Chapter 26: Tangled Destinies

I decided it would be best to have the guard lead us to the king to take care of our end of the deal with Altaria. We left Aurelia to watch over Lysandra. She exclaimed, "Leave her to me, big bro!" We followed the strong-looking knight through the city, and on the way, I updated Era on the current state of events. Era frowned, "You have my protection should something go south, Lucius. On the bright side, I may have created my first prototype puppet. I will show you later the full extent of what she can do, and I also made sure to patch up Luna." I smiled, "I will be looking forward to that, Era, assuming we manage this, of course."

As we followed the guard through the bustling streets of Everglint towards the royal castle, my anticipation grew with each step. The castle loomed ever larger on the horizon, and I couldn't help but be captivated by its grandeur. The castle, an imposing structure, was a blend of ancient architectural styles and intricate embellishments. Its towering spires and solid stone walls stretched toward the sky like the fingers of a colossal giant, adorned with banners bearing the royal insignia, fluttering in the breeze.

Massive stone walls surrounded the castle, further emphasizing its grandeur and the power it represented. They stood as a testament to centuries of history, guarding the secrets within. Along the walls, I noticed the occasional guard stationed in their gleaming silver armor, their presence adding an air of authority and protection. As we approached the castle gates, I marveled at the craftsmanship of the wrought-iron gate itself. Elaborate patterns of vines and mythical creatures were intricately forged into the metal, a stark contrast to the stern stone walls they adorned. Two guards in resplendent silver armor flanked the gate, their piercing gazes assessing our arrival.

The castle's facade, comprised of large stone blocks intricately carved with scenes from the kingdom's history, told a story of battles, alliances, and royal lineage. The windows were arched, some adorned with stained glass that cast colorful hues across the courtyard. We passed through the grand entrance, an arched doorway bearing the royal crest the maw of a lion intricately designed. The courtyard within was spacious and open, with well-tended gardens and a magnificent fountain that glistened in the sunlight. The sense of history and prestige permeated the atmosphere, reminding me that I stood on the threshold of something bigger than myself. 

Entering the King's quarters was an experience that filled me with a blend of awe and nervous anticipation. The room was vast and opulent, with high, vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes depicting heroic tales and grandiose battles. The walls were covered in rich, deep tapestries that told the history of the kingdom.

Upon our arrival, the King was already seated on his magnificent throne. His throne, an ornate masterpiece of craftsmanship, was situated on a raised dais at the far end of the room. King Corwin Whiteford was a striking figure, with a regal bearing that commanded respect. He was dressed in fine royal attire, complete with a crimson cloak that flowed like a river of blood from his shoulders. The King himself had a strong presence. His eyes, a deep and piercing blue, seemed to miss nothing as they fixed upon us. His gray hair was neatly combed, and his beard was well-trimmed, befitting a monarch of his stature.

The room was furnished with equally magnificent pieces, from the richly carved wooden chairs to the grand, gilded chandeliers that hung from above. Guards stood at attention, their silver armor gleaming in the torchlight, further emphasizing the royal atmosphere. As we approached the King, the guard who had guided us led the way. The King's expression remained stern, and there was a sense of gravity in the room that made it clear this was no ordinary visit. Era and Lulith stood close by, and I could feel the tension in the air.

Finally, we reached the dais, and the King regarded me with his intense gaze. It was an intense gaze like nothing I had ever experienced, but I also sensed a feeling of lifelessness, as if he wasn't fully present. Without offering any formalities or pleasantries, the King curtly remarked, "Lucius Evergold, I trust you've returned from your expedition with good news? Spare me the details and give me the gist of it. What did you find?" His tone was rushed and disinterested, giving the impression that he was merely going through the motions. I hesitated for a moment, thrown off by his demeanor, but I quickly composed myself and began to recount the events of our expedition. As I spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that the King's behavior was not in line with his usual regal composure. He seemed distracted, or distant he seemed to be looking through me as I spoke. Something was definitely amiss in the grand castle of Everglint.

Eventually, I reached the point in my story where I spoke about Prince Norvus Whiteford's fate, his tragic death within the cave at the hands of the crystal worm. "Ah," the King finally replied, his tone oddly distant. "How tragic. A prince... my son, no less. But alas, such is the unpredictability of life. We must press forward, for the kingdom's sake." What? I was shocked at what I was hearing. Is this what they call someone being in shock? My party had a similar reaction, and it was definitely weird. Considering that was his son, to just shrug it off was concerning. "Your Majesty," I pressed cautiously, "Your son's passing... shouldn't it warrant some form of grief, at least a moment of reflection?"

The King waved off the notion, though his voice wavered with a hint of something hidden. "Mourn? Yes, well, mourning is a luxury we cannot afford. The wheels of the kingdom must keep turning. Now that we have taken care of that, I see that you failed to retrieve the gems? We will have to round up a new party for another expedition post haste. You are dismissed, Lucius Evergold." I nodded, not wanting to make the king angry. I simply responded, "Yes, Your Majesty." I turned to walk away, but that's when I spotted it, a strange mark on the king's neck, a haunting and surreal image of an empty mask, intricately etched into his skin. It appeared delicate and lifeless, devoid of any expression or identity.

The king seemed to raise an eyebrow, and I played it off like it was nothing as I hurried to catch up with my party. Once the guard led us back outside, I brought up what we had just witnessed to the others. I suggested, "Something is very strange about the King; that much is certain. I suggest we meet back up with Altaria. We aren't heroes; we fulfilled our end of the deal, and we should have her deal with the condition of the king." Lulith, who still looked withdrawn, she just nodded, "Sounds fine." Quinn stated, "I tried to read his thoughts, but felt myself being blocked by an invisible force." Era agreed, "Right, something really is off here. I guess we should report it to this Altaria."

We made our way back in the direction of the school in the eastern district, passing through the now-closing market. It was late, and I was starting to feel a little tired. The day hadn't yielded much profit, but that was okay. We did eat a bit earlier, so there was no harm in waking up early tomorrow to start selling my wares. I had a few new designs I wanted to try out. Once we got back to the inn, we also had to figure out sleeping arrangements. Just as I was thinking about that on a more remote street that led to the school, we heard a cry from a nearby building. It was close. I jolted up, "What the? Did you hear that?" Quinn was the first to respond, "Yeah, it sounded like a woman's voice."

We approached the building in question, an old, wooden structure with a "closed" sign hanging in the window. I guessed it had been closed for some time, but someone could still be inside. I tried to open the wooden door, and it easily gave way, almost causing me to fall on my face as the door fell to the ground. The building was a lot older than the other stores around it. I started to walk inside, and the party followed as we made our way in. The place was clearly abandoned for years, with wood scattered on the ground, creaking wooden floors, and cobwebs everywhere. I began swatting them away to get a clearer view.

Lulith suggested, "Hey, kid, be careful; this could be a trap or something. Tread carefully." In the hall ahead of us, I spotted a small person in blankets on the ground. Trap or no trap, that was a person, and what if they were hurt? Maybe it was the woman we had heard crying outside. I was about to rush ahead to see what was going on, but Quinn stopped me with a firm grip, pulling me back. Caught off guard, I blurted, "Hey, what was that for?" Quinn, with a knowing look, glanced at the girl in front of us, "Lucius, I sense no thoughts coming from the girl. She is either dead, or that isn't a little girl at all." Laughter echoed from the walls around us, almost as if someone was listening to our conversation from a short distance away. Era croaked, "Show yourself!" In the darkness, a voice rang out, "Lucius Evergold, my informants around the city told me you were digging too far! You've stumbled into my web, boy. Your journey through darkness has reached its climax, and it is time to cut your strings!"