Heir of the Sword

33 | Solatium

Solatium {comfort}

"Where is the King?" Arya shouted at the front gates.

The guards remained at their position and didn't answer her question.

"Answer me damn it!"

Arya normally wasn't one to lose her cool but at this moment; all rational thoughts had escaped her.

"Miss, you must have an appointment to see the King. We cannot let everyone waltz in. Besides, he is in a meeting with someone else." One of the guards explained to her calmly.

Arya wasn't satisfied with his response. She had travelled night and day without stopping in order to reach the palace and now the person she wanted to see wasn't available? Sighing she tried another tactic. "Well then, I'll just have to wait to see the king. I have a room in the palace, if you would allow me to enter."

The guard looked suspicious but there was nothing he could say to someone who was a guest of the palace. He begrudgingly allowed her to enter the palace. Once the doors shut down, Arya sprinted through the hallways looking for the King. She stopped many people in the corridors all asking them about the whereabouts of the King. After hassling at least three people Arya had learnt that the King was in his study speaking with a group of people.

Arya asked one of the maids in the hallway to point her towards the Kings study. "It's in the north wing of the castle. Keep walking straight and you'll be there."

Arya thanked her before following her direction. Moments later she arrived at a mahogany door. She could hear voices inside. Normally, this would be the point where Arya would knock on the door and she did but there was no reply.

On impulse, she bolted open the door and five pair of eyes went to her. Arya ignored everyone else in the room and turned to the King. "The Narvian Academy has been attacked."

The King facial expression morphed into a shocked one before he sighed. He opened his mouth to speak but then the door burst open once more and a palace guard came in, his eyes immediately latching onto Arya. "Sire we heard that someone broke into your office. We shall have the threat removed at once."

His hands grasped Arya's shoulders and on instinct, Arya's hands flew to Anaz. There was a tense silence for a few minutes before the King shook his head slowly, "No, let her stay. Shut the door behind and don't let anyone else come in."

"Your wish is my command." The knight echoed in reply before he shut the door.

Arya looked at the group once more to get a clear look at everyone that was present. Sir Samuel was beside the King and Arya also recognized Lady Vivian and Sir Francis. In the corner of the room stood Aaron with his hand resting on his sword, Arya's heart beat wildly against her rib cage.

"It seems that your academy was not the only one that was attacked." King Rupert spoke drawing away Arya's gaze from Aaron's.

"The Narvanian Academy was attacked as well?" Arya asked Aaron.

He nodded. His face was solemn and his eyes had lost the sparkle. Arya had almost always seen Aaron smiling and seeing him like this broke something inside of her.

"Something says that these attacks had been well planned." Sir Francis said in his deep voice.

"They were." Arya and Aaron said simultaneously.

"The attackers used large rocks to break down most of the academy structure. My guess would be they only did it when they were sure that the troops had landed on the beach of the Tunshia." Arya explained.