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Eastland
5. Glory

5. Glory

The servants showed them their chambers on the upper level of the wing. Phoebe and Violet shared a chamber, as did the viscount and his wife. Quinn had his own chamber albeit smaller, but a sizeable bed inside for his own and more than enough space for all his belongings and a bath already filled with warm water in it. Just by the stairs was room for their servants and no other chambers was present on that hall. Other than Lord Skamlin and Hadrian there have not seen another houses in the palace but servants and guards.

"The lords and ladies are out visiting his majesty's garden on the hills, my lord. They shall return soon. The House of Waterton are also staying on this level. Lord Sharp and his children is staying on the upper level. Please call on us if my lord needs anything," the servant explained.

The servants wore fine cotton robe with blue accents on the vest. A brooch in the shape of a shield holding a full moon in the center of it. The one speaking to them had a golden moon on it, while the others have silver moons.

"What is your name, young man?" the Lord asked.

"I am Theo, my lord."

"Are you knowledgeable of the city, Theo?"

"Yes, my lord. I was born and raised on the northern district."

"I shall call upon you if I need anything from the city then, Theo."

"It will be a pleasure, my lord. Please enjoy your rest. The majesty shall hold a banquet in the Great Hall this evening. We shall remind you then."

With a nod from the lord the palace servants left the Eronblaz. The viscountess directed her maids to arrange their belongings. Sir Ridley went to search the palace guards to discuss their place of stay. Lord Humpty went inside his chamber for a little lie down.

"Do you need anything else, my lord?" Marcus asked.

Quinn glanced at his warm bath. There was a fragrant smell of some flowers he couldn't point out.

"No, you can leave."

Marcus excused himself and left with the others.

Quinn approached the window, soaking in their situation. His window granted a view to the inside of the palace, gardens and pathways surrounding the keep that towered above all else. Guards were making a patrol in the midst of servants tending to the ground, placing numerous vases and arranging flowers, and polishing torch poles by the pathways. Aldmryan banners hung from the inner walls, a purple flag of a golden dragon curling around a silver moon, and below them of the various houses of the land, turning the yellow stone walls colorful with vibrant colors of the flags.

The palace was massive and decorated with intricate details. Gold and silver everywhere. There were four levels on that wing alone and the keep was even taller. A channel ran through the palace creating another moat that surrounded the keep with its own gate and watchtowers. Quinn made out the keep guards wore different adornments on their helmet. Sir Lukas wore a single red feather, while the guards he saw patrolling inside the palace wore a pair of blue feathers and a matching cape. The guards on the keep however had something black on their helmet and a yellow cape. Aldmrya's greatest warriors protecting the home of Eastland's most powerful house.

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Seven great houses ruled over Eastland. House of Conrad ruled the kingdom of Elora, a vast territory west of Estreise mountains but barren. House of Orin ruled the peninsula kingdom of Fymar on the easternmost of the land, a reclusive people avoiding all conflicts. The other five houses, much more powerful formed an alliance and ended the Paxton dynasty. Summer's Embrose, Emerald's Gottlear, Melrose of the northern shores, Crescent's Sagler, and Blundake's Nightmeier. No doubt all of them were gathered on the city for the festival seeing how their banners were prominent inside the palace.

Quinn clenched his fist. A lot rode on his shoulder. Lord Ian asked him to gain favor with the nobles. The gravity of his task was never felt during their long journey from Drant. He only thought about getting to the palace safely with his uncle's family. It had never crossed his mind thinking about how to achieve what his father asked of him. A banquet with Lord Nightmeier was nothing more than reporting what was going on across the rivers with Fymar and Blundake. They simply had a job to do, bound to Drant while the rest of Eastland enjoyed life.

The door to his chamber opened while he was lost in his thought and Quinn jumped, a hand on the hilt of his blade.

"Relax, Quinn, it's just me," Lord Humpty told him. His uncle already changed into an official robe where Eronblaz' owl was sewn on the back in silver threads. His hair was freshly oiled, turning his appearance years younger.

Quinn relaxed himself and apologized.

"You must have a lot in your mind. I knocked but you weren't answering..." the lord trailed his words, glancing at the unused cold bath. He smiled.

"Come, Quinn, let's see the flowers in the square. Join me in a walk."

They went down the stairs and past the guards.

"We don't have much flowers in Drant, do we?"

"The springs are short, uncle."

"True," the lord nodded, fingers gently touched the blooms in the vase. Servants bowed slightly when they passed near, then continued doing their business.

"Twenty five years ago your father and I was here, in the palace. It wasn't finished yet, that keep was just half its size back then, these garden was mere soil. Yet the kingdom just lost the late king and queen at sea and they coronated the young king here anyway. The majesty was just a kid back then, only eight years old."

It was a story his father told him many times. A story of old when their grandfather brought along his two sons to the coronation, a long journey across the land to witness a young king rising to his crown.

"His tears weren't even dry yet they placed him on the throne."

Quinn turned stiff and glared at his uncle. Lord Humpty smiled and waved his worry away.

"That was the words your grandfather said to us, not mine. Do not worry, Quinn. We might just be lords of some land, but we are Eronblaz. Your grandfather served the late king. He was his majesty's knight before he was raised to Count of Drant. When that blade of yours was in his hands it protected the king from many enemies."

It too was a story he heard many times from his father.

"I know what I must do, uncle. I have trained for this."

Lord Humpty gave him a pat on his back.

"It's a noble thing you're trying to do, Quinn. I am sorry it had to come to this, but you must bring glory to our house."