14 Picking up demigods (3)

As soon as they entered the castle, a servant came to the princess and said, "Princess Ellis, the king has ordered you to see him."

The servant took a glance at Long He but didn't say anything. Ellis took a deep breath then said to the old man, "Senior, I must see my father," she then turned to the servant and said, "Take care of senior, and prepare a feast. Kendall, you come with me."

"Yes my lady!" said the two servants at the same time. After that, Ellis and Kendall walked to meet the king, leaving Long He and the young servant alone.

The servant bowed to Long He and said, "Senior, please follow me."

Long He nodded and stayed silent. The young servant led him to the hall where the feast is going to happen.

When Long He opened the wooden doors, he opened his eyes into a great hall, with a long wooden table in the middle. There were two throne-like chairs at each end of the table, but the one that was nearest to him was less decorated. Apparently, the chairs were for the king and his daughter, and another normal chair was in the middle of the table, perhaps for Kendall.

To the left of the king's chair, and at the end of the hall, was a door that led to another room. There are small windows around the side of the hall, and a large window behind the throne. At the walls of the hall, statues of strange winged beings held the torch fires.

There were servants preparing the food for the imperial members. They brought an extra chair and put it at the other middle of the table, facing the normal chair.

Long He stayed on his legs while watching the servants, and while waiting to the king and his daughter to come.

...

In another hall, Ellis and Kendall were kneeling in front of a middle-aged man with white hair and a black beard. The middle aged man sat in a throne decorated with precious sea jewels and precious stones. He wore imperial robes and had a golden crown on his head.

The man held a golden scepter in his right hand. This was the king of the Domain of Waterleche!

He looked at his daughter angrily and shouted,"Ellis! What have gone with your brain? Do you want anyone to kidnap you?"

Ellis just lowered her head but didn't say anything. The king shifted his gaze to Kendall and said to him," And you, Kendall! I expect you to be more responsible with your duties. If I know that my daughter has escaped again, then the gallows will be awaiting you!"

"My lord.....", started Kendall.

"Father!" cried Ellis,"This has nothing to do with Kendall. I was the one that escaped, and I should be the one that bears the punishment!"

"Silence!" screamed the king, "I would expect from you to be more disciplined, Ellis. I better hope that you have an explanation to your actions this time. If you don't...."

"I do, father."

"And what might it be?"

"Father, I had a feeling that I would meet a special man today. And I did indeed."

"Is it true?" the king asked Kendall.

"Yes, king Liugen, he is indeed a special man," answered Kendall.

"What makes him special than any other men? Or is he a mage?"

"Better, my king, better. He was able to get through the protective barrier as if it wasn't even there."

"What?" king Liugen sat silent for some time then finally said,"Is he here now?"

"Yes, father," answered Ellis. "And I ordered a feast to be done at his honor."

The king nodded and said,"Good, let's meet this mysterious man." With this, the king rose from his throne and exited the room.

....

While the imperial members were arguing in the other hall, Long He was listening to them through his godly sense. When the three finished, he adjusted his posture as if he didn't do anything earlier.

As the king entered, he was followed by Ellis and Kendall. The king had a big smile and he spread his hands then he said,"No words can express my joy to see you, Mr. ... Um, what is your name?"

"Graff," said Long He, "Just call me as old man, king Liugen."

"You know me? From what my daughter had told me, you are new here."

"Me being new to the Domain of Waterleche doesn't mean that I couldn't know who you are."

"You are indeed a special man as they have told me. Please sit, and enjoy my feast."

Long He took the invitation with pleasure and sat down. While they were eating, He recounted on them many stories of the gods of Earth. He was always fascinated by the old stories of the gods, even if he was going to have war with them some years from now.

The people enjoyed his stories so much that the king invited him to live permanently in the Domain of Waterleche, but Long He refused, stating that he is a wanderer and can't stay at one place for long. After the feast, Long He excused from the king and declared that he was leaving.

Ellis accompanied him to the entrance of the castle and said, "Senior Graff, if you please, stay here for some more time."

Long He shook his head and said while patting her shoulder,"Don't worry, dear. We will meet again soon, even sooner than you expect."

"How can you know that?" But Ellis didn't need an oral answer. Instead of an elderly man, she saw a five feet tall handsome young man, with brown hair and a short brown beard. The right pupil of his eyes was blue colored, while the left pupil was red.

This young man is Long He, standing in front of a kneeling Ellis, who was worshiping her god in non-stop.