He landed on earth when he was certain they lost the snake. Tristan lowered him. "You can stop hollering now."

Asher peeked with one eye then opened the other one. "Phew! That was fun," he said. "Where did you learn how to do that?"

"I was taught."

"You're so cool! Gliding on trees like that, are you a monkey?"

"Thanks, and no."

"You're a monkey!"

"No, I'm not."

"Yes you are, monkey Tristan!" he hopped sideways, scratched his sides and made monkey sounds. "ooh ooh ah ah!"

Tristan marvelled at his action. "What kind of prince are you? Were you raised in a barn?"

"No, in a castle, why do you ask?"
…

After another long day, they settled in a nearby cave. Asher stretched. "What a day."

Tristan took off his mask.
The prince is too stupid to remember what I look like.

Asher paused with widened eyes. "Woah..."

Tristan darted with his peripheral view. "What?"

"If all bandits are this hot, I wouldn't mind being their hostage," he smirked.

A light shade of pink appeared on Tristan's cheeks, his heart skipped a beat. "What! D-Did you hit your head or something?"

Tristan gathered leaves so Asher could sleep while he leaned on a rock opposite to the prince, shortly after their dinner it started drizzling.

Tristan looked through the mouth of the cave, the gentle shower and petrichor-filled air gave off an earthly pleasant scent of wet soil and vegetation.

His eyebrows furrowed at a tiny sob. Tristan darted to the prince with dilated eyes. "Are you crying?"

He nodded with a sniff.

"Why?"

"I miss my mommy," Asher wiped his eyes.

Tristan paused. "Hmm... how old are you?"

“Twenty... one," he said in between sobs.

Tristan blinked twice.
A year older than me? And he acts fifteen.

Asher laid on the pile of leaves. "Mommy used to sing me to sleep, especially on rainy days, will you sing a lullaby for me?"

After a short silence Tristan exhaled. "I can't sing, but I'll try."
…

When the sun was up Asher opened his eyes, Tristan who was already dressed turned to him. "Good morning, your majesty, how was your sleep?"

Asher sighed. "You were right, you're a terrible singer, my ears hurt a little."

He frowned.
What an ingrate!

They set out after an hour, their journey was smooth— no attack from wild animals and Asher didn't eat or touch anything harmful.

The weather became chilly after the sun's shift was over. "It's getting cold," Asher rubbed his shoulders.

The rain thrummed on the waterlogged soil, vengeful clouds thundered and turned pitch black like it was midnight, tall trees danced to the tune of the wind's howl. Their feet were muddy and clothes drenched by the torrential downpour. 

Tristan reached for Asher's hand, he ran into a nearby cave with a torch. The light flickered then went off when they were halfway inside the cave.

"C'mon, not now," Tristan sighed then looked at Asher. "Don't panic, we'll think of another way."

The prince began to hum a sweet song. Tristan's eyes dilated as Asher's strands shone golden at each tune.

"Let's go," Asher led the way, his hair illuminated the darkness, Tristan hesitated for a minute before he tagged along.

They settled down inside. Tristan gawked in disbelief at his glowing hair, Asher chuckled as their eyes met. "I was born this way, mother says I can overcome anything because I am the light," he touched the tip of his hair.

"I see..." Tristan muttered, a hint of sadness lingered in his voice. "I'll make a fire," he got up.

"Okay," he said, then continued humming until there was fire.

Only the crackles of burnt branches and an awkward silence filled the air. Tristan raised his head. "I-If you don't mind, can I ask a question?"

"Go ahead," the prince said.

"Why and when does it glow?"

"I don't know, it happens when I hum the song," Asher shrugged.

The silence resurfaced as Tristan went back into his head.

He must be missing his mom more than I thought, for a prince dragged from the comfort of his palace to a forest his adaptation skills are impressive. Maybe it's because he has no choice.

Tristan glanced at the prince. "Do you wish to go home?"

"Huh?" Asher's brows creased like he misheard.

"Do you miss the palace?"

"Yeah, I do. Everything apart from my boring lessons."

He hesitated. "Do you think I'm a bad person?"

The prince paused. "Hmm... not totally, I guess you're just trying to survive, right? I can't judge because I’m royalty."

Tristan nodded then bowed his head.
Prince Asher is a... compassionate person
…

They resumed walking, then finally came to the end of the forest. A few steps down the hill were timber-framed buildings— the spaces between the wooden structures filled with plaster and roofs made of thatch.

"Is that..." Asher pointed.

"Yup, the town of Ashernia," he said.

"Great, let's go," the prince walked.

"Wait, prince."

Asher turned to him.

"It was quite the adventure, but I'm taking you back."
…

Asher processed the information. "I don't understand, back to where?"

"Your castle."

"Really? What about your ransom?"

"Don't ask, follow me, I know a shortcut."

"Okay," Asher smiled.

They got close to the castle walls in less than an hour. Asher gasped. "Finally! Home sweet-"

"Shh!" Tristan froze as the bushes rustled. A pair in black masks jumped from the trees.

"Betty? Ethan? Why are you here?"

"Tristan! What are you doing?" Betty sighed, shaking her head.

He paused. "The right thing."

"Who cares? I just want the cash," she said.

Ethan darted to Asher then laughed. "I knew it! It's a guy, no wonder the sudden change of heart," he smirked.

Tristan scowled.
What's his problem? He always says things like this.

Tristan snatched Asher's hand and cut through his gang members, displacing their balance.

"Tristan!" They chased after him.

Tristan halted in a second then took a sharp turn.

Asher turned when he noticed his absence. "Tristan-"

"Run," he blocked Betty's mid-air kick. Tristan glanced at the prince. "I'll hold them off, don't look back!"

"Dumbass! I'm going to kill you," Ethan threw punches, Tristan barely dodged them, he darted to Betty racing behind him.

Asher ran without turning back as he was told, he stopped two palace guards, probably searching for him in the forest.

"Your majesty!"

"Prince! Are you alright?”

Asher stopped to catch his breath, he pointed into the forest. "Please, help-"

They charged into the woods with their weapons. Betty and Ethan sprang to a tree branch. "Abort mission!"

They surrounded and pointed their swords at Tristan. "You're under arrest."

He raised his hands in submission.