The Prince's Wife, Part Iii

...The heathen knew not of his approach until his men exploded out of the hills. The foe tried to give fight, but siege-lines broke as Prince Larren pilled up the kills, they were not a true match for his will. Chaos descended, the battle now a route, in the milling madness, Larren was singled out. Cut off from his fellows, ten heathens advanced, Larren knew he had no decent prospects. He leapt on his horse, fled to a near hill, where he prepared for whatever came next, but by now the heathern horde was wrecked. The ten who had followed, all now lay dead, for the first time that day, Larren cleared his head. Half the horde lay lifeless down on the field, the other half fled across a river that sat by the citadel, their western border, its waters roiled, churned, and shivered with the melt-off of a long winter. Most who went in vanished under the waves, few made it across to live another day. Larren turned then, and he faced the hills, racing thoughts running through his mind, the battle was won, the kingdom was safe, he decided then that it was his time to claim a life far from the royal grind. He rode into the forest, galloping clear, it had to be done, though his brother would tear. He found the old road that he knew so well, and stopped by a cliff, high above a stream. His stripped off his armor, tossed it away, the water swallowing the metal’s gleam, it fell away like a vanishing dream. Should any find it they would come to think that they’re great Prince Larren had drowned in the drink. He continued on until he found the house, his sons busy at play in the front. He saw Seras walk out, her belly swollen, large enough to account for six months, at the mere sight of him she was stunned. He tied up his horse, walked up to her side, swept her into his arms as she started to cry. “You shouldn’t be here, your wide will be mad,” she said as she clung to him tight. Said he,“She was Larren’s wife, but Larren is ‘dead.’ The man here has but one family and wife, gold and riches aren’t worth that sort of strife. From now on I am Burren, a plain forester, since you can’t be a princess, I’ll be a prince no more...” CONCLUDES IN PART IV