CHAPTER 3

Alessandro sat in the throne room with his father the king, the issue at hand was pressing, “Father we have no idea where he could be hiding", he ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation, “I’ve sent the best trackers they could not catch even a whiff of his scent".

“He could be masking his scent" King Malcolm replied.

“That’s a very likely possibility, however, if that is true he must be having some help elsewhere”.

The king stared at a spot for a long while before speaking again, “ We have to use everything in our power to stop them, we cannot have them starting a revolution”.

Alessandro nodded in agreement, “What do you think should be done?”

King Malcolm held his head in his hands, the hair on his head was grey almost turning white as he thought for a while, “For some reason his sister is still alive, perhaps we should send him a souvenir".

Alessandro met his father’s eyes, he looked as if he had aged even more in the few minutes he had been in the room, he knew without being told what was going on in his mind at this moment. His thoughts were weighing on his shoulders and he was ageing much quicker even though it was impossible...

“Father".

The king shot him a glance, “You surely do not have any objections do you?”.

Alessandro sighed audibly, “I do Father, I’d rather she’s untouched".

“Alessandro you’re not considering keeping her alive right? That was not a part of our plan”, Malcolm questioned his whole frame shaking with anger.

Alessandro clenched his fists, he hated being challenged or questioned, no matter what, even if the person was his father the king. He took a minute to steady his breath and unclench his fists.

“I will have everything under control father, the girl is to remain unhurt, her brother’s head will roll at your feet. I’ll personally make sure of that". He stood up quickly to avoid further confrontation with his father.

“Get Kieran, we leave at dusk”, Alessandro ordered one of the guards.

“Alessandro”

Alessandro stopped and turned towards his father, “Yes father?”.

“You cannot afford to feel any ounce of sympathy for those people, do not forget why you’re are doing this".

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Alessandro and a small team of men sat in the cave waiting for sundown, it was a cave in the mountains, in the past, it had been used as hideouts in an event of a war. He and Kieran, his best friend had gone to play there as kids.

It had been four weeks away from home and he and his men hadn’t come any close to finding the sleazy prince. It was almost like he had disappeared from the surface of the earth.

“Kieran”, he rubbed the stubble that had grown on his chin, “We should get back to Isles. I can not afford to be away from my father and people for this long".

“Your father would be anything but pleased to have you home without the prince", Kieran replied, he was almost built like Alessandro only he was an inch shorter, blonde and his eyes were green, they could easily pass for brothers.

Alessandro looked at the man who had stood by his side all his life, “ Do you have a better idea?"

☆ ☆ ☆

“Father this is a crisis, it would be wise to involve other kingdoms...”

“So invariably, you’re saying you cannot take down a human prince by yourself and you need external help".

Alessandro ran his fingers through his hair in a bid to calm himself, Kieran noticed his distress and quickly butt in, “We did all we could sire, we suspect he has sort the help of a sorceress or someone learned in potions and...

“It's quite obvious Kieran”, Malcolm gritted his teeth.

“Father you should know that I want nothing more than to see him dead and I would go the extra mile to make it happen", Alessandro replied.

“All you have been making is promises...”.

“Father!, get a grip on your emotions”, Alessandro retorted fuming, “This affects me as much as it does you"

“If it did then you would do the needful", King Malcolm barked, pointing his fingers at him, “You will not hesitate one bit”

“I still make the decisions father and I have no plans to go back on my word".

Kieran eyes darted between the king and Alessandro, he didn’t know when but he was sure at some point the conversation had swerved in another direction and they were talking about more than just catching a human Prince.

“Kieran get me the reports at the borders," Alessandro said to him, “ I will attend to other duties", he gave a slight bow, “Excuse me, father”.

The king watched the retreating backs of Kieran and his son as they left the throne room. He gestured to the guard at the door, “Get me the girl!”