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“You look a little more annoyed than usual,” Nora remarked as Duke Chadwick led us out of the gatehouse into Amantia proper.
“Mmph,” I grunted sourly, stomping on the innocent cobblestones below me as I let the others move ahead. “I want my stuff back. And my horse.”
And a bath. And a decent meal. A chance to discuss this nonsense with my cat Chester, who judges everything below his standards and is therefore inconsequential in the grand scheme of life. Above all, I want my fluffy pink faux mink blanket that I can wrap around myself precisely two and a half times before flopping into a pile of soft, snuggly goodness, where I can hide away from all the unreasonable demands of others.
“Those guards are smart enough to look after our things.” Although she was doing pretty well to match my irritated stride, she skipped a few steps ahead so she could turn and catch my gaze. “You’ll talk to him about what he said, right? Otherwise, he’ll probably keep proclaiming you a savior every chance he gets.”
Sometimes, she knows me a little too well.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about...” I paused, not because I had any revelation about uttering apparent lies, but because of the scene suddenly before us.
The outer wall of the castle town had partially obfuscated the central palace from view, causing me to initially underestimate its grandeur. But now, I couldn’t help but be amazed by the delicately crafted masterpiece of smoothly polished gray stones and intricate towers that stood in splendor before us. The soft light of the late sun gave the castle an unearthly glow, a silent blessing for its construction well done.
Now that’s a proper castle if I ever saw one! I wonder what the view from the central tower is like?
The path leading to the palace’s fortified entrance was meticulously maintained, with perfectly trimmed hedges at three varying heights sectioning off numerous displays of public art. From welcoming flower beds to grandiose statues of knights and priests, every detail was carefully curated for dramatic effect.
Nora whistled lowly, ignoring my mood and instead running in zig-zags to appreciate it all from different perspectives. Admittedly, I also gawked at the scenery but tried to be slightly more reserved.
She eventually came to an abrupt halt in front of one statue, her eyes darting between it and me nervously. “Uh... huh.”
“What the...!” I exclaimed, drawing back from it with a disgusted grimace.
“Kinda... looks like you a little, doesn’t it?” Nora said with an audible cough.
“They’re not that big! Whose idea was it to make those the piece of focus?” I demanded of everyone around me.
I wouldn’t even be able to stand upright with those proportions!
Vernie gazed up at the statue with a smirk, her hands on her hips. “That’s artistic license for ya!” she said with a coarse laugh, her own bouncing quite mockingly.
Why do I have a sneaking suspicion that she had posed as the model?
I couldn’t help but glance at Relias, wondering if he would have any duly disparaging words for the artist. However, he was way off in front, too ensconced in conversation with the duke to even acknowledge the statue’s existence. Aleph and Tetora whispered something to each other before swiftly dragging me along.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” Tetora muttered.
There was more to the surrounding town than offensive objets d’art. While our path directly led to the palace, barricades and sentries were stationed every few hundred feet or so, slowing our approach to the center. However, a few words from the duke allowed us to continue unaccosted, though we did get quite a few double-takes for what I guessed was our general appearance. Tetora, in particular, received several lingering glares that severely soured his expression, so I tried to distract him with casual conversation.
“That... actor...” I started slowly, not knowing what else to call him. “I’m guessing he got away unscathed?”
Tetora grunted, keeping his eyes on the ground. “Sprinted off the moment I threw him down.”
“You didn’t throw him all that hard then if he could still move.” I nudged him playfully, only to find it was like trying to walk into a wall. Oof.
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“Something about him was very familiar...” he grunted through curled lips. “It’s still bothering me.”
I looked around silently, trying to think of anything else to discuss. Off to the sides of the path we followed were small, interconnecting buildings with interwoven streets and small squares serving as residential districts. We could hear a lively buzz from them, occasionally interrupted by boisterous laughter and sharp shouts. Everyone appeared rather well-dressed compared to those who had gathered in the festival fields.
“Does... the hybrid restriction rule not apply here?” I asked Tetora hopefully. I had thought maybe there was a temporary exemption for the festival, but it looked like the mix of denizens even in town was more diverse than usual.
“This town is under the jurisdiction of King Saulus,” he explained absently. “While the church may have more influence over the entire country, he still holds considerable power here. “
“No other tigers around, though,” I admitted thoughtlessly. Oh, what the heck is wrong with me? Undo, undo!
“It’s too peaceful here for us. We like to be where our abilities are tested.” Although he tried to sound confident, I could see concern clinging to his furrowed eyebrows.
“Makes sense,” I agreed, giving his shoulder a rough pat. “If your sister’s anything like you, she’s probably off somewhere kicking butt and taking names!”
Tetora gave me a long, uncomfortable look. “You know, sometimes you say the weirdest things. Why would she need their names if she kicked their butt?”
“Uh... So she could keep track of everyone she defeats?”
Tetora considered my response seriously for a moment before laughing pridefully. “Even she couldn’t memorize a list that long!”
I flashed him a grin, realizing I was also in better spirits.
Aleph, who had watched our exchange in thoughtful silence, nodded approvingly. “Perhaps we can inquire with someone here who may be better connected. We have been out of touch, but I believe that will end soon.” He turned and looked at me specifically. “Are you ready to meet the king?”
“I’ll behave...” I replied sheepishly.
Aleph let out an amused exhale. “That’s not exactly the response I was looking for, though I am glad to hear it nonetheless. Are you nervous?”
“A little.” I mean, that was his stage that burned, right?
“He may be a bit eccentric...” Aleph admitted quietly. “But he means well enough.”
“You’ve met him?”
Aleph nodded. “Briefly before our exodus. He outfitted many hybrids as best he could before their journey.” He frowned then. “I believe that the duke was earnest in his earlier statements about additional funding for the wastelands, but I am also certain it never made it there.”
“I could bring it to his—”
“No,” Aleph disagreed. “Not yet. The most important thing is to get into Chairo. I believe the real answer lies within.”
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“Unfortunately, Duke Chadwick, His Majesty, is not available at the moment. He is in no condition to entertain any... guests,” the foppish man glanced us over as he adjusted the extravagant feather in his oversized cap. “You understand, of course,” he finished with a disdainful scoff, stepping in front of the main gates for emphasis.
“No, I sincerely do not, Lord Chamberlain,” the duke sniffed with an irritated shake of his head. “I come bearing crucial information for King Saulus, yet you seek to stymie my duty!”
“Your Grace,” the chamberlain addressed him as he drew himself up pompously. “Perhaps you should spend the evening cleaning up these vagrants before presenting them as witnesses. Otherwise, no one will believe them!”
Hey! We’re more than just filthy witnesses! We’re hungry, filthy witnesses!
“Remember your station and cast aside thoughts of that trivial bonfire! This matter pertains directly to the Goddess Herself!” the duke’s voice cracked sharply.
“Patience, Your Grace,” Relias advised with a small smile. “We can acquiesce to such a request without taking any of your precious time.” He waved his hand casually above his head, and a halo of light surrounded our entire group.
“Refreshed and gently pressed!” Nora marveled, looking over her attire. “He even power-washed that makeup off your face!”
Wait, I still had it on? Why didn’t anyone tell me?
“A skilled priest, to be sure...” the overdressed butler conceded, deflating somewhat. “Your Grace... Do you vouch for their collective trustworthiness?”
“I swear on my Name and Purpose,” Duke Chadwick confirmed.
The chamberlain cleared his throat. “His Majesty is quite distraught over earlier events. I must implore you to tread with the utmost caution in your discourse with him so as not to exacerbate his distress or provoke any additional strain upon his well-being.”
“We will attempt to alleviate any fears with all sincerity,” Relias promised solemnly. “Might I beseech you to graciously guide us to His Majesty’s presence, that we may offer our unwavering support and solace in these trying times?”
The chamberlain fidgeted nervously as he asked Duke Chadwick, “Even the tiger?”
“Especially him!” I declared, yet he still waited for the duke’s response.
Duke Chadwick bowed in apology to me before turning back to the fop. “It is as she states,” he confirmed.
Father Irijah, who had tried to make himself as small and distant as possible, bowed obsequiously as he started to retreat. “With all due respect, there are things I must attend to in—”
Relias didn’t even bother to pay him a glance. “Abide yet a while longer. Your other duties will keep.”
“Y-yes, Your Holiness,” Father Irijah replied in defeat as he bowed to his back.
“A jolly jest,” the chamberlain chuckled slightly as he led the way inside the castle. “Some light humor will be good for His Majesty.”
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