After 12 Years
As his carriage passed over the draw bridge, King Terix Draconian thought about the last time he was at the Springwood Castle. He signaled his guards to stop, and he climbed the flight of stairs to the front door.
More than fifteen years ago, he had stood there with Wrenn, not knowing what to expect from his long-departed brother, Drake. But now he knew Drake Springwood better than he had thought possible back then.
The butler opened the door before he could knock. After a deep bow, the servant in black uniform led him through the entry hall, the main hall, and several other rooms, all the way up to the opposite side of the castle, in the back courtyard.
Drake Springwood looked almost the same as twelve years ago when Terix last saw him. The only exception was a few white hairs strewn between his black strands. Not that it had lessened his charm but heightened it instead.