Lestan was running through the alleys apparently escaping someone. Instead of a person, black smog followed him. Some kind of dark vines were trying to reach him in front of him growing from ground and walls. Obviously not a person was chasing him. He reached the dead end. He turned around to face his opponent. It looked like a huge shadow of a person that made a step and then slide awkwardly to the front to bypass some obstacles.

"You won't get me." Lestan screamed.

Vines growing from the ground and walls were trying to reach him, but he didn't let them and dodged them. Then he ran on side wall, jumped from it to the opposite one and then to the wall between them to reach the edge. He flipped on and bypassed the obstacle. He landed down on the other side when the monster approached the spot he was at few seconds before to punch the wall that was separating them. Lestan continued running when the beast screamed terrifyingly.

"Lestan," said the beast.

Lestan woke up suddenly trying to catch a breath.

"Did you oversleep again Prince Lestan?" Soldier giggled lurking to the tent.

"Jarred, where is my father?" Prince rubbed his face.

"He just left." Soldier answered.

Lestan shook his head.

"Did you have a nightmare again? A bad time for having that," Jarred exclaimed.

Lestan didn't answer, just groaned.

"Would you like some breakfast maybe?" Jarred asked him.

"I won't be able to eat anything, I'll better prepare to head out." He replied.

"I'll prepare your horse, take your time." Solder said leaving.

Lestan stood up and went to basin to wash himself out. He firstly splashed his face to awake himself from the dream he had. He looked around, the tent was very big. There was his mattress and small table where he could eat.

He glanced at the mirror. He looked young for his age which was 22, without any scar on his face. His hair was black and short. He looked deeply in his blue eyes trying to see inside himself. He didn't really know what he was doing, but certainly knew that he had to do it. He grabbed a bottle of water and drank it.

After washing he changed his red pajama pants to gray trousers. He put his dark boots and put on his light armor jacket. Over it he put a belt across his shoulder. He took his sword and sheathed it on his back. On head he put his blue bandana, tied it on the back and glance at the mirror. He looked exactly how he wanted.

Lestan left his tent and looked around. The camp was full of tents and some soldiers were walking around them. Around the camp were soldiers apparently in duty for defending it. Lestan could see also soldiers marching farther away. He went to Jarred who was standing next to his horse. Horse was named Pegas and was purely white with black crest and tail. He looked like always very elegant.

"Oh, Prince, Pegas is ready for you," Jarred said.

"Great Jarred," Lestan patted his shoulder.

Jarred took two steps backwards from the horse. Lestan patted his horse that responded delighted.

"Good morning Pegas." Boy said to his horse.

Lestan then hopped on him and sat comfortably. He took the reins and faced the way leading the rendezvous point.

"Good luck Prince, I have full confidence you'll be successful," Jarred stated with a smile.

If anyone else would say that, he would never believe they meant it. But he trusted Jarred and knew that was what he thought. All closed soldiers saluted him.

"Thanks Jarred, keep an eye on the camp." Lestan said to him and rushed on the horse.

******************************************

Lestan rode his horse between troops of saluting soldiers. On a hill his father Araman the King of Karasia sitting on his brown, armored noble horse. He was wearing heavy glowing armor and sword sheathed on his left side. He wore a helmet and had white short beard. Next to him was his trusted adviser Rohan the Karasian Vizier. His horse was black as night sky. Lestan joined them and positioned next to his father on the opposite side than Rohan.

"I'm sorry for being late, Father. Rohan," he said leaning to exchange look with the Vizier.

"Lestan,"Vizier replied.

"Nonsense my son, you're just in time." King said with wide smile apparently glad that his son came already.

"So what's the situation?" Prince asked.

"So some troops are fighting on the other side of the city. Enemy doesn't want to face us here." Rohan explained.

"Why are you attacking with catapults the side walls?" Boy asked.

"We're trying to get inside, but those damn walls don't want to open, just leaving rubble." King answered.

"Must be magic, it's keeping the wall in the same position regardless of its shape." Lestan remarked.

"I figured it much, but still." Vizier responded.

"That wouldn't work anyway; the side guard walls don't have direct connection to the city, so troops wouldn't get to the city through them." Lestan explained.

"So that's why we need to open the main gate." King stated.

"But we can't catapult them with rocks, because the second gate would be sealed with that." Vizier explained.

"How about I'll get there from the side wall and find my way to the switch opening the main gate?" Prince asked.

"That would be amazing my son." King praised him.

"But how would you even manage to do that?" Rohan was unconvinced.

"I'll find a way to pass this rubble from catapult attacks and find a way inside, while I memorized the city plan." Lestan explained.

"That's my boy, so enthusiastic." King patted him on the back.

Lestan thought that he wasn't enthusiastic about it like his father. He hated wars and was here only to make things faster which would decrease the number of casualties. He knew what he wanted to do, impress his father. It seems though that it was too ambitious for him to manage such dangerous task.

"But, that's too dangerous, it's madness. Your Highness..." Vizier protested.

"No Rohan, I have absolute trust in my son, so if he says that he can do it, I will cheer him." King stated seriously.

"I understand, Your Highness." Rohan capitulated.

"I'm off, there's no time to waste." Lestan stated.

"Yes son, I believe in you." King said.

"Good luck Prince." Rohan sighed.

Prince rode to the catapults to speak with the guy in charge with them.

"Commander," Lestan called.

"Yes my Prince." Commander answered immediately while saluting.

"Attack constantly one spot when I got closer to it and don't hesitate then. I know what I'm doing and have my father's permission." Lestan explain.

Commander looked at king and Vizier. Rohan gave him an accepting sign. Commander returned his gaze to Prince.

"Immediately, my Prince," Commander replied.

Young prince rode straight to the place he pointed to commander. While he was getting closer they bombarded the wall. He hasn't slow down, but accelerated the speed. When everything was rumbling he jumped from his horse straight to it.

"Tutela," came from his calm voice.

A blue energy covered him completely and he slid between the rocks. He got through and rolled on the other side. He stood up and shook dust from him. He was exhausted from using his protective spell and rested for a minute.

He slowly ran towards the rumble to reach part of wall where it wasn't cracked. He climbed stairs to see what is happening. He saw commander and his horse in his front. He was relieved that Pegas is safe. He whistled special signal that he would return to safe place. He waved also to Commander, who waved him back. Pegas ran to Lestan's father to stand beside him like before with him on his back. King and his Vizier waved to him and prince did the same.

Lestan ran back downstairs. The opposite wall was way taller to hop through it. Nevertheless he wasn't looking there, his target was below. He found a door and kicked it. It led deeper down, which was perfect for him. The plans brought by Azurian spies consisted also the underground tunnels. He quickly rushed through the stairs down to reach the tunnels.

He recreated map in his mind to see where he's going. He was running along the tunnel and he suddenly stopped in the half way while reaching the opening. The door shut behind him and a tall enemy soldier in front of him was lifting his big sword, ready to cut him.

And there he was with his guard down and unarmed with his sword sheathed on his back; tired from using the spell and running through the tunnel. He was just about to be sliced in half.