Weeks have passed since being in this castle. My mind is starting to recover as I can see everything clearly and think critically. I feel somewhat at peace but…it is still difficult. I got out, wearing a gray colored shirt and black pants, feeling good as I greeted the maids that I encountered in the hallway. I hurried downstairs as I knew that a banquet was about to happen. My hair blew back as I ran down the hall and came to the dining room. Seeing that…no one was there at all. I was confused for a moment before a familiar maid came out of a separate room to prepare the table.
"Hey, Ilatar?" I called out to her.
"Jarrod? What are you doing here so early?" She said,
Ilatur was the first maid I found when I got out of that prison cell and the one that made me the clothing I have on.
"Early??? I'm on time, what's happening?"
"Oh, they didn't tell you. Well, the king and queen had an unexpected change in schedule from a soldier that is working on something big. So now they are readying themselves for they're arrival."
"Where are they?" I said.
She looked at me as if I was crazy. She finished fixing up the table as she walked up to me and said, "Listen, I know that you are curious and new to everything around here but there has got to be some rule in your world that you can't simply barge in like that."
"I know that it's impolite but…can't I just know about what's going on? I've been in the dark for 3 weeks now. Can't I just know a bit of information?"
She was silent for a moment before she said, "It's going to be in the 1st floor throne room."
I thanked her and went for the door before she said, "Just…make sure you don't do anything stupid."
I nodded as I closed the door to the dining room and went to the throne room, passing a couple halls until I arrived at the throne room. The same room where I meet the queen, Bertilia. I see the king and queen waiting on their chairs as the little wolf, Belliem, paces himself around the hall before he notices me and runs towards me in joy.
I happily picked him up from the ground and played with him for a bit before Huraca said, "Jarrod, what are you doing here?"
I placed Belliem back on the ground as he put his paws up on my leg as he called my name. "I just want to know what is going on."
"Well this is very bad timing." He said as Bertilia called Belliem over, he did so.
I looked at them and it was rather strange. Huraca and Bertilia were in a humanoid wolf form, or I should say Akam because that's their race's name, as for Belliem. Belliem was in his feral form, where he was on four legs. Akams are such strange creatures.
"Jarrod, go before—" The queen was interrupted by the sound of footsteps and clanking of armor from the staircase at the entrance of the castle.
"Too late now." I said as I stood there, waiting to see who and what they had to say.
The noise of armor could be heard more and more loudly in each step they took. The moment I saw them, I was shocked by the body that this soldier had.
"Norlarena, it's good to see you again!" The king exclaimed.
Norlarena, I've heard that name before.
She kneeled down and said, "I appreciate that you took the time to see me. Your majesty."
She was covered in some silver armor covering everything but her head and it seemed to be glowing. The real intriguing part about her was the two different colors of her fur she had on both sides of her body. One side being black and the other white, with purple eyes. Her hair was tied together into a single braid as she caught me looking at her.
"Now, you may have already noticed our guest here and I assume you know him?" Huraca questioned.
"The…Human, I found in the forest." The knight said.
I remember now! She was the one to find me and bring me here! I should thank her after this meeting.
"He's been adjusting to his surroundings so, please, be kind to him." He asked.
"Of course…" She said, "Now, is it wise to relay our information while the human is here, Your Majesty?"
"There is no harm, please inform us."
She got up, staring daggers at me before she started a debrief. "It is slow but we are managing to set up defenses. Escorting the carpenters is difficult due to the constant attacks by Devil's Pride. Not just that, they have set up formidable bases around Bastion and they intend to stay like that. Interrupting our progress until we either give up or die."
Huraca placed his hand on his chin.
"Even with those troubles, me and my men managed to take down a quarter of their bases with no casualties and found a safe path for us to escort the carpenters…" She turned her head to look at me before continuing, "While surveying the new path, we found the…human during it and…well."
Huraca, charmed, said, "That is some great news. A great breath of fresh air against Devil's Pride."
What are they talking about??? Devil's Pride? Project Bastion? Of course I wouldn't know anything about it but I'm more intrigued about it than ever now.
"Is there anything else I should know?" Huraca asked.
"No there isn't. Though I do have to say one thing about the human."
"Mm? What is it?"
"Can we really trust him?"
Silence befell the room as I felt a slight uneasiness settle in.
"Only time will tell."
She ended with a weird salute as she walked back down the stairs. Still under the pressure that was emitted about a minute ago, she was gone. I realized this and rushed down the stairs to catch up to Norlarena.
"Hey! Norlarena I suppose?" I exclaimed as she kept walking down the stairs. "Hey, I have to thank you for bringing me here. It's way more better than—"
A hand clasped around my shirt and was pulled close to her face, "I don't know who you are or if it is because you're the King's Pet but don't go talking to me like I'm your casual! Runt!" She said, spitting in my face with that last line and shoving me to the edge of the stairs as I dangled over it before regaining balance. She acted like it didn't happen and kept on going down the stairs before exiting the castle grounds.
"The hell?" I whispered. I noticed that the public was looking at me as one of the children pointed at me saying something that I can't quite hear. I walked back up and met with the King, Queen and Belliem about to leave the room. Belliem caught me and pointed towards me with his paw, telling me that we were going to eat.
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While we were in the dining room, we were served our plates. I sat there, not eating the food as everyone else began dining.
"What's wrong? Is the meal not to your liking?"
"No, it's fine, it's just…king's pet??? What does that mean?" I asked.
They didn't know what to say and just kept on eating, encouraging me to join them.
"Like, King's pet? Why am I referred to that? Do you think I like that?!" I said.
"Jarrod, please just—"
"No! I want to know why I'm referred to as that. Did you all say that I was your pet?! Just something to keep and show?!" I started to raise my voice as I caught the attention of Belliem now. "Is that why your keeping me here in this castle because I'm a—"
Huraca slammed down onto the table, silencing all of us as I stood stoic. "No, we did not and WILL not say such a demeaning thing about you, Jarrod. It's just a rumor that began with the military of this kingdom."
"Well, what about the citizens? Is there some other word they call me?" I said, waiting for a response.
Nothing.
"Well isn't that reassuring." I said. Leaving the room and going up to my room.