Beyblade Burst Adventures

A King's Ransom, Part 4

In which the group finally makes it to the Kingdom of Kesna and makes the exchange, but things don't go quite as they planned...

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"We're here, Prince Valt." Shu called, startling the Prince from his thoughts. Shu, Lui and Wakiya landed near the group, all wearing serious expressions. "There's a group of knights from Beigoma waiting in the woods nearby."

"Good. Let's join them, then we can go into the castle town and save our parents." Valt nodded, smiling half-heartedly at his friends before Shu took the lead, guiding them through the woods and closer to the sound of other people. They stepped through the trees into a clearing at last, and the knights all turned their attention to their Prince and the young King.

The knights bowed, then when they were upright Valt stepped forward, asking in a quiet voice. "Any updates?"

"Not that we've been alerted to, Your Highness. Our spies are having a harder time sneaking in and out nowadays."

The prince nodded and went over to Kerbeus'. "Well, we won't have to worry much longer. We've got the gold." He pulled the burlap sack from Kerbeus' saddlebag, holding it in his arms. The knights nodded, waiting for the Prince's order. Valt took a deep breath. "I'll make the exchange. If we cooperate, then King Theodore won't have any reason to hurt us."

"And I'll cover you." Shu added, standing beside Valt as he tugged his quiver over his shoulder.

"But Your Highness-"

"My parents and their retainers are our top priority." Valt insisted. "I'll be fine, I want you to ensure their safety."

"... Yes, Your Highness."

"If I come in with a group of knights at my back, the King may feel threatened, and that will make things worse. The moment the exchange is done, we'll come to meet you outside of the castle. Understood?"

The knights all nodded. Valt turned to Kensuke and Wakiya. "I want you both to wait outside with the knights. Have your stave and lance ready, just in case someone gets hurt or we need to fight."

"Yes, Prince Valt." Both retainer and noble chorused. Valt turned to Shu.

"King Shu, I do want you to have your bow, but keep it slung over your shoulder. If you have it ready to be aimed and fired, King Theodore will feel threatened by that." The snow elf nodded in understanding, so the Prince turned to Rantaro and Lui.

"I want you two to stand behind us and watch our backs, okay?"

"Yes, Prince Valt." The young dragon and the retainer replied. Valt took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds before letting it out, like he'd seen Shu do to calm down. It worked, and he looks back to the others.

"Let's go."

The four children marched through the halls with the grace and authority of adults, and no guard dared to stop them. Probably because they knew of the ransom drop coming. Valt pushed the doors to the throne room open, entering and standing a few feet away from the King's throne, looking to the King himself.

King Theodore looked ill, to be quite frank. His cheeks were sunken in, his skin looked pale and waxy, and his eyes were glowing gold, piercing the four who gathered before him.

"King Theodore..." Valt murmured before he bowed to the mad king, his companions following suit.

"Prince Valt." The King replied simply, his way of granting them permission to rise. His eyes focused on the bag. "I assume you've brought the fund to free your parents and their retainers?..."