The Jewel of Orlegon

Chapter 24: The Jewel of Orlegon

The three novices remained speechless at the sight of the child who had just opened the imposing wooden door to greet them with a fierce expression. The boy was a miniature version of Merim, except that the sword he proudly wore at his belt was clearly made of wood. The threat of the small flame dancing in his hand was, however, very real and captured Alteria's full attention.

"What's this for?" the child asked in a squeaky voice, defying the adults with his gaze, "the princess no longer receives the odious ones."

"The audiences," Merim corrected, trying to conceal a amused smile.

"No, no, the audiences are still open, but not for the odious ones like them," the child clarified, pointing a finger at the novices.

This time, it was Saosa who couldn't hold back her amusement and let out a hearty laugh. The miniature guard immediately shot an adorably irate look at the young woman and, with a gesture, transformed the joyous little flame in his hand into an aggressive burst of fire aimed at the one who dared to mock him. Fortunately for her, Saosa's sharp reflexes took over, and her own Liesat deflected the fiery attack, allowing the flames to nestle in the palm of her hand before dying out. Meanwhile, Merim had grabbed the child and pulled him away from the door, which Lacemil had closed to cut them off from the room on the other side.

"Can I know what just happened?" the captain asked angrily.

"Are you like me?" the child wondered without even listening to the question he had been asked.

"Rig!" Merim insisted, shaking the little one to get him to look him in the eyes.

"But I didn't know they were Mom's friends," the child tried to justify himself while squirming to break free from the grip that held him.

"And what did I say about using your gifts?" Lacemil intervened, standing against the door with her arms crossed sternly.

The child lowered his head and remained silent. Alteria, for her part, was struck by the resemblance between the child and his mother, who had earlier assumed the same position when she had spoken passionately about the threats facing the Enartians. Merim gently shook the child again to encourage him to respond.

"What did Mom say?" he asked calmly.

"No abilities at the palace," Rig mumbled with his head still down.

"And where are we now?" continued Merim.

"At the palace," the child answered, continuing to look down at the tips of his shoes.

"So we'll talk about your punishment later," Merim concluded, releasing his hold on the child's arms.

"But the princess said if I really wanted to be the captain of the guard after you, I should use my powers to defend her!"

"The princess knows about you?" Lacemil asked in surprise, dropping her stern facade for genuine concern, "how?"

Rig lowered his head again and played with the tip of his shoes, as if giving himself time to think about whether he could still get out of the predicament he had gotten himself into.

"Sire Lisni brought fireworks for Lady Serim's birthday, but Uradiss didn't want us to use them, so she confiscated anything that could make fire..."

"Oh, I see where this is going," Merim sighed, glancing at the Selven who had not taken her eyes off her son.

"And because Lady Serim was very sad, I lit them myself, and the princess was there."

The Imperial Guard and the Selven of the Obsidian exchanged a look that combined affection and weariness before turning their gaze back to their child.