'Damn... It hurts like hell.' Astraeus pressed his palms against his temples, hoping to ease his headache.
"Are you awake?"
'Huh? Ugh... it hurts...'
A woman's voice brought Astraeus out of his slumber, and he looked up. A beautiful lady smiled at him as he realized he was in a foreign tent.
She had long green hair was pulled back in a ponytail that cascaded over her shoulders and back like a river. Her dazzling green eyes sparkled with concern and curiosity, changing into an excited and relieved expression.
He felt a surge of attraction as he saw her, especially her revealing thick thighs. 'Is this love at first sight? Am I dreaming? She's stunning… But Wait… how old was she? Is she even legal...? What's her siz-'
'Wait… Snap out of it… Now's not the right time...' He had no time to dwell on his thoughts. Astrid swiftly pushed them away and moved on.
He sat while holding his head and asked innocently like he thought of nothing.
"Where am I?"
She gave him a smile when he answered her and told him. "You're in my home."
As she placed the bowls on the table, she continued. "I found you unconscious on the Plains."
"I am Lyn, of the Lorca Tribe. You're safe now." She introduced herself giving a smile, trying to assure him.
"Who are you? Can you remember your name?" She asked curiously.
Astraeus lowered his eyes and touched his chest. "Astrid… My name is Astrid." He said his nickname, hiding his true identity as Astraeus. He did not want to involve her in his troubles.
"I thank you for your kindness. You have shown great care for a stranger like me." He smiled nobly as he responded.
But inside his mind, he was weary and tired. 'God I'm exhausted.' He silently thought.
"Astrid, Astrid, Astrid..." Lyn repeated Astrid's name aloud, getting used to its ring and feeling its shape on her tongue.
"Your name is Astrid? What an odd-sounding name..." She remarked aloud and stifled a snort.
He arched his brows and promptly interjected. "Pardon? Ex-"
He ceased as he realized that they were rather secluded, so he surmised it was rather odd.
Lyn quickly regretted her words and felt her face heat up. "But pay me no mind... It is a good name." She hesitated clumsily in the middle as she sought for a justification.
He gave a gentle smile, amused by Lyn's reaction.
"I don't mind it." He shrugged it off.
She felt awkward and wanted to switch the topic.
"I see by your attire that you are a traveler. What brings you to the Sacae Plains? Would you share your story with me?"
Lyn looked at him curiously. He was wrapped in a majestic cloak of royal blue. The cloak hid the silver knight's armor that he had underneath it. Under the armor, he has blue tunics that complement his fair complexion and blond hair. A hood of black and white fabric is sewn to the back of his neck armor. His hands and feet are the only parts of him that are visible, showing the blue tunics under his metal plates.
Astrid let out a heavy breath as he thought about the earlier events.
He pulled back his hood, revealing his handsome face and blond hair. His green eyes sparkled like emeralds, and he smiled charmingly at Lyn. He looked like a prince from a fairy tale.
Lyn felt her heart skip a beat as she gazed at him. She had never seen anyone so charming and noble before. Though it's been months that she spoke to someone other than herself. She blushed and lowered her eyes, feeling shy and nervous.
'What is he doing to me?' She thought. 'He's handsome…'
She shook her head and tried to snap out of it.
'Wait, focus…' Lyn said to herself. 'This is not the time to get distracted. I need to find out more about him. She's a stranger Lyn.'
"It's a lengthy tal-"
Astrid's words were cut short by a rumble from outside. Heavy footsteps echoed in their ears.
"Hm? What was that noise?" Lyn took notice of the loud sounds outside.
Lyn excused herself. "I'll go see what's happening. Astrid, wait here for me."
She got up and headed for the door.
As Lyn stepped out of the tent to investigate the noise, Astrid took the opportunity to survey his cozy dwelling. He was in a round tent made of thick fabric and wooden poles. A cozy bed with bright bedding was in the middle of the space. Along the walls, he saw various boxes and chests that seemed to contain supplies and belongings.
"She must be a nomad... The Lorca Tribe, huh." Astrid deduced from his surroundings.
As he pondered his predicament, he felt a surge of anxiety for his parents.
"Oh dear... Mother and Father must be really worried about me." He thought with a heavy heart for his beloved mother and father.
"God, how about the kingdom... They would descend into madness…" Astrid started listing sensational headlines and outrageous rumors that he foresaw would circulate in his absence:
"Prince Astrid vanishes without a trace! Is he on a secret mission or a wild vacation?"
"Prince Astrid abducted by aliens!"
"Kingdom in chaos as royal cat claims throne!"
"The turmoil in the kingdom after Prince Astrid's disappearance! Who will rule the land and what will they do with his pet dragon?" I wonder… do I own such dragon… No, that can't be right. Do they even exist?
"Secret love affair between prince and cheese exposed!" (⊙_⊙)?
"Unicorns invade palace and demand ransom!"
"Zombies attack citizens and demand brains!"
"The prophecy of Prince Astrid's comeback! Will he return as a savior or a zombie?"
'What a creative bunch…'
Astrid always felt a deep resentment towards the media outlets, especially the tabloids that made a living out of spreading almost false stories about him and his family. He couldn't understand how people could enjoy reading these rumors so much, as if they had nothing better to do with their lives. He wished they would leave him alone and let him live in peace.
But responsibilities, responsibilities… you're a prince blah blah blah.
'People are so fond of gossips, aren't they…'
He ignored the media outlets issue with a contemptuous shake of his head and directed his attention to more pressing and significant issues… How was it that his teleportation spell, which he had mastered, fail.
"How could my teleportation go wrong… It never failed before… How… Could it be…" Astrid wondered as he scanned his memories. "Did I skip a step? Did I utter the wrong words? Did I lose concentration? No, no, no… It can't be that simple… There must be something else…"
He racked his brain for any clues that could explain his failure. He thought of all the possible factors that could affect his magic. His mood, his health, his diction, his equipment. He ruled out each one as he found no evidence of any problems.
He realized that there were only two possible explanations for his failure. Either there was an irregularity in magic or fate. A disturbance in the flow of energy that disrupted his spell. Or a prophecy that predicted his arrival here.
As it dawned on him… "The oracle!"
The Oracle Bone, also known as the "Dragon's bone" because it is crafted from the remains of an ancient dragon that was slain by a legendary hero, is a way of communicating with the spirits of ancestors. They can see the future and guide in decisions because they inherit the wisdom and power of the dragon.
"So if fate is in motion then…" Astrid murmured and looked at the door as if expecting…
"Oh, no! Bandits!" Lyn rushed back inside hurriedly.
'How convenient.' A faint smile appeared on Astrid's face.
"They must have come down the Bern Mountains!" She exclaimed.
She voiced her thoughts aloud, filled with determination as she realized what they were up to. "They must be planning on raiding the local villages. I... I have to stop them!"
"If that's all of them, I think I can handle them on my own. You'll be safe in here, Astrid." Lyn said with confidence.
Astrid quickly got up from his seat. "No, let me come with you."
He rapidly rose from the bed and looked at Lyn with determination in his eyes.
"I cannot stand idly by while you face them alone. I have to help you in this fight."
Lyn surprised, asked. "You want to help? Well, can you use a weapon?"
Astrid glanced at his magic reserves, they were nearly exhausted. He had used too much of his power in his failed teleporting attempt. As he moved his body around, he felt a surge of weakness. Having no other option, he said. "I can… but I'm currently in a weakened state. However, I'm a tactician."
"Ah, I see... So, you're a strategist by trade? An odd profession, but…"
Lyn hesitated for a moment. He currently looked tired and weak, but he also had a confident and intelligent gaze. Maybe he could be useful in this dangerous situation. She decided to take a chance and said. "Very well. We'll go together!"