When Tallan came to, he felt elevated. His stomach and shoulder stung, a pinging sensation firing. He winced and slightly groaned, unable to keep his eyes open. He could feel the warmth of someone else, though remained quiet as he didn't feel strong enough to even speak.

Tallan woke up in a room that seemed familiar in a way that it wasn't. Above him was a high ceiling, made of stone and marble. He looked around for a moment, his eyes adjusting to the leaking light from the grand window to his right side. Tallan realized he was indeed somewhere new when he saw the face of a woman to his other side.

"Do not move. Your wounds are great, boy," she said, almost like she hated what she had done. Tallan huffed softly, slowly sitting up in the bed he laid in. His ragged shirt was gone, bandages and wraps against his skin. He looked down, only seeing the slightest bit of blood but it appeared to be old. He looked at the woman again who continued whatever it was she was doing.

"How long have I been here?" Tallan mustered up, his voice hoarse.

"Two days. You were found near our woods by by our Prince," she explained gently. Tallan shook his head.

"Where am I?" Tallan asked.

"You ask a lot of questions when you should be grateful your life has been saved," the woman spoke, her tone growing sour. Tallan winced, nodding, and stayed quiet the remainder of her time in the room with him.

"You may have a few visitors today. It isn't often we save what's outside our walls," she murmured before slipping through the heavy wooden doors, a bloodied pan in hand. Tallan sighed softly, adjusting his weight in the bed.

Tallan managed to rise to his feet, looking around the room. It was rather large - too large to be some sort of medical space. His feet were cold against the flooring, to which he shivered, but quickly adjusted as he began very slowly moving towards a bookcase. He observed them, dust collected all over them. He gave a distasteful look before pulling one off, flipping through its pages.

All of this was foreign to him. Had Tallan truly traveled this far? He looked around again, trying to make sense of it all. There had to be something that explained where he was, and when he found a thicker book, he grasped it and returned to the bed. He sat down, the book open in his lap. He found nothing. No kingdom name, lineage... was he even alive?

That's when Tallan decided he would have to wander. His dirty pants were his only article of clothing on, so he hoped anyone who would see him would be quick to realize he was in no place for a fight. He was hot and pale, his face a ghostly white. He was hungry, too, and maybe he could find something to ease the emptiness in his stomach.

Tallan slipped through the doors and looked around. Nobody was in the current corridor, but he heard very faint chatter. He began walking, his footsteps light as he held his side gently. He turned the corner, and to his luck, he found himself smelling homemade bread that permeated the air. He gave a small smirk before following the smell, soon entering some sort of kitchen.

A woman noticed him.

"You should be sleeping," she spoke. She was quite young, perhaps younger than himself, and gave a soft look towards Tallan.

"I haven't ate..." he trailed off. "Does everyone here know who I am?" Tallan inquired.

"We know you were found by our prince in the woods. You obviously don't know how to handle yourself," she said, grabbing a loaf of bread and tearing it in half. She tossed it towards Tallan, who caught it.

"Thanks," he said with the offer of a small smile.

"I'm Joanna," she said.

"Tallan," he replied, gesturing with the bread.

Her eyes slightly widened, and he felt a few more eyes on him.

"Like... Tallan Facklor?" Joanna questioned him, placing a hand on her hip.

Tallan nodded reluctantly.

"You're a long way from home then." Joanna turned her back before approaching Tallan. He was only slightly taller than her, her eyes a deep hazel color meeting his own.

"The Unwanted. Word travels fast you know. Most think you went and wandered off into the wilderness to die. Perhaps that is true," she continued on. Tallan said nothing.

"Personally, you look weak doing that," she said while pointing to his bandages.

"You disagree with the revoking of my title?" Tallan asked.

"I believe the Gods would know the answer to that," she said with a small chuckle.

"You're a tease!" Tallan exclaimed, laughing as well.

Tallan began talking to the other women in the kitchen, hoping it was okay for him to be there.

Tallan noticed the demeanor change in the women, especially Joanna. He turned to see a new face, someone regal and clean, who he was quick to assume was royalty. Tallan adjusted himself slightly, his heart beginning to race. However, with the words of the man, Tallan felt more at ease. He was expecting a scold or a yell, but instead, felt more invited than he had anticipated.

"I was looking to find out where I was..." Tallan trailed off, raising the eaten bread. He laughed unsurely, adjusting and holding his side again.

This man was indeed Tallan's savior. He gave a slight bow to the best of his abilities. "Thank you," he said softly in return. Tallan glanced at Joanna who was closely watching them, assuming she had some authority in this room. Tallan looked back at the man.

"I appreciate your kindness," Tallan replied, another thank you. He gave a slight upturn of his lips before the man was practically right in front of him. He looked at him, taking in the details of his face. Tallan nodded at his words. He knew deep down these people could probably peace together who he was, especially now since he was slightly cleaner and a bit more recognizable. Tallan swallowed slightly, though not out of fear.

"I have no means to make enemies. I need help," Tallan spoke softly.

"Oh! My manners... I'm Tallan," he said. "I'm glad you've welcomed me here and your hospitality won't go unnoticed," Tallan was quick to add. He had almost forgotten who he was, though as the prince before him said - Tallan was no beast.

Tallan looked at the women as the prince spoke to all. His tone was authoritative though not threatening. Tallan felt welcomed, and wasn't sure how often he could say that without sounding like a wounded bird. Tallan held his side as the man addressed one of the cooks, and before he knew it, his attention was back to him.

"Yes," Tallan quickly responded. "It is a... long one, one you may have heard by now." Tallan looked to Joanna who began cutting some greens nearby, though was more focused on her work than the two men.

"Must I address the King?" Tallan then asked. He wanted to know what kingdom he was currently taking sanctuary in, but struggled to find the courage to ask.

"Kyrie, you must be a fool if this boy doesn't appear to be someone we've already heard of," Joanna said, setting her knife aside. Although her tone was teasing, Tallan almost looked ashamed a guilty, like a puppy who had gotten into something he wasn't meant to. He looked at Kyrie for a moment, awaiting some sort of reaction.

There was something of fear in Tallan's eyes. Perhaps a denounced heir was worse than a peasant boy. Tallan was unsure what could be happening back home and how the people were doing, especially his mother and the twins. He looked down at the ground, playing with the bread in his hand before he would finish eating it.

Tallan then looked slightly surprised. Kyrie. Prince. That's the name he heard at a small village! Tallan looked up again towards him and his eyes were quick to soften again. Perhaps the Gods were listening to him, but Tallan couldn't believe it. He remained quiet however, but his realization would be obvious to spot.