***
Desperate to find their missing prince, Lannon and the Knights roamed for miles through the foggy grassland. Utterly soaked, cold, and miserable, they splashed along through mud and water behind their leader, calling out the prince's name repeatedly. With no response from the prince, it was left to the power of the Eye to locate him--yet they soon had a sinking feeling that Vannas wasn't just going to be found in the vast and seemingly empty expanse of slop. At last daylight began to slip away, and they returned to camp with the bad news.
Yet moments after they entered camp, Prince Vannas wandered in. The lean Birlote was soaked and muddy, with scratches on his face. His silver hair hung in tangles, partially obscuring his face. His expression was strange and distant, and he was holding the Flamestone in his cupped hands. He gazed at the others passively for a moment, as they swarmed around him, and then he smiled.
"Glad to be back," said the prince.
"Where have you been?" Aldreya demanded. She explained how they had searched for him extensively.
"I was just out for a walk," said Vannas. "I wanted to be alone, to meditate on the White Flamestone." He paused, then added, "I am seeking to unlock its deepest secrets." His voice sounded odd--almost evil--as if spoken from someone else's throat. "There is nothing more I can tell you."
"This is a disgrace," said Lothrin. "You had all of us worried that the Deep Shadow had claimed you. Now you come wandering in as if nothing is out of the ordinary. We're wet, cold, and tired from searching for you. Why didn't you at least warn us you were leaving?"
"Sorry," Vannas mumbled.
"That's not good enough," said Aldreya. "I'm very disappointed in your behavior, Prince Vannas." She took a deep breath and then let it out. "Therefore, I am confining you to our camp. You cannot leave without permission."
The prince eye's widened. "You're treating me as if I am a child, Aldreya. This is shameful and arrogant on your part."
"You're behaving like a child," said Lothrin, stepping close to his cousin. "And causing the rest of us a lot of grief in the process."
Vannas shoved Lothrin away. "I'm about done with you, cousin. Next time you get that close to me, I will break your nose."
Daledus grinned. "Now we're getting somewhere."
Lothrin frowned. "You will break my nose? Apparently you've forgotten my skill at fighting, my good prince. You may have the Flamestone, but you know that engaging me in battle would be folly."
Vannas shrugged. He adjusted his silk tunic. "Try it, and then bleed from a broken nose. That's all I have to say on the matter."
The two lean Birlote warriors stared each other down, their hands knotted into fists--the elite prince and the simple Ranger.
"No one is breaking anyone's nose," said Lannon, with a sigh. "Prince Vannas, it was wrong of you to make us search for you and have everyone worried. You must realize that. I think Aldreya's punishment is fair."
"Thank you, Lannon," said Aldreya.
"Actually," said Jerret, "I would like to break Prince Vannas' nose." The hulking Knight slammed his fist into his palm. "I'm dripping wet and hungry because of his foolishness. And he put the White Flamestone--and our whole mission--in jeopardy by wandering off alone."
"Agreed," said Vorden, with a look of disgust. "Prince Vannas, you should know better than that. You used very poor judgment."
The prince shrugged. "None of you understand. I was called upon by the Divine Essence to go forth and learn--and I will do it again if called upon." He was lost in thought for a moment, then said, "You see, I have only begun to scratch the surface concerning the power locked within the White Flamestone. There is so much more to be discovered. I have always used it purely to unleash destruction, yet the White Flamestone is unique in that it can do many things besides hurl fire. I believe it can also be used effectively as a shield, though the technique is very difficult to master. The Divine Essence is showing me what I need to know."
"If that's true," said Aldreya, "then I will lift the punishment. However, why didn't you tell us where you were going?"
"I couldn't," said Vannas. "I wasn't even aware I had left camp until I found myself walking through water. After my training, the White Flamestone somehow led me back to camp, like a light in the fog." His green eyes shone with amazement as he spoke. "Yes, a light in a fog that can hold the shadows at bay."
Yet Lothrin's face was stony. "Once again you're losing yourself to that wretched gem. It is a terrible thing to witness. I long for the day when you no longer possess it and your soul can be free again."
With trembling hands, Prince Vannas hurriedly put the Flamestone back into its black pouch and tucked it away. "Just keep your distance from me, Lothrin. And don't even think about trying to steal it when I'm asleep. I already warned you once what would happen--that I will defend the Flamestone aggressively against anyone who tries to claim it."
"I'm not a thief," said Lothrin.
"The issue is settled," said Lannon, who wanted only to get inside his tent and dry off. But apparently it wasn't settled--because Vannas had suggested his strange behavior would continue.
"It's not settled for me," said Lothrin.
"Mind your own business, cousin," Prince Vannas warned. "You've always been far too stubborn for your own good. It will lead you to ruin."
"Why?" asked Lothrin. "Because you'll kill me if I try to help you?"
The prince didn't answer. He entered his tent.
"The White Flamestone," said Aldreya, "is not an evil item, Lothrin. It is a living piece of our god, granted to us as a gift. You would be wise to remember that. It will not lead Prince Vannas astray."
"I'm not so sure," said Lothrin. "Even godly power can turn corrupt in the hands of mortals. You would be wise to remember that. The White Flamestone itself may be pure and good, but all mortals are tainted and given to wretched mistakes. I don't believe the prince can handle this power he has received."
"Yet the Divine Essence chose him," said Aldreya. "There was a reason for that. We must trust in our god's wisdom over our own."
Lothrin shook his head. "In truth, Aldreya, I trust my own judgment over that of any god. All the days and nights I spent in the wilderness taught me to rely on my own skills for survival and nothing else. Out there, in the wild lands, you learn that life and death come easily--too easily to be anything but the simple result of cause and effect. Even the greatest hero can die of thirst or stumble over a rock and fall into a heap of broken bones. I'm loyal to the Divine Essence and I will serve it--yet trusting in a god is not my way."
"Yet I'm ordering you," said Aldreya, "to stay out of Prince Vannas' business when it comes to the White Flamestone. Otherwise, I fear it will come to blows--or worse. You are not his leader or his parent."
"Aldreya is right," said Lannon. "I know how much to want to look after him, but it could result in bloodshed if you get in his way. The Divine Essence is in his heart, and he will defend his destiny at all costs. It makes for a dangerous situation, Lothrin. You need to mind your own affairs."
"I'm not sure I can do that," said Lothrin. "I have great loyalty to Dremlock and Ollanhar--but also to the Prince of Borenthia. I made a promise years ago that I would watch over him, and I take that promise very seriously."
"You're a Knight now," said Aldreya, "which means you are living a new life. You are a new person, blessed by the Divine Essence. If Knightly duty demands that you break old promises, then you must do so."
Lothrin hesitated, then simply walked away.