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Four figures in the dark as Ashton and Mountain Man guided their horses through the rough path surrounded by mountains and trees. The sandy road was narrowly crafted, no doubt as the perfect plan for an ambush. The two men moved comfortably clearly familiar with it.

“Are you okay?” Mountain Man spoke.

“Why do you ask?” Ashton replied

“Because I care. It’s been so long but I know you think of him. I do too.”

“He chose his destiny.” Ashton replied sharply.

“We don’t know that. No one can say for sure what happened that night. Maybe-“

The horse protested as Ashton’s grip on the reigns tightened, cutting of his friend.

“You take the west. I’ll take the east. We meet here in an hour.”

With that, Ashton led his way towards the mountains leaving Mountain Man.

23 Years ago

The sun had barely risen, streaks of orange and bright yellow coloured the sky.

Ashton strode with purpose through the terrazzo floored hallway which echoed his arrival. Stationary guards bowed one after the other as he approached, each covered in a suede black cloak with a high collar.

Ashton had barely made the turn towards the Royal Courts when a sight made him stop. Few feet away, through the open window, was his brother and Lady May…

Ashton struggled to concentrate on doing his duty. The familiar memories washing over him like unwanted showers of rain. His chest constricted and he struggled to breathe. With a “ho”, he brought the beast to a stop and unmounted.

The night was chilly, but he hardly felt it under his heavy choice of clothing. Taking a deep breath, Ashton walked further on after making sure his horse was secured to a tree.

Hours later, Ashton and Mountain Man appeared at the entrance of the temporary camp. It was silent. No loud chattering like the men would. The answer presented itself when they both saw the camp virtually empty. Almost like everyone had retired for the night.

Something was wrong.

“Ashton.” Mountain Man called, his countenance wary.

“Find out what happened. I’ll check on Roma.” He jumped from his horse. Approaching footsteps preceded the words,

“General…the Princess…”

Ashton’s heart sunk. In a full blown sprint, he was barging into Roma’s tent seconds later to find it empty with a large tear to the cotton cover close to the bed.

“We heard nothing. We came to serve dinner and found her gone.”

Silence.

With every rise and fall of Ashton’s shoulder, the camp grew quieter. Not a sound.

“How many of you are looking?” Mountain Man asked

“Only few of us stayed behind.”

“Why did you not immediately call for me?”

Ashton’s voice dripped with ice, his muscles twitching.

“You were far gone, General. We immediately dispersed to search once we realized the Princess was gone. I and the rest-“

A loud clang and a yelp followed immediately after. Ashton’s sword met with that of Mountain Man’s. The soldier who had been reporting on his hind behind Mountain Man, eyes wide in shock.

“Move!” Ashton’s voice was eerily calm, tremors wracked visibly through his body.

“The law is against unjust execution. Get a grip. The longer we stay here, the harder it’ll be to find her.”

The two stood, swords kissing, unrelenting until Ashton detached. With a huff, he left them behind.

Photo Generated by AI in Gencraft from my prompt.

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