Vlaire and the King's Sword

Chapter Five

Having found the King's cup and left the tower, Vlaire and Melody and Urqo(and the bhéccos, too) were traveling to the royal city where the King lived. They followed the creek out of the great marsh where the tower was, all the way until it became a river, swift and deep. The time seemed to flow around Vlaire like water listening to Urqo, for even though she couldn't understand him, she loved his voice; the bhéccos tried to sing along with Melody, with a surprising amount of success.

Following the river took them to a bridge. It arched over the water, made of a white stone and an iridescent transparent material that showed the waves beneath. They could see the water churning over the rocks and large fish passing by. The bhéccos clung tightly to the handle of Ósghomme, squeaking, "Please don't drop me in the water!" fearfully. Vlaire could sense it was afraid, and gently stroked its cheeks and neck to comfort it while the bridge was being crossed.

Once over the river they came to a great wood. Its trees filled Vlaire with a joy and playfulness, and she chased Urqo through the wood, laughing. They hid behind and ran around trees, but still worked their way forwards, their play becoming a sort of race. There was light coming down through the trees, dappling the grass and shrubs with golden glee; the time of their trip through the woods passed like a cloud, changing into something winsome as it left them behind.

So, Vlaire's joy bright, when she emerged from the woods there glimmered something fair on the horizon. It bloomed like a radiant flower, opening up to be grander and more majestic; Vlaire could see towers and spires above the high walls. "Aha! Maròske!" Urqo cried happily, pointing towards the city- for it was a city that Vlaire saw.

"I grew up in Maròske," Melody said proudly to Vlaire. "Though, there was a lot of construction going on. I'm sure it's more wonderful now than my last visit." Still higher Maròske loomed up, Vlaire now able to see banners waving in the breeze on the towers, the city's great walls faintly sparkling.

Her wonder and excitement growing, Vlaire could at last see the city from a stone's throw away: its high walls were of a pale banded rock, their slight curve and columns suggesting a mighty wave cresting; the gates at times seemed at times like the bridge path, and at others appeared to come alive with color like a rainbow, which became a bird's wing and fluttered. The gates were open, and through them Vlaire could see buildings that reminded her of shells, or clocks, or flowers. Waiting just inside were two guardians, who greeted them warmly.

"Hail, comrades!" One said, tall and brawny with curling dark hair, their voice like a soothing bell. "What a joy it is to meet you."

"And you too!" Vlaire said, who could see a great warmth and cheer in their voltima. "I'm Vlaire, and this is my friend Urqo, and my guardian, Melody."

"And me!" The bhéccos squeaked. The gate guardian chuckled, and the other gate guardian walked over.

"There will be a feast soon! Feel free to take your rest here, and join us there," Said the other guardian, smiling. Vlaire smiled too, a love for Melody and their siblings warming her heart. Even so, carrying the King's sword weighed on her.

"Is the King here?" Vlaire asked. "I've brought Ósghomme to give it back to him."

"Of course! With such a great feast to... pardon me, you said Ósghomme, yes?" Nodding, Vlaire took the scabbard from over her shoulder to show it to the guardian. She saw shock and adoration wash over the guardian's face and echo through their voltima- and they jumped with a shout, clapping their hands and bringing everyone into a great big hug.

"Urqo has the King's cup with him, too," Added Vlaire. The other gate guardian laughed and began to sing, and lifted Urqo up onto their shoulder. And so, rejoicing, the gate guardian led them through the streets of Maròske. As she had seen the city from afar, Vlaire began to see the castle over the buildings. Its walls shone like the silver lining of a cloud, or a gem, being made of the same stuff as the city gates; it had three towers, and its architecture seemed both natural and carefully sculpted, like a beautiful garden.