CHAPTER 4

Prince Louis pulled the veil over his face as he tried to skim through the crowd. He had narrowly escaped at the time of the attack. However, as he ran head-on into the forest he bumped into a man who had identified himself simply as x. He had made known his intentions to help him, he gave him a concoction that had kept him concealed from those bloodthirsty predators, together they had travelled through kingdoms unnoticed...

They stopped at a man who looked like a peasant, they approached him, and the man looked downcast.

X spoke first, “I seek he that lays an ambush for his enemies and strikes when they least expect...”

The man slowly brought his gaze to meet theirs, he smiled, Louis thought he didn’t look homeless at all.

“He has awaited your return”.

They followed the man through endless turns, twists and corners.

Louis let out an exasperated sigh, “ I feel like we are moving in circles”.

“it is because we are".

“We are?”, Louis asked stunned.

“It is important that we can lose those who might be on our trails", X answered.

Louis brought his voice to a whisper, “You think we are being followed?”.

“I do not think, I know”, the man shot a glance at him, “ The man we are looking for is a very powerful and very sought-after man by friends and foes alike. his hideout must be kept secret".

Louis nodded in understanding. “ You said he awaits our return? How did he know I was coming to see him?"

The man stared at him like he had seen the biggest fool on earth. “Deathly shadow knows everything".

“If you two would stop the chit-chat, it would be very much appreciated, there’s much to do with very little time on our hands. Let’s not forget the blood-sucking hunters on our trail." X said in an exasperated manner. “Take us to him".

They walked quietly until they got to a lonely alley, the man glanced around before he quickly pulled open the iron gates and led them through the door.

Immediately they got in swords were drawn and pointed at them, the man quickly whispered something inaudibly to the first man and with the acknowledgement of the man, the rest of the men withdrew the weapons. They were over thirty men.

After passing through endless security protocols, they came to an inner room but the door was shut. The homeless man urged him forward, “ He is ready to see you".

X led him towards the door, after a light tap, he opened it leading them in.

A large man was sprawled across a chair with a jug in his hand. Everything about him screamed violence, he looked to be in his mid-thirties. He had a long scar that ran across his forehead through his right eye and stopped just above his chin, the eye looked functional. His eyes were black as midnight and so was his hair.

“Are you...”.

“Prince Louis Frances of East Angles”, the man bellowed, his voice had no hint that he had been drinking. The only evidence was the empty jugs littered about.

“I have brought him to you as you’ve asked”, X said, “You owe me my reward"

“You have done well X, you will get your reward"

He smiled evilly, “Very well then”, he left the room and closed the door after her, leaving Louis and Shadow alone.

“I need your help".

“Of course, you need my help, they always need my help", Shadow responded.

“I know you were friends with my father, I knew what you both fought against”, Louis blurted out as he studied the man’s expression.

“I heard of his death, it was a blow to everyone who fought this cause”, Shadow replied in a low voice.

“Then you’ll avenge him, then we’ll finish what you both started".

Shadow studied Louis’ expression for a while before taking a very big gulp of his rum, “You know what we are up against son?”.

“I am well aware".

“Your father had balls you know, he was always willing to go the extra mile”, he smiled sadly to himself, “He poked the tiger in the eye".

“They have my sister", Louis interrupted him.

Shadow's smile broadened, “Oh the sweet little one", he studied Louis for a while, “You and I both know you and your father cared less about her”.

“I know you struck a deal with my father concerning her...”

Shadow gradually stood to his feet, Louis's eyes flickered to him from across the room, he thought he had looked intimidating sitting but seeing him standing shirtless save for the black long jacket that was opened in front and his black dirty trousers that hung low on his hips. He was a monstrous man.

“You are determined and I trust you will go the extra mile as your father?”.

“I will do whatever it takes”, Louis growled with clenched fists.

Shadow nodded approvingly, “I have a plan in motion one that would bring their territories down to nothing but rubble". He walked towards Louis and placed his palm at his back and gently nudged him towards the exit, “I also have a plan that will save the girl".

“The girl?”, Louis asked with a look of incredulity, he marvelled at how powerful this man was.

Shadow beamed with pride, “That’s why they call me DeathlShadowow, I’m always way ahead”, suddenly he stopped in his tracks, “My offer still stands”, he said with a look of seriousness, “I still want the girl”.