Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Colter

Trafalgar, Kingdom of Howard

"I knew you were coming to see me, Your Highness." Samuel made a motion to stand up, but Colter assured him with a look that the formalities were not required. He then scooted over to make room for the prince to sit down.

Samuel wiped the tears from his eyes, not wanting to show the prince how vulnerable he was. It was already bad enough how almost the entire kingdom had witnessed his breakdown in front of the King.

"What do you mean by that?" Colter asked as he sat down.

"I saw you from the crowd. Your eyes were burning with questions for me." Samuel replied. He gave out a sigh. "But I must warn you, My Prince. Your curiosity might be your downfall as it is the lust of the mind. I won't dissuade you nor advocate for you to cross over the portal, but it is a risk that I took and now I'm facing the consequences."

Colter was taken aback. The fact that Samuel had given him unsolicited advice, he suddenly felt nervous about asking Samuel his experience on the other side. He had doubts that Samuel might not really give him information about the portal.

However, he was already here. The chance was too good to pass up.

"I-" Colter took a deep breath and started with a simple question. "What is on the other side?"

"Earth," Samuel simply replied. "A place where mankind thrives with no talents or abilities."

"What is it like, living on Earth?" Colter could barely contain himself. He wanted to know how different it was from Howard.

Samuel stared off into the distance, longing and regret washed over his face. "Life on Earth was simple. It's like Howard but it's not." He looked over to Colter and continued. "Why would you want to know?"

"I just want to understand you," Colter said. "I want to know what drove you to cross over and what made you stay."

Samuel gave him a sad smile. "No one could ever understand why I did those things. Not even my own mother. I cannot even express how sorry I am that I had to put her in such a situation where they were ostracized by the people of Howard, considered as traitors of the Kingdom."

Colter knew that the topic hit closer to home, so he patiently waited for Samuel to continue.

"Earth is remarkable in its own way. They're way beyond our time. It's like stepping into the future. Their structures are as tall as the highest turret in the palace and it's made out of a material called concrete. Their roads are not paved with stones but with a thing called asphalt. Their houses are also made of concrete. There are also these metal boxes that have changing pictures on them. It's called television and they watch it for entertainment. They also use this thing called 'cellphones' to call each other and send messages electronically. During my ten years of stay on Earth, I believe that I have not yet scratched the surface of what Earth has to offer as there are still things yet to be discovered."

The prince was in awe yet so confused at the same time. He could not imagine a world with so many new things to be discovered. A device that has the ability to send out messages without using magic?

"Ten years? But you were only gone for three years." Colter said.

"Time moves differently on Earth. I discovered that when I noticed I started aging fast." Samuel paused. "But I do bet that you know what made me stay."

"You met someone." Colter supplied.

"Correct." Samuel's gaze went back into space as he recounted his life on Earth. "Humans, they're just like us, except they're not gifted with powers. No mark and they can't fly. They're just that: ordinary."

Samuel gave a bitter laugh and said, "I guess, I'm human now."

Colter could not fathom how someone could live as an ordinary being. All his life, he'd been gifted with special abilities. The thought of living without it seemed surreal.

"Can you tell me about her?" Colter asked cautiously.

"Her name's Hazel." Samuel said, his voice full of reverence and love for the woman. "She was the first woman I ever loved."

Colter immediately thought of the girl in his dreams and his heart pounded in his chest. Why did he have a strong feeling that she was on the other side of the portal?

"I met Hazel one day when I was wandering around. I've forgotten how many weeks it had been when I arrived on Earth. At that point, I wanted to go back. I knew that my punishment would not be that bad when I returned. I had not touched anybody. I remained to myself and tried to blend in as much as possible. I still had my powers but I had to be careful not to expose myself. If anyone got wind of what I could do, my chances of returning to Howard were slim to none." Samuel trailed off.

"No matter how nice Earth was, some of the people there were . . . Barbarous. They do have laws and people to enforce them like guards, but some defy them and they do it openly. But not all are like that." The Lost Ecanus' voice grew soft. "There are those who are gentle and kind and helpful. Hazel was like no other."

"She was beyond beautiful. No one in Howard compares her beauty. And believe me when I say it, she did not once give me a reason not to trust her. Only Hazel knew what I truly was. She did not judge me nor did she sell me out, but instead she protected me. I've never met a human more compassionate and understanding than her."

Samuel took a steadying breath as his voice broke. "If I had the power to turn back time, I would still choose to cross that portal and meet her. In every lifetime, I'd find her and meet her. The only thing I regret now is how I've become a coward."

Colter did not know how to respond. Samuel had indeed loved Hazel. His feelings were deep and profound. He could feel his pain, the remorse of having to take the life of someone he loved. Colter could jut not imagine how awful it must have been when Samuel looked into Hazel's eyes as he drew blood. The betrayal, the guilt, the sacrifice.

"Thank you," Colter said. "For sharing your tale, Samuel. I know how hard it was for you to do what you needed to do. Hazel would have understood the situation. She may not be with us now, but her memory will live on forever in your heart."

The prince felt uncomfortable as he said those words. It sounded hollow and forced. Colter felt bad that it was because of his father that this man lost the love of his life. Colter did not doubt that he would deceive the King. Samuel's loyalty was ultimately still with the crown.

It was a bittersweet ending for someone who only wanted to live life to the fullest, to explore outside the realm and discover things that would provide satisfaction to a person's thirst for adventure.

"And I mean it, Samuel. You have no idea how strong you are. Not many can do what you did: survive on a foreign land."

Samuel sighed and said. "I appreciate your comforting words, My Prince. This also must be distressing for you as it is for me. You must rarely go out and talk to criminals."

"Indeed, it is new for me to take on such a task, but it is refreshing to speak to someone who is not family and try to understand what their thoughts may be." Colter admitted.

"And understand as well that this criminal right here, acknowledges your effort and sympathy. Truly, it is a great honor to be with you, Your Highness." Samuel said. "This conversation, in some way, made me feel less lonely in this wretched place."

Silence dawned upon them. Colter felt sad and at the same time, in awe of how the man beside him, had his head held high upon returning to Howard. His humility in accepting his fate was admirable.

"I better not take too long as they would probably be looking for me." Colter said as he stood up. Samuel only nodded in silence. "I spoke to your mother on the way here."

Samuel looked up and asked, "Is she alright?"

"She's fine but she is distraught. Who wouldn't be when the son she had been waiting to come home is brought to prison. I assured her that I'll do what I can to bring you back home."

"My mother has been through a lot. No amount of apologies would compensate for the heartbreak I have given her." Samuel simply said. "Please, Your Highness. Ensure her safety and security. I cannot bear to see her suffer more. I vow that what I presented in Court was true and I had no intentions to deceive anyone. Let her know I'll be coming home soon."

Colter nodded and turned to leave. He could very well fly out of Trafalgar in this very spot, but he thought it would add insult to the injury to the prisoners who were stripped of powers.

"A last word, Your Highness?" Samuel said.

Colter turned back and waited.

"Heed my warning. Stay as far away as possible from that cursed portal. I would not want to see you suffer the same fate as I did."

The prince was at loss for words. It was like Samuel knew what Colter had been planning to do. He just smiled and continued to walk.

Samuel meant well, but what he does not know, would not hurt him.

---

Colter

Colter's private chambers, Kingdom of Howard

Colter could not sleep.

The sun was rising on the horizon and he was still up in his day clothes. He was thinking about the conversation he had with Samuel.

The thought of venturing through the portal stayed as fresh as the morning Howard breeze. Samuel's warning did not faze him. All the while, it enticed him even more.

If he thought about his next steps, he could slip past and cross the portal and return in a matter of hours. In and out just like that.

But before he could do so, a knock echoed through his room.

"Enter," Colter said, his voice carrying across the expanse.

"My apologies for the interruption, Your Highness." a maid-in-waiting entered and she made a quick scan of the sight in front of her: the prince in yesterday's clothes. She cleared her throat and made an attempt to hide her curiosity. "Uh, uhm, the King has requested your presence in the throne room."

Colter wondered what it could be all about, but he already had an inkling as to what it is.

"Thank you, I'll be there shortly." Colter said and the maid curtsied, and left.

Colter proceeded to change his clothes and attempt to look as though he had slept. The dark circles under his eyes, proved to be an obvious answer that he was up all night.

The King summoning him at this time of day was not a good sign. It could only mean that Colter had done something to ire him, or it was because of what Colter did not do. Both of which would only end in one scenario: him being roasted alive by the King.

Once changed, he immediately went to the throne room. One thing the people of Howard did not know about the King was that he was impatient. He did not like to be kept waiting at all.

The sun was slowly streaming in through the half-drawn curtains in the hallway. It would be nice to take Nimrod out for a ride, he thought as he arrived in front of the tall doors leading to the throne room. He grasped the handles and braced himself.

Here we go.