Adam could smell him. He almost couldn't believe he was this close. It seemed impossible. For nearly eighteen years he'd followed lead after lead. Hunted through these foreign forests and valleys and finally he could smell him. It was real. HE was real. As he stalked closer the scent grew stronger, threatened to overwhelm him. Though now it mixed with that dull odor of humans. His brother nodded to him he could smell his prey as well.
Mark motions to a cloths line with dry garments it would be easier if they blend in just a little... Adam agrees and they shift from wolf form to human. After grabbing the clothing simple pants and a loose shirt the two go back to the wood area so they are not spotted.
Mark turned toward the right toward the gardens while Adam crouched at the edge of the trees and watched the small village around the castle. Less than fifty humans scrapping out a life with their little fields, their herds of frantic goats and sheep. There were lovely orchards with fruits and nuts and the gardens.. It seemed everything the twins had needed had been provided here.A few soldiers guarded the young prince... He smirked they offered little to no problems. He saw the humans just as they saw their own livestock. He could still smell him, but hadn't spotted him yet. Somewhere he moved within this village. A breeze tickled his nose and his head snapped to the street on the far side of the village. There. He moved silently through the trees, circling the village until he had a clear view of the street.
He knew the boy instantly. How could he not? He was his. How could he not see how different he was from the tiny frail humans he rode next to? His bronze hair fell long and wavy down his back. He sat straight in the saddle his shoulders magnificent
Adam could see the boy's father in his stature. Tall--compared to a human--with broad shoulders and coiled muscles under his lightly tanned skin. He wished he could see his eyes. But he was surprised to see a bit of that human softness to him, likely from the unnamed mother. He had no idea who the woman was, but she must have been pretty. Even from his vantage he could see his delicate chin, high cheekbones. He was perfect.
He watched all day, crouched in the shadows of the trees. Every move. Every time he moved. Every time he stretched his back and turned his weary face to the sun. The hunger grew within him as the sun crept across the sky. He knew he could charge forward, take him then and there. These people he thought he belonged to couldn't stop him.
But he hadn't yet been awakened to his true self. He knew he must have patience. For someone who'd lived as many centuries as he had he knew he should have mastered that by now. He generally had. But when his quarry was so lovely, so deliciously close it took every bit of his considerable strength to keep his body motionless.
~~
Prince Edward stood slowly, felt every inch of his spine ache as he arched his back and threw his head up to the sky. It was a beautiful blue. He glared at the sun... Still barely passed its high point. Still hours of riding these streets mingling as his mother had instructed to be done. He sighed and looked at the soldiers. He needed to get away... just for a little while he thought.
A tavern girl smiled at him and he smiled back.. She was pretty enough he thought but his mother would not approve. She brought him an ale.
"Any trouble today, Prince?"
"Not much... Marcus lost 4 goats last night, swears demons took them." the Prince laughed.
"Oh dear and what did you say to that."
"That we did not have jurisdiction over the demons and he should find their authority and report the theft to them"
The girl and Prince Edward spoke for a few more moments before the owner of the tavern called her back inside.
He pulled out the canteen he kept n his saddle, took a gulp of the cool water. Dipped the rest of the canteen over his head. He moaned as the rush of water finally cooled his burning skin, snapped his mind back from the threatening despair. He hated these street he hated these walls and mostly he hated this castle with its soldiers always watching. He glanced to the forest edge, back to the tavern where his soldiers had dismounted. He moved slowly into the shade of the trees. Just for a few minutes. He just needed to be out of the sun. Needed the comfort of the shadows of the deep forest. It seemed the only place his mind could finally still. The only place his shoulders could relax. It was easy slipping away from the soldiers their minds already on wine and woman.
Moving through the trees he let his mind wander. Eventually after riding several minutes he dismounted by a cool stream his horse neighed nervously as it drank.
The prince unbuttoned his silk shirt and washed away the grim of the morning. The horse stomped his foot impatiently and whimpered nervously Edward sensed something was off. He stilled, glanced around the trees. It was silent. He shivered. Where were the calling birds, the sounds of scurrying creatures? Unsettled, he turned to retrieve his horse and head back to the village.
A man stood in front of him..between him and his horse. For a moment he thought it was an apparition. It was so unexpected. So unlikely that his mind rebelled at the sight.
