The King's Palace,
Eryndor Central.
King Ailwin walked through the palace halls who his hands behind his back. The flame crown burning softly above his head as he strolled gently and quietly.
Ben watched in amusement as he followed a few steps behind, still wearing the king's coat. His every breath hurting with every move. The king had said, as soon as they emerged from his room that while Ben was asleep, the Health Council administered a healing potion to him.
'so why's the effect so damn slow?' he scoffed quietly as he walked behind the king. His legs shook like they'd give out any second.
'Just keep walking,' he encouraged himself. Incase the need to sprint and escape arose, he'd already be ready. Despite the fact the King was nice so far, he still wanted to be at alert, come what may.
But right now, Ben was distracted by the beauty of the palace as he walked. It was insane. It had white stone walls with gold veins running through them. A massive tapestries hanging everywhere.
There were; wars, crowns, weapons and even creatures, drawn or designed on some parts of the walls. Ben recognize the same designs he saw in the king's bedroom. They were similar with this.
'Could more creatures exist in this world that he didn't know off?' He thought to himself but he couldn't come up with any reasonable answer. He'd just have to wait and find out.
Servants rushed past with trays and fruits. Guards in monster-skull armor stood watching him closely as he passed them. All eyes on him as they bowed and greeted the king who strangely had a permanent calm look and a warm smile across his face.
Ben kept his head down. Partly because he was slightly embarrassed and insecure, and partly because they probably all resented him even if they didn't know him yet. He sighed deeply.
Then a loud voice came.
"Your Majesty."
Ben's head snapped up. Something stepped out heading towards where they were . It was approximately Nine feet tall. It's skin cracked like a rock and it's eyes glowing faintly blue.
The floor shook lightly with it's every move.
Ben froze as it walked up to his face and leaned in.
"Is this... ?"
Ailwin stopped him halfway. He turned calmly and smiled warmly. "Dorek. Yes, this is our friend."
The creature, Dorek stared at Ben like it had a million questions. "Where is he from?" It asked.
Ben swallowed. 'This is it,' he thought. 'im going to die.'
Suddenly the king responded. 'He's an emissary from distant lands. Here to observe the Blood Reaping for his people."
Ben blinked. ' Did he just say....i'm a guest?'
Dorek's eyes narrowed. "A guest, during the Reaping?"
"Unusual, yes," Ailwin said lightly. "But his people are isolated. They know little of our ways. What better education?"
'He's lying. Shit. He's lying so easily.' Ben watched in suprise as the King calmly convinced this...Dorek into believing that he, Ben was indeed a guest. And two things came to mind.
First, the king was speaking in an unusual loud tone as if for everyone to hear and properly buy the idea that Ben was probably not a threat, but a...guest. Secondly, he was wearing the king coat. Well, he was not typically wearing it but it was wrapped around his shoulder. That gesture alone would sell the idea the king was passing.
'Damn, he's smart!' Ben wondered how he came up quietly with all this plans.
Dorek's loud grunt jolted him back to the present. He didn't look convinced but he visibly didn't look excited. "As you say, Your Majesty."
He bowed and walked past them, sideeyeing Ben as he said, "The council is waiting."
"Tell them, I'll join in soon."
Ailwin glanced at him. "Breathe, Ben. Dorek won't hurt you."
"You don't say. He could snap me like a twig in an instant, " Ben muttered.
Ailwin chuckled and winked. "But he won't. You have....pretty privilege."
'Pretty what?' Ben wondered as he followed the King's gaze to meet the coat on his body. "Oh!....right." Ben looked away. "Thanks
The king laughed softly and continued walking. "Come on. We're heading outside." He said.
As they walked, whispers followed them.
"...what! a human in the palace, how?..."
"...breaking the rules again I see, king my fo..."
"....does whatever he wants...."
An elf with sharp features shot Ben a look of pure disgust. Ailwin's voice dropped, just for Ben. "Pay them no attention. Hypocrites, all of them."
Ben looked at him, surprised. The king was really something. And Ben was kind of finding it interesting.
He watched as the king still bowed and greeted all those who were talking behind his back like it was nothing. And then how he'd saved him before the problem appeared.
He had a million questions. And now was the perfect time.
"Your Highness!" He called running to meet him as he was already approaching the exit of the palace.
"Your highn..."