BANG, BANG, BANG
The bedroom doors vibrate with every desperate knock.
The thirteenth BANG is what finally prompts the ruffling of the tan mountain of blankets. On the fourteenth a tan foot pops out from underneath their self made cave of covers.
CRASH
A dirty blonde tan faced teen, now alert, shoots out of his covering bewildered. In a groggy voice he exclaims, this is the third time this week you’ve broken my door. The steward will NOT be happy. I do not want to spend another week tending the stables. Just give me a few more minutes Stavrin, I am sure the daily chores can hold.. he freezes in place as a contingent of guards lead by the head palace guard stands in the doorway not looking especially pleased as she looks over the modest room covered with clothes on the ground and leftover food at the foot of the bed, the desk and spattered across the wall.
Peeking out from behind her is a scruffy guard who looks to be at the bare minimum of fit for a kingdom guard. His pudgy face is red with embarrassment as he is held by the ear by an elderly refined woman with elaborately done gray hair.
Ms Grinhold, the pudgy guard said, this is a little uncomfortable. Can you please let go of my ear? Both women give him a look filled with killing intent and he promptly quiets, looking dejected. Captain Jacylyn, a former member of the royal guard, was recently promoted to captain of the guard. Her responsibilities normally have her in the main recesses of the palace. Rarely does she travel to this smaller castle located at the edges of the palace grounds. This place is generally reserved for members of the royal family that are furthest from the throne. It houses them when they visit but since this king has not held many unofficial events in the past fifty or so years it is normally empty. That was until Enard moved in. His parents were distant cousins of the king and were killed in an A rank dungeon dive. Since they were poorer members of the royal family and the king took a liking to the curly haired boy he pretty much just let him have the castle to himself.
Examining his glassy eyes and red puffed cheeks the captain squinted and then whirled on Stavrin. Seeing this the pudgy guard tries to wiggle his way out of Grinhold’s grip. WHAT DID YOU GIVE HIM? She demanded. Ju.. just a minor potion of animal sight I made. It.. it was perfectly fine, I mean it should have been. It was entirely my fault, Enard interjected to save his friend, Satvrin told me to take only one drop but I thought I could understand Peku, he gestured to a small pink long eared creature resembling a cat which was sprawled on its back unconscious. I took more to be sure and then fed Peku some and here we are. Nothing to worry about, I'm fine. The captain turned her withering gaze to Enard who flinched back uneasy. I was just informed that you and that thing, she points to Peku, have been unconscious for TWO DAYS!!! Ok is NOT how I would describe this situation.
Red faced, she continues, furthermore there is NO such potion as animal sight. Grabbing Stavrin’s other ear she exclaims, we do NOT experiment on the ROYAL family, no matter how dumb they are.Quietly she mutters, there are so few of them. Standing Stavrin up straight she motions to Grinhold to let him go. You are a soldier, not an alchemist, not a potion maker, not even a scribe. He is your charge not your guinea pig, however far he is from the throne he is still your better. And you, she picks up a shirt off the floor and tosses it to him. You are to see the king, get up, Mrs. Grinhold will make sure you are dressed appropriately.
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The.. King captain? I haven’t been to see him in years. Are you sure he wants me? Enard timidity said. She gives him an appraising eye, still not seeing it she replies, The fact that I am here rather than the sub captain in charge of this castle should tell you something boy. I don’t know what this is about but the message the scribe sent specifically asked for you and even more clearly stressed that this is urgent.
Enard dressed in his finest wear courtesy of Mrs Grinhold, who with a pained expression picked through his meager wardrobe. I guess this will do, she said, stand up straight you are meeting the king. Enard dutifully followed as she quickly instructed him on how to act in the throne room. Mrs Grinhold had been his only constant visitor, the only parental voice over the last seven years in this small castle. She sternly guided both he and Stavrin when he visited. No one held more authority in this place since, at least he thought, this was basically a forgotten castle. The guards and all the staff were all initiates. Mrs. Grinhold herself being the only exception to that rule at B rank.
With tentative steps Enard made his way to the transportation waiting in front. He was surprised as he expected to see a normal horse led carriage. Instead he beheld a pair of majestic white horses that flashed the bright yellow of lightning. He was rushed into the back of the carriage before he could fully take in these mythical beasts. He had no idea the Kyreb kingdom had these. Trying to settle into his seat Enard is thrown backwards as the lightning horses rush forward in a flash. Time seemed to stand still as still falling he watched the crackling lightning pulse past the side windows. As he crashes into his seat he is immediately flung forward as the horses and carriage stops just as suddenly as it started.
Dazed, he stumbles out of the carriage thankful that he didn’t have food in his stomach. Although the beasts were majestic Enard would rather skip that experience next time. Captain Jacylyn shakes her head while he rights himself only to gawk at the silver obfuscated dome signaling the outdoor throne room. Enard had never seen it glittering and unclear like this. It was normally transparent so all could see the proceedings. He remembers briefings from the Captain that this was how it looks for extremely sensitive meetings the king takes. This thought makes his nerves go into overdrive.
What could the king want from me, he asks. If I knew you would still have to wait to find out, I have orders, said the captain. The king ordered a private meeting and you are invited. This could either be real good for you or real bad, the only way to know is to step in. Quicker that Enard can perceive the captain is behind him giving him a light shove that has him stumble through the bubble. Tripping over his own foot he drops to the ground on his hands and knees. Not wanting to look up and face the wrath of the king for his clumsiness he stays down for a moment.
He could feel the awkward silence as he finally lifted his head. His heart drops as a dreadful red snout full of sharp white teeth lowers its head until it is face to face with him. The yellow slitted eyes communicate menace, this beast, this dragon opens its maw wide. A terrifying voice echoes throughout the throne room.
I see you, no point in hiding.. there you are, young one!!