As the group approached the queen’s ride, she began speaking. “I will need someone to go over to the barracks to retrieve their things. Bring them directly to the council chambers because they will be staying as my newest honored guests.”
“I shall do it, your majesty.” She smiled at the man who volunteered and he quickly left the group to retrieve his bay. He briskly mounted the steed and trotted off down a side road.
She began speaking again. “We have much to discuss today, Alex. Once we have some privacy I will leave it up to you how to proceed with things. Until then keep your questions to yourself because there might be someone who’s ears might not be for Freelan, but for the king.”
“Are you saying that there are spies?” he asked calmly.
She turned around as they made it up to the large carriage. “That I do not doubt. We can never be completely confident that everyone is who they say they are. You know I’ve taken heavy precautions, but like everything in the world, nothing is completely foolproof. My suggestion to you will be to keep your guard up at all times.”
“Aye, your majesty.”
She shook her head and smiled. “Please just call me Allahandra, ya.”
General Rakkian interjected. “Your Majesty, he is but a commoner. How can you ask him for such a thing? It isn’t right or proper.”
She glared at him and he backed up a half a step. “If you are lucky I will tell you in private. Until then obey your orders, Rakkian or be gagged.”
She took a step up into the carriage. “You may all ride with me.”
“I’ll walk.” She stopped with a hand at the door handle. “Shade will not be able to fit inside so I’ll travel with him and I need to clear my head.”
“I understand. And tell Shade to forgive my ignorance. I haven’t taken his size into account.”
When Alex translated to Shade he told her it wasn’t a problem, he wished to walk as well.
After the queen entered the carriage, one guard entered in after her. General Rakkian walked silently in. Lily and Marlin glanced at Alex and he nodded for them to proceed. They also entered and sat down I the luxurious ride. Alex shut the door behind them and dropped the short distance to the ground.
By the time he turned around the guards were already mounted and took their riding positions. There was one free horse and Alex introduced himself to her and she allowed him to jump on. He did so after sliding the staff into his left hand. Shade introduced himself and walked to her side. She didn’t spook, but she didn’t look away from him the whole time.
The driver of the carriage snapped the reigns and the six horses began moving forward. Alex was told to ride by the door because of the other man that left to retrieve their belongings. Shade walked easily by the bay and was a giant compared to the mare. The mounts began turning down a road, making their presence known with their hooves clopping the stone floor. People moved away and bowed as the procession passed. Some balked as they saw Shade walking with them, but he was still angry at what had happened so he didn’t flaunt himself like he’s been doing these past two days. The coach then turned onto the main road and continued trotting to the center of the city. As they moved deeper into the royal city the buildings steadily grew grander.
There wasn’t a direct way to the castle, but the layout wasn’t too difficult to understand. It made sense that if the main wall was somehow breached, the enemy wouldn’t have a clear path to the queen’s castle.
They walked for over an hour and the largest building was the grandest of the city and was the most impressive Alex has ever seen with his own two eyes. Nineteen stories were counted because of the windows. The roof held a stone railing and there were posted guards looking over the city, searching for any signs of danger. As the coach advanced, the guards on the roof pointed to their approach. The castle was made like a cube, with flying buttresses surrounding and supporting key points of the large structure. In the highest corners of the castle were several green flags with a yellowish/golden outlining. It was made in a long triangle shape. The castle was made of gray stone and had some moss, but the building was in excellent condition and its age eluded Alex to its initial crafting.
Shade exclaimed with a wide-eyed grin “Now that is a den.”
Before they could make it into the grounds they had to pass another stone wall, but this one was only half the size of the outer wall, fifty to sixty feet high. There were guards patrolling the top of this wall as well. They all stopped to see them coming. Others shouted their arrival.
The solid metal gate lifted as they approached the wall and they made it under that gate to see the castle grounds.
Inside the gate laid an enormous courtyard made of perfectly cut stone, pressed evenly beneath their feet, paws and hooves. It was made into a large semicircle. Around the edges of the courtyard were rows of beautiful flowers that made everything smell pleasant. Behind the flowers wound a path that led to even more flowers. Apparently the queen loved flowers and it did make the palace more pleasant to look upon. At the end of the courtyard was a large stone staircase and on the entry stood three women waiting patiently. Upon a closer look it was an older woman and two adolescent girls.
Once the coach and guards passed under the gate, it descended loudly into a secure position. The driver made the carriage turn to the left and round to the right. They came to a stop when the carriage was in front of the stairs.
Alex dismounted and stated “We’re here!”
The door opened and Marlin walked out first, followed by Lily, General Rakkian, The man with his items and then eventually Allahandra graced them all with her presence. His companions walked over to Alex and Marlin spoke about how lush and soft the ride was. While they spoke all of the guards moved away to tie their horses to a post, except for the one who held Rakkian’s items.
“My Lady,” they all turned to the woman of a light ebony complexion and two girls of cream color as they traversed down the steps. They stopped when they could speak casually. The young girls were quiet as they glanced at Shade, but the woman in her early fifties was more concerned about something else. “Where did you go? I’ve just learned of your absence and I was worried.”
Allahandra smiled. “There was something I needed to see to, personally. As you can see my personal guard volunteered to come with me. Oh there is someone I must introduce you to.” Her voice became excited.
Allahandra grasped the woman’s hand and brought her over to The Pack, as she had been informed to call their group. The coach along with the other guards began moving away. Once the queen stopped several paces away, along with the other three ladies, she raised the palm of her hand in an introductory gesture.
“Mistress Marge, I would like to introduce my newest guests, Marlin,” She moved her hand to identify each of them. “Lily, Shade and Alex. They will be staying with us for awhile.” The queen turned to them now. “Everyone, this is the head mistress of my castle and the city. She knows just about everything there is to know. If you need something she will be familiar with how to find it. I hope everyone will become friends.”
Alex walked closer and the head mistress studied the tall child oddly. His tone was genuinely excited as he extended his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you Mistress Marge. We didn’t mean to intrude on your day.”
Her motherly smile made him feel welcomed. “Think nothing of it. Allahandra keeps me busy so I cannot complain.” She grasped his arm. “It is a pleasure to hear that the rumors are true after all. So you can speak to your fien…Shade. I will have the three guest rooms prepared. I’m guessing Shade will be staying with you?” he nodded and they released their grasp.
She turned to her left and raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t seen you in trouble in ages, Little Rakkian. What did you do this time?”
Allahandra’s tone became disgusted before he had a chance to speak. “He tried to murder a new member of our family, while their back was turned.” The mistresses eyes widened and she gasped. “Because of the severit
y of the act we will proceed with our law. I doubt we can settle this with a common arbiter so I will take their place and find a common footing.”
So she will listen to both sides to find a reasonable solution to his crime?
Mistress Marge sighed. “I understand.” She looked at all of them and said “I know you will go to the private meeting chamber and I will cancel all your day’s duty because there looks to be much needing to be discussed. So I’ll bring each of you a meal. All of you look famished. I’ll even bring something special for Shade. Excuse me.”
She bowed and scurried up the stairs, two attendants in tow.
Queen Allahandra regained their attention. “Amazing. She usually scolds me when I do something rash, like leave the castle on such short notice. She is like a mother to me… She must really like you, Alex, ya.” She began grinning.
“Your highness is there somewhere we may wash up?” Lily asked evenly.
“I was just about to suggest the exact same thing. It looks like everyone needs a bath though… follow me if you will.” She then turned and walked up the stairs after her mistress.
After walking the stairs they traveled through the front entryway. Two solid wooden gates were flared outward. They were the thickest they’ve ever come across. They walked through it and down a short hall. The main floor was ahead and it was lit by sunlight that has been reflected by mirrors. It was an ingenious concept that Alex has only read about. Plus it was remarkably cool inside the building. The air smelled fragrant with a hint of cooked food and spice, which made everyone’s stomach growl.
“This is the main audience hall.” Queen Allahandra began giving a personal tour. “We eat and socialize here and I also see petitioners and nobles during brief my periods of free time. Below this floor is also where our meals are made and our clothes get cleaned.”
The first room was lined with wooden tables and chairs, but the room was empty except for those who were still cleaning. Besides the buttresses outside the first room, they had several stone pillars supporting the upper floors. In the back of the room was a raised stone stage with stairs that led up to it. In the center of the stage sat an enormous chair that was lavish. It was Allahandra’s throne, one of them at least. Off to either side of the hall were spiral staircases made of stone.
It took a few minutes to reach the staircase and another few moments to walk up to the second level, but they kept going higher.
Allahandra began explaining her castle. “Levels two through twelve are reserved for soldiers whom guard the city. By my last count we have just over two thousand soldiers living inside this building. Each and every one of them are fierce warriors and specialists in their own field. Most of the other members live in the city with their families. Level’s thirteen and fourteen houses my commanding officers and generals. Level fifteen is where everyone bathes. Level sixteen through eighteen are my private collection of books and documents. Everyone who lives here is welcome to visit the library, but you are not allowed to take them from those levels without my written permission. Three times a week we have many children come to my personal libraries to learn how to read, write and learn. Many I hope will become scholars. I call it a school. Level nineteen is my personal restricted floor and you will not be allowed to that level without authorization from me alone. If you are found and resist capture you will be killed.”
“What kinds of permission must be given?” Marlin asked.
The queen’s dark brown eyes glanced and she smiled at him. “I will tell my men and they will allow you, plus for the library, I will give you a special letter that you must deliver to my document caretakers, if you wish to take a book from the archives.”
On the way up Alex explained everything to Shade and he became thrilled because he wanted to read some more. It has been quite a time since either of them have been able to read in luxury, without the threat of being killed or discovered. Allahandra wasn’t too surprised Shade could read for some reason so he left his many numbered questions inside his mind until later.
Eventually the group reached the fifteenth floor when Allahandra said “Lily, come with me. There is something you need to see.” Lily glanced at Alex only once, afraid to be separated in a castle that you once called an enemy. “You will like it I can promise that to you. And do not worry, I won’t have anything happen while you are away from your companions.” She extended her hand. Lily casually took the offering and Allahandra said to the men “I will see you shortly.”
Before the women left she ordered her only remaining guard to allow Rakkian to bathe, but to keep an eye on him. He nodded in recognition to her order and they walked.
The hall the men turned on to resembled the hallway in the barracks. The only difference was that there were only two doors. Marlin was told which one the men’s room was. They took the door to the left with the blue paint. The white door was for women.
Inside the room was also lit from mirrors and at the other end of the room stood another door which was where the other stairwell sat beyond. Off on one wall were many buckets. There was a cake of soap plus a sponge inside each bucket. Alex grabbed two while the others grabbed one to bathe, except for the guard standing watch. In the middle of the room lay a large pool of water. There were twenty large booths to the left where one could wash in private and there were small drains under the stalls. To the right held the privies, but the room didn’t smell as bad as one originally thought.
Alex walked up to the deep and fresh water and drew the liquid into each pail, after removing the contents. Alex told Shade he couldn’t jump in and he was honestly disappointed. He waited while his brother entered a stall and quickly washed. He also cleaned the red paint easily off the ends of the staff. Alex used the remaining water to wash the soap off his body and down the drain.
He stepped out of the stall and drew more water. Shade stood up and allowed his elder brother to bathe him quickly. It took three-and-twenty pails of water to completely wash the suds from his fur. He soaked everyone when he shook the water droplets from his coat. By the time they finished all were ready.
They left the room soon after and Alex led everyone up the stairs.
Alex stopped cold once he reached the nineteenth floor of the castle. There were two swords aimed in his direction and an arrow leveled at his head. The two swordsmen stood on the ledge which the stairs ended on. The archer stood further down the hall. Where the stairs ended, it made a straight hall and it turned to the left at the end. None could get passed without a fight.
These three soldiers were larger than Alex expected. He was larger than the average man, but these men made him feel utterly insignificant. They were muscle-bound giants. Their arms could easily break him in half and their legs were solid tree trunks. The eyes that showed what a person was, told him that they wouldn’t hesitate to stop him from taking another step forward.
“Who are you?” The archer asked evenly, bow still drawn to his cheek.
“Queen Allahandra said for us to follow once we were finished bathing. My name is Alex.” He and the others didn’t dare move under their watch.
The swords drew back and the archer removed the tension from the string. The archer said “You are permitted on this level unless we are told otherwise. The password is Morningstar.”
He gestured them forward and they didn’t hesitate.
Down the hall they traveled and turned down the left hallway. This hallway had sunlight coming in from the windows that lined the far back wall. There were four more guards lined up to either side of this wall. In the center of the hall was a wooden ladder that went through the roof. Alex could tell that that was how the guards could patrol atop the roof of the castle.
One guard stepped in the center and evenly asked “Password?”
“Morningstar!” Alex said and the warrior returned to standing silently against the wall. It let him know that if someone were to somehow pass the first guards without the password then these men would cut any down if they didn’t know i
t. Allahandra didn’t take chances.
The five men all walked naturally down the hall and then Alex saw a large door to his left. It was directly across from the wooden ladder. Two guards stood to either side of the doors. They passed them and the guards didn’t even flinch while maintaining their statuesque stance, but their eyes were alert.
Alex walked up to the two wooden doors and knocked. Behind the door they heard “Enter!” It was Allahandra’s commanding voice. He grabbed the handles and opened both doors, per her allowance.
The room was painted a light green and there were reinforced windows that lined the ceiling, which gave the room light. The walls held paintings of the past kings and queens; which were all remarkably detailed and lifelike. The room itself was a quarter the size of the main hall, but this room wasn’t as tall. Off to either side of the back of the room were two doorways that led somewhere else. Off to the left wall stood a large closed cabinet that had almost reached the ceiling and was over fifteen feet wide. The floor was made of a polished white stone that was recognized to be marble. Alex’s bare and chilled feet confirmed it. In the center of the room was an enormous circular table; with many chairs surrounding it. In the center of the table was an identical map of the lands, like the one from his old book. Only the map on the table has been engraved into the wooden table.
The queen sat in the furthest spot at the table which also happened to be another throne. Behind the throne rested a painting of her parents. They looked so happy together. Her father was as dark as Takka, but her mother was as fair as Lily. It made sense now.
Allahandra looked different, sitting in her throne, and he realized that she had removed her gold tiara. She still wore the same green dress as she sat erect in the throne chair. She spoke casually, but the sound was slightly echoed in the enclosed room. “Please come in. You may all sit close to me. And your companion will be out shortly.”
Untamed Gift (Book One of the Items Trilogy) Page 43
