Throne of Blood

Part I Chapter 16

As Valrun and his men entered through the large gate of the red-walled city, he could feel his pulse quicken. It had been several years since he had met his brother, and a reunion was not something he looked forward to. While he did not dislike his brother, he did not know him very well. Valrun was a large man who was a warrior that accomplished great feats in battle. Melchel, on the other hand, was a much smaller man who had never fought a day in his life. His brother was known to be quick-witted and have a sharp tongue in the court of man.

Upon entering the city, they were greeted by a mounted soldier in silver armor with big feathers of all colors protruding from his helmet with a visor covering his face. 'The feathers are new,' thought Valrun. 'Can't wait to see what else my brother has changed around here.'

"Your majesty," the soldier said, saluting Valrun, "King Melchel has commanded that you leave his much grander city at once and take your men back to your fancy little kingdom where you do nothing but sit on your butts and blab around all day."

At these words, Valrun began to feel the rage inside him bubbling up like molten lava. "You tell your 'king' that he is a servant of the high kings and that he would do well to remember his place or I will remind him," Valrun said, placing his hand on the hilt of the sword as his tone showed that he was not asking.

The soldier began to let out a slight chuckle which grew into roaring laughter as he pulled off his feathery helmet. "Brother," the soldier began, "you should have seen your face! Priceless!" Melchel began laughing even more as he nearly fell from his horse from his uncontrollable joy at having successfully messed with his brother. "He would do well to remember his place," Melchel mocked in a hoity-toity voice as he let out a fresh burst of laughter at his brother's expense.

During this exchange of unexpected events, Valrun's emotions had gone from furious to shock at seeing his brother being the one to greet him, back into anger at his brother's lack of maturity and properness. How could his brother be acting so ludicrous in a moment such as now? This was crossing a line, and being made a mockery in the middle of the streets in front of his men was unacceptable.

"Melchel it is good to see you brother," Valrun said through gritted teeth in an attempt to keep his composure for the time being.

"Yes, yes you as well," Melchel said as he concluded his laughter, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Come now brother I have prepared some wonderful food for us. I am sure you must be famished after such a long and arduous journey." 

With that, Melchel led them into the city towards the palace complex. The streets were packed with people wrapping up their duties for the day before the sun finished its descent. Each person rushed about in an attempt to complete their task before the last little bit of light flickered off the sky, and the night began its reign. 

The group eventually found their way into the palace, a relatively flat structure with red shingled roofing coming to various points along the building. The inside of the palace consisted of gold-covered pillars with jewel-encrusted flooring. No doubt a recent addition that his brother had made. The palace's flair and elegance had grown since Valrun had last been in it, with the simple cream-colored walls and wood flooring now trumped by these grand adages. 

"How do you like the new shinies?" Melchel asked his brother. "Aren't they just magnificent?"

"They sure are something," Valrun muttered, unimpressed by his brother's flare.

Valrun dismissed his men to rest before they would leave in two days' time. He knew his men could use the rest after such a fast-paced journey, and by the looks of it, Petroas would provide them with the rest and pleasure they needed before making a speedy return home.

The king and his brother journey further into the palace as Melchel continued to show off the pomp and grandeur of his various collections and the wealth he had come to possess. Valrun was ashamed of his brother's actions and the waste that had gone into this expensive lifestyle.

After the last of Valrun's men had left, he spun on his brother, furious at the events that had just transpired. His figure seemed to grow twice his size as he glared at Melchel. "How dare you make a mockery of me in front of my men and the people of Valtoria," Valrun hissed. "You are in no position to do such a thing. I expect more out of my brother!"

Unphased by his brother's outburst towards him, Melchel yawned before replying, "Brother, brother, relax. You are in my city now! We have fun here and do not take things so seriously as you tight butted westerners."

"The whole reason I am here, Melchel is because of your recent unpredictable behavior. It is causing some unrest amongst people in the west who hear of your continued displays of-- well, whatever the hell this is. What happened, brother? Who have you become?"

At these questions, the color and life faded from Melchel's face. The former mask of excited joy and eccentricity was gone. Before Valrun stood the little boy who had been terrified of the war all those years ago.

"You don't understand Valrun. Things are changing. Something is brewing, and I fear for what will happen," Melchel said as his voice dropped to a whisper. "There are an ancient group of assassins seeking me out. I just know it. There have been multiple deaths tied to my cohorts, and they all have the stench of the tales Father used to tell us."

"That's just the thing Melchel," Valrun said rubbing his temples, "They are just tales. We live in a wicked world. Sometimes people are murdered and there is not a rhyme or reason why. What is real is the potential of an attack from Kavanland. I need to know that I can trust you to stand with me if they were to attack."

"You have to believe me Valrun," Melchel pleaded. "Not even my own wife believes me. I have no one to turn to. I am losing my mind being secluded in this far away land."

Melchel looked as though he were about to faint. The joyous, crazed brother of Valrun's was no more. He now stood before him a scared man who clearly had not slept or eaten well in quite some time. His skeletal figure was now apart with the color in his face being no more. Valrun's heart had ceased to be angry at the pitiful figure before him. His brother had always been a fearful figure, masking his fear behind his words. But now Valrun saw a new type of fear. Something that seemed more real than a monster in a story. Something that was truly lurking in the shadows waiting to strike were you to walk too close to the darkness. 

"Tell me all you have heard recently," Valrun said, deciding to go against his better judgment and hear what his brother had to say. 

"Come brother let us eat," Melchel said leading them into the dining area. "We have much to discuss and very little time to do so."