Valerian Calender
Year 6,189
In the small town of Wesenpera, a man whispered with a hushed tone:
"Did you hear the rumors?"
The man asked as if he knew the others would answer in...
"Yes. You are talking about those detestable traitors, right?"
"The ones who are doing illegal trafficking?"
Another man chimed in.
At this exact moment. 8 miles away in the forest, a man screamed:
"AAHHHH..."
Shortly after, many voices joined the scream. Blood splattered everywhere.
In the midst stood a tall shadow.
"—Gasp!"
A man suddenly jolted straight from the bed. His whole body was shaking and sweating.
The familiar view of his white, luxurious room calmed the man a bit.
"What was that?!"
The man stood up, still shaken up a little. He washed up his face with water and then started mumbling.
"It felt so surreal. What do we call it... Yeah, a Lucid dream. Makes sense, I think..."
*Knock*
*Knock*
A voice came after knocks from the other side of the door, interrupting the man.
"The breakfast is ready Your Highness."
Coming out of his stupor, the man replied to the voice.
"Come in."
A man in his 40s came inside the room with a serving trolley. The man was bowed his head and stood straight, awaiting further instructions.
"Uncle Ryan, how many times have I told you not to ask before coming in."
Uncle Ryan replied to the man who now wore a blue robe.
"And how many times have I told you not to call me uncle Your Highness."
*Sigh*
The man sighed while running his hand through his black hair in resignation.
"Okay okay, uncle Ryan. You win."
Uncle Ryan smiled faintly.
"Your Highness I am unable to understand your profound words. Forgive this servant of yours."
The black-haired man chuckled at uncle Ryan's performance and then said:
"You may leave now."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Uncle Ryan left the pristine chambers and closed the door.
The black-haired man freshened up and then sat down. He started eating his meal, forgetting about the dream.
"That hit the spot. I will definitely ask uncle Ryan to reward the royal cook."
The black-haired man now wore a spotless white robe that had blue embroidery over it. His face had sharp features. One could clearly see the extraordinary aura of his face which had the potential of stealing many girls' hearts.
The man's eyes fell onto his study table. There was a black box placed on the table.
The man stood up and walked towards the box.
"Clack—"
With a low sound the back box opened and the man took out an old scroll.
The scroll seemed very mysterious. There were many patterns on the scroll which slowly flowed like a river.
"The next destination is the [Forest of Yular]."
The man mumbled and then put away the scroll back into the box.
The gate of the chambers opened and the man walked out, heading straight to the empress's office.
*Knock*
*Knock*
"Come in."
A gentle yet bold voice came from the other side of the door.
"His Highness is here to meet you, Her Imperial Majesty."
A servant came into the office while bowing his head.
The empress nodded her head slightly and signalled the servant to leave. After a few moments, the black-haired man entered the chambers and bowed his head once.
"This child pays respect to the empress mother."
The empress waved her hand and said: "No need for formalities son. Tell me why have you come here this early in the morning?"
The prince bowed his head once again and replied: "I have been researching an old scroll and I have found something intriguing in it. It is very important."
The empress stayed silent and then asked another question: "So, what do you want to do? Are you going on a journey again?"
The prince shook his head in helplessness and replied: "Yes, I'm afraid so, mother."
*Sigh*
A sigh escaped from the empress's lips.
"Where? Do you require any guards or a fake identity?"
After a moment of hesitation, the prince finally said: "There is no need. My destination this time is..."
The prince hesitated again and after a pause continued: "The forest of Yular."
The tension in the room suddenly increased and the empress stood up from her chair whilst shouting: "Absolutely not. I don't give you the permission to go there. At least not alone."
The prince interjected and said: "But mother..."
"No buts. No means no."
The prince shook his head in surrender and said: "Mother, trust me. I am not going there recklessly. I already have a map and some holy treasures to protect me from any danger."
The empress didn't look convinced at all.
"You are just so stubborn."
*Sigh*
The empress sat back on her chair and said calmly: "Fine, you may go. But on one condition."
The prince's eyes lit up and he asked instantly: "What condition? I will agree to any of your conditions."
The empress laughed and said: "Remember your words, son. When the time comes, I will tell you the condition."
The prince didn't think much of this 'condition'. His focus was on his journey right now.
The prince nodded his head one last time before departing while saying: "This child takes his leave now. Take care mother."
The doors to the office closed shut and the empress started murmuring to herself.
"He is just as stubborn as you, Your Highness."
...
The prince went to uncle Ryan next, telling him to pack some rations for the journey. After taking a royal steed from the stable, the prince went off to the distant horizon with a glint of hope in his eyes.
"I am Edric... Edric Serathiel Ashenfall. The crown prince of the human empire and a scholar. My only mission is to put an end to the war."