Araman

~ 9 ~

   To Kassen's dismay, he was told by Zea Dergen at his door, soon after he had returned to his room, that the Araman Raliena would not be attending the tour around the castle, as she had told the King she had a desperate need to visit her mother's grave that morning.

The King had of course released her, knowing how it felt to lose a loved one, and had instead volunteered Lady Nanerter to accompany them.

"It is one thing that the King will not be subjected against." Dergen had explained and Kassen couldn't help but feel that the adviser was indignant about it.

Kassen had hoped that his meeting with Raliena that morning had eased the tension between them, but perhaps he had made things worse, revealing that he knew she had healed him. In any case he would not mention it again and continue on as if she were merely the Araman who would help him catch a Unisayan and become a knight of Verxia and not the beautiful, mysterious angel who had saved his life.

"What did you say to her?" Scolded Sherin in a hushed voice, so as not to be heard by Dergen, when she found out Raliena would not be joining them.

"What do you mean?" Kassen tried to deny it. "Sa Raliena is visiting her mother."

"Only because you scared her off!" Confirmed Sherin. "I saw you sneak out this morning. Where else would you be going in a castle you are not familiar with?"

Kassen had forgotten how perceptive the Princess could be, especially concerning him.

There was no other opportunity to talk privately with Sherin the rest of the morning, as Nanerter clung to Kassen and tried to keep his attention by telling him all about the architecture of the castle. And Kassen had to admit, it was easy to lose yourself in the beauty of it. The magnificent ball room, with painted ceiling, curved balcony and long windows framed by golden curtains, which caught the sun and bathed the room in warm hues.

The many curved stairways that led to many more rooms and corridors, all lavishly decorated, but the most impressive were the gardens. Even Sherin went quiet, and Derio and Sitnen stared in awe at the sight.

They stood at the top of a curving set of stone steps, overlooking the most beautiful and elaborate garden they had ever seen. Leading off from the steps was a wooden pathway that helped form a wide bridge, hovering over a grand cascading waterfall. It toppled over the edge from a slow moving lake that extended deep below the castle, grassland on either side. In the centre of this lake was a majestic statue depicting a Unisayan stood on its hind legs, its horn triumphantly pointing upwards as if it could pierce the sky. It was white and looked as smooth and perfect as marble; breathtaking.

They all followed Dergen and Nanerter onto the bridge and gazed around them. This vantage point showed the expansive forest branching out from the castle grounds and through the winter mist you could just make out the Jikili Mountains many, many leagues away.

"It must look even more beautiful in summer time." Sherin finally broke the tranquil silence, over the roar of the waterfall below. The thought of it made everyone sigh in agreement.

The wealth of Verxia was evident.

"You can see things in great detail very far in the distance." Dergen said indifferently. "And the castle can be seen in much the same way."

Kassen thought that this was a strange observation to make and wondered if the advisor was hinting at a lack of security for the castle. It was true that any possible invader could easily find a way to the castle via these gardens, if they found a way around the waterfall and river leading off from it. The King must have numerous patrols through the forest to counter this.