"Your Lordship! Your Lordship!" Hadrian turned round in the corridor he was pacing. One of his father's attendants was rushing down the hall towards him. He waited impassively for the man to reach him. Once he did, he bent low to catch his breath for a moment before continuing. "His majesty has summoned you to a most important council of sorts."<span style="font-style: italic">Council...</span>Hadrian thought between the man's words.<span style="font-style: italic">Why would father want to council with me?</span>Typically these instances were taken directly to Rowan. He was well known for delighting in father's every order, which all were of a more horrid nature as of late. "He instructed me to tell you directly as your presence is needed most hurriedly. Prince Rowan already awaits." Sighing inwardly, Hadrian moved briskly past the guard.<br/><br/>"With baited breath no doubt. I appreciate the message, you have your leave." Saluting him, the attendant left his countenance in the opposite direction from whence he came. There was palpable relief around the man's frame. Naturally, the nearest atrium chambers were empty. "Guess I'll have to have a little search then."<br/><br/>After what seemed too long a time to be troubling him, Hadrian heard voices coming from behind a large wooden door. The door belonged to his elder brother for it was his room they were in. He knocked heavily before entering. "Father, what is the meaning of meeting me here? I had hoped you would be present in nearby chambers."<br/><br/>"Never you mind where I am, grant your attention to your brother." Hadrian heaved another great sigh, this time externally. He hated taking orders from his elder brother. His father only did it to remind him of his 'place', even though he was perfectly capable. Rowan, his face coloured deeply with repressed rage, began to speak.<br/><br/>"You'd do well, brother, to remember that I am your elder. We have no need for your little shows on how you detest me."<br/><br/>"I was brought up to detest pigs." Hadrian replied coolly.<br/><br/>"Why you--!"<br/><br/>"Rowan!" Their father barked. "Ignore his impudence; just get to the task he must fulfill." Hadrian's eyes moved with a false sense of eagerness to Rowan, baiting him with his looks.<br/><br/>"Very well father, since it is you who has asked."<span style="font-style: italic">You forgot to kiss his feet while youâ€™re at it, brother.</span>Hadrian thought maliciously. "I have a job for you my brother. There is a girl I need you to find."<br/><br/>"One whom you fancy?"<br/><br/>"No! Just, listen will you? The girl has long white hair, a very rare colour you won't find in many places so she should be easy to spot. I believe she is hiding amongst the commoners so she might be difficult to find. Think you can handle that?" He added scathingly.<br/><br/>"Um, sure. Except, why are you so interested in this girl Rowan? Or do you simply want me to bring her to you?"<br/><br/>"Look you don't need to--" He broke off for a moment. "Actually, yes. Please bring her to me." Saying their behavior was odd was an understatement. During the entire exchange their father was shifting from foot to foot, very plainly nervous about something. Looking back and forth between his father and Rowan, Hadrian responded.<br/><br/>"Very well. I will find this girl. Do we have a girl?"<br/><br/>"Not...currently." His father started. "But she must be found. See too it Hadrian. I will inform your mother so that you may skirt some of your lesser duties. Make this of your highest priority..."<br/><br/>***<br/><br/>So it was that Hadrian came to be looking for this girl. When he had pressed his father and brother for more information on her they wouldn't say anything. He didn't even know her age. He crested yet another hill and looked down upon another quaint town. The settlement was fairly large when one considered the others; a good amount of land and even a few noble structures. If he was thinking of the right place, this is where the William's estate was held. In past experience Hadrian had always enjoyed the members of the William house hold. They were important yet humble people and he admired that.<br/><br/>Once he was within the walls of the town, he stopped by a local tailor shop. He purchased a large traveling cloak and hood for which he could hide better. Even though the tailor recognized him, he doubted word would get around before he was done here. It never did suit him to be crowded around. Just as he was strolling down a main part of the town, a commotion sounded from a little in the east. Hadrian quickly made his way through the town, just waking up from the looks of it. When he was standing outside a residence some minutes later he saw guards with his family crest accosting a woman for further tax money. Hadrian didn't know if this was the work of the guards...he certainly prayed it was not the craft of his father and mother. As soon a girl was swatted aside he made to take a step forward. Before he had moved through the crowd however, a figure clothed in scarlet blocked the path of his guards, brandishing a heavy sword.<br/><br/>"It's the Scarlet Arrow!" A villager exclaimed; much anticipation from the commoners now. It was then the boy spoke in an odd low tone.<br/><br/>"Picking on the innocent commoners again, are we?" The strange voice from behind the mask questioned. The soldiers moved to assault without warning, all three against the one. Unexpectedly, the masked man was holding himself rather well. No matter what his guards seemed to throw, each and every attack was effortlessly parried away and returned with blunt strikes that were meant to down the attackers, not harm them. Hadrian was impressed. He was impressed by the boy's valor and honor, and now it was time to step in.<br/><br/>Hadrian moved a final few steps out of the crowd, now enclosed in their loose semi-circle with the guards and the masked hero. He clapped his hands slowly a few times, brushing off his cowl and signaling to the guards that recognized him that it was time to stop. "Bravo." He said to the group as a whole. "Guards, I want you to cease for a moment while I speak with this young hero for the town." The guards were clearly not pleased and one even looked like he was considering fleeing.<br/><br/>"Yes your highness..." They all stuttered. He would deal with them later. It was important the town see him as an ally. The previous whispers awoke with a new vigor within the crowd now that many were beginning to recognize him at the guardsâ€™ words.<br/><br/>"Prince Hadrian!" A small boy exclaimed, his mother moved to shush him.<br/><br/>"Well, you must already know my name." Hadrian spoke, turning his full attention to the warrior in red. "Excellent swordsmanship young lad, your teacher must be quite proud. My name is Prince Hadrian Althalos, may we have your name as this towns savior?" He asked pleasantly, extending a hand to the boy as he did so.