Prince in disguise (CHASE)

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was dressed in Merlins clothes and theey smelt something terrible.
Why he had allowed his friend to dress him up (or down as the case may be), he still didnt know, but he had wanted to spend a day in peace. Apparently this was the best way...

Fortunately, it seemed to be working so far, although Arthur wasnt convinced it was worth the sacrifice. Still, he had managed to browse several market stalls and had even purchased a new pair of riding gloves, all without being spotted.

It was a nice change to feel normal. No one staring or pointing at him, making him feel self-conscious and nervous. But it was also a little disconcerting and Arthur kept turning around to make sure no one was following him.

Once he had finished his shopping, he settled down on a bench in one corner of the market, munching on an apple he had bought earlier, and taking in as much of his surroundings as he could.

[Chase Caldera]

Chase strode through market on his way to his lair in the sewers. Instead of entering through the sewers near to his house he had taken the long route just in case someone followed him. Some called Chase paranoid he called himself prepared. Who knew what Dreamer and the guild might do to discredit him. Ever since the hurricane the guild watched Chase with a close eye waiting to pin something on him.

A figure in the corner of his vision drew his attention. He knew those clothes, it was Merlin! Finally a perfect opportunity to try to patch up Chase's relationship with the guild. Chase rushed towards the corner of the market calling out "Merlin! I have not talked to you in..." Chase trailed off as he realized that Merlin was not the one sitting in the chairs instead Arthur occupied it.

"You" Chase said flatly. His last meeting with Arthur had ended in a massive food fight that eventually engulfed half the nobility. Chase doubted their second meeting would be any better.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur stopped mid-crunch, his face curling into a sneer. He didn't know what it was about this boy that irritated him so much, but every time they met Arthur just had an overwhelming urge to argue.

"Nevermind me" He retorted, slipping his apple into one of Merlins pockets. On second thought he pulled it back out and tossed it over his shoulder- those pockets were disgusting and he was not catching some horrid disease because of Chase.

"How dare you address me in that manner you imbecile." Arthur stood up, puffing out his chest like a proud robin. He hated being challenged.

[Chase Caldera]

Chase waited patiently as Arthur's face set into a sneer. What a pathetically large ego the man had. It made Chase want to crush it. Arthur was nothing more then a glorified swordsman and he thought the whole world would bow to him.

Chase let a small chuckle escape his lips at Arthur's puffed up self. Answering Arthur's question in his most fake polite voice he said, "Never mind you sir? I didn't mean to disrespect you, its just I was looking for someone a little more important." Chase paused to let what he had just said sink in before continuing, "So by calling me an imbecile you hope that it will make my adress politer? I should be the one demanding respect. You are the one without the right to speak to me like that." Chase smiled at Arthur to further infuriate him.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur glared down at Chase, who was slightly shorter than he, with a look of utter contempt. More important? The voice in his head screamed at Chase, while somehow his real voice stayed silent. For now.

"I have every right to speak to you however i see fit." He replied coolly, deciding that his previous tactic of insulting the idiot hadn't worked. "I am your prince, and if you dont show me a little respect boy, i shall have you thrown in gaol for the forseeable future!"

Arthur hid a little smile, knowing full well that he could never justify throwing the boy in gaol, but loving the fact that Chase didn't.

[Chase Caldera]

Chase continued smiling at Arthur in order to infuriate him even farther. Arthur's glare filled Chase with an unholy delight. Taunting people made life so much more interesting. Chase loved the feeling he got when they got mad and he easily banished their arguments with his cold logic.

The smile slipped off Chase's face at Arthur's last sentence. "W-What!" Chase spluttered, "You wouldn't dare! I am a noble! My father would seek revenge if you were to dishonour me so! Uther would never allow it."

Chase paused taking a deep breath forcing himself to calm down and analyse the situation. Surely Arthur was bluffing? Still Arthur was known for taking rash actions. He might be foolish enough to actually do it. Chase would probably be freed once Uther found out but who knew how long that would take. On top of it while the nobles would take it as an affront to their rank that one was imprisoned Chase was not well liked and thus they probably wouldn't stir themselves over him.

His mind running in circles Chase decided to simply wing his response. "So. You would hide behind your authority? Tell me one good reason to respect you besides the fact that you are a prince?"

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

"What Uther doesn't know, won't hurt him." Arthur replied to Chase's blabbering. The insolent boy was right of course, Uther would all but kill Arthur if he were to imprison Chase and to be honest he had little intention of following through with his threat anyway. But he definitely didnt want Chase to know that!

"I do not 'hide behind my authority'" Arthur sneered with a half laugh. "The fact that I am the Prince should be enough to earn your respect- not showing it will earn you nothing but a long night in a cell."

Arthur smiled, turning his back to Chase and slowly added, "So what will it be kid?"

[Chase Caldera]

Chase fumed at Arthur's arrogance. Just because the teen was born a prince he thought he ruled the world. True power lay in adding to the power one was born with. Not simply flaunting it as one went through life. Still Chase was more and more sure that Arthur was bluffing. Not positive but sure enough that he was willing to argue.

"What Uther learns will hurt you!" Chase threatened while struggling to regain his composure. "I will not stay silent at this blatant denial of my rights. If you so much as touch me I will demand a trial."

Chase laughed openly at Arthur's demand for respect. "Respect you? Seriously the best reason for me to respect you is because your father is important? Learn to make your own way through the world. A father's job is to provide a home and the tools necessary for his children to do well. In my short time in Camelot I have already become a full mage. What have you managed in your life oh great one who is worthy of respect?" Chase finished his speech his last sentence dripping with sarcasm. His anger against Arthur had dissipated during his speech.

"So I ask you give me a reason to respect you." Chase asked his smile wide waiting for Arthur's pathetic attempt to reply.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

"Last year I killed the most infamous assassin that ever lived." Arthur retorted simply. He had struggled not to laugh at Chase while he was rambling about how fathers were simply meant to "provide homes and tools for their children". Really? Had he no idea at all of the way a royal family worked?

"I could make your life a misery with a single word." He added with a smile, "and if I quoted your outburst to my father I'm fairly sure he would be more than happy to clear a cell for you too. Watch yourself, for I dont make enemies lightly."

[Chase Caldera]

"The most famous assassin that ever lived?" Chase quoted mockingly, "I think you mean a random guy in the slums who supposedly is part of some 'secret order' called the Brotherhood which is trying to overthrow you." Chase knew well about the Brotherhood, he was a part of it, but their existence was still in the shadows. Few knew with proof that they existed although rumours of them abounded in the slums.

Chase scoffed at Arthur's claim, "Good luck making my life miserable and what have I said that would make your father so mad at me? I have done nothing wrong. You have no right to hold a noble against their will without a good reason." Pausing for a moment Chase replied to Arthur's final threat, "Don't worry I take my enemies seriously as well. Too bad they always end up dying before they provide any amusement." Chase stopped then knowing that if he went any further he would actually get in trouble. It was as close to a threat as he could get.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur blood was boiling. Had it been possible, he would have sworn that steam was about to pour from his ears.

"Don't. Push. Your. Luck." He hissed at the child before him. Mentioning the brotherhood had been the last straw. How did Chase know about them? Had they been canvassing the streets, telling anyone who would listen? Or was Chase part of it all?

Ha! Arthur thought to himself. As if this fool could be part of an organistation as secret and infamous as the Brotherhood! No, he was bluffing and pretending to be more important than he was. That was nothing new.

"My father would have you arrested for the rude and arrogant manner in which you speak to a member of his family." Arthur replied as a last thought. "I don't expect you to listen to me, nor do I care if you choose to. It is simply a warning."

With that Arthur turned on his heel, walking away before he knocked the insolent boy to the floor. But the words that Chase spoke as Arthur walked away left a nasty taste in his mouth. Was there more to Chase than met the eye?

~Fin