The next scene ford almost abruptly. But neither Kael nor Lance were surprised by the next scene. However, by the end of it, they were bound to be shocked.
Zen sat shivering in a corner of their house. His clothes were rumpled, his small hands clutching the hem of his shirt, his grey eyes almost red due to crying and his shoulders trembling.
Around him, people rushed about, all speaking at once, all searching for one na.
Kael.
Their father stood at the centre, commanding loudly. "Send out another team toward the eastern border. Take the best hunters. Leave no trace unchecked."
One of the warriors bowed quickly before running out while another ca in with hurried steps, reporting that there were tracks near the stream but no scent of Kael yet.
"Keep looking," his father said again, his tone cold enough to make the man bow lower before retreating.
Their mother knelt beside Zen. Her eyes were red, and yet her voice was comforting when she spoke. "He will be found, Zen. Don’t cry! We will bring him back."
But Zen could not stop crying. His body shook with small sobs, his words coming out in broken whispers. "It’s my fault... I shouldn’t have told him..."
"Shh," his mother said, brushing the tears from his cheeks with her thumb. "It’s not your fault. Kael should have known better. He does know better than to go near the border and to cross it." She tried to smile, but the expression trembled and broke. "Sothing must have happened on the way. The guards will find him."
Zen’s small hands clutched at her sleeve, his fingers tightening around the fabric. But he said nothing more. He just sat there, silent, staring at the floor while tears rolled down his cheek as he wanted to tell his mother that it really was his fault.
The air around them grew heavier. Even through the mind link, the adult Kael felt that sa weight, that sa cold dread. Lance stood beside him in silence, his eyes fixed on the sight of the younger Zen crying in his mother’s arms. This was the night that had changed them all. And now, they were going to relive it.
The mory rippled again. Soone ran in — a guard, panting hard, his armour stained with mud. "Alpha," he said breathlessly, "we found traces of blood near the rogue line. We believe the young prince was taken by rogues."
The room fell silent. The Alpha’s eyes darkened as he growled, "Double the search. I want every path covered."
The guard bowed deeply and ran out again.
Their father turned to the others in the room. "Everyone, out," he ordered. His tone leaving no room for argunt. "Now."
The warriors and attendants left quickly, even their mother hesitated before she rose slowly, her hand brushing Zen’s head once before leaving the two of them alone.
The large wooden doors closed with a heavy sound that to Zen felt as if it was the end. Was his father going to disown him and bla him for what happened?
Their father’s boots echoed as he walked closer. "Zen, tell what happened."
Zen’s head lifted slowly. "Father, I... I was wrong."
"Tell everything," his father said, kneeling down so that his gaze was level with Zen’s.
Zen swallowed hard, his small hands still trembling. "I... I told Kael that he would be kidnapped by rogues. I told him that and then goaded him that he should go and see for himself. I didn’t an it! I thought he would get angry and chase . I just wanted to tease him because I had that dream of him being taken away."
His voice cracked. "But he went to check. And I ran away. I didn’t think he would actually go. And I didn’t think it would actually happen... I thought it was just a nightmare..."
He pressed his palms to his face as fresh tears spilled down. "If I hadn’t said that... if I hadn’t told him about the rogues... we would have co back with Mama. He wouldn’t have gone there. They wouldn’t have taken him." His words turned to broken cries. "It’s my fault, Father. It’s all my fault!"
His father said nothing for a long mont. He just looked at him, his expression unreadable. Then he reached out and placed a firm hand on Zen’s shoulder. "Look at ."
Zen shook his head. "I can’t—"
"Look at , Zen."
Slowly, Zen lifted his gaze and unexpectedly, his father seed to be even more worried than before. But he was not blaming him...
Instead he asked," Zen, this dream... did you have it at night when you were sleeping?"
Zen shook his head and then looking even more guilty said," No. I... had the dream in the middle of class. It was boring so I must have fallen asleep..."
"I see. And did you ever have any dreams like that in the past, when you were not sleeping but if you followed the dream they turned out to be true?"
Zen nodded with a guilty look," I did. Just this morning, I dreamt that the chef would hide so Moon treats behind the oven to sneak out later. I went there and found the treats so I stole them."
He watched his father wince at that and was about to apologize for stealing as well, when his father said, "Zen, rember,there are things in this world we cannot take back. Words, once spoken, cannot be undone. But this is not your doing. Let the guilt go. As for what you have just told ..I forbid you to tell anyone."
"But father, if I had not told Zen and instead co to you..."
However, his father did not give him a chance to say more as he placed his hand on his shoulders and shook him," Zen! Listen to carefully. You are a SEER. A seer is soone who can see glimpses of the future. But you are forbidden from talking of it! It might be a blessing but also a curse! You told Kael what was going to happen. If you hadn’t told him, even then, nothing woul dhave changed. Kael would have definitely gone there. So, promise this, you will never tell anyone of your powers!
"But father..."
"Promise !"
The little boy nodded," I promise, Father. I will not talk of my power as a Seer..."
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