Look Beyond the Horizon

A/N: hi there! Sorry for the late update. I'm totally sorry for not updating this chapter earlier even though it had been written a long time ago. *Cringes at the glares* hehehe…. I kinda got the lazy bug that love to infect authors.

Anyway enough talk, here goes the story.

Chapter 3: The New Stable Boy

The great ball of fire stood proudly in the sky as its heat beat down onto sweaty tanned bodies. Pivoting on his left foot, Drake dodged his opponent's attack and sends him his own. With a quick leg manoeuvres; he hooked his opponent's leg and send him toppling down. Using his right leg, he applied pressure onto the man's chest.

"If it was a real battle, you would have lost your own head, Gregory."

The newly recruited lad gulped and nodded his head. Acknowledging the nod, Drake eased his leg off and pulled the well-built lad onto his feet with great ease. Tired yet eager eyes stared back at him, waiting for his command.

"In a battle, use everything you have, from your head to your toe. But before that, find your opponent's weakness. It is more reliable than hitting blindly." Pinning his eyes at the heaving Gregory for a while, Drake continued. "Who can tell me what was Gregory's flaw?"

At first, none dared to answer. Slowly a blond haired lad voice outs, "Your majesty…" On seeing Drake's frown, he instantly stopped.

Sighing inwardly, Drake chastised. "Let me remind you lads that while I am here, teaching you the arts of war, you will address me as your commander, your lord, not a royalty nor a prince. Is that understood?" Instantaneously collective ayes were heard. Turning back to the already quaking blond haired before, Drake spoke, "You were saying lad?"

Taking a deep breath, the lad tried again. "Gregory's flaw was that he failed to remain eye contact and use his feet."

Seeing an approval nod from Drake, the lad breathed out a sigh of relief. Soon, more participated in the topic.

Striding into the great hall, Drake motioned to a flaming haired well-built man. Taking his own sweet time, the man sauntered to the sweaty prince. Clearing his throat, he announced his presence. "You called mi'lord?"

"Drop the damn formalities, Marcus," Drake scowled at his first in command.

Smirking, Marcus passed a pitcher of ale to his childhood friend. "What ails you my friend?"

Gulping down the refreshing ale, Drake eyed his trustful friend over his mug. "I need you to do an errand for me."

Seeing the stoic look on his friend's face, Marcus immediately straighten and took a seat at the sturdy soldier's table. "I need you to find every information there is on Baroness Oakwood and her daughter, Lilac. Do everything you must to get the information," Drake continued as he stared Marcus in the eye.

Marcus was incredulous. A woman? He had thought the grave subject would at least about their neighbouring country but this? He was about to voice his opinions when he caught the look Drake was giving him. Instantaneously, he pushed the thought away. With a curt nod, Marcus moved to do his commander's bidding.

Bustling through the kitchen, Lilac went to see the soiled dishes that sorely need her attention. With expertise, Lilac took one of the dirty plates and began scrubbing. She was on her last few dishes when a troubled scream reached her.

"Lady Lilac! You have to help! It's Starfure! She is throwing a tantrum!" a plumb middle age woman cried out.

Worry crossed her face. Quickly rinsing off her soapy hands, Lilac asked, "Show me where she is, Mary."

Lilac was flushed and out of breath. She had to run since the distance from the kitchen to the stable is quite a far distance. Worst still, her mare have a tendency to kick and hurt the people around her if she is not there to calm her in five minutes. Something must have terrified her terribly to scare her normally brave mare.

Instead of meeting the frantic eyes of the stable master, Old Sam greeted her with a toothy grin. Lilac was confused. "Mary told me Starfire went crazy."

"Aye she did lass. She nearly killed yer olde Sam here when she kicked me in me back lass. Tis a good thing the lad is here. Me don't know how he did it but yer mare had calmed down. Me didn't believe it till me see it with me own eyes."

 The black beauty didn't wait to listen to the ending and rushed into the stable. It is impossible! No one could handle Starfire except her. She had to see this miracle!

True to his words, the once crazed wild mare stood calmly beside a tall well-built man. Starfire had lowered its head and the man was whispering words into her ear while he gently strokes her mane. As if sensing her mistress, the white mare looked into her direction and neighed.

"You calmed her down," Lilac broke the silence as she walked to the duo.

A small smile played at the red haired man as he continued to stroke the mare. "She is a beauty."

"I named her Starfire."

"It's a great name." True it is since on the mare's forehead has an orange coloured star.

Lilac scrutinised the man as she joined him in stroking her mare. "No one in the household could tame Starfire when she is mad except me. You are not from here are you?"

Marcus smiled inwardly. He could understand why Drake is interested her. Turning around, he faced her. He was told that she a bewitching creature but drake didn't tell him how bewitching. Now he knew.

"My greatest apologies if my presence upset you mi'lady. I was searching for the mistress of the manor to apply for a work in the stables when I heard a commotion in here." Lilac stopped herself from frowning. No commoner would have spoken in such a way. What is his business? She decided to play the game.

"Are you good in horses?"

"Not entirely, mi'lady. I can assure you that I am hardworking and eager in my work."

Guiding Starfire back to her stable, Lilac smiled. "I shall try to make you a part of the household by the end of the day."

True enough, Marcus was employed by the end of the day. As Marcus fork the last pile pf hay, Marcus smiled his sincere smile. He is starting to like her already.

Dark silver eyes glanced at the occupants. Expectant and eager eyes answered the question. A soft sigh escaped Drake's lips. If it is one thing he hated the most, it is the assembly. Might as well end it quickly.

"A law against household members abusement."

Surprised and questioning eyes stared at the prince for further explanation. By gad! Family members protection?

Inwardly amused, glinting coal eyes watched expectantly at the refreshing show. He knew Prince drake is going to bring the matter up. And it is going to cause a fantastic stir in the House of Lords. You can reckon that he will be at every one of them to watch it.

Glancing around again, silver eyes at last rested at the centre of the magnificent polished oak table. "It has come to his attention that some household members are treated unjustly even as we speak."

A resounding murmur and gasp echoed the enormous room. Plucking up his courage, Baron Wedgelock raised up his hand. "Begging your pardon, your majesty. We would like to know from where the notion originated."

Onyx eyes glinted again with amusement when he noted the tick in Prince Drake's jaw. What was the motto again? Be damned with title? Or was it never to question his motive?

"A research that some of my men had done." And I, he added silently as familiar words rang in his mind.

"But why isn't there any complaints about it?" Marquis Witchire asked.

A strong hand ran through his flaming red hair. Guess he had to knock some sense into those fools after all. With a sigh, the man opened his black eyes. "What if you were the victim? Would you complain to the local magistrate knowing that the devil will get his revenge on you once he had found that you were responsible for it?"

Immediately the House of Lords quieten. At last they had some sense. Drake thanked Marcus silently at his logical outburst. He had thought his friend would just sit at the corner and watched the entire scenario like he used to. But Drake was glad he didn't.

"But who in their right mind would do such thing?"

"Yes! And why?"

Highly irritated that the meeting is taking more time than he expected, Drake drawled out, "Money. Revenge. Jealously. Hatred. Many would do that. It may even be one of you. Or all of you."

The House of Lords was highly insulted at the assumption and immediately loud nays and complaints echoed. "We wouldn't do such a thing! After all we are from the House of Lords!" At that comment, collective ayes were heard.

Impudent and ignorant fools, he spat quietly. If they think they are perfect because of titles, why they are very wrong. "Would you like to prove that, Lord Manskin?" Drake eyed dangerously at the plumb aristocrat. Immediately the high nose aristocrat gulped.

"How would you know that what you are doing is right? That it is just to everyone in the household even to the workers? Is it because none dared to come forward to voice their distress or because you have a title therefore you think highly of yourselves? As Marcus had said just now gentlemen, would you dare to complain knowing the devil would get back at you sooner or later?"

Silver eyes eyed dangerously at the faces of the meeting. Guiltily, each and every one of them, moved their gazes away or took a coward's way out, they bowed their heads. "I thought so. Only a small group of brave people would do such a thing and bared the punishments." Once again images of a creamy white body with whip marks flashed through his mind. Drake took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

Resting his chin on his fist, he leaned over. "What is it to be then? Will you stand with me or against me?"

Silence hovered over the House of Lords as each of the occupants thought over their decision. After sometime, a collective cheer resounded.

Daring a small smirk, Marcus congratulated Prince Drake silently.

Straightening from his seat, Marcus head towards the big doors and walked out. Now it is his turn to accomplish his mission. By some means his guts told him that it is his best mission ever.

Drake smiled inwardly at his friend's antic. Who would have dared to depart from a monarch without seeking permission likewise waving his leave over his shoulder without even facing him? Well only Marcus dared to do so and that is why he is more like a brother to Drake than a soldier. Turning his attention to matters at hand, he frowned. Damn when is this thing going to end?

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A/N: sorry for the short chapter… I got the writer's block… you guys should understand…lol bye then and see ya guys in the next chapter!!!