The Lost Prince
CHAPTER 39 THE PREMONITION OF DHAFIN

The day before the selection of the army recruits, Brian gathers his friends; Dhafin, Aziel, Keenan, and Kelvin.

Their meeting place this time was at the home of one of Brian's friends on the southeastern edge of the city. It is located on the edge of the forest and a bit far from other settlements.

Brian's friend was named Chafik. He is from the common people. Living alone in his small house because both of his parents had died of severe illness.

He who works as a pikulan in the center of the city, today did not enter work to welcome his great guest, Prince Brian and four friends.

It was still early in the morning and they were already engaged in the conversation. Except for Chafik who just kept quiet because he did not understand what was being said.

To this day, Henry has not joined them. And that clearly unsettled Brian and the other three children. If Hendry is not present when the tournament has begun, they must force Dhafin to join Brian's team even though Dhafin does not want to participate.

"I am increasingly convinced that Hendry has been caught by the people of the Kingdom of Lengkara," Kelvin said.

"That's also what's been bothering me up until now" Brian said.

"On Hendry later we discussed," said Aziel proposed. His voice is cold. "We'll talk about the tournament that will be held later."

"Sul Aziel is right, Prince," support Keenan. "We're postponing talking about Hendry. After all, if he was caught, he would not die. Same thing happened to Jarvis."

"If Jarvis and Hendry are caught" Dhafin said, "they will be made into special forces? That means they're not being arrested to be killed."

"It's a problem that the special forces turned out to be the murderous troops that have been brainwashed," Brian said in a worried tone.

Brian's words just now are very well understood by Dhafin, Aziel, Keenan, and Kelvin. But Chafik, hearing the word brainwashing he was immediately astonished to mix in confusion. Finally his mouth could not bear to ask.

"Sorry, Prince. What does brainwashing mean?"

Brian did not answer that question. He turned his head to the 10-year-old boy who was sitting on the right side of the vestibule. So did the others.

All the children were gathered in the front room of Chafik's house. Because Chafik had no chairs, so they all sat on the mat that was already shabby.

After observing Chafik for a while, Brian's four friends soon learn that Chafik is not really a stupid child. But since the term brainwashing is not a common term, it's only natural that he doesn't know.

After looking at Chafik, Brian looked at Keenan. It was as if he had the little witch answer.

Keenan who understood the meaning of Brian's gaze, then turned back to Chafik. Then said elaborate.

"Brainwashing here means the process of removing one's memories and thoughts, constantly replacing them with new memories and thoughts by a certain person in accordance with the wishes of the person...."

"...The goal is that everything ordered or needed by the brainwash can be obeyed by the person who has been brainwashed obediently, without refuting. Because his mind is already affected."

"Do you understand, Chafik?" ask Brian.

"Understand, Prince," said Chafik steadily as he nodded. "Please continue the conversation!"

★☆★☆

"If that happens," Aziel commented on Brian's remark, "of course Dhafin and Keenan will not remain silent."

Aziel's remarks meant that if Jarvis and Hendry had been affected by his brainwashing, then the task of normalizing them was handed back to Dhafin and Keenan.

And what Aziel had said just now had been understood by Dhafin and Keenan.

Both Aziel, Kelvin and of course Keenan, already know a lot of information about who Dhafin is and his greatness from Brian. So they don't doubt Dhafin.

While Dhafin has also known that Keenan mastered witchcraft even though it is still a moderate level.

After looking at Aziel's remarks, Brian agreed not to discuss Hendry first.

"alright. Let's just focus on the readiness of our tournament later."

"And you, inevitably have to join our team" said Brian after turning to Dhafin in a pushy tone, "in exchange for Hendry."

"What exactly do you want to do in a tournament that I don't think is important?" dhafin asked, but his intention was to reject implicitly their invitation.

"If all you want is to take the cup," he continued, "I think it is in vain that your greatness is poured only for that."

"I know your words have two purposes" said Kelvin. "You refused to join our team while you tried to influence our already unanimous intention to enter the tournament."

Dhafin was a little stifled at Kelvin's words. The child could understand the implied meaning of his words. Only then did he realize that his new friends were smart kids.

"But just so you know," continued Kelvin still ketus, "I'm not affected by your words."

"What do you think is the most important thing, Brother Dhafin?" keenan asked as if he did not ignore Kelvin's nagging. He sort of captures the other implied meaning of Dhafin's speech. He already knew a little of Dhafin's character in speaking.

"Brian!" Dhafin looked at Brian. "Do you remember the two archers at the southern gate of Kotaraja?"

"Yes, I still remember" said Brian after thinking for a while. Then asked in astonishment, "Why are you suddenly talking about it again?"

Brian had already told Aziel, Keenan, and Kelvin about the failed four-official rebellion plan. Including telling about the events that occurred at the southern gate of Kotaraja.

But Brian told me in outline, not in detail. And the part of the archery incident escaped him to tell, like to consider it unimportant because the archer was not caught.

And when it turns out that there was an archery event that escaped told Brian of course made Aziel, Keenan and Kelvin surprised. And suddenly Dhafin questions the event again, of course, there is a point.

"I have a feeling the two archers will do their thing again" Dhafin said.

It seemed that the four magical boys were stunned at the thought of Dhafin's premonition. Clearly they cared what Dhafin's premonition was. Because the boy's death rate was already quite high.

It was indeed possible that even the two archers would repeat their deeds. But who are their targets now?

While Chafik the host just sat quietly in his place. What the five boys were talking about he also did not understand too much and did not seem to care. He was just a listener.

★☆★☆

"Who do you think is their target now?" ask Brian to know.

"Your Majesty" Dhafin said without hesitation.

Not only the four magical boys who were shocked to hear Dhafin's allegations, Chafik who was actually not too understanding of the problem was also surprised.

"I don't think the two archers were accomplished archers" Brian said. "I can finally catch the arrow of one of them. Even you can know his arrival and avoid him."

"Do you remember which archer went first to the arrow?" ask Dhafin.

"But that doesn't mean he's an accomplished archer" Brian said again as if he knew Dhafin's intentions. "It could be, the arrow came first because he shot first."

"Do you know what the distance between the two archers is to the target?" ask Dhafin again.

"I don't know, then" Brian confessed. "I didn't see that time. I just know which way those two arrows came from."

For a moment Dhafin stopped talking. He used to see Brian. Then turned to look at the three serious-looking boys who heard him and Brian having a dialogue.

"Do you know what distance it is, Brother Dhafin?" keenan's question suddenly broke the silence.

"Between 50-55 spears" Dhafin said without hesitation.

"Didn't you also not see where the two archers were, Dhafin?" ask Brian suspiciously. "How do you know the distance?"

"Don't you know that my father and Uncle Lyman saw those two archers?" dhafin said as if to tell. "Obviously I know from my father."

"Prince! The distance of the 50s and above the spear can only be done by an accomplished archer" Keenan explained. "Ordinary guys can't do it yet."

"Especially the target is a target that is immediately deadly; head and neck," Dhafin continued.

Brian was silent thinking about Dhafin's analysis supported by Keenan. Actually, he confirmed the analysis. But he was still affected by his actions that managed to catch the arrow that led to Dhafin.

"You're still affected by your actions that managed to catch the arrow of one of them" Dhafin said knowing what Brian was thinking. "You don't realize that it's just a distraction."

Brian nodded at Dhafin's words just now. His mind immediately confirmed it. Yeah, just a distraction.

"The land that hit Captain Chris got to the target while Captain Chris was talking" Dhafin said.

"Obviously the archer wanted to quickly finish off Captain Chris" he continued. "But it didn't work because Captain Chris was still under the influence of my supernatural powers."

The three great boys understood what the last sentence of Dhafin meant. Moreover, Brian had already told them that part.

The one who does not understand and gets more confused is Chafik. His head was getting dizzy thinking about the talk of his five guests that was beyond the reasoning of children his age. Especially to mention the supernatural power of everything. Dizziness!

Why don't they just talk about the tournament? It even discussed the problem that the palace officials should have taken care of. Strange about them!

★☆★☆

"If I had thought," Keenan commented, "actually the actions of the two archers were in vain...."

"...It's clear Captain Chris is under the influence of supernatural forces" he continued. "Especially two military officials and their troops came to the scene. But they forced themselves to aim as well. It's a waste, right?"

"I think they're just trying their luck" Dhafin surmised. "But it didn't work. That's why I thought they were going to do the second thing. And this time it's His Majesty."

"What is the basis of your speech so that it suggests that their next target is His Majesty?" asked Aziel who had just been silent to hear.

"Do you think the plot drama of the rebellion is over?" dhafin asked as if he was reminding of something important.

The four powerful boys stared fixedly at Dhafin. Clearly they were surprised to hear the sudden question. The real question is a statement.

"Didn't the palace announce that things are safe again?" said Chafik who could not bear to spit out his naive head contents.

"There is no such thing as rebellion, Young Master. Why did you say...."

"If you don't know anything just shut up, Chafik!" kelvin's jolt was irritated. "No need to talk!"

Chafik's heart immediately shriveled at Kelvin's jolt. He did not continue his speech. And then he went back silent with his head down.

"You listen first, Chafik," said Brian softly. "You will understand later."

Chafik just nodded. But without looking at anyone from the five guest boys.

"Explain what you say, Dhafin!" pinta Aziel resumed the slightly delayed conversation due to Chafik's naivety.

"As far as you know" Dhafin continued, "3000 more troops concentrated outside the western border, none of which were successfully quelled."

"The following," he continued, "the 2500 members of the Skull Sword Horde led by Vice-Chairman Galen are no longer in the southern region."

"These two testimonies I got from my father."

"So you're saying the 3000-plus troops are still working with the Skull Sword Horde to rebel?" ask Brian to guess.

"Right," said Dhafin. "They still have cooperation."

"Then who is the leader of the 3000 troops?" kelvin asked Brian and Dhafin. "Do you know?"

"You remember what Official Keegen said when he mentioned the people they were working with?" Dhafin turned to Brian who was also looking at him.

"Mr Daughter" said Brian. "That's all he calls."

"Yes, the Princess is the leader of the 3000 troops" Dhafin said.

"Mr Princess is still not clear who it is" Kelvin said. "Whose Princess?"

"Who will we know" Dhafin said. "We will take care of the following important matters first."

"What problem?" ask Brian.

Dhafin did not answer. He who had been sitting cross-legged since earlier was slightly repaired. The body is upheld while raising the head slightly up. But his eyes closed.

His right hand was moved to the side slightly forward. While the palm is wide open, slightly bent inward and facing the sky.

The four powerful boys who understand Dhafin want to exert his supernatural power. But to whom? They still wonder.

While Chafik did not understand at all what Dhafin wanted to do. But he's quiet. Than being yelled at again.

Not long after that his palm was turned. Almost simultaneously a scream was heard from the roof of the house.

"Yes...!"

Everyone was shocked to hear the scream. Then they looked up at the roof.