The carriage carrying the children is traveling throw out the flat grass, some trees are visible in the range of a human sight, but no hint of a fully-fledged forest, far across the grass there lays a castle of grey, Sara noticed that the carriage is going towards it
"Wait aren't we going to the capital" asked Sara as she got her head back into the carriage while the others peaked outside after hearing her
"What do you mean?" asked John as he peaked outside
"What is that, this is no capital that I know of" continued John saying"
"Wait let me see," said William "Oh that, it's the snake head" as he went back into the carriage
"Snake what?" said Thomas
"It's a castle known for the main trades of the capital; most traders get shelter there from bandits and Vikings while they are going or coming from the market of high halls" continued William
"And? Why are we going there" asked Thomas
William looking at him dumbfounded and said "Are you serious?"
"What?" said Thomas
"We are going to rest there for a time" said Henry as he two went back inside
"It is better than sleeping in the grass at the very least," said Isabel
The carriage slowly approached the destination, around the castle was a human made deep hole, none shall enter or leave through it without permission
"Who goes there" a voice shouted from the doors top" it was the commander of this castle wearing a helmet of iron
One of the knights of the carriages stepped over with his horse carrying a flag with the symbol of the kingdom of the Varish, it had a crown over a sword's handle, the crown had no gems for it was pure gold, although what was visible of its inside showed a bit of decay as if the crown's time is running out
"We are an envoy for the king, we are seeking the king's capital on behalf of his orders," said the knight
"And perhaps what brought you here, the capital is that way," said the one over the castle pointing the direction of the capital
" We seek shelter for the night, and to rest our horses and stomachs if it won't be a bother for you," said the knight
The man without a word went back inside the castle
"There is no way he is going to leave us outside like this," said Isabel just for the bridge to start lowering down "See I told you"
The bridge hit the ground and the metal bars raised up slowly revealing the man who was speaking to us, e seemed a bit old, not old enough to have white of hair, but the type to be called an experienced leader and warrior, not many scares were over his face, he was a ginger, orange short hair, small dots over his nose, little scars over his face, he spoke without his helmet on saying "Then be my guests for the night"
"Thank god he let us in without us having a king paper with the permission of the king on it," said William
"Why isn't a banner enough for him" said John while the carriages were going in
"The kingdom has many enemies, they could ambush a commander and take what is his to get into important castles for the kingdom, they are many other castles that aren't on paper for the sake of safety," said Henry
"And why is this on wish seems very important on the official world map?" asked John looking at Henry
"This one is known for its sturdy and old, in history it was known for that no Viking stepped foot in or out of it without permission," said William
"So, you mean it's a very visible trap for the enemy?" asked John already knowing the answer by himself "no wonder it called the snake head"
The carriages all got inside as the bridge went back into its place closing the only exit there is
"Welcome to my humble house, I am sorry it might not suit your highnesses for we don't get many guest- oh you are children" said the Commander of the castle as the children went outside the carriage
"Did another battle with the Vikings lead to you being orphans, poor you- but why do you hold weapons give me this its too dangerous and heavy for your age" said the commander of the castle trying to take the little blade from William's side
Before he got to touch it, the other carriage opened revealing the masked man, when the commander of the castle saw him, he took his hands back saying "Oh sorry little one, did not know you are with... Uhm this guy" peaking at the masked man who was checking his surroundings
The commander got into a position of greetings for someone of higher rank as the masked man stepped closer towards him
"You did not change a little bit I see," said the masked man
"Same could be said to you ser" said the commander of the castle still in greeting position
"At ease, so? Wont you get me to my room," said the masked man
"Of course, ser" he said before shouting "Guards! Get the knights and the children to their rooms, they are staying for Emm mm, I don't really know at least a night of time"
Some of the guards took the carriage and the horses to the stable while other escorted the guests to their resting place
One step after another up the high castle the children were escorted
"So?? How long have you been working here" asked Isabel one of the guards who did not seem to be answering
"Have you ever seen a human other than inside of here? Were you born here? I see no women though" she continued annoying the guard
"With this attitude you might never get married" she continued
"Isabel!" Sara yelled in a very low voice so its wont echo in the stairs down
"What? I was just being socialist "replied Isabel as they reached their room
The guard moved out the way showing they have reached their destination letting the Children inside, they entered the room in wish 8 beds were inside and 2 windows in between each 2
The beds were built in a way in wish every 2 were attached to each other, there was a small wall dividing the room so there are 4 beds on each side
Isabel ran towards them checking how comfy they could possibly be
As she jumped on one of the bottom beds she said "we would never even dream of one of these backs at the camps we were at"
As Sara sat down putting her backpack, she two agreed saying "If it was up to me, I would have chosen to stay here"
As Thomas wanted to climb the bed that had a window behind it above Isabel he said "Let me try it" before she pulled him back
"What do you think you are doing" she said
"What do you mean? Trying my bed obviously" Thomas replied
"Oho no, no, your bed is in the other side, in fact all the boys get the other side" Isabel replied
"You mean the 2 of you get half the beds here? This is absurd! Did you guys here that" William said as he turned back towards the rest seeing as they are already putting their backpacks in the other side
"No way, you all are agreeing on it too!" he said in a face of disbelief
"I don't really care where I sleep as long as my bed is comfy," said William
"2 bed will be empty anyways so why fight for it in the first place" continued Henry
With eyes full of shock Thomas looked at John
John replied with "What? You don't expect me to fight the girls over some beds; Henry is right no point in fighting"
"It's not about the fight! It's about rules and equality, they don't get to decide it by themselves, wasn't it you John who said all lives should be equalized" as he is staring at John who refuses to look back
Isabel and Sara with a smug on their face staring at how betrayed Thomas looks, with an angry glare Thomas looks back at his sister and says "I will never forget this" before taking his backpack and going to the other side
"Don't be like that" said William "If it is about the window, you can just take my bed and watch the green fields"
"Okay I guess" said William as he climbed up just to see that another tower is covering the view
With a disgusted and disappointed look, he stared at the other boys who couldn't care less and said "Cowards" before unpacking his stuff hearing the girl's laughter from behind the wooden wall that works as a shelf
He again turned back and stared at the stones covering his view as the dark night creeped in and walls were covered in black shadows reducing any view he could ever witness