INTRUDER

After we had feasted, for he had changed his mind and used the Grand Hall to host an impromptu banquet, Tulote showed me to my room and then went about his way.

“Here's your room, and here's a bell, you can ring it if you need anything.”

“Thanks Tulote”

“Sure, no problem, I'll be on my way now”

“Bye”

What stood before me was a heavy oak door that was studded with iron.  I pushed it and as it creaked open, it revealed a chamber steeped in the cool, still air of the palace. The thick walls, rough-hewn and unadorned by plaster, rose all about me, their grey expanse broken only by a few large tapestries. The tapestries were woven with what looked like a man and woman reaching towards a glowing crown.
A central hearth, blackened by what I assume is centuries of use, held the glowing embers of a recently tended fire. Above the mantel stood a polished alloy hook.
I hung the Gladius there, it's not like I could sleep with a sword at my side anyway.

Oh boy, then there was the bed.
It was a MASSIVE four-poster affair carved from what looked like some dark, unvarnished oak. 
It DEFINITELY commanded the centre of the room.
Oh, and the drawn velvet curtains were a luxury beyond what I've ever seen.

I plopped down on the bed, exhausted.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

That was one day gone, now there were Three Hundred and Sixty Four (364) days left.

—

I must have slept like a baby, because Thial kicked in my door and screamed at the top of her lungs.

“GOOD MORNING!”

“Huh what? It's morning already?”

“Yes your heroness!” she said with a giggle, “Remember, you've an address to the people of Surton today!”

“Oh, yeah, that”

I got out still feeling groggy, so I sat in bed a little longer.

“Do you need me to throw water on you?” Thial said while smiling and clasping her hands.

“NO! I'm coming!”

“Alright! His lordship has given me some clothes for you, I'll just leave them on this night stand here, and breakfast is in 30 minutes!”

“Ah, alright, thanks”

I looked at the clothes for a good while, it looked like something you'd wear in one of those medieval plays back on my world. Well, I suppose this could be considered the medieval times, wouldn't it?

It was a tight fit at first, but I managed to slip into them just right eventually.

I made my way down to the Grand Hall to have breakfast.
I passed some maids on the way, bid them good morning and went about my way.
Furthermore, I heard giggles soon there-after.
It reminded me of my teenage days.

I entered into the Grand Hall and there Tulote was waiting for me.

“AH, you're awake! Glad to have you with us, Arda!”

“The honour is all mine, Tulote.”

He let out a heart laugh once more, and I laughed with him too.

“We have much work to do, you and me.”

“So I've been told…”

He brought me to the porch right outside the hall, it overlooked the entirety of Surton. I could even see some snowy hills in the distance, probably Neoth I assumed.

“You know, my parents used to address the entirety of the Imperium here on special occasions.”

“Wait, really?”

“Yeah. The last time they addressed the Kingdom was just before they dissolved to sustain the planet's life force” Tulote continued, “That was the last time anyone has ever spoken here…”

“Wait, but why haven't you used it?”

“I've never been much for long, arduous speeches. Despite what people might say, I'm more for getting in the thick of it and speaking in the moment.”

“Oh, that makes sense, I think”

“Well, regardless, you'll be making your address here, hero.”

“It's that serious, huh, you referred to me by my title rather than my name.”

“My people have been distraught and in fear for two and a half centuries, Arda. YOU are what they need right now. All the mothers, fathers, children, they need YOU.”

“Man, that's a tall order, but I'll do my best.”

We admired the scenery for a bit longer. It really was beautiful.

Just then, we heard screams throughout the castle.

“What in good heavens is that?”

Thial burst through the doors, but something was with her.

“YOU DEMON, UNHAND HER IMMEDIATELY”

As soon as he said that, a sword materialized out of thin air.

“ I SENSE THE ESSENCE OF THE HERO” the horrid thing screamed.

Just then, the demon shoved its dagger through Thial. 

“NO!”

Tulote then ran over to the demon, each step sounding thunderous as it came into contact with the floor.

Tulote's sword glistened a bright blue as it clashed with the demon's dagger. It then lit up into flames and Tulote clashed again.
They threw each other across the room, it seemed as though the demon got stronger the more they fought.
Just then I realized that I had left the Gladius in the room.

“SHIT!”

“CALL OUT IT'S NAME” Tulote said while fighting off the demon.

“GLADIUS NOBELLUS”

Just then I saw a flash of light, and the sword went clear through the demon, vaporizing it instantly, then appearing into my hand.
I had no time to be awed by it, however, Thial was on the floor bleeding out.

“GODDAMMIT, SOMEONE GET A DOCTOR”

I ran to her side and started applying pressure to her wound along with Tulote. Just then, a doctor rushed in with two men holding a stretcher.

“QUICK! Flip her over!” He screamed.

He then put his hands over her and a green flash followed.

“This should stabilize her for right now, she has severe internal bleeding however, I'll have to perform surgery on her.”

“THEN GO! I will not lose ANYONE ELSE to DIETHA and her disgusting demons”.

The doctor needed not to be told twice. The men that were with him picked up Thial, and ran off.

“I NEED A STATUS REPORT, ARE THERE ANY MORE OF THEM?!”

Just then, a stubby looking dwarf came running in and kneeled before Tulote.

“Your lordship, it seems it was only one. Perhaps Dietha sent one to scope out the castle.”

“DRAT! That means she knows that the hero is here, and has come to gauge him herself. DAMMIT!”

“My lord, may I speak freely?”

“Go ahead Regel.”

“Will Thial be alright, your lordship?”

“On Erton she better be. She better be.”

I came to learn that Thial was a child-hood friend of Tulote, and had been raised in the castle after her adoptive noble family had been wiped out during the Great Unification Wars.
It was a well known fact around the realm that Tulote had infused her with his royal blood to extend her lifespan
Tulote was really on edge.

“They're getting stronger, Arda. They were never this strong. Good GOD, what is DIetha doing with them.”

“If that's the case now, we must leave ASAP.”

“We will, oh and Regal?”

“Yes my lord?”

“Please make sure that word of what happened here, does NOT get out.”

“Yes my lord.”

“Arda, you don't have to speak if you, don't want to. I understand that this might be shocki-”

“No, respectfully Tulote, but whatever that shit was. It just proved to me that these people need that show of hope even more than ever.”

“Ah, alright. Regal, you know what you need to do.”

“Yes my lord”

A few minutes passed, then Regal returned.

“Our Hero, it is time.”

I stepped out onto the porch, and this time the courtyard was filled with towns folk that even spilled out to the streets.

“Here, take this. It's a vocal enhancer.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“People of Erton. I know that you have lost so much, and for some of you, seemingly everything. I know your pain, I understand the pain of not being strong enough to save the ones you love. This Realm is beautiful, and we must NOT allow Dietha in all her rage to consume this wonderful place. To the Dwarves, the Elves, and my fellow Humans, LET US RISE. WE WILL RISE AGAIN, JUST LIKE WE HAVE CENTURIES BEFORE!”

I then raised the Gladius Nobellus to the sky.

The crowd erupted into applause, and cheers, and started chanting.

“LONG LIVE THE HERO!”

We will endure. I will not allow for what happened today, what happened to Thial to happen to anyone else.

“You never cease to amaze me, hero.”

“I just speak things as they are is all.”

“I'm going off to ready the war party. We depart here in a few hours.”

“I've gotcha Tulote.”

I then asked directions to the infirmary, I needed to at least check on Thial before I left.

I needed to make sure she was OK.