98 Sauvignon and Cigars
Lord Nero followed Bjorn in the corridor silently. He never dared to look back at the high priestess who was left unmoved in the hallway. He neither like nor hate Wiccans. In fact, he is frightened of the things that they can do with just uttering words, stirring potions and moving things with their minds.
He kept his hands on his back until they reach the King's chancellery. The King's personal butler knocked on the doors heavily, making sure it is heard. As soon as the doors were opened, he announced the arrival of another expected guests. "Your Majesty, Lord Nero of Hesam have arrived", he said as he waited for the King's response.
Now seated on a rudimented cream colored settee in the parlour on the left side of the room, the King's lips curved at the fine guest. "As always, the Lord of the swords come earliest", King Silvius uttered. He called for the lords of Hesam, Aria and Beorg for an important meeting.
Lord Nero walked in slowly. He was welcomed by the sound of the birds singing. "I thought you might need a friend", he said as he walk past the parlour to stop by the aviary first. He tried to reach one bird with his finger, yet, it flew away with only his eyes could reach. "Don't I deserve more time alone with my ever longest confidant?", he asked without looking.
"I don't need one", King Silvius nonchalantly answered. He waved at the servant and pointed at the wine cellar in the corner of the room. With understanding, the servant took a bottle of the richest white wine from the shelf. Then, she poured it over in the two goblets being prepared by the other.
"Wine taste bitter when you drink alone. Isn't it a bit chilly in here?", Lord Nero said as he draw nearer the King who's being served with liquor. He sat down on the leather armchair adjacent to the King.
"You know I don't drink anymore. And, the cold is just fine, just like the old times", King Silvius said as he hand over one goblet to his long time friend. He brought himself back when they were young searching for Tris, and then ended up buried in the deep snow of Caluso.
Clinking their cups, they both drank the bittersweet white wine made from the rarest berries that can only be harvested in the kingdom. "Ahh.. You always say things that you don't mean.", Lord Nero said as he smack his lips after a sip of the fine wine. "Our sauvignon really is the best wine there is.", he finished his wine in one gulp and asked for more. "We heard about the new paladin", he uttered as he crossed his legs. The servant poured more wine at the lord's goblet.
"You mean the celestial", King Silvius replied as he sip his wine little by little.
"Is he now?", Lord Nero asked as he drink his wine like water.
"That's what I have been informed", King Silvius put down his goblet and flicked his hand to his servant. The servant quickly took out a box of the finest cigars, grabbed one, cut the edge and handed it to the King. "I haven't seen him in action, but there really is something peculiar about that boy", he said as he put the cigar in between his lips while the servant light the edge of the tobacco.
"I thought you stopped smoking too", Lord Nero surprisedly said. He could smell a light scent of opium in the smoke. And then he knew, something is surely bothering the King.
The King ignored Lord Nero as he puff more smoke. "Harlan sent me a letter recently.. about how special that boy is. I was reading between the lines and I realized.." King Silvius wasn't even done talking when Lord Nero interrupted.
"Silvius", Lord Nero looked straight in the King's eyes as if he knew where the conversation is leading to.
"Don't Silvius me, Nero", the King replied with irritation. "Maybe Tris is back with my son", he said.
"Don't make it more difficult than it already is for years, Sil", Lord Nero said. "Don't you think it's about time to let go?", he asked.
"How can I let go?", King Silvius said as he put down his cigar in a celtic brass ashtray. "After my father declared war against the travelers, I couldn't choose a side. Tris was all I had.", his voice trembled as he fold his lips. "She thought I betrayed her. I saw anguish and hatred in her eyes when I stabbed her with my sword. Those eyes with flecks of green haunted me since that day", he swallowed a lump in his throat as he reminisce a past that he regret.
"You had to. You have no other choice. You had to make it look real that you stabbed the imperial traveler.. or else, she's going to die.. along with your unborn child", Lord Nero said as he put down his goblet on the center table. "King Edmore was ultimately decisive to abolish their kind. May he rest in peace", he took a quick glance at the dead king's portrait hanging on the wall.
"That was my father's grave mistake", King Silvius' eyes darkened. "Tris is back, I'm sure of it", he said.
"What convinces you?", Lord Nero asked.
"I saw Tris' body days later after I stabbed her.. Her body changed. It only meant that she soul traveled. And now, she could be back. The answer lies on that boy…", the King sat on the edge of his seat as he whisper.
"But how can you be so certain?", Lord Nero asked. "You could only be arrogantly confident on matters that's obviously and entirely sure. But Tris? She depleted her magic that day, it's impossible that she could have a little spark to soul travel back", the lord said with much assurance.
"The night when Galen was attacked in the courtyard. He managed to kill a mystic healer… the sword that he used belong to that Haelan.", the King explained. "We all know that there is only one sword that can kill those dark ones, much all travelers", his eyes glimmered at the considerable thought.
"The dragon sword", Lord Nero said as he squinted his eyes. "Wasn't it broken? I and High Priest Onias saw you break the blade", he said.
"He have the blood of a Celestial, and a Paladin. His core is a source of unimaginable immense power that could grow a blade on my broken hilt - stronger than any warrior's, sharper than any steel", he said with a domineering tone as he speak of his own blood. "He is being accused of murder, something he can't possibly do. It's either, he's utterly foolish to put blood in his hands, or… he's innocent. My question lies as to what is his motive for daring to come here", the king said as he cock his head to the side.
"Or…. he might have orchestrated the murder to have it done by someone else? You were always been so fond of those… creatures that you make excuses for them", Lord Nero said.
"Why wouldn't I be?", King Silvius asked . "You were more than delighted of them, yourself", he said as he lifted his brows to his friend.
Lord Nero sighed softly as he stared fixedly at the king. "That's a totally different story", he said as he hardened his jaw as if the King touched a sensitive topic.
"Do you still remember Evang…", the King paused when he noticed the face of a friend who seemed like have seen a ghost.
"Don't say her name, Sil", Lord Nero said.