The Queen

Avery moved Darkline to the side, closely followed by Lola and her horse.

"Make way for the Queen" the guards continued to shout as the carriage was pulled down the cobbled street. Only the upper echelons of the the Haven Kingdom lived here, so there wasn't many people on the roads. Nether the less, those that were around moved swiftly out of the way.

Lola glanced at Avery with an uncomfortable look as the carriage headed down the street towards them. Avery glanced back and understood her reaction, she had realised who the occupant of the carriage was and her relationship with the Queen wasn't great.

"I'll head back first." Lola explained to Avery as she moved her horse away.

The carriage drew closer to them, it's shiny exterior glittering in the sunlight. The horses that pulling it trotted contently as they followed the street.

"Halt!" squeeled a voice from within the carriage.

Lola stopped and looked back. The carriage came to a sudden stop and the glittering door slowly opened. Lola looked at Avery with a panicked face.

"If it isn't the lovely lady Lola, with another of my boresom nephews." The voice continued.

"Aunt, I am heading to see the King now, I don't have much time." replied Avery.

The Queen stepped out of the carriage, her long white gown clung to her as she walked down the steps. Her guards bowed, as did many of the bystanders.

"The King, your Uncle, your Father? What is he to you young Avery?" the Queen questioned. "and the lovely Lady Lola, I thought it was Caspian you were in love with? and now I see you with the charming young Avery?"

Lola looked at the floor, the Queen terrified her.

"Pfffft, you are nothing like your Father Lola. That loud fat man always has something to say!" the Queen added.

"Aunt, that's enough." Avery replied sternly, moving his horse in front of Lola.

"You don't bow to your Queen, you talk back to your Queen? Do you not have any respect Avery?" She replied, "If you wasn't family, I'd have you whipped for your insolence."

"Then I should be very grateful to have you as an Aunt." replied Avery calmly.

"Hmphh!" retorted the Queen as she stepped back into the carriage. "Lola, your lovely Caspain has gone to war, maybe your dad should send you to support him? and Avery, stop daudling, the King awaits."

She slammed the door shut on the carriage and squealed for the guards to continue to move. Her horses started to trot and continued to head down the street.

The bystanders all lifted their heads in fear and continued on their days as if they hadn't seen anything.

"I'm sorry Lola." said Avery.

"It's fine, her hatred for my family stems no limits. Remember to come see my father!" she added before heading away, leaving Avery alone on Darkline.

Avery looked up to the sky, the sun slowly started to set in the distance. He had to speak to the King about Caspian, and he owed Chen a drink. It was going to be a long night.

...

Avery reached the palace swifly, the stern gates of white wood were open, with the guards smiling at him as he approached.

"Good evening your highness" shouted the guards.

The guards rested next to the tall white walls that surrounds the Palace. Upon the top of the walls some guards patrolled casually, walking past the Marble faces that lined the walls of the previous Kings and Queens, that faced out at the city beyond.

Avery headed through the gate and looked around and the well kept entrance grounds. People could be seen scurrying around in a hurry, whilst the Guards rested at their posts.

Avery dismounted Darkline and handed it to a squire who stood at the stables beyond the gate. The squire bowed his head, his short red hair matching the colour of the setting Sun.

"Rhoan, Darkline has eaten well today. Don't over feed him tonight, I don't want him getting fat" Avery ordered.

Darkline looked at Avery sadly, feeling disgruntled. Why was his rider always so mean? He stared at the squire, Rhoan, hoping that he would be nicer!

"Of course your highness!" the squire replied, before looking at the horse and winking. Darkline neighed happily in reply, before looking back at Avery who looked displeased.

Avery knew that Rhoan would over feed Darkline, but he couldn't shout at the squire. Avery had taken Rhoan as a squire due to his unwavering loyalty. Rhoan was from a family of loyal Knights, that had served the Kings and Queens of Haven for hundreds of years.

"Rhoan, I will be leaving later to visit some friends, please prepare me another horse for the evening. I feel Darkline and I are in for a long day tomorrow, so make sure he is well rested" Avery added.

...

Avery headed up the stairs of the Palace to his room. The walls were lined with paintins of ancient battlefieds. His intention was to change his dirty clothes before greeting his Uncle. He reached the top of the stairs and walked down the corridor towards his room.

He passed several rooms, including; the maids quarters, his brother Eldrich's room (conveniently next to the maids quarters), the study and the games room, before finally reaching his own.

He quickly undressed from his river stained clothes and changed into a clean Tunic. He placed a cloak across his shoulders and headed towards the throne room.

.....

The King was sat on the throne, looking down upon Avery as he entered. He looked older than his years, his long beard grey and coarse. A simple white golden grown rested upon his thinning hair.

He wore a long purple Tunic, that barely covered his overflowing stomach. It was covered in black ornate horses that seemed to be running across his tunic.

"Young Avery, how nice of you to join me." He boomed down the hall. His face never betraying his emotions.

Avery knelt on his knee and stared at his Uncle, the Tyrant of the Haven Kingdom.