Chapter 333: Roland the Prince (Part 1)

Roland said "So it is you. Hidden Weapons eh? No wonder you didn't want to use that in the North. Not that I care. You saved my life, for all its worth". I asked "What happened to you? A prince being chased, hated by the crowd, and almost killed in a duel, where killing is prohibited". He laughed at himself, and replied "Prince? I'm just a bastard in their eyes. Can you help me out here? I know you are good with medicine and stuff". I sighed, and picked him up.

Fox arrived, and said "The archer's dead". I nodded, and said "Let's go, we need to leave". I asked Roland "Any safe place, I can take you to?". He replied "There is one. No one should know about it, I will tell you the way. Remember to avoid people". I just shook my head. Of course I would avoid people, I didn't need the blame for anything that happened there.

Roland told me where to go, and we only used side alleys. I also stopped his bleeding, not to leave any trails behind. With his wound taken care of, at least for now, we quickly made our way to some sort of house in a poorer area of the city. Roland said "Here's the key. No one is inside, we should be safe there". I took the key, and opened the doors. Inside was quite messy, as if no one ever lived there.

I dropped Roland onto the dusty sofa, and threw him some medicine. "With the arrow extracted and my medicine, you should be back to the norm quickly". He thanked me and tended to his wounds. I found a chair, and gave it to Fox. "Sit down, I have some talking to do with him". Fox nodded and sat down, while I waited for Roland to finish.

When he was done, Roland said "If not for you, I would probably die there. At the Falanks Arena, we made a deal. This time was different though. I'll tell you anything you want to know. Just ask". I smiled, and asked "A prince eh? Why would a prince travel the North, and even fight at the arena over there?". Roland replied "Precisely because of what happened today. I thought that with my experience in the North, I would be able to defend myself, and live a normal live. I was mistaken".

I asked "Why would you enter an arena then? Someone forced you?". He laughed and replied, "Do you think I would enter by my own free will?". I nodded, and said "I now know why you were running away, that much is clear. You also left the stage at the arena, which was a good move. If you stayed, and tried to fight, I'm afraid we wouldn't be talking now. My question is, who would want to hunt down a prince?".

He replied "I told you, I'm not a prince. At least, it's just a title, no one takes me for a prince. My mother was not father's wife… Therefore I can't inherit the throne. I'm only called prince, because my father didn't disown me. I don't know if he did that because of pity or what, but after my mother died, he took me in". I said "That doesn't answer my question though. Your father is an Emperor anyway, who would have the balls to kill you… unless".

He nodded his head, and replied "Exactly. Unless that other someone was also the Royalty. To be precise, there are a few of them, that want to get rid of me. The worst offender? I'd say my so called sister Liana. If my guess is correct, the people who chased and tried to kill me a while ago, were sent by her. The guy I fought, was not. He was probably told to take the chance, if such arose".

Fox said "I thought it was weird. The Royal Family's name is not Stoneheart. They are called…". Roland butted in, and said "Ravensoar". Fox nodded, and asked "So, why didn't the announcer say that last name?". Roland snorted, and replied "Because he was instructed to? They always wanted to make me look bad, always isolated me". I asked "Something is off. Why care about a prince, who has no right to the throne? Killing you, will bring them no benefits. Do you perhaps have something that they want? Or something they cannot get as long as you live?".

He smiled, and replied "You are indeed smart. Yes, father was not heartless. That's why I don't know if he did what he did because of pity or genuine love. He gave me a position. When the next Emperor sits on the throne, I will have the ability to question his decisions. It's not something like an advisor, and I wouldn't be able to question everything. Only when there is a controversy of some sort, or if Emperor's decision could harm the Empire, I would be able to act and reverse or abolish the decision made by the Emperor. It's a very powerful position, but as you can see, a dangerous one as well".

I was a bit shocked, but confused at the same time. I asked "Wouldn't your father assign some guards? Someone to protect you?". Roland laughed, and replied "He did, which resulted in more backstabbing. I was almost killed by my own guards. They lost their lives, because it would look bad if made public. If they succeeded, the problems my so called sibling have, would be gone". He then continued, "Before you ask. The Emperor is already dying. Even if he wanted to help me somehow, it's not going to be possible on his deathbed. I doubt he would help me more than that".

I said "It's more of a curse, than help. If not for that position, you could just live your life. Your siblings wouldn't need to go so far, and try to kill you". Roland replied "That is true. If not for that stupid father, I would have it easier. Maybe his intention was to help me, but he just brought a disaster upon me". I asked "Can't you simply refuse?". Roland shook his head, and said "No. It's already a decree. Not even the future Emperor can get rid of it. If they could, they wouldn't try to kill me either".

I asked "What about the current Emperor? Although on his deathbed, he can still abolish that decree. Just tell him that the position he gave you, is a disaster, not help". Roland shrugged his shoulders, and replied "You think I didn't try? That stupid old man thinks my siblings actually care for me. He can't see their vile personalities, or motives. With the race for new Emperor in full swing, getting rid of me is the best idea".

I asked "You mentioned a few of your siblings are after you. This should mean, not all of them". Roland nodded, and said "Kind of. There were some who just didn't care, or at least didn't get themselves involved. Do I trust them? Not in 1000 years. There is something you need to understand. Royalty is like a stage play. People assume different personalities, but underneath they are all different. It's all a charade. Only those the best at it, can win".

I asked "Why don't you leave?". He replied "I intend to do just that. I don't want to fight for my life everyday. I don't care about that position or that so called family. I returned, because I was naive. I thought something will change, but when I learned about that decree, I knew the troubles would only begin".