Richard was seated in his office with Troy sitting in front of him, he was a bit of a standstill, his plan for Amelia to come alone, was ruined when she brought her two other friends. Richard's office was huge. It had huge braziers attached to one side of each of the sixteen onyx columns that light up most of his business study and blanket everything in a warm glow. The illustrations of gods on the layered ceiling dance in the flickering light while carved images look down upon the maple floor of this office.
A violet rug splits the entire room in half from the doors to the study while pennant banners with embellished quilting drapes from the walls. Between each banner hangs a torch, almost all of them have been lit and in turn illuminate the murals of heroes and leaders below them.
Extensive, stained glass windows depicting ancient legends are bordered by drapes coloured the same violet as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with embellished borders and fancy tassels.
His imposing office chair of oak sits in front of a giant painting of the kingdom and is adjoined by three smaller and less elaborate seats for those who seek to speak with Richard.
The office chair carved with oak is covered in symmetric designs and fixed on each of the stubby legs is a crystal divine symbol. The soft pillows are dark violet and these too have been adorned with burnished sigils.
"Father? how are we going to do this now?" Troy asked, they needed Amelia out the way. "Even mother is getting in the way now."
Richard sighed harshly as he ponded in the thought of what to do next, he hoped Teresa would stay out of this too, but he knew there was a risk with bringing Amelia back home
Richard scratched his head, "Maybe we can use three of them now, I think I may have a better idea."
Troy smirked in glee as he leant forward placing his elbow on his father's desk, wanting to know more of his father's plan. "So what is this plan of yours?"
Meanwhile, Amelia, Ruvean and Ceada were sitting in the tavern in town, they knew everyone would have to get used to them, they will be here until they are no longer needed. Amelia was waiting for Richard to ask her when she could meet up with him. She rose the glass of mead in her hand towards her mouth.
As always, the mead was served warm; when she took a sip, she could smell a sweet aroma and the taste of honey and spices danced along with her tongue. She sighed closing her eyes gently, wishing the taste would linger more.
"I wonder what the others are up to," Ceada wondered out loud, she had to admit it was a little weird being someone without the others.
She was used to travelling with all of them, not just a certain few, it was a change she knew she had to get used to.
Amelia let out a little laugh, "Phillip is probably rejoicing because I'm not there."
"Why does he hate you?" Ceada asked as she finished her mead.
"Mostly everyone hates mages, it doesn't matter if they are good. Phillip also has a rough history with mages. Just like everyone has" Amelia replied with a dull tone, she cleared her throat as she heard the tavern door open.
Ruvean sat up and was about to head towards the bar so he could order another round of mead for the three of them when he bumped into someone.
"Oh, my sir, I am so sorry about that. Are you alright?" The man asked Ruvean as he dusted him off, placing something inside his jacket.
"Oh, no worries, my fault," Ruvean said as the two of them parted ways. The man going one way and Ruvean going the other.
⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️
It was a cold afternoon in Rishnag, mostly everyone was getting ready for a storm that was closing in from the shore. A man had popped off the boat, giving the sailor an extra 30 kirla pieces. The man known as Zachariah headed towards the palace in urgent news for the king.
Villagers watched as the man walked through the town, although they were custom for newcomers to come. They always wanted to know who and remember them just in case. Sam was on his way to the castle where Zachariah had bumped into him.
"Hey man! Watch it! I have urgent news for the king!" Zachariah shouted alerting almost every nearby who heard it.
Urgent news for the king? Was the king in danger or something? Sam picked up his pace quickly following behind Zachariah. He needed to alert Stephen and Phillip just in case but was their time? He had to think fast without Ruvean here to give them direction, he knew he was next to give orders.
Instead, he headed towards his father's base near the castle to tell him what he had heard from the new traveller that had arrived. Should he also alert Ruvean? He shook his head on that thought knowing he will be helping Amelia.
Lord Ragnar's castle had Nine slim, square towers that are both defensive and also decoration. This elegant castle is also commuted by lower, wide walls made of dark brownstone
Small windows are scattered here and there around the walls in fairly symmetrical patterns, along with holes of various sizes for archers and artillery.
A great gate with wide wooden doors, a draw bridge and a moat gave a safe place to rest in this forest stronghold, but it's not the only way in, which fortunately only very few know.
Huge statues of heroes and kings decorate the bridge outside, memories of glories of the past. This castle shows signs of expansion as some parts are built more recently than others, the inhabitants are already working on another part and hope to keep expanding.
Zachariah made it inside the castle, where he took a few deep breaths to catch his breath. He took a moment to look at the throne room he was standing in, being aware of his surroundings.
Humble braziers at the bottoms of each of the eight granite columns light up the entire throne hall and cover the hall in dancing shadows and a warm radiance. The angelic paintings on the slanted ceiling dance in the flickering light while statuettes look down upon the mosaic floor of this opulent hall.
An alabaster rug runs in a circle around the room, with two paths at the throne and the main entrance while rounded banners with ornate tassels hang from the walls. Between each banner hangs a torch, all but a few have been lit and in turn, illuminate the paintings of other leaders of the world below them.
Massive windows are shrouded by curtains coloured the same alabaster as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with embellished borders and decorating tips.
A dignified throne of granite sits atop an elevated platform and is adjoined by five equally impressive seats for esteemed guests.
The throne is covered in complicated designs and fixed on each of the wide armrests is a crystal moon. The broad pillows are light alabaster and these too have been adorned with quilting.
Those wishing to witness their royal highness can do so on the few extravagant and comfortable marble benches, all of which are facing the throne. Those of higher standing can instead take seats in the extremely lavish balconies facing the throne.
"Your highness, I come for you with urgent news," Zachariah spoke.
"What is it?" A guard asked.
"I come from the town of Gandor," gasps filled the throne room as a few extra guards circle the king in protection.
"A mage? Here?" Another guard asked.
King Ragnar stepped aside from the guards, "What urgent news do you have for me?" He asked.
"There has been an attempt on your life, while I was in the tavern, I overheard a few dragon riders speaking about how they plan to assignat you," Zachariah said, his voice laced with fake fear.
"What do you mean? Where is your proof of this?" King Ragnar knew that his most trusted allies would never turn on him, especially Amelia after everything he had done for her.
"I have proof, here my lord." Zachariah pulled out a scroll from his jacket pocket and handed it to his lord.
Lord Ragnar opened it and read it, seeing the seal of the dragon riders with Amelia's handwriting. Lord Ragnar was now filled with rage and scrunched the scroll in his hand as he turned to his guards. "Get Amelia, Ruvean and Ceada here as soon as possible and lock them up in a dungeon where they will be questioned about their treachery."
"But my lord..." William was about to speak when he was silenced by Lord Ragnar.
"Do as I say!" He shouted before turning to Zachariah. "Thank you for bringing this to me. Now leave." He pointed to the door.
Zachariah nodded to his lord before heading out of the castle and towards the boats, he knew his master would be pleased with his efforts and what he had done.
⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️
Back at the tavern, Amelia, Ruvean and Ceada had gotten word from a source that the men that were after the money was about to come through the doors only for it to burst open and what they weren't expecting were the king guards. Without question Amelia, Ruvean and Ceada were grabbed harshly.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ruvean asked as he was shocked by their rough force.
"You are being arrested by the king himself over treachery," a guard explained as the three of them were escorted out.
Ethrinria let out a roar as she was being dragged by a few other guards with a metal chain, Amelia gasped. "No, no. Ethrinria let her go. She hasn't done anything nor has we."
The three of them were dragged away without any more questions by any of them, but they all began to wonder they this was happening. What have they done to the king that could be considered treachery? Doing missions requests weren't normal but they did receive them and not once did the king think that was treachery.
The guards walked Amelia, Ceada and Ruvean to the dungeons of the northern side of Gandor below the mountain.