The Queen of the Light Forest

Chapter 5

I get back to the camp just in time to see both of my brothers walk into the tent. Maddox is still sitting on my shoulder when I walk in behing them. Ryan is over by the desk with a pencil and paper writing something I can see down. While Archer is over by his cot trying to get the box of clothes out from under it. I made my way towards my cot trying to think of how I would explain that I now have a bird on my shoulder that will always be there. Just as I sit down both Ryan and Archer look at me. I just stare back wondering what's going on. "What's going on? Is everything all right, did something happen?" I go off on them.

"Nothing happened relax." Archer says with an eye roll, "We just have some news."

"Oh?"

"Is quite interesting, Right Ryan!!" Archer whipped his head around to our brother. "Our brother decided that it would be a good idea to go talk to the king about life and then decided it would be a good idea to have dinner with him and his son WITHOUT ASKING US!!!!!!!" Archer says while whipping his hands around.

"I DIDN'T MEAN TO DO IT. IT KIND OF JUST HAPPENED!!" Ryan stood up from the desk.

"WAIT WHAT! WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE'RE EATING DINNER WITH THE KING!!" My eyes go wide. I hear a loud chirp in my ear and look at Maddox, he gives me a look as if to say, "It would seem so."

"NOT ONLY ARE WE EATING WITH THE KING. WE ARE ALSO EATING WITH HIS SON!! and he," Archer points to Ryan, "THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OKAY IF HE DIDN'T ASK US!" I can see Archer is ready to fit Ryan to the death if I don't step in.

"OK, Ryan, tell me what happened," I say crossing the room to go sit on my cot, crossing my arms on the way.

"What hap," Archer starts.

I give him a look that shuts him up, " I said Ryan, not Archer, right?" Archer looks down and shuts up.

Ryan looks me in my eyes and says, "Well it all started after the 3 battles. Tom and I were talking about how if we were in the battle and losing, how would we beat the opponent? The king overheard us talking and asked us to sit with him, so we did. We watched a few more battles and kept talking with the king. After a while, we were all laughing and having the time of our lives the king asked us to dine with him tonight and if we did we were welcome to eat with him whenever we wanted. I said yes thinking it would be a great time." Ryan gets up and walks over to his cot to grab his clothes, " He said we are welcome to come at 6 pm tonight."

"Well, I'm not going. I refused." Archer says arms crossed.

"Yes, you are because I am going and you must be there, whether you like it or not." I say grabbing his chin, "You are going and you are going to enjoy it or so help me Qatlena I will tear you apart limp from limp." Both Archer and Ryan stare at Mr. Frighten. I have never used that tone with them or ever used our god's name Qatlena. I let go of Archer's chin and turned to Ryan, "You're giving me one hour to get ready for the king then you better get out of the tent so I can change." They both get up and walk out of the tent.

Maddox flutters down to the cot. I read under my cot and grab out my basket of clothes. I get out my dress I always have on hand if anything like this were to happen. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Maddox change.

"Do we have to eat dinner with the king? I kind of just wanted to stay here and sleep. Changing can take a lot out of a person."

"Yes, we do so deal with it," I say while I turn around and start to undress. I point at Maddox and signal to turn around.

Maddox huffs and turns around, "But why I mean it's probably going to be stupid. Idle chitchat and stupid politics."

I completely ignore his last comment and say, "You know I should call you Mad."