Forging of a Knight

Chapter 10 of 14

Chapter 10

As Qualtan was incepted into the great tourney, Glaive had been led through myriad streets decorated with colored pieces of glass and stones towards the great treasury. They stopped at last before a great, white-domed building, so bright and intense Glaive could not look at it directly. Marbled steps reached a grand pair of golden doors that seemingly opened at a secret command by Escoch. Their feet echoed through a long hallway of paintings. Various vases, statues, and sculptures of jeweled design stood on pink-blue pillars, causing Glaive to pause at each interval.

“Are there not guards to protect this hoard?” Glaive asked, pouring over the items.

Escoch shrugged. “Why would we need guards to defend these trinkets from their own? We are all kindred here, and thus have no worry of theft. None save those given permission to take them would do so, and only those chosen by the caretaker may. You make the mistake of attesting value to such things from your standpoint. We elves care little of the avarice such decoratives cause to the outside world. Here we use them as objects of art to beautify and to admire. Little else of value we find in them, save as needed when dealing with other Kind.”

“All of this with no protection,” Glaive said, whistling at a display of golden plates caked with gems.

Escoch smiled, enjoying the game. “Save for a few attendants, this place serves more as a museum of sorts for our people to enjoy. There is but one caretaker to this place, and I will bring you to him now.”

Passing through curved arches of bright blue, they entered a rear area where rows of cases showed off objects of gold and silver. Stepping over a guarding rail, Escoch showed Glaive to a smaller chamber where Glaive had to stop and gasp. Heaps of coins, jewels, baubles, and more lay thrown about like some great dragon’s lair. Escoch bent over a table and grabbed a fistful of its riches, spilling them over Glaive’s shaking hands.

“Our artists and builders come here to take what they need for their decorative needs. Of course, as I said, they still need permission, as the caretaker must maintain some semblance of order here,” Escoch said, as Glaive licked his lips at the wealth around him.

“Ah, here he is now.” The elf pointed to a corner, drawing Glaive’s attention. A spherical object was bobbing about, fluttering like a bee with membranous wings that beat so fast they were nearly invisible. A huge, single eye started from its red-skinned center, with dozens of smaller eyes sprinkled throughout. Four skeletal arms jutted out form each side, ending in hands with long, slender fingers. In one hand it held a tablet; the other a pen. Its third held an inkwell, while the last held a purplish feather duster.

A small maw just beneath its center eye opened. “Greetings, lieutenant!” it said, rolling forward in what appeared to be a bow.

“Greetings, caretaker! I bring a friend to visit your wares!” Escoch bowed in return.

The eyes in unison rolled upwards. “I have no time for tours today. The inventories are due, and I am already behind in my work! I will be thrashing my workers if they don’t keep on their tasks!” The creature darted ‘round, dusting off the larger statues of gold and platinum that occupied the tiled floor.

“Surely a tour for but one visitor is simple task enough, especially for one from the outside?” Escoch asked.

“Work, work, work. I can never have time to do what must be done! Is this a special visitor?” the creature said with some annoyance. It lifted its four arms with exasperation, its color turning a darker shade of red.

“A friend to the King and Prince. Your understanding would be greatly appreciated by his Majesty!” Escoch said.

“Fine. Your kind request is merely an order, like they always are.” The creature floated towards Glaive, its wings barely emitting any noticeable sound save for a soft drumming.