The Lost Storm

Chapter 27 - The Most Aggressive Court

"PEN!!" squealed Rowan.

"Good gods, Rowan. I am right here", she came from around the corner and outside where her brother was standing, watching over the horizon as a massive port came into view. He looked at her, "Are you ready? I am sure we will be taken straight to the Caesar and his court."

She looked at him and then at the port, "We need to. We have to personally deliver the letter to him. You have it, right?"

"Yes, in my breast. At all times. Mother's seal still looks fresh."

"Good. The sooner the better", she looked back at him. "Let's find Riken and get ready to disembark."

As the port came closer into view, the siblings made sure that they looked presentable. Penelope did her hair up, and put the circlet on as to hang the hair tight. She loved it. Her hair smelled of ocean salt now for some days, although it was a bit sticky from the harsh wind. But, she did not care. The crew finally yelled out that they were about to port the Hell Storm. 

All three siblings stood out and watched as their mother ship was porting and the hustle and bustle of a large city came before them. They had ventured into the Caesarean Kingdom before when they were children, but now as adults it was different. 

The ship slowed onto a pier and beyond it, a carriage with black slender horses was waiting on the entrance. Penelope's heart gave a leap and she gasped for more air, as if she wasn't already outside...the King's banner was being held high by a royal guard. Riken put his hand on her shoulder firmly, as to reassure her. "We are together, it will be fine." She nodded her head and held it high. The ship finally stopped and the plank was laid out for them. A royal guard came before them, "You are the heirs of StormHill?"

"Aye," replied Rowan with a stern voice. 

"The King and his court await your presence," said the guard and held his hand out to motion for them to pass.

The siblings filed out of the pier and onto the street, where the black and red carriage was waiting. A footman opened the door for them. Riken went in first and held his hand to help his sister in, followed by Rowan. Before the carriage moved, the guard came to the window, "Your belongings will be sent straight to your rooms, no need to worry." With that, he pulled the little curtain to shield them from view. Riken did the same to the other side. "I think it best not to completely announce ourselves." Rowan made a noice agreeing, there the carriage jolted and started moving. 

~ 30 minutes later~

The carriage started to slow and the brothers opened their eyes, Penelope peeked outside the window, "I think we are here." The carriage came to a complete stop and the door was pulled open. Rowan stepped out and held his hand out for his sister, followed by Riken. They all gawked in awe as the immense and overwhelming size of the castle finally came to them. Everything was belonging that to a desert. But, everything had a sort of...oasis to it. The castle, looking a thousand years old, looked to be made out of clay and dusted by sand for another thousand years or so. There were pamls and bushes everywhere. 

"I do not remember it like this," exclaimed Penelope. 

"This way, young heirs," said the guard. He showed them up some stairs, "I took the liberty of bringing you in through the back as not to stimulate any already wandering minds. Court has already started, but the King and his fleet had already sensed you. So, keep in mind HE is expecting you, not the Court."

The three looked at eachother as to ask why would that detail be important. But, the guard seemed to had sensed them too, "Court here is very...aggressive and straight to the point. They will not waste any time with the likes of you being granted audience with the King fresh off the boat."

They passed a grand hall and grand dining room before coming up some steps that looked as if the servants only used them. As they took the last flight of stairs they turned the corner and came to gigantic wooden doors guarded by two guards at the doors and two more at the walls. The guard came to a stop and one of the guards at the door came to him, "Please, present them as Prince Riken Firtina, Prince Rowan Firtina, and Princess Penelope Firtina of Castle Stormhill and Heirs to the Thronemount," the guard nodded and stood by the door while the other prepared to open it, "keep your heads up, as I said before the Court can be too aggressive." Again, he motioned for them to continue forward.

Penelope stood in between her brothers, and they themselves kept their heads up. They looked at one another and finally Rowan nodded to the guards. The wooden doors creaked and whined open, the sound alone made an announcement from the overwhelming doors. Court itself was overwhelming as it finally came into view. Much like the one back home but at a bigger scale, benches aligned the back (almost like a church) and railings seperated them from the Floor of the King. 

And the people...

Lots and lots of people...

Immediatly, she felt a sensation. As if...

My brain was sprinkled with glittered sparkles. It's spreading to the rest of my body like a blanket and clearly I'm stuck in my own brain...

"My King, Heirs to the Thronemount Prince Riken Firtina, Prince Rowan Firtina, And Princess Penelope Firtina of Castle Stormhill!" said the guard, bringing her back to real time.

"The King has taken onto other duties." A trusted adviser said as soon as the siblings stopped before them.

Everyone stood quietly, "He usually takes time to spar in the mornings, until...well, when he gets here". The Court started to giggle and laugh.

"Where do you think," started Rowan, "might we find him?" The adviser looked at another and back at the siblings. "It is best you not..."

RARF!

The loud warning rang in the ears in more of a baritone bark.

"Being one the most aggressive courts in the world, I can confirm. But, only because I have tied your hands so good that you are bored, this is what it has come to? Petty ideas for the bored and encouraged by the bored", said King Caesar.

"All hail King Julius Caesar the Third of Their Name!" announces the guard.

"All hail King Caesar!"