Phoenix: The nuruk beast.

Chapter Three: The King of Dameran

 Aldrich had always expected the Damian castle to be large and profligate. And upon entering it, his expectations were far more than exceeded. It was an embodiment of both skilled architecture and fine craftsmanship. As they went through the gates, Aldrich couldn't hold back his amazement seeing a structure that seemed actually reach for the skies. He could only wonder how many chambers and spaces it held within it. The compound though, seemed to be where the Damian knights trained as they were young knights training at the far end of the of the castle grounds. He also noticed a grassy field with various flowers in a small section a few ways from the training grounds with seats occupied by people Aldrich assumed could only be noblemen and women. Lydia waved at Evelyn who was training with a wooden figure with about five horizontal segments with two poles protruding from each segment. Aldrich saw her stretching in front of the figure and asked,

"I heard your partner uses magic, isn't that true?"

"It's a magical enhancing technique that only increases her physical abilities beyond her own limits."

"And how exactly does that work?"

"Why don't you see for yourself?" she jerked her chin towards Evelyn.

Aldrich looked closer to waiting to see Evelyn demonstrate what Lydia had just explained. After waving back at Lydia, Evelyn took a stance in front of the figure as if it were her opponent. She began to hit the poles with her fist and legs causing another segment to rotate independently. For each time a pole was hit another was unpredictably somewhat swung at her. She either dodged the incoming poles or hit them with away. Eventually the segments started to move faster and so did Evelyn. It was long before she seemed to be dancing around this figure with many hands elegantly evading or countering each attack it brought upon her with unnatural speed. Aldrich was amazed by this; her speed and reflex was unlike anything he had ever seen. He would have continued watching if Lydia had not tapped his shoulder to call his attention.

"Come on" she said to him.

When they entered the palace, Aldrich beheld things he never thought he would see in his life. The stone walls of the palace were lined with white fabrics embroiled with golden thread all through the middle, the tiles on the ground were light porcelain white in colour and glimmered like actual crystals. On the roof were paintings of various designs in red and a shade of blue all somewhat directed to the middle where from it, hung the largest chandelier Aldrich had ever seen. "Slage?" Aldrich was taken out of his trance when he heard Lydia's voice. He noticed her holding back her amusement seeing him like this. Who wouldn't though? He looked like a child amazed by the buildings' magnificence.

"First time in the castle?" Lydia asked smiling at him,

"Well of course." he answered slightly flushed,

As they proceeded, Aldrich became painfully aware of the many gazes that fell on him from the different people that passed by. He became self-conscious, aware that he must be the only commoner in the room. The majority of the room either wore the official uniform for the royal help which was a white simple dress for the ladies and a pair of black trousers and white tunic for the men or a very regal looking dress worn by the noblemen and women. And here he was, in a simple tunic and a pair of trousers which had obviously seen better days with his father. Occasionally he would see Damian knights in their silver armour, at least they didn't spare him a second glance. Aldrich could just feel the sting of all the eyes on him that made him just want to leave. But suddenly it was all gone, the lingering eyes and the hushed whispers all which was directed at him was all gone. When noticing this, one would suppose he was feeling relief at the moment, but the anxiety he was feeling now was far worse, for the attention he had been receiving had now been moved to a tall man with long raven hair dressed in a white silk robe lined with an emerald pattern across his chest. Or as all knew him, the king of Dameran.