Magic and Monsters

Trials of the King

Impenetrable would be an understatement. The castle loomed far into the heavens and had foundations that ran deep into the earth, rivaling mountains. The walls were built of polished stone and had magical engravings of hardening and resistance. They towered even higher than the outer walls bordering the entrance of the Capital.

Castle Eversteel laid in the heart of the Capital, yet it was big enough to be considered a small city itself. A grand golden archway marking the east entrance to Eversteel was guarded by several soldiers in silver armour from head to toe. Two watch towers full of bowmen dutifully watched over those entering and leaving.

A long queue lined on each side as the guards checked the permits before allowing merchants, visitors and travellers to pass.

Charles, Beatrice and Sir Wilson were ushered to a side entrance which was empty.

"Lady Beatrice, please come this way." said a guard, motioning for them to follow. He lead them through the side entrance, past the five metre thick walls to the other side.

To Charles' surprise, a rich looking carriage adorned in red and gold tapestry awaited. Three horses were tied in front with a coachman sitting in the middle one.

"Please board the carriage, the King awaits your presence."

"Thank you, faithful one." replied Beatrice. The knight immediately knelt reverently.

"It is my utmost honor to serve you!"

The three of them leaped off their horses and handed the reins over to the knight before boarding the carriage. The inside had polished wooden seats and a table in between with a steaming tea set.

The coachman lashed his whip outside and the horses began to trot at a moderate speed.

Charles looked at the other two who stared right back at him. The exquisite and expensive decor surrounding them made him feel really privileged just to be here.

"Feels good to be high on the pecking order! I could live with this!" he said cheerily. Charles poured himself a cup of tea and was about to take a sip when Beatrice interrupted him.

"I wouldn't drink that if I were you." she said with her arms crossed.

"Poison? Surely not!" gasped Charles as he eyed the green tinged water which had little fragments of tea leaves floating within.

"The tea could be enchanted. Not everyone in the Capital wants the Harkcourts around, and anyone could have tampered with it. I should warn you that there is an internal power struggle. Trust people sparingly, especially when there is power or money involved." she warned.

"Wow maybe it's not so good being high on the pecking order." said Charles.

"Beatrice is right about that. Having a cynical view can definitely protect you." confirmed Sir Charles.

"I'll definitely keep that in mind. So what does the King have in mind for us?" asked Charles.

"More like what he has in mind for you. The King will definitely want you to be in league with him since you could be another candidate as the chosen one. There will definitely be tests prepared, so be ready for anything." said Beatrice.

A crack of a whip followed by horses whinnying could be heard outside. The trotting came to a stop and the coachman opened a flap to stick his head in.

"Alas, we have arrived. Please prepare yourselves to be in the presence of the king." he said.

The three of them climbed out to find them before a massive trapezium shaped, marble staircase which grew thinner as it got higher. At the very top was a giant golden double door.