After his conversation with Kaylor, Alythion turned to his young daughter, Elora, who was gently swinging in her chair, looking at him with her bright, innocent eyes. He smiled kindly at her and asked in a warm voice:
"And you, my little one, how have you been while I was away? What did you do with your mother?"
Elora jumped up excitedly, beginning to tell the events as though she were recounting a great story:
"Dad! I've started learning more magic! I even used a water spell to help Mom in the kitchen! I couldn't move much, but I managed to lift a glass of water!"
Alythion chuckled lightly, enjoying her innocent enthusiasm, as she continued speaking, waving her little arms with excitement:
"And also, Mom and I played and talked a lot! We talked about you, about how much we miss you, and about the horses too! Mom told me that your horse, Stormith, is the smartest and strongest!"
Alythion smiled proudly and praised her:
"Well done, Elora. That's wonderful! You're going to be a great sorceress one day."
Elora's face turned red with joy, and she covered her face with her small hands, shyly. Alythion looked at his wife, Miralin, who was watching the interaction with a beautiful smile, her eyes still reflecting the same love and admiration as always.
For a moment, Alythion felt a strange embarrassment, like a young man falling in love for the first time, and tried to hide his bashfulness with a light hum before asking his wife in a calm voice, though with a slight hint of tension:
"And how was your morning today, Miralin?"
Miralin smiled with an enchanting smile, as though she knew exactly the effect she had on him, and replied softly:
"It was peaceful… but it became better with your return."
Alythion felt a slight warmth on his face but just smiled faintly, trying to control his emotions, before returning to enjoy his breakfast with his family, relishing the rare moment of peace and warmth.
While the family was enjoying breakfast in the warm atmosphere, the door to the dining room opened quietly, and Arendal, the head servant, appeared at the entrance, standing in his usual posture that reflected discipline and respect.
He bowed his head slightly as a sign of respect and said in a calm but serious voice:
"My lord, I apologize for interrupting your meal, but there is an important matter I need to discuss with you privately."
Alythion raised his eyebrows slightly, as it was unusual for Arendal to interrupt him without a good reason. He gently placed his spoon on the table, then wiped his lips with a linen napkin before glancing at his wife, who noticed the change in the atmosphere but didn't comment, merely giving a small nod.
He then turned to Arendal and gestured with his hand, saying calmly:
"Alright, let's talk outside."
Alythion rose from his seat, heading toward the dining room's exit with steady steps, while Arendal silently followed, his eyes carrying a hint of worry buried behind his stern features.
Arendal stood upright, his features still bearing that calmness mixed with seriousness, then spoke in a low but clear voice:
"My lord, the king's messenger arrived just moments ago, carrying a letter he described as urgent. He refused to hand it to anyone else, insisting that it be delivered directly to you, as the hero of the kingdom."
Alythion narrowed his eyes slightly, as this was unusual. An urgent letter? From the king himself? He felt for a moment that this peaceful morning had come to an end.
He nodded to Arendal, saying:
"Alright, we'll meet him in my office."
The two moved through the palace corridors, where sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting shadows of the servants working in disciplined silence. The white walls were adorned with elegant golden carvings, and the reflective marble floor added a touch of grandeur.
Alythion reached his spacious office, which was filled with shelves of old books, maps of kingdoms, and diplomatic letters. He sat behind his heavy wooden desk, while Arendal gave a slight bow before opening the door, motioning for the king's messenger to enter.
The messenger entered quickly, carrying a letter sealed with the royal family's seal, his features showing signs of having traveled a long distance without rest. He bowed respectfully before Alythion and extended the letter, saying:
"Hero of the kingdom, this letter is from His Majesty King Theodorin, and I was instructed to deliver it to you personally. Its contents are of utmost importance."
Alythion looked at the letter for a moment, then extended his hand to take it, feeling that something was coming, something that might completely change the course of this peaceful day…
As soon as Alythion finished reading the letter, he narrowed his eyes slightly, then raised his gaze to Arendal, who understood from his lord's look that the matter was serious and dangerous.
"An emergency summons? And we all have to attend?" Alythion murmured, before carefully folding the letter.
There was no time to waste on thinking, so he quickly turned toward one of the boys responsible for taking care of Stormith, who was standing near the door waiting for orders.
"Hurry, take these letters and go immediately to my five generals! Make sure to deliver them personally, and tell them to meet me at the royal palace gate at once."
He handed the boy five letters sealed with his personal seal and added in a firm tone:
"You have permission to use one of the fast horses, but do not touch Stormith. Understood?"
The boy bowed respectfully and said eagerly:
"Yes, my lord! I will leave at once!"
The boy rushed off, while Alythion walked swiftly toward his room.
He entered quickly, heading toward the large wardrobe that held his formal attire and various armor. There was no time to wear his royal white armor, so he chose a practical dark robe, adorned with simple golden patterns, with strong leather boots and his usual sword at his waist.
As he dressed, his mind was preoccupied… What could be so important that it required their immediate presence?
Alythion mounted his loyal horse, Stormith, and quickly rode toward the royal palace gate, leaving his stunned family behind at his sudden departure. He felt Miralin's worried gaze pierce his back, but there was no time to reassure her now. He had to find out what was happening inside the palace.
As Stormith's powerful steps quickened, he sped through the crowded streets, drawing the attention of the townspeople, who were used to seeing their hero walk calmly. It was only for something serious that he would hurry like this.
After a few moments, he reached the palace's massive gate, where his five generals were waiting for him, each mounted on their war horses, their faces reflecting anticipation and curiosity.
As soon as Alythion halted his horse, Darsian, the planning expert, spoke in a serious tone:
"Alythion, what's going on? Why the urgent summons?"
Followed by Valinor, quick-witted, who held his horse's reins and looked toward the palace:
"This is unusual. The king doesn't summon us all like this unless there's a real threat."
Ragarth, the renowned duelist, frowned slightly as he placed his hand on his sword:
"If there's a fight, we'd better be ready."
Meanwhile, Sirinos, the archer, observed the place with careful eyes, as if expecting any sudden event, while Filaria, the sorceress, remained silent, thinking deeply, before speaking in a quiet voice:
"We all feel something dangerous… Do you have any idea, Alythion?"
Alythion looked at each of them, then pulled out the royal letter from his pocket and waved it slightly as he said seriously:
"I don't know the details yet, but the king requested our presence immediately... This means something dangerous is about to happen."
He then raised his head toward the royal palace, determined to discover the reason for this emergency summons.
Alythion and his five generals moved toward the royal palace gate, where the palace servants awaited them to take their horses to the royal stables. Each of them dismounted gracefully, and Alythion patted Stormith's neck before handing him over to the boy responsible for his care, instructing him to take good care of him.
Once inside the palace, they were greeted by the royal palace's head servant, an elderly man of dignity and stature, dressed in a blue robe embroidered with golden threads, symbolizing his high status. He bowed slightly with respect and then spoke in a calm but serious voice:
"Welcome, heroes. The king is awaiting you; he has summoned you for an emergency meeting that only you and the heads of the noble families are aware of. Please proceed immediately to the meeting hall."
Alythion and his generals walked through the grand palace corridors, which were adorned with towering columns carved with precision, each bearing the kingdom's symbols, from the golden sun representing light and strength, to carvings of dragons symbolizing greatness and protection.
The floor was covered with royal blue carpets decorated with silver threads, extending along the hallways leading to the grand halls. On the walls, massive paintings depicted the kingdom's victories, including the Battle of Elynthera's liberation from the monsters, and another showing the king declaring Alythion's coronation as the kingdom's hero.
Servants were scattered throughout the palace, walking quietly, carrying silver trays and fine drinks, while armored guards in white and gold stood firmly at every corner, holding spears adorned with the kingdom's flags.
As they progressed further, the atmosphere began to change, the hallways growing quieter and less crowded, signaling that they were approaching the private meeting area.
Upon reaching the door to the hall, two guards stood before a gate decorated with golden engravings, carved with the royal throne symbol. Alythion and his generals exchanged glances, before one of the guards slowly pushed open the door, revealing the hall that awaited them inside.