Of Amber and Iron

5

A/N 100 reads in 4 days?! Thanks! Don't be a ghost reader! Share your thoughts and ideas. Constructive criticism is welcome as well :) Let me know what you want to see next!

Varian woke up the sound of clanging metal. A guard was standing right outside his cell, banging the end of his sword against the bars. 

"Get up kid. Your presence was requested at a meeting today" 

He groaned was rolled over, nearly falling off the sorry excuse for a bed. 

"A meeting? By who?"

"The princess. We'll be back in an hour," he stated before returning to his post elsewhere. Varian sat with his feet hanging off the side of the cot. The raccoon, who was losing weight by the day, nuzzled in his side, in attempts to keep both of them warm. Varian weakly smiled at Rudiger, but couldn't even hold a fake grin for long. He stared at the wall for what felt like forever before the guard had returned. He didn't even have to say anything- it was clear Varian knew what was coming next. The guard grabbed his arms and put him in handcuffs. Varian didn't even struggle- he was far too weak and it would barely make a difference. He was guarded to a rectangular room with a long table, the king seated at the head, the queen and Rapunzel on either side,  surrounded with a variety of nobles, councilmen, and village representatives. 

"What's he doing here? Is that a prisoner? The insane boy?" the whispers echoed the room as Varian was put in a chair next to the guard who had led him and the Captain. He tried not to make eye contact with any of the people staring at him. 

While all the glares were making Varian uncomfortable, one set the rest aside. A nobleman by the name of Karl Edel had eyes that looked as if they could kill. When the boy glanced up, his eye's briefly met the man's, causing a shiver to run down his spine.

"Alright everyone, I'm sure you all know why we're gathered here," King Fredric started, with the others respectfully nodding in response. 

Let me guess- to list off everything I've screwed up? To remind me that I'm not, and never was, worth it? Wow, how mature. 

"As you're all aware, we have, astonishingly, found a way to cut through the black rocks"

Varian's head shot up and his eyes widened. Why had no one told him about this? This might be the answer he's been looking for! 

"Now we are currently working on solving the amber issue. In three days time, we will send some of our best-"

"No!" Varian interrupted, earning stares from to room. "I want to do it," he said, quieter this time, "I want to be the one to free dad".

"Varian, I'm afraid-" 

"No!" he shouted, standing up and banging his fists on the table. Varian felt a firm grip on his shoulder, the Captain's, tugging him back into his seat with a disapproving stare. 

"Boy, sit down!" said a voice that belonging to Sir Edel, "Besides, how can we trust you after what you've done? And to your own father, nonetheless!" 

Varian glanced up at the man; dark brown hair, a sharp mustache, and an ice-cold stare. 

"You're lucky you've been arrested! If I'd have had any say, you would be dead by now"

These words hit Varian hard, causing him to fight back tears. The king cleared his throat.

"Varian, you are dismissed," he said, almost empathetically.

"But I h-"

"Now"

He felt a tug on his arms as he was dragged off. Varian tried to escape, to go back. It was funny how that happened, wanting to run from one bad thing to another, to be around the ones he hated so much. Despite his efforts, he couldn't leave. A vindictive rush ran over Varian as he was dragged off, back into the cold, dark cell.