Return

Beyond the horizon of the Kingdom of Yondel, the sun was slowly but surely fading. Sitting on a small seat and resting her head on a small wooden beam covered by a white tarp, the silverette slowly opened her eyes as she came out of her daze. Finding the strength to raise herself of the wooden beam and to stretch her arms out, the world around her slowly faded in as her eyes adjusted to the sudden low volume of light. She momentarily looked around her as she recalled what happened in the last half-day, and she became absorbed in her surroundings as she set her vision upon an empty carriage, with only the horses at the front providing any sense of normality.

Raising herself from her seat, and carefully placing her feet onto the ground, Lecca looked around her. The rain that had tainted the sky much earlier in the evening had passed, a small beam of moonlight spotlighted puddles near her feet, and a crips cool breeze swept through the place she stood inside of. It was almost dreamlike as a small amount of mist collected just outside of the large fortress hiding from the last rays of sunlight. The moon looked through the clouds as it shined on every part of the world, clearing the last remaining rain clouds.

Walking across, down the damp grounds, heavenly hues mixed with the last remaining oils the sun painted. The last two days had repeated endlessly in her mind as she searched for the proper time to process everything. Though her mind was full, she advanced inside, crossing the line that had once been established by the Royal Guard. She spent her time moving through the halls walking in a steady rhythm, a steady tempo. Beating gently, her heart kept a steady beat as her mind settled the feeling just over her heart, and at the end, she had finally reached her destination, the Throne Room.

Lecca felt empty as she placed her hands against the large wooden doors once more. Why did they leave her? That was the only question that plagued her mind as she applied pressure letting the doors groan alerting those inside of a new-familiar visitor.

She, to some degree had always been alone. This time, she felt her loneliness was unwarranted; like those under her command she was no one special, she was just another soldier, and she expected to be treated like one. Perhaps her faith had been placed to early within the men she currently was assigned to lead.

Focusing on the sounds of the people speaking within the throne room, it was more than apparent that a full-blown meeting between Royal Court members, military personnel, and the Royal family was in full swing. The light emanating from the artificial, magical lights burned her retinas as she entered from a darkened hallway. Though surrounded by people, she was once more alone as she walked directly to the king and the three men standing next to him.

"Hey?" Noticing her immediate approach, Thompson quickly stopped speaking to the king, and in turn spoke in a smooth, exhausted tone. "You alright?"

Lecca looked at the man with a small amount of anger, but she let go of her feelings as she took in the detail's the captain's face held. His face was pale and held several dark rings under his eyes. His clothing was not fit for a meeting with the king, as it was all disheveled under the multi-colored plating he had across his chest. Even his shirt was un-tucked as the man repeatedly rubbed his hand near the object sitting on his thigh. It was no doubt important to him, and she wondered why he was being so cautious about it in this environment.

"…Captain?"

Almost snapping to attention as if he were speaking to someone above his rank, Thompson seemingly gazed off into the distance as he responded with a crisp and clear voice that gained attention from some of the nearby knights. "Ma'am! Captain Oliver Thompson standing by for orders!"

The two next to the man, Green and Richard looked at him bewildered as they noticed the state, he was in. "Shit, we need to get him to the guest room, now!" Richard suddenly said as he broke off the man's stiff arm from his side. "Green grab his other arm, King Aldrecht, I apologize, but we'll probably be gone for the rest of the night."

King Alrecht simply nodded as he watched the two men drag their commanding officer out the throne room. It was almost surreal, the events that had just transpired made Lecca wonder if she were dreaming or living in reality.

"Princess."

A hoarse voice came from behind her. Flashing a fair-natured smile, she responded to the person who called out to her, "Correct. How may I help you?"

Stepping in front of her, King Aldrecht appeared with a worried expression on his face. He extended a hand towards the darkened hallways running adjacent to the throne room. "Walk with me." He said, "We have much to speak about."

Hiding her feelings Lecca followed. Those that were speaking throughout the hall moved out of the way as the King and Princess walked outside into the cooled hallways. Many wondered what the two were doing, but it was not their domain to eavesdrop on the conversation.