The King’s Request

Standing in front of the mirror I look at myself taking in the outfit. A black duster, vest and pants all tucked neatly into knee length boots. With a red muffler and black cowboy hat, I look like the villain out of an old John Wayne movie. Sighing I twitch the duster aside, revealing the black revolver sitting on my hip. Its white counterpart resting on the other. Pulling it from its holster, I slide the cylinder open and look at the rounds. Hollow-point rounds resting in the chamber.

“Armor piercing rounds.” Watching the gun, I smile as the rounds change to black tipped armor piercing rounds. With a flourish, I slide it back into its holster. Ready to head out to the plains outside town for some testing. The destroyed training grounds memory flashing through my mind all too clearly from a few weeks ago. Heading toward the door I stop two steps away from the handle as a loud knock sounds. Quickly flicking open my inventory I switch back to my casual clothes from Earth before turning the handle. Opening it, I find a flustered knight standing there, breathing heavily.

“Sir Oscar, the king has requested you come to the throne room immediately.”

“What’s happened?” As the question left my mouth, my mind was already whirling into overdrive, running through all the things that could be wrong.

“It will be best for the king to explain. If you could please follow me.” Nodding and gesturing for him to lead, I followed the young man quickly through the castle. Finally seeing Hannah entering the throne room ahead of me, my fatherly worry slowing down at the sight of her. Well, if Hannah was fine, I couldn’t see why they would need me as well. Stepping into the throne room, a wave of sound assaults me as soldiers run around, and commands are shouted out. Near the throne, the king stood with some armored men going over a map, worried looks on all their faces. Walking over, I stop next to Hannah and wait for the king to begin talking.

“I’m sorry for calling you both here all of a sudden. We have a situation. At the edge of our country, a little over half a day’s ride from here is Maplefall Watch. It’s a fort town bordering the demonic kingdom and our own. We received a report a few hours ago that a small host of demons was marching against the fort. I need you both to go there and provide support for the townspeople and guards there. Normally, I would be worried but there’s also reports of movement elsewhere along the border and I don’t have enough men available to cover everywhere.” Looking at the map as the general next to him moves some pieces he looks back to me pleading in his eyes.

“Please. Lend me your assistance.” Before I can reply Hannah steps forward and places her hand over her heart.

“I will go to Maplefall and provide support.” Catching the king’s eye, I nod and my stomach twists with guilt at the relief on his face.

“Excellent. You will depart immediately. Also, Ellavessa will meet you on the road. Whilst I would prefer not to rely on her, I will take all the help I can get. Dismissed.” Turning from the king a moment behind Hannah, I catch up to her before she can leave the throne room. Grabbing her on the arm harder than I intended, I turned her towards me.

“Can I have a word, please?” with a sigh she nods and gestures for me to follow her. Leading me out of the craziness of the throne room, I followed her to a part of the castle I’d never seen before. Eerily quiet as if sound itself were afraid to linger. Our footsteps echoed dully as we walked down the hall. Finally exiting a side corridor, we entered a decrepit garden with a hauntingly beautiful white fountain in the center. The dark dirt of the empty garden beds contrasting to the pale stone everywhere. The pool below long dried up, judging by the dust piles in the bottom. Walking over, Hannah takes a seat on the edge and looks down at the fountain with a conflicted look.

“I come here often. When the noise outside becomes too much, I found this place. It used to be part of a worship area in this part of the castle. But it’s no longer used. I believe the royal family has kept it maintained for the last few centuries but even so, it’s still empty here and no one ever comes past.” Going silent, she lets her words sink in. I wonder where she got that technique from. Maybe there’s more of her cop father in her than I'd care to admit. Taking a seat next to her, I meet her eyes.

“I’m sorry Hannah. I know I’ve been over the top since we got here. Then the thing with the training ground happened and you were so angry after it all. And I was never the one to de-escalate things between you and I. Your mother was the one that was always there for that. To tell me when I was being a fool. I am sorry.” Sighing, she turns and removes the sword from her side, letting it rest next to us.

“I’m sorry too Dad. I was so wrapped up in training to be their hero that I never once stopped to consider your feelings and what you must be going through. I’ve been welcomed with open arms, and it seems like you’ve been shunned.” Smiling, I wrap my arm around her and pull her into a dad cuddle. Snuggling into me reminds me of when she would fall asleep in my arms as a child. I miss those times. Simpler and happier times.

“I can’t promise that I will stop trying to protect you. I’m your dad and that’s my job. But I will try to be better at letting you make your own choices.”

“And not blowing up the training grounds in anger.”

“Yeah, not my finest moment, that’s for sure.” Laughing she leans forward and gives me a kiss on the cheek getting to her feet.

“What was that for?”

“For being you. Now come on Dad. We’d better go before they send out a search party looking for us.” Laughing I get to my feet and follow her out of the courtyard.