An Adventure Begins

Young, wild, and free. Since the beginning of time, the youth have dared to progress forward, act on impulses and leave logic with the elders who cherish their bond with Father Time that strengthens with each sunrise. Odd. The Adolescence are barely aware of his presence.

This is especially true for those born with an adventurer's essence. They're instinctively nomadic by nature, free of the constraints of societal norms. Continuously questioning their surroundings and challenging the answers to those questions. Seeking understanding with voracious hunger. This essence is called Arkats.

Some were born with more Arkats, and others are diligently developing this energy through life experiences, consistently pushing their limits. Adamand was not only born with a tremendous amount but spent every waking moment nurturing it. He was unfortunate enough to be born as the only heir to his father's kingdom, a curse for someone who wants to see everything beyond what he's able to see. For now, he has been sufficing by feasting on local voyages in his luxurious prison cell…the massive castle that he's expected to reign over in four years' time.

The young prince spends his days escaping his bodyguard detail of 15 elite soldiers handpicked by the King himself. He deems it a bit excessive. Rightfully so, due to the nature of his predicament. The eldest of five with four younger sisters in a monarchy nation. His highness recognized Adamand's thirst for adventure is abnormally vast in his toddler years. Seeing this so early, he attempted to have more sons as a contingency plan. He knew it was inevitable that he would leave, which would ultimately doom the kingdom.

The future ruler was smart, athletic, and patient. These three components allowed him to produce strategies that would appear as if his actions were impromptu. A work of art to see. Had he purposed his innate talent for his birthright, there would be no doubt that he would go down in global history as arguably one of the most prolific rulers in the world. However, he chose the life of an adventurer.

He couldn't take it any longer. His Arkats was overflowing like a teacup filled to the brim. The chosen one devoted all his free time reading text about faraway lands describing geography that his imagination could barely fathom. The night that he decided that to take his life back was when the scroll detailed something that felt he must possess. Even if it was only a fable, he was determined to embark on a journey to locate the mystical item that the scroll mentioned. He was too fascinated with the description. He became obsessed! The wise King noticed it all.

The current ruler was without options and knew he had to contain his son to the castle by any means. The King was very astute to his first born. He was always the knew where to locate him when he skipped out on lessons and could debunk any plan he had of escaping his guard detail. The leader of the monarch land was a sly fox in his old age. It was as if the King and prince were constantly playing a live form of chess, with the King knowing must win before the first moved was made. He did admire his son's tenacity and will though.

Adamand reminds the King of his younger years when he once wanted to set out on adventures on his own. Unfortunately, he made the decision to fulfill the destiny of becoming the sovereign. Ultimately restricting his mobility forever for the sake of being the precise figured head of the country. He still dreams of adventure from time to time, but acknowledges that those days are beyond him now.

The royal leader was confident that he had thought of everything and added an additional 20 steps to his new chess strategy to quiet the brewing storm within his child. He had thought of everything…or so he thought. Then one morning. His son was gone in an instant.

The King was perplexed; he thought of everything. He knew his whereabouts and what he would do while he was there. How could this happen? As he looked out his window, he noticed a letter in Adamand's handwriting with details of why and how this happened.

Adamand opted to leave the next foggy dawn. The guards were the most on edge at night. Most attackers believe that's the best time due to low visibility. Still, he noticed that the security relaxes a tad more during daybreak through his thorough surveillance over the years. Almost as a sigh of relief of making through another night without an attack.

On that particular morning, it started as routinely as ever. The only difference was in a single moment, the prince's plan was initiated and in an instant, he vanished in the wind. By the time the staff had realized that his highness was missing, he had an hour's head-start. He had been planning for this moment his whole life. The staff, the guards, and even his father were utterly defenseless. He gradually stored supplies and equipment while he would play hooky during his study time. He memorized every hall, nook, and cranny of the castle so he knew the floorplan as if he was the architect himself. He diligently studied the standard procedure guards utilized for searching for missing royal family members. Checkmate.

The letter then goes on to tell his father about his mission. There are stories about a tree that has been enchanted by the stars above. Legend has that this tree bears pear shape fruit that allows the mind to travel a separate plane. Each pear gifting the ability to peer into a unique world.

Adamand always noticed how his father's longing gaze at the horizon and knew his Arkat never depleted over the years. Because of this, there was always some sadness in his eyes. The son decided to make it his life goal to capture a seed and return it to the homeland so his father could partake in adventures as well. He also relinquished his right to the throne to his second sister, Delilah. He informed his father that Delilah was best suited to be the next leader. She wanted nothing more in life than the opportunity to do so. He even forged a creed issued to the land declaring Delilah the next to rule, copying the King's handwriting flawlessly.

Delilah was in the courtyard below the window, worried about her brother and equally ecstatic about the news. If the ruler refuted now, it would crush her. At that moment, the King called off the search for his son and smiled. It seems the prince played the long-con. He truly thought of every counter, and the King had lost in every way.

"Well played, my son," the King chuckled to himself. "Well wishes on your voyage to the Enchanted Pear Tree."