What Lies Beyond the Ocean

Chapter 14

The wheels scraped against the plain, grey pavement as the carriage drew into the castle gates. Series of questions swirled in my mind. Why were we going to the castle? Were we in trouble? Were we going to head down into the chambers... again?

"Out!" Uli jumped out of the box seat onto the damp ground. I jumped out, followed by Alyard. A group of guards came towards us.

 Their shining silver armour showed the blurry reflections around us. A guard around my height, perhaps a bit shorter than me, took me by the arm. He squeezed my arm quite firmly so I could not escape.

     I peered over at Alyard. An average height guard took Alyard by the arm as well. I gulped. Did they find out that we are from Nilopoia? I crossed my fingers, hoping that this was all a terrible, misfortune dream.

"Theodore and Walt," Uli narrowed his eyes sternly. "Let's go!"

"Yessir!"

The inside of the castle was much more different than what I would've imagined it to be. I imagined it to be quite bland, the typical style of Zalfan castles, or least from what I've heard around town. The walls glowed a pearlescent white behind sequences of paintings that all either had authentic gold, silver, or bronze frames around them—portraits of the predecessors of King Dasniz. I could only recognize a few, such as King William,  King Henry, and King Todd.

We soon entered a vast hall with a grand dining table that shimmered in the sunlight from the tall windows that overlooked Mileno and beyond. A rich, ruby-red carpet led up to a golden throne. In it sat a heavy-set man with a face that resembled a dog's. His hair was milky chocolate brown hair, and his eyes were a dark emerald. The crown on his head looked like the ones the other kings wore in the paintings. It was really beginning to show ageing. The jewels and gems did not seem to shine as vividly and seemed rather dim. The King nodded slightly, and the Royal Guards released us but still stood next to us. Dasniz stood up and gazed up at his. From what I have observed, the Zalfans were not that tall compared to the Nilopoians. Dasniz was only up to my nose. 

His eyes drilled into mine. I tried my best to disguise my discomfort. He ran his hands rapidly throughout my hair. 
"Uh-huh," he exclaimed.  

I slid my gaze over at Alyard, who seemed as baffled as I am. Dasniz grabbed my face by the chin and traced my cheekbones and jaw. Dasniz took a small step back, held me by my shoulders, and looked me up and down. Was he 'checking' me out?

"Ah, yes!" he declared. He smiled widely, revealing small canine-like teeth. "She is the one! We have found her! We have found her!"

I felt my pulse quicken as he excitedly shook me by my shoulders. His eyes widened, and he let out a small, embarrassed giggle. 

"Pardon me, Miss. Erline Wallensport! I am King Dasniz; it is a pleasure to meet you finally."

If he, the King, somehow knew who I am, and he knew my father- he could be a solution that I've desperately been trying to find. 

Alyard shifted on his feet, not knowing what to do. He looked at me as if he was reading my thoughts. A small smile plastered onto his face.

I bowed down. 

"I am at your service, Your Majesty."

"No, no! I am at YOUR service, Miss. Wallensport and of course to you..." Dasniz gazed over at Alyard, waiting for Alyard to introduce himself.

"I am Alyard. It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Alyard."

         The King gracefully made his way towards Alyard and shook his hand. Alyard, he was a decent height, loomed over King Dasniz. I hid my laughter as that reminded me of how Gery and Javvad towered practically over everyone. Theodore and Walt were eventually dismissed. They both sent one last glare as they exited the room, and they faded into the darkness.

"It is almost dinner time! Come dine with us, children. You must be famished."

       Dasniz then grabbed Alyard and me by the arm tightly but in a rather affectionate way. He did not seem angry, upset, or anything of the sort. He seemed delighted in seeing us- as if we were at a family reunion. We all waddled over to the grand dining table, which stood in front of the window that looked over the entirety of Mileno. The sun was peeking over the clouds. I could make out the shape of the Church, Inn, and the many houses and shops. Mileno was truly an otherworldly place. 

       Dasniz let us go and plopped down onto the eloquent chair at the end of the table. Alyard sat in the chair to the left of Dasniz as I sat in the one the right of him. The room was quiet except for the sounds of servants making their way to the table. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Uli emerge into the room; this time, he had a bundle of paper nested under his arm. Alyard grimaced as Uli sat next to him. 

"Uli, have you brought the letter and documents?" King Dasniz said as a multitude of servants flooded into the hall with food that smelled heavenly. 

"Yes, my lord." He replied as he lifted his glass of wine. 

I thanked the servant, who placed a hearty serving of vegetable soup in front of me. She also placed a small piece of freshly baked bread and a lavender dumpling to the side. Before serving Alyard, she quickly filled my glass with cider. Uli placed the bundle onto the table, careful not to get any residue onto it. 

I looked over at the bundle. Before I could make out what it read, Dasniz's clapped his hands together to get everyone's attention.

"Erline and Alyard," he beamed. "You may be wondering why you are here eating a royal feast with me rather than some rubbish n the depths of the dungeon."

"Aye," replied Alyard. "In fact, that is where we thought we were actually going." 

        I caught Uli and Dasniz exchanging looks at me. Their looks did not appear to be rude or judgmental. Rather they were fascinated by me. I indulged in my last bite of the bread and wiped my hands slowly on my napkin. I awkwardly glanced back at them, hoping they would break the cumbersome silence. 

        "Erline Esmeralda Wallensport," Uli spoke so silently, I could scarcely hear him. "We have a letter from your 'mother,' Casa."