Merchant Of Cats

Chapter Ten: To the Palace

            Chapter Ten: To the Palace

            It took a few moments for the fact that Avi was prince to sink in, but Elsa didn’t have much time to actually ponder on it, for a bell began to toll. It rang twelve times and by the last one Avi was looking worried.

            “Hurry, we mustn’t be late.”  He said as he grabbed her hand.

Leading them towards the palace, Avi worriedly chatted. Elsa listened quietly as they walked, answering whenever needed. She didn’t get to see much as they hurriedly walked through the streets, but Elsa was annoyed to find out that palace was less than a mile from where they’d been and that the Merchant on more than one occasion had actually taken them farther away.

She forgot all those feelings when they arrived at the front gate.

The palace  itself was a gorgeous, ornate, and expansive building built out of the whitest marble Elsa had ever seen. Pillars held up a cover over the walkway they were on as it led to large carved doors. The wood itself was magnificent; a dark reddish brown color that Avi said was from the Belkas tree. Elsa wondered if it was the same thing as mahogany in her world.

She couldn’t help but ask him about things. It was just too wonderful.

“Avi, why is that part of the palace a different color than the rest?” she questioned, as she had noticed a small change from white to grey.

He snorted rudely. “Ask the Merchant, he knows.”

Elsa was not about to do so, but she did look back at him only to see him grinning evilly. She guessed it had something to do with him and his wicked sense of humor.

“Oh…” that was all she could say.

Avi, sighing, stopped and pointed to an area that seemed no different than any other.                                   

“That is where the lords and ladies of Orlion met to discuss matters “important” to the people. Of course I use past-tense. They met here, but no longer and we have the Merchant to thank for that.” Avi paused. “Anything to add, you insufferable cat?”

The Merchant shrugged. “It really wasn’t my fault you know. Honestly, they should have known better.”   

“Ahh, that famous incident… I’ve been told he destroyed the whole section in ten seconds flat.” Avi smiled fondly. “It was well over seventy years ago.”

Elsa balked. Looking back at the Merchant, Elsa was about to question this when the creaking of the big door stopped her. Instantly, she felt her shoulders being clutched and her body being righted. In front of her stood two men in white robes, with swords attached to their hips. Guards. There was a third man and Avi was busy whispering to him. He looked at their trio for a moment before standing up straight. Avi rejoined them and smiled brightly.

In a second the man’s voice boomed loudly and they were ushered down a stretch of purple carpet.

“Introducing, Royal Prince; Avinel Effrath Ghellis, His supreme Lordship, Merchant of Cats; Roland Rayveil, and Lady Elsareth Fennier.”

Elsa couldn’t help but shiver when the man called out their names. It was the first time she’d ever so much as been called a lady. While on the other side, her father had been wealthy, but it had never amounted to more than a polite ‘miss’ from others. The only thing she could do was avert her eyes until the man finished and they reached the other end of the room. Even when they did, she still did not stop staring at the floor.

“Lift your head up, child. I’m nothing for you to fear.“ A fourth and completely new voice filled her ears. And like Avi’s it was an extremely comforting one.

She looked up only for her eyes to meet a still quite young man’s eyes. They were bright eyes, ones you could tell the truth out of. He was a genuinely kind man. And he was the King.

He extended his hand and she shook it, aware that it was quite improper- or atleast back home it would be considered so.

She was surprised at how young he was. He couldn’t have been more than thirty, he barely looked older than the Merchant, who Elsa now knew most definitely was older than he appeared. But what surprised her the most was his demeanor. He was neither intimidating nor demanding, but rather someone who smiled happily. He wasn’t at all what she’d expected a king to be.

Like his brother, he wore clothing that looked like peasant garb, yet was made out of finer materials. There were no jewels on his fingers or around his neck, and his crown was thin pieces of gold woven into a circlet. Despite his dark hair and eyes, Elsa could tell he embodied the light that was the kingdom’s symbol and heritage.

He smiled brightly at her and she smiled back at him.

He had such a warm presence that Elsa couldn’t help but be drawn to him. She wondered if that was because of the power he possessed or because of his own person. Either way, she wondered if it really was okay to be standing in front of him as the weakling she was.

She was saved having to think about this too much when the Merchant spoke.

“Ahh, whelp, didn’t I tell you not to let them say my name.” the Merchant said, his voice rude. Out of the corner of her eye she could see him boredly rubbing the side of his nose.

She gasped silently. Did he just call his King…Whelp?

The King only laughed. “Roland, you know I don’t want that. Do you really wish people would forget the Rayveil name that much? Or is it Roland? Both are perfectly good names.”

The Merchant, or Roland, whatever his name was, spat at the floor and growled. “The lot of you kings…I wish you’d burn in Halal.”

The King, not missing a beat, answered back. “Ah, well we already know Grandfather is. That leaves just me.”

The Merchant laughed heartily. “Ah, well, you got me there. That bugger is burning for all the shit he did.”

The King grinned and patted the Merchant’s back.

“Well, I see Avi brought you here, but may I ask who the girl is?” His voice was full of hidden questions.

“She is Elsareth.” he replied, his voice dry. “Elsareth.” It looked like something clicked inside the Kings head and slightly shakily, he turned to look at her. After a moment he regained composure and truly looked her in the eye.

He smiled softly and spoke. “Hello Elsareth, I am Kavenan, but many call me Kaven. While I may be the ruler of this country, I do not wish for you to be formal with me.”

Elsa curtsied. “It is very nice to meet you. Thank you for being so kind. It would make me happy if you called me Elsa.”

Within seconds she was being engulfed in his arms and he swung her around. He was not very tall man, but he was surprising strong.

“I’m so happy meet you. You have no idea!” Kavenan boasted, sounding as joyful as someone could.

The Merchant coughed loudly and Kavenan set her down. Looking alittle ashamed of himself, he apologized. Elsa, slightly confused but other wise okay, just blushed.

The Merchant, facing Kavenan smiled forcefully. “Boy, while I’m sure you’re happy to meet this young lady, I don’t think the situation is the same for her. She isn’t like you, do you understand?” Elsa knew that this was code for something, but she wasn’t sure what.

The King’s face fell and he nodded.

“And there is more…She is… the One.”

There was mixture of relief and confusion on his face. Then everything seemed right again and he was smiling as he had been before.

“This is a joyous thing. We’ve been waiting for her. We must talk about this at once, but first, Roland, we have a few things we must discuss.” looking at Avi, who’d been silent throughout the whole thing, Kavenan winked. “Alone.” he added as he winked again. “Avi why don’t you take Lady Elsareth to see the Queen and the royal siblings. And have my dear wife sketch up some new clothing for her. She’ll be needing it.”

Avi nodded and grabbed Elsa’s arm. “Goodbye Kaven, Cat man…”

Elsa barely had a moment to say something similar before she was pulled away.