Now blessed by the jobs the two noblemen looked at me and straightened my clothes with minor changes as the kneeling had wrinkled them slightly. Loading up into the carriage we approached the grand castle that towered above the city around it. Seven parapets reached into the heavens above. Thousands of windows lined each towering edifice. I marveled at the sheer amount of work that must’ve gone into the grand construction as we drove by the outer wall of the castle.
Arriving at a gate that even three carriages could travel into we were stopped by a bevy of guards that were tasked with protecting the gates from intruders. The door to the carriage opened and a guard stepped up and looked inside. “Papers?”
Duke Portage produced a letter and handed it over to the guard who took it and stepped away into a doorway that led into the wall. We sat in silence as the carriage was inspected for any hidden weapons or contraband that might be hidden. It took what felt like an eternity as we waited for the guard to return to us from whatever inspection he was doing to the letter.
When he returned and stepped up to the carriage handing the letter back to the Duke the guard gazed at me. “We will need to inspect the commoner. I understand that he is a guest of the king but after such a bold attempt on a nobleman’s life we must follow the utmost care. Please step out Dolan Talespinner.”
I stepped out of the carriage careful of my balance that wobbled slightly from the awkward angle I had to take in order to dismount properly. The smell of a dozen kinds of flowers wafted from inside the gate as I gazed towards the road we were going to be traveling down. It was surrounded by grand gardens that stretched out in a grand maze. Pockets of chairs and gazebos filled the grounds shaded by young trees that were flush with grand leaves. Some of which were just now budding with great pink flowers.
“Come inside,” The guard that had been representing the castle guided me inside and had me stand in a room. The cold air was trapped by the thick stone walls keeping everything frigid and the silence was deafening. “Come stand here and face the wall please.”
Two more guards came into the room and then they started to inspect every part of my body through the clothes for any signs of a hidden weapon. My many necklaces holding the symbols of the gods were taken from my neck and inspected closely for any hidden compartments for poison containers. It took several minutes as they exercised the utmost care. Then they helped me don them all once more and again they helped straighten my clothes from the unkempt state they became while I was being inspected.
“You seem to be all clear, our King will certainly be most impressed that such a pious man has come to see him. We appreciate that you were able to respond to the attack on the same man we were supposed to protect. The loss of our brother in arms weighs heavy on our hearts. Please accept our thanks on behalf of the guardians of the nobility.” Then they all saluted me and I bowed to them in return.
I was able to be much more graceful when reentering the carriage and the eyes of my two benefactors inspected me for any dishevelment that might have befallen me. Reginald reached out and plucked something off my shoulder and shook it aside. “Perfect. You will represent the Portage family quite well.”
The snap of reins preceded a sudden lurch forward as I gazed out the window and drank in the sight of the grand garden maintained by dozens of servants that even now wandered through the hedges with unerring accuracy as they trimmed and fixed every stray branch and leaf. The smell of fresh turned earth and grass flowed through the windows. The two men with me seemed not to be watching the passing scenery. I was sure that this wasn’t the first time they had been summoned to the castle.
The carriage turned in a slow circle before coming to a complete stop. Servants rushed the carriage and opened the door and bowed deeply. They wore uniforms of thick vests over white tunics and pants that seemed pressed and folded perfectly. Each of them wore thick white gloves of cotton as they waited for us to disembark. The Duke, then Reginald, and finally me unloaded from the carriage and stood before the line of servants that led to the great doors to the castle.
I was reminded of the great castle I once found Profitable inside. I looked around and the memory and the current place overlapped, tricking my mind that I would be successful in finding my lost brother. We walked up the stairs leading to the door as the servants filed in behind us. The driver whisked our transportation away around the side of the castle where I could see grand stables lining the far wall.
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The doors opened smoothly and silently welcoming us into a grand room that was built upon marble floors. Pillars upheld an upper balcony that looked over those that entered the castle and I could see some members of the upper nobility looking down on us to insure that we knew that we were not as grand as they were. The sounds of our wooden souls clicking against the stone echoed through the silent hall.
The servants dispersed as another man entered the room. I recognized him as Edward Acreage as he was in finery that made his previous outfit pale in comparison. We paused and all knelt before him as befitting his grand status while in the castle. I could feel eyes boring into my back and watching everyone of my movements for something to hold against me.
“Thank you all for coming to see me, and thank you for seeking the blessings of the gods high above to rid yourself of any baleful energies that might cloak you. I am honored to be accepting you into our home. Please do stand and come with me to the grand hall. We will be serving you lunch before you meet with my uncle in a private study where you will enjoy the finest teas in the land.” He bowed to me just slightly as he stopped before the group. “For my life to be saved by someone of such low status truly humbles me. I hope my uncle rewards you greatly.”
I filled my voice with reverence and laid my head low to be humble, “Thank you so much for your kind words Master Acreage. I was most honored to step in and defend you from such a vile attempt on your life.” I could hear murmurs from above as the family discussed my response.
I waited for my betters to stand before I rose to my feet. We were slowly guided into a grand dining room with a table that stretched as long as a grand tree. A hundred chairs lined the monstrosity. At the far end sat a man, my eyes fell upon him and I could feel the majesty that he held himself with.
His hair was white as snow, his face wrinkled with worry and frown lines. A crown sat upon his head that shined of silver and gold. A cushion protected his head from the hefty weight of its symbolism. We were guided down the table as more and more nobles filed in from the doors at the side of the room as they took their seats silently and with near inhuman grace that only a lifetime of practice could have forged. After a half dozen seats we were stopped and guided into plush padded chairs that softly wrapped around us. I watched as Edward walked to his uncle's right hand chair and sat down with him.
The king slowly stood at the head of the table and spoke with such authority that it reminded me of the very gods above. “We gather here today to honor a commoner. This humble bard risked his very life to protect my nephew and even lost his livelihood in the vicious attack. Such sacrifice in our realm is worth a thousand gold pieces but we will not be talking about his reward now. Instead we now will fill our bellies and remind ourselves of the pleasures of life that is given to us by the grace of the gods. We share this extravagance with him before I will personally sit with him and discuss with his patrons, the Portage family, of what will be done with Edward’s savior. Please, enjoy your food and thank the gods for it.” His hands raised and he clapped twice.
A grand buffet of food was brought to the table. A great many pigs roasted and fine were lined on the table and piles of fruit were placed strategically around the room. Giant ornamental bowls filled with blood red pudding and mashed tubers that had a layer of butter melted on top of it all. Great steaming rolls of fresh bread that smelled of honey glazes and shone in the light of the chandeliers above. The grand window seemed to capture the light and fall perfectly upon the table for this lunch.
I waited as the table grew quiet. We all waited for the king to start dishing himself food before anyone moved. He opened his mouth, “I give the honor of first bite to Sir Talespinner. Please, grab what you desire most.”
I stood and grabbed the leg of a small pig and cut it loose. I placed it against my mouth and took a large bite showing no fear of poison or deception. I was watched with rapt attention as I swallowed and looked at the king. “It is the greatest roast pig I have ever had the honor to try. I thank you a thousandfold.”
“Then let us feast!” The king stood next and dished himself a plate full of delicacies that mixed and combined into a delicious collection. In descending order greater nobles dished themselves up first and then those below them. The Dukes were on the second round of meals. Their own positions high upon the hierarchy. Last and to my surprise was Reginald. He smiled at them all and the food that was left upon the table and dished himself a modest amount.
Conversations of a dozen topics started as the table relaxed into the meal. Joyous looks and praise that such a meal could be made in war time was the loudest topic. The king looked proud of himself as he looked upon the table and ate with gusto. I decided I would enjoy myself with this finery.
I looked forward to my private time with the king and hoped that my plan would work. A woman next to me placed her hand upon my arm and looked upon me, “I thank you for saving my cousin. He is a very nice boy, I am sure that he will shower you with gifts that will bring honor to you. Do you have family to share such a bounty with?”
I swallowed my meal and looked at her with the kindest smile I could manage. “I do not. I have been called to travel the roads and ply my trade in the many cities in the lands of our kingdom. I find myself drawn to the wanderlust of it all.”
“How fascinating, I have barely managed to travel by myself. Mother so likes to keep us ladies safe until we are fit for marriage.” She made eyes down the table to a handsome young man sitting next to Duke Gaelin. I was surprised that such a plump man had someone so fit next to him. The boy sat with a warrior’s posture and smiled at the table around him.
“May the apple of your eye be given to you,” I said as she blushed and looked away.
As lunch wound down it was time to go and meet with the King.