The Forest's Chosen

Chapter 4: A Meeting with the King

It started raining when Callum arrived to the capital, it has been a few days after the blacksmith boy defeated the prince and the other noble kids. Where did a peasant learn to fight like that? Surely he isn't what he seems. As Callum was thinking to himself he finally arrived at Lorod, capital of Kridel. The city was beautiful with gates and walls covered in colorful flowers. Inside are houses and stores, and a tavern that the citizens all love. In the middle was the home of the royal family, Castle Stalwart. A castle three stories high and a tower two stories higher. The castle is surrounded with a beautiful garden filled with purple roses, the symbol of the royal family. Callum enters the castle and walks into the throne room.

The throne room was mostly empty, and with few decorations. The only decorations are shiny armor from kings of the past.On the walls are stained glass windows that tell the story of Kridel. One tells the story of the peasant king who founded Kridel. Another showed Cenred the Brute, who tore off a giant's tongue for the king. And in the back was a throne, with King Robard Stalwart III sitting on it looking . . . displeased.

Callum bows in front of the king, "My Lord I can as soon as I could-" The king stopped him. "You let a blacksmith child infiltrate my son's training. And didn't do anything when he was attacked."

"M-my lord there was a deal-"

"Silence! Your cockiness will be the death of you. I should have you beheaded for this." The king breathes in deeply and sighs, "Luckily for you there are more important issues, my scouts have found a magical weapon in the Emerald Forest."

Callum looked up shocked, "do you mean. . . we have found it? We have found Vine?!"

"I am not sure yet. I want you and a small group to find it. If you do indeed find Vine," The king smirked, "I will knight you."

Callum was pleased, finally a knight! No more training children, no more insults, he will finally be recognized for his greatness. All he need to do was go into the forest and find the magical weapon of Kridel. Callum bowed and smiled.

"My king, it would be an honor to find this weapon. I will leave as soon as possible." The king nodded and Callum left the throne room. As soon as he left the prince walked out of hiding and looked at his father.

"Father, why did you not punish him? He made me look like a fool!"

"This is his punishment Luke, I never sent scouts in the forest. He will never find a magical sword that doesn't exist. And even if he did I would never knight a buffoon like him."