Xander took a bite out of an apple, sitting rather haphazardly in a chair at his mothers long, glorious dining room table. His very demeanor unconcerned with anything that was happening outside of him. Until his mother swept into the room that was, the moment she entered he straightened up and glanced over at her. The queen had an air about her that demanded attention when she entered a room and not entirely because of her beauty.<br/><br/>"Alexander, I've heard from a little birdy that the wench has left her castle walls. The men have already been dispatched to set fire to the forest, all thats left is for you to go play hero." Her voice was cool and composed as she sat in her chair at the head of the table, her eyes flickering up to meet his as she spoke.<br/><br/>He met her gaze unflinching and nodded,<span style="color: #BF0000">"Yes mother, I'll go ready a horse and leave at once."</span>This was the day he had been endlessly trained for, hardened for. Perhaps even looked forward to. So it was not reluctantly that he got up from his chair and spun to leave the room, a touch of excitement in his grey eyes.<br/><br/>"One thing, my son," Her voice stopped him mid-stride and he spun to see what she had to say, "Don't mess this up, whatever they ask of you you must do, and once you've gotten close enough...you must kill the king without hesitation. If you do manage to fail, there will be punishment for you." The queen's eyes were like daggers, her words a steel blade at his throat. It didn't surprise him. He had come to expect being threatened like this from his own mother. She was a cold woman, though no matter how many threats she tossed whenever she said 'I love you' He said it back and meant it.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">"I wont, mother."</span>Xander answered and turned to leave once more. Reaper and Nerezza were both out of their stalls and readied for travel when he got down to the stables, Reaper with a saddle and reins, Nerezza with bags upon her back that carried various clothing and food. Things one would take when running away. Mounted on Reaper he looked dashing as ever, his pale blond hair catching light and gleaming, grey almost white eyes entrancing. He wore a black doublet with silvery buttons and a white rather lacy collar and black riding breeches, the picture of a prince.<br/><br/>After leaving the kingdom he found himself staring at the forest where he and Aria had met, blazing with fire somewhere within. The scent of smoke was evident, though both of his horses didn't shy away as he put his heels to Reaper and galloped into the burning forest.<span style="font-style: italic">Alright princess, lets see if I have you pegged and know where you are.</span>He had a good idea of where she might go, a good idea which proved to be true when he tore through the foliage and pulled his horse to a stop in the clearing where they used to play.<br/><br/>His gaze fell on her and he couldn't tear it away. It was her, obviously, as he remembered. An innocent girl that looked a princess but matched him stroke for stroke as a child with their wooden swords.<span style="color: #BF0000">"Aria?"</span>Alexander allowed a touch of fabricated confusion to trickle into his voice,<span style="color: #BF0000">"What are you doing out here?"</span>Nerezza whickered as the smell of smoke grew stronger, almost as though she was attempting to say 'what'd we stop for? theres fire out there idiot!'