3. A Curious Prince

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Prince Cormac stood on the balcony adjoined to his bedroom. The Kingdom of Seridina stood lively below. His lips tugged into a smile as a greeting to his future kingdom. Prince Cormac would always frown when his eyes met the Iron Fortress. His mornings was always filled with questions concerning Area fifteen.

It stuck out like a swore thumb amongst the rest of Seridina. Its walls hard to miss and the insides unknown. As the Prince of Seridina, Cormac always thought why he didn't know what lies within the Fortress. His father, King Rhett, would always tell him that it was plagued with the disease of many. That he should never enter the Kingdom, as fear his only son would get infected. A new fifteen is born everyday, he recalled his father saying, a look of disgust on his face.

Area fifteen was always an interesting place to Prince Cormac. With walls that high, there's no one who wouldn't want to peek inside and get a look. He would dismiss his father's saying the people inside was diseased. Commander Amir and his troops would always come back without a scratch and healthier than ever when giving a report to the King.

Prince Cormac arched himself over the balcony, squinting his eyes as he tried to get a look at something he never saw before. He could only admire the city from above, King Rhett would never dare allow him to set a foot in town unless it was over his dead body. The view didn't offer much, but Prince Cormac was grateful he could see his people.

"Your highness," he heard someone called. "You'll fall if you push yourself any further."

Prince Cormac arched himself forward just to tease his servant. Pulling back when he heard his servant repeating himself. Cormac brushed his hair behind his ear, his eyes finding the high raising walls again, "Iker, what do you think of Area Fifteen?"

"I don't have much to say, Your highness." Iker replied. "Area Fifteen is a place for the --" Prince Cormac turned to look at Iker, frowning as he raised and hand to dismiss him.

"I asked what is your thought, not what you've been told to tell me." Prince Cormac spoke, crossing his arms over his silky ruby red robe, aligned with gold. His lips pressed into a thin line as he awaited Iker's reply. The days had changed, but Iker's answer never did. Prince Cormac always hoped a new day would be different.

Iker kept his hands behind his back, his eyes littered with loyalty as he looked towards his Prince, "I don't have anything to say." he answered.

Prince Cormac frowned deepened as he walked over to Iker, his robe brushing along the carpet. Glaring at his servant, he forcefully removed his hands from his back, allowing them to fall to his side, "Is this how you treat a friend Iker?" The Prince said with saddened eyes.

Iker stood determined, his face hard as the walls of the room, "I'm nothing more than your servant, Prince Cormac." his words made the prince gasp, biting onto his bottom lip.

The Prince always considered Iker his friend. He was never allowed to go out and make any. The only time he was allowed to leave was to another Kingdom for business purposes. "Then as my servant, I demand you answer me." Prince Cormac ordered. He didn't want to use such lowly methods but Iker left him with no choice.

The Prince rushed across the room, drawing the curtains of his bedroom window, "Why does my father desire for me not to know who rules Aperia and why?" he pointed out into the distances at the small Kingdom of Aperia. His fingers shifted to the side where a rather huge castle stood, "Why can't I know anything about that castle?"

"I'm sorry your Highness," Iker responded. "I'm afraid I can't answer such questions." Prince Cormac slumped his shoulders, he was overreacting. Iker didn't know those answers, his father did, and if Iker did, he wouldn't tell the Prince.

"That's fine," the prince replied cheerfully. "I was overreacting. They aren't that important anyways." his eyes lingered towards Area fifteen, "I just need answers to one thing Iker,"

Cormac ran towards the balcony, arching himself forward as he squinted his eyes, "Right there," he pointed. He turned to see Iker still standing in the same spot. Sighing, he pulled him along. "You can't see from there you dummy."

"There," he pointed again.

"You mean that spot right next to Area fifteen, your Highness?" Iker said, surprising Cormac that he could see it.

Prince Cormac nodded, "What's there?"

Iker hesitated, "I believe that's the Garrett District."

"Garrett District?" The prince raised a brow.

Iker looked into the distance, his face wrecked with emotions. The Prince rested a hand on his shoulder for comfort. He knew not much of Iker's past, seeing that Garrett District held a place in his heart, "It's the poorest place in Seridina."

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Prince Cormac caught a petal that flowed along in his bath. His mind filled with Iker's words. There was such a place in Seridina and the king wasn't doing anything to help. Cormac was determined to have a word with his father about the matter. The Prince allowed himself to sink below the water, thinking he could wash away his thoughts for a moment.

He knew the Kingdom of Seridina wasn't perfect. It was King Rhett's job to solve those imperfection. The Kingdom of Seridina was known as the wealthiest in all the lands, a district such as the Garrett's district would be a laugh to the King's enemies. That the wealthiest of all could not provide for his own people.

Cormac saw a silhouette above the water. The only person allowed to interrupt his bath was Iker. Pushing towards the surface, Prince Cormac shook his head, his lengthy black hair sending droplets of water all over. He slicked his hair back, swimming forward to the end where Iker stood, smiling up at his servant.

"Your father wishes to speak with you before you leave." Iker informed the prince, handing him his robe.

"I wish to also speak with him," Prince Cormac said, itching to discuss the matter with his father. He slipped his hands into the large sleeve, Iker eyeing him with worry. "Don't worry, I won't say anything to get you in trouble."

"That's not it your highness." Iker said, walking behind the prince as they exited the bath. Cormac turned to look at him for a brief moment, an eyebrow raised, "Pardon my rudeness, but if the King catches word about your persistence to know about Area fifteen and Aperia, I'm afraid of what would happen."

Prince Cormac bought a hand to cover his mouth, hiding the smile that was creeping onto his lips, "You should be more like that Iker, voice your thoughts."

"I couldn't possibly do such a rude act towards you Prince Cormac." Iker replied, shaking his head in refusal.

"You worry too much." the Prince waved him off. "Important duties of the day?" He asked.

Iker took the prince tailored outfit for the day towards him, holding it carefully to avoid any wrinkles, "Just one, a visit to the Kingdom of Laqum."

Cormac took his outfit, already looking forward to the trip to Laqum. He grinned widely as he began putting on his outfit with the help of Iker. Cormac brushed his finger over the crest, a crown with vines running around it. The small print of golden wings that neither the prince knew what for. He knew it was important for it to be there.

King Rhett sat in the dinning hall. The table covered in red, aligned with plentiful delights. The prince bowed in greeting, the king arched his wine glass towards him in acknowledgement. King Rhett was a man of ice. His cold demeanor was one fitting for a ruler if he wanted to rule by fear. His age was covered by his well maintained body. His spars with Commander Amir had done him well.

The Prince sat to the left of his father who sat at the head of the table. King Rhett, scowled behind his glass, losing his appetite at the sight of his son who reminded him of his wife; the Queen.

"You wanted to speak with me father?" Cormac said, pushing aside his plate as he was saving his appetite for when he got to Laqum.

The king looked at the red liquid in his glass, swirling the liquid inside before he settled the glass down, giving his son a serious expression, his stone hard gaze with disdain  hidden behind them, "I need for you to know how serious your visit to Laqum is."

As every other meeting, Cormac thought, the dish before him rather interesting.

"Don't embarrass me," King Rhett said. "Bring back good news."

"I understand father," Cormac responded, meeting his father roaring gray eyes, his own filled with determination. "There's also something I need to talk to you about." King Rhett let out a low growl, his fingers drumming against the wooden surface.

"Why aren't you helping the people of the Garrett District?" Prince Cormac spoke.

The King's eyes went wide, never expecting for his son to ask or even know about the filthy Garrett District. It bought about shame to the Kingdom of Seridina along with that unholy place; Area fifteen.  A sly smile took form on his lips then he said, "My dearest son," Cormac blinked a few times. His father's expression and words did not match.

"Why would I help such a shameful district. They're no different from those diseased fifteens. I should just throw them all inside the Iron Fortress." he finished with a snicker.

Cormac was speechless by his father's words. Cruelness seeping from his pores as natural as sweat. Why was his father acting that way towards the people inside the Iron Fortress and Garrett District?

"Prince Cormac," Iker interrupted the heavy atmosphere, bowing to the King as he looked towards Prince Cormac who wore a distress expression, "the carriage is ready."

The prince stood to his feet, bowing to the King in parting. Every fiber of his being ablaze with anger. "Don't forget your pass." King Rhett said, taking up the pass that allowed them to go into another Kingdom. The white sheet rolled up and tied with a red string.

"Thank you." Cormac took the pass, the King smiling mischievously at him.

The Prince wasted no time in leaving the dining hall, Iker following closely behind. His footsteps were heavy, his brows knitted with anger as he gritted his teeth. Iker was concerned for the Prince, wanting to speak words of concern, but too afraid to receive a scolding. Cormac pushed the doors of the castle open with much force, large steps as he made way to the carriage. Iker stood by the castle doors, biding the prince a safe journey.

"Get in." Cormac ordered, poking his head out the carriage.

Iker slowly descended the stairs, joining the Prince in the carriage, "Is there a need for me to accompany you on such an important trip, your highness?" Iker questioned.

"This is punishment for what you did earlier, for not giving me the answers I needed." Prince Cormac told him, the carriage moving out the courtyard, the castle disappearing. Truthfully, he just needed the company.

"I understand." Iker said, tense as the journey as only just begun.

They arrived at the border to the Kingdom of Laqum. Iker was shivering in his boots as they only had one pass. The pass allowed anyone to enter another Kingdom, only if the Kingdoms had no signed treaties. They were pardoned for the lack of one pass since Iker was the prince's servant.

The Kingdom of Laqum was highly guarded, the strongest threshold amongst all the kingdoms. It was known as the Strong Fortress for its impregnable walls, guards divided at every entrance and areas that intruders could slip in. Laqum had the strongest military forces, men trained to the highest caliber. No one dared to challenge them, it was a lost before they could wager war. All Kingdoms, including Seridina wanted peace with the Kingdom of Laqum.

Prince Cormac should never forget the reason he ventured into such a highly skilled Kingdom, to see his fiance.

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