| Chapter 11 |
| Prince Lance sighed sadly, getting up from the window sill of Joey's store and not meeting his friends' eyes. He shifted uncomfortably and stared at his feet. "I guess I'm going to go now," he whispered. Chris sighed and stood beside Lance, rubbing his back soothingly. "Come on Lance, you don't really believe Justin is ignoring you, now do you?" he asked. "I *saw* the way you two were looking at each other. He wouldn't just leave ya hanging without a good reason. He-" "That's *enough*," said Lance, his voice low and irritated. "I do not wish to speak of him right now." He looked back and forth between Chris and Joey. "Got it?" Joey sighed and nodded. "Yeah, we got it. But you know Lance, if Justin were here right now-" "But he's *not* here right now, is he Joey?" asked Lance, his voice eerily calm. He turned to Chris and cocked his head to one side, his eyes narrowed. "*Is* he?" The question wasn't meant for an answer, and Lance nodded in the silence. "That's what I thought." Forgetting to put the hood back over his head, Lance left the store, slamming the door behind him. The people near the store whipped their heads around at the loud noise, their eyes growing wide as the whispers and rumors started spreading like fire. "It's Prince Lance..." "What's he doing here..." "...looking for a bride..." "...stay away, he looks mad..." "...fired the baker, I suppose..." Lance ignored their words as well as them, choosing to stalk through the crowds. Seeing royalty coming through, the people immediately spread like the Read Sea, allowing Prince Lance a path to walk on. His first thought was to just head straight for the castle, grab the first willing lady he saw, marry her and be done with it. However, as he passed the blacksmith's shop, his steps slowed down and he grew angry, remembering that Justin was friends with the owner. Deciding to take a detour, he walked inside the open door, slamming it in the faces of the people who had followed him. ~*~ Josh's head whipped up from the horseshoe he was mending when he heard the front door slam. Wiping his sooty hands on his apron and running his arm across his forehead to rid himself of the sweat that had collected there, he stepped out into the front of the store. Seeing a man in a brown robe standing with his back to him, Josh cleared his throat. "May I help you?" The man did not turn around for a few minutes, and Josh waited patiently. With a sigh, the man finally turned to face him and Josh's eyes widened in shock. "Prince Lance," he said calmly, but with surprise evident in his voice. "What brings you here?" Lance looked over the man's face. Although he was sweating from the heat, and had coal smudged on his cheeks, he was a very handsome man. He had a strong profile, a Greek nose, and perfect lips -- nevertheless, Lance noted, he wasn't Justin. He stepped up to the man and crossed his arms in front of him. "Do you know a young man by the name of Justin Randall? Curly hair, blue eyes?" he asked. Josh's eyes widened and Lance could see the fear and worry cloud the silver-blue orbs. "Yes, I know him," he said, stepping closer to Lance, "and what of it? Is he hurt? Did something happen to him? Oh, *dammit* all I knew I should have gotten him out of that hell hole sooner!" Lance's face softened as he watched the blacksmith start to panic, and he grabbed the man's arms to hold him still. "Wait, you've got it all wrong," said Lance. "He is not hurt. At least, not that I am aware of." Josh stopped wiggling, his breathing still heavy as he met the prince's gaze. He looked at Lance's face, again noticing the unusual shade of green in his eyes. He looked him over and saw that he was dressed in a long, brown robe. Overall, he was a very handsome young man. One might even say that he was beautiful. JC's eyes widened and a small smile broke out on his face. "You know Justin?" he asked. "You wouldn't happen to be *the* Lance, now would you?" Though he tried hard not to, Lance blushed, releasing his grip on Josh's arms. "I guess that would be me," he said. Josh grinned wider, his eyes sparkling as he looked over Lance. "I've heard a lot about you, sir," he said. "Well, all that Justin could tell me after seeing you for the first time. Did you ever meet again?" Lance blushed even harder and dropped his gaze to the floor, remembering all of touches and kisses shared between him and Justin the night of the party. "Yes, we did," he said. Josh laughed and patted Lance's back. "I'll bet!" he grinned. "So, Prince Lance, what brings you here?" Lance cleared his throat, his face hardening slightly. "Justin was supposed to meet me here today, and he never showed up." Josh could see the hurt pass over Lance's face and in his eyes before it was replaced by a blank look. "He never showed?" he asked, starting to worry again. Lance shook his head, causing Josh to sigh. "Damn," he whispered, raising his head to meet the prince's eyes. "Listen, Lance, can I call you that?" Lance nodded. "Look Lance, I've known Justin for a very long time. He's practically grown up before my eyes, and let me tell you, the day he came in here and started going on and on about you ... I have *never* seen him talk with so much passion about something. Ever. As much as he's been through, and no matter how hard he tries to hide it, he fell in love with you." Lance's eyes were wide with unshed tears that refused to fall. "Then why didn't he come today?" he whispered. Josh sighed. "That part's a little harder to explain. I don't suppose he's gotten around to telling you about his life yet?" Lance shook his head, and Josh pulled out two chairs for the both of them to sit on. "Well, have a sit down Prince Lance and let me tell you a story." |