The Royal Treatment [https://i.imgur.com/O0tirZ8.png]
Chapter 9: The Royal Treatment
Garfield ended up sleeping on the floor using a bedroll he produced from somewhere. In the morning, Lilah woke up first, with two bear cubs snuggled against her.
“Huh, what?” Lilah looked around and then turned white as a sheet. ‘I did it again!’
She noticed Garfield sleeping on the floor and decided not to disturb him. She quietly stepped over to the small desk and wrote a vague note:
Sorry for the trouble again. Good luck with your event this evening. I’ll send an invitation when the weather improves.
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That same morning, in the castle…
“Good morning, Captain.”
“Good morning, my King. I just received word from the Adventurer’s Guild of a report that warrants your immediate attention.”
“Go ahead.”
“According to the Guild Master, a young fire dragon assaulted a farm northwest of Bretten. Nobody was injured but some cattle were taken.”
“A DRAGON?” the King exclaimed. “I’ve never even HEARD of a dragon being spotted in the Kingdom before. The Adventurer’s Guild may not be able to handle this by themselves. We need them to coordinate with the Fighter’s Guild and supplement with some of our—“
“M-My King, there is more.”
“Oh, sorry Captain, go ahead.”
“Our adventurers spying on the divine beast reported the arrival of goblins in the same valley. Shortly after the goblins appeared, a young fire dragon assaulted them. Apparently, the goblins were able to slay the dragon through coordinated action. All of this occurred in extremely close proximity to the divine beast, but it did not react in any way.”
“Wha? Just what is going on? Wait, where was Bearclaw while all of this was happening?”
“According to the Guild Master,” the Captain explained, “when the drake was spotted northwest of the city, Bearclaw was working on a request south of the city involving a wild bear harassing farmers. Bearclaw defeated the bear and returned to the city around the same time as the dragon was battling the goblins.”
“So Bearclaw was not involved this time? Are these goblins the ones that supposedly escaped while Bearclaw and the others defeated the Goblin King north of the city?” the King asked.
“The Guild Master said the guild is looking into that. Most likely, they are the same.”
“It feels like dark forces move against us.”
“I cannot make sense of what is happening, myself,” the Captain admitted.
“Share this information with Kay. I hope we learn something at tonight’s banquet.”
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Garfield went to the guild for a different reason than usual.
“When adventurers are invited to a party with royals or nobles, what do they usually wear?
“For those rare noble adventurers,” the clerk responded, “they dress as other nobles do. Other adventurers invited for their accomplishments just wear armor like when they are adventuring. Your gear should be spotless, though.”
“Hm, I wonder what I should do, then.”
The clerk just smiled wryly. Garfield wasn’t a noble and didn’t wear armor. Attending a party in the palace wearing just plain fabric clothes would probably be a first. He decided to return to his inn and make some more clothes. He spent the morning producing the outfit he would wear to the banquet.
‘Old habits die hard, I guess.’
He tried on a dark wool suit over a white button-down shirt with a decorative dark red necktie sporting black geometric patterns. The necktie was roughly eight centimeters wide, widened towards the bottom, and reached his belt. He hadn’t seen anyone else dressed in this style of clothes, but he didn’t intend to copy the local style, either.
Garfield ate lunch downstairs and then borrowed the kitchen for a couple of hours to experiment with different porridge recipes for his pets. He fed the bears and changed into his suit, but still had one more problem to solve.
“I need a babysitter…” He couldn’t expect the innkeeper or anybody else to take care of such unusual pets.
‘I guess I’ll need to summon someone to hold down the fort.’ Garfield spent a few minutes thinking through various options for what sort of person to summon. ‘It needs to be someone who can take care of the bears and also handle any problems that may come up while I’m gone. If they answer the door, it can’t cause a commotion. Hmm…’
Eventually, Garfield settled on the answer. “«Summon Creature of the Plains, a Human, Backdoor Innkeeper».” A man in plain clothes appeared.
“Babysit my pets. If anyone asks, you’re an acquaintance of mine from the southern district who agreed to take care of the bears on occasion. You couldn’t possibly bring them to your place because your home is too delicate for them. Keep contact with the outside to a minimum. Call me if anything significant happens. Call me Garfield if others are around.”
“Yes, Master.”
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At the main gate to the palace, Garfield presented his invitation.
“Sir Garfield, please, come in! We’ll escort you to the banquet,” the guard said cheerfully.
Garfield spoke as they walked. “Do you know which other adventurers arrived so far?”
“Yes, the adventurer parties Deep End and White Glow are here, as is the Guild Master and his deputy.”
Garfield entered the palace and was led to a long terrace overlooking a courtyard. Staff were busy setting up the courtyard for a banquet under the stars, but the aforementioned adventurers as well as other palace staff and some nobles were standing around on the terrace while munching on snacks from several small tables. The first to notice Garfield’s approach were the members of White Glow.
“Sir Garfield!” the priestess called out.
The five rushed over to Garfield to greet him. Unlike her fellow party members, the priestess was actually dressed up as a noble girl.
“That’s an… interesting outfit,” she said. “Wait, where are those cuties?”
“…You thought I’d bring bears to a banquet in the royal palace?”
“I suppose not…” The priestess’ face reddened in embarrassment.
“So you are Sir Garfield?” a man asked. “We simply must thank you.” A middle-aged couple, clearly nobles of some type, approached Garfield.
“I’m Baron Bartholomew Briarwood. This is my wife, Brianne. We heard from Brooke that you rescued her and her party members just the other day!”
‘That’s a lot of alliteration…’ Garfield looked between the noble couple and the priestess. It seemed the priestess was a lesser noble who adventured with four of her commoner friends.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Garfield responded to Bartholomew. “It wasn’t just me, but I’m glad we made it in time. So your daughter is a priestess, an adventurer, and the daughter of a Baron?”
“Y-yes. Brianne and I were always fully supportive of Brooke’s religious studies and her friendships, but we had no idea she would become an adventurer. It’s no small source of worry for us…”
Brianne joined the conversation. “You see, I’m from a humble commoner family myself, and Bart didn’t hesitate to propose to me anyway. At the time, I didn’t know who he was, and it was rather confusing…”
“Mother!” Brooke yelled. “Sir Garfield, the point my parents are trying to make is that they allow me to pursue my interests!”
“Indeed!” Bartholomew acknowledged. “Anyway, Sir Garfield, without you, our daughter would not be here today, so once again, allow me to thank you!” The Baron and Baroness both bowed their heads to Sir Garfield, causing some murmurs from observers.
“Sir Garfield, are you a noble?” Brooke asked. “You are not dressed as an adventurer, but I don’t recognize the style of that outfit.”
“Oh, I’m certainly not worthy of a noble title. The way I dress while adventuring is hardly appropriate for such a lovely banquet attended by Barons, let alone royalty. I had this outfit made in a style that suits my tastes. I hope it will not cause any problems.”
“No problems!” Bartholomew insisted. “If anyone tries to complain, I will set them straight! In fact, if you ever need help with anything at all, please let me know, day or night.”
Garfield nodded and proceed deeper into the terrace. He exchanged pleasantries with Deep End and a few folks he didn’t recognize. He heard some more murmuring and turned around to look back at the terrace entrance.
Yttria was slowly approaching, dressed in her adventuring gear. It felt like the temperature had suddenly dropped several degrees. Yttria made eye contact with Garfield and started walking over. White Glow and the Baron’s family intercepted her for additional words of gratitude. The Baron also whispered something into Yttria’s fox ear, but Garfield couldn’t hear it from where he was. Yttria eventually approached him.
“Sir Garfield, I’m glad the royal family chose to recognize you for your accomplishments. We can all rest easier knowing those goblins were defeated.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. I was only able to deal with the goblins because I had you supporting me,” Garfield offered.
Yttria smiled, then she found herself bombarded by innocuous questions from Deep End. Garfield nibbled on a couple of warm spinach pastries of some sort. Shortly after, the royal family arrived and led the group into the courtyard. Everyone was brought to their seats by servants.
The King was flanked by the Queen, crown prince, first princess, and the twin pair of the second prince and second princess. Garfield sat adjacent to the royal family alongside Yttria, Smith of Deep End, and Baron Briarwood’s family of three. The rest of Deep End, White Glow, the Guild Master, and his deputy, sat at a nearby table. Several other nobles and senior members of the palace staff filled out the rest of the seating area.
While the assembled group finished their meals, the King delivered a speech regarding the value of the Adventurer’s Guild as well as its accomplishments. He described the events leading up to the subjugation of the Goblin King, and the crowd applauded in response. At the end of his speech…
“Although summoners are rare, I have a soft spot for summoning magic. After all, Princess Charlotte herself is trained in summoning magic.” The crowd oohed and awed. Apparently, the princess’ magic was not well known.
“Sir Garfield, as an accomplished summoner, I hope there are a few tips you could offer my daughter who ever strives to improve.”
The King paused and looked at Garfield. All eyes turned to him. After a moment, he stood up to respond.
“Your majesty, I am not qualified to instruct anyone in the ways of magic, but I would be honored to discuss summoning magic with Princess Charlotte.”
The princess suddenly hopped up and scurried over to Garfield’s table, pulling up a chair to sit next to him. The crowd laughed at this somewhat inappropriate but innocent display of excitement. The King finished up his speech.
“Oh, it looks like I’m not needed anymore. Please stay and enjoy yourselves. In a little while, I’ll need to return to my other duties, but Sir Garfield, please stop by before you leave.”
With the meal finished, people started moving around to chat. Garfield and the princess spoke, although mostly about the princess’ progress as a summoner. The King was seated again and chatting with the Queen.
“Could you at least demonstrate your summoning magic!?” the princess asked Garfield desperately.
“Oh, I could never do that right in the middle of a banquet! Your family would think me a hooligan.”
“After the banquet, then!” she insisted.
While the princess continued to pester Garfield for a chance to witness or learn more about summoning magic, Garfield sensed an unusual response from his minimap. He looked closer and noticed a couple of presences on two roofs adjacent to the courtyard. He nonchalantly looked up and caught sight of a shadowy figure. Yttria happened to follow Garfield’s gaze and peered at the same location. Both of their eyes widened in recognition, but they reacted differently.
Yttria jumped up and started sprinting towards the royal family. Her motion was so sudden that the guards nearby wouldn’t be able to stop her before she reached the King or anyone else. While she was running, Garfield spoke once more to the princess.
“It looks like you’ll get that demonstration after all. «Summon Creature of the Sky, a Bird, Eagle of Liberty».”
An arrow released from the rooftop flew true. Yttria guessed the target correctly as she jumped in front of the King, using her lightly armored body as a shield. As the arrow closed on her, a white bird swooped into the path of the arrow, receiving it. The large eagle stumbled onto the ground and then slowly stood back up.
Screaming erupted from around the courtyard. Somehow, the Captain of the Royal Guard managed to issue instructions through the chaos. The King’s party was evacuated and some guards began pursuit of the fleeing assassin. Suddenly, a deep, booming voice echoed from the rooftop.
“That was one strange summon spell! How fascinating… Until we meet again.”
This man, separate from the assassin, begin to flee as guards set out after him as well. Garfield narrowed his eyes in the direction of the mysterious man, then turned to look at the princess who was the only royal not yet collected by the guards.
“I hope your father doesn’t schedule another banquet for this…”
Princess Charlotte just stared at Garfield wide-eyed. A moment later, a female knight literally picked up the princess and removed her from the courtyard in a princess carry.
Garfield stood up and walked over to where Yttria was sitting on the ground. “Are you all right?”
“Yes… Nothing more than a bruise or two.” Although she said she was fine, her breathing was ragged.
The eagle squawked loudly and then collapsed onto the ground. A moment later, it disappeared in a puff of smoke. The arrow fell to the stone floor with a clank.
“I guess the arrow was poisoned after all,” Garfield said, mostly to himself. He gestured to one of the few remaining guards in the area and had them safeguard the poison arrow. He then lent Yttria a shoulder and guided her to the other adventurers.
“Can one of you heal Yttria?”
“Oh my wounds are not—“
The priest from Deep End and the priestess Brooke both insisted and used healing magic on Yttria.
“Just who would send assassins after the King?” asked Smith.
“I bet it’s the Empire.” Bartholomew answered. “They’re always up to no good.”
“That just may be,” the Guild Master agreed as he thought, ‘This could be retaliation for the divine beast, somehow…’
Eventually, things calmed down and people were allowed to leave. The Captain of the Royal Guard returned to the courtyard and approached Garfield.
“Sir Garfield, I realize circumstances have changed a great deal since the King gave his speech, but could you please accept his offer to chat one time before you depart?”
“Very well.”
Garfield said his goodbyes to the other adventurers and followed the Captain into the palace. He was led to a small room where the King and an elderly gentleman waited for him, seated at a table.
“Please have a seat.” The King offered. “Have you met Prime Minister White?”
“No, I had not, but it is a pleasure to meet you.”
The Prime Minister bowed his head slightly. The King explained why he invited Garfield to meet privately with him.
“Before you leave, I want to ask your opinion on a few other matters. Sometimes, it’s difficult for me to maintain situational awareness of what’s really happening in the Kingdom because most reports have to trickle through my advisors.”
Garfield sensed the King had another, or perhaps a secondary, objective.
“You were one of the few people who encountered those goblins before they escaped from the caves north of Bretten. Do you have any idea where they went or what they plan to do?”
Garfield stopped to think for a moment. ‘I don’t believe it’s common knowledge where those goblins are. I’ll answer in kind.’ He answered, “I had assumed they escaped north, but I don’t know where they went after that. I’m surprised they haven’t been located yet.”
Garfield figured he should probably offer a few more thoughts to deflect suspicion. “I don’t know much about goblins, but I imagine they must be focused on survival and perhaps procreation. I’ve been keeping an eye out for requests related to goblins, but I haven’t seen anything interesting since that event. It’s actually rather odd.”
“So that’s how you feel, too, huh?” the King said. “Well, what about those unusual monkeys that appeared northeast of the city. I had heard you were on the team that defeated them and brought back their bodies. Do you have any idea where they came from?”
“No. I just helped defeat them.”
“Did you journey to that same section of forest the day before that?”
Garfield did not immediately respond. The King continued.
“I believe you accepted a request the day before, right after registering with the guild. I looked into this because I was fascinated by the story of a novice adventurer who received the name Bearclaw. The guards at the eastern gate were unfamiliar with temporary guild badges, which is why they remembered that you went in and out on that particular date.”
Garfield didn’t care for where this was going.
“The herbs you collected that day were known to grow in the same section of forest as where the unusual monkeys were discovered by the Adventurer’s Guild. Did you encounter the unusual monkeys, or anything else unusual, as part of completing that request?”
While pondering how to respond, Garfield received a magical distress signal from the Backdoor Innkeeper.
“Master, a woman knocked on the door to your room, shouting for your help. She identified herself as Lilah. I did not open the door. Strange men captured her and took her away.”