"Ah! I see we're skipping a couple of steps today. Bad week Nickles?" Asked Bolten with a nervous swallow. He shifted his attention towards Galvin's twitching fingers with a flustered smile.
"Depends on what you call me next?" Smirked Galvin.
"Right. Okay. Let's switch up the dance. Jokes aside… Galvin. I need to see my brother. Your king. King of -" Tried explaining Bolten.
"You can't." Interrupted Galvin firmly.
"Bloody huh!? What do you mean I can't?" Blurted Bolten. Grabbing at Galvin's thick leather shoulder pads.
"Final warning. Back-up!" Commanded Galvin. Her hand rose reflexively into a quick shove onto Bolton's chest producing a dazzling electrical shock and burning a small hole into his previously white undershirt.
"You don't learn do you!?" Said Galvin in an electrical rage.
The impact of the electrical shock was enough to lift Bolton off his feet, ultimately propelling him backward into the walls of the hall. His large stature was enough to dent the metallic decor of the walls inwards in addition to violently shaking the lanterns above and even producing a crack on the column cushioning his fall to his right.
Galvin looked down towards Bolten checking to see if he had any serious injuries. To her concern, he remained uncharacteristically still and slumped over the wall. His brown flat cap tilted over his eyes casting a worrying shadow. "Surely he can handle a shock. He's been through far worse with me. This should tickle." Said Galvin, her thoughts racing back and forth. "If the king can't kill you then neither can I. On your feet Bolten." She blurted.
"Please." Sighed Galvin. His Majesty is determining the future of New Dwarden. Some-" Tried explaining Galvin.
"A future I'm part of. Exclusively." Said Bolten Defiantly, as if springing back to life. "My brother's never made such a choice without the tight-necked council pecking at his brain? What's made today so different?" He continued, rising from the ground in a swift yet acrobatic jumping motion. Bolton again towered over Galvin, only this time in a sobering straightened posture. "Also, out of curiosity. How much joy would my death have given you? And do you repair suits by any chance?" Galvin merely retorted with a disapproving scowl.
"It was the council's decision to proceed with his exclusive guidance. Their reasons are unknown to me. I-". Explained Galvin.
"Bolten, how in the Blessed did you get up here? You look as though you were mangled between gears and pulleys all day." Wondered King Woltwork, peeking his head from between the iron doors beside Galvin.
"Your Majesty. I tried-" Stammered Galvin, avoiding eye contact with the King.
"Galvin. We will speak on this matter later. Needless to say, I am disappointed in you." Protested King Woltwork. "And Bolten. If you must! And only if you must! Dust yourself off and come inside." Commanded King Woltwork retreating into the comfort of his study.
Promptly, Bolten did as the King instructed and dusted himself off. He made sure to keep eye contact and a steady grin with Galvin as he followed the King into his study.
As if nothing happened, Galvin's expression returned to a brutal neutral as she returned to guarding her post. She made sure to ignore Bolten's instigating stare as he walked past her and only closed the door behind him when she was commanded to.
"On ya Bolton. Take a seat and talk." Directed King Woltwork from the center of the study. Bolton obliged and approached the center of the study cautiously. His eyes darted back and forth through the colossal room like a mouse amidst a busy kitchen.
This was Bolton's first time into the King's Study. He had heard of the study before, however, most of the time he hadn't found a reason to even think about sneaking his way inside. He'd much rather look towards the endless books, stories, and local legends, he had found far more interesting while browsing the countless booths and barters stretching deep into the main streets of New Dwarden. Still, Bolton couldn't help but feel instantly overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the study.
Unlike the hallway's many shadowing dips and dark crevices, the King's Study hadn't a single shadow in it. Scattered generously about the study like strategic bonfires were large glass lamps containing flowing and flickering warm light in the vein of something between fire and electricity. Even smaller variants hung on the walls allowing for an easy read no matter where the King stood.
The King's study was similar to that of a large atrium at an expensive inn only the study had twelve branching halls and towering decorative bookcases lining each of the walls from floor to ceiling. Even the ceiling of the study was grandiose in spectacle, having a giant mural depicting the origin of the City Of New Dwarden in extensive detail.
At the center of the room is an extraordinarily large crescent desk made of an exotic mix of purple wood and green metals with twelve stools pressed to the front of it. Each stool carved into the shape of a different animal, representing a different member of the council.
"Ever heard of adventure? How about mystery? Or the mystery of adventure?" Asked Bolton. Leaning onto one of twelve stools.
"Brother mine. Does policy and procedure intimidate you that much?" Remarked King Woltwork as he took a seat on a large throne-like chair with enough cushion to inspire Bolton's thoughts into a yawn.
"Nah. Never the thought." Replied Bolton in an effort to hide his widened eyes. His mind raced at the thought of the books in each shelf being organized at tedium alphabetically and even by height.
"Well it should. Had I not been a child and forced to read it by our father and king previous then I would have executed anyone who would enforce such an act of brutality." Retorted King Woltwork holding a feathered pen to his lip. "Will you make a King repeat himself?" Continued King Woltwork, gesturing toward the stool Bolton had chosen to lean on.
"I'd rather stand if it's the same to you." Thought Bolton. However, these words couldn't appear to manifest despite his best efforts. Instead, he simply complied with a scowl.
"Couldn't help but notice you picked the Owl." Observed King Woltwork.
"It's the seat towards the center is all." Replied Bolton, trying to make himself comfortable to seemingly no avail.
"Ah, but so is the boar." Said King Woltwork with a smile.
"B-brother. You look… good." Blurted Bolten in an effort to change the topic.
"My own brother! Lying to me! To my face!" Retorted King Woltwork in a boisterous sudden rage.