Chapter 2: Story yet to be told (2)

Today's rumours were heavy. It was about Arthur, the prince of the Valencrest kingdom. He defeated 'Vin' and swore victory in what ever battle he got involved in. Of course, everybody praised him for it. However, 'Vin' escaped in the middle of the battle earning him the title of 'coward'.

.

A hooded man sat on the branch of a forest tree, he gripped on the newspaper in anger.

"Hah! Swore victory my ass! He barely even made it, give him an inch and he wants a mile!" 'Vin' scowled.

The hooded man crushed the newspaper in his hands, his face tense with anger. He stared into the trees, his mind swirling with thoughts of Arthur and his so-called victory. The wind picked up, rustling the leaves around him as he let out a sharp breath.

"They'll believe anything he says," 'Vin' muttered, his voice bitter. "Victory? He barely got through that fight alive. And now they're calling me the coward?"

He threw the crumpled paper to the ground, watching as it rolled away. He definitely wasn't going to sit back and let Arthur take all the glory he doesn't even deserve, not even an ounce.

Then, he heard it—a soft sound coming from the bushes below. He froze, his fingers gripping the branch tighter.

"Whoever's there," 'Vin' said, his tone cold, "come out. I'm not in the mood for games."

A figure stepped out from the shadows, their hood low and half of their face had been partly hidden by a mask. The stranger moved quietly, like they belonged to the forest.

"Still angry about the prince, are we?" the stranger said with a hint of teasing.

'Vin' frowned, but there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Shade. What do you want?"

Shade took a step closer, their voice calm. "I've got news. Arthur's making plans for his next move. It's damn big."

'Vin's jaw tightened. "Is it real business that you have to put it like that? Let me guess—another chance for him to puff out his chest and play the hero?"

"Does he need a princess in distress to help him match his role even more?" 'Vin' scoffed in sarcasm.

"Maybe," Shade said with a shrug. "But if you're smart, you would've already known his weakness from the first encounter. You could use it against him."

'Vin' hissed. "Do you really think I'm that stupid? I knew it already you dumbo hippo mactrippo."

Shade chuckled softly. "Same old 'Vin', i have no idea what's a mactrippo but ill leave you at that. What a monkey. Do what you want, be careful and don't say i didn't warn you if things go bad."

Shade grinned playfully shooting back towards 'Vin'. "Don't sit for too long, the tree branch might fall of from your weight."

Before 'Vin' could reply, Shade disappeared back into the trees, leaving him alone. 'Vin' leaned against the trunk of the tree,

"Who is he calling monkey? All he does is leap around trees. Plus, I'm not even that heavy." 'Vin' mumbled, cursing him like a child throwing a small tantrum.