Knight's Quest

Chapter III: The Feast

It is the next day. The "Prince" has been disposed of, and the throne is securely yours. No one doubts your authority. All of the soldiers and nobles listen to your orders. The Princess Sarah has run away, most likely out of fear. It is only you, no other claim to the throne remains.

It's time for my banquet, the one I've been waiting weeks to receive. Except it won't be for my defeat of a dragon, but of a different beast. I walk down the grand hall to my seat.

You enter through the great oaken doors. Striding past the food laden tables, past all the regally dressed dukes and duchesses, past the tapestry covered walls to your golden seat elevated at the head of the table.

I sit down, my crown rests on my head. It goes perfectly with my new royal attire. Cape, boots, shirt, pants, they're all so comfy and new. I've never worn anything this nice in my entire life, and now it is all mine. My favorite part is definitely the rings. I tap my fingers on the white table cloth. Gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, all dancing at the slight twitch of my finger tips. Oh, the power I now possess. I could have any one of these fat noblemen beheaded with the swish of a hand. I stop myself from getting too engrossed in these garments and my power. I must begin the feast after all. I tap my golden goblet with my silver spoon.

The room goes silent. All attention is turned to you. The nobles watch you carefully, unsure of what you might do. Your new subjects have the face of fear—or is it just worry? They do not know what kind of king you will be, or what to expect. So don't disappoint them.

I stand up, letting my cape unfurl behind me. "My good subjects!" I proclaim in my voice of authority, being careful to keep any sign of a harsh man out of it. "Thank you for gathering here tonight. You are here to celebrate with me the start of a new age. An age free of tyranny or worry. An age where the king is just and kind. Where there is nothing to fear, and all is well. I will be the king that Josiah never was. So do not stress, for we are at a banquet, and banquets are for rejoicing. Let us rejoice!" I raise my goblet. "To a bright and glorious Glenwood!"

"All hail King Nathaniel!" The people cheer, their goblets high in the air. All fear has gone far from them. They all sit and begin to feast on this illustrious meal placed before them. Roast beef, steamed goose and chicken, glazed ham, the head of a boar, fresh fruits, wines, cakes, soups, a cornucopia of vegetables, and all other assortments of entrees that you've never seen before in your life. The smell is overpowering, like an attack of aromas has bombarded your nostrils for total control of your senses.

I grab a hand full of ham, a few chicken drumsticks, and a slab of fresh goose. I load my plate with corn, wild berries, cakes, and a strange brown thing that smells really intriguing. I top it off by filling my goblet with a rare wine that I've only dreamed of drinking.

The ruby red liquid cascades into your goblet, splashing from side to side. It sounds like a bubbling brook in a secret forest.

I take a refreshing gulp of my spoils. 

It is far better then you could have ever expected. It satisfies your thirst while providing a tantalizing sting down your throat.

I lean back, a chicken drumstick in hand, and relish the moment. I look out across the heads of my people, looking for any potentially interesting individuals.

There are many peculiar people in your grand hall, fat lords laughing with ale, old dukes nibbling on bread, and creepy counts slurping their soup. Three people stand out to you the most. There is a man draped in black, as if hiding a deep secret; a man cloaked in purple, seeming extremely regal; and a woman in a red dress, her beauty radiating like a star.

I set my goblet on the table, stand up and walk over to the woman in the red dress.

The woman notices you approaching her. She stands up, smiles and curtsies. "Hello Your Majesty, what can I do for you?" Her blue eyes compliment her golden hair perfectly, like the morning sky compliments the sun.