Kayd held the card with the word ‘Abilities’ on it, and in an instant, the rest of the cards reorganized themselves.
A row of blank cards lay in front of him, all but one was named.
Piercing blow.
Interesting, what do the others do? Releasing the card, the entire deck burned away, reverting to its original form.
Kayd and the others began experimenting and studying the card deck, grabbing different cards hovering around them.
“These remind me of board games I play sometimes in the forest tavern with the young hunters.” Ikari remarked.
Kill count is now at 800, wow i killed that much in a single mission? That’s a new record!
Checking the gold, his curiosity and joy vanished upon seeing his balance.
WEALTH CARD
BALANCE: 0 COINS
‘Eesh, i’m poor. Well I wasn't that much of a money lover anyway.’ He chuckled to himself.
Everyone’s decks were all similar to Kayd’s, but Lia’s held something unique.
“Crafting?” She stared at the card she was holding.
“Satiation potion?” She grabbed at another card from the hovering deck.
“It says that it replenishes ability bars. Weird. I’m apparently missing three bluehead shrooms and five bloodroots. A bunch of ingredients for some potion…”
—--
They continued studying the card deck until the carriage stopped just at the gate to the kingdom.
“Ooooo a whole kingdom, never seen one up close before!” Ikari’s face was glued to the window, looking out to the outside.
The sound of muffled cheers and shouts entered inside the carriage, welcoming them like a warm embrace.
Guards stood at the sides while the gate was being raised. Above them, more soldiers waved at them and stuck flags to the walls to celebrate.
‘Interesting, a victory parade. Normally in Ferrous Hands such practices are heavily celebrated, especially during large scale wars.” Quellin explained with a small hint of joy on his face that quickly faded away. He turned to everyone else in the room.
“It is best we remove these hovering cards, we need to have free hands and undistracted minds.”
“How do we even do that?” Everyone started scrambling to find a way to make the cards disappear. Kayd grabbed at the cards, at his coat, and everything else. The only thing left was the card in his pocket.
A single touch on the card, and the entire deck vanished.
Oh, well that’s convenient.
The gates slowly opened, grinding as they did. Beyond it, a clear smooth stone path.
Rows of soldiers were stationed on the sides, kneeling as Evelin’s carriage passed by. Behind them, crowds of civilians clamored and shouted in celebration. Praising Ishmael’s team, the princess, and the returning soldiers.
Kayd felt the pride wash over him, recognized and celebrated by people. Although he only cared for the titles, the feeling of recognition and being the center of attention felt soothing to him, a similar feeling to receiving the titles.
Ikari was more focused on the buildings while Kayd simply looked at the crowds, looking both at his and Evelin’s carriage.
Flower petals rained down and cathedral bells rang out as they passed through the road.
For the first time Kayd caught a good look of the kingdom itself. Looking beyond the crowd, he could see buildings of varying sizes, created with white stone. Beyond all that however he noticed that the kingdom wasn’t built on a low part of the mountain.
Judging by the looks of it…Is this place built into the mountain!? Did they hollow it out!?
A shocked expression spread across his face, catching Ikari’s attention.
“What’s wrong Kayd? Surprised by the cheers?” She smiled.
“That too, just surprised by something I noticed with this place.”
“And what would that be?”
“Well-” The carriage stopped, and a few servants in dark fancy clothing approached the carriage door. With a quick pull, the bells and clamoring of the crowd entered full force.
Outside, more crowds had amassed, and the soldiers had a difficult time holding them back. Kayd took in the pride he felt at that moment, the joy. It all felt so new to him, unable to understand it fully or absorb everything at once.
At the front was a large gate, already being pushed open by a group of servants who rushed towards Evelin’s carriage, opening the door
The scent of fresh flowers filled their noses quickly, the overabundance of green in front of Kayd made him a bit annoyed, recalling the forest and the rats they just fought. The servant who opened their door walked in front of them.
“The King and Queen have requested the presence of all of you. Do not keep them waiting.” He spoke.
“Come, those two are very punctual people, trust me you don’t want to hear what they say when you’re late..” Ishmael led everyone inside. Upon setting foot into the beautifully carved stone path, a group of heavily armored and more decorated knights ran towards them, quickly moving alongside them as new escorts.
At the end of the path were stairs that led to a large building, one that held the grandness and winsome of a palace while bearing the defensive fortifications of a fortress. Lookouts were built at the top already populated with soldiers, the windows were barred and the
Ikari and Lia had wide smiles across their faces, one of shock and the other of genuine curiosity. Kayd and Quellin walked with one another, while Kayd stared at the garden and the building ahead of them
“So this is how it all looks?” He asked, carrying a similar shocked expression as Kayd earlier.
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“Yeah, nothing too special. Too much green for my taste, considering where we just were.” The two laughed for a while before being silenced by a soldier next to them.
—--
Up the steps, they stood at the foot of a large wooden door. A team of guards were already guarding it before starting to open it as the team and Evelin arrived.
Once done, they knelt to the sides, bowing down to the princess of the kingdom.
A long red carpet at the center of the floor led them into the first room of the palace. A long hallway with dozens of rooms leading who knows where.
Paintings and artifacts hung on the walls with more soldiers inside simply standing by, bowing down when the queen passed.
“It's so beautiful…..” Ikari’s eyes gleamed.
“A common show for royalties, I would say it is standard in terms of extravagance.”
“Better than the small baron castles I went to before.” Kayd added.
Down a series of turns and passing through halls, halls, and even going up a few stairs. They reached a heavily ornamented one, larger than all the ones they saw.
Two guards slowly pushed it open, and inside. A royal banquet with aristocrats already present, chatting around with one another while dining. Many turned to the door as it opened, and a silence swept across the room. A few seconds after, applause.
“My father and mother will meet with you. They requested that all of you and the overseer dine in our celebratory banquet as honored guests for “Special discussions” Find a table and please remain respectful.” Once done talking, Evelin walked by the table and through another door, leaving them there with these people.
“Ugh, aristocracy…” Ikari belched, disgust on her tongue and mouth.
“Keep such opinions to yourself, it does not pay to be brash in front of prestigious and wealthy people.” Quellin berated her once more.
“I’m sorry ok, i just don’t like these people…” Her eyes drifted away from them and to the table, realizing that it was stocked with herbs, foods, and plenty of drink. Enough to satisfy an entire village.
“Food…” Her demeanor changed, and a bit of drool started coming from her closed mouth.
“Certainly didn’t take much to change your mind.” Kayd chuckled.
“Hey this is different! Who wouldn’t be over the moon for food?” While everyone was busy ogling at different things in the palace, Lia remained silent, concealing most of herself with her feathery robe.
Ishnael and the overseer gleefully talked to one another, waiting for that princess and her parents to return.
With nothing left to do, they took their seats with the people. Mixed feelings ran in Kayd’s mind. Satisfaction that he was recognized and also gaining these new titles, but an odd feeling of disgust from the people he was with.
He could hear conversations of greed and prideful flaunting across the table, speaking of business or flaunting.
Ikari, although disgusted with the others sitting next to her, wolfed down the food present, grabbing more and more, satiating her appetite, like a starving wolf getting its first kill. Quellin practically had to restrain her, explaining how to conduct herself.
Half she obeyed, while the rest was thrown out the window immediately.
Sitting next to Ishmael and the overseer, Kayd could overhear the praises they received from the mission as a few talked to them with gratefulness and glee.
‘At least some here are nice.’ He thought, chowing down on the food in front of him, taking in the moment of peace.
“They didn’t change one bit.” Ishmael muttered. She turned to Kayd.
“So, enjoying your new titles? I know I am!” She asked, leaning her head on her hand with a half empty cup of wine next to her.
“Yeah, first time I actually got a title.” Kayd replied.
“Many more will come! Beyond this castle at least, we just need to finish business with the royalty here and head out to the other side of the kingdom.” She explained, gulping down what was left in her cup.
“I’m wondering, what did you and Princess Evelin discuss in that carriage anyway?”
“Random crap, mostly saying thanks and apologizing. And then said that we should talk with her parents so i agreed. Something about working for them. Then talked about propositions to my Overseer buddy right here.” Ishmael patted the overseer on the back after explaining.
“As long as we get titles, and don’t have to do underground rat fights.” She laughed at his response.
“Relax, the world beyond here, and the things I had to fight there were above ground. And definitely not rats.”
“So what-” Three clinks of silverware on a glass silenced everyone. At the very end of the table was who they waited for. Evelin, with the king and queen behind her.
Both were youthful in appearance, but Kayd could see the heavy stress cover their faces. Nevertheless, the mere sight of them made Kayd feel unexplainably nervous.
“It is a great joy to invite all of you to the annual banquet, and just in time to not only celebrate the lingering threat of the cursed vermin, but to see the heroes who brought down such a foe!” The room became filled once more in applause and shouts of praise, all staring at the team.
“Now,” he raised his hand to silence everyone. “With the threat of the rats removed, not only have many of our reserves been relieved to serve on the eastern front. But now we have a chance to reclaim our position to the east, increasing our economic and general influence towards the outer region.” The crowd clapped and celebrated, this time louder than ever before.
“With this in mind, may you all enjoy your dining and look forward to the brighter future.” He raised his glass to everyone, to which they followed. Shortly after, food and drink began getting consumed.
“Ishmael, may your team and the overseer please follow us to another room for discussion?” The king looked at them. Ishmael hastily nodded, gesturing for Kayd and the others to follow her.
“Aw man, I was enjoying the steak and wine. It was sooo good.” Ikari pouted.
—-----
Following the three royals past multiple doors and taking different turns, they arrived at a heavily guarded door, its appearance more decorated than other nearby doors.
Opening it, they were led into a beautiful throne room, soldiers in gold lined armor stood by, the walls were painted in a similar manner, draped in purple and blue curtains with a large variety of paintings and artifacts of unknown purpose and meaning.
In the center was a roundtable with a map of the entire forest they were in, the Stone’s edge castle included.
At the very end, the three royals sat down on three thrones.
The door closed behind them, and Ishmael ordered everyone to start kneeling.
“Again, you have our gratitude for removing the rats. It has made our current situation more bearable.” The king spoke.
“We would also extend our thanks for saving our dear daughter, and helping her take the knight medals for a proper burial.” The queen finally spoke, rubbing Evelin’s head.
“We heard you were responsible for eliminating three of the largest rat dens. With that in mind, we would like to employ your services, this time under us.”
“That is indeed a great honor. Though we would like to remain independent. We are here solely to reclaim…lost titles, and aid against any present threats.” Ishmael replied. The king’s lips curled to a smile.
“Admirable indeed, we will help you in both of these endeavors, and even offer extra rewards if you choose to accept.” Ishmael went silent to think.
‘Seems reasonable, as long as we get that reputation and more titles.’
“Hey, if they offer more of that steak and wine. I’ll jump into another rat hole.” Ikari commented. Everyone seemed to come to a silent agreement, all but Ishmael who still looked confused.
“Princess Evelin holds you in high regards after the mission of destroying the rat dens. Even a temporary partnership may suffice, as long as you help in our current predicament.”
“Almost the exact same words as the last time I went here…Strange…Did they forget too?” Ishmael muttered to herself.
“Very well, we accept. So long as we can travel beyond the outer region once over.” She finally came to a decision. Instantly, the door flew open, revealing one of Mian’s teammates, now healed and escorted by a pair of soldiers.
“We also heard of another team aiding you, and apparently this is the last of that team they could recover. Thus the privilege of this task is extended to him. He’ll be with you throughout the task.”
Shortly after, the windchime rang out, only adding to the surprises they were encountering. Kayd pulled out the scrap of paper.