The day disappeared as I waited to entertain the king. The servant’s quarters they brought me to was plain and simple. A padded hay bed, a standing closet for uniforms and clothes, and a side table to hold a lantern. One window lay above the bed, it let in light that slowly traveled across the room as I closed my eyes and sifted through a thousand lifetimes for a story that would impress the king.
The Portage family had been dismissed leaving me in the care of the royal family and its servants. A meal was brought to me, a simple dish of steaming vegetables, meat, and a small roll. The only thing changing the flavor from its natural state was a pinch of salt that did little to enhance the flavor. I found myself thinking of the rat stew that I had enjoyed for several days and thanked myself for the little blessings in life.
I knew these quarters were not for those that were accepted into the court and that if I succeeded I would have much better accommodations soon enough. I didn’t like the idea of using magic to influence my soon to be audience. Instead I would use my skills to bring the images to the imagination of the king. Let him experience every moment as if he was living there. Feed his emotions with my words to let him feel something besides the crushing responsibility he must be feeling.
Meditation helped calm my mind as I waited for the summons. Time slipped by as I stilled my soul, I was getting so close to my goal.
A gentle knock sounded at the door. I stood straightening my clothes and walked into the hallway. A guard and a servant stood before me. We made our way from the wing I was put in across into the grandest parts of the castle. We came before a pair of ornate and beautifully carved doors that were surrounded by guards.
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Once more I was searched for a weapon. Moments later they were satisfied with me being harmless as the servant guided me inside.
The bedroom was grand, the windows were high on the wall letting thin red light filter bringing the feeling of watching the sunset into the room. A desk as wide as a dining table lay against a wall, a pile of papers and wooden slats lay upon it. No doubt showing the hundreds of reports that helped inform the king of the happenings in his lands. A bed fit for a half dozen full grown men lay with four pillars rising from the corners. A great sheet hung above it and gauze thin curtains surrounded it vieling it from direct view. In the bed against the backboard sat the king.
He was in a simple night gown. A cap long and warm looking dangled from his head as he looked at a lamp slowly taking over lighting the room. His eyes looked tired and worn as if the weight of the land was on his shoulders. A sense of true nobility radiated off him as I was guided towards the bed.
One simple chair sat next to the bed facing the king. A plain cushion sat upon it as well as a table and lantern that would illuminate my face.
The king watched as I took my seat and we looked at each other. I could almost feel that he knew just how truly old I was in that moment as I settled into place. While locking eyes with him I could feel a tapestry of his emotions flow into my mind.
The king had very little hope in his mind. The war waged in his very heart as if he felt every death of his soldiers that fought to repel the enemy that attacked without warning or proper etiquette of war. A deep sense of exhaustion awaited him as there were no heroes that would ride in on their noble steeds to bring peace to the lands, like the stories he was told as a child. Where darkness was plain, evil able to be seen by those with noble hearts. When the world was black and white, good and bad, when there was simplicity and justice. His glimmering eyes in the fading light watched me and I could feel what kind of story would soothe him that night. Something that did not dwell on the moral grays of real life.
“I’m going to tell you of a time, where there were heroes and demons. The world will hang in the balance, and the forces of good will fight with all their hearts. Are you ready, My Lord?”
I was met with a simple nod.