Chapter 3

Inside the royal palace of Arabour, King Horux kept thinking about his son's whereabouts.  He was very afraid if something bad happened to Prince Edward.  Not only because he is his son, but because he is afraid of losing the heir to the throne of the Arabour Kingdom.  Since Queen Zaneth, the mother of Prince Edward, died during the night of the attack by the Dragon Grivendor, he had absolutely no intention of getting married again.  Remember that night, they were fast asleep.  A guard knocked loudly on the door.  By the time he and his wife came out, part of the kingdom had been burned down.  Several soldiers were seen fighting back with arrows and swords on the tower of Lasgard.  But the power of the Grivendor Dragon is too strong.  Its hefty legs toppled the tower of Lasgard, causing several soldiers to fall from the top of the tall tower.  King Horux told Queen Zaneth to go with her son, Prince Edward, who was still a toddler.  Queen Zaneth immediately returned to the room to retrieve the Prince.  Meanwhile, King Horux take the sword and attacked the Grivendor Dragon.

 But unfortunately, the heavy blow from the Grivendor Dragon made part of the building collapse and hit Queen Zaneth who was running.  King Horux shouted and run over.  Queen Zaneth is trapped in the ruins of a building.  Several soldiers approached to save the Queen.  Meanwhile Dragon Grivendor flew away.

 Queen Zaneth was rescued from the rubble.  However, the wound was severe enough to make her lose a lot of blood and suffered broken bones in several parts.  King Horux laid his wife's head on his lap.

 "I can't possibly stand it," said Queen Zaneth with a feeble look.

 "No! Call the occupational healer!"  shouted King Horux.

 Several maid ran to carry out the king's orders.

 "Listen to me, take good care of our son. Whatever happens, remember that he is the only heir to Lasgard."

 Queen Zaneth closed her eyes.  Like being slashed with a knife, for the first time, King Horux couldn't hide his tears and cried in front of the kingdom's inhabitants.

 The next day, Lord Elden and Lord Zathur assisted in the cremation of the Queen.  The last respect they carried out in front of the destroyed Lasgard palace.  Prince Edward will be cared for by the queen's loyal servants who are devoted to the kingdom.  Lord Elliot suggested that they leave Rivendell for their safety and that of the people.  Because it is very likely that the Grivendor Dragon will return again.

 King Horux felt very disappointed in himself.  He felt he failed to maintain the mandate of his late wife.  It is evident that he lost the Prince in the forest.  He don't know what happened to him now.  King Horux gazed deep into the Lordwood mountains.

 'Knock Knock Knock'

 "Come in!"

 "Your Majesty, Lord Elliot and the other higher-ups are waiting for the banquet," said the maid, looking down.

 "Okay. I'll be down soon."

 "I, Your Highness."

 The servant closed the door and left the King alone.  Reluctantly, King Horux exited the room and walked down the stairs.

 Various kinds of delicious dishes have been served on the dining table.  Several female maiden were standing some distance behind the high ranking royals who were sitting on the dining chairs.  Seeing the King coming, they are stand up and bowed respectfully.

 "Your Majesty!"  they said at the same time.

King Horux are smile and sit down. They sit back down and a few maids came to help serve the food on their plates.

 The sadness that King Horux felt was apparently seen by Lord Elliot.  Evidently at dinner King Horux did not touch the slightest dish on the dining table.  Seeing that, Lord Elliot met King Horux who was on the balcony of the royal palace.

 "I keep trying to think my son is okay out there or not. But my heart refuses and thinks otherwise. He's in danger."

 "Your Majesty, believe that the Prince will be fine. He is a tough and strong man. Tomorrow I and my troops will look for him back into the forest. I promise to find him in good condition."

 The king smiled, "You always make me proud. Thank you very much."

 Lord Elliot smiled, "All for my service to you, Your Majesty!"

 Several royal guards had prepared horses to escort King Horux to an important meeting for the kings of the Ashton Kingdom.  He desperately wished he could join him in searching for his son and cancel the meeting, but Lord Elliot forbade it.  Explaining that the reputation of the Arabour empire in the eyes of other kingdoms is important.  Once again King Horux had to rely on Lord Elliot.  The war leader gladly accepted the mandate from the King.

 Lord Elliot departed with Lord Zathur with more bodyguards and weapons.  They don't want the same thing to happen again.  This time Lord Elliot would kill all the Orcs if they attacked again.  The guard opens the gate.  The black horses belonging to the occupation ran across the bridge, carrying Lord Elliot, Lord Zathur and the rest of the troops.  Crossed several villages and began to enter the Lordwood forest.  They went further and further into the forest.  The sound of birds and wild animals echoed.  Lord Elliot decided to go where he last fought the orcs.

 They ride horses slowly.  Looking right and left while shouting Prince Edward's name.  They went through the same route while hunting.  When they almost arrived at the scene of the battle with the Orcs yesterday, they slowed their horses and stopped calling out the prince's name.  Afraid that the Orcs would be disturbed and attack again.  Despite carrying many guards and many weapons, Lord Zathur refused to take the risk.  Lord Elliott suggested they split up to find him quickly.

 They were scattered for a long time, but did not find the whereabouts of the Prince.  Until the sun had tilted to the west, they returned to their original place.  No results whatsoever.

 "We will not find him here. There is only one way, we must return to the Dark Forest," suggested Lord Elliot.

 "Was it a wise decision? You know anyone who goes into the forest will not be able to get out alive l-alive," said Lord Zathur.

 "There's no other way."

 He drew his sword and raised it high, "For the sake of the Prince! Who wants to come into the Dark Forest with me?!"

 "I," said all the guards.

 All the guards raised their swords and spears high.  Under Lord Elliot's command they entered the Dark Forest with the horses.  Breaking the Job's statutes to enter the Dark Forest was a mistake.  But if they did it for the right reasons, it would be a different matter.