VI. DEVON

The wound was painful.

After he had pushed Alex from the window, Devon took the axe and leapt out. The knights arrived too early. They rained down arrows from above and Devon was shot but he managed to get the limp body of Alex on a fisherman's boat.

The news of his cousin's death had been too great for him and the cold water didn't help. Alex laid on his back and stared at the open sky. Once in a while, his gaze shifted slightly towards Devon.

Does he know?

Does he suspect me?

No,no...it can't be. I was too careful.

No-one heard a thing.

But Evey time Alex looked at him, shivers ran down his spine.

"You are hurt." His voice startled him from his thoughts.

"It's nothing. I have stopped the bleeding. It will be gone in a few days." Alex nodded and stared at him for a while before looking up at the sky.

If Alex knew, then only the five could save Devon.

But he had left his dagger. If someone recognised it, and word reached Alex, then he was doomed.

It was a gift from his father, given to him on the day he was taken to Stonehenge.

His father was lord Lance Martin of  Roweindell and Devon was his only successor. If Rodrig hadn't taken him, he would still be living on the shores of West Harbor.

Rodrig.

The Villanous giant had kidnapped him on his third nameday and took him to Stonehenge. He had been living with Luke since then.

He met Alex when he was four. The three of them had been like brothers since then. They played and ate together. They always played castle prince with Serena. Alex was always Prince and Serena became the princess.

Devon was always the guard.

He was tired living in the shadow of the Dark Prince.

It's past time he shone out.

He was promised a girl. But it was not just any girl. Lord Mander Lancaster had promised to Mary him to his daughter. With the girl, he will also get the wealth of Lancasters and the West will regain its lost vigour. He had always wanted a beautiful highborn wife.

He only had to stop Alex.

But he couldn't kill him. It didn't matter how much he detested him,he was like a brother to him.

So he decided to break him.

But if it didn't work, he will have to choose the other path.

Alex was still looking up to the sky.

"I am sorry, Alex. We could have saved her." He faked sadness.

Alex turned his stare to him. His eyes were wet with tears, but they were filled with anger.

"She didn't know, Devon. She didn't know I was the Dark Prince. The knights attacked because I was there. It was all my fault. If only...." He choked back his words.

"You know, Alex. We could still save a lot of lives. The war will gain nothing."

"The throne is mine."

"Will you risk the lives of your friends and family for the throne?" Devon took his hand.

Alex became quite. He always did this when he was thinking. Devon quietly sat by his side and waited for his response.

"You have to take the dangers in consideration. What if the knights come back? You know they will hunt you."

Alex didn't respond.

"Kelly died." Devon said."And everyone will."

Alex finally looked up. His eyes were that of a ferocious predator.

"We travel north to the Ice fortress. I have some questions that need answering." Alex stood up.

"The old blood?"

"Yes. Rodrig said it was waking." Alex looked at Devon."I need to know what it is. Only the north sided by my house in the battle of the traitors. They are old enough to know something about it."

Devon took his hand and stood up.

"And then we go home."

"No, my friend." Alex looked ahead to the golden shores of The Capital.

"Then we go to War."