Bold Souls

Disappeared

- SEARCH FOR THE PRINCE! HE MUST BE SOMEWHERE HERE! NONE OF YOU MAY REST UNTIL YOU FIND MY SON! - the king yelled at his knights while they searched among the ruins of the village where spies last reported the prince was staying. They searched tirelessly for Prince Blake, heir to the throne. King Edgar could barely see from exhaustion, but he was driven by adrenaline and desperation. Blake was his only child with his late first wife. He was all that was left of Rosalind. When Blake first looked into his eyes he became the happiest man in the world to have a son with his wife's special red eyes. Edgar got rid of anyone, in any position, who dared to say a bad word about Rosalind and Blake's eyes. In the kingdom, the eye colour of the Hellbirds was considered a bad omen, but for Edgar, Rosalind's eyes were the light, until the light was extinguished forever. Blake was barely three, when they lost his mother. Under political pressure, Edgar remarried and shared a son, Noah, with Queen Linett.

- Your Majesty! We have found where they were keeping the Prince imprisoned! - Edgar followed the knight, his heart pounding in his chest. Dear Lord, please, keep him safe. I beg you my Lord, please do not let me see the eyes of my child shut forever. - Edgar arrived to the tiny house which was burned down to the ground.

- What makes you think that they kept Blake here? - he asked and one of his loyal knights, Sir Demeter, kneeled in front of him and handed Edgar a broche. It was a tiny black bird with red eyes and a golden olive branches around it. Rosalind ordered this for Blake when she first heard of the legend of the Hellbirds.

" - Eddy, what is a Hellbird? - Rosalind asked with a sweet and innocent smile while she was embroidering a tiny shirt for their soon to be born son. - Edgar looked up from his documents and felt anger rising in his chest. Why is she asking about those birds?

- Where did you hear that word, love? - Rosalind frowned and looked at Edgar sternly.

- It doesn't matter unless I get to know what are them. - Edgar sighed.

- According to an old myth in our country, a Hellbird is a three legged, crow like creature, with crimson eyes. It's a servant of Hell that can sniff out the dead. Only those near death can see it. One day, you'll find a black feather on your pillow. That'll be the end of you. It'll carry your soul down to Hell. Now, tell me love, who said that to you? - Rosalind instead of being angry or hurt, chuckled and caressed her belly.

- Did you hear that Blake?! You are not even born yet they're already terrified of your powers! - Edgar walked to Rosalind and took her hands in his.

- Who dared to call you eyes like those birds'? - Rosalind placed a peck on his mouth and batted her eyes. She was the most beautiful woman in the whole world in the eyes of Edgar. Honey blonde hair, fair skin, with tiny freckles around her nose and eyes. Strong, kind and caring, the perfect Queen his kingdom could've wished for.

- Why is it important? I prefer that the stupid people are scared of me instead of being forced to listen to them talking! - Edgar chuckled. Rosalind came from the neighborhood Kingdom and married him on paper only because of political reasons. But in reality, they met when they were only kid s and decided to move every stone to end up together that's why Edgar adored her so much. If she said that it was fine, than there was nothing he could do. When Blake was born, and he opened his eyes the nobles started to whisper and gossip among them about the eyes of the Hellbird and that Blake is going to bring the Kingdom's downfall. Rosalind ordered the best jeweler to prepare this broche for Blake who wore it from that day on, and the Hellbird became the symbol of the Crown Prince. "- Edgar held the broche to his chest and felt a tear sting his eyes. He put the broche under his armour and turned to his knights.

- Any signs of the Prince being nearby? - he asked and they hung their heads.

- Your Majesty, I'm afraid that the Prince is gone. - Edgar grabbed his armour and threw him against his horse.

- What makes you think that you can tell me such absurd assumptions?! - he screamed and his right hand, Sir Joseph, put a hand on his shoulder.

- Your Majesty, the building had been exploded by magic, the chances that the Prince survived, are converging to zero. - Edgar got back on his horse that his servant brought after him. He looked down at his knights and said.

- Until you don't find rock hard evidence that my son is dead we will keep searching. Keep in your minds that I'm not afraid to burn the world down to find him! Back to work! - he shouted and rode his horse back to the base they built as their temporary home. Linett rushed in front of him and hugged Edgar. The maids ran after her and gasped by watching the Queen's dress getting all dirty with blood and ashes.

- Your Majesty! - One of them mumbled but Linett kissed Edgar and looked deeply in his ice-blue eyes that were the symbol of royalty.

- Have you found him? - she asked and Edgar shook his head. Linett held his face in her frail hands and said with determination.

- We will find Blake, Edgar! - he smiled and kissed Linett. She was the cure of his pain and his greatest support since Rosalind was gone. She had light brown hair and dark green eyes, she was a lot shorter than Rosalind and her impact on his people was nothing compared to their deceased Queen. Yet, they respected and loved Linett and Noah as well. Noah came out of the tent and rushed to his father. He bowed respectfully.

- I'm glad you back safely, Father. My I ask if you have found my dear brother yet? - Edgar looked at his younger son. Noah had his blue eyes and his mother's brown hair, exactly the opposite mixture as Blake, who inherited his black hair and Rosalind's eyes. Compared to his brother, Noah was a lot more calm, and composed.

- Not yet, but I'll. - Edgar said caressing Noah's head. He turned to Linett.

- I'll have a bath and change my clothes. We are heading back to the castle tomorrow morning. - she bowed and Edgar disappeared in their tent. Noah pulled his mother's sleeve.

- Mom, did I do well? - Linett pat his head.

- Perfectly, dear, just like always.