Chapter 4: greetings

After Tristen woke up Boris, Jace, and Fae, the group and I started to make our way from the carriage to the castle stairs. A couple of guards took Amy’s body and said that they’ll start working on burial preparations. It seemed like the guards were shocked that one of the group members died.

Fae still had wet marks under her eyes, she was trying really hard to hold herself back from crying more. She couldn’t help but to keep a hold on to Tristen’s arm, even as we were walking towards the castle. I saw a couple of guards try to say something but they stopped themselves, there was nothing they could say that could help.

After going up a short set of stone stairs, we entered the castle through a 10 foot wood oval shaped door that was about 7 feet wide. Through the door was a nicely decorated long hall with red carpet, paintings of what I think are former royals were on the walls. There was a bright glass chandelier about every 10 feet along the roof, the roof itself was 20 feet from the ground.

The floor seemed to be made of marble, granted it was mostly covered by the carpet. After about a minute of walking we reached another door in front of us, while the hall split to the right and left. I took a glance at each side before going into the second door with the group.

The two halls were pretty much the same as the first but there were no more paintings. There seemed to be a few rooms on each side, the doors are closed though so I can’t see what’s in them.

Once we went through the second door in front of us, we came into the throne room. It was bigger than the room the plant and I were in, in a square shape about 50ft by 50ft. The roof was at least 30 feet from the stone ground.

There was a blue banner on the back wall behind the throne with the same golden four pointed star on it. Two smaller banners that looked the same were on each side of the bigger one. Torches were used to light up the room and were across all the walls.

There weren’t really any decorations or anything in here, it was kind of bleak. There was only one throne, which the king was sitting on while being half asleep. The king had bright blonde hair and blue eyes, he had chainmail armor on with a steel chest plate, and steel arm and leg guards.

He had a cape as well, but was sitting on it so it wasn’t that noticeable. The crown on his head was tilted, though he seemed like he was too tired to care. He had a person next to him that stood behind the throne, he had brown hair and was wearing long blue robes.

As the group was walking closer to the throne, I stayed behind everybody else. I mostly just wanted to look around and see how everything was here. It still hasn’t been that long since I came out of that plant, all of this is still new to me.

When we got close enough, the king started to speak.

“Welcome back, I’ve heard a bit about what happened while you were gone. All I can say is I’m sorry, and I will personally handle the funeral proceedings.”

Boris bowed to the king before replying while the rest of the group stood behind him. None of the others bowed but the king didn’t seem bothered by it.

“Thank you your majesty, however we would appreciate it if you allowed us to handle the proceedings ourselves. She didn’t have anyone else besides us in her life. We want to handle it in a more personal setting.”

I know it hasn’t been that long since I’ve known him, but Boris was speaking differently than he normally does. His voice was still firm but gentle, unlike when we were in the ruins and he had to make the calls. I should probably watch how I talk to the king, just in case.

“Of course Boris, whatever you all prefer. Remember if you need anything, any of you are allowed to come to me. I understand she was family, but she was also a friend. Just like all of you.”

“Thank you again, your majesty”

“My apologies for being blunt, I know today has been hard. Although it doesn’t change what the mission was for. I must ask, did you find anything?”

“Yes, but it wasn’t exactly what we thought.”

“The book wasn’t there?” The king asked, looking a bit frustrated at what Boris just said.

“I don’t believe there was a book to begin with.”

The king clicked his tongue and looked up towards the roof, taking a moment before looking back at Boris and asking his next question.

“Then what did you find?”

“Well, it’s better if you just meet him.”

“Him?”

“Kid, come up here for a second.”

I made my way from behind Fae and Tristen, up to Boris. Jace gave me a thumbs up and a light encouraging smile. The king’s eyes widened a bit with surprise as I was walking up.

“There was a child in the ruins?”

Boris let out a sigh before continuing.

“There’s more. Kid, can you take the wrap off your arm.”

I untied the wrap on my arm and let it slowly unfold onto the floor, as it came off the king went from droopy to bug eyed.

“Is that?” The king's voice was wavering while he pointed towards my arm.

“Yes, it’s a black tattoo.”

The king just stared at my arm for a good minute, while the mouth of the person in robes behind him was on the ground. I know Boris told me there’s only one other person with a black tattoo but is it really that big a deal? I don’t think I can use pure mana like the other guy anyway, Zephyr didn’t have an affinity but I have a gravity affinity so I’m probably not the same as him.

Putting one hand over his mouth, it seemed the king was thinking extremely hard. After a while he looked towards me.

“Forgive my rudeness, I’m king Varon Amana, do you have a name child?”

“No, your majesty.” King Varon laughed heartily after I said that.

“No need to refer to me like that, call me Varon from now on please.” He said, giving me a warm smile.

“Ryner, take our unnamed guest to the best room available while I finish this conversation with Boris. Make sure he has anything he may need.” Varon said, looking at the man behind him.

Ryner nodded and walked towards me, once he was in front of me he gave me what looked like a nervous smile.

“Please follow me.” I nodded and followed him out the door.

We turned right after we went out the door and started walking down the hall, we turned right once more and walked until we reached a door with the insignia on it.

“This will be where you’ll be staying for a while, please make yourself comfortable. I will bring food for you soon. There are some fruits on the table inside, don’t be afraid to eat those for now.”

“Thank you.” I said, giving a small bow.

He nodded to me and started to head down the hall again. As soon as he got to a turning point in the hall, his brisk walk quickly turned into a full on sprint. Even in that robe he was almost as fast as the group members.

“What was that?” I said out loud.

Ignoring what just happened I went inside the room, it was about as big as the throne room. Straight across from the door was a nice terrace with a couple chairs and a table outside. In the middle of the room was a round table with a fruit basket that had a nice assortment of fruits.

To the right of the table was a nice red couch in front of a fireplace, there was a smaller table close to the front of the couch as well.

To the left of the table was a big bed that I sat on after going up the 2 steps that seemed like divided the two areas of the room. There was also an open doorway on the right side of the wall the bed was against, when I took a closer look I realized it was another room.

In the room I saw a small lever connected to the side of this strange pot. I tried pulling it but it felt like it didn’t move in that direction. I then pushed it down and the water inside the pot started to swirl and go down the hole at the bottom of it.

“What is this?”

More water came back in the pot after it swirled down the whole.

“Is this magic too?”

My curiosity started to take over, I had no choice but to press down on the lever again.