Before Everville was burned, before Louise died, before Viktor took his last stand, a royal summon came to Connor.
In his room, he donned himself in a wine red tunic and over it, he wore a black doublet embroidered with yellow. He chose grey woollen breeches and brown leather shoes. He went to the stables and chose Shadow from his stall. Jack came to his aid and saddled the horse.
He saw The town of parting and then entered the Castle road. He went across the Castle town but didn't care for it. The breeze blew across his greying hair as Shadow galloped through the road.
He saw the castle walls from far resting above the King's hill. It became larger and larger as he got closer. It was near dusk when he reached the gates. The drawbridge was held down across the moat and Connor saw two guards covered in full plate armour guarding it with spikes in hand. Machicolations and crenellations cast white squares of light around him.
He walked across the bridges and nodded to the guards; their white capes floated. He crossed the gate and the portcullis to come to the dark gateway. Circles of light shone from above. He crossed the second portcullis and reached the bailey.
Servants and soldiers scurried all around doing their work. To his left, he saw the garden laid with lilies, roses, apples, melons and berries. To his right, he saw Mansabdar wearing capes of red, blue, green and grey.
He went to the stables to keep Shadow. The castle's stable man called Bolton came to his aid. He was a gaunt man who was too tired and stressed from his job.
The keep was a marvel to look at. Layers and layers of hard stone rose higher than the eye can see. Windows of black scattered here and there. A soldier wearing capes of white stood at the front door.
The court was dismissed and the throne room was empty. He went to the right for the stairs. He climbed the stairs and wondered how the king was doing this every day at his age.
At the end of it, he came on into a hallway. A red carpet bordered with gold embroidery was laid on the floor. A tall and broad covered in gold gilded full plate armour stood at the door. His white cape fluttered.
"The king had waited for you far too long, Sir Connor," he said looking down.
"I will meet him right away then," he stared back.
The soldier opened the thick mahogany door with the garuda carved onto it.
He was in the King's study now. Long rows of bookshelves that covered topics on history, literature, science and arts poured their words through clear glass.
The King sat on his chair that was carved out of rosewood. The garuda; a hawk with its beaks and wings spread apart was carved on the back rail. Red velvet cushions lined the seat and the back.
Alexander the third of his name was a man in his fifties. His hair was long, white and braided to his back. His snow-white beard was neatly trimmed. His frost eyes moved along the lines on the paper in front. The white that was spread across his face was not of his age but his birth.
He was donned in a golden doublet embroidered with silver hawks on its left and right. The diamond buttons scattered the light that was coming from the window behind. Above the window, Connor saw rows of pictures; pictures of past kings.
Connor knelt and looked down. "I have arrived my King," he said and crossed his fingers to his chest.
The King raised his head and looked at Connor. "Rise my knight," The King's voice was hoarse.
Connor stood up slowly and without losing grace. He raised his eyes and met with the King's smiling face.
"What I may of be of use today, my King," Connor said in reverence.
"I called off the court today to talk to you alone." The King said.
The court discusses urgent matters needed for the kingdom. 'What could be the need for dismissing it for a day?' Connor wondered.
"I called you today to talk about your brother," The King's voice was grim and a small pang left Connor's heart.
"Your brother and the Caladrian girl fell in love but the high caste Pemphredo will not approve it," he said recalling the past.
"What is the need for talking about such a matter, my king?" Connor's voice wavered.
"It is Connor, just listen to me. I banished them personally to stop the spread of conflict between high caste families and I still regret it. They were great assets for our nation," he shaked his head.
"But now their life is in danger, Connor," the king stared into Connor's eyes. He didn't understand the meaning behind those words.
"Reports have come from the Temple of Caladrius. They see the impending danger. The reports say that a new Lord of the destitute has risen," he rose to his feet and Connor knelt again.
"We don't know when he will strike. But we must not wait. Make haste and travel to them. Take a few Mansabdar with you, new ones will do," he tapped on Connor's shoulders to get up.
"This is the mission I place upon you Connor ward. Go on and save your brother and his family," he commanded.