Chapter 22

At the entrance gate of Crown Prince Aleksander's manor in Athos,

the guards scuffled around nervously and quietly whispering among themselves while glancing anxiously at the lone figure of a tall old man wearing elegant robes standing at the front steps of the entrance gate.

The stranger's appearance appeared mysterious and ethereal, as though he was made entirely of shadows.

He had a deep red robe tied behind his back with a long black cape that hung loosely and slightly opened showing his white tunic underneath.

His hair and beard were silver with only three streaks of brown streaked throughout them.

His eyes were piercing and grey, they seemed to glow in the sunlight.

He was holding a staff in his right hand and a small bag in his left.

The bag was filled with various objects, including a dagger, a sword, and a shield that could be seen sticking out of the top of the bag.

On his head was a large pointed hat embroidered with many intricate designs in gold thread.

The hood of the cloak was drawn over the lower part of his face hiding his expression from sight.

But even from this distance, anyone could tell there was no denying the identity of this stranger;

"Why is he here?" one of the guards quietly whispered to another

"Don't know but it's been nearly a week since he came here. Maybe someone should gave him shelter," responded the other one as he continued his search for something under the cloak

"No one should do that," said the first guard, still peering cautiously into the hood of the cloak.

"Vagrants such as him should be kicked out not pampered"

"Should Ah kick him Out then"

"No one must disturb him, if angered he'll bring the wrath of the King upon us." a powerful voice boomed from behind them scarring the two guards

in fear and they both slowly stepped back to reveal the cloaked figure standing there.

The hooded figure slowly lowered the hood revealing a very handsome and dignified-looking gentleman dressed in fine clothes,

He held a sword tightly in his hand, it was extremely ornate with several golden and black carvings along the blade

His hood fell to his shoulders revealing the handsome countenance of an incredibly beautiful young man dressed in luxurious blue velvet robes, his hair was short and spiky, almost resembling a bird's nest.

He was smiling brightly, his teeth perfectly white and sharp.

He had a pair of crystal green cat's eyes that reflected the sunlight beautifully.

Behind the man stood three men, each in elaborate armor and each holding swords and shields and spears in their hands.

They were identical in age, one was very tall, broad, well-muscled, and powerfully built.

The second one was short and chubby, with a thick beard, curly hair, and big ears, wearing a simple red tunic and trousers. The third one was shorter and stockier, with a long beard, bushy eyebrows, and glasses.

All three wore similar weapons, Armor, and clothes.

The two guards quickly snapped out of their shock and gave Nerzhian a salute by folding one arm behind their back and the other above their heads, in a bow.

"My Lord!"

The young man studied the guards for a moment before snorting in disgust, which was echoed by the guards behind him, and he spoke loudly and harshly "Stop fooling around! get lost," he walked passed them in silence,

"you have duties to fulfil,"

the two guard quickly bowed and yelled yes sir before running away

the man disregarded the two guards and turned to stare at the old man at the gate,

then he nodded to himself and made his way to the old regal man,

As he approached the gate, one of the men behind him stopped him

"Sir Nicklaus, may I respectfully ask why are we going to him? There is no reason for you to visit him".

The young man sneered arrogantly at the first guard,

"Do you really think I need a reason, Derval? I am going to meet him. If you don't like it you can take this chance to go back to whatever miserable excuse of a life you've lived. Just remember I won't hesitate to beat you to death if you try to hinder me," he spat, turning to look at the others who nodded in agreement and followed after their leader.

The man called Derval sighed and turned to look at his fellow guards,

"You heard him, let's go," he ordered

They all saluted and then left without question.

The young man snorted and then turned and marched with stride toward the tall old man standing by himself.

"Your grace, I apologize for disturbing you so early on such an eve," he began as he knelt down,

"Get up, son," the old man said gruffly, "what can I do for you?"

The young man stood up again,

"My lord, I'm here to enquire as to your intention for standing here alone all this time?"

"My purpose, are you powerful enough to ask me that? never mind, Why, I'm waiting for my host, the Prince Aleksander of Athos. He's supposed to arrive any minute now."

The young man bowed once more,

"My lord...how exactly do you know that Lord Aleksander will be coming today?" he questioned suspiciously

The old man stared at him coldly,

"You're new here aren't you boy? You certainly act like one. I know because of the fact that I am the same..................."

before the old man could finish,

A string of carriages began spewing forth the royal entourage had arrived.

First came an armoured carriages carrying a young man and women in the uniform of prince's private guards, next came the prince entourage filled with men and women both dressed elegantly and stylishly in rich dark silks and finely trimmed attire.

They were each accompanied by two attendants in black silk coats and matching hats who wore matching gloves and caps.

Their faces were covered by masks, their figures covered by robes, they walked gracefully, and they kept close behind the carriage.

The last carriage pulled up the rear and finally came to a stop directly behind the main carriage.

When it stopped, a servant immediately jumped off the carriage and went straight towards the young man in the Armor.

The man climbed down off his carriage with a confident and graceful gait, he didn't even seem to notice the servants that helped him dismount.

As he neared the nobleman, he stopped in front of him, bowed deeply,

"Lord Aleksander, we have arrived," he spoke softly,

Aleksander nodded, "Wonderful, tell everyone to come in," he paused and looked up at the man who was standing patiently awaiting his orders,

"Tell them not to make a ruckus", he commanded,

The man bowed and hurried away into the castle. Aleksander looked over at the crowd that had begun to gather outside the gates and frowned.

Amongst the very end of the crowd, he had spotted Lady Kesala, standing with her appetence and her granddaughter.

She was dressed in a long red dress that ended just below her knees, it was adorned with countless golden beads inlaid in diamonds and pearls along the edges.

Her waist-length white hair was tied back in a tight ponytail.

Even when lady Kesala was pushing ninety Aleksander felt the blood rush to his head as his lust for the old woman built within him.

He quickly dismissed the thought when he spotted high lord Cyphus his father's chief advisor appearing in front of lady kesala like a tall ghost with his arms spread wide open like he couldn't believe what he saw.

The two exchanged greeting like old friends causing a fit of jealousy to build inside Aleksander, who clenched his fists tightly as he watched on.

The high lords' presence was more welcomed than his own and he had a difficult time trying to hide the envy and anger he was feeling, although he did manage. But Aleksander was determined to show none of these feelings.

He tried desperately to push them aside so as not to show weakness.

In the middle of the courtyard stood the prince in full regalia, He too greeted the old nobleman cordially and then gestured to the man who accompanied him, and then he marched toward his home.

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Kesala looked at her granddaughter sceptically,

"I see you're enjoying yourself," she said as she raised a brow

"Yes, I am Grandma," replied the young blonde happily as she grabbed hold of the old woman's arm,

"It has been years since I last went out and enjoyed myself like this," the girl said wistfully.

The young woman smiled and then giggled, "And besides," she continued, "you always spoil me with all sorts of nice things and you always say how much fun I'm having, but what about you?" she asked playfully.

Lady kesala looked thoughtful and she hummed in response for a few moments.

"Then what would you want to do"

"I think I would like to go out someday and explore this city. It sounds exciting," said the girl.

"That's wonderful! Well, go on then. I'll stay home and just have fun. You should spend more time with your friends. Besides you'll probably only want him to watch over you," the old woman said playfully.

"Grandma, please don't tease me. can I really go?"

Lady Kesala laughed heartily and patted her granddaughter on the shoulder,

"Yes go. Have fun!" the old woman said encouragingly

After bidding her farewell the young blonde ran off with the young maidservant in tow.

The old lady shook her head with a smile and waved goodbye, then turned to face a tall old man wearing elegant robes who was staring at her with curiosity from a little distance away.

she sighed, "What is it?" she asked him irritably,

"Nothing mistress I was just searching for my ward," the old man chuckled as he came out of the shadows

Lady Kesala looked around curiously, the she waved her hand and the area around her shimmered with white lights

"An illusion, very good Cyphus it is showing something appropriate I hope" the lady said looking far away in the distance

The old man just smiled instead of answering

"Ravella" She called out softly and her apprentice materialized next to her with a small, respectful bow,

"Yes, Mistress?"

She sighed

"Go and show master Cyphus his query, I want him to see the young man he asked to come. Make sure he gets settled in properly, and send someone to take care of my granddaughter. Tell her I want her back before midnight or else," she said seriously

"Of course, Mistress," Ravella said and turned to greet the tall old man who bowed politely and turned toward the the ornately decorated carriage and began to lead the way but paused when the old man asked a question

"how long do I have with the boy?" he questioned curiously

"Four moons" Lady Kesala replied curtly "I want him battle-ready in four moons"

"Ah, so I shall begin the preparations then," the man said excitedly and turned to leave,

leaving a stunned Kesala in his wake.

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Ravella watched awed silence as the old man skipped and happily hummed as he searched through his bag for something

after a couple of minutes, he pulled out a thin sheet of paper and held it up triumphantly.

"There you are, my dear. This is everything you needed. The list I told you about is there," he said handing her the list

"Thank you, Master Cyphus"

"now where is the boy? and oh what is his name? and how old is he? and does he fight well?" the old man continued as they strolled slowly toward the end of the mystical carriage house.

"he is right this way my lord as for the rest of your queries it would be to better ask the boy" Ravella answered curtly .

The old man halted suddenly,

"Oh yes that's it isn't it," he said excitedly as he ran his hands up and down the sides of his cloak,

Ravella chuckled inwardly and shook her head.

Ravella simply and quickly opened the door to reveal a sleeping boy with curly messy jet black hair that melted into the darkness around him and his pale white skin.

His clothes looked almost crumbled as if he'd slept in them, but he didn't seem to stir in his sleep

He lay sprawled out across a settee and snored softly with an arm draped loosely over his eyes.

Ravella quietly approached and gently shook his arm to wake him.

"boy, wake up," Ravella whispered to him softly,

He stirred briefly but remained asleep,

Ravella gave him another hard shake, this caused the young man to open his eyes groggily, and blink sleepily until they adjusted to the light.

Then he yawned and stretched his body lazily before pulling himself up and sitting up straight in his seat, his eyes focused on Ravella as she stood before him.

"what....?" the young boy asked with a frown as he looked around in a daze

Before Ravella could answer the boy the old man rudely shoved her aside as he leaned in to peer at the boy curiously,

"Hahaha, this is it the big scary radiant, a child still wet behind the ears, eh?" he laughed jovially and reached out a fingertip to poke the young boy's nose.

The boy flinched instinctively and drew his lips into a tight frown.

He glared angrily up at the man, his eyebrows knit together tightly and his expression hardened.

"Master Cyphus!" Ravella said, annoyed and upset,

"Oh, sorry, I forgot you weren't here," he apologized sheepishly and then turned to look at the boy again,

"So, you must be the one I've heard so much about," he said with a grin.

The boy narrowed his eyes and stared at the old man suspiciously, but before the boy could fully understand what was happening the old man grabbed the boy by the neck and lifted him as if he was lifting a young kitten and not a grown five feet eight inches tall boy.

"I haven't seen a brat like you in some time! How old are you anyway? 15? 17 maybe?" he yelled

Ravella's face darkened as she stormed forward but before she even reached the old man, he turned toward the girl and gave roguish grin that seemed more hideous than charming,

"then miss I shall take my leave I shall bring the boy back after four full moons" he told her and winked before giving her another wink, which made the girl cringe slightly and then he spun around quickly and headed for the exit.

"Master Cyphus!" the girl called as he reached the door and then turned back just in time to catch sight of him grinning wildly and shaking a finger in her direction.

"He is mine now girly, mine" he yelled and disappeared through the doorway.

Once he left, Ravella sagged and deeply sighed.