Page 7 of Quest

“Of course I haven’t forgotten my own name,” I snapped. “It’s Ren.” The first name that came to mind was my father’s, unoriginal perhaps, yet a realistic one to bestow upon a firstborn son.

The introductions complete, the prince beckoned us to follow him, marking the start of our quest. The others prepared to depart, but panic rendered me still. Though I had managed to finally catch my breath, I was far from rested; with my lingering aches and sores I doubted my body could continue the journey so soon.

“We’re beginning immediately?”

Prince Darcel cocked a single eyebrow. “Is that a problem?” His tone hung in the air like a veiled threat, a firm reminder that one wrong move would end my journey prematurely.

It took every ounce of discipline not to openly show just how weak and tired I was in order to protect my identity. I had to do all within my power to maintain this façade flawlessly, not only to protect my father but to see this mission through to its end…both the prince’s mysterious quest as well as my own.

CHAPTER 4

My breaths came in short, sharp gasps as I struggled to keep up with the entourage’s relentless pace, each faltering step demanding more of me than I could muster. Ache spread across every burning limb, screaming for respite, and the weight of my pack pressed upon my shoulders, but I dared not show the full extent of my fatigue. While the others forged ahead without any sign of weariness, every moment I lagged farther behind. Yet I dared not ask the prince if we could slow down, fearing any sign of weakness might peel away the layers of my disguise.

It didn’t take long for the others to notice—I caught their sidelong glances, saw the brief furrowing of brows. Kael was the first to fall slightly back, his eyes narrowing not with suspicion but concern.

“Everything alright?” Though his accented murmur was low enough that only I could hear I still tensed, the simple question laced with genuine worry instead feeling like an accusation to my ears. Unsurprisingly, the man skilled in tracking had been the first to notice the struggle I’d been failing to hide.

I forced a tight smile and nodded, fearing that any admission of my struggle would lead to probing questions I wasn’t prepared to answer.

His frown deepened, clearly unconvinced. “Are you certain?”

“My pace is just a little a bit off today,” I managed, fighting to keep my voice as steady as possible. “I’ll adjust.”

Despite my attempted reassurances Kael’s watchful presence lingered just a step behind as we continued, his gaze periodically sweeping over me as if assessing my every move. Though he had no reason to suspect my true identity, he’d likely discerned enough to know something was amiss. My heart hammered with the dual pangs of exertion and anxiety, each struggling step forward a balancing act between maintaining my disguise and keeping pace with a group whose physical capabilities far exceeded my own.

“You’re rather scrawny for a man,” Kael eventually observed after a measured silence. “Are you sure you’re up for such a strenuous journey?”

I nodded again. “My studies have allowed me little time for exercise, but my lacking capabilities don’t change the fact that my presence is required.” I gritted my teeth to keep myself from snapping that at least they were able to move faster than if they’d followed their original plan of bringing my father along. I felt a surge of gratitude that he was not struggling along this path instead of me, along with a tightening of my chest as I imagined him waking and finding my letter.

Kael frowned but didn’t press the matter further. From up ahead our whispers drew Prince Darcel’s notice. He glanced back at us, but if he noticed my struggle he didn’t slow, clearly deeming efficiency more valuable than the well-being of his comrades.

Annoyance tightened my jaw. Not only was His Highness unsympathetic to my struggle, but he had yet to provide any explanation about where we were going or what exactly our mission entailed. Undoubtedly those details had been included in the missive—leaving him to assume I already possessed an understanding of our mission—yet resentment still flared, providing me the motivation to push on harder, determined to not show weakness.

The landscape began to morph as we advanced, the dense canopies eventually giving way to more rugged terrain interspersed with patches of wild grasslands. I found myself scrutinizing the environment for any clue that might hint at where we were headed.

The landscape shifted subtly beneath our feet, each plant hinting at the land's hidden stories; I tried not to let the vegetation distract me from my effort to keep pace but couldn’t help taking note of the different plants that had taken root since the curse lifted. A cluster of bloodroot thrived in the damp, shadowy earth, its presence a clear sign we weren't heading towards the arid south. This small revelation eased my worries about dehydration and hinted at a less grueling path ahead…though my relief was tempered by the small spots of brown speckling some of the plant’s leaves.

Fatigue weighed down each step as we marched on. I eventually spotted marsh mallow by a bubbling stream, their soft pink blooms nodding in the gentle breeze. These flowers thrived in wetter, valley-like areas, suggesting our path might be leading us towards the lush valleys known to house ancient ruins and sacred sites, common quest destinations due to their historical and magical significance.

I scanned the horizon, wondering where we were headed and what we would find at our destination. But eventually my exertion pushed all speculation from my mind. With each passing hour my exhaustion deepened until I reached the end of my endurance. Just when I feared I couldn’t take another step, Prince Darcel suddenly stopped upon reaching the summit of the next hill.

“We’ll rest here.”

Panting, I wearily peered up through the sweat matting my hair beneath the brim of my cap, each drop stinging as it trickled into my eyes. Judging by the position of the sun, we were still several hours shy of noon, the time the prince had initially determined we would rest. By Sir Jiang’s groan and pointed glare in my direction, it was clear the prince wasn’t the only one to notice my slow struggle.

Kael, in contrast, continued to look cheerful. “Excellent. I was up late last night doing a bit of reconnaissance and could use a break.” He made an exaggerated show of stretching, and I seized the opportunity his distraction created to take refuge beneath a large blossoming maple.

I sank onto a conveniently positioned log and released a weary sigh of relief, but my respite was short-lived when Prince Darcel disturbed my peace, settling beside me. I stiffened. I didn’t glance his way, but sensed his perusing gaze as he studied my profile; the aggravating morning stubble lining my face undoubtedly couldn’t mask the flush brought on by my exertion.

“You are clearly in no state to be traveling.”

I silently cursed that I’d failed in my efforts to feign competence mere hours into my first day. “The herbalist trade leaves one unaccustomed to such exertion, though I assure you I am faring better than my ill father would have during such a strenuous journey.” I couldn’t fathom how the prince had expected him to maintain such a rigorous pace that I myself could barely manage.

“I regret time is so pressing. Unfortunately curses aren’t known for being considerate—either when they rage or with the devastating remnants they leave behind.”

I seized this breadcrumb of information he offered, mulling over every detail in hopes this snippet would help me to better understand the greater picture.

From our elevated vantage point I had full view of the expansive valley spread out before us. The late afternoon sun caressed the landscape in a golden hue, illuminating the lush, green mountains that rolled endlessly into the distance. Traditional pagodas with their gracefully curved roofs peeked through the dense canopy of cherry blossoms and maple trees, their vibrant reds and pinks a stark contrast against the deep green hues. Rice paddies meticulously maintained in their terraced fields glistened, reflecting the sky above.

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