THE CURSED PRINCE: BOOK 1, page 27
The blade came down, hitting its target in the shoulder. But even though Patrick saw it cut through the fur and flesh, no blood showed. Instead, Patrick felt an intense pain in his left shoulder, causing him to release his weapon and stagger, falling onto his back. He reached and clenched his own shoulder and felt the pool of blood rushing between his fingers. The severe burning pain caused Patrick to cry out. He rolled to his right side, wanting to take any pressure from his injured shoulder, but it only added more grief while the blood coated his hand and the ground below. He felt dizzy and wanted to pass out when he saw the magician’s powerful pawed feet step into Patrick’s view and his dagger dropped to the ground covered in his own blood.
The humanoid rabbit crouched down on all fours and gawked at Patrick. "Such a display will not go unpunished, little one. One should be grateful for the gifts they receive. But I see you take your cues from your father. Such a pity to have to take back said gift. But neither of you is giving me much of a choice.”
“It’s not a gift—it’s a curse!” Patrick groaned out barely keeping his eyes open.
This caused the magician to snap at him. “Why do you keep saying it’s a curse when it’s not?” he said jumping to his hind legs.
Patrick couldn’t focus as the pain overtook him and he started to blackout when the magician grabbed his injured arm, triggering more discomfort as he dragged Patrick to an overgrowth of grass and tossed him onto it.
Patrick was in and out of consciousness when a faint sound of shouting erupted around him. He tried to focus his eyes but everything was a blur and was going black when Adam’s voice whispered into his head.
“Hang on Pat, we’re here. You’re safe now. Don’t give up on me.”
Patrick managed to respond. “I won’t,” was all he could say before passing out.
CHAPTER 41
Patrick’s eyes fluttered open to the daylight peeking through the canopy of the tent and the trees overhead. A heavy sigh escaped his lips while he rocked his head from side to side when his eyes landed on Adam who was lying beside him.
“Welcome back,” Adam said giving the prince a crooked smile.
Patrick tried to sit up when a sharp pain reminded him he was injured.
Adam placed his hand on Patrick’s chest to calm him. “Take it easy, Mue, your wound is healing,” Adam said, drowning in the guilt of not reaching Patrick in time. He swore to return the injury to the magician tenfold.
Patrick sighed again once the pain passed and smirked at Adam. “Did you just call me Mue again?”
Adam realized his mistake. “Yeah, I guess I did.”
“Is this going to be a habit?”
“Call it a nickname; only I can call you.”
Patrick blushed at the gift. “I’d like that … so can I call you Brut?”
“Is that what you called me before you knew my name?”
“Yeah,” Patrick confessed embarrassed.
“Then I look forward to hearing that name when we’re in each other’s arms.”
Patrick flustered by Adam’s statement was lost for words. When a familiar voice called to Adam.
“Excuse me, Ranger might I have a word?”
“Come in Lord Felix,” Adam called back.
When Felix entered he was relieved to see Patrick awake. “What a relief,” said Felix. “You’re awake. How do you feel?”
Patrick looked at Felix and smiled. “I feel much better, thank you, Lord Felix.”
“Excellent.” He looked at Adam who had sat up. “Ranger, Felica is doing reconciliation with Gabriel and breakfast is ready.”
“Thank you, Lord Felix, we’ll be right out.”
Felix left smiling once more at Patrick who smiled back at his once tutor.
Patrick looked at Adam with concern. “Who is Gabriel?”
“An Elf Justin ran into.”
“An Elf?” Patrick’s heart sped up knowing he never had time to mourn Yuri’s and Shilo’s passing.
Adam knew Patrick was thinking of their fallen friends but needed him to stay in the now. “I’ll make you a plate and bring it back.”
“No. I want to go eat with the others.”
“I’m not sure you should move,” Adam said.
“It’s a shoulder wound, not life-threatening. I’ll be fine.”
With care, Adam helped Patrick out of their tent and over to the campfire.
There Patrick saw Justin holding a plate and beside him was Poe holding his own meal while they sat on a log.
Justin noticed Patrick but said nothing.
Patrick knew the Rogue was fond of Yuri and hoped he didn’t blame him for the Sun Elf’s death. Patrick sat beside Poe who never looked up from his untouched food. Patrick went to comfort Poe by placing his hand on his back but saw him wince, causing Patrick to draw back his gesture.
“Where did you run off to Poe? You had us worried,” Patrick asked.
“We can ask the same about you,” Justin threw back at the prince.
Patrick wondered why Adam didn’t come in his defense then saw that he was gone. He ignored Justin scanning their surroundings. “Where did Adam go?” Patrick’s question was ignored when someone grabbed and yanked him off the log he was sitting on, making him hit the ground hard and raising the pain in his shoulder. Patrick released a cry as he reached for his inflamed shoulder. He felt disoriented from the fall as he could swear it was night again. Someone walked into his line of sight. Patrick recognized the boots as he looked up. “Adam?” The blue eyes Patrick imbed into memory that once held him captive now stared down at him with arrogance reflected in them. It was as if he was staring at a stranger.
“Why so surprised?” Adam asked squatting. “Who were you expecting? That fucking Elf?”
Patrick flinched from his statement as he tried to sit up.
“Allow me to help,” Adam said reaching out and grasping a clump of Patrick’s garment and yanking him to his feet.
The pain Patrick was in was preventing him from fighting back. “Adam, what’s wrong? Why are you acting like this?”
“Someone wants to see you,” was all he said before dragging Patrick along.
Patrick looked back to call Justin and Poe for help but they were gone and so was the campsite. He was deep in the woods again with unfamiliar surroundings. He tried to get his footing using his good arm to hold onto Adam’s bicep to keep up with him. “Please Adam, whatever is controlling you fight it,” he pleaded.
Adam ignored him as he continued to tow him along.
Patrick used his fist to swing at the man he loved but his bow had no effect on the Ranger.
With a jerk of his arm, he spun Patrick around and held him from behind as he lifted the prince off his feet sending more pain to his shoulder that started bleeding again.
“Adam, please, you’re hurting me,” he cried. Again he’s ignored. Patrick started to lose hope when someone came out of the shadows and struck Adam so hard, that he lost his grip on Patrick, who tumbled to the ground. Patrick rolled to a stop and focused on what had happened when he saw a ghost. “Yuri?” whispered.
The Sun Elf, Yuri Jin stood in his once supreme garments of elven cloth now tattered from battle, before Adam who kneeled on one knee shaking the pain away from his sore jaw. His long black silken hair was tied in a braid, its tip secured with a leather tassel that wasn’t of elven culture. His once angelic features were bruised and cut in various places. He glanced over at Patrick and gave him his signature grin that made Patrick stumble on his words and thoughts.
“Stay where you are young prince. This is not what it seems,” Yuri said through telepathy.
“Yuri, is it really you?” Patrick questioned. “Or am I going mad?”
“I will explain everything. Just know this man is not your Brut,” Yuri stated turning his attention back to the standing man.
Patrick watched as the man he believed was Adam faced Yuri with not his blue eyes but burning red ones. Even his voice was different.
“You have been a throne in my side elf. Why couldn’t you stay where I left you!” he sneered in a raspy voice that sent shivers through Patrick.
The magician, Patrick thought.
“My desires are not to be trifle with Magician.”
“You were so happy there—” he glanced at Patrick.
Yuri sent a spell blow that sent the imposter slamming into a tree.
Patrick cried out when he saw Adam’s body buckle when he hit the body of the tree. “Yuri, please stop!”
“It’s not the ranger, Patrick!” Yuri never took his eyes off his target as he conjured up another spell to send at the fallen foe.
“But it could be his body!”
Yuri paused as if he was thinking over his next move. But that gave enough time for the impostor to send out his own retaliation. Yuri countered with a shield and sent his intended strike missing his target who vanished into the shadows. Yuri moved to Patrick who struggled with his injury. When he was sure his shield protected them he focused on Patrick’s shoulder. He rolled the prince onto his back and placed his palm on his injury. “Lay still, Patrick. I will heal you.”
“Yuri, what happened to you?”
“That is a tale for another time.”
Patrick felt Yuri’s power rush through him as the discomfort from his wound diminished. He wanted to close his eyes but Yuri’s voice made him focus on the eyes above him.
“Patrick you are in a dream state and you need to wake up.”
“I’m dreaming?”
“You need to hurry.”
Patrick nodded his head still feeling exhausted. With the help of Yuri, he was made to stand. He turned and saw Yuri was gone. He was alone, again. He glanced around seeing no visible path to go. He wanted to drop to his knees and cry out but his ears picked up a faint call from different voices, all calling his name. He raised his head and listened as the voices became clearer. Patrick recognized the calls from his friends. They were all telling him to kill the rabbit. He turned in all directions to find the source but couldn’t pinpoint them. Kill the rabbit? he wondered. I tried that already and failed. He sat on the ground feeling dizzy when he noticed something on the ground. The carved rabbit he made. He reached for it, picked it up, and noticed it had weight to it. The wood I used was very light, he remembered. He rose and grasped the token in his fingers and snapped it in half. Suddenly a path in the trees opened up showing light around it. Patrick stepped to it and saw at the end was again a maze of dense trees. He looked at the broken rabbit and then reached into his pockets reliving several hand-crafted rabbits he made from different materials. The one made from cloth he tore in half causing the path to grow. He moved down the path, destroying each of his creations one by one. As he searched for more, he realized he had a piece of iron at the bottom of his pocket. He found several of the renderings on him, not remembering when he made them. Once he dug out all that was on him, he put them in a pile on the ground with some small branches and dead leaves. He surrounded them with rocks as he struck flint against the iron that he fought not to absorb into his skin until he gained a spark that cast a flame engulfing the dead wood and rabbits. As his creations burned, the night sky opened to light and so did the path. He checked for his weapon finding his dagger in its sheath. With determination in his eyes and heart, he sprinted down the path. He seemed to pick up in speed believing the token rabbits he’d made and discarded had weighed him down. He saw the glen where Alister’s dwelling stood alone. It wasn’t a nest or a burrow like Patrick thought, instead, it was a small château with a strange resemblance to a pumpkin. Patrick moved down the path towards it and noticed both sides of the path were pumpkin veins. No other vegetation but pumpkins. This seemed to hasten Patrick as he hurried towards the house. He climbed the stairs to massive double doors that opened with a bang and creak when he approached them. He walked in unafraid seeing a well-kept home. The imprint of charmed images was entrenched in everything from the floor, the walls, rugs, pictures, and the windows. Anything that existed in the home was touched. Patrick glanced around seeing the staircase that spiraled upward. “Where are you!” he screamed, his voice bouncing off the walls. “This ends now! I’m tired and fed up with your games!”
“What games do you speak of?” a soft voice asked behind him.
Patrick turned to see the rabbit standing behind him. He’s close enough, Patrick thought as he swiftly removed his dagger and tried to slit the rabbit’s throat. Only his move failed when the rabbit dissolved into smoke and reappeared behind him. Again Patrick took another attack swing and again he failed. “Stand still you bastard, and face your crime.”
“I’m behind you, young prince.”
Patrick turned again with his dagger held high to strike down the being who shrouded him in sorrow and fear only to be frozen in place. Patrick felt defeated as he’s held in place unable to exact his revenge.
The rabbit leaned in and sniffed and smelled his fear. “Ah, how intoxicating. I never wanted any of this. You could have lived your life even if it was behind a mask. That Ranger was able to see your real face. Why didn’t you settle down with him? Instead, you wanted me to remove the gift I gave you. You call it a curse but it’s not. It taught you humility and to understand the consequences of your actions. But instead here you are chasing me. Fine, then you found me, and your reward was to kill me? You leave me no choice. The spell is almost in stone so why don’t you remain here as my pet? Then no one will have to see your true face.
Patrick struggled to speak when his weapon slipped from his fingers and his arm dropped to his side. His knees buckled as he dropped to the floor kneeling before the rabbit who now held a collar.
“This is another gift I have for you.”
Patrick tried to protest when the collar was fastened around his neck.
CHAPTER 42
Adam and his band burst in on the scene and unloaded onto the rabbit who was standing over Patrick’s fallen body. Adam noticed Patrick’s injured shoulder and his fury was unhinged.
“Hang on Pat, we’re here. You’re safe now. Don’t give up on me.”
Adam didn’t hear Patrick’s response as he carried him to safety.
“Adam, he’s multiplying!” Justin shouted as he projected a shield around them. Only the arsenal the magician was using kept breaking down Justin's shields. With Poe still unconscious and tied to his back he had to keep him safe while casting spells.
Felica was in the same situation as she defected hits while protecting Felix and herself.
The gang of rabbits surrounded them all looking the same but each brandishing different skills.
Adam placed Patrick, who had passed out, down on the ground. “Justin place Poe down next to Pat, Felix you stay with them! Felica, Justin, and I will fight them off!” Adam order.
Felix wanted to protest but knew he’d only distract Felica so he complied.
The trio surrounded their comrades and took the offensive to the attacks. For every strike the rabbits sent, they sent back a counter. Felica’s sword delivered a blow slicing limbs. Justin cast spells that sent a handful soaring in all directions. Adam emptied his guns and when they were exhausted he used his sword to slice through the warren.
But through all their efforts the rabbit just multiplied and kept coming.
Adam saw Justin staggering and knew they couldn’t keep up with the growing numbers. “Justin make a portal and get you and the others out of here. I’ll hold them off!”
“I’m not leaving you alone!” Justin snapped.
“You’re not!” called Felica. “I’m staying with him!”
“Felica, no!” called Felix.
“Justin do it now!” Adam order.
“I’m afraid you’re too late, Ranger,” chuckled the magician.
Before Adam could respond, veins coiled around them snatching their weapons from their hands and lifting them off the ground. When Justin tried to say a spell a bolt of shock raced through his body rendering him unconscious.
“Justin!” Adam called seeing his friend unresponsive. He looked around and saw Felica bonded within the veins that trapped her throat in a chokehold. Felix too was entangled in the lines that covered his mouth. He saw Patrick bend over as the veins held him by the waist while blood ran from his wound and dripped from his fingers.
“Such a waste of time to save them, Ranger,” said the magician who climbed invisible steps towards him. “Don’t you think you’ve risked enough?”
“I’ll decide if I've risked enough. And that won’t happen until I cut your fucking head off!”
“Such determination. Would any of them give such fortitude to save you?”
“Don’t underestimate them, rabbit.”
“We shall see.” He glanced down at Poe. “Take them to my lair,” he ordered vanishing.
Adam knew something was off with Poe but couldn’t put his finger on it until now. He looked at the young pumpkin who once laughed at the notion of being mistaken as a child. “Poe, if you can hear me? I’m not giving up on you! I’m going to save you as well!”
Poe stopped and tilted his head back to look up at Adam. At first, he said nothing then brought Adam closer. He spoke and as Adam suspected, the voice of the magician came out. “You would be wasting your time Ranger. For we are one and the same. I sent Poe out as a scout but the further he got from me he forgot who he was. Now that he’s home, we are linked as one.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Adam threw back.
“Such blind faith.” Poe ended their conversation by moving Adam back and raising his head to continue with his journey when a familiar person stepped into his path.
“Oh, I don’t know. Sometimes blind faith is all we have,” said a familiar female voice.
Poe stopped when he saw her. “Shilo,” he said in a hollow gasp.
****
When the water overtook them, they held their breath hoping the current would take them to where their group was headed. Instead, the ground opened and they were sucked into a whirlpool. Their exit was sudden and they found themselves plummeting through tree branches.
