The wall of energy hit prince Keiran first, pushing him over and knocking the air straight out of him, and then doing the same to his men, who all hit the ground with a surprised gasp. He furrowed his brows at the world he saw spinning before his eyes as he lay on the forest floor. He noticed the shouts around him, but was too dazed to interpret what was being shouted. 

Slowly he raised a hand to his face, blinking agains the sun shining into his eyes. Blocking the light with his hand he closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. When he opened them again the world had stopped spinning. 

As he got up he saw why his men had been yelling. They had formed a close circle around the aircaller girl just a few paces away, swords in hands, but it was not the girl they pointed their weapons at. He followed their gazes, all bearing a different expression of fear, as he saw what they were looking at. 

At the other end of the path, by the head of the unconscious girl, stood a giant beast. Just small enough to fit in between the trees on either side of the path. Keiran quickly grabbed his own sword as he saw the creature, a thin layer of sweat already present on his brow. It was a monstrous thing. As high as three grown men and as wide as two. With thick dark brown fur covering its entire body, leaving just enough space for two roaming eyes, yellow as the sun. Its mouth was not visible, but two fangs as long as the prince his lower arm gave away its approximate location. 

The forest had gone quiet around them, awaiting what would happen next. Keiran had never seen such a creature, having encountered many on his journeys, of which the biggest wasn't nearly half the size of this one. He turned his gaze towards his guards, who had also ceased their shouting. They were looking at the beast, waiting for it to move. As they saw that it didn't, they turned their heads towards him. He looked at each of them in turn, making sure they were with him on what would surely be happening next. As he saw no hesitation, he eased his face into an expression of confidence. Time to do what he did best. 

He pointed at the three men to his left, motioning for them to free the girl from the place where she was trapped to the ground. They would bring her to safety, away from the fight. He then indicated for the strongest earthworkers to bind the beast. The rest would follow him. 

As he looked at the beast again he swallowed. Its yellow eyes were now on him, following every movement he made. Fine then, he would be bait. He did not hesitate as he nodded, locking away his fear and setting everything into motion. 

The forest burst into an explosion of sound as Keiran leaped forward, towards the beast. The wind was buzzing in his ears, ruffling through his hair as he raised his sword. In the blink of an eye he was past his men and in front of the creature. The beast was still looking at him, not moving a muscle at the commotion around him. It took no notice of the vines crawling towards it and groping onto its body from where the guards were standing. 

Keiran hesitated for a moment, casting a glance over his shoulder. The girl was still trapped to the ground, his men moving fast around her, placing their hands on the vines that bound her. Forcing them to retract. If he could just stay here, distracting the beast, but then the creature moved. Slowly it opened its mouth, revealing a gaping hole. 

Determined not to let the beast make the first move Keiran leaped forward, gripping the handle of his sword with two hands. His men followed suit, swords in hands. "I am sorry," he breathed, as he raised his arms. His muscles already used to the motion. 

The beast didn't so much as blink as Keiran plunged his sword into its chest and heard his men doing the same around him. There was a moment of utter silence. Keiran's brows furrowed, his eyes lingering on the spot where his sword had entered the beasts body.

Then the beast screamed. It was an unearthly sound, piercing through flesh and bone. Keiran felt his legs giving way underneath him, his hands still lingering on the hilt of his sword. He was unable to move, paralysed by the clear agony of the creature. 

A warm liquid started dripping down his sword, onto the ground before him. It was blue, glittering in the sunlight. He stared at it as the scream died out and silence, like a fog, enveloped him whole. 

He did not know how long he had been sitting there when a hand fell on his shoulder. His bloody sword was laying on the ground in front of him, mocking him with the brilliant blue on its blade. 

The beast had already been carried away, clearing the path for their journey back home. Home. He could not remember how long it had been since he last went home. The only thing he remembered was his fathers face when he returned. It was filled with pride, but only after he told him how many fugitives he had caught. 

"It is time to go your highness." There was a tone of knowing in the mans voice. 

Keiran breathed in once, taking in the smell of blood mixed with earth, before he slowly got up. He rolled his shoulders and cleared his throat and then turned around to face his men.

They were all standing in front of him. Their faces bore pained expressions and Keiran could sense their tiredness from the way they held themselves. They had been from home too long, even though for him it was never long enough. 

"Good job soldiers. Another monster has been slain and tonight we will celebrate this." His voice was clear as he spoke. "For now, let us retrace our steps and reunite with the rest. We will ride until sunset." His hands clenched at his sides at the moment of silence that followed, but his concern had been for nothing. With a light nod, his men turned around and started gathering their belongings. 

"What about the girl?" the same rough voice asked, now standing next to Keiran. Keiran turned his head and looked up into the familiar face of his master of arms as the shedding of weapons sounded through the forest. It was an aged face, thin lines already showing around his dark brown eyes. 

He had known Soterios since he was only a child, just learning to handle a sword, yet in all those years he had not changed. He was familiar with every grey strand of hair, twisting through his beard and braid, breaking up the dark brown of his shoulder length hair. He knew the exact spot his nose had been broken, which left a permanent mark on his face. He would recognise every new scar, because he remembered the old ones. He knew Soterios' face better than his own father's. 

Keiran smiled. "Find a young soldier to carry her. When she wakes up she can join the others on foot." 

"Yes, young prince." Soterios bowed, but hesitated a moment before he left. His dark brows were drawn as he met Keiran's eyes and there was something dark present in his demeanour. "My prince," he spoke silently, "if I may speak freely." He waited and Keiran nodded, knowing what would come. Soterios looked around him, making sure no one was listening, and took a step closer. "Sir, our men were not the ones who bound the girl to the Earth." He quickly raised a hand to stop Keiran from interrupting. A thing only he dared to do. "These vines were too strong to be ours." Keiran kept quiet, looking into the concerned gaze of his old friend.

He knew, of course. Keiran had seen the vines with his own eyes. His men's vines were nothing compared to the ones that bound the aircaller. 

"I understand your concern," he spoke firmly, "but we cannot afford to lose time. We have to travel through the forest."

Soterios bowed again. "As you wish, your highness," he said with his face towards the ground, his fatherly tone gone. 

As he walked away, Keiran's eyes lingered on his broad back. Soterios had always shown concern for him. He was always the one questioning his decisions when no one else would. Keiran appreciated that very much, although his father did not. The king did not like people who talked back and did not understand Keiran's friendship with his master of arms. 

Slowly Keiran bend over to pick up his sword. Without taking the effort of cleaning it he put it back in its sheath. The familiar sound of it piercing his ears. He started back in the direction they came from, plants rustling as he walked past them. He did not look back to check whether his men were following him. He knew they would, since they were as eager to leave as he was.