he'd never had a good sleep. Horrific thoughts and scenes about what might possibly happen to them kept flashing in his mind everytime he thought of them.

       Guilt and regret haunted him the moment he knew he's sailing with lies. It's not his nature to hold grudges nor curse at someone, but heck! He had wished countless times the liar was dead! Better that he also went missing along with Keir and the girl. Best that he'd never see even his shadow again!

     He shouldn't have believed him! He wouldn't have left Keir alone! What if he's dead, both of them? No way! That's impossible! He needs to get out of here! He needs to find them as soon as possible!

       It's also been a month since the searching for the three began. Yet, there's still not even a word from them or the maybe the king had kept any news from him. But he can't just hide here! No one knows how his feet itched to get out and search for them himself!

       His thoughts were disturbed when he heard someone knocking outside the door. With excitement, he sprinted towards it, opening it widely. And he was right! It was the royal adviser.

      "Your highness," the royal adviser greeted politely.

       Of all the servants in the kingdom, he's the closest one to him. And he'd never trusted anyone that much except him, his mother and Keir. Nevermind his father who have been drowning himself for the throne.

       And one of the best perks why the royal adviser earned his trust is that he'd never 'sell' him to his father. What's between them will only stay between them. At this point, he's the only one whom he can run into. He'd never turned him down whenever he asked for help, even if it's against the king's orders.

       However, the royal adviser still respects him so much as he respects the king regardless of his treatment to him.

       "It's alright, Mon." He waved his hand, disregarding the act as he couldn't wait to hear the news. "So how did it go? Did Gowl find them?"

        His highness was referring to the blue-eyed servant owl with a bell. It may sound absurd for relying with such creature but he didn't have a choice anymore, neither did he believed that it could work more than just sending letters. And there's no time to turn back, since it's already done. It caused them too much risk knowing that the king had prohibited the royal adviser from visiting him.

        Mon took something from his pocket, handing it to him. "Gowl brought this."

      He took it lightly from his hand, unfolding it with furrowed brows. "What is this?"

      His highness asked, looking at the small, vertical paper with some weird red writings on it.

       "A talisman. Used to trap bad spirits in a certain place," Mon said.

      "But I thought these things didn't exist anymore?" he asked, "And where on earth did Gowl find this?"

      "You're right. But there's still one place left though," Mon told him.

     "Where?" Prince Zaeius asked, curious with his doubts as he played the yellow paper with his fingers.

      "Graves of the Unknown, at the Beggar's Town." Mon turned his back, facing the door.

       His highness couldn't believe what he had just heard. Of course, he'd heard such place. It was his sleeping pills as a child once his mother had started telling scary stories about it. But why would they go there? It was a dangerous place! All kinds of people and nightmares lingered in there!

      However, there was much more than these thoughts that triggered him...graves...graveyard...

      "Does this mean they're probably...dead?" his voice trailed off, heart palpitating rapidly.

     "We can't conclude yet." Mon faced him. "Well, the only way is to let the beast itself hunt its prey."

      "Right. But is this really the right time?" He spoke courageously without doubts.

      "Right time or not. This is your only chance. Better not delay or else..." Mon reminded him. "I'll clear the way for you as what we've planned."

       The royal adviser headed out, folding his hands behind him.

       Prince Zaeius could only swallow the lump forming inside his throat as he watched him disappear into his view.

       'This is it. Whatever happens, happens. No regrets.'

        Night came faster than he expected. Nocturnal creatures started singing melodies in the dark.

       Right after he changed into an all black clothes and packed everything he needed, he heard three soft knocks on the door. He already knew who's behind it.

       "Come in!"  he replied.

       The door swung open. A woman of his age, clothed in a servant's dress of combined gray and white colour, stood in front of it. Though the clothing still look presentable and formal. Adorned her head was a mobcap which was a lot bigger than usual, covering her whole face. Its rounded edge flapped as she filtered in the dim-lighted room.

      "Your highness," she mouthed as she placed a tray on the table small table.

      His highness took the silverware that covered the tray. Although he had expected it already, it made him shiver a for a bit.

     "Thank you, Norah," he said, staring at the feminine clothing same as the woman's, on the tray.

      He couldn't imagine why it should come to this point. Ever since his existence, he had never done anything as shameful as this. And he's sure as hell that no one had shamed their bloodline before!

      "No worries, your highness. You sure would look beautiful on it," she teased him.

     Norah had grown up in the castle along with her servant mother. He would sometimes let her join them play with Keir and...

   

    No wonder how she could easily pull such remarks on him.

      "Cut it," he retorted, still fixing his eyes  on the cloth.

      Playful images of him in female's clothing played horrifically in his mind. His stomach churned by the thoughts of it.

      "Just kidding, your highness. I must go. Royal Adviser Mon will turn me into a dead meat if I'll stay here for too long," She took a bow and hurriedly left out of the room.

      Immediately at once, he picked up the dress and wore it above his all black attire. Unfortunately, its size made him look like a laundered blanket hanging in a clothesline. He even effortlessly closed the zipper behind him.

      "Damn you, Mon!" he muttered under his breath. "Better not delay, his ass!"

       Judging from it, surely, it would make him difficult to walk or even run. He hadn't even walked yet, but its collar had already draped off his shoulder. Not to mention the mobcap that had swallowed his whole head down to his neck.

        'What on earth is this? An extra large blanket?'

        But he must go on. He picked up his body pouch and clutched the skirt part of the dress that looked like a wedding gown.

       He started walking out of the room and his eyes searched for any sign of movements in the tunnel's hallway.

       'Clear.'

       The royal adviser must've done his best as what he said. He did cleared the hallway.

      Lurking in the faint brightness along the passageway, his pace became faster and faster until he had rolled the dress up his waist. With that, he freely sprinted his way out.

        He arrived at the front of the royal kitchen, panting unsteadily, letting down the blanket—the dress rather. After fixing himself, he knocked on its door.

   

       A couple of seconds passed, the door opened. It was Norah alone, looking shocked, restraining her laughter behind her pursed lips. Well, he can't blame her at how hilarious he looked but he wondered where did the rest of the maids go. He should thank Mon for this.

     "Hey! Stop!" someone yelled from his back.

     The patrolling soldiers! At this point, he could only blame one thing—the thing that had made him underwent so much trouble!

      "Your highness! Quick! Come in!" she exclaimed.

      He swiftly dashed in and run to the drainage entrance, opening it quickly. Norah shut the door as soon as possible who was now holding her chest, terrified.

      Before he dove in, he grabbed the lamp beside him. He then thanked Norah and went on for his long journey.

      The stinking smell of the place filled his nostrils. He stopped for awhile, tearing off the thing that had brought disgrace to his royalty. A relieved sigh escaped his mouth.

       As he continued walking, mice and frogs and other filthy creatures leaped away from his way. And he couldn't help but let out small whimpers inside his forcibly shut mouth.

      If someone was with him now, he's certain that they would absolutely laugh at him. Who knows the courageous and strong-willed prince is afraid of those things that only children were scared?

     'Goodness, Zaeius! You're heinously embarrassing!'

       Soon, the kerosene from the lamp dried and its light went out. And he saw himself disappeared in the middle of the darkness of the drainage underground.