An Attic filled with Birds [Completed]

21. Permission granted

Felix
My brother's permission papers come in a few days later, and we decide to go directly. Nora drives me and Damien back to the house. This time, when the guard comes up to us, I'm the one to step outside.

It's a different guard than last time. I take of my face mask, and he recognizes me.

'Good afternoon, your highness,' he says.

'Good afternoon.'

'My sincerest apology, but I can not let you in without permission from the king or king to-be.'

'I know. That's why I have this.'

I give him the envelope in my hands. He takes it, opens it, and takes out the paper inside. After a quick scan, he looks back at me.

'My sincerest apology once again, your highness,' he says. 'Thank you for your patience.'

'It's alright.'

'Follow me. Right this way.'

I look back at the vehicle, and give Nora and Damien a thumbs-up. They look relieved.

I follow the guard to the gate. He pats me down, but doesn't find anything. I left my phone and hotel room key purposely in the car.

We go through the gate, and follow a path further into the woods. We arrive at a cottage. Smoke is coming out of the chimney, and a garden growing vegetables and herbs surrounds the house on all sides.

The guard knocks on the door. Stumbling from the inside follows, and soon the door swings open. A man greets us.

'Hello.'

His voice is hoarse, but still understandable. He clears his throat.

'Good afternoon. You have a visitor,' the guard says.

'I can see that. Come in, young man.'

I look at the guard. He nods. I go in. The man closes the door behind me.

'I haven't gotten a visitor in a while,' he says. 'What brings you here?'

'I have some questions for you.'

'Vague but intriguing. Would you like something to drink?'

'Water would be great. Thank you.'

While he's moving towards his kitchen, he gestures for me to do the same. I follow him to it. The walls we pass are covered in painted birds. Not in frames. He painted them straight onto the wall. There is a strip of V's painted high on the ceiling in a straight line.

The kitchen, as well as the rest of the house for as far as I've seen it, is rather primitive. Wooden furniture, a stove running on wood, and shelves lining the walls instead of cabinets.

I sit down at the kitchen table, and he joins me with two filled glasses.

'So,' he says. 'Who sent you?'

'Excuse me?'

'Who sent you? The king I assume?'

'No one sent me,' I say. 'I came here with two friends. Only I am allowed in, though. They're still waiting in the car.'

He raises an eyebrow.

'Who gave you permission?' he asks

'The crown prince. Prince Finn.'

'Alright.'

He takes a sip, and so do I. It's pretty warm in here. It makes me uncomfortable and a little sweaty.

'You said you had questions.'

'I do. Multiple.'

'One at a time please.'