Elven Blood

Carsicus

After two hours worth of walking, Fira reached the city gates. Soldiers were stationed outside the gate. "Halt! What is your business here?" "My name is Fira Heartstone. I wish to see the King and Queen of Carsicus to discuss matters of Sinbloods. My village has been attacked." "Hmph, very well. Open the gate, Eurfix." A guard pushed the gate and Fira was let in the huge city.

The guard led Fira to the palace. The palace was a huge stone castle, with a statue of the king and queen flanking both sides of the main entrance. She was led into the throne room where the queen was signing documents and the king was talking to some noblemen. "Your Majesties, someone has come to discuss the matter of Sinbloods." The king had a look of genuine pity and kindness in his eyes while the queen looked down on her with disgust.

"What is your name?"

"Fira Heartstone, Your Majesty." Fira slowly dropped her head as a sign of respect.

"Darling, we should have her thrown out of here." She heard the queen whisper to her husband.

"What nonsense. We shall listen to her, Maria."

"But she is poor. What good does she do if she is a poor....peasant from the slums? They-"

Fira cut her off swiftly.

"Your Grace. I am not just from the slums. I am from a village. A neighbouring village too. If your attitude is going to be carried out towards me then I am sorry but I must say this. You have no pity over people below you, even if they are from different villages. Your husband is the only one taking pity on villagers. If you don't want to discuss the matters of Sinbloods' attack on two villages and probably your city next, I will not say I didn't warn you. Good day, Your Majesties."

Fira turned around and headed for the door. She didn't care if Carsicus was attacked. The queen didn't want to discuss a way to increase defence from Sinbloods with a lowly villager. "What a stuck up, selfish bi-" Her thought was cut off.

"Wait!" It was the guard from before. Blonde hair was in front of his brown eyes. He was bent over, panting from all the running. "The king wants....you to come back..."

"Tell him I cannot as I am a lowly peasant." Fira mimicked the Queen's 'lowly peasant' statement.

"Please. We are at risk. Please." His pleading eyes looked up to Fira's light green eyes. She couldn't say no. He led her back into the castle, where the queen was gone. Fira was relieved that she didn't have to talk to her.

"You summoned me, Your Majesty?"

"Yes. I'm sorry about my wife. When was your village attacked?"

"Approximately three hours ago, Your Majesty. There are survivors though."

"Hmm.... do you know where they are headed now?"

"No, Your Highness."

"That poses as a danger. I shall send out my army to protect all near villages. You have my word."

"Thank you, your Majesty." Fira and the king shook hands and provided Fira money, runes and spell books for her journey. She was extremely grateful that the king wasn't like his wife. The guard who ran after her had started up a conversation with her. She was kinda thankful that she had someone to talk to, even if it was for a little while. Fira had realised that it was nightfall already. She couldn't leave in the dark with the greatest chance of being attacked. The guard, whose name was Peter, had told her about a nice little inn where she could stay. She bid him farewell and headed for the inn.

She eventually found it after a few minutes and had payed them the fee to rent a room. She headed upstairs and fell asleep.

*Morning*
Fira woke up quite rested. She had a quick bath, ate and packed up her stuff and headed out the city gates. She looked on the map the king gave her. The nearest city was a day away but 15 hours by taking a shortcut through the plains. She huffed and placed the map back in her bag and began walking.