The Kingdom Of CalBridge

6. Awarded In Ducats

"Bassanio, I request my son come here immediately" the King said still looking at the paper with the writing 'التنين الأزرق '. It was all over the cave's walls as they tried to find the source of the Kingdom's problem regarding water, only to find out it was Aaronton's wife using dark magic. Sitting on his bed he wore a brown shirt, a slit just above the chest showing his grey chest hairs. 

Bassanio the younger boy that was about 24, around the same age as Pierce, went on following the King's order. Although Bassanio was far from the King's age they still somehow experienced a connection between each other, forming a bond together anyone in the Kingdom would love to have. 

"Father" Pierce said with a bow. Oscar sat the paper on his bedroom night stand, now putting his full attention on Pierce, he then pat the empty space on the bed next to him.

"Son, why were you so eager to help in the Cavern?" Oscar said looking at Pierce.

"I just wanted to be included, because I'm half acolyte I fear that people treat me differently"

"Well Pierce you are different" He paused putting his hand on Pierce's shoulder, with his husky old voice he continued, "we are different".

"When your mother made the covens I was so proud of her but when she died" removing his hand he looked to the floor. "I was afraid I would be overthrown because I am human". 

"I to wasn't shown the respect I thought I deserved" He got up from the bed, looking outside through his big open window looking down at the towns people as they carried on throughout their day.
"You are the Prince of CalBridge and like I treat the Princess, I shall treat you" turning around to the Prince he said "Prince" lowering his head in respect.

"Maybe you should stick with Pierce it just doesnt feel right coming from you" Pierce said with a cheeky smile. Whenever he smiled his cheek bones always resembled his father's.

Oscar chuckled at the Young Prince's behavior, he truly was his son. To him, the caverns proved he was truly worthy on the title 'King'. He was a genius and always figured out the things other couldn't, but he still had more to talk about.

"How did you defeat the 'Cavern Witch'?" a curious look now on his face with the smile still visible. "When I woke up she was already paralyzed"

Pierce sat on the bed getting nervous at the question, the way they captured the 'Cavern Witch' wasn't the most 'title worthy' it was just pure luck. Pierce wanted to impress to his father proving he to deserved respect. So he lied, "Well Eda and I attacked her at once and when she slowed down I used a paralyzing spell on her, but of course I did all the work"

"You truly are arrogant just like your father" Oscar replied.

"King, I would like to ask a question" someone interrupted the moment thankfully causing Pierce to not have to answer anymore questions regarding the Caverns.

"Go on Bassanio" Oscar said taking a seat on the bed. 

"I would like to bring a knight as a guess, he will come as my plus one" 

Pierce got into the conversation saying, "You're bringing a plus one to a execution ceremony?" he said leaning so Oscar wasn't blocking him from seeing the man. 

"Yes, if the King would allow me too" his eyes now directed to the King.

**

The kingdom's people were noisey as they stood in the hot sun, cheering as they finally had their water back. Every Acolyte was ready to see the big event. Them being on the lower ground they looked up at the empty throwns awaiting their saviors.

"You do know all knights come to the ceremonies either way, you didn't have to bring Ambrose as a plus one" Pierce said looking at the two.

"I just thought Ambrose needed a break from playing knight" Bassanio said.

"Didn't know you and him had such a good friendship" Pierce said with suspicious furrowed brows. Ambrose stood looking between the two wondering if he had accidentally casted an invisibility spell on himself.

"Oh no we kiss"

The sound of feet stomping in sync as the King sat on his thrown shock the ground, the knights began to line up in front of the King and other royalty. Only when Oscar rose his hand was when every Acolyte stopped stomping, listening intently at what he had to say.

Looking around at the people he said "We gather here for the execution ceremony of Aalis Beatrice former name Aalis Heights for the murder of knights and for her other wrong doings. We lost Acolytes that night but we rise undefeated thanks to the knights and the Prince of CalBridge" Oscar looked at Pierce with a smile which Pierce didn't fail to return. 

Aria sat in her chair glaring at Pierce as he got the recognition feeling as though it should have been her. Some Acolytes cried at the lost of loved ones, the children clinging on to their parents legs looking at the King. 

"However, for the other reasons we are all here, is to award the knights who fought for their Kingdom, but first" as Oscar raised his right hand the witch was rolled out into the open for everyone to see, locked behind magical metal bars she couldn't escape again. People gasped as some realized who Aalis really was the face of the witch who disobeyed the King, chatter spreading through the air.

"For our first event the knights will be awarded 10,000 ducats each for their hard work" a servant started to walk down the line of knights as Oscar spoke handing each knight a bag full of ducats.
"Eda, you will also be awarded 10,000 ducats for keeping my son safe" upon hearing the words Eda walked forward greatful to be handed the bag. 

Cheers were heard as Eda walked back with the bag in hand. Aria shifted in her seat uncomfortably, she felt angry at the attention Pierce got. She wanted to be Queen and that wasn't going to happen if Pierce got all the recognition.

"Cavern witch it is your turn" the carriage rolled out further until it reached the middle of the ceremony, the servants who were pulling it walked from the area as the King continued.

"You have been sentenced to death for your actions, you have caused the Kingdom great dispair with your doing. We were without water for a month because of you and for that you shall pay" a knight lowered her head into a Guillotine holding her there. Within a second of Oscar sending the signal the blade went falling slicing her head clean off. The head rolled and stopped just in front the people, the eyes rolled up facing the crowd. The tongue hang out of the mouth with the eyelids saggier than before and her face looked like it had been burnt alive as all the skin had fallen off.

"Take the rest of the body to burn, we can't let her come back alive" The King said while everyone in the crowd looked as the knight carried the head in one hand and the body over his shoulder.

"Who's ready to feast"