This chapter will be solely in William's POV. Hope you like it!

-William-

Another week had passed and William was getting more than irritated that he hadn't gotten the chance to go home yet.

The bannermen his father had called on had finally arrived, two days ago, but they still hadn't dealt with the raiders. His father held meeting after meeting with the commanders but they couldn't agree on how to manage the raiders. Half of them wanted to just rush through the lands and hope that they would come across them. The rest wanted to wait until they made their next move, risking another village getting burned down to the very ground.

The day after their allies had arrived they got word that another village had been burned down.

William wasn't smug or happy about his prediction. He kept it to himself. The destruction and death of another village caused William's father to go in to a fit of rage that he had never witnessed before. He had seen his father get angry and upset about battles before, not that he had attended many but a few, but this was different.

William suspected that the merciless cruelty the raiders possessed was getting to his father. The dead children seemed to hit him very hard. Everyone except William had left the tent as his father started his rage-fueled throwing of scrolls of maps and tankards of ale. He stood where he had been the whole meeting, waiting for his father to get his anger out.

William knew how he felt, he just hid it better and... quite frankly... the only thing that caused him to go in to a similar rage had to involve Jade. Otherwise, he didn't care enough.

At the next meeting William stood to his father's right side while they discussed strategy with the commanders and advisers. They were all talking over each other and it was futile to even hope that they would resolve this now, just like before.

William continued to study the map in front of him in silence.

The two villages that had been burned down were about two days on horseback apart from each other. Meaning that they could be working on the third village as the men around him were arguing. William let his gaze trace the roads and he found two villages that could be potential victims for another attack.

"We have to face them head on." A commander said with the type reasoning that could only belong to a true brute. All force and no thought.

"How do you suggest we do that?" William asked and didn't care if his words were rude.

He was sick of getting nowhere. The men around him went quiet and all eyes turned to him. He pointed on the map with his open hand at the other two villages.

"If our scouts haven't found them then how could we, with an army at our backs nonetheless? They will see us coming and disappear before we can reach them." He continued.

"If they run, they are cowards." The man responded and William could sense that he was offended. The way his mustache twitched said more than his words.

"They are not cowards." William's father stated and put his hands down on the table. He turned his head towards William. "My son is right... They will see us coming, and we have to assume that they have scouts of their own."

"We have to find out where they are hiding." William said quietly to his father. He nodded in agreement. "Preferably soon."

"I know." His father mumbled and stood up. "The problem is that they move faster than us. They don't have the same numbers as us which makes it easier for them to change location quickly. We have to assume that they are on horseback as well."

William frowned.

It would have been easier if the scum were all on foot. Riders were a threat to their infantry.

"Give me three dozen men and I will ride ahead." William said and studied the map again. His father didn't say anything but was watching what William was studying, trying to figure out what he was planning. Between the villages there was a forest...

Maybe they will be there... William thought to himself. It is almost too easy. Are they that stupid? No... They probably think that we are stupid enough to believe that they wouldn't be there, and then hide there, right under our noses... Maybe we are the stupid ones...

"I think they are hiding here." William told his father and put his finger down on the map.

"It's almost too obvious." His father answered. "And do you really think that our scouts would've missed that?" He continued but in a lower voice.

William shrugged his shoulders. It was possible...

"And three dozen men? You could just shout and wave around torches instead... I will, at most, give you twenty..."

"Could be... If it is as obvious as you say then maybe they didn't think of it. That's why I think they are there. It is the perfect place to hide while we are searching for them in every other location. They have shelter in the forest and there are to villages close by, just waiting for them to attack." William said. "Correct me if I am wrong."

His father fell into his own thoughts for a moment. He then pointed at one of the commanders.

"Lord Grehn." William's father said sternly. "I want twenty of your best archers on horseback within the hour."

"Yes, my king." The man said and disappeared.

"What is happening?" The brute asked, offended that he hadn't been part of the decision.

"My son is riding ahead with a group of archers." William's father answered. He pointed to the forest on the map. "We think they could hide out here. If they are, my son will return and we will attack at dawn."

The men nodded in agreement. Some of them argued that this was what there were scouts for, and if they couldn't find the raiders, then why would William?

"Are you questioning me?" His father's voice rumbled impatiently.

"No, your grace. I just think it would be such a tragedy if the prince were to be harmed." A man answered and William turned his eyes towards him.

It was a commander, a bit older than himself but not old enough that he would have respect from the older commanders. He was trying to prove himself.

"To me it sounds like you are not only questioning my father's decision, but also my skills in combat." William said and put his hands behind his back. "Commander." He added but used the title in a demeaning tone.

"Of course not!" The commander exclaimed. "But your grace, you do not have any siblings and if something were to happen to you... There is no one to inherit the throne." The man continued.

William saw his father's gaze turn darker and darker for every word that left the man's mouth.

"Am I correct to assume that you still have no heir yourself yet?" The commander added.

"That is enough." William's father said loudly. "One more word out of you and I will send you on your own!" he growled. "I will not have you questioning my son. Leave. All of you."

William stayed in the tent with his father after all of the men had left.

William poured himself a tankard of ale and drank it with his head filled with thoughts. When he had finished it he poured one for his father and handed it to him. He took a mouthful and a couple of drops trickled down his beard.

"He is right." His father said quietly and sighed. He rubbed his forehead, deep in thought. "We have no heirs if something were to happen to you." He continued.

"What would you have me do about that now?" William asked annoyed. "I will be fine." He said and shrugged his shoulders. "Or are you doubting me as well?"

"I have seen you train, and trained you, since you were four." His father said calmly. "I don't doubt your skills at all. I have also seen you almost kill Loren about three times. But you are my only heir, William." He said and gave his son a look of sorrow. "And the man is right; you don't have an heir of your own yet."

William was the only child and it was because of his mother. She had refused to give birth to any other child. Why William did not know. He also did not know why his mother seemed to despise him so much...

The woman could be spiteful in one moment and in the next she would praise him in front of others. She would tell them how only the best was, and is, good enough for him. It was because of this William suspected that she hated Jade so much. She didn't find her good enough for William, or for herself. She didn't want a common farmer's daughter to take her position after they were gone or stepped down.

William had quickly learnt as a child to not care about what came out of his mother's mouth, be it good or bad. He only cared about what his father thought of him when it came to his parents. His mother had never been much of a mother so he wasn't ashamed about it.

"How are things going with Jade?" His father asked very directly and out of the blue.

William narrowed his eyes suspiciously but didn't let his father see it. He knew where this was going. His father wanted to know so he could assure himself that there would be heirs... and soon.

"What do you mean?" William asked and pretended to not know what his father desired to know.

"Are you still not talking to her?" His father asked annoyed and put his tankard down on the table after finishing it.

"What did you tell her?" William asked instead of answering. "In the gardens... at the ball." He added. "I saw you."

"I know you did." His father responded and grinned mischievously. "We talked about you." He said and stroked his beard slowly.

"Yes, that I know since Jade told me that."

"So you do talk to her?" William threw his hands up in frustration. His father could talk his way around anything with ease.

"Answer me and I will answer you." William demanded. "What did you tell her about me?"

"I told her to give you time." His father answered and sat down in his chair. William leaned against the table and crossed his arms.

To give me time? Time for what?

"She did become more... patient with me... What do you mean by time?" he mumbled. His father smiled and scratched his beard slowly and arrogantly.

"I just... helped the two of you a little." He answered. "You are making it so much harder than it has to be..."

William raised an eyebrow and gave him an impatient look and waited for the rest of his answer.

"I told her that you can be hard to get to know if you don't want to let the person in... Impossible even." He continued. "And then I told her about when you came to tell me about her for the first time. How happy you were." He added.

"Why?" William asked confused. "Why would you tell her about that?"

"To keep her here. She was miserable, my son. She did not know up from down when it came to you. " His father explained.

William felt a sting of pain in his chest when his father said that Jade had been miserable. The memory of Jade's father threatening his life if he ever found out that Jade was unhappy flashed before his eyes.

"The poor girl needed someone to talk to that isn't afraid of you and your temper. I figured that I could mend what you had destroyed that day when she snuck out of the castle."

When I hurt her and screamed at her until her cheeks flooded with tears... William thought in torment.

"And...?" William asked with a low voice.

"And what?"

"What did she say?" he asked, embarrassed that he had to beg for the answer.

"She was disappointed in you. She felt like you didn't care about her..." He sighed and leaned his head in his hand. "The girl wants you to talk to her and treat her like a person." His father continued.

I already know this... William thought. I have already talked about this with her, and apologized for doing it.

"There is something you should tell her." He added carefully afterwards. William met his gaze.

"What?"

"Why you chose her." His father answered. "She is dying to know why you chose her and not some noble girl." He continued.

"Can she not see that for herself?" William asked, but he didn't ask his father. The question was directed to himself.

How can she not see it?

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Not to Jade." His father answered.

"Will you answer me now?" he asked and drummed the fingers of his other hand against the chair's armrest.

"If you're asking if I am talking to her, then yes. I am." William answered. His father nodded in contentment. "What?" He asked impatiently when it was obvious that his father had something more to say.

"Think... if you had only let her in faster and showed her some kindness instead of putting on that mask you got from your mother... You would probably have been married by now." He said in a smug manner. "Maybe even an expecting father." William raised his eyebrows.

The image was a nice one, but since Jade was a girl with a mind of her own and actual self-worth, it wouldn't have mattered. She wouldn't have married him faster just because he had been better and kinder to her. She would still have put up a fight to make sure he respected her.

William still wasn't sure if she would have him as her husband - but he hoped... If not, then there wouldn't be any heirs. He didn't want anyone else.

"Say what you want to say. Was all of this just about the fact that I don't have an heir to take over if I fall of Dimma and die?" he asked agitated and threw his arms out to his sides.

"Yes." His father answered very directly. "It would be unwise to throw you out in battle without an heir, or two." He said.

"So... You do doubt me?" William was getting really angry.

"I-"

"I don't want to hear it." William interrupted him and walked out.

William went back to his own tent. His temper was getting the best of him and he needed to see her... It felt like it would be the only thing that could calm him down. He threw his gloves on the bed and changed into new clothes.

After he got help getting into his armor and was then left alone again. His father's words stayed with him and his mind drifted off to Jade, as it always did whenever he got a moment of privacy.

William sat down by the temporary desk that was placed in his tent and picked up a dagger. Lost in thought he carved the table with the dagger. His heart felt empty... He missed her so severely that it actually hurt inside of him. But he couldn't tell anyone. The commanders obviously doubted him as it was and if they heard of him missing Jade... they would never respect him.

I have to find the raiders... if not... it will take me forever to earn their respect. I cannot let father defend me whenever they question me. I have to prove myself to them... He thought and clenched his hand around the shaft of his dagger.

An hour later William was sitting in his saddle and Dimma was eager to go. He gave the stallion two appreciative pats on his neck and reassured the black steed that they would leave soon. Dimma neighed in frustration and threw his head a little.

"I know..." William chuckled. "We will ride soon, my friend." He whispered and studied their surroundings.

The archers were getting ready and they wore light armors to make as little noise as possible. William had his regular armor on and his father's house's dark green color on his cloak that was attached to his shoulders. Between the clasps that fastened his cloak, hanged a chain beneath his clavicle. In the chain their family crest engraved on a medallion was fastened. The two lion heads facing each other had many meanings but William's father had told him what his father had told him when he was a child; the two lions were father and son; a king and his heir.

Finally,the archers were ready and in their saddles. William rode up in the lead and was accompanied by Lord Grehn. He nodded respectfully towards William.

"Are you joining us, Lord Grehn?" he asked politely.

"I am, your grace." He answered equally as politely. "I don't send out my men without coming with myself if I can avoid it." He continued and gesticulated tohis men behind them.

Smart... It earns him the respect and trust from his men. William thought.

"An honorable thing to do." William responded and received a pleased look fromthe man to his left. "Have you informed your men of what we are doing?" he asked and got an affirmative nod in response. "Are you and your men ready? Lord Grehn nodded and whistled at his men to get their attention.

"We ride with Prince William, son of King Uldard!" He shouted. "It has been a long time since the sorry lot of you got to ride with royals! So don't embarrass me, or I will have your heads before the scum we are hunting will!"

The men responded with cheers and laughter.

Some even sounded like they were excited. William felt a rush of excitement go through him and motioned his cavalry forward and out of the camp.

------------------------------------------------------------

I hope you liked this chapter even though it was only from William's POV. This was not in my original script but I had such a good time writing it so I made it into a whole chapter! It gives the reader a chance to see William interact closely with his father and their chemistry. The chapter also provides, according to me, the reader with a deeper insight in William's struggle and longing for being respected as the future leader he will become one day.

I hope you had a great weekend!

Love Jenny.