MLIII C3, P1- "The Noble Prince"

"The Noble Prince" is the first Part of "Miracula Luxia III" 's third Chapter.

It was released on 04.01.2022.

## Plot

Ten days have passed since Adam and his allies were attacked near Castle Goznor. Since his allies were captured and taken away by his enemies.

Having formed a small, but brave squad that is ready for anything, they young hero devises a plan to strike right into the heart of the rising empire, finishing them off before their evil plan can be finished. It seems like he might be successful, but there is still one problem left that prevents him from making such a daring and dangerous move.

Meanwhile, Torion- the King of the Elven Kingdom- is infuriated by his son's treachery. He makes the decision to pay two of the most fearsome criminals in his kingdom and send them to hunt Derion down. Or, failing to do that, to teach him that he will not tolerate such cowardice in his lands.

Although the vile king is very confident in his own abilities, he is not aware that the young prince has also prepared for such a moment. Soon, he will realize that he made a mistake. A huge, irreversible mistake that might prove to be the end of him.

## Story

Torion sits in his throne room, surrounded by his most loyal guards. The wound that he received during his battle with Adam and his allies has not healed yet- a sign that the elven people are not quite as powerful as they claim to be.

"Screw that insolent child."- He mutters- "He will pay for this very dearly."

Suddenly, he remembers that he saw how his son- Derion- was fighting alongside his enemies. Angered, he slams his fist into the throne and stands up.

"How naive of him!"- He yells- "Going against his father like this! What a fool!"

He turns to the guards.

"Isn't this right, my servants?"

The guards nod.

"What should we do with him, sir?"- They ask him- "If your own son is going against you, we must get rid of him."

Torion smirks.

"I'm well aware of that. Such a treachery can plunge our mighty kingdom into chaos."- He says- "I have tolerated him. Ignored his rebellious thoughts and tried to be a better father. But he betrayed me! And now, he's going to pay!"

He turns to his chancellor.

"You know what to do."- He says to him- "Call them in. Now."

The chancellor takes a step forward.

"As you wish, my liege."

Then, without another word, he silently leaves the room.

It does not take him long to find the people that Torion is looking for. Soon, two messengers enter the room, approach the king and bow to him.

"My brave warriors. There is an imminent threat on our hands. A dangerous individual is trying to disrupt the balance that I have created."- He says to them- "So. I want you to find the most heartless mercenaries in our kingdom and bring them to be. Do not hesitate to do so, for it is for the good of the elves and our common future. Now go!"

The messengers bow and leave the room.

After their departure, the chancellor looks at Torion. He seems to be concerned about something.

"Are you sure that this is the right thing to do, sir?"- He asks him- "Maybe it is best if we-- "

Torion silences him with his cold glare.

"Silence!"- He yells- "I know what is best for our kingdom. Thus, I will decide what must be done. So, stay out of my business! You are here to help me and advise me, not to be my parent!"

Knowing better than to confront the man whom he works for, the chancellor bows and steps back next to him without saying another word.

Two hours pass. Night falls. Torion wonders if the messengers are still alright.

When he finally decides to settle the matters tomorrow, the messengers finally return.

"Sir, we have done it."- One of them says- "You wanted us to find mercenaries. And here they are, in flesh and blood."

Two mean-looking elven mercenaries step forward. One of them steps closer and bows to him.

"Your Majesty, it's an honor to meet you. When we heard that you need the help of the kingdom's most dangerous mercenaries, we volunteered to help you out."- He says, the scar on his face shining in the moonlight- "So. Whose blood shall be spilled tonight?"

Torion grins.

"My son has been... a very bad boy lately."- He says- "He leads a rebellion against me and wishes to take the throne for himself. He wants to kill me- your beloved king and avenge the death of his foolish mother."

The mercenary nods.

"You want us to murder him?"- He asks- "Or capture him alive?"

Torion does not take long to make his decision. Even though he simply wants to make an example of his son, his desire to make him pay is far greater.

"For evildoers and traitors like him, there is no other punishment."- He says- "I want you to slay him. Then, if any of his allies try to help him out, I want you to kill them as well. None of them shall be left behind."

The mercenary sighs and nods.

"As much as we would like to do such a thing, there is still one thing that you must do."

Torion grins.

"Oh. Yes."- He says- "Mercenaries like you have a codex that makes you unique. For your deeds, a small price must be paid. Correct?"

The second mercenary nods.

"It's not for free."- He says- "So. What shall it be?"

Torion smiles and claps his hands.

Moments later, one of the guards enters the throne room. He is carrying a large sack with him.

When the sack rattles, gold jingles inside. And, from the sounds of it, there seems to be more than just a few hundred pieces.

"Looks like you're pretty serious about this, hmm?"- The first mercenary says- "How much gold is in there?"

Torion grins.

"Enough to make you rich."- He says- "Your fellow mercenaries will envy you. Fear you. Maybe even hate you."

The two mercenaries smile.

"It's worth a shot."- The first one says and takes the sack- "Fighting for both sides is... very hard. We're not paid a lot for our troubles. You're the first one who is so... generous."

Torion smiles.

"Rest assured that there is more than this."- He says to them- "Slay that insolent child and, I swear to you, I will double your reward."

The first mercenary's eyes light up. The thought of having so much gold erases whatever fears he has left in his corrupted heart.

"Your wish is our command."- He says and bows- "Consider the prince dead. He will not live to see the light of the day."

Torion grins.

"Excellent!"- He exclaims- "Then, I shall await your return. Go ahead and make your move."

The mercenaries bow and leave the throne room, but not before taking the gold with them.

"Very interesting, sir."- The chancellor says- "To hire those infamous thugs to do your dirty work. It is... impressive."

Torion grins and pats him on the shoulder.

"I told you, chancellor. The deeds that I have done have always been for the good of our kingdom."- He says- "And they still are."

He smiles.

"Once Derion is dead, the true work can begin."- He says- "We will become the greatest kingdom on the mainland."

He stands up.

"Soon, all lesser creatures will fear us!"

Having said that, he laughs maniacally. Then, he smiles again.

"*Soon, Derion.*"- He says to himself- "*Soon, you will see why you will never be the king. Why you will never be respected by our people. And I will make sure of that*."

Two hours later, the mercenaries have managed to reach Canonia. There, they start seaching for clues that will lead them to Derion's whereabouts.

Their investigation leads them to the woods south of the town.

"Well, well. Looks like the prince brought some friends with him."- He says and turns to his companion- "What do you say, Arun? Shall we punish this pathetic insect?"

Arun nods.

"I would love to, Gorduin."- He says- "However, is it worth the risk? What if he and his friends fight back? What if-- "

Gorduin shakes his head and tosses him a few gold pieces.

"You want to see them with your eyes, don't you?"- He says- "Now that you have them, are you convinced that we're doing the right thing?"

Arun sighs.

"You're the experienced mercenary here, so I guess that you've got a point."- He responds- "But don't say that I didn't warn you. Things might get tense soon. You and I know it very well."

Gorduin smiles.

"Who cares about the danger?"- He says- "So much money is on the line. If we manage to do such a thing, then we... we... "

He shakes his head.

"No matter."- He continues and takes a step forward- "Our prey is nearby. Let's finish him off."

Having said that, he enters the woods. So does his friend.

Adam and Derion walk toward the south section of the woods, hoping to find the tunnel that will take them to the elven kingdom.

"It must be around here somewhere."- Derion says- "I remember this place, so I can lead you there."

Adam nods.

"How do you know about these woods?"- He asks him- "They are far away from your lands."

Derion looks at Adam.

"Two decades ago, the humans and the elves still respected each other. Thus, members of both of our races were allowed to visit each other."- He says- "When I was a child, I used to come over here. Elven miners were able to excavate a tunnel that leads to this forest during that time and it was easy for me to travel from kingdom to kingdom. I met human children and played with them, sometimes for an entire day. They respected me and never mocked me because I was different. It was a pleasant experience... until my father declared travelling into the Human Kingdom forbidden and prevented me from meeting my new friends ever again."

He sighs.

"However, such events shall remain in the past."- He says- "Now, we must find this tunnel. Use it before the elves seal its entrance."

Adam nods.

"Life must have been quite difficult for you."- He says- "Living with such an abusive father must be... terrifying."

Derion clenches his fists.

"I never seemed to mind what he did to me. All those years that I spent with him were my worst nightmare."- He says- "Things between us were relatively normal, though. That was until my mother spoke against him. When she decided to make him pay for torturing our people with harsh punishments."

He approaches a nearby tree and hits it with his fist.

"And then, he grabbed her by the neck. Said that she's a worthless woman."- He mutters- "But do you know what is the worst thing? His greatest crime? That was when he slit her throat. When he threw her to the ground and watched her die, not allowing anyone to help her out. During that time, I arrived on the scene, disturbed by the commotion. And then, I saw her- forcefully laid on the cold, hard ground like a wild animal. She bled out in my arms, telling me that I will become a better leader than my father would ever be."

He turns to Adam.

"The worst thing is that he heard it. He heard all of it."- He continues- "And that's why he hates me so much. He knows that I am better than him, that people love me more than they have ever loved him... and he wants to erase me from existence. At all costs."

Adam gasps.

"So, you are saying that your own father is plotting your demise?"- He says, shocked- "This... this is unthinkable! He is so heartless! So cruel!"

Derion nods.

"Yes, and yes. I respect those who dare to say the harsh truth about people like my father."- He responds- "However, he has the tendency to slay those who oppose his so-called "holy" kingdom, elven or not. Even those who only speak against him. Nobody is spared from his unjust wrath."

Aiden decides to speak up.

"How can you live with the thought that there is always a target on your back?"- He asks him- "Does it hurt?"

Derion looks down.

"Of course it does!"- He says- "The sting of betrayal is worse than anything that I will ever feel in my entire life. The vile poison that was injected within my veins during my birth will never be cleansed. I will always be compared to this fiend, no matter how good I am."

He looks up.

"But that doesn't mean that I will give up."- He says- "I can tell that those people need a good, capable leader who thinks about the future of the kingdom, not about his own, selfish needs. A certain usurper who can take down the evil king. My father. The man who is responsible for many, many crimes."

Adam nods.

"I can tell that you want to avenge your mother. To honor her last wish and become the King of the Elven Kingdom."- He says to him- "Well, there is one thing that I can promise to you. If you decide to go out there and do what must be done, rest assured that we will stay by your side. This is not just your fight alone and we are ready to take our part in it."

Derion smiles.

"Thank you, friends."- He says to them- "With your help, I might be able to make a-- "

He does not have enough time to make his speech.

As soon as he begins, an arrow flies forward and barely misses him.

"Someone is out there!"- Adam says and draws his weapon- "Keep your eyes open!"

As they prepare to defend against their attackers, they are taken by surprise.

This time, it is aimed at Aiden. He manages to dodge it, but is taken hostage by one of the attackers.

"Elves!"- Jonathan yells- "Looks like we're not alone in this forest!"

Adam takes a good look at them and gasps.

"I... I feared that this might happen."- He says- "Why was I so blind?"

Jonathan looks at him.

"What do you mean, Adam?"- He asks him, concerned- "Who are they?"

Adam looks back.

"Those elves are mercenaries. Cold-blooded killers whose sole goal is to kill for the right price."- He says- "Such untrustworthy warriors can be found in every sentient race. However, I did not imagine that the elves could do such cowardly deeds!"

The mercenaries reveal themselves and smiles.

"By the Gods!"- Derion exclaims- "Those mercenaries are... Gorduin and Arun."

Both Adam and Jonathan look at him,

"Gorduin and... Arun?"- He asks him- "Who are they? And why do they want to kill us?"

Derion clenches his fists as he draws his weapon.

"Those two are the most vile, most corrupted and skilled mercenaries in our lands. They will gladly slay their own family for a sack of gold and will do so to everyone else, without thinking twice."- He says- "Their greed and lust for more gold must have driven them to help my father. And now, they are after *us*!"

Gorduin nods and smiles.

"Your assumptions are correct, prince."- He says and points his dagger at Aiden- "As soon as we are done with you, we'll take care of your new friends as well. Your father wants all of you dead. It's more money for us and we *love* money."

Derion points his weapon at them.

"Let my friend go, you cowards!"- He yells- "If you really want to kill me, why don't you step foward and fight me like *real* men?!"

Arun shakes his head.

"Why should we do that?"- He says- "Fighting in the shadows is what we've always done. You're not going to change that."

Having said that, Arun throws a rock at Derion and temporarily disorients him.

As his companion fights Adam and Jonathan, he runs off.

"That fool is getting away!"- Derion yells- "Adam, stop him!"

Adam nods, pushes the other mercenary out of the way and runs after his friend's captor.

"I will save you, Aiden!"- He yells as he gets closer.

Arun realizes that Adam is close.

"*Curse those young heroes.*"- He thinks to himself- "*Always thinking that they're doing the right thing. That they can stop us.*"

He draws his weapon.

"*Well. I'll **show** him!*"

He ties Aiden to a nearby tree and points his weapon at him as Adam approaches.

"Stand back, hero!"- The elven mercenary yells without looking at his attacker- "Put your blade away or I will-- "

He takes a second to look at the one who is chasing. Having realized who he is, he gasps.

"No! It... it cannot be!"- He yells- "Why? Why must it be you?!"

Adam recognizes him as well.

"Killing people for money is not the right thing. However, I can tell that you are too far gone to understand that."- He says and points his weapon at him- "Release my friend or face my wrath, you two-faced wretch!"

Now that he knows that the person whom he is facing is none other than Adam Kaos himself, Arun is horrified.

Instead of fighting the young hero or finishing off the person whom he captured, the cowardly elf decides to make a run for it.

"You'll never take me alive!"- He yells as he tries to go deeper into the woods.

Aiden reaches for his weapon and tries to cut himself free. Since the rope is very flimsy, it does not take him long.

Soon, he is free.

Just as Arun gets close to his destination, Aiden jumps in his way and stabs him in the chest.

As he pulls his blade away, the elf falls on his knees, bleeding at an alarming rate.

"You brought this upon yourselves!"- Adam yells at him- "Money or not, what you are doing out there is *horrifying*! Don't you feel any remorse for the people that you killed? The ties that you severed? Do you know how much those poor, innocent souls despise you? How much they *hate* you?!"

Arun looks at him. He coughs blood and shakes his head.

"Nobody is... perfect."- He mutters- "We are poor. The things that we've done... they were awful, but necessary. We knew the risks, but survival has always been... our greatest priority. I assure you that hunger is worse than... than anything. Even... more... than... *death*... "

Then he collapses to the ground, unable to keep his balance.

Seeing that he is on the verge of death, Adam decides to put him down.

"*There. I ended his suffering.*"- He says to himself- "*Hopefully, he will learn from the mistakes that he made in the next lifetime.*"

He turns to Aiden and helps him stand up.

"Are you alright, my friend?"- He asks him- "Did he hurt you?"

Aiden shakes his head.

"I'm fine."- He says- "Don't worry about me."

He sighs and shakes his head.

"It's just that everything happened so suddenly. We didn't even have the chance to strike back."- He says- "They are fast, but very cowardly."

Adam nods.

"I can see that very well. Only the most experienced cowards are feared and hated by the innocents."- He says and stands up- "Come on. Our friends still need our help. Let us provide it."

Aiden nods.

"Gotcha."- He says- "Lead the way, friend."

Having agreed to join their friends, the two boys enter the woods which they entered together.

Once there, they realize that things are going very badly for them.

Even though there two allies are fighting side by side, they are still unable to finish off the last mercenary. This gives him the chance to deliver many nasty blows and knock them off-balance.

"Stop right there, you-- "

Aiden tries to rush into the battlefield, but Adam stops him.

"Shh. Please be quiet."- He mutters to him- "If we want to slay this trickster, we must take him by surprise. Just like how he did the same thing to us."

Aiden nods.

"I see."- He says- "But... how can we do this?"

Adam aims his bow and hides in the grass.

"Leave it to me."- He whispers- "I will make sure that he is too wounded to fight back. Once that happens, you should charge and slay him while he is still confused."

Aiden nods.

"Risky plan, but you're the boss."- He says- "I'm ready when you are."

Adam smiles.

"Then let us do this."

Derion continues to fight Gorduin. He tries to gain the upper hand but, when he thinks that he is finally able to do so, he receives a nasty surprise from his opponent.

"See, Derion?"- Gorduin says to him- "No matter what you do, you're nothing more than royal scum. A prince with visions of grandeur. You can never defeat a superior mercenary like-- "

Suddenly, Adam shoots an arrow and strikes him in the leg.

This gives Jonathan the chance to step in and deliver two devastating blows with the sharp end of his staff.

Gordun falls to his knees, but refuses to give up. When Aiden tries to attack him from behind, he leaps back and grabs him by the neck.

"Tricks like that don't work on me!"- He yells- "It's futile!"

Having said that, he throws him into a nearby tree and turns around. Just in time to parry Jonathan's attack.

After avoiding two more of his attacks, he leaps forward and stabs him in the shoulder, rendering him temporarily harmless.

"Ha! You incompetent fools!"- He says- "Do you really think that you can stand against us? The mighty mercenaries from the Elven Kingdom?"

Adam takes a step forward, infuriated by the elf's prolonged survival.

"This is the end of the line for you, fiend!"- He yells and aims his bow at him- "Your friend is dead! Soon, you will join him!"

Gorduin turns back and looks at Adam. Both rage and fear can be seen within his eyes.

"Adam Kaos! I've always wanted to fight you. To make you regret helping those people and ruining our line of work."- He says- "What you did today will not go unanswered, though! I will make you pay for killing Arun!"

Having said that, he goes berserk and charges at him.

Adam manages to avoid his first blow and smacks his face with his bow. Then, he loads it with a single arrow and shoots him in the shoulder.

"Not bad, kid. Your papa trained you well."- Gorduin says- "However, that won't be enough!"

With a single blow, he manages to strike him in the leg. The blow is strong enough to make our hero fall on his knees.

Using the moment of weakness, the elf grabs him by the neck and attempts to stab him.

"Stop resisting, you insolent brat!"- He yells at him- "You're only delaying the-- "

He tries to stab him again, but notices that he is unable to do so.

That is when he sees the wound on his stomach.

"Who?!"- He yells as he turns back- "Who dares to-- "

Seeing that his enemy is temporarily distracted, Adam stands up and tries to cast a powerful spell but, in the last moment, Derion stops him.

"No, Adam. Stop."- He says to him- "Let me finish this."

Realizing that his friend is serious about this, Adam steps back and allows him to approach the dying mercenary.

"You say that you fight for the right price. That you're ready to kill anyone and anything."- He says- "How much did my father pay you? Why was he so desperate?!"

Gorduin looks at him and smirks.

"You're nothing more than a petty traitor."- He says- "Your father was right to pay us for your death. We wanted to make it happen. We had the desire to get rid of a traitor."

He glares at Adam.

"And then you... and your friends... you ruined our fun."- He continues- "How naive of you."

Derion shakes his head.

"Unlike you and your friends, I fight for the good of this world."- He responds to him- "I don't care about money. I am always ready to perform good deeds. And I am eager to help those whom you simply ignored. The poor people who have done nothing wrong."

Gorduin stares into his eyes.

"What makes you think that, prince?"- He asks him- "If you kill me right here, doesn't that make you a killer, too?"

He smiles.

"Don't make me laugh."- He continues- "You're no hero, kid. You're just a fraud. A weakling. Without your friends, you're nothing more than a broken warrior."

Derion glares at him.

"Don't judge a book by its cover, Gorduin."- He says and points his weapon at him- "Just because I travel with those people doesn't mean that I depend on them. In fact, they were the ones who decided to join me. However, unlike you and your companion, we don't work together because we have to. We do so because we care about each other. Because we know that friendship is power. That we are always guided by the light. That our bond will remain unbreakable. And people like you, they only make us stronger. You only fuel our desires, our brightest dreams."

He raises his weapon.

"Yes. You must hate me for doing the right thing. If so, I want you to remember that I will never change."- He says- "No matter what happens next, I will continue to help the people that are not a part of our kingdom. I will aid my fellow elves and open their eyes. Slay the outlaws who try to plunge our world into eternal darkness."

He glares at him.

"Starting with *you*!"

Having said that, he swiftly stabs him in the head.

Without any remorse, he withdraws his blade and watches as Gorduin falls on the grass.

He stands up and looks at Adam.

"I... I have done it."- He says- "I didn't want to. I wanted to spare him. But I still did it."

Adam approaches him and smiles. Then, he places his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Do not listen to what he just said to you."- He says- "You are a hero to us. To all of the people out there. You have a heart of gold and nothing can ever change that."

Derion looks up at him.

"Do you think that I still have a chance to redeem myself?"- He asks him- "To show the world that I can be a hero like... like you?"

Adam nods.

"We are all heroes, dear Derion."- He says to him- "Heroes can be found anywhere, be it at home or at the battlefields out here. Even the tiniest, most insignificant good deeds can be beneficial to our troubled world. To our future."

He smiles.

"No matter where we are from, all of us are guided by the same purpose."- He says- "We fight for the good of this world. For the future of all beings. We do the right thing, because we know that people are suffering out there. We hear their cries, see their struggles to live in a world like this. We try to help them out, because we know that all lives matter. Even the smallest, most insignificant creatures deserve to be loved and we make sure that they are. That, my friend, is the purpose that unites us."

Derion nods.

"I have always tried to fight for my family. For my people. I never realized how much the rest of the world has suffered because of similar lawbreakers."- He says- "That was until I met you, Adam."

He smiles.

"When I met you for the first time, I thought that you were just another human. Another insignificant piece in the puzzle. A cog in the machine."- He says- "Now, I can say that I was completely wrong. The things that you said to us, they opened my eyes and made me realize that there is a world beyond the borders of the elven kingdom. A place where there is more than just a sentient race. The people out here, they know how to love, respect and care about everything and everyone- just like us. We are one and the same. We do the right things for our common world. It's true that we have to pay a price to see our planet free of malice but, in the end, it's all worth it. And I am proud to say that I am ready to die for all of you. You, my friends, are my new family and you matter more than anything to me. For that, I thank you. For being in my life."

Adam smiles.

"And we thank you, too."- He says and hugs him- "Friendship is an amazing power. I am glad that you value it so much."

Seeing Adam is hugging Derion, Aiden and Jonathan do the same.

"Yeah, buddy!"- Aiden says- "Heroes until the end!"

Jonathan nods.

"I have met many non-humans in my life as a shaman, but I have never seen someone so pure. So noble."- He says- "Your father says that you're a bad person, but he's wrong. You're doing the things that he's too scared to even think about. Endangering your life like this makes your heroism shine bright like the sun."

After sharing an emotional moment together, the four heroes inspect the dead mercenary and attempt to find clues that will lead them to their employer.

"It is as I feared."- Derion says- "My father was the one who sent them?"

Aiden shakes his head.

"Why would he do such a thing?"

Derion shrugs.

"Jealousy."- He says without thinking twice- "I have always been the first-in-line to the throne. Thus, he fears that I will become a better monarch that he has ever been. His paranoia is well-known by everyone. Thus, he has always tries to terrify me. To demoralize me. And he never stopped... until I met all of you, that is."

Jonathan is shocked.

"And there are still people who support him?"- He asks Derion- "An unhinged madman like him should be dethroned immediately. He must be forced to retire."

Derion sighs.

"Believe me, I have always tried to do so."- He says- "I warned him that his actions will only make enemies, not just for him, but for our kingdom. That he will remain alone someday. But he never listened. He only cares about obtaining more gold... and power. Especially power."

Jonathan shakes his head.

"Then he is a fool."- He says- "Power is important, but it doesn't mean everything. If he thinks that it is otherwise, then he is nothing more than a power-hungry tyrant."

Derion nods.

"Well said, Jon."- He responds- "I wish that he could hear you say that."

Jonathan sighs.

"Me too."

While Derion and Jonathan talk about the prince's father, Adam approaches them. In his right hand, he holds a large sack.

"So."- Derion says- "You actually found something?"

Adam nods and plunges his hand into the sack.

Soon, he pulls it out and reveals a small vial.

"Those fiends saved the worst for last. They hid their greatest weapon in here."- He says to him- "This vial is filled with potent poison. Just from a single glance, I can tell that it contains a deadly neurotoxin. Such a cowardly weapon can kill a victim in less than a minute and, if infused within a weapon, it can do so in a matter of just a few seconds. Believe it or not, they were going to use it.

He takes a look at the vial.

"Worst of all, I suspect that the one who was intended to be the victim of this irreversible process... was you, Derion."

Derion gasps.

"I expected them to attack me from the shadows. I waited for them. But... this?"- He says and shakes his head- "This is outrageous!"

Adam sighs.

"I know."- He responds- "And we shall make your father pay for this major insolence."

Derion angrily takes the vial from Adam's hands.

"Please, be careful!"- Adam says to him- "If a single drop of that poison drips on your body, it can still be lethal."

Listening to his friend's advice, Derion stops and carefully puts the vial in his pocket.

"I will do my best not to shake it."- He says- "It's a deadly weapon."

Adam nods.

"I hate to do something like this, but I can see that there is no other way."- He says- "In order to win this war, we must give your father a taste of his own medicine."

Derion nods.

"Of course."- He says- "However, I think that we are wasting a lot of time. I'm sure that more of those vagabonds will be here soon. Running away will be our best option for now."

Adam sighs.

"I hate to run from a battle, but it is necessary."- He says- "We must find a way to outsmart them."

Derion and the others start to leave the glade.

"Come on, Adam."- Derion says to him- "You're the leader. Lead us."

Adam motions for them to stop.

"Hold on!"- He says and picks up the sack- "There is one more thing that I need to do."

He opens the sack again. Then, he looks at the coins."

"*Amazing.*"- He says to himself- "*All of this gold... it can save an entire kingdom.*"

Derion looks at him.

"What's wrong, Adam?"- He asks him- "What is in there?"

Adam looks up.

"Everyone, I know that we have to go out there and save the elven kingdom. I know that we must slay King Torion."- He says to them- "However, there is something that I pains me. A mission of mercy that I have always wanted to complete."

He looks at them.

"I want to go and help the people of this kingdom. One last time."- He says- "So. Will you join me?"

Everyone nods.

"But... what is it?"- Jonathan asks him- "What do you want to do?"

Adam smiles.

"Just leave it to me, Jon."- He says, his eyes beaming with determination- "I will handle the rest."

## Trivia

* The title ("*The Noble Prince*"), contrary to popular belief, refers to both Derion *and* Adam.
	+ Both youths share the title "*Prince*". Derion is the prince of the Elven Kingdom and Adam- of the Kingdom of Avernum.
	+ Both of them are noble heroes who think about the people around them more than they do for themselves (*Although it is clear that Adam is a slightly better example in this matter*).
	+ Both of them share the Alignment *Lawful Good* (*Although Adam is also **Pure Good**- a clear sign of the purity that makes him so special*).
	+ Both of them tend to refuse monetary rewards that are given to them. Instead, they satisfy themselves with the fact that they did a good thing.
	+ Both of them have always fought for the good of everyone. And they always will.