King Steve paced back and forth in his throne room. There had been many reports of a strange creature heading this way. The creature was described as humanoid, with a figure similar to a humans, but was described to be a block taller and had long, slim limbs. It was said to have inky black skin and lilac eyes.
Steve was trying to figure out who or what this mysterious creature that seemed to be created out of shadows was. Was it a new monster created by his brother to kill him? Was it a traveler from far away? Somehow the first one seemed more plausible.
But if it was a traveler, it would be offended if it was treated like a prisoner. Steve finally decided what to do. He would welcome the shadow creature into the castle for a feast, but have extra guards posted everywhere.
He quickly ordered his guards to do so and waited.
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I hurried towards the castle. The sky was getting dark and it could rain any minute. Maybe if I was lucky, I could find an old tool shed to wait out the storm in. I squinted my eyes. Off in the distance were two guards heading my way fast.
Before I could make a decision about what to do, they stood before me and bowed.
"Greetings, foreigner. You must be starved after your long journey. Come. The King has prepared a feast."
I followed them, despite the fact that I required no food. Turning down a feast from a King was unthinkable. I glanced around as they led me through the castle. It was magnificent.
Camilia and I had always promised since we were little that when it was our first time seeing the castle, we would do it together, but I guess that no longer applied since I had nearly killed her. I kept my eyes up, careful not to make eye contact with anyone.
The guards led me into a large throne room and gestured for me to bow. I stooped as low as I could before finally giving up and straightening myself back out. King Steve looked at me and plastered on a fake smile.
"Welcome, foreigner. What brings you to our humble kingdom?" Steve asked. I stood there for a moment before the guard quietly told me to answer him. I shifted uncomfortably and looked down.
Steve stared for a while before announcing it was time for the feast. He set a plate in front of me and gestured for me to go first. I stared at the food for second before politely refusing.
"What's the matter? Is the food not suitable to your taste?" I sat in silence for a moment before Steve asked me another question.
"Can you talk?" I nodded, then said a word. It came out as a weird whimper.
"Oooooooh. Of course. Can you write English?" He asked. I nodded. He turned to the guards. "Fetch our guest some paper and a quill."
They quickly hurried off and returned back in a few minutes.
I slowly calmed down, as now I would be able to communicate. Steve looked at me.
"What's your name?" He asked. I quickly scribbled down Ender.
"What brings you here?"
A safe place to live.
"Well I assure you it's safe here." I shook my head.
No. I must move on.
Before Steve could ask me anything else, a messenger ran in.
"Your Highness! Your niece is coming! And she's hurt!" He shouted, fear evident in his voice.
"Come." Steve gestured to me. "We must tend to the princess."
I followed him, keeping my eyes down. We hurried outside and stopped outside. There was a horse. The rider jumped off the horse and I gasped. The King's niece took one look at me and fainted. She had a long wound down her side and an arrow lodged in her elbow.
"Camilia!" I cried.
