Sebastian stood under the shade of a huge tree, the cool breeze drying off the sweat on his tanned body. His muscles and rock hard torso gleamed with perspiration and his long dark hair fluttered behind him in the soft wind. There were pieces of chopped wood arranged in a pile beside old Gregory's house.
Nicklaus lay beside him on the grass, chewing on a blade of grass. Old Gregory's house was old-fashioned. It was a little hut made out of straw and wood and it consisted of just a tiny living room and a kitchen. There was a sty behind his house where he reared his pigs for sale. Old Gregory emerged from the house with a tray holding two cups of cool water. He was an old bald man. Skinny and stooped around his shoulders.
"You know just what I need old Greg", Nicklaus said and stretched forward to grab one of the glasses. However old Gregory was quicker even in his old age and he moved the tray out of his reach.
Sebastian laughed at Nicklaus' expression as old Gregory brought the tray over to him and handed him one.
"Thank you Greg",he said. The water cooled his parched throat and he sighed in satisfaction.
"I wish I had more",old Gregory said in his frail weak voice.
"This is more than enough Greg", Sebastian said. "You've given me enough payment already".
"I helped too you know",Nicklaus grumbled unhappily.
"Lazy bones",old Gregory said, but he handed the other glass to him.
Nicklaus grinned and promptly emptied the water down his throat.
Boom Boom Boom
The canyon sounded thrice. The canyon of the Kingdom sounded when there was an important news to be passed across. One boom meant a noble or a duke had passed away. Two booms meant a baby had been born to the royal family. Three meant the King was on his way to the Kingdom square and four meant the castle had been breached by intruders. Sebastian looked towards the direction of the Kingdom square, a wide open space where the inhabitants of Duville gathered to hear the King speak.
"What could the King be doing outside his castle?",Nicklaus asked rhetorically.
"People say he wants to put an end to the rumors about him finding it difficult to choose an heir",old Gregory said as he walked slowly back into his house.
"Why would the King find it difficult?",Sebastian asked. "The eldest son is meant to be the heir".
"Seems you haven't heard that rumors",Nicklaus said. "The crown Princes were all born the same day by the Queens".
"How's that possible?"
Nicklaus lowered his voice to a whisper.
"The King was unable to plant a seed in his wives. Some said he was impotent".
"How then did the Queens conceive?", Sebastian asked out loud.
"Lower your voice boy",old Gregory said as he wobbled outside again. "You don't want to be caught spreading vicious rumors".
Nicklaus lowered his voice even more as he whispered.
"They say the King consulted the old gods. He made some sacrifices and the Queens conceived. All on the same day".
"The King must be having a hard time then",Sebastian said and walked towards Thunder. His vest was draped on the stallion's back and Thunder was grazing on the nearby grass.
"Where are you going?",Nicklaus asked as Sebastian pulled on his vest.
"To the Kingdom square of course",Sebastian replied. "Let's go hear what the King has to say".
Nicklaus looked like he was about to say something but he changed his mind. He face became worried and thoughts.
"You okay?",Sebastian asked, noticing the sudden change in his best friend's expression.
"Yeah. I'm...I don't just think we should go to the Kingdom square",Nicklaus said uneasily.
"Why not?".
"Well...",Nicklaus trailed off.
"Come on Nicklaus",Sebastian said and pulled him up to his feet. "It would be the first time to see the King up close".
"Don't tell me you plan on going close to the King",Nicklaus said in surprise.
"I want to see what he looks like".
"You can't be serious",Nicklaus said suddenly. "There are guards stationed around him. You won't even get close to him".
"Why are you getting so worked up about it?",Sebastian asked. Nicklaus was acting strange. Why was he so adamant about him not going close to the King?
Nicklaus realized that he was indeed acting strange. He looked away and tried to rein in his emotions. He couldn't let Sebastian figure out why he was so worried. He took a deep breathe and released it slowly.
"I'm just being worried about my best friend",he said finally.
Sebastian remained standing by the stallion, a frown creasing his brows as he stared hard at Nicklaus. Nicklaus became self conscious. The look Sebastian gave him put chills in his bones. Could it be...? Did he give away the secret with the way he acted? Oh my gods, he prayed within himself. Do not let Sebastian realize why I'm so worried about the King noticing him. If he finds out, mother would kill me. And it would ruin our friendship. His heart knocked wildly in his chest as Sebastian walked slowly towards him. His expression was unreadable. Nicklaus gulped and wiped off beads of sweat from his head.
Sebastian stopped beside Nicklaus and placed a hand on his shoulder. Then he smiled suddenly.
"I had no idea you were so worried about me",he said with a cheeky grin.
Nicklaus felt the relief course through him and he let out the breath he had been holding.
"Of course I'm worried",he said quickly. "You're my best friend".
"Of course I am",Sebastian said. "So come with me to the Kingdom square. Let's go hear what the King has to say".
Nicklaus had no other option left. He couldn't refuse Sebastian again. So he walked towards his horse reluctantly and climbed up the saddle.
"Goodbye Greg",Sebastian said as he leaped onto Thunder's back.
"Bless you son",old Gregory said and waved a skinny arm at Sebastian. "Be careful".
"Hiyaaa",Sebastian spurred Thunder and the stallion took off in a mad gallop. He turned towards Nicklaus who was trying to keep up with him.
"Why do you look so disturbed?",he shouted as the wind roared past his ears.
"I'm just hungry",Nicklaus shouted back.
Sebastian laughed out. "I have a pouch of coins with me",he shouted. "Old Gregory's payment. We can grab a bite to eat before heading home".
Nicklaus didn't reply. He just rode beside the stallion, his conscience pricking him badly. He hated the lies and mystery that surrounded Sebastian and it made him feel horrible because he was part of it. He would forever be tortured by the secrets he kept from Sebastian;the secret of him being the first son of the King.
______________________________________________
The Kingdom square was packed full with peasants who wanted to hear what the King had to say. Some had never seen the King so it was an opportunity for them. Men, women and children, all dressed in different dull materials, chattered together, creating a mighty cacophony. Some of the richer families separated themselves from the others, keeping to themselves with heads proudly raised high. They were dressed in bright materials, entirely different from the peasants and they weren't as loud. The men huddled together, discussing in low tones while the women chattered in their usual high pitched tone, pretty hand fans held up to their noses while they fluttered it coyly.
"What a crowd!",Sebastian shouted above the noise of the crowd. "It's like a market place".
"They all want to catch a glimpse of the King",Nicklaus shouted back at him. He still felt uneasy. His eyes moved around, watching how people stared openly at Sebastian and whispered among themselves.
"People stare to much",Sebastian complained. He had also noticed the stares people were throwing at him.
"Maybe it's because they fear you".
"Or because I'm too charming", Sebastian said and grinned cheekily. "Why don't we grab a bite to eat first".
"Sounds good to me",Nicklaus who was feeling uncomfortable with the constant stares Sebastian was getting agreed instantly.
They went towards a nearby shack where baked food was sold. The sweet aroma of baked bread and cake wafted in the air. Two men were in a hot argument when Sebastian and Nicklaus arrived inside.
"I tell ya",the first man said. He was a burly man with thick beards and he held a tankard of ale in his hand. "This be the second time I'll be seein' the King".
"What's so important about seeing him?",his companion asked.
"You have no idea",the first said. "Tis a great honour to be able to look upon the King's face".
"Enough with your yappin' Norman. We've heard enough of it",the shopkeeper said as he brought out a tray of freshly baked bread from the oven.
Sebastian and Nicklaus moved over to the counter and the shopkeeper quickly moved over to attend to them.
Norman who was just lifting his tankard of ale to have a drink turned his eyes towards the customers and his eyes widened in shock. The ale he just poured down his throat spewed out of his mouth and he shot out of his seat.
"Hey Norman",his companion complained and looked for a rag to wipe the mixture of ale and spittle that spewed out of Norman's mouth and drenched his clothes.
Sebastian turned as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He met a pair of unstable brown eyes staring at him.
"Say",Norman said and turned towards his companion. "This boy here looks exactly like the King". Nicklaus head snapped up and he turned towards the burly man.
"What nonsense are you saying Norman?",the shopkeeper asked.
"I'm tellin' ya",Norman said. "He could pass as the King's double. I've seen the King and I know what I'm sayin'". Then he leaned towards Sebastian and whispered, "Say mate, might you be related to His Majesty?".
"That's enough Norman, let's go",his companion said and stood up. "Sorry folks. He's a bit drunk",he apologized to Sebastian and Nicklaus and then he dragged Norman away.
"I'm tellin' ya Ed",Norman kept chattering as he was led away. "He looks so much like the King. Could pass as his son. Wait till the King arrives and see...",his voice trailed off as he and Ed disappeared.
"I'm sorry about that mate",the shopkeeper said. "He's a bit loose in the head. What can I get you?".
Sebastian who found the whole thing hilarious just chuckled while Nicklaus was as white as sheet. That was close, he thought. This was the reason why he didn't want Sebastian here. He would draw the wrong kind of attention to himself.
A horn blew out, heralding the arrival of the King. Armed guards marched passed on foot through the crowd of people, their armours and weapons gleaming in the sunlight. A dozen rode on horseback, carrying the flags of Duville. Then came the royal carriage, drawn by four majestic white stallions. Whispers flew through the crowd of people as the royal carriage driver pulled the reins and the carriage stopped. Eight armed guards jogged over to the carriage door and stood in two lines, hands at the hilt of their swords. One opened the carriage door and a collective gasp went through the crowd of peasants.
A loud voice rang out in the sudden silence that enveloped the crowd.
"Hail to the King! King Cyrus Delaville the Third, King and ruler of the Kingdom of Duville. Strong and Mighty. Kneel before your King!".
The entire crowd of people, both peasants and elites, went on their knees just as King Cyrus emerged from the carriage.