Chapter 27: work hard my friend

Timothy, accompanied by Finn, entered the throne room, his mind swirling with curiosity about the summons. As they approached the grandeur of the chamber, the imposing figure of the king, adorned in regal white robes with golden embellishments, greeted them with a warm smile. The guards at the door were dismissed as the two boys bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, your majesty," they chorused.

The king reciprocated the greeting with a smile, his eyes reflecting a keen interest. "Greetings, my children. How have you fared in the past month? I've heard from my son that you excel in the Smithing."

"At first, it was challenging, but we've adapted," Jake responded.

"Ah, adaptation is the key. I believe you're both aware of the gravity of the situation in the Smithing. Only five will become members of the King's Blades. The fate of the others is, unfortunately, sealed."

"They will die," Timothy bluntly stated.

The king acknowledged, "Yes, they will die. Unlike you, these youths willingly entered the Smithing, knowing the potential consequences. They sought power, understanding the weight carried by a man with strength. I believe you comprehend this already."

Timothy and Jake nodded, eager to understand the purpose behind their summons.

"I consider you two among the greatest talents in our kingdom. Rather than investing your time in the Smithing, I want you to focus on becoming Konquerors. Finn has informed me of your progress with planting, and your proficiency in gathering the breath is noteworthy. From today, concentrate on becoming Soul Seed Konquerors before the end of the upcoming month," the king commanded.

The boys bowed in understanding, and as they left the room, the king's serious tone lingered in their minds.

"I hope you are right about them, son," the king spoke to Finn, a hint of concern in his voice.

"They won't disappoint, Father. They've dominated the Smithing in just a month," Finn reassured.

Later, as Finn made his way to Timothy's room, he overheard laughter spilling out. Knocking gently, he entered to find Timothy and his friends, including Carolyn and Sydney, sharing a lighthearted moment.

"I brought the fo- my Lord, what are you doing here?" Elaine, clad in an unusual attire, interrupted as she noticed Finn.

"I wanted to speak to him. What are you doing here, Elaine? And why are you dressed like that?" Finn inquired, his gaze scrutinizing her appearance.

Elaine, seemingly caught off guard, wished to explain but Carolyn quickly interjected and explained instead , "We've been doing this for quite a while now, brother. This is where we relax after a long day of work."

Finn, with a critical eye, observed Elaine's choice of attire—a blouse that reached her thighs and her hair tied in a ponytail. His two sisters couldn't contain their giggles, amplifying Finn's disapproval.

"What work do you do besides tea parties?" Finn questioned his little sister Carolyn.

"Hosting a tea party is an exhausting task, brother," Carolyn responded with a mischievous glint, wiping away a fake tear. Laughter erupted, except from Timothy, who offered a knowing smile.

Finn joined them, shedding his shoes to sit on the carpet. Elaine served food, and the group continued to chat and enjoy the camaraderie. After the meal, Finn asked Timothy to walk with him to the garden.....

...

Timothy and Finn made their way towards the garden quietly . Upon reaching the garden Finn murmured something and Timothy felt something pass through him .

"Right I have cast a sound blockage barrier , we may talk." Finn paused w bit before continuing

"We've suffered three attacks from the La'faurians this past month. Soon, it might escalate into an all-out war. The other four kingdoms pose little threat for now," Finn disclosed.

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Timothy inquired.

"After you become Konquerors, you'll be assigned infiltration missions. The KING'S BLADE exists to eliminate threats to the crown discreetly. The downside is you may never return. I'll be accompanying you and the others," Finn explained.

"No need for that. We knew what we signed up for," Timothy replied honestly, having contemplated the possibility of his demise and made peace with it.

"I, too, don't have a choice. It's the king's orders. I sense the breath in your soul; your seed is almost planted, isn't it?" Finn asked.

"In a week or two, maybe. Progress seems slow," Timothy admitted.

Finn, feeling a pang of discontent, shook his head. "Work hard, my friend. Work hard," he urged with a tinge of sadness, leaving Timothy to contemplate the challenges that lay ahead.