The morning sun cast a golden glow over the royal castle as Prince Arthur and Prince Erics prepared to embark on their mission to Decresh.
They were dressed in their finest royal robes, their horses adorned with intricate decorations, and their men stood at attention behind them.
King Alfred, smartly dressed in his royal robes, stood before them, his expression serious as he addressed them.
"Erics, Arthur, and all the men, I have entrusted you with a crucial mission. The fate of our kingdom hangs in the balance, and I rely on your bravery, wisdom, and cunning to succeed in this mission. Remember the faith of this kingdom lies in your hands."
King Alfred then turned his attention to Prince Erics, his eyes filled with a father's concern.
"Erics, take care of your stepbrother Arthur. He's young and impulsive, but he's got a good heart and a sharp mind. Bring him back to us safely."
Prince Erics nodded, his expression solemn. "I will, Father. I promise."
Queen Cordelia, standing beside King Alfred, added her voice to the king's.
"Erics, take good care of Arthur. Am leaving him in your care, and I putting my hopes on you to bring him back to me safe and sound."
Prince Erics smiled, his eyes filled with affection for his stepmother.
"Don't worry, Mother. I'll watch over him like my own brother."
"Alright, off you go."
With a final blessing, King Alfred raised his hand, and the gates of the castle swung open.
Prince Erics, leading the team, rode out of the castle with pride, Prince Arthur riding alongside him.
The sound of cheering crowds and the claking of hooves on stone echoed through the air as they made their way out of the castle.
As they rode, Prince Arthur turned to Prince Erics, a grin on his face.
"Well, Erics, we're finally doing this. We're making history together."
Prince Erics smiled back, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"We sure are, little brother. Let's put in our best in making it a good one, and a very good one at that."
The two brothers rode side by side, their horses' hooves pounding the earth in unison, as they set off on their perilous journey to Decresh.
After riding for a while Erics noticed that the team were tired and decided to call it a break.
Prince Erics, Prince Arthur, and their men found a secluded spot beside a babbling brook, surrounded by tall trees that provided shade from the mid-morning sun.
They saddled their horses, letting them graze on the lush grass, and settled down for a simple meal of dried meat, bread, and cheese.
Greg, one of Arthur's closest friends and member of Arthur's team, sat down beside Prince Arthur, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Your Highness, I think we should split into two separate intelligence teams once we reach Decresh," he said, unwrapping a piece of dried meat.
Prince Arthur nodded, taking a bite of his bread.
"Go on, Greg. What's the plan?"
"We'll need to gather intel on their military strength, defenses, and any alliances they might have," Greg continued.
"I suggest we split into teams, with Prince Erics leading one team to negotiate with the king, and I'll lead a smaller team to scout out the city, gather information, and identify potential vulnerabilities. You can take the other set with you for your investigations." Greg said.
Prince Erics, sitting across from them, nodded thoughtfully.
"I like that plan. It's feasible, but we need to be careful. Decresh is known for its cunning diplomats and ruthless tactics. We can't afford to underestimate them."
Prince Arthur's eyes narrowed.
"I've been thinking about that. We should use our royal status to our advantage. If we're seen as ambassadors, we might be able to gain access to information and people that would otherwise be off-limits."
Greg nodded, his eyes lighting up with understanding.
"That's a great idea, Your Highness. And I'll make sure to gather as much information as possible from the city's taverns and marketplaces. People tend to talk more when they're relaxed and not on guard."
"Yes, that's true." Arthur nods his head in agreement.
Prince Erics leaned forward, his voice low.
"Just be careful, Arthur. We don't know what kind of agents Decresh has operating in the shadows. Keep your wits about you, and don't take any unnecessary risks."
Prince Arthur grinned, his eyes sparkling with determination.
"Don't worry, Erics. I've got this. We'll get the information we need, and we'll get it back to Father before he knows it."
As they finished their meal, the group packed up their belongings, mounted their horses, and continued their journey to Decresh, their senses heightened, and their minds focused on the mission ahead.
....
The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the forest road, when disaster struck.
Prince Arthur, riding alongside Prince Erics, suddenly became tensed, his eyes scanning the trees.
"Erics, we're not alone," he whispered, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"What's th..."
Before Prince Erics could respond, a group of black-clad assassins burst from the underbrush, their blades flashing in the fading light.
Prince Erics' team, caught off guard, quickly drew their swords, forming a protective circle around the princes.
Prince Arthur, his heart racing, drew his sword, his eyes locked on the leader of the assassins, a towering figure with a scar above his left eyebrow.
"Ha!.."
The assassin sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice, as he charged at Prince Arthur.
Clang!
The two clashed swords, their blades ringing out in the stillness of the forest.
Prince Arthur, though skilled, was no match for the assassin's brute strength, and he stumbled backward, his sword arm trembling.
Prince Erics, fighting off two assassins, saw his brother's distress and rushed to his aid, his sword slicing through one of the attackers.
Slash!
"Arthur, I've got your back!" he shouted, as he engaged the second assassin.
The fight was intense, with blades clashing, and men grunting in effort.
Prince Erics' team fought bravely, taking down assassin after assassin, but the leader, a ruthless and cunning foe, proved a formidable opponent for Prince Arthur.
The two exchanged blows, their swords ringing out in a blur of steel and fury. Prince Arthur's arm grew tired, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but he refused to yield.
Swish!
With a final burst of strength, he dodged the assassin's blade and struck back, his sword slicing through the assassin's leather armor.
The assassin roared in pain, stumbling backward, but Prince Arthur was relentless, pressing his advantage.
The two clashed, their swords locked, as they stumbled to the ground, rolling in the dirt.
Prince Erics, seeing his brother's struggle, rushed to his aid, his sword poised to strike.
But Prince Arthur, his eyes blazing with determination, shouted,
"No, Erics! I've got this!"
Bang!
With a final burst of strength, Prince Arthur pinned the assassin to the ground, his sword at the man's throat.
The assassin, his eyes gleaming with respect, nodded in defeat, as Prince Erics and his team surrounded them, their swords at the ready.
Prince Arthur, his chest heaving with exertion, stood up, his eyes locked on the assassin.
"Who sent you?" he demanded, his voice cold and hard.
The assassin, a sly grin spreading across his face, spat at Prince Arthur's feet.
"Not going to talk, right?" Arthur asked coldly while stepping on the assassin's shoulder blade.
Crack!
"Argh!" the assassin screamed in agony.
"Now are you ready to talk?" Arthur asked.
"Just kill me, end it all!" the assassin screamed back.
"He's really a tough one." Greg commented by the side, all the while watching the scene before him.
"Well I want to see how tough he can be?" Arthur retorted.
"You're just wasting your time, you won't get anything from me."
The assassin sneered, before Prince Erics' sword sliced through the silence, knocking him unconscious.
"That's enough for now." he said.
Prince Arthur, his eyes narrowed, turned to Prince Erics, his expression grim.
"We need to take him with us, we have to find out who sent him."
Prince Erics nodded, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees, as if checking out for any potential threat lurking around.
Arthur signalled to two of their men who swiftly came and took the assassin with them, where they bound the assassin's wounds, and prepared to continue their journey, their mission now more urgent than ever.
After travelling for a while longer, they decided to call it a day and found a secluded spot to rest for the night.
As the campfire crackled and spat, casting flickering shadows on the trees, Prince Erics sat with his back against a tree trunk, his eyes lost in thought.
The events of the day played back in his mind, like a tapestry woven with threads of surprise and admiration.
He couldn't believe how bravely Arthur had fought, his sword slicing through the assassins with a ferocity that belied his usual calm demeanor.
Erics had always known Arthur was intelligent and resourceful, but he had never suspected he had such a hidden talent for combat.
"Arthur's full of surprises, isn't he?" a voice said, breaking into Erics' thoughts.
Erics turned to see Greg, Arthur's friend, sitting down beside him.
"You saw it too, didn't you?" Erics asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Greg nodded, his expression thoughtful.
"I did, Your Highness. The way he took down that assassin... it more like he'd been training for years. I wouldn't have pegged him as a fighter, but I guess there's more to him than meets the eye."
Erics nodded, a plan beginning to form in his mind.
"There is, Greg. There's a lot more to Arthur than people realize. And I think it's time someone brought it out of him."
Greg raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"You mean you're going to train him, Your Highness?"
Erics nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.
"I do. Once we get back to Naviel, I'm going to start grooming him, teach him everything he needs to know to become a great warrior and leader. He's got the potential, and I think it's time we helped him realize it."
Greg nodded, a grin spreading across his face.
"I think that's a great idea, Your Highness. With your guidance, he'll be unstoppable."
As the night wore on, Erics' mind whirled with possibilities, his heart filled with excitement and anticipation.
He couldn't wait to see what the future held for his brother, and he was determined to be the one to help shape it.
....
The sun was high overhead as Prince Arthur, Greg, and Talbot made their way through the winding streets of Upsala, the capital city of Decresh, three day later.
After finding a good inn to lodge themselves, they decided to begin their intelligence mission immediately.
Arthur, Greg and Talbot decided to carry out the first one.
They swiftly made their way of Silver Stag Inn, where they were lodged and made their way into the bustling streets of Upsala, their destination, Golden Griffin, which happened to be the biggest inn in the city.
They had left their formal attire behind, opting for simpler, more discreet clothing, as they set out to gather information and to also have a bit of fun.
The luxurious inn, aptly named the Golden Griffin, was a hub of activity, with travelers and locals alike mingling and sharing stories over mugs of ale and plates of savory food.
Prince Arthur, Greg, and Talbot settled into a corner table, their eyes scanning the room, taking in the atmosphere.
The innkeeper, a jovial man with a thick beard, greeted them with a hearty smile.
"Welcome, travelers! What brings you to Upsala?"
Greg, ever the diplomat, smiled and replied,
"Just passing through, good sir. We're merchants, looking to make a few deals and also to take in some sight seeing."
The innkeeper nodded, his eyes lighting up with interest.
"Ah, merchants, eh? Well, you've come to the right place. Decresh is a land of opportunity, and I'm sure we can help you find what you're looking for."
As the night wore on, Prince Arthur, Greg, and Talbot nursed their ale, listening in on conversations, gathering snippets of information, and making mental notes.
They gathered intel of the king's rumored plans to expand his kingdom, of the tensions between Decresh and neighboring nations, and of the lavish parties the king was known to throw.
Talbot, a skilled gambler, excused himself to try his hand at the tables, while Greg struck up a conversation with a group of locals, discussing the finer points of Decresh's famous horses.
Prince Arthur, meanwhile, leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the room, taking in every detail.
He was mostly more of a loner, but this time, fate had other plans for him.
A young woman, a serving wench with a flirtatious smile, sidled up to him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Can I get you another ale, distinguished sir?" she asked, her voice husky and inviting.
Prince Arthur smiled, his eyes locking onto hers.
"Yes, please. And perhaps you can help me with something?"
The woman's eyes sparkled, and she leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I might be able to help you with that. But first, tell me, what's a handsome young man like yourself doing in a place like Upsala?"
Prince Arthur's eyes locked onto hers, his smile never wavering.
"Just passing through, my dear. But I might be willing to stay a bit longer, if the right person shows me the way..."
"And that I can help you with." she replies in a flirting manner, as she made her way to the counter, to arrange his order.
Arthur chuckled.
'Ladies would always be ladies'.
He then allowed his eyes to take in the beauty of the maiden before him.
She was a very thick figured beauty, with raven-black hair and piercing green eyes.
Her name was Sophia, and she moved with a quiet elegance that belied her humble occupation.
"I'm Sophia, and you are...?" she asks as she sets down the tray she was holding.
Prince Arthur smiled, his eyes crinking at the corners.
"I'm... Marcus," he said, using the alias he had chosen for his mission.
"And I'm just a humble merchant, looking to make a deal or two in Upsala."
Sophia's eyes sparkled with interest, and she leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper.
"A merchant, you say? Well, Marcus, I might be able to help you with that. We have some... interesting opportunities here in Upsala, for those who know where to look."
Prince Arthur's ears pricked up at her words, and he leaned in closer, his voice low and conspiratorial.
"Oh? I'm always interested in hearing about opportunities. What did you have in mind, Sophia?"
Sophia's eyes darted around the room, ensuring they were not being overheard, before she leaned in closer, her voice barely audible.
"I heard the king is looking for... investors, in a new project of his. A big one. If you're interested, I might be able to arrange a meeting with the right people."
Prince Arthur's mind racing with possibilities, he nodded, his expression thoughtful.
"I might be interested, Sophia. But I would need to know more about this project, and who I would be dealing with."
Sophia smiled, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
"I'll see what I can do, Marcus. But for now, let's just enjoy each other's company, shall we?"
Arthur smiled back in return, playing his role well.
As Sophia moved away, Prince Arthur's eyes followed her, his mind whirling with the possibilities.
He had a feeling that Sophia was more than just a simple serving wench, and he was determined to find out what she was really after.
...
As the night wore on, Prince Arthur excused himself from Sophia, his mind buzzing with the information he had gathered.
He made his way back to the Silver Stag Inn, where he was lodging with Greg, Talbot, and the rest of their party.
As he entered the room shared by Greg and Talbot, he was greeted by the warm glow of candles and the murmur of hushed conversation.
Greg and Talbot looked up from their discussion, their eyes serious.
"Ah, Arthur, you're back," Greg said, his voice low. "We've got news."
Prince Arthur nodded, his eyes scanning the room to ensure they were alone.
"I've got news too," he said, taking a seat beside them.
"The king is planning to build a new fortress, and he's looking for investors. Lord Harlan is leading the project." he added, sharing all he had heard from Sophia.
Talbot's eyes widened, his expression grim.
"That's not all, Arthur. We've been gathering information, and it looks like the king is planning to disrupt Naviel's trade routes. He's working with pirates at sea, trying to crippled our merchant ships. He's particularly trying to make trouble with us on the Leviathan sea."
Greg nodded, his jaw clenched.
"And on land, he is planning on using bandits to stall our caravans, trying to force us to a standstill."
Prince Arthur's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications.
"That's a two-praced attack. We need to get this information back to Erics and the others, and fast. It would aid in his negotiations tomorrow."
The three of them sat in silence for a moment, their minds working overtime to process the information.
Finally, Talbot spoke up, his voice low.
"We need to be careful, Arthur. If the king is willing to work with pirates and bandits, he's definitely not afraid to get his hands dirty."
Prince Arthur nodded, his expression grim.
"I know. But we can't let him get away with this. We need to take action, and we need to take it now."
Greg nodded, his eyes serious. "Agreed. Let's get across to the others, and start making plans. We have a lot of work to do, and not a lot of time to do it."