The group quickly discovered something unusual about Eidra.
She adapted to everything.
Too easily.
New towns.
New customs.
New foods.
New people.
Nothing surprised her.
Or at least.
Nothing seemed to.
Leona noticed immediately.
Arthur did not.
Naturally.
“Arthur.” “What?” “Something is strange about her.” Arthur glanced toward Eidra.
The priestess was helping a child tie their shoe.
The child looked delighted.
Arthur smiled.
“She seems nice.” “That wasn’t my point.” Arthur had already stopped listening.
Leona considered throwing him off a cliff.
Unfortunately she was currently a sword.
A Noble Problem Several days later.
The group arrived in a bustling trade town.
The streets overflowed with travelers.
Merchants shouted from market stalls.
Guards patrolled the roads.
Musicians performed in the square.
For the first time in days.
Everything felt normal.
Then someone crashed through a fruit stand.
Arthur blinked.
A young man rolled across the street.
Several apples followed.
The fruit vendor screamed.
The young man immediately stood.
Covered in dust.
Holding three apples.
“…I can explain.” The vendor looked unconvinced.
So did everyone else.
Behind him.
Several armored knights burst into the square.
“THERE HE IS!” The young man pointed dramatically.
“Good luck everyone!” Then ran.
Straight toward Arthur.
Ion Black The collision was inevitable.
Arthur caught him before he hit the ground.
The stranger blinked.
Arthur blinked.
The stranger smiled.
“Hello.” “Hello.” A beat passed.
Then the knights arrived.
The lead knight pointed.
“Your Highness!” Silence.
Arthur looked at the stranger.
The stranger looked away.
Arthur looked back at the knight.
Then back again.
“…Highness?” The stranger sighed.
“Technically.” Thomas laughed.
Morgan nearly choked.
Jakel pinched the bridge of his nose.
Evangelos immediately became interested.
Eidra looked amused.
Leona sounded exhausted.
“Of course he’s a prince.” The Runaway Several hours later.
The misunderstanding had been resolved.
Mostly.
The prince sat with the group in a local tavern.
The knights waited nearby.
Looking tired.
Very tired.
Arthur understood why.
“I don’t get it.” The prince grinned.
“Which part?” “Why are you running away?” The prince looked genuinely confused.
“Because they’re trying to take me home.” “That’s usually where people want to go.” “Not princes.” Arthur had no counterargument.
The young man leaned back.
“My name is Ion.” A pause.
Then: “Just Ion.” Evangelos immediately noticed the hesitation.
So did Eidra.
So did Leona.
Arthur did not.
Naturally.
The Dream of a King As the afternoon passed.
The conversation drifted.
As it always did.
Toward Arthur’s dream.
Uniting humanity.
Ending endless wars.
Building something better.
Ion listened quietly.
For once.
Not joking.
Not running.
Simply listening.
When Arthur finished.
The prince stared into his drink.
Thinking.
For a long time.
Then finally spoke.
“You really mean it.” Arthur nodded.
“Of course.” Ion laughed softly.
Not mockingly.
Almost wistfully.
“I’ve met kings.” His smile faded.
“I’ve met nobles.” “I’ve met generals.” “I’ve met rulers.” His eyes lifted toward Arthur.
“But I’ve never met someone who talks about people first.” Silence followed.
The tavern noise seemed distant.
Ion studied him carefully.
As though seeing something important.
Something rare.
Something worth remembering.
A Different Path The next morning.
The prince’s knights finally managed to corner him.
A remarkable achievement.
One that clearly required tremendous effort.
Ion stood before the group.
His bags packed.
His escape apparently over.
Arthur smiled.
“Going home?” Ion sighed dramatically.
“Tragically.” Thomas laughed.
Morgan smiled.
Even Jakel looked amused.
Ion eventually turned serious.
His gaze settled on Arthur.
Then on the road beyond.
Then on the horizon.
“I’ve decided something.” Arthur blinked.
“What?” The prince smiled.
“If your dream ever becomes real.” A pause.
“I want to help.” Arthur stared.
“Really?” Ion nodded.
“Really.” His expression became determined.
The carefree traveler vanished.
For a moment.
The future ruler appeared.
“If the world needs someone willing to unite people…” His eyes sharpened.
“Then maybe it also needs rulers willing to support that future.” Leona went quiet.
Eidra smiled softly.
Even Evangelos seemed thoughtful.
Arthur simply grinned.
“I’d like that.” Ion laughed.
Then extended his hand.
Arthur shook it.
Two dreamers.
Two futures.
Crossing paths.
For only a moment.
Yet changing one another forever.
The Road Continues The prince eventually departed.
His knights escorting him home.
Though “dragging” might have been more accurate.
The group watched him disappear into the distance.
Then resumed their own journey.
The road stretched onward.
Toward Britannia.
Toward Lancelot.
Toward Camelot.
Toward Ariel.
Though none of them knew that yet.
Only Eidra seemed thoughtful.
Watching the horizon.
Watching Arthur.
Watching the future slowly take shape.
And for reasons she could not fully explain.
The sight made her smile.
End of Chapter 14