Heroes and Monsters

Chapter 3

I shot up in my bed covered in sweat and tear stains. The soft quilt felt suffocating and I found myself ripping it off  in my mad stumble to the large, ornate window. It slammed open with enough force to break a hinge and I greedily gulped in the midday air. With shaky hands I began to undo the sleeve of my left arm to see if my vivid dream was just that. The ties now undone, I slowly peeled back the silk cloth and turned over my forearm to peer at my wrist. The silver tattoo of a simple longsword stared back. A fierce knocking at the door caused me to nearly jump out of my skin. 

“Your highness! It’s almost time for the meeting!” Yelled Elora through the varnished wood. “We have thirty minutes.”

A new panic took hold and I rushed to gather my ceremonial robes. “I’ll be ready before then! I just need to check my runes”. I broke what appeared to be just a stick of cinnamon to the untrained eye and felt myself scrubbed clean. I then swiftly donned my long tunic, Terra plates, and ballistic robes before throwing the heavy door open and coming nose to chest with Elora. 

My Chevalier sniffed the air and made a sound of approval. “Hmm, cinnamon, fitting for autumn I suppose.” Her attention then shifted to the mess of sheets on my floor. “Tsk tsk, you need to appear perfect before our hosts, my Queen. And that includes their servants. We can’t have them thinking you’re anything but, and spreading those rumors throughout the castle. You’re so much better than those spoiled brats that make up human nobility!”

Two fully armored soldiers immediately responded to their general’s disapproval and rushed to make my bed with preternatural haste, meanwhile I followed my supposed ‘servant’ down the stairs and into the main foyer of the tower. There we found Alexander standing dutifully along with twenty of Elora’s warriors and Sergeant Chester.

“Ah, finally she comes down from her tower!”, exclaimed Alexander. “I had half a mind to wake you up myself but your loyal advisor was against it”. He said with humor tickling his voice.

“A lady needs her rest, Alexander.” Replied Elore before adding, “And some need more rest than others”. I was glad my hood hid my blush.

Not waiting for my reply, Alexander led the way to the castle’s main hall. Elora and I quickly followed along with a trail of six warriors behind us. Their tinted visors scanned the windows along our path and lit up with the lights of their HUD. Each was armed with a standard Vanguard rifle and extendable Terra tipped spears collapsed into a stake on their hips. The Rangers stationed outside the building were far better outfitted and used their active concealment protocols along with magic to avoid detection. Their presence reassured me of my safety from the Blue’s warriors stranded on this world. 

Our group walked through the castle and stopped at the ornately carved doors of King Duncan’s throne room. The doors depicted something akin to a religious scene. Men and women were arranged amongst a grove speaking with each other while another sat on a raised throne. He overlooked the others, head in hand as if pondering. The eccentric king preferred the more whimsical name the public had bestowed upon him; The King of Wrens. The curly haired monarch was sitting beneath a trimmed elm filled with all manner of colorful birds. The hall itself was a roofless stone building situated in the center of the castle containing plush grass, fruit trees and beautifully armored guards crowned with golden elk antlers. 

“Welcome honored guests! It’s truly a gift to host such fantastical beings like yourselves!” He smiled boyishly before continuing. “How did you sleep? I hope my home is to your liking”. 

Alexander inclined his blonde head and replied. “We all enjoyed a good rest after the excitement of yesterday night. Though some of us more than others”. He added with a chuckle.