The Return of the Hero

Leo

Leo found himself feeling a feeling he seldom felt: surprise. Having laid eyes on him, Leo had not expected the Hero to return. He even scarcer considered that both his companions would return with him. The boy with the eyeglasses in particular. He had seemed to Leo to be rather cowardly. Perhaps he had misread him. It would be far from the first time. 

When Leo went to retrieve the decision of the three Otherworlders, he told Bruno he needn't come, but of course, he insisted that it was his duty. He could be a bit overprotective at times. They had arrived to find all three of them waiting, with bags packed. The journey back had been uneventful. 

 "We are all delighted and relieved that you decided to lend us your aid. I assure you we will do our best to make sure you do not regret it," Leo postured with all his courtesies.

"Are the Duke and the Queen away?" Daniel timidly questioned when no party greeted them at the gate.

"No, but regrettably, they have more pressing matters to attend to. I shall be your guide and greeter," Leo responded, excentuating with a curt bow. "If you will follow me, we have prepared a great feast in your honour. Perhaps you would like to change into something a bit more appropriate for the occasion?" Leo quipped, his cold eyes not-so-subtly glancing up and down their odd attire.

Leo guided them past the gatehouse, down the main street, across the drawbridge and the courtyard, and into the castle keep. He took them up the grand spiraled staircase and stopped toward the back of the balcony where their new rooms were located. They were housed within three protruding turrets. The rooms were all adjoining but not connected. Sato was the first of the trio to enter his central room. Subsequently, Daniel entered the left room. Ultimately, Rebe entered the right room. Immediately, they were attended to by the servants Leo had assigned to each of them, to help them prepare. All three servants quickly exited the rooms, having been asked to leave while they changed. All three servants waited outside the doors, quite perplexed.

Rebe

Rebe's attendant, a girl around her age named Adelaide, reentered the room after knocking to check if she needed any assistance. She was nearly a head shorter but very verbose. Rebe liked that. She helped Rebe button the back of her dress. Apparently, her friends were waiting. 

Rebe stared at herself through the looking glass resting on the floor next to the powder table. Adelaide had done up her hair in an ornate style braid that she had never seen before. It looked incredibly intricate with many overlapping weaves, but Adelaide had done it in minutes, all while chatting away. It looked beautiful. Adelaide had told her it was a traditional Kelton Knot. She ran her hand across her ink-black hair and tried to imagine it red. She couldn't.

Rebe was dressed in a magnificent ball gown of baby blue with white lace trim. Her shoulders were consumed by giant bubbles of frilled fabric. They led to her exposed upper arms and white silk gloves that stretched up her forearms. Her single tattoo of an auburn autumn leaf, poked full of holes, was exposed on her right forearm, just past the length of her glove. She tried to pull the glove up over the mark, but it didn't quite reach. She wished she weren't so impulsive. She loved her tattoo and was so glad she had gotten it, but it definitely stood out. She was nervous that it would draw attention to her.  Adelaide told her she mustn't fret about such a small mark and that everyone would be too busy complimenting her to notice. That made her smile. Adelaide was very sweet. Rebe ran her left hand across the surface of the mark and thought of her mother.

The dress fit her surprisingly well, considering Adelaide had none of her measurements. It was aided slightly by the corset that Adelaide had convinced her to wear under it. Rebe had reluctantly relented. The girl was persistent. Breathing in it was definitely more of an art than a science. When she complained, Adelaide assured her that this wasn't tight at all. 

Rebe took the pair of fur slippers Adelaide held out for her and slipped them on. The length of her skirt all but obscured them from view, but she didn't mind at all. They were both warm and comfortable, and that was all that mattered to her. They were the one thing she had on that she would actually wear, except maybe the braid. 

Rebe finished by putting on her warpaint with a pair of smacks on her cheeks. She stowed her anxieties and doubts and put on the mask she knew so well. Adelaide commented that she could 'rosy-up' her cheeks without violence. Rebe had refused the offer. She remembered reading once that the powder these nobles used to put all over their faces every night was leaden with lead. Adelaide hadn't known what lead was, but why would she? Rebe decided not to chance it. 

This was a sort of war. This was her first real chance to make a good impression on the Queen and the Princesses. It was unlikely that Sato's swordmaster would teach her much. Rebe was not going to sit around and be bored. She had her own battle. She had to befriend the Princesses and get close to the Queen. That way, she could learn as much as she could about this society, family, and war, and share it with her friends. Her war was one of information and socialization. She was dressed for battle.

Adelaide held the door open and gave her a toothy smile. Rebe emerged just as she had through the Wyrmhole, ready for anything. The boys were indeed waiting outside. They were now chatting amongst themselves about their newfound fashion. Their attendants seemed to have left. 

Sato was changed out of his usual blue jeans and hoodie getup and into a fabulous royal blue coat covered with gilded embellishments that stuck out like tiny knots. It looked a lot like a colour swap of Leo's coat. His breeches were held up by an ornate belt with a silver clasp, and striped in black and yellow. He wore well-polished black boots tied up past his shins. His hair was just as chaotic as ever. Judging by Adelaide, no doubt his attendant failed to convince him to crop it short. He kept grabbing the lapel of his jacket and swaying slightly back and forth. It was extremely goofy and charming. 

Daniel was dressed in a brilliant, bright yellow Tunic with a scarlet sash slung over it. Knit into the fabric of the tunic were tiny cross patterns. Under the tunic, he was wearing tight black leggings, either that or knee-high socks. His boots appeared to be used and were of considerably lower quality. His hair was slicked up and back, but his eyeglasses still sat loose and crooked upon his small nose. 

Adelaide loudly cleared her throat, and the boys looked over.  When they saw her, both fell silent. It was terribly unnerving. Maybe she should have risked the lead poisoning. Her cheeks felt warm, and she was sure she was blushing. She took as deep a breath as she could. Warpaint. Her mask returned.

Daniel quickly ran up to her and told her how wonderful she looked and how well it suited her. Sato was more reserved. He was blushing slightly and waited until Daniel was finished stammering to tell her that "she looked beautiful. Like a Princess." She would be lying to herself if she said that Sato's shy compliment hadn't warmed her heart. She smiled brightly at him.  

The trio was joined again by Leo, who was wearing a similar, but certainly different, red regalia. He complimented all of them, first the boys on their transformation, and then he took Rebe's gloved hand and planted the most delicate of kisses upon her glove, so gentle it hardly registered. "You look radiant, Lady Rebbeca. I should only hope I am to be betrothed to a princess half as lovely," he pulled away quickly and silently. His words were sweet, but his eyes were not. "Please follow me to the Grand Hall. The Queen and Duke are waiting." He offered her his arm, and she gratefully took it. Perhaps he would be her knight in this battle.

Rebe followed Leo, with the boys in their wake. Bruno joined up with them along the way. He was dressed in a silk tunic of green with purple pants and his usual brown boots. They matched Leo's. It was adorable. The scruff on his chin had been tamed, and her copper skin showed through, in great contrast to his blond locks. He wore a brooch with a snake, or a "One-headed Serpent" as he called it. 

Rebe had had a chance to get to know Bruno during their last dinner in the Grand Hall. When Sato was lost in space and wouldn't talk to her. He seemed like a kind man. He clearly loved Leo deeply. He could stop talking about him. He also mentioned that he had a daughter, but she lived in some deep forest far from here. He got sad when he talked about her. He had quickly changed the subject back to Leo. Rebe doubted their relationship was good. She could relate. Her relationship with her father was mostly non-existent. He hardly noticed when she was home. He wasn't home all that often. When he was, her brother drew all his adoration and attention. Maybe who she really related to was his daughter.  

The five entered, once again, through the massive oaken doors. This time, two guards, also in regalia, stood erect at attention and swung open the heavy doors for them with relative ease. A herald announced their names as they entered.

"Crown Prince Leonidas the Third, Lord of Castle Hill and Heir to the Pax Isles, firstborn son of Queen Anne Orre of Pax Æure and Duke Leonidas Welles the Proud. Lord Brunos, The Pilgrim of the Luun, former Commander of Wardens of Deepwood, advisor to Duke Leonidas, tutor to Prince Leonidas. The Hero of Otherworld, Sato, future wielder of the ancient katana, and his faithful companions, Lady Rebecca and Lord Daniel."

The hall went silent as their names were called. A low murmur had returned to the crowd, but not the raucousness of before. The long tables and benches were now filled with people. There were also eight more of them. They had all been moved to the sides of the room to make room for the 'Dancing floor.' That seemed to be what they called the platform of wooden planks, covered in a carpet that had been assembled in front of the head table. It certainly beat dancing on the hard, uneven, cobblestone floor, but Rebe had hoped for something a bit more elegant. The hall felt much less big and empty when it was full of people and sound. It was felt almost lively.

Already seated at the head table was the Queen, the Duke, the Princesses, Earl, and some other familiar faces. Leo led Rebe to one of the chairs next to Princess Jo, who immediately told her that she "looked like a princess and that perhaps they could be sisters." 

"You certainly look more like a princess than I do. You can have my crown,"  Princess Samantha replied. She wore a rather dull black dress. Reb didn't know whether or not she should laugh, so she played it safe and didn't. Before she had a chance to reply to Princess Samantha, Princess Jo reiterated how wonderful she looked, specifically how beautifully her hair had been done. Rebe told the young princess that Adelaide had done it for her. The girl asked her sister to send for Adelaide next time they had a party or a feast. Princess Samantha was curt, much like her brother, and responded only that "they would see." Rebe offered to ask Adelaide to do Princess Jo's hair. Jo loved that idea. 

Leo continued past the girls and sat directly next to the Duke after placing a kiss upon his mother's pale cheek. The Duke whispered something in Leo's ear, and while his face betrayed no reaction, his eyes went glassy.

Rebe tried to start a conversation with Princess Samantha, but she was cut off. "Call me Sam. Not Princess. Not Samatha, just Sam." That pretty much ended that conversation before it started. Sam was going to be tough. Jo was not. She continued chatting vigorously with Rebe.

Leo had directed Daniel and Sato to sit nearest him and Bruno. Sato and Daniel sat with Bruno in between them. As soon as Leo sat, the Duke rose, goblet raised high, spilling over red. His cheeks were already rosy from the wine. He clearly loved his wine. Everyone instantly followed, including his friends. Rebe caught on and followed. Daniel, too. Sato looked around, the only one still seated, and stumbled up a moment after the entire hall. Already off to a great start. Great first impression. 

"This feast is dedicated to the Hero of Otherworld. He has answered our prayers for relief. My delicate son here," he said, throwing a massive mitt on Leo's shoulder. "When he said he would find The Hero and bring him back, I thought he meant it as much as he meant he would sire me some heirs or fight in a tourney." The room chucked nervously, but Leo's face was frozen. "I only jest. But no. My son has returned with the Hero. Our hero. He shall, in good time, slay those Rotting monsters and their vile prophet. To the Hero! To our victory! And most of all to our enemies going right back below where they belong!" The Duke roared, spitting each word. 

"Here!" the crowd returned, and chalices clashed and music swelled from the bard troop in the corner, previously unseen. There was an eruption of music and laughter. Once everyone was sufficiently stuffed and sufficiently drunk, they began to migrate to the dancing floor.

"Would my Lady care to dance?" Leo had silently snuck up behind her. Leo offered his hand and she hesitantly took it, pausing only slightly to look at Sato. She waited for an objection, but none ever came. Sato was staring only into his chalice, drinking his thoughts away. While Sato didn't notice her, Leo certainly did. 

He led Rebe out to the dance floor and began to lead her in an elegant ballroom dance. He was very talented, but Rebe had to keep fighting the urge to take over and lead. He was a bit slow and deliberate for her taste. They talked, and she finally got to know the Prince a bit better. He was blunt and cold but not unkind or cruel. He was strong, yet delicate. He would make a good king, she thought, if there was such a thing. 

When she finally returned to her seat after five or so dances with Leo and one with Daniel. Bruno seemed to have found a pair of sisters and invited Daniel to join them in a dance. He offered to sit with her, but she insisted he go. She looked over at Sato, but he never looked back. The dance faded quickly in Rebe's mind. She got to work. There was a battle to win. 

Sato

When, after a long night of feasting and dancing, they all finally retired to their rooms, Sato was restless. He tossed and he turned, and he couldn't get comfortable. The room was cold, but the fire in the hearth was radiating warmth. His blankets were thick, and the bedding was softer than anything he had ever slept on. All the same, he could not sleep. He kept replaying the Duke's words again and again in his mind. Leo's blank, expressionless face followed. Not just Leo but the Queen, his mother. No one said anything. No one. He realized the great irony that he himself had said nothing as well. He was instantly filled with regret and shame. He could have said something. He should have said something. But he didn't. He was no different from the rest of them. No better. He cried quietly until the sun rose.