The Cinders of Dezu

11th: Born of Fire and Moonlight (4)

"I guess this is the part where I'm supposed to say the battle was legendary," he said as he looked back up at the mural, "And I suppose it must have been if it's in this hall with the rest."

His trailed off a bit, lost in thought. Then he blinked and looked back down at Prince.

"Anyway, I came back Dezu's new champion. The people brought me gifts from all around. King Erasmus took the opportunity to use the fervor and name me the new heir. The land loved me so much that no one protested. It also gave him an excuse to finally marry my mother and make a queen out of a servant girl. It was a beautiful time. But all I really cared about was finally getting to call someone kind my father."

Raina grinned.

"And you all lived happily ever after?"

Orion gave a half smile.

"That is how it's supposed to go, isn't it?"

He looked back into the eyes of the statue.

"I just can't believe I get to be in the same room with Graylon. Right next to him even... That's why I like to bring the servant children in here and tell them stories like my mother did me. It doesn't matter who they are, everyone deserves to dream. Even someone as unlikely as me."

"Yours is a good story. It definitely belongs in here," Raina said.

Orion smiled.

"Thank you."

"He looks really scary but he's also kinda pretty!" said Raina, "There's so many monsters on the walls! Are they all real?"

Orion chuckled.

"Yeah, they're all real. And there's a lot more where they came from."

"I would love to see them in real life!"

Orion rubbed his mustache and down to his goatee.

"You know... maybe you will."

The king cleared his throat.

"Would you like to eat at the table with me tonight? Caddock is making one of my favorites. You might like it."

Raina squinted one eye.

"Is it weird? It's probably weird. Everything here is weird."

Orion laughed.

"It's a little weird."

Raina smiled.

"Well since you didn't lie about it, I'll try it."

Orion shook his head.

"Alright then, it's a deal. I'll have Caddock come get you for dinner tonight."

Raina nodded happily as she stood up.

After Orion had left, Raina realized Prince wasn't anywhere on her person. He had scurried away at some point during their conversation. She studied the floor between art pieces until she saw movement at the bottom of a wide and dark wooden cupboard. He scurried out holding a nut in his mouth. She headed over to him.

"Did I drop that? Thanks for lookin' out."

She knelt down and picked him up. She nuzzled her nose to his.

"If they catch me spilling crumbs in here they might kick me out. Come on."

Prince's attention was toward the cupboard. Had Raina looked too she may have seen what he was looking at. There was another mural, closed off and locked behind it's dark doors. It was the bright paint against a black background that had caught his eye. His rodent mind translated it as a possible morsel. This thought was quickly followed by disinterest as he smelled only more dried paint. Even through the slit in the doors you could still see a sliver of the piece. It depicted the kings face again. A face of pain and fury. A face from a time after 'happily ever after'.