“Y-yes, Milord. I’ll… I’ll work on that,” Niall stammered before running off. Badulf turned from where the retainer once stood to the crowd in front of him.
“Anna,” Badulf’s eyes focused on the innkeeper, and a brow raised. “I see you’ve returned. Welcome back.” Canaan shrunk back as the Prince’s eyes scanned over him, and Badulf seemed to notice, gesturing for the crowd to part, allowing him a full look at Canaan. He lifted a hand to pull the hood from Canaan’s head, and the Lord held his breath. “... You.”
“You,” Canaan repeated, almost unable to choke the word out. He bowed his head, tilting it off to the side as well to avoid any eye contact with Badulf at all.
“You turn tail, abandon me, and now you return?” Badulf’s voice had an accusatory tone, startling the Lord further. “Prince Canaan, why do you bother my people once more?”
“Prince--” Canaan backed away suddenly, eyes wide with fear. “I abandoned that title! I have no right to rule!”
“You are correct. You have no right to rule. You have no right to be among my subjects-”
Before Badulf and Canaan’s argument could continue further, the sound of footsteps rang out in the room, and a young woman looking to be the Prince’s sister approached. She gave Canaan a half-hearted look of disdain, then gave her brother the same look.
“Princess Vimala,” Anna bowed. The Princess returned the motion, causing a few raised eyebrows from the party.
“Anna,” Vimala spoke, her voice barely a whisper. “I do think you will want to see this.”
“How dare you interrupt my discussion, sister?!” Badulf snapped, pushing Vimala off to the side with a shoulder. She let out a gasp of offense, and opened her mouth to argue, but Ximen stepped forward and escorted her off to the side of the room.
Canaan’s wild-eyed stare became a glare, and before anyone knew of what was to happen, the Lord flung himself at the Prince, sword drawn. Badulf backed up, preparing what had appeared to be a study book prior, but was now clearly a tome. Anna motioned for the group to back off, and they did, leaving the Lord and Prince room to duke it out for the first time in years.
Canaan charged again, swinging his sword as he got in range of Badulf, who dodged quickly and pushed Canaan back with a blast of wind. The Lord recovered quickly, dashing forth once more. He knew the glimmer Badulf got in his eye before he played a trick, so he ducked, rolling to the side and using his sword to knock the tome from Badulf’s hand.
“Fight like a Prince, not a student,” Canaan taunted, speaking in pure anger. “Treat your sister as you would anyone else!” With each sentence, Canaan drew closer to Badulf, swinging the sword. “Let go of the past!”
Badulf froze, allowing Canaan to get in close range, then kicked his leg out, pushing the Lord back. “Me? Let go of the past? You’re going easy on me, and why? It seems you have not let go, either.” The Prince quickly recovered his tome, tucking it into his robes and shaking his head. “You will never grow up, Canaan.” As he approached Canaan, he offered the Lord his hand.
“Ahem,” Ximen spoke up firmly, “milady has something she wishes to share with the crowd. If you two could keep your egos in control,” he paused to allow the group time to laugh at his comment, though he did not find it funny, then continued, “I would like if you allowed her to speak.”
The Princess nodded gently as her advisor stepped back, then she took a step forward herself, taking a deep breath before she whispered, “they've begun to attack.”