Within the Castle

"Ma'am Misaki, please... this is from the King."

The younger man huffed as he caught up to them.

"He wishes you to have this..."

Before the two got near exiting the huge building, Mai was hurriedly handed an envelope; that held something small but heavy within it, by a different member of the staff to the King.

The young man offered a bow, then was about to leave, when Mai stopped him.

"Uh, one moment please."

Looking out the nearest window, she could see the sky had already turned from blue to a variety of other colours, so it was already too late for Lygawa to transport her anywhere else.

So after inquiring about finding a bed for the night, the attendant whisked off to his supervisors to see what could be found at short notice, and then Mai was surprised to learn a room could be made for them, within the very lavish building.

"We couldn't possibly impose..."

Mai tried to decline, but the younger man and his newly arrived older companion were aliment.

"We must insist..."

As she tugged Lygawa about in the castle, making sure she didn't get into any trouble, Mai was escorted to a higher floor, where a private suite was presented for the two.

So this is the kind of rooms a Noble or Royalty are used to..?

Lygawa already lightly jumped up and down on the huge bed, that possibly spaced the size of their entire bedroom back in the village, but seemed 'at size' compared to the rest of the pink coloured room.

"Shall you be taking your meal here, or at the dining hall?"

The older attendant asked, slightly surprising Mai who after seeing the room had forgotten he was still there.

"Uh the hall... should be fine..."

She didn't know which required less effort here, still shy about all the attention.

Again the pair was shown to a different section of the sprawling building, where a wide white room with many tables and occupants waited, already amid dishing out food for those in attendance, which smelled quite nice.

Taking a table, as far back as possible to be less noticed, the ladies were seated, and had some food brought their way and politely and quietly ate what was placed before them, by the bustling serving staff who attended those seated around them.

I wonder who all these people are... Are we seated with rich Nobility... because that lady almost looks like a Princess...

A very pretty woman in a decorated cherry dress, with long dark-orange curls, sat across the room, at her own table, seemingly quite unapproachable, with her sharp ruby eyes and regal presence.

Meanwhile, another pair entered the hall, wearing plainer suit-like clothes, and after surveying the seating for a moment, each took a glass and walked through the setting.

Their clothes are less decorated, and they look quite fit... and less pretty faced than most, perhaps these are soldiers, maybe high raking ones...?

The two differently dressed men seemed to take note of their watch, and casually walked right up to Mai and Lygawa's table.

"May we join you?"

The rougher one with the black hair asked, while the other younger looking one, with shorter faint blue hair and brighter eyes already pulled out a seat.

Eek... why us...?

"Uh... sure..."

"Hi there, I'm Kline, and this is Wilton..."

The more courteous black topped one introduced the matching suited couple.

They're acting like I should already know who they are... but I have no idea at all...

"Hello. I'm Misaki, and this is Lygawa..."

Mai likewise introduced the pair, less casually, while Lygawa only watched them carefully.

"I haven't seen you two around before...?"

"Are you... another rider?"

The bluer one asked Mai, in a kinder voice than his appearance would have suggested.

"No I'm just visiting..."

Wait, did he say 'another rider'...

"I knew it!"

Lygawa looked nearly ready to jump the table, rising a little she grabbed its clothed edge as she bristled with hostility toward the two now seated opposite.

"These two are... like me..."

She lowered her voice as she lent closer to Mai, keeping her green eyes cautiously on the pair.

These two are... dragons too...?

Answers were needed.

"Are you allies or are you watchers, here to keep an eye on us?"

Lygawa asked first.

What are 'Watchers'...?

"We are noble rides - willing servants for the Dragon knights..."

The bluer one said, slightly confused.

Dragon Knights...?!

"What are Dragons doing here?"

Mai asked quietly, so the others in the room didn't here.

"Helping the Humans here? In our own way, we came to assist them... and now live here in comfort, inside the castle."

Mai pulled back in disbelief, while Lygawa's frustration dropped slightly.

"Oh..."

The two other dragons looked to one another.

"We had the impression that you would be joining us... here."

"Sorry to jump to conclusions..."

The rougher Kline apologised.

"So if you're not a Knight, why is she defending you so..."

Wilton asked pointing out Lygawa's overly protective stance beside Mai.

Mai tugged the side of her dark-silver dress down, thankful she hadn't visualised her tail and horns out amongst others again, and she sat back down, although still restlessly.

"I am Mai's protector and more."

The dragon-girl left it at that.

"And I am not a Knight... or a warrior at all..."

Mai added.

After looking at each other again with slight surprise, the tougher looking dragon seemed amused.

"That's fine, we're still glad to meet you both, and please treat us as allies."

Lygawa settled a little more, returning to eat off yet another little presented plate.

"If you're not staying around... then when are you going?"

Wilton asked, appreciating his own food.

"Tomorrow morning."

Mai was keeping details short, not sure why they were so interested.

"Must be nice to have so much freedom..."

"Are you caged in this place?"

Lygawa inquired.

"Not exactly, but we just don't get out all that often."

Kline answered.

"Well we freely take to the sky whenever it suits us."

Lygawa slightly bragged.

A commotion happened amid the hall, as the ruby-eyed 'princess' caused a clatter at her formerly quiet table, and then stormed out of the room, in quite the huff about something.

"I think Zalina is a little jealous..."

Jealous? Of us...? Why...?

Mai didn't ask aloud, as she realized another serve appeared before her, but she just slid her plate over for Lygawa, not wanting to appear rude, as she was fairly full at that point anyway.

"It might be because she had a little competition today - since she'd usually be the centre of attention..."

Kline suggested, as Mai noticed that at least a few other eyes were drawn their way, making her even more uncomfortable.

Wanting to get out of sight, she waited as Lygawa quickly finished the last plate, before cutting the dinner short as she stood to go.

"A pleasure to meet you."

"Of course."

They both stood too, in a gentlemanly way, as the ladies left.

Sleeping fairly well, Mai had woken early, but with nothing to do, she admired the view, overlooking the pretty gardens between the castle and its walls.

She did have time to finally open the envelope given to her, finding a small note and a golden necklace, holding a small, half palm sized circular pendant - with a few little circles in the center, flanked with swirls on both sides.

While the simple note read; Please treat this as a gift. It will help with your futures. Wear with pride.

A little later on; some light breakfast was dropped by, and then a while after, with Lygawa still laying on the soft and wide bed, another small knock came at the doors.

The beautiful ruby-eyed woman stood at the door, in a peach and white dress, but with a harsh look over her face and with both arms firmly folded before her chest.

It's the 'princess'...!? Why is she here...?

"Shall I be left to stand out here?"

"Oh - please come in..."

Mai backed up letting her glide in, fretting that she'd not gotten on with her for whatever reason.

"I am Zalina, if thou did not know."

She said to Mai, looking about unimpressed as Lygawa finally jumped from the bed, still yawning.

"So slack, tis past the morn already..."

She even speaks like a high standing woman...!

"Why are you so high and mighty, stomping in here..."

Mai trembled with her shock, hearing Lygawa be so rude to the fine lady, whose own mood hadn't improved hearing that.

"Doth you intend to laze all day, for I heard thee meant to depart..."

Lygawa wandered closer, before flipping her still visible tail quick and straight at the others head.

"Lyga- eh!?"

Zalina still stood, with her arms still crossed, as an orange tail had flicked from her own dress to intercept the silver one - with a slap.

She's one too...!

"Thou dare be so shameless! Shall we takith this further then... with a proper contest!?"

The orange one then gave a scary looking smile.

"Bring it!"

Lygawa grinned back.