Dancing waters

~*~ Chapter 2 ~*~

"Why aren't you eating?" The King scolded.

"Something is on my mind, father." Eldstone replied. "Well get it off your mind and eat. I asked the chef tonight to make this especially for you." Barlick replied. Barton glanced at his father and brother before continuing to eat his soup.

Eldstone glanced at the timber walls. The wood was held together with sap and wooden planks. This making a archway as a roof. Multiple rooms were scattered in the wood cabin. In the dining room banners with different king's names hung proudly. Their brown and black colors blended in with the bland walls.

The table was sanded to excellence. No indents, no scratches, only perfection. On the table were thin candles. The light illuminated the entire room. 

Guardsmen guarded the doors.

A wooden chandler dangled.

Barlick scraped his spoon into the wooden bowl. Eldstone glanced outside. 

He then glanced back at his father and brother. The  silver crown his father wore shimmered from the candle light. His green eyes were concentrated on his meal. The scar on his left hand was a reminder to his sons of his superiority. 

Eldstone finished his meal. He called his servant. The young sabar tooth tiger nodded taking away his plates. "Splendid meal, wasn't it?" Barlick said smiling. "Yes, father." both the sons replied. "Eldstone, there is something I have to show you after dinner. Barton you are excused." Barton stood then walked away. Barlick stood gesturing Eldstone over. "Come." He said.

Eldstone and Barlick walked down the small halls. Two bedrooms were on each side. At the end of the hallway was a door. Barlick opened the door gesturing Eldstone in. Two wooden thrones sat near the back.  Barlick light candle after candle making the room glow. The small room brung a smile to the King.

"I think it is about time you learned the skills and lessons of becoming a King. Your mother would agree. Tomorrow, you will sit next to to me in that throne there. You will watch and learn. You will make no descions. I expect you to be here early, understood? That means not talking with Louy."

Eldstone nodded. 

"Oh, and wear your crown to."

The King turned walking away.

Eldstone stared at the throne and then at the windows.

Eldstone rose from his bed. Morning light seeped in. He pushed aside his thin cotton comforters. His bed creaked as he left the straw made bed only covered with two layers of cotton. He cracked his neck. His pillows causing his neck to hurt.

The young prince then proceeded to slip on his finest clothes. Then finishing it off with his silver crown. He glanced at his king-size bed. Wood underneath kept it up. He then existed his room to the throne room.

Barlick sat in his throne smiling as he noticed him. "You will not speak unless you are told to." His father reminded. 

Eldstone sat in the sanded wooden throne. He nodded. Guardsmen guarded the door at the opposite end. Their spears making a barrier. Standing next to them, was a cougar. His leather cap rested upon his ears. "Call the first one in!" The King ordered. The cougar lifted his staff then smacking it on the ground.

"Come forth and present yourself to the King and prince, kind sir!" He yelled.

Louy walked in bowing to the King.

Louy! I should have told you last night!

"Your majesty, I have come to see my friend Eldstone. I wish to spend time with him outside these castle walls." The falcon said. The King moved his fingers around. His red shirt and pants had a few wrinkles in them. The silver necklace popped against the red.

"Why do you think that you can spend time with my son every day? Your request has been denied. Now leave, Louy."

Louy glanced at Eldstone. Eldstone sighed. "Father, please..."

"No! That is final!"

Louy bowed once again. His claws scraped the stone ground.  "What did I say to you about not talking? Is that so hard!?" "No father." Barlick leaned back in his throne. Eldstone thrummed his fingers on the throne's arm rests. 

The cougar once again lifted his staff then proceeding to smack it. "Come forth and present yourself to the King and Prince, kind sir!" A saber tooth tiger stepped in. His eyes showed tiredness and a tiny gleam of hope. "Your majesty, I am Ruffton Bellson. I have come to ask for help. You see, my land was bargained off without my consent. Someone bought it. I tried to say to the land owner that I did not allow this, as I was tricked into it. He said in order for me to get my land back I must get a consent from you. Barlick nodded.

"Yes, indeed. Although, I have one question for you."

"What will that be?" The white saber tooth walked forward. He kneeled before the King.

"Are you able to pay?"

The saber tooth went silent. He then spoke up. "No, we are po-" The King's eyes narrowed. "You must pay me first. Those are our traditions and rules. No consent from me until you do so. You know the rules." The saber tooth pleaded. "Your majesty, I will have no place to go! I have lost so much since the Fiery Night!" The King leanded forward.

"This is how it works. Are traditions were set down by our forefathers to maintain order. Get out, or you will be kicked out." Barlick growled.

The white sabar tooth's eyes widened.

"Guardsmen!" Barlick bellowed.

The two guards from the door stepped forward. They dropped their spears. Red swished around as the two guards hosted the townsperson. He tried to escape. "We were friends! Barlick! What has happened to you!?  Barl-!" There then was a silence as the townsperson was far away from the door.  Barlick leaned in his throne. His face showed no emotion. The two guardsmen then returned seven minutes after.

Eldstone glanced at his father. Was this saber really his King and father? Or was there something else underneath?