Argathripe - Book 2 ~ (The Dead City Series)

⭒❃.✮:▹ Chapter 6 ◃:✮.❃⭒

     Everything in the Royal's hall was amazing. The halls and other rooms we passed all looked like a giant greenhouse. There were so many windows, the lights didn't even come on except at night. From jewel decorated mirrors to murals made of individual beans. That one I thought was a little random, but I didn't complain. I guessed it was there because we were in the jungle with plants, and beans were a type of plant or whatever. Apparently this was part of the plan. Katrina had said we were just going to ask the King/Queen of the Shapeshifters for a boat to Argathripe. I thought she was kidding. But the next thing I knew I was walking in the Palace's hallways, towards the throne room. We hadn't talked about what had happened outside the gates. Theo looked terrible. Even Katrina didn't look that good at the moment. Guards all around us kept a close eye on us to make sure we wouldn't try anything. I walked alongside Theo, and glanced often to make sure he was still keeping up. Katrina led us, and we came across the giant doors into the Royal's throne room. The doors opened, and there stood a giant shapeshifter. There was no mistaking that this was the Royal. Holy cow. The Royal's back was toward us. The Royal seemed to be a female at the moment, so they had a beautiful emerald covered green dress. They had a golden crown with green jewels on it, probably also emeralds. Their skin was a jungle green, and their hair was a darker green with a magenta ombre in it. They didn't have any shoes or socks on. Other than their skin, hair color, and size, they looked pretty human. The guards shifted positions, blocking the doors, and one in front of every window. The whole room looked like a giant gazebo, except for the very large throne on the back wall. Over the throne there hung a large sword with emeralds and vines entwined in it so it seemed that they went in and out of the sword itself.

     "Your highness, these... creatures... wanted to see you," one of the guards said, somewhat disgustedly.

     The Royal turned around. They looked human, other than their eyes and under their eyes. Under their eyes, there were white spotted markings like every shapeshifter. No matter what they shifted into, they would always have those markings to show they were a shapeshifter. I thought that seemed fair. Their eyes were Magenta with star-looking pupils that were white. In their bangs there was a white streak. Their eyes seemed to say 'Welcome to my humble kingdom.'

     "Be kind, we do not want to be rude to our guests of honor," Their voice sounded calm and kind.

     The guard didn't reply. He had a ripple of red run through his hair. I focused on him. He looked like a wolf, but had markings under his eyes. I just work here. He thought. I would've laughed, but Theo's decrepit state seemed to call to me. I looked over at Theo. He looked like he might've fainted at any minute. I got a little closer to him. I heard one of the guard's sword shift a bit. Chill dude, I thought to myself. Katrina stepped up. Then the Royal seemed to shrink. Soon they were sized like a regular person. They didn't seem too happy to see Katrina, but didn't seem annoyed too much at the same time.

     "We need a ship to Argathripe. I know Queen Clara wouldn't care for the prophecy, but I have a chance with you, your Highness," Katrina asked, respectively.

     Queen Clara, I had read, was the Royal of the Creators. They all have the power to create. They were said to be the most powerful of the four main kingdoms.

     "Yes, she can be like that sometimes. But aren't we all?" The Royal agreed.

     "Please answer the question," At least Katrina said please.

     "I will have to see if there are any willing captains. Why does the prophecy call you to Argathripe? It is a very cold place. Theoretically, and literally," They seemed worried for us.

     "Aren't angels supposed to be, I don't know, Heavenly?" I chimed in, not thinking.

     I shut my mouth. I didn't mean to talk. I figured Katrina didn't want me too, because I might mess something up. But she didn't seem annoyed. Neither did the Royal.