by P D Atkerson
"That's not answering my question." The king said, frowning. “Who taught you?”
Aroron gritted his teeth. "He was a warrior, and that's really all you need to know about him." He said, stepping back. "So, if you don't mind, I've got to get back to the blacksmith, before Ingram starts to wonder where I am."
"What a waste!" King Dillaran hissed. "Your gift with the sword thrown away to work for a blacksmith. What if I made you a knight? Wouldn’t that be better than spending all day in that hot, stuffy, place?"
Aroron sighed. "I'm not looking to become a knight. I fight to defend myself, that is all. Your son called me a coward, and I only dueled with him to defend my honor. I do not fight for a king."
"That's too bad, because I wasn't really asking. You have now been drafted into the Shenock army." The king said. "You'll be expected at the Palace tomorrow. And you'd better be there. If you run, you will be hung for treason." Without waiting for Aroron to respond, he turned around and headed back towards the Palace, followed by his entourage of guards and advisers.
While everyone was still watching the king, Gana grabbed Aroron’s arm and drug him back and towards a tunnel built into the court yard’s wall.
“You must leave the city, right now!” she hissed, pulling him deep into the shadows of the tunnel. “You’re not Shenockien, you don’t have to follow King Dillaran’s orders. You must go, before someone notices.”
“Gana, please don’t do this to me.” Aroron said, holding up his hands. “I didn’t come to Shey to join an army, but… maybe that’s what I was meant to do. I’m not leaving, okay?”
“If Shenock goes to war, I can’t lose everyone I care about.” Gana whispered, dropping her gaze. “I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but that includes you.”
“Well, we’re not at war yet and if I do come to the Palace, I guess I’ll be seeing more of you.” He took her hand and kissed it, then he turned and calmly left the Palace.
But he was only able to hold himself together until he stepped outside.
Aroron felt his stomach knot up as he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. Was he mad? Why was he doing this? He had no reason to, he wasn’t a Shenockien, he could just leave. But something in him wouldn’t let him do that. He knew he wasn’t staying because of Gana. Sure, he thought she was cute and he liked her, but he wasn’t sure he’d risk his life just to see her.
“Why are you doing this to me?” he mumbled, staring up at the sky. Aroron no longer held anger towards the Creator. On the other hand, He sure didn’t seem to like Aroron very much. Otherwise why would all of this happen to him?
Maybe this is meant for more. A voice inside Aroron whispered. Maybe he could use this to help his people, like he wanted to when he’d left Glunot with the Elouns. He rubbed his face and shoved himself off the wall.
He knew he needed to head back to the blacksmith shop and tell Ingram what happened.
Aroron hadn’t gone more than a block, when he heard soft footsteps behind him. He didn’t know why, but he got the feeling someone was following him. Aroron turned a corner and listened. He could clearly hear the sound of footsteps following closely behind him. He was being followed.
But why? He wondered.
The only way of finding out, was to ask the person. He started walking again, but this time much slower than before. Keeping a close eye on what was going on around him.
He didn’t have to go far, before he spotted the figure behind him.
Aroron waited until the figure was within arm’s reach, then he spun around and lunged towards them. He grabbed the man's arm and twisted it around, shoving him against the wall, pressing his knee into the center of the man's back.
"What do you want from me?" he hissed, in the man's ear, pushing his knee in harder. “Tell me, now!”
"Ow! Aroron, it's me." the man said, trying to break free from Aroron's grip. “Let go, will you?”
"Hunter? What the heck are you doing?!" Aroron asked, letting up on the man and stepping back.
"I came to see you," Hunter said, shoving himself off the wall as he turned towards Aroron. “Believe me, it wasn’t easy to find you.”
“How did you find me?” Aroron asked. “I’ve been all over the place since we saw each other last.”
“You wouldn’t happen to remember a man by the name of Hal, would you?” Hunter asked. “Because he remembered you.”
“Hal? Hal and Colt? You know them?” Aroron asked, frowning. “How the heck do you know them?”
“They work in the rebellion.” Hunter said. “You can’t tell me you had no idea about that!”
“No, I had a feeling the wagon had something in it.” Aroron said. “What was it? Weapons?”
“I’m not sure this is the best place to talk about this kind of stuff.” Hunter mumbled, glancing around. “Why don’t we talk down there.” He said, pointing towards an alley. “Where there’s less… traffic.”
Aroron nodded. “Alright.”
They hurried along, until they were deep inside one of the streets, with nobody around. “So, do you really want to know what’s going on here? Or do you want to continue to pretend that everything’s okay?” he asked, crossing his arms.
“Don’t treat me like that! You’re the one who didn’t even tell me who he really was, even after I’d stayed with you for several weeks.” Aroron said. “You don’t get to play that card on me.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Hunter said, holding his hands up. “I just thought I was doing what was best for you and for Karlay.”
“Well, wanting what’s best for Karlay is something we have in common.” Aroron said, biting his lip. Maybe he could use the king’s forced enlistment into the army for his own people’s gain. “What if I could tell you what Shenock is planning for their army?” Aroron asked. “Would that help the rebellion?”
Hunter hesitated. “How would you be able to do that?”
Aroron flashed him a smile. “Let’s just say, I may or may not be joining the Shenockien army.”
“I don’t know…” Hunter’s voice trailed off. “Why would you want to join the Shenockien army?”
“You said I’m King Ozony’s son. I’m still not so sure about that, since I don’t remember it, but that’s not the point.” Aroron said, pulling his train of thought back. “If I'm his son or not, it doesn’t matter, either way I’m a Karlien and I want to help my country. I have to either join the army or leave Shey, so why wouldn’t I stay here and help my people?”
“Or… you could go back with me and lead this rebellion, like you should.”
Aroron shook his head at him. “I’m not doing that! I’m not a leader, Hunter. You and I both know I’m a loner.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that you were born to be king of Karlay, and I believe, more. Are you sure you want to do this?” Hunter asked, rubbing his head. “I don’t think you should, it’s not going to be safe. You could get yourself killed.”
“And you never put your life on the line?” Aroron asked. “Come on, Hunter! What do you want from me? To rule over Karlay one day, right? What kind of king would I be if I won’t risk my life for my people?!”
“Alright! I just wanted to make sure.” Hunter said. “If you do find something out, how will you tell us about it? We’ll have to meet somewhere.”
“You can meet me at the Palace’s blacksmith shop, I trust him.” Aroron said. “We can meet there every week, alright with you?”
“Fine, but it won’t always be me.” Hunter said. “When I can’t make it, I’ll send one of my men.”
Aroron bit his lip. “Okay, but make sure it’s someone you trust.”
“I will. Don’t take any extra risk, okay?” Hunter said, pulling his hood up. “You may not believe me, but your life is worth more than you’re giving it credit.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t try to get myself into trouble.” Aroron said, grinning.
“I know, that’s the problem.” Hunter sighed. �
��See you next week.” he whispered, then he turned, vanished around the corner and was gone. Leaving Aroron alone with his thoughts.
Aroron sighed and headed his own way, towards the blacksmith’s shop for the final time.
His path was clear to him now.
He would go to the Palace tomorrow, as the king had ordered him. But he had his own reasons for why. If he got caught, he would be committing treason against Shenock, but that was a chance he was going to have to take.
Chapter 15
Playing the Part
It was quite sad that Aroron’s whole life could be carried on his person.
One coat, one tunic, a necklace, a pair of pants and his sword, were all he had to show for fifteen years in this realm. It had taken him less than ten seconds to collect his things.
Before leaving, he succeeded in getting Ingram to agree to let him meet his ‘friends’ at his shop once a week.
As he drew nearer to the Palace, all Aroron’s thoughts were on not making a fool of himself. He had to survive this, if for nothing else, than to help his people. Taking in a long breath to calm himself, Aroron pulled his coat over the Dragon Blade hanging from his side. He straightened out his hair and stepped towards the Palace.
Ignoring the guards this time, Aroron hurried up the steps and into the Palace.
Aroron didn’t have to wait at the entrance into the Palace for very long, before the servant he met the day before, appeared in the room. This time, it wasn’t as freaky when Aroron saw him walk in.
“Oh, it’s you again.” The servant said, sighing. “I was informed you were coming. In truth, I’d hoped it wasn’t true.” He said dryly, before he turned away. “Come this way, if you will.”
They’d only been walking for a minute, when Aroron realized they weren’t going in the right direction. The barracks, he was sure, were on the other side of the Palace.
“Aren’t the barracks this way?” he asked, motioning towards another hallway.
“Yes, but that’s not where we’re going.” The servant said, shaking his head at Aroron as he continued to walk. “This path is the way to the court yard, where the king is waiting for you.”
The king? Why was he seeing the king again? And why was he waiting for him? Aroron’s stomach twisted up. Had they already found out what he was planning?!
As they drew nearer to the court yard, Aroron dropped back from the servant. Fighting within himself whether or not he should leave, or if he should see what was going on.
Finally, staying won out, and he quickened his step to catch up to the servant. He needed to know what was going on. If that meant risking being killed or thrown in prison, then that’s what he would do.
Here we go. Aroron thought to himself, following the servant down the path and deeper into the court yard. Which turned out to be more like a garden, than a court yard.
The king sat upon a bench in the center of the court yard, with his eyes closed. Surrounded by bushes, trees and flowers of hundreds of different kinds. He sat so still, for a second, Aroron wondered if he was still alive. Then the king swatted a bug off his face.
Aroron and the servant were still a ways off from the king, when a young girl dressed in a silky pink gown hurried towards King Dillaran. As she walked across the court yard, she held her dress off the ground.
“My lord.” The young girl said, curtsying towards the king. She couldn’t be more than five, yet she acted much older. She held herself like a princess, but Aroron knew Shenock had no princesses. Telarian was the only heir to the throne.
“What is it, child?” King Dillaran asked, opening his eyes and turning towards the girl.
“The Queen has returned, my king.” She told him, nervously playing with her dress. “With the survivors of Hatter.”
“Good, thank you for telling me.” He said, smiling at her. “You may go now.”
The young girl curtsied again, then scurried back into the Palace. The king shoved himself to his feet, stretching out his back, he moaned.
So far, the king hadn’t noticed that Aroron and the servant were there. So, the servant cleared his throat and walked forwards. “My lord.” He said, bowing low. “I have brought the boy.” With that, the servant motioned Aroron forwards.
“Your Majesty.” Aroron said, stepping forwards. He’d only taken two steps, when he tripped over someone’s sudden outstretched leg and stumbled forwards. He barely caught himself from face planting, but he couldn’t stop himself from turning red.
Whoever tripped him was going to pay! He spun around and came face-to-face with the prince. Aroron was starting to really hate this boy! He was getting on his nerves.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Prince Telarian said, acting like hadn't done it on purpose. “Did I trip you? I didn’t see you there.”
“My son, bring your new friend here.” The king called to them.
“Yes, father!” the prince called back, as he stepped forwards.
“Draven.” Aroron mumbled, as the prince passed him.
The prince spun back around to face him. “What did you just say?” Telarian asked, shoving against Aroron. “Come on, say it again!”
“Please, if I wanted to, I could call you something much worse than that!” Aroron growled.
“You think you're better than me? You think you’re better than me?” he hissed. “I think you’re more bark than bite!”
“You have no idea what I can do.” Aroron whispered, shoving his face into the Prince’s. “If I wanted to, I could bring you down.”
“Do you think that makes me afraid of you?” Prince Telarian asked, tilting his head as he stood his ground. “Because it doesn’t.”
The urge to fight the boy was almost too much for Aroron to ignore, but he wasn’t sure if he was already in trouble and he didn’t need to add to that. He’d definitely be in trouble for hitting the prince for seemingly no reason.
“And you think I’m scared of you because you’re a prince?” Aroron asked, taking another step closer to the prince.
"Alright, boys. Cut it out." The king said, stepping between them. "The Queen's going to want to see you, before you run off again, my son." King Dillaran said. "And I'm sure she'll want to meet Aroron too. It is Aroron, right?" Aroron nodded.
"Well, if her majesty wants something, she must have it." Telarian mumbled under his breath.
If Aroron hadn't been standing next to him, he wouldn't have heard him. The King, on the other hand, didn't hear a word of what he’d said. Telarian glanced towards Aroron and sneered, pushed past him, and stood next to his father.
"Come." King Dillaran said, wrapping his arm around Telarian's shoulders. "She's probably waiting for us in her cabinet room by now. It’s been too long since we’ve seen her."
"Yes, father." Telarian mumbled, his gaze falling to the ground, as he allowed his father to lead him back into the Palace and down one of the main hallways.
Aroron hesitated, then followed after them. The King didn't say a word to him, but he felt like he was to go with them, though he didn't want to, and he knew Telarian didn't want him to either.
He had no idea why he was even there. He should be in the barracks, fighting with the other soldiers. Not walking behind the king and his son. Something was off here, but try as he might, Aroron couldn’t figure out what it was.
Somehow the servant who’d brought Aroron to the king, had taken a short cut and appeared ahead of them when they reached the hallway of the chamber. He moved ahead of them and knocked on the Queen's door.
A second later, a woman's soft voice called out for them to come in. The servant opened the door, bowed, and stepped out of the way. Aroron wondered if these people did anything for themselves.
Was it really that hard to knock and open a door for themselves? Aroron just shook his head. He’d never understand royalty.
Without a word, the servant turned and left, eyeing Aroron as he passed. He obviously had some kind of problem with him, but Aroron didn’t know why.
&nbs
p; “Are you coming?” The king called back to him. Reluctantly, Aroron followed the King and the Prince into the room and closed the door behind them.
The Queen's cabinet room turned out to be much nicer than the name implied. In Karlay, there were no such rooms as 'Cabinet Rooms'. Aroron hadn’t known what it would be like, he’d expected a small, wood room, with nothing nice in it.
He was wrong.
In fact, the opposite was true. The room was big and spacious, smelling of bread and fresh flowers.
Sunlight streamed through the arched windows that made up one of the room’s walls. But these windows had glass and the colors made the windows like rainbows when the sunlight shown through. Somehow the angle of the glass made the effect, which was quite stunning, causing the whole room to be painted in the colors.
Pillows and rugs lay all over the floor, each one a different color from the rest.
A fireplace was built into one of the walls, two plush chairs sat in front of it. Aroron wondered when they'd ever need a fire in Shey. So far, the weather had been nothing but hot.
In one of the chairs sat a woman, dressed in a brown and white silk dress, which flowed to the ground. On her head she wore a simple, but beautiful tiara made of gold, with a yellow gem embedded into the center. Her black hair was cut into a bob above her shoulders, with strings of gold and pearls braided into it.
When she saw King Dillaran, her face lit up and she quickly stood, her dress flowing gracefully behind her as she hurried to him. She caught sight of Telarian and smiled. "Darlings!" The Queen said, hugging Telarian. Aroron noticed the prince's body stiffen, as he patted her lightly on the back.
As he watched, Aroron wondered why the Prince was acting strange. Maybe he wasn't. Aroron hadn't known him that long. Maybe this is how he acts normally.
"How was everything while I was gone? Good, I hope." She said, stepping back from him, still smiling.
Telarian shrugged, dropping his gaze to the ground. He seemed to glare at the rug under his feet. "Everything has gone as well as expected."
