The Dragons Revenge

Chapter 11~ The Throne

Chapter Eleven~ The Throne

William~

An icy wind blew through the city. It rattled the windows and doors of quiet houses. Shadows grew long as the storm grew dark.

I hiked up the last street to my final destination. My home, the castle, stood menacing in front of me.

It began to rain, first light, then into gale force sleet. It hammered against the castle walls, as though forcing its collapse.

A cry went up from the walls that gaurded the castle and a lone Wall Keeper appeared above the iron gates.

He shouted but the words were lost in the howling of the wind.

I looked up at him and lowered my hood.

Half knowing the futility of speaking in this sort of weather, I shouted up to the Wall Keeper.

'Raise the gates.'

To my utmost surprise, they began to rise.

I looked over at the Wall Keeper, who seemed twice as shocked as I was. And with a sideways glance at me, he dashed out of sight.

I began my walk again and crossed the courtyard. I stopped a moment and looked up at my sisters tower. I remembered the days when she used to sing and dance, but those days were long ago and now she spent her hours alone in her solitary tower. I would change that.

'Stay where you are!'

I frowned. When I turned I saw the very same Wall Keeper poised in front of me, sword in hand, as the one who had stood on the Wall.

'Where is your dragon?' he shouted against the wind.

He twitched and shivered, his eyes darted around me but he kept his sword level.

'My dragon?' I asked.

'Yes!' he squeeled impatiently, his eyes only settling on me for a moment. 'I saw you fly in! Where is it gone?'

Deciding to use the oppertunity, I said to the young boy, 'My dragon has the tendency to vanish, but not to worry, he's never gone long... Oh there he is!'

The Wall Keeper spun, and in a flash my sword was out. I smacked the butt of my sword off his head and the boy crumpled to the ground.

'Sorry,' I muttered.

I made my way through the wind and to the great wooden doors. I half thought of going through the servants entry but I was the rightful king and I had a certain dignity I had to maintain. I put my hands on the great steel rings hanging form the door.

'Open,' I urged the stubborn wood door.

They swung open with a tremendous bang. The torches rattled in their holders. The chandelier creaked over the dark entry hall. The castle was cold and uninviting.

I clicked my fingers and the doors swung shut behind me. I smiled a rueful smile. 

My footsteps echoed across the cold stone floor. The sound of my breathing bounced off the walls, the wind whistled through every crack. The shadows danced and chased around the lengthy corridor. It was the longest walk of my life.

I passed creaky sets of old knights armour, rusty swords in their clutches. I passed damp tapestries of ancient kings. Every eye watched as I passed.