Red Kingdom

Astrid

The next day was the day she had informed the king that she would arrive. Having packed the night before, she was ready to depart. After talking to Kalla and Holland, she reconfirmed the plan and headed out, leaving Odette behind.

Riding on a horse was way different than riding Odette; bumpy to say the least. Odette's strides in a lope were way smoother. Astrid knew why that was the case; this horse was shorter, almost a Pony. Trying to enjoy the scenery, farms, mountains and rivers, she waived to the people when she passed them. Not knowing who she was but wanting to be friendly they waived back. If Astrid had ridden Odette they would have known who she was and waived enthusiastically. A few hours passed before she arrived at the main gates into the city. Dropping off her horse with the city choral, she knew that the towns people needed the money and she didn't mind that it would have been free if she took the horse to the kings stables. "Food, water and shelter for this little dude please."

The stable man, looking at her and her horses, chuckled. This was a new one. A kid ordering him around? "Beat it kid, this is an actual business here."

Astrid had prepared herself for this kind of treatment. Every one thought she was just a kid. Why would they think anything different? Her hood and mask were up so she didn't have any features showing to the contrary. She sighed "Its kind of rude to assume I am just a penniless kid, don't you think?" She said dropping coins onto the counter for him to count.

His eyes widen, this must be some rich nobleman's daughter or maybe even the blue kings daughter. He had no idea but she didn't look like much. Accepting the coins and trying to give some back as an apology he hurriedly put her horse away.

She didn't accept the money but asked him; "The blacksmith got a new apprentice. Where does that boy live?"

"Charlie? Good lad, 'e lives down that direction 3 blocks. Take a left and hug the wall." He said pointing towards the city entrance.

"Thank you my man." She left the shop, walked back the way she came. Looking around the town, it seemed Dreary at best. The people, half dead, moaned and laid on the street. No kids could be seen... in general. No kids any where. Arriving at a small house ,the only one built up against the wall, she thought this must be the place. Charlie walked out. Having the day off, he had an axe to chop some lumber. Looking up, he noticed Astrid.

"Astrid! It is so good to see you again. Come meet my family!" He set the axe down next to the wood pile and walked over to open the gate for her.

"I am actually here to make sure you are still good on food, and you received the job from the blacksmith?" Knowing he did, Astrid just wanted to make sure that he was enjoying the job. It would be a great job for him. The king usually kills his messenger boys after the 5th use so she was happy to get this poor kid out of the line of fire.

The boy's eyes widened. "Thank you so much. I love working with Ron so much. " He seemed genuinely happy.

"I am glad you are happy! Please, no thanks is necessary. Work hard ok." Astrid turned away and strode back towards the castle. Knowing the palace like the back of her hand, she found an old secret entrance, following it all the way to the main kitchens. A few of the servants got nervous when seeing her but quickly relaxed when they realized; one; she was a kid, and two; she wasn't stealing anything. Looking out of the Kitchen into the royal dinning hall, it was empty. She proceeded. There were two entrances. One went left to the throne room, her target. The other door led to some servants quarters.

Peaking out of the door she was able to see the King and queen in the throne room. The King was pacing up and down the walk way. He seemed rather upset.

The queen, while sitting on her throne, worried about her husbands wrath. She spoke calmly, "She didn't give you a time for her arrival?"

"I am her king, I shouldn't be at her beck and call. Who does she think she is? Making me wait all day."

"My dear, relax. Just let the guards inform us when she arrives. Then we can send a servant for the boys."

Thinking about this the king was content and sent a servant to notify the guards of the plan. Astrid's plan of just showing up in the throne room past the guards was derailed and she headed back to the entrance. Walking up to the entrance she spoke with the guards "I would like an audience with the King. I am the guest that he is expecting." she held out the letter to one of the guards while the other guard laughed at her appearance.

A couple minutes later the guard returned and told his buddy to shape up, and let her in. As she passed through the gate a servant met her to take her to the throne room. Before entering the throne room she took off her hood and let her red hair flow out. Seeing the king and his family standing in a line, Astrid walked up. He held out his hand for her to kiss. She grabbed it and nodded to it respectfully.

The King rolled his eyes, and swiftly moved to introductions. "This is my lovely Queen Layten and our three sons Carston, Malikai and Peter." Once he had finished with his family he threw a sideways glance at Theo. "...And that is Theo."

Astrid nodding at each of them stared at Theo, he was the spitting image of the second prince of Arean'a , the blue kingdom. Her stares went unnoticed by the king who had moved on long ago and was talking about war... blah blah blah. The queen, however, noticed and smiled inwardly.

Astrid quickly regained traction in the conversation with the king who was saying "I would like for you to stay a few days. This way we can discus this alliance at length tomorrow."

Waiting for a chance to speak, Astrid agreed. "I think that would be a lovely Idea. I may have to ask for some accommodations though, as I did not plan to stay more than today." Astrid's mind was reeling on a new plan, but needed to make it through this conversation first before working on it.

The king was now feeling high and mighty; for the Great Astrid herself asked him for help. Now he could ask her for anything, including her army. He continued "I shall have a servant bring you some clothes for the stay and anything else you need. Dinner is at sunset. My son Carston would like to show you around the castle till then."

Not leaving a choice for Astrid to refuse she quickly looked at the queen. "I would love a tour. Is it ok if I get changed first and speak with the queen about her lovely dress? I must get one for my self and all the ladies back home."

The queen, understanding Immediately, took Astrid's hand, saying; "I will personally bring her to Carston once we are done getting the road off of her." Hand in hand they strode to Astrid's room, up some stairs and away from the boys.

Watching them leave, Malikai asked his father; " Father, Astrid is said to live forever. How is that possible?"

The king smiled and answered. "I once asked her that question. Her response may not have been helpful, but I figured out later. Once she grows past the specific age, she finds a new girl to take her place. That way she seems to live for ever and not age."

All three of the boys nodded and glanced back towards the direction Astrid had left in.

Once in the guest suite, the queen was given a sky blue dress from one of the maids. Handing it over to Astrid, she sat on the bed. "I know you don't sleep, but I hope this will at least give you a reason to get away from unwanted attention."

"Thank you. Its lovely." Astrid was referring to both the room and the dress. Changing into the dress, she spoke with the queen. "Your son. He looks a lot like his father. Are you able to see if he is the one from the prophecy?"

The Queen began laughing to herself. "Of course Astrid knew. She was a seer. Astrid was known to have eyes and ears everywhere." She thought to herself.

"My great grandfather was the seer that had the vision just after the great war. Since then, there has not been a trace of the great prophecy seen or heard of. As a mother, I say yes. He has the potential to become the man in the prophecy. As a seer, I can not say yes or no. Nothing has revealed itself. The only thing I can be certain of is that the end times are upon us."

Nodding slowly, Astrid looked at herself in the mirror. Giving herself a twirl, memories of her first family flashed in her mind. Ignoring them, she turned to the queen. "How many times has the king tried to get rid of him?"

The queen tried to count but failed. "Too many to count." More time had passed than they realized and dinner was about to start. Lost in thoughts, both ladies walked slowly to the dinning hall.