The night was deep, and the sky was overcast with heavy gray clouds, but the moon occasionally peered through the cloud fissures.
Zahreen was walking in the lead, his steps confident. Behind him, Raven followed quietly, his eyes observing their surroundings with their familiar sparkle, as if he missed nothing.
Raven broke the silence with a smile: "Do you remember when you used to get lost in the forest, and I'd always rush to save you?"
Zahreen smiled slightly and said without turning around: "And who was it who fell into the swamp that day and kept screaming like a little child?"
Raven let out a faint chuckle and shook his head: "The water was so cold! And you were laughing instead of pulling me out."
Zahreen stopped, turned to him, and laughed: "Because you looked ridiculous... half of you covered in mud and water, and the other half trying to balance on a tree trunk."
They continued their walk, branches snapping under their feet.
Raven: "You know... sometimes I miss those simple days. No royal orders, no blood, no responsibility."
Zahreen answered in a low voice: "Me too... but those days ended the moment I decided to learn magic."
Raven's cloak fluttered with the cold gusts of wind, and he said softly: "Why did you do it, Zahreen?"
Zahreen stopped again and raised his eyes towards the gray sky: "Because I felt I was created for something greater than just being a prince... I wanted to understand the world, to be myself, not a shadow of my father's commands."
Raven approached him and placed his hand on his shoulder: "I was never against you... I was just scared for you."
Zahreen smiled sincerely this time and looked at him: "And I knew you would always be behind me, even if I took a dark path."
They walked together in silence, then Raven lightly jumped onto a massive tree trunk, lay on it, and placed his hands behind his head: "Come on... let's stop for a while. The stars are starting to appear."
Zahreen sat next to him, and they remained silent for a few moments...
The sky above them was gray and deep, but a few stars were shining, trying to pierce the darkness.
Zahreen asked quietly: "Raven... do I seem strange to them?"
Raven replied while gazing at the sky: "To whom?"
Zahreen said: "To my brothers... to Father... to everyone."
Raven looked at him with a calm smile: "To them? Yes, you might seem strange. But to me? No... You're the Zahreen who knows how to save me from the swamps, hides the candy so I don't devour it all, and pulls my ear when I act crazy."
Zahreen laughed, shaking his head: "And you always deserved it."
They fell silent, then Raven said: "We will find him, right?"
Zahreen answered confidently: "We will find him." Then he added: "But I don't want him to be afraid of me..."
Raven whispered: "He won't be afraid. Because you won't hurt him... You are not like them."
Zahreen sighed: "I hope so..."
Raven was quiet for a moment, then he said: "I have something I want to tell you."
Zahreen turned towards him, a question on his face: "What is it?"