Chapter 4

"Prince Touya's convoy is going to pass through here," Yuto said. "Is he returning from that battle up north," Emi asked. "It appears so," Yuto said. "The Prince and his knights may want to rest here in the village. Shall we have the villagers prepare," Emi asked. "Yes," Yuto said. Emi left right as Katan entered the house. "What's going on," Katan asked. "Prince Touya's convoy will be arriving here soon. The villagers are preparing for their arrival," Yuto replied. "Anything you need me to do," Katan asked. "No, that's quite alright," Yuto replied, then left. Hours later, Yuto returned with Prince Touya. "Prince Touya, welcome," Emi said, bowing. "Hello Emi, how have you been," Touya asked. "I've been well, sir," Emi replied, smiling. "We've prepared a room for you, Prince Touya," Yuto said. "Thank you, Yuto," Touya said. "This way, my lord," Yuto said. Touya him to the room where he will be staying in for the night. Yuto left with Emi to attend to the fields and the knights. "Prince Touya," Katan said from the doorway. "Prince Katan, how are you holding up," Touya asked. "It's really calm and peaceful here. It's not bad here," Katan replied. "They are still searching for you in the Ice Kingdom," Touya said, sitting on the bed. "Has my brother been informed," Katan asked. "All he knows is that you're missing. You are currently being called a traitor by both kingdoms," Touya replied. "It's been weeks already," Katan sighed. "Prince Katan, there is no need to worry. As I've said, you are safe as long as you remain here," Touya stated. "Thank you, Prince Touya," Katan said, bowing. Touya stood up but then fell to his knees. Katan went over to him and helped him to the bed. "Are you alright, Prince Touya," Katan asked. "Yes, just exhausted," Touya replied. "I heard you went north to battle some monsters," Katan stated. "Yes," Touya said. "How'd that go for you," Katan asked. "It didn't go as expected, and there were some complications, but we were able to stop the monsters. Unfortunately, I had to use quite a bit of my powers, and that area is no longer liveable," Touya replied. "Did you over due it again," Katan asked, standing in front of him. "Most likely, but I'll be fine after some rest. We have to depart tomorrow evening anyway," Touya replied as he laid down. "I'll let you rest then, Prince Touya," Katan said, then left the room.

"Prince Touya, are you feeling alright," Knight one asked. "I'm fine, just exhausted," Touya replied. "We should get going now, Prince Touya," Knight Two said, walking over. "Take care, Prince Touya," Emi and Yuto shouted. Katan and the villagers watched as they disappeared out of sight. Everyone returned to their chores and jobs soon after. Moments later, a lone knight returned to the village. "Yuto," Emi said, running into the house. "What's the matter," Yuto asked, walking towards her Katan. "A knight from the Ice Kingdom returned. Something happened to Prince Touya. They wish to return to the village," Emi replied. "Let them return and have the villagers prepare once more. Fetch the medical herbalist as well," Yuto replied. Emi nodded and then left quickly. "Yuto," Katan said. "Yes," Yuto replied as he prepared a room for Touya. "How can help," Katan asked. "Move these items to the store room out back," Yuto replied. Katan helped him move things to the store room in the back. Not long after, knights carried Touya into the room. "What happened," Yuto asked. "We were ambushed not long after leaving the village," Knight one replied. "We must prepare the village for the cold," Yuto said as he walked past the knights. Katan looked over to see ice forming around Touya. He heard people talking about it getting cold all of a sudden. Katan looked around and noticed that the knights had left the room. He walked over to Touya and grabbed his hand. A blue flame appeared once again, removing the ice and cold as well as healing the small wounds on Touya. Once Katan finished, he left the room to help the others.

"Prince Touya, how are you feeling," Katan asked. "Did you help me again," Touya asked. "Yes, you looked really uncomfortable," Katan replied, looking away. "Thanks for that," Touya said. "You're welcome," Katan said, surprised. "Why are you surprised," Touya asked. "I don't think you've ever thanked me before," Katan replied. "You know I think you're right," Touya said, thinking. "Prince Touya," knight one said, running into the room. "What is it," Touya asked, getting up. "There's a massive beast heading this way," knight one replied. "There shouldn't be any beast out this way. We've cleared them out," Touya said, getting up. "We're not sure why it's here, but it'll be here soon," Knight One said. "We must cut it off," Touya said, grabbing his things. "I will inform the others," knight one said then left quickly. "Prince Touya," Katan said. "I'd stay here in the village if I were you. The villagers might need you here in case the best were to get past me," Touya said, placing his hand on Katan's shoulder. "I don't see that happening. From what I've heard, you've stopped countless beasts in their tracks. But I will do as you say and remain here. Do be careful, Prince Touya," Katan said. Touya nodded and then left quickly to join his knights in battle. Katan stayed behind and helped Yuto in the village. "The beast is near," a villager scout shouted as he returned to the village. "That's impossible. Prince Touya was fighting the beast," Yuto said, surprised. "Prince Touya's knights have been slaughtered, Yuto. I'm not sure of Prince Touya's where abouts. I didn't see him, but the beast is gravely injured," the villager scout replied. "Take cover," Yuto shouted. The villagers quickly ran for their shelters to hide from the beast. Yuto and Katan stayed there standing at the front of the village waiting for the beats. "It really is gravely injured. It's missing limbs and part of its body and is bleeding quite a bit," Yuto said. Before the beats reached the village, it was stricked from behind by a massive ice crystal. The beats fell to the ground defeated, revealing Touya floating there. They watched as Touya suddenly fell from the sky. Katan and Yuto hopped on horses and headed to where they saw him fall. Upon arrival, they saw Touya lying on the ground covered in blood. They hopped down from the horses and ran over to him quickly. "He's still alive," Yuto said, sighing in relief. "We should get him back quickly," Katan said. "Agreed," Yuto said, standing up. Katan picked up Touya and placed him on the horse before getting on himself. They quickly returned to the village. Emi and the villagers saw them and gathered around. The moment they saw Prince Touya, they began to panick. Katan and Yuto hurriedly took Touya inside. They removed his shirt to see that there was a bad wound across his chest and abdomen. "This wound wasn't caused by the beast. This was done by a sword," Yuto stated as he cleaned it up. "Why would someone harm Prince Touya," Katan asked. "I'm not sure," Yuto replied, trying to get the bleeding to stop. "He's colder than normal," Katan stated. "He's going to die at this rate," Yuto said. "What are you going to do," Emi asked. "I'm not sure if there's anything we can do. This wound was caused by a sword and is quite deep. He's bleeding to death," Yuto replied. "I can help him," Katan stated. "Then do it," Emi said. "Move back, Yuto, and don't panic. It doesn't hurt him," Katan said, grabbing Touya's hand. Yuto and Emi watched as blue flames appeared and surrounded Touya. They saw his wound slowly begin to disappear. After a bit, the flames disappeared, and Touya's wounds were healed. "That's incredible, Prince Katan," Emi said in amazement

 "I've done this for him a couple of times before," Katan stated. "I haven't seen blue fire in years. It's a rare power to have," Yuto said. Katan turned towards Yuto and Emi. "We won't tell anyone about it, so don't worry," Emi said. "I'm not worried," Katan said, smiling. "We should let him rest for now," Yuto stated. "Let's go help the others clean up," Emi said. Yuto nodded and then left with his wife to help the others. Katan looked back at Touya and then left the room as well.

"Prince Katan," Touya said suddenly. "Prince Touya, you're awake. How are you feeling," Katan asked, walking over to him. "I'm alright now," Touya said. "Thank God. You almost died, Touya. What happened," Katan asked. "I was attacked by one of my own knights. They waited til I was about to reach my limit. Luckily, I was still able to stop that beast," Touya said, messing with his clothes as they were a bit too big. "I apologize, Prince Touya, but we couldn't find anything that would fit you," Katan said. "Whose clothes are these," Touya asked, lifting his arms. "They're mine," Katan replied. "Oh, I see," Touya said, surprised. "Yuto asked Emi to make you some clothes," Katan stated. "I really need to go back to the palace," Touya sighed, sitting down. "Yuto sent a letter to King Shimizu informing him what had happened here," Katan stated. "He won't care," Touya said, annoyed. "Why is that. He's your father, isn't he," Katan asked, confused. "Yes, but I'm not the most obedient son," Touya replied. "I see," Katan said. "But still, I really need to get back. My brother and sister must be worried," Touya said. "Prince Touya, you're awake," Yuto said. "Yes," Touya said. "Here you are. Emi made you this outfit since we didn't have anything in your size. It should fit you," Yuto said. "Thank you," Touya said, taking them. "You're welcome, Prince Touya," Yuto said. Touya went back upstairs to change. "Prince Touya, are you alright," Knight one asked. "I'm alright. When did you guys arrive," Touya asked. "Just now," knight one replied. "Queen Shimizu received a letter that you were here and that the knights with you were killed by a massive beast," knight two added. "I see," Touya said. "We should head back now, my lord," knight one said. "Alright, thank you three for everything. I'll be sure to repay your kindness," Touya said, then left with the knights. "Prince Katan is something wrong," Emi asked. "Didn't you guys send the letter to the King," Katan asked. "I did, but they said the queen got the letter," Yuto replied. "Maybe Queen Shimizu reads the letters instead of King Shimizu," Emi stated. "That's possible," Yuto said. "Yuto," a villager said, entering the house. "What is it that you are covered in," Yuto asked. "That looks like ice," Katan said. "It is. There was a huge explosion of ice powers just now. There is ice everywhere, and the crops are covered in it," the villager said. "We will check it out. Let's go, Prince Katan," Yuto said. Katan followed Yuto to the barn. They got on the horses and ran off towards the huge ice tornado in the distance. When they arrived at it, they saw the knights trying to get to the center. "What's going on," Katan asked. "We're not for sure, but we can't get to the Prince," Knight One replied. "His power is just too strong," Knight two stated. "It's out of control," knight one added. "What are we going to do. If we get any closer, we'll freeze and shatter," Knight two asked. Katan looked over at Yuto, who nodded as if he knew what Katan was thinking. Katan started walking towards Touya, but when the knights tried to stop him, Yuto stopped them. "He's the only one who can help Prince Touya right now," Yuto stated. "If he goes in there, he'll die. Prince Touya's powers are quite powerful," knight one stated. "I'm well aware of how powerful it is," Yuto said. The knights watched in amazement as blue flames appeared around Katan when he entered the ice tornado.

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