Prince X Elika Fic (Part 2 Up!)

[xenomina]

OKAY. So, in an attempt to appease my urge to write, I have decided to post a fanfic in sort of mini-chapters. As I write them, I'll post them here for you guys to view! PLEASE don't post in the this thread, at least until it's complete. I'll try my best to keep it updated until it's done. I'm estimating 4-5 parts, maybe more depending on any feedback I get in the chat.

ANYWAY, on with Part 1, coming up in next the post!

Updates

Part 2- While Part one focused on Elika, this one focuses on the Prince and what he was doing while he was gone from camp. As lame as it is, I'm also using some names from various PoP fics and media, as I really suck at making up these kinds of names.

[xenomina]

Elika couldn’t remember how long ago it was that het partner had left the camp to find food, but it seemed like he had already been gone for too long. She rubbed her arms in hopes for even some remote warmth, conflicted as to whether she should press against the rock some more in hopes to escape the cold night air or creep closer to the fire for warmth. Grumbling, she backed herself in the large rock, digging her feet into the desert sand. She looked over to the cliff in the distance, where the main road ran towards their destination, and where the Prince had gone in hopes to gather food for the both of them. Their makeshift camp was in the middle of a few large stones, shielding them from the eyes of travelers on the main road, but not shielding them from the frigid wind blowing across the desert that night.

Minutes passed, and the Prince still hadn’t returned. Elika sighed, resolving that she would get what rest she could before another long trek tomorrow. She laid down in the sand, pressing herself into the rock again before closing her eyes and listening to the sound of the crackling fire, allowing it soothe her into a light sleep.

Elika could have sworn she had just closed her eyes when she could hear the sound of men talking. She slowly opened her eyes, half expecting it to be the Prince, only for what she saw to leave her frightened. Just outside the circle of stones, three rough looking men were talking in a whisper. Too frightened to move, Elika just lay there, closing her eyes and faking sleep, craning her ear in hopes to hear their conversation, but only hearing harshly uttered garble.

She lay there for several moments, her heart starting to pound in her ears as she did her best to stay calm despite the overwhelming fear. There was the sound of footsteps, Elika panicked, immediately scrambling to her feet so she could make a run for it. If she could just make it to the cliff, she’d stand a chance…

Three steps were all she could take before they were already on her, a large dark-skinned male tackling her to the ground with a deafening thud. She screamed, clawing at the sand in a vain attempt to pull herself free from the man’s grip. She panicked as he got up, still pinning her before harshly turning her over. Her mind was racing, praying for Ormazd to save her from what would surely be her death. She got no response however, too frightened to call up the focus to summon the very means in which she could protect herself. Tears started to form as she continued to pray for help from her god.

“Don’t move, and don’t scream unless you want that pretty throat of yours cut.”

[xenomina]

The climb back up the cliff had been an easy one for the Prince, even in the fading light of the sun. With a grunt, he pulled himself up to solid ground, dusting himself off once both of his feet were on the sandy soil. He looked back over the cliff, making sure Elika and the fire were safe from view.

Smoke billowed from the collection of rocks, but soon that too would be hidden by the night sky, something he was relying on. His eyes scanned the horizon, his gaze locking on some trees he had spotted before, only this time there were some dark blobs, and the glint of a fire with smoke billowing lazily into the sky. Though he was wary of approaching the camp, it was his best, and only bet in getting some much needed food and water for him and Elika. There were no other trees for miles around let alone ones possibly bearing fruit.

He ran across the rough road, keeping his body low to imitate an animal in the distance and a hand on the hilt of his sword, just in case. As he neared the camp, he noticed several figures had set up two tents. Two small figures were also running around, which he could safely assume were children. From what the Prince could conclude, was that another family had set up camp for the night, and most likely wouldn’t be a threat. In fact, he was hopeful that they would be more than willing to give them food and water, and maybe some other supplies. He remained wary though, telling himself it would be wise to sleep in their own camp off the main road. Family or no, there was still the chance of the family stealing everything they had (which wasn’t much at all with Farah still lost) and that just wouldn’t do.

As the Prince got closer, he stopped his near-crawling and stood up straight and tall, resuming his confidant stride and removing his hand from the hilt of his sword. Whom he presumed was the mother stopped roasting meat over the fire and looked over him as he approached.

“Greetings to you, ma’am!” He called with a smile and a wave, trying to look as kind and friendly and harmless as possible.

“And to you, sir!” The woman called back, standing. Apparently it had worked.

“What would bring a traveler such as you to our camp?”

With a motion of her arm, the Prince saw the wife indeed had two children, both daughters; there were also several men, at least 6, wandering around the area. The Prince frowned inwardly upon seeing them, realizing that stealing food and supplies were completely out of the question unless he wanted a fight with odds that weighed heavily against him.

“My wife and I have been traveling for several days;” The lie rolled almost too easily off his tongue. “We set up camp not far from here. I’m afraid our supplies are running low, and I was wandering of you would be kind enough to share some of yours with us?”

Elika, his wife…now that was a pleasant thought.

A tall, muscled man walked over from inside the nearest tent, placing a tender hand on the woman’s shoulder. While his eyes seemed fresh and alive, his body was old and tired from the trek across the cruel desert. This man was probably the husband and father of the two daughters who were currently fascinated by the Prince’s arrival, pointing as his sword and colorful scarves.

“And where would your wife be, stranger?” He nodded to the Prince, his other hand subtly rested on his own saber hanging on his waist, a warning in case the stranger had any cruel intentions. The Prince was not intimidated in the slightest, however, and gave the large man a smile.

“She’s back at camp, tending to the fire and watching our pack mule.” The Prince shook his head and frowned slightly, motioning a random direction that their camp wasn’t actually in.

By now, a couple of men had come out of the other tent to watch them. One was tall and had a long beard, and the other was shorter but definitely had some muscle, bearing a wider frame. They were both darker skinned than the family of four, both also carrying sabers as well. The old man looked back to the others, throwing his arm wide in a motion for them to come over.

“Dastan! Bring your men over to meet our guest!” He gave the Prince a grin.
“We met Dastan a few miles back, they too are headed for the next town, and we both agreed it would be a wise idea to travel together in case bandits decided to attack us…tell me, what do you call yourself?”

“Verdad.” One of the many aliases the Prince used in cities, this just happening to be one he had yet to have a bounty placed on in his various ventures under the guise.

By then, the three men had walked over to greet him. They did not say a word, but instead Dastan nodded to him before he returned to his place by the tents. There was something hidden in his eyes that the Prince didn’t trust, and he immediately felt bad for the family, theorizing that there was a lot more about Dastan and his brothers than he had caught on.

“Verdad, we’ll be happy to lend you some food and water for you and your wife. But first, come, sit!” The father motioned to the fire they were tending to. “Tell us about yourself!”

It wasn’t long before the Prince had lost track of time, trading mostly fabricated stories of this alias with the man while the wife, whom he never learned the name of, was packing some food and water in what looked like a warm fleece blanket, tying the corners together. It was in only in the middle of one of Haziz’s stories (he had told him his name) about an unfortunately hilarious incident involving his brothers and a goat, that the Prince realize that something was very wrong.

The three men that Haziz had introduced the Prince to were gone. He scanned the area with his eyes as he faked a hardy laugh, finding that he didn’t see them anywhere. His heart become fearful, realizing exactly what may have happened. He needed to head back to the camp. Now.

“Well,” the Prince started as he stood, moving grasp Haziz’s arm to show his thanks and respect for the man. “As much as I would like to stay, I’m sure my wife grows worried of my absence.”

Or her his, if things were as potentially bad as he thought.

“Of course! Perhaps you will travel with us tomorrow?”

“We shall see.” With that, the Prince picked up the blanket full of supplies, and headed back towards the camp as cooly as possible. As soon as he was far enough away by the cover of the ever-growing night, he broke into a full run, finally allowing himself to pay attention to the full possibility of the potential danger his Elika was in. He could only hope his fears weren’t true, and that he wasn’t right to not trust Dastan and his men. The Prince shoved every paranoid thought aside even as his feet moved faster, the edge of the cliff now in sight.

A scream rang out, a scream that was undeniably Elika’s. Anger and worry clashed as he dropped the blanket and ran towards the cliff as quickly as his feet would take him, his hand already on the hilt of his sword. He had to hurry, Elika could be hurt, or even worse…

He shoved the thought aside as quickly as it came. Elika could take care of herself, after all, she did have magic, right?

Right?

What the Prince saw he looked over the edge of the cliff, however, proved him very wrong...