Chapter 3: Bad Omen

“Mmmm, Mom.” Cedric pressed against her soft hair, her head, her firm perfect ass. It felt so good. Through the dream, he kissed her head, then her cheek, slowly working his way up to Mom’s lips.

“Mmm, Mom.” He heard someone’s mocking voice through the dream.

“Pathetic.”

Cedric half-opened his eyes, finding Elowen standing right above him with a huge, wide horrifing grin.

There was a feather pillow in his embrace that he had been affectionately licking and cuddling instead of Mom.

“You are a pervert, brother. That’s disgusting.” Elowen grinned even wider. Cedric had tossed aside the pillow, adjusting his clothes and wiping saliva off his face and mouth.

“What are you doing here? This is the prince’s tent! I didn’t permit you to be here.”

“Calm down, charm pillow kisser. I’m here on business. That cute gray-haired soldier is looking for you for your fencing lesson. Just make sure you’ll be fencing with the right sword, not the one you have down there,” she chuckled.

“Get out of here!” He threw a pillow at her.

“Mmm, Mom,” she said mockingly again, walking towards the exit and hugging herself.

“I said, go away!”

She left, but the sound of her giggling lingered for some time.

“Damn Elowen.”

He walked out, all dressed up, and let out a big yawn. “This is my first morning outside the castle,” Cedric said as he stretched and looked around the camp. It felt weird to be around lots of unfamiliar faces and not going through every day prince routine.

He was still feeling the effects of yesterday’s long journey. His legs stung from the pain, and his back from the luggage he’d been forced to carry. He wanted to wrap himself in a warm blanket, have a warm tea, and go to sleep for the rest of the day.

Just then, something light hit him in the face.

“Ouch,” he exclaimed, grabbing his cheek in pain as he jumped back.

“Where’s your sword, kid?” Eligh asked from behind, holding a long thick stick in his hand.

“I left it in the tent. Why did you hit me?”

“You knew we had training, but you left the sword in the tent? Rule number one: even if the sword won’t be needed, always carry it. Here, take mine.”

With a swift motion, he tossed the sword to Cedric. Prince caught it, almost stumbling into the mud. The sword was heavier than it seemed.

“Your first task for today is to try to hurt me, or at least touch me. If you leave a scratch on me, consider that you’ve learned something or at least that you are worth being taught.”

“So, I’ll have a sword, and you’ll have a stick?” Cedric hesitantly drew the sword from its sheath. “Seems a bit unfair.”

“Do you see this bruise under your eye that I just left with a stick that I found a moment ago? I just marked you as a worthless opponent. The fact that you got this bruise shows I don’t need to worry.”

He pulled his cloak tighter around him, keeping the stick visible. “Come on, prince. Start.”

“As you ask. A worthless oponent, you say?” Cedric tried to attack, but when he got close, he hesitated, afraid of harming the opponent. Awkwardly aiming for the leg, he was effortlessly pushed away.

“You directed all your strength into one foolish strike and almost lost your balance. One hit and I could have easily broken your neck with my free hand when you got too close. Or knocked you off your feet -- then you would be my captive. That’s probably even worse.”

Soldiers gathered to watch the sparring. Cedric got up and attacked again.

“Now I’ll show you the ‘foolish strike’,” Cedric aimed the blade at Eligh’s hand, but he simply shifted his body to the side, hitting the prince in the face and creating a new bruise.

“Why aren’t you aiming straight at me? Are you afraid to hit me? How do you plan to survive a fight if you’re not capable of delivering a killing blow?”

“Yeah. That’s right! Show him, Eligh!” Cedric heard his sister’s voice from the crowd.

He stood up tiredly, feeling two bruises on a young face. It hurt like crazy, but he didn’t want to show it. He attacked again, this time aiming for his opponent’s chest. Eligh drew back the blade with his stick and shoved Cedric’s face into the dirt, pulling his sword from his hands.

“You forgot about balance. You put all your strength into one blow. This is your first lesson. Learn how to hold the sword and strike. Only then can I teach you anything,” he hid his sword under the cloak. “Until this day, you knew no fight. Your face was clean and soft. Now that I have changed it, you’ll have scars. It will hurt. Life outside the castle is different, it’s harsh. You better know it here, from me than from a real enemy. Because with real threat that lesson will first and last one. Your welcome, kiddo.” Eligh left, leaving Cedric lying in the mud.

“Good thing my Mom didn’t see me like this,” Cedric slowly stood up, brushing off the dirt from eyes, noce and mouth. “Embarrassing.”

The soldiers slowly parted and dispersed. “He did you dirty,” Blunder said barely hiding his laugh and appearing beside Cedric, trying to help him to get up.

“That’s not funny, Lord. Can I have another teacher?”

“There’s no better than Eligh, and you need the best one, Prince.”

“Good thing the Queen didn’t witness that. Where is she, by the way?”

“She’s doing lady business. Why?” Elowen came out from behind her hiding place, trying to get closer to Blunder. “Do you want to snuggle her like a pillow, Mama’s boy?”

“Hey! Keep your mouth shut!” Cedric rubbed scratches on his face.

Blunder looked at the duo in wonder. “Well. You did well, Cedric. Keep training,” he said awkwardly, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Thanks. All I want now is to take a good nap,” Cedric yawned again.

“A nap? The camp is getting ready for a new departure. We’re leaving now. Pack your things and get ready.”

“WHAT? Are we going to walk all day again?”

It was pouring rain, and water was dripping into his hood and eyes. This was not how he’d imagined life outside the castle. He longed to return to a cozy bed, rest, enjoy a meal, and perhaps catch glimpses of the young maids.

He was barely dragging his feet, his eyes fixed on one person. In the distance, he was watching his Mother. She was far ahead, turning sometimes to see him. They hadn’t exchanged a word since last night.

Did he act too clingy when he got close to her? What if she’d noticed him peeking at her body? Maybe that’s why she’s avoiding him? Because she’s disgusted?

“What are you thinking about, Mama’s boy?” Elowen kicked him in the shoulder with a stick. “About Mommy again?”

The soaked fabric of her road dress was completely encasing her (it was worth admitting) rather nice breasts. He looked at stick, it was the same on Eligh used to beat him.

“I think about what are we even going to do in the Library and what are we going to look for. Do you know how many books are in there? How are we going to find the answer?” Cedric looked up, trying to see the sun or a moon, but paid the price by getting rainwater right in his eyes. “Shit.”

“You’re just a coward, brother. You always have been. The most important thing is to start, and eventually, you’ll get to your target. But, well, you can easily sit on the sidelines while I find the answer and prove to everyone that I’m the 18th descendant! I would prefer that more!” said Elowen confidently and hit him a wet stick.

“I’d be happy if it were true,” Cedric wiped his eyes from the water. How would his mother feel about him not being the hero of the prophecy? Would she love him less, perhaps?

“Do you think I have a chance with Blunder? Just be honest.” Elowen looked directly at him, peering into his hood.

“What?” Cedric barely had time to react before someone at the edge of the group yelled. Suddenly, a creature emerged and swooped in, dividing the convoy in half.

Cedric clumsily pulled out his sword, almost dropping it in fear and aimed it at the creature. It was a moose shining with a strong gray light. Its dark eyes appeared to be staring right at Cedric. A chilling sensation rushed through his body like he’d been doused with cold water.

He froze and the moose moved and jumped straight at him, leaping to hide on the other side of the forest. Cedric fell back, dropping his sword.

“Cedric, Cedric?” he heard his Mom’s familiar concerned voice.

What the bloody heck had just happened? He looked up at the sky, lying on the ground.

For the second time that day, he found himself on the ground, in the mud. He didn’t like that it was becoming a regular thing. This time at least it was a nice break for him to catch his breath and rest his legs from walking.

“Cedric, honey, are you okay?” his Mom bent over him, blocking the view with her pretty face.

“It didn’t even hit him, Mom. Come on!” Elowen folded her arms across her chest, standing by the wagon in front of the troops, who gathered to check out prince.

He lifted up noticing Mom’s bust. Seraphina bent over and her freckled breasts were exactly level with his eyes. “Yes, I’m feeling better, Mom.”

“Oh, my sweetie” she pulled him against her chest, kissing his cheek multiple times.

“Oh, right, right. That’s just what he needs right now, Mom,” Elowen giggled.

“What was that?” someone among the soldiers said, aiming a bow in the direction where the moose had disappeared.

“The Sky Spirit. Alienta’Kornyo,” another soldier with white long hair replied, lowering the first soldier’s bow.

“Do you know anything about this, Riley?” Blunder was nearby, adjusting his armor with the Lion emblem.

“Just that it’s a bad omen,” Riley replied. “Especially considering our mission.” He suddenly looked at Cedric with cold white eyes. “Did the spirit say anything to you?”

“No. Should he have?” Cedric said. Seraphina helped him to stand.

Riley gave him a disdainful look. “Then it’s definitely a bad omen.”

A brief pause hung in the air.

“I like this guy,” Elowen said, looking at the white-haired soldier.

“Omens don’t matter. We should continue the march; it’s still 2 days to the Library. Right, Sir Blunder?” Seraphina gazed at their leader.

“Yes. Of course. The queen is right. We should keep going!” Blunder addressed the troops and headed to the front of the convoy.

As Cedric regained awareness, he felt a touch from behind and a whisper. “You fell again. Don’t forget about balance even outside of battle.”

Cedric turned around. Eligh was gone, hidden somewhere among the armed soldiers with lion-emblazoned helmets.

“I won’t leave you alone, my dear,” Seraphina said, gripping his hand tightly. Even though being attacked by a spirit was frustrating and annoying, at least his Mom wasn’t avoiding him anymore.

“Maybe another little kiss will help him, Mom? I’m sure it will instantly cure Mama’s boy of all wounds,” Elowen chuckled from behind holding her stick like a sword.

“Enough, Elowen! It’s not the time for jokes right now,” Seraphina looked at her angrily. “Cedric could have been seriously hurt.”