The Exile Son

The candlelight flickered on Thame’s desk, illuminating the crisp pages of his journal. The fourteen year old brushed his black hair away from his eyes and brought his quill to the page. “The year is 863 of Ancestor’s Grace. Insurrectionists have set my country ablaze. They see anyone not aligned with them as their enemy and have terrorized countless innocent people, forcing them into submission. My father faces a losing war, many of the surviving lords and ladies of the realm have fled across the eastern sea to the continent of Anazine. I am to depart to this new land to escape these fiends. My father is to remain and die by the hands of the same people who slew my mother as she shielded me from the wrath of their arrows four years ago. I will not be going alone, I will be joined by several of my family’s guard and our closest friend, Heinrich.” The door to Thame’s chambers burst open.

“My prince,” Heinrich said. “We must leave immediately.”

Thame stared at the words that decorated the pages of his journal. “Have they come, Heinrich?”

“I’m afraid so. The city will hold for a time, but we must leave. Your father wishes to see you before we sail away. He is waiting by the ship.”

Thame closed the journal and shoved it in a pack that rested by him. “The last words to be shared between a son and his father.” The words were like bile on Thame’s tongue.

“You shouldn’t speak of such things, my prince.” Heinrich said, resting a hand on Thame's shoulder.

As Thame rose from his seat, he took the pack in hand, his knuckles whitened. “How can I ignore the reality of our situation. My father will die, just as my mother has. Just as countless others have and will at the hands of our enemy. Before long, the city of Thurfane will burn.”

Heinrich sighed. “Youth is not fit for pessimism, Thame.”

Thame shook his head, “I’m nearly a man Heinrich. Please, let’s just leave for the ship.”

The pair departed in silence. Thame walked through the halls of his childhood finding his warm memories replaced by the grim emptiness of the present. As they came into the open air, Thame turned his gaze up to the clear sky and the glittering stars. The nights were always so beautiful here. I’m sorry to only have appreciated it now. They continued their hurried walk through the empty streets of Thurfane. Thame found the city almost serene in it’s current state. The smell of the sea welcomed their arrival to the harbor. Thame spotted his father and a company of soldiers waiting for them by the ship. Thame hurried over to his father.

The king stepped forward from the group. “My son,” He took Thame in his arms and held him in a tight embrace. “I’m so sorry that all of this has happened. This is not the life I would have chosen for you, Thame.”

Thame hugged his father. “I don’t want to abandon my home and people, father. It isn’t right.”

His father gripped Thame’s shoulders. “You must. You are their hope. It will take time, but you must gather our people who have fled and what allies you can find in Anazine and return.” His father pulled his signet ring from his finger and placed it in Thame’s hand. “Keep it safe.” He motioned to one of the soldiers who stepped forward. A sword resting in its scabbard was in his hands. A finely cut emerald sat within the center of the gleaming, steel pommel. Heinrich took the blade in hand. “When you are ready, my son. You shall wield our ancestral blade as I have and my forefathers before me.”

“Verdant Scion -”

Thame’s father lowered his voice. “When you return, you must bring it to the Emerald Hollow. Verdant Scion will show you the way.” He embraced his son again. “Remember, your mother and I have always loved you.”

Thame felt tears in his eyes. He fought them back. A prince must remain strong in the presence of his people. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s time to leave, my prince.” Heinrich said.

Thame watched soldiers board the ship and nodded. “Then let us depart.”

***

The ship heaved and groaned as the waves battered the wooden frame of the vessel. Rain fell upon the deck like a hail of arrows as the crack of thunder rang through the air. Thame vomited his supper into a bucket. He was not the only one on the ship having trouble keeping food down. Heinrich watched him and laughed. “The sea can be a hard mistress at times. But she will always do right by you.”

Thame shuddered as a fit of heaving came over him. “I don’t think any of this is doing ‘right’ by me, Heinrich.”

Heinrich waved away the prince’s words. “Nonsense, lad. She seeks to treat you like a blade being forged. The sea is giving you your first hammer blow. You’ll be made into a fine man.”

Thame attempted to roll his eyes, but the action only served to worsen his seasickness. “How long until we reach the coast?”

“Well, it’s been almost seven weeks. I’d reckon we’re just off the coast by now. This little storm is just Anazine welcoming us.” Heinrich scratched his wide nose. “It’ll be good to see my old home again.”

Thame hugged the bucket tightly. “What’s it like?”

“Well that would depend on where we happen to be talking about, my prince. There are a number of republics run by wealthy merchants where coin matters more than a man’s actions or words. Then there are the pirate cities who plunder and raid for slaves to auction off. Finally, there are few kingdoms like what you are accustomed to with pompous nobility. There are others farther west, but you need not concern yourself with them.”

“And which one is our destination?”

Heinrich straightened. “The republic of Nelia. It's regarded as the gateway to the west.”

Thame blinked. “We’ve had envoys from Nelia in Thurfane. They’re the only ones who would trade with us.”

“They had a monopoly on trade between the east and west – one they've guarded with ruthless efficiency.”

“Then they’re allies. They have reason help me reclaim my homeland.” Thame said.

Heinrich nodded. “Precisely, my prince. You’ll find however, that they and the other exiles will not be enough to take back your home. We will need more to back us.”

“How do we go about gathering more allies to our cause?”

“I can’t say for sure. It will take a great deal of time and money that’s for cert-” The ship lurched and cried out with a loud groan knocking the pair to the floor. The foul contents of Thame's bucket splattered across the room.

Thame steadied himself on his knees. “Another hammer blow of the sea?”

Heinrich rose to his feet. “No, my prince. That was too hard a blow. The storm’s getting worse.” The ship groaned again under the growing stress. Heinrich grabbed Verdant Scion and brought Thame to his feet. “We should move closer to the lifeboats.” Heirich led Thame out into the middle deck.

“Damn this storm.” One soldier murmured before vomiting on the floor.

A thunderous roar rose above the sound of the storm and waves as the ship shuddered and a series of cracks echoed through the ship. Heinrich and Thame rushed above deck. They found the mast had been shattered, what remained slid off the deck into the sea. Much of the upper deck was in flames. “What happened?” Thame shouted; his voice nearly drowned out by the storm.

“Lightning must have struck the mast.” Heinrich sought the nearest lifeboat, pulling Thame along with him. There was only one not blocked by flame or lost to the raging waters. Heinrich shoved Thame into the small vessel. “Stay here, my Prince. I’m going back for as many as we can fit.” Heinrich whirled around then froze. “Who are you? How did you get on this ship?” Heinrich drew his blade.

Thame scanned the burning deck but was only able to see Heinrich. A series of flashes lit the clouds, drawing Thame’s attention to the sky. For an instant he could see a red skull amongst the clouds. The sky darkened. “Heinrich?” Thame asked, his voice wracked with panic.

“You cannot have him!” Heinrich turned around; his blade raised high. He cut the ropes that held the lifeboat, sending Thame to the waves.

Thame gripped the side of of the small boat with all the strength he had as he watched the ship drift off into the night.

***

The crash of waves rolling across the beach awoke Thame. He dug his hand into the sand, feeling it scratch at the skin of his fingers. A confused groan escaped his lips.

“I see ya finally awake.” An unfamiliar voice greeted the young man.

Thame looked up to find a lean, dark skinned man sitting on the lifeboat, a sword in one hand and a ring that he was eying in the other. Thame shot up fumbling with his fingers to find his signet ring had been taken. “That’s mine!”

The man laughed, then flicked the ring in the air and caught it. “It was yours, boy. But now it be mine.” Thame reached for a nearby rock. The man rested his curved blade on Thame’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t try any of that if I were you. Many men who were better killers than you tried for my life.” The man gave a Thame a grim smile. “I killed them all.”

Thame bit his lower lip as he glared at the man. “You can’t wear it. That ring can only be worn by the kings of Aegarn.”

“Superstitious nonesense.” The man tried to place the ring on his finger and missed each time the ring got close as his hand jerked as if it were swatted by an unseen hand. He squinted at the jewelry. “Perhaps you got a point.”

“So, can I have it back?”

“I can still sell this piece for a nice price.” The man smiled. “And you too, no? It’s not every child who runs around with a ring belonging to nobility from across the sea. What’s your name boy?”

“Thame Alderstrom. And stop calling me boy, I’m fourteen and the prince of Aegarn.”

“Fair enough, little man. My name is Kharune” He cocked his bald head. “You with all the new blood over in Nelia?”

Thame nodded. “We intend to return home as soon as we are able to, but we need allies.”

Kharune looked at Thame with pity in his eye. “Cast out of your homes. I understand what that’s like.” He scratched his cheek. “How about a deal, little prince.”

“Deal?”

“You sail with me for a few years, and after you’ve earned ya ring back I will help you take back your home.”

Thame shook his head. “It’s going to take more than a single ship to help us.”

“My brother is the pirate king of Muldah. If I can win a duel with him for the throne you’ll have the entire fleet to back you. If you sail with me and help me take the city.”

Thame watched the waves as he weighed Kharune’s words. “How do I know you’ll keep your word?”

Kharune placed the ring in his pocket, then cut his hand on the edge of his blade. He extended the sword out to Thame. “Go on, cut yourself.” Thame placed his hand on the blade, then hesitated. Kharune pulled his blade back, causing it to bite into Thame’s palm. Kharune offered his hand, his blood dripped into the sand. “I, Kharune, captain of the Mistshade, swear to aid you in retaking your home.”

Thame took his hand. “I, Thame, prince of Aegarn, and exile son, swear to sail with you and aid you in retaking your home.”

Kharune smilled. “Excellent! Should either of us go back on our word, may he drown in a pool of his own blood.”

“A- agreed.” Thame nodded. Kharune tore two strips of cloth from the blue sash he wore around his waist.he handed one to Thame and wrapped the other around his hand. “Your sash is ruined.” Thame said.

Kharune waved his comment away. “Tis an old rag at this point, little man. You don’t need to be worrying your mind about it.” Kharune wiped his blade clean with the ripped fabric. “Tell me, have you ever held a weapon before?”

“I was trained,” Thame said. “By my father’s knights.”

“Got a code of honor and rules of engagement?” Kharune raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“Forget about all that nonsense. Honor will get ya killed. When you and another man are trying to disembowel each other, you don’t ask him nicely if you can stab him, you do it. Understand?”

“I do.” Thame said.

Kharune did not appear convinced. “We will see that you do. For now, come with me. It be time to see ya new home.” Kharune began walking down the beach with Thame at his heels.