Kings Game

Chapter 116 - Final Request

(1)

After settling Kell into bed with a full bottle of fine brandy, Roran and Nul retired to the sitting room. Darling and the Matriarch had both checked in on them, but they turned the women away. None of them were ready to share what they had learned and Kell wouldn't be ready to share her story again for some time.

Roran sipped on some brandy of his own, letting the gentle burn of liquor wash away the lingering memories of rotting flesh. Poor Kell. If only they'd known. If only they'd been warned.

"Rath," Roran called. The elder lyhlim appeared in the room with them. Roran shut the door with a gesture, giving them all some privacy. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"As I've previously stated, there are some things you need to learn for yourself."

"You could have spared Kell from diving into that mess."

"I anticipated that about as much as you did. Poor dear. I truly am sorry for that bit of misfortune, but I stand by my decision. You three had to learn this for yourselves. You had to see the true horror of the Kings with your very eyes."

"The two of us you mean," Roran said, and Nul looked away.

"To know and to see are two very different things," said Rath. "Don't blame Nul for this, I chose to keep you in the dark for the same reason they did. Ultimately, it changes nothing. Your path remains the same: forge the weapons that will slay a god, plan your battle, and kill the three Kings. Nothing has changed."

"Only our determination," Roran muttered and he drained his glass before refilling it.

"So, what's next?" asked Nul. "I think Kell will be out of commission for a few days."

"Agreed. I still need to track down Millgrove and get my mother's hairpin, then you need to etch it and my sword with the necessary markings."

"I've been working on the designs, I should be ready to complete them once you've retrieved your mother's heirloom."

"But first," said Rath, "You should answer the door."

"What?" said Nul, confused.

Roran rolled his eyes. He was used to Rath's cryptic comments. As the lyhlim vanished into thin air, Roran gestured towards the door and it silently swung open. Matriarch Gwendalyn stood on the other side, Pelkha standing just behind her.

"It is very creepy when you do that," said the Matriarch. "Announcing Ms. Pelkha, the King's Hand."

Pelkha brushed past the Matriarch and moved to stand before Roran, arms crossed and her expression bordering on hostile.

"You have been summoned by the Kings," she said.

Roran sipped his drink. Nul leaned forward in their seat, the etchings on their arms and neck subtly shifting into new patterns.

"You are to meet with them immediately," Pelkha said.

"Why?" asked Roran.

"Because they have requested you."

Roran glanced at Nul. "What guarantee do I have that I will return safely?"

Pelkha let out an exasperated groan. "I do not have the time or energy to play these games with you. The Kings demand your presence, and your presence they shall have, even if I have to drag you down there myself!"

"Could you?" asked Nul.

A heavy silence settled into the air as all three of them stared at each other. Nul watched Pelkha closely, their fingers laced together before them. Pelkha's gaze darted from Roran to Nul, her hands gently clenching and unclenching. Roran, exhausted from the events of the last couple days, drained his glass once more and wondered if this was what it felt like to be Kell.