Heaven Can't Wait ۞ Baldwin IV

XVIII - En Passant

Overstep, and you will eventually tumble. Rest in calculation and patience, and you might end up seizing more than you thought possible.

When Renaud descended, the first drop of rain did so too.

It should have been a moment of celebration, a bout of happiness for these people accustomed to long periods without one of God's greatest blessings. The water that Valentia took for granted back home, with a wide choice of wells and cisterns, and lakes, streams, and rivers running down hills mostly year-round, was so valuable in some parts here that it could practically be considered a type of currency.

Water collection did begin to take place around them. After bowing to their rulers when they passed, people shyly got barrels ready and uncovered stone troughs. But while this happened, serious faces withstood a battle of stares that charged the air with gloom and fright. Renaud had ordered the gates open, and then his wide stance had replaced this barrier.

His indignation, however, could do nothing against the King's numerous authority, which pressed forward. The cavalry pushed through, entering Karak in deafening silence.

Baudouin's knights dutifully opened up a passageway for him and Lluna. Ser Linus also commanded his men in the same manner. There was not yet an official roster for the Queen, as it was up to her to choose the ones to make it up, but these appeared as committed as one would wish.

Both battalions of templars faced each other from opposite sides, wondering which allegiance was true, and if they really should stick to either at all. Their rightful independence from any authority other than the Pope's allowed this liberty, but also allowed for confusion, indecision, and internal disagreements with it.

The bailey surrounded a tiled well and fountain with circling palms, as a simulated oasis of sorts. Lialusin prostrated in front of it and this permitted Baudouin to dismount with little effort and much grace. If this was what he had referred to when they first set out, he had so misjudged the quality of this sight... and her opinion of it.

During the time it took for Lluna to dismount too and find the less graceful sight of Renaud again, the man's disposition seemed to have changed. At the very least, he no longer appeared as confrontational, and acted as if the monarchs had been welcomed all along.

"Do come inside before we all drown."

The royal pair glanced at each other. Baudouin seemed little surprised by the chevalier's sudden change in attitude. Lluna had yet much to find out and make sense of all these oddities.

Heavy raindrops clanged against different metals, setting a rhythm that only increased.

Renaud fell behind as the grand, carved castle doors were opened for the grand couple.

The whiff of a thousand types of incense, spices, furs and skins caught her immediately. One could suspect its overpowering intention. But this was something she was already accustomed to.

The interior was as tall and spacious as a cathedral, with titanic compound pillars just like in one. Tapestries and all kinds of 'trophies' prevented every part of it from appearing bare. Two sets of stairs fanned out, while in the middle was a seemingly endless aisle with checkered floors which reflected it all.

"Your Majesty..." Renaud began, like a little trapped hare.

"Majesties." Baudouin's foot stomped the moment he halted his sure step, under an arch with hanging standards of his kingdom. "You are still to kneel before the Queen."