Years Earlier '

The two boys were drenched when they managed to get past the waterfall and clamber up into the cave. One was the crown prince, destined to one day be emperor. The other was his milk brother, and would one day be his bodyguard and right-hand man. That wouldn 't happen for several more years, and for now they were just two twelve year old kids who were breaking the rules.

'My father is going to kill me if he finds out about this, ' grumbled one of the boys.

The crown prince laughed and gathered his long hair in his hand, twisting and squeezing out the water. 'It 'll be fine, Basen. We 'll get back before he notices we 're gone. '

'Have you met my father? With my luck, he'll be waiting for us at the top of the hole. I probably won't be able to sit down for a week when he 's finished with me. I never should've let you talk me into this. '

The prince grinned, 'If he 's not, we should jump off the cliff again. '