Åland was a prince once. Beloved by all, spoiled since birth, living a lavish life royal blood ought to live. Now he was no greater than the commoners that served him. No! He was lesser than them now. He's a nomad that had everything ripped from him. And for what? An act of betrayal gone awry. He did not regret his heinous deed, but the consequences that came afterwards.
Things weren't all bad. His faithful knight had justified his actions when no one else did and joined him in exile. Where was he now? Not in these fields. Åland didn't worry himself with his whereabouts. He'd be here soon. For now, he'd lay amongst the growing buds.
Thank you for getting this up <3
Evien had never really gotten the concept of royalty. His family was simple, doctors and a provider, confined to their little corner of the woods. No true concept of heirarchy or status. Gods, goddesses, kings, queens... the concepts were rather foreign to the boy. Though if he did know of them, he'd think of them as pretentious.
The day was cool, muddied with the snowmelt. Evien was gathering again, or attempting it, but he was not doing well. Mud clung to his legs and underbelly from where he'd been crouched, sniffing at plants, and once where he'd slipped down a hill. His pelt was a wreck and he was tired, but it didn't matter. The boy was a hard worker, and his dilligence would benefit his companions. So he was fine with it.
At first, he couldn't tell what the creature lying in the grass up ahead was. A deer was his first thought, before he saw the longer fur and distinctly canine features. Was this another
not-wolf, like the one he'd met before?
"Hello?" he greeted, tipping his head to the side quizzically.
"Are you alright?" It was his standard greeting - best check to see if the person needed help.
Oh how terrible this man looked! His body was covered in mud from the belly downward. He looked as if he hadn't slept in days. Truly a mess of a wolf. Åland was tempted to stand up and step back as if he had some sort of disease.
The prince lifted a brow. What makes you think I am not?
If the man had an answer he would not hear it. Too busy clearing his throat.
I should be the one asking that.
He looked over the wolf again and raised his chin a bit.
Yeah, okay, Evien wasn't looking his best, but it wasn't that bad, right? Almost everyone was muddy these days, with spring showers and all that. Certainly it didn't deserve the not-wolf looking down his nose at him like this. His jaw set and green eyes narrowed slightly, brow arching in mild annoyance.
"Why do you say that?" he challenged, tilting his head to the side and smirking a bit. "I guess I'm a little muddy, but otherwise in perfectly good health." Again, copying the man's not letting him answer the question, Evien continued on. "You don't look like you're from around here."
Disgusting and foolish. Oh joy. Unless you were some sort of lowly peasant, you shouldn't be out an about looking like that. Perhaps Åland was too generous to assume he was anything more than that. Well, he took it back now. This man was most likely some commoner. If that were the case, he wouldn't be surprised if he carried an illness or two.
You certainly do,
he retorted under his breath. It was so dirty here. He couldn't even enjoy the beauty of flowers. They were nothing but little buds.
You're right,
he says, louder this time. I am not.