Chapter 24

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Gates of Drigiv opened, huge ear-killing sound. Metal creeks irritated Gill, but his heart warmed when he saw the streets. The guards bowed to Gill and Igor, Erik walked behind covering his wounded arm with his other palm.

Clean roads, very little flake of snow, as if winter hadn’t been greeted there. Sun shamelessly painted the sky and warmed the land. Birds flew around chirping and fiddled on the roofs. Fruits were still being sold, it felt like they had travelled in time. Fall hadn't left Dirgiv. Few high raising establishment's glasses bounced the sunlight into Erik's eyes as he drove his sights around.

“Richest Kingdom in the Brethren, Kingdom of Olfran. Warm...” he said. He saw men and women fighting with shields and axe, life had filled the town. “Are every one warrior in this town? Every one has armour and weapons”. An uncanny horrifying gust of wind blew past him, “something is not right here ... the streets are vacated by the people, only salesmen and guards. I wonder if our timing is appreciable my the King”

“Yes, the street does look a little lifeless ... This usually happens when a very dangerous plague hits the city or a violent killer has gone loose” Gill let out, the snow in his scalp had melted out.

Igor walked beside his uncle, eyes travelling all around, hand pressed in his axe. “A killer that made the town of Dirgiv isolate itself. I guess I know who it is” he lowered his eyebrows, walked past every guard, nodding his head as they bowed to him. “Let's enter the castle as fast as we can, it is the safest place in this town”

They jogged towards the castle. The castle erected and towered over every establishment in the city, h huge bell at its top, King Melvis's balcony lunged out few meters below. Guards had been doubled around the castle, every horse inside the stable. Sparring weapons were taken inside, and axes which decorated the wall were not visible anymore. The castle had been stripped of any unnecessary decorations.

“We must have come in a very delicate time” Erik let out as he waited the guards to open the gates for them.

As soon as the gates opened, a line of soldiers greeted them, pikes and shields in their hand. They vacated in the middle as if someone was to come, and someone did come. King Melvis walked towards them with Belk and the man from Igor's squad. Melvis stretched his arms wide and let out a huge smile, “Minister Gill, welcome to Dirgiv, yer home ... Our home”

Gill walked to his King's arms, unhurriedly and hugged him. Their eyes glistened as they embraced one another. Melvis tightened his grip, “I never thought yer loss would trouble me so much”

Erik closed Igor, “a reunion of long-separated lovers, such a heartwarming sight to see after such upsetting journey”

“If ya call them lovers once again, I will not acknowledge yer mightiness ... I'll slit yer throat meself” Igor frowned and spat on the ground.

Melvis’s chamber had been snatched away of any weaponry decorating wall, banner closed away in the locked drawers. Mirrors were not to be seen anywhere inside the castle. Every possible object to killing the King had been locked away. Few things couldn’t be compromised, torches were one of them, it hung on the wall lighting the King's compartment. Belk unlocked the door, ordered the guards to survey the room and things present inside. The guards checked while everyone waited in forbearance. They came back, nodding their head, approving for the King's entry inside his own chamber.

Belk infiltrated the room before anyone, he invited his King, minister and General, the three pieces which held the governance of the whole kingdom. Clean room, scented and readied for a cozy conversation. Melvis and Gill sat on the warm bed, Igor pulled the chair nearby and sat, hesitating to see his uncle at Melvis’s side. Belk's face had lifted after he saw his minister and King sit together after a long time, he stood next to Igor.

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