The Quest

Castle Sahala

Pendleton escorted Timothy through the forest with little to no incident. At first light they were standing at the opening in the trees that lead to the castle. Timothy turned to thank his protector but he had vanished. Timothy looked around a bit but could find no evidence of him even being there. He shrugged it off, he would most likely see him on his way home. He continued on the path to the castle. He had only walked a few feet when he crested a hill and could see the castle in all its glory.

Castle Sahala was a magnificent sight to be seen. The castle walls were built of white limestone mined from the western caves. Large blocks moved great distances by craftsman and then stacked on top of the wall. The main gate was made of the strongest iron possible and was ten feet tall. The tops of the castle towers were built like cones but made of a purple stone only found in the Lavender Mountains in the north. A large town sprawled out from the castle with all kinds of shops and taverns. The entire city was surrounded by a tall stone wall. The city itself didn't have a name, it was referee to as Castle Town. Timothy had only been here once before and he made a note to visit all the shops before he left.

The only other time Timothy had been Castle Town was when he had been hired as a blacksmith's apprentice. It had been almost seven years since then. Timothy shook his head at the thought of it. Those were lonely and dark times for him. The bright and cheerful city square helped push the memories out of his head.

He pushed through throngs of people standing around shops and street performers. It was so exciting to see it all. Eventually he made his way to the castle door.

"Who goes there!" The guard yelled at Timothy.

"I am Timothy of Millers and I have a message and delivery for the king." He replied.

"Okay, we've been expecting you but not this early. You can come in." The large wooden doors swung open to let Timothy into the castle.

They say the Castle of Sahala is one of the most incredible sight to see. It gleams in the sun light and seems to glow in the moonlight. The only thing more magnificent than the outside is the inside. Each hallway has an opulent carpet leading down it. There are chandaliers all through the castle. There are 400 bedrooms, 100 bathrooms, three ballrooms, and two dining halls. The king himself, stays in a master bedroom larger than a normal house with his throne room right in front of it. His throne room is just as opulent as the rest of the castle with gold trim on the paintings of all his predecessors. There are three chandaliers and one large throne at the very end of the room.

The king is said to be a very benevolent ruler and let's travelers stay in his castle when they come from far away. He shows interest for the people he rules and makes many public appearances. The king is a larger man but not large with fat but with muscle. He was a great general in the Sahalan Civil War then became king when his army won. He had a light brown hair and pointed beard. He wore robes of silk and carried a golden scepter topped with a large ruby.

Timothy after arriving was escorted to a guest room to wash up and get ready for his audience with the king. He found a new change of clothes to replace the ones ruined by the demon in the forest and cleaned the dirt, soot and grime from his body and face. After an hour or so he was ready. He was shown to the throne room and sent in alone. He walked in to see the king himself with a large grin on his face.

Timothy walked in and knelt with the sword lifted in front of him. "My king, I have brought the sword that you ordered from the Millers Town Blacksmith. It has been forged to the exact specifications that you commanded. I hope it can live up to you expectations." The king rose from his throne and walked over to Timothy.

"You may rise, young man. I do not bite." The king said in a booming voic e that could command armies. He took the sword from Timothy's hands and held it in his left hand. He swung it a few times and tossed it into the air. If did two spins then landed back in the kings palm. "You have done well. Now, what was the message that you had for me."

Before Timothy could say anything a runner from Miller burst through the doors. The king looked irritated but didn't say anything.

The runner came up to Timothy and held his shoulder, "Master Timothy, it pains me to say this but you master passed last night. He has left a will for you that I have brought with me. I am sorry."

Timothy just stared. He couldn't believe he had lost his master. The man had been like a father to him and he knew that his health had been failing but he didn't think he would go like this.

"Thank you for telling me." Timothy said with a sullen tone. The messenger handed a scroll to Timothy then walked through the large double doors that lead to the throne room. Timothy turned back to the king to give his message, but the king was kneeling in front of him.

"Master Timothy I am deeply sorry for your loss and as a gift I ask you spend the night here at the castle." Timothy couldn't believe what the king was saying.

"Thank you, my king, I accept." The king rose.

"Now what was that message?" Timothy told the whole story that the courier had told him. He finished with the courier arriving at his home and the healing of his wounds.

"The message that he specifically wanted you to know was that Zhen Su has returned." The king stated at him as though he had just punched him in the gut. "My king, are you all right?"

"No young Timothy I am not. You have no idea who Zhen Su is do you?" Timothy racked his brain. He hadn't heard of him except for yesterday when the courier arrived.

"No, I have not."

"Follow me then."