Arthur and the Invisibles 4: Defender of the Seven Kingdoms

Chapter 2: Preparation

Arthur awoke the next morning with a fresh feeling of ambition, and a wonderfully overwhelming emotion of excitement heightened by the incredible rays of sunlight inviting themselves through the gaps in his curtains. Because today was the day. After the atrocities Maltazard had inflicted on everyone he loved, after an entire year, after waiting for so long, today was the day.

Today was the day he could see Selenia again.

He threw his covers off in an instant, imagining her doing the same, as Miro had explained last year. He imagined her handling the large droplet of water in her hands, embracing it with her smooth, perfect skin, and got so into envisioning her, that he very nearly splashed his face with bleach. He smirked to himself, trying to focus a little more, hoping that she hadn't made the same mistake.

He took a quick shower, and marched down the stairs, not even trying to hide his pleasure. He quickly discovered that almost everyone was still asleep, despite it being--he looked at the clock--Eight in the morning. But as he stepped down off the stairs and into the kitchen, he saw his grandfather standing there, already dressed, and smiling at him. He smiled back.

"Morning Grandpa!" He said, his huge smile somewhat distorting his voice.

"Someone seems happy today!" He handed Arthur a small plate with a single fried egg and a pile of beans, with a knife and fork. Arthur quickly pulled out a chair from the dining room table and sat down, beginning to devour his meagre breakfast. "Arthur, slow down!" Arthur stopped for a moment and looked up at him. "I know you're excited, but please take your time." Arthur nodded as his grandfather took a seat next to him. "After all, you'll need to leave plenty of room for the feast tonight." He said with a wink. Arthur smiled as he scooped up another forkful of beans.

As Arthur swallowed the last of his egg, he turned his chair so that he was directly facing his grandfather.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Well, the Bogos are waiting for you at the edge of the forest. They'll take you through some general nature attenuation activities, but then it's up to you. Do you have anything in mind?" He explained. Arthur smiled. This night had been the only thing occupying his brain since he had finished his school term; he'd had plenty of time to think about preparation. But he simply nodded, and smiled.

"Yeah, I do."

"Well then," Archibald stood, and Arthur followed. "I won't delay you any longer. Just make sure you're back for a quick lunch."

"Ok!" Arthur replied before making a dash for the back door. But before he could make it, he heard his grandfather's voice again.

"Arthur?" He turned around, his hand still holding the doorknob. Archibald reached into his pocket, and pulled out something small and metallic. The sun glinted off the glimmering surface so brightly Arthur couldn't make out what it was at first, but as his grandfather brought it into shadow, Arthur realised it was a small, metal lock. Archibald took a few steps forward, into the corner of the kitchen, and Arthur realised what he was doing. He heard the satisfying sound of the lock snapping shut, and his grandfather reappeared. Arthur gave him a smile before hurling the door open and running out into the fresh air.

He hadn't actually gone to see the backyard the previous night; it had been too dark, and he wanted to remember it in its full glory. And here he was. So he just stood there for a moment, drinking it all in. The long strands of pale yellow grass surrounded the basic perimeter of the house, but then gave way to elongated fingers of green that waved at him from every inch of the ground. They stretched on and on, until they were absorbed into the great green barrier of the treeline. As he looked out towards the forest, he became aware of five tall figures hugging the dense wall of the trees, silhouetted by the gargantuan shadow of the mighty pines, but illuminated by the shine of the sun all the same. He began to walk towards them, with no fear holding him back. Because today, his fear was locked in the cabinet with Maltazard.