The Capital City

Nocturn was a celestial city built into the trees. Palaces were strung like pears through great branches, they glittered as if looped with incandescent lights. It was beautiful, so why as they road in did Yuji find it disgusting.

He road at the head as the highest-ranking member from the margrave’s house, dressed in special clothing that had been meant for Lord Dain. The elves had tailored it to fit Lord Till’s body last minute. It was the first set of clothes he had worn, since being in this new world, that he felt as if he understood how to wear them. He road on Lord Dain’s chestnut destrier stallion as they had been unable to locate Sindacilla before continuing the journey to the capital. The saddle and bridle had been specially made for the occasion and they glinted with moonstones and silver.

Crowds filled the streets as the procession made its way through the center of the city. They talked and called as music played. The air buzzed with their excitement.

To Yuji they looked like cartoon faces distorting and changing. Meaningless faces. He had never wanted or prized this sort of attention at the best of times and now he despised it. He wanted to go. To be anywhere else. Heart aching in a way time could only blunt but never heal. He couldn’t leave her.

The Centauri Seren’s great carriage was behind the procession of soldiers that road and marched just at his back. Thaddea. She was innocent. She needed him to stay, and so, he would. He would see the matter through.

It was expected that the escorts provided by the margrave would remain in the city throughout the ceremony. He would be allowed to stay and would be the honored guest of the royal family, which would put him, at least partly, out of the emissary’s reach.

“Can’t you tell me what will happen if we fail?” Her voice ran through his mind as he tried to look proud and sit tall in the saddle.

“If we fail… its better we don’t think about it. We need to keep our eyes forward and only try to see what is right in front of us for now.”

They arrived at the castle, the first free standing ground construction in Nocturn, where the royal family waited at the top of a towering set of stairs. Yuji dismounted. His horse was taken, and the soldiers led off to either side. Just as the last of the men past the escort team appeared led by the envoy. He was the picture of a high elf pulled from a fantasy film. Proud, tall, and beautiful. A furious hatred raged through Yuji’s body as he bowed his head courteously. That provoking expression on the elf’s face goading him.

It was his honor as the margrave’s representative to go to the carriage of the Centauri Seren and help her into the ceremonial palanquin. Going to its door Yuji opened it, his eye met hers before he gave a low bow and offered a gloved hand. Placing her hand in his she stepped out wearing a sea of gray silk strewn with diamonds, moonstones, and silver threads that throw light like mad in every direction. There were comments from the gathered crowds, astonishment. Bringing her to the edge of the platform he guided her up the stairs. Stepping away, after she had been carefully tucked into the elaborately adorned palanquin, he went back to where the emissary was waiting.

Properly arraigned they ascended the stair side-by-side, every step in unison, neither looking at the other. Though both the emissary and Yuji were aware of one another’s every movement, every shift, down to the folds of the fabric covering their bodies.

As he walked Yuji could feel the vial of hair bouncing against his chest. He had buried Mirk before they left the forest. He went off alone that last night outside the capital as deeply as he could go within the woods and still get back in time for the envoy’s departure. Alone in the dark of night he had dug the hole with his own hands and snipping a portion of the beloved creature’s hair he put it in the empty vial of the elixir that had preserved the life that Mirk’s own had saved.

“I’m sorry this is all I can do to repay all you’ve done for me.” He looked at the little form surrounded by earth, hesitating to cover him. “I don’t want anyone disturbing you.” Reaching down he removed the crystal. “Goodbye, my dear friend.”

The agony he felt while pushing the earth over his only self-proclaimed and proven ally was almost more than he could bear.

The envoy was watching him now as they ascended. He could feel his eyes, that fire burned in Yuji’s chest vibrating defiantly. The royal family greeted them, they bowed. The king congratulated them on the execution of their duties, giving his condolences over the losses they experienced along the way.

They entered the castle, grandeur everywhere. It was sparkling with gold, the floors made of marble. It was beyond what he had seen in any history book, even Versailles paled in comparison.

At the banquet that followed Yuji was placed beside the second prince. He was very typical for a wealthy noble, talkative, and bright. His dark hair and pale blue eyes were both unusually animated, and for being so thin he ate enormously. Yuji did his best to converse, trying to eat what he was given while tasting absolutely nothing, everything that touched his palette seeming to turn to ash.

“You aren’t very loquacious, are you, Lord Till?”

“I’m sorry?” Yuji hadn’t been listening, lost in his own thoughts.

“You see, you’ve been off having conversations with yourself instead of attending the other guests. No wonder you have no appetite. It is a well-known fact that a conversation with others makes us all wish that all mouths were occupied, conversations with ourselves serve only to steal one’s hunger.”

“Do forgive me your highness, it’s been a very long journey.”

“Oh yes I heard.” The prince scooped up some fowl of some kind onto his fork, smothering it in gravy. “You’d be surprised the details I am aware of. You know I would like to talk to you later about it. Sometime tonight. You can come to my chambers, and we can have a private conversation. I’m sure we’d get on well. The sons of the second wife always do.” He put the food in his mouth with a pleased turn of his lips, eating rather more carefully than his words would suggest him capable.

“Yes. You know,” there was a sudden change in his expression toward gravity, “I think you and I will have a lot in common.” He washed away his mouthful with a sip of wine. “By the way, what do you think of his excellency? He has a way about him don’t you think? He and I are just the best of friends.” The prince burst with sudden laughter raising his glass to the emissary who, being in conversation with the king and first prince, didn’t appear to notice.

The wine that remained in his glass was downed and then instantly filled by a waiting servant.

“I know this is a bit late in the conversation, but I would be honored your highness to accept your invitation.”

“Invitation? Oh yes, I almost forgot. It’s a good thing you reminded me. I can be a touch absent-minded. It’s one of my many flaws I’m afraid. You know there was a time when I sat down and wrote a whole list of things I needed to change about myself. I must say burning that list was so satisfying. I highly recommend you doing so yourself if you ever have time to spare.” He stabbed several heads of asparagus consuming them with as much pleasure as he had the fowl and gravy.

There was some tinkling heard at the head of the table as the king stood, people tapping the sides of crystal glasses with golden utensils to carry down the order of silence.

“Oh look, what a treat.” The second prince whispered conspiratorially taking up his glass again. “My father is going to speak. What joy, most don’t realize or appreciate how much my father invests his affection for the country into these moments. He makes sure to stuff all his love and care into it as their leader, so he doesn’t have to worry about doing so in any other way. It is a well-known fact, after all, that words speak far louder then actions.” He smiled sharply. “My elder brother is just the same. The two are made from the identical material.”

A man approached the second prince whispering into his ear just as the king began to speak. “Oh, really.” The prince downed his glass of wine then with a cavalier gesture turned to Yuji, a gamesome expression spread into the good humor of his face. “Forgive me for abandoning you. There will unfortunately be an empty seat beside you for the rest of the feast. I had wanted so much to talk more but it will have to wait until our meeting tonight.”

“Forgive me your highness, but are you sure it’s alright to leave during the king’s speech?”

“How sweet, I am touched by your concern, truly I am.” He clapped Yuji’s shoulder passionately. “But I can assure you, no one of nobility expects anything from a second son. Especially one born from a consort. Now, until we meet again.” He tapped Yuji’s nose with the back of his index finger mischievously before standing, still beaming from ear to ear as he walked out of the dining hall with the man who had interrupted them.

Is it possible my new ally found me on his own? Yuji took a sip from his glass. I guess only time will tell.