The Stolen Crown

Chapter 9: Count Gorge

With slow steps that echoed over stones and made their way down a lavishly decorated hallway, one figure followed another, a chime of nine to them. Past the ornate tapestries that hung on plastered and painted walls, past the fine furniture that only those of noble birth were welcomed to, and past the dark timber of a dozen ornate doors, climbing upwards.

Their shadows pressed along the walls and all the wealth, as the light of a flame they each carried fluttered against the flow of air. The rays of the high sun fell further and further away, as the windows lay cast aside by thick unending stones. Further into darkness and isolation they went, until they both fell still.

They stood before something that was more of a wall than a door, as timber and metal lay bent and bound against one another in a conformity that shouted, 'none can pass.' Its ten locks stood imposing, its weakness unapparent. It was a vault, an intimidating one and as impenetrable as the word would suggest.

Silently Gorge pulled from his place around his neck, a large black key and the fine silver chain that bound it in its place, holding it before him.

"Unlock it," he ordered.

"Right away, my lord," the armed man by the name of Demeter said, as he quickly hurried to the task. Black hair as dark as the night lay hewed short and lent the man the hint of age. Though, his hazel eyes and strong jaw saved him of any disparity and left him a desire to many. Clothes that were neither of nobility or of the common folk clung to him, yet the sheathed sword and its ornate handle spoke of his responsibility and authority. With all the force that he could muster from his wide shoulders he turned the imbedded metal of the key, until finally, with a click, the first lock released its teeth.

"Where is the Castilian?" Gorge asked, turning his eyes down the hall towards a small closed door. "Is he not supposed to be keeping an eye on the vault?"

"I think he was tending to something in the lower castle, my lord," Demeter replied, turning key after key, until the last one found its place.

"Open it," Gorge ordered, a slight nod to his head.

With a whine of timber and metal, the vault door was pulled open by Demeter with a great deal of strength and effort. A faint grunt left his lips, as the veins in his hands and neck grew exposed and red consumed his skin.

Light flooded into the vault, as it drove away in an instant the darkness that had been left to swallow what lay inside. With each whine the hinges made, it forced what had been hidden to the world, to reveal itself with an opulent splendor of shimmering and precious metals and the jewels that lay imbedded in it. The treasures and wealth of the Kingdom stared back at those who looked upon it, as a tempting call summoned them to do more than look. Yet what truly caught attention was directly in the middle.

On a solitary podium nestled atop a soft red pillow sat the royal Crown. Gold shimmered in the light, as the precious stones sparkled. Two rings of pearls around the base glistened, as the enamels that were an assortment of colors and shapes, each told a tale that called to be watched. Nine gold chains with pendants at each end reached across the pillow, as they waited for the Crown to be lifted and them along with it. While atop of all the ornate intricacies, there sat a golden cross, perfectly erected and ostentatiously displayed, that shouted to the world, 'gaze here, gaze at the Crown and King.'

"You know, I liked to check it every day when the King, my friend, was alive," Gorge explained with a raspy voice, stepping into the vault and moving his fingers closer and closer to the royal artifacts. "Seemed to be a necessary thing. Don't know if it was out of fear of disappointing him, or if it was a sense of pride to be honest, but that is what it was. Do you know then why I do it now?"

"I do not, my lord," Demeter replied with a calm and still expression.

"Neither do I," Gorge stated, lingering in the royal possession's embrace. "I don't seem to want to check it much lately. There are times when I find it such a chore. And then there are times when the act just seems to bring to mind the memory of the King. You know I couldn't even go to the funeral because his death was so sudden. I would have been at the center of it, had I gone to his funeral. I know what his favorite flowers were... Don't think even that wife of his did." His fingers moved closer to the Crown, yet again ready to touch it, though just before he could, his hand was halted.

"Everything seems in place, my lord," Demeter said from beyond the threshold of the vault.

"So, it seems," Gorge replied with a nod, his fingers pulling away. "So, it seems... Want to know something funny? The Crown is actually bigger than any man's head."

Demeter held his expression unchanged, staring at his patron. "Quite funny, my lord."

"Just so you know, I didn't try it on to know that," Gorge explained, leaving the side of the precious item and making his way back toward the vault's door. "As I told you before, I know the King... well, I knew the King. He's the one who told me about it before he put it on," he crossed the threshold and watched as the door was closed once again. "He said he had to wear a leather cap to make it fit and even then, it did not sit properly. That brings back memories. I do wonder one thing though, who is going to come and claim it? Would think the Queen would, but she would need a husband in line to take it. Can't give it to her without one. Or better yet, I won't give it to her. Suppose we shall keep a watchful eye and see what the future brings. I think I will check on it one more time before then. Maybe two. Don't really see much reason to check it much more. Takes too much time. And time is something I believe you can never have enough of. Just like gold, wine, and women. Not always in that order, depends on the wine."

"Is there anything else you need of me?" Demeter asked, as he checked the handle on the vault with a strong pull. "The vault is secured."

"There is one thing," Gorge replied, a grin growing over his lips. "Do you remember that young thing that was with me earlier? The fair haired one that you had your eye on."

"I do, my lord," Demeter replied with the hint of a nervous blossom.

"Where did that woman go?" Gorge asked with a slight laugh, as he looked up and down the hall like a dog in heat. "I think I must keep her busy with my company for a bit longer. Just a little bit longer. Woke up with my head full of vigor."

"I will go and look for you," Demeter replied, trying to compose himself.

"You go and do that," Gorge ordered with a laugh,placing the chain along with the vault's key back around his neck. "Just don'ttry anything with her. I know how you get around fair haired women. You'realways so serious, that is, until you get around them." His laugh drifted off,as he began his march back the way he had come. "Problem is you like to stareat them. You need to be more confident around them..."