The Sugilite Prince

♛The Dark Army ♛

Members of the king’s advisory council met in the great hall speaking quietly among themselves. They rose to their feet and bowed as the King and Sugi strode into the spacious room.

Sugi’s proud bearing was accompanied by a twinkle in his eye as his father announced the birth of the new heir apparent, a precious baby boy with violet eyes and hair just like his father. After offering their congratulations, the party sat down to discuss the impending battle. They would have to put off the celebrations until a more peaceful time. They all wore serious faces now as they thought of ways to pull their resources, but would it be enough against the dark forces they faced?

The morning mist was illuminated by the rising sun. Sugi watched the wide expanse of the horizon as their enemies on horseback made themselves known. Their army stood still except for the movement of their banner flags swaying in the wind. Suddenly, the thunder of hooves announces the presence of yet another army closer still just making their way over a hill. They had been hiding in the valley waiting for the command to attack.

Sugi stared at them with a calm demeanor and wondered if he would live to see the sunset on this day. The dark-clad knights rode full speed towards them showing no fear or mercy in their eyes. The attack had begun. The loud roar engulfed them as the dark knights clashed into the shining elves and men, swords clanking, flesh-tearing, and screams of pain surrounding them.

Maeve stood by the window trying to see what was happening but the palace was still safe and far from the fighting. It did not lessen her worries for Sugi and her dear friend Jeon. She had grown accustomed to the guard’s proximity and now felt a strange loneliness without him.

“There must be something I can do,” she cried aloud. Suddenly, the baby woke with a whimpering cry. The maid, that had stayed with her to keep her calm, picked him up to comfort him.

“My lady, your anxiety is disturbing the child. Please calm yourself. Would you like me to make you some tea?”

“I should be by his side. I am an excellent shot with my bow.” She turns to face the maid still cradling her child. “Come what may. If we are defeated, we are all dead anyway.”

“I can’t believe that that would be your fate. Our king will protect us. He always has.”

“I should go to Sugi. Whatever his fate, I will share it”

“No, my lady, you are still recovering from the birth of your son and need to take it easy. For the sake of your child, please stay here. I will fetch your bow and you can be our protector if the need arises. Sit and rest, please!”

“I am perfectly fine. I don’t know what magic he possesses, but the moment Sugi held my hand my pain wasn’t just eased, it completely disappeared.”

The maid stared at her with wide eyes. “When Sugi was born with violet hair, his mother said he had been blessed by Selene, the goddess of the moon. Arwen told me the goddess came to her during his birth. Selene delivered Sugi and his hair turned violet when she touched him. No one saw the goddess and believed Arwen to be hallucinating from the difficult birth.”

“So it’s possible that Sugi possesses some power handed down to him as a blessing. It gives me hope that he can save us,” Maeve continued to stare out the window with a soft smile on her face.

There is a knock at the door. It is one of Sugi’s men. Maeve looks at him in alarm. “Why are you here?”

“The battle has begun and some of the injured have been brought to the palace.”

“Is the prince among them? Is Jeon?” She cries.

“No, but Jeon has been taken to the healers.”

“Take me to him!”