In Between

Chapter: II

The light grey thick stone castle walls were perfectly visible, Aden's eyes gazed at the top battlements searching for archers.  But the battlements were clear. As his horse reached the drawbridge he slowed down his pace, the drawbridge had been lowered and the huge thick wooden gate reinforced by metal plates was wide open.  something uncommon for a castle, it was as if the king were inviting his enemies inside the castle, it left the king and his army vulnerable to attack.  He walked through the great hall which was a huge room, to the right side of the room stood knight armors in glass displays.  to the left were musical instruments used in certain festivities, a harp stood beside Clavichord.  As he exited the room to his left stood the armory, a small room packed with common used weapons.  The smithy as they called it, the workplace where they'd create weapons.  To the right was the forge a brick like hearth where they'd use the heat to shape the weapons by forging them.   Off the Grey stone walls hung perfectly forged axes, maces, flails and pole arms.  In the center of a room was a wooden table where swords of various sizes stood.   As he finally approached the throne room, he couldn't help but wonder why the room was unprotected. He slowly entered the throne room was a spacious room that covered in darkness, in the center hung a grandiose golden chandelier.  A red carpet that ran up three stairs and then another three stairs to reach the kings throne which stood in front of a baldachin which covered it. as he got closer and saw the king sitting on his throne,  still no guards at plain sight. His eyes gazed around him, the corners of the room were covered in a blanket of darkness, as was the staircase and second floor.  

"Sir Aden, I see you finally made it. What took you so long?" The king grinned. 

Aden stood in fear his face exuding frustration, something the king enjoyed watching. "Your Majesty, what's going on? Why have you requested upon my presence?" Aden sighed knowing the truth, yet everything happened so sudden, he was momentarily improvising with the situation.  He always thought living apart from everyone else so far back in the woods was the perfect getaway. It didn't make any difference, and now it was time for him to be judged, whether it was unfair or not. "I'm afraid there's somewhat of a problem that has been brought to my attention," a grin extended across the kings face from cheek as the words slid down his tongue. 

Aden slowly moved closer. "What's that, my lord?" Aden said as his eyes gazed around searching for answers, trying to display fake confidence was resulting quite hard. The king smiled while rubbing his long white beard. "Well, I'm afraid I know the truth about your family, Aden, and you know that I can't hide something like this. I'm sure a person with such prestige as you will understand that," The kings grin resurfaced, his eyes shining as if he has just found a pot of gold.

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you're referring to, my lord?" Aden said. He tried his best to lie, but it seemed harder than usual. His hope was lost, and it was more obvious then he knew of, his emotions were getting the best of him. Every tear hidden behind his hazel eyes fought for freedom. This was a fight that even a well-trained man would lose.  The odds were against him. All he could think of was his family. How could he be the bearer of such a tragedy towards his family? He could never imagine anyone harming them, yet he knew that they were already locked away and probably being taunted at that very moment by his fellow knights. 

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" the king shouted slamming his palm against his throne.  The grin was no longer present, just a cold serious look of condemnation.  

 Aden quickly bowed to him. "It's not what it seems, Your Majesty," Aden sighed, his voice weakened, the words crumbling as they slipped off his tongue. 

"It's not what it seems? I see, but how can that be? My strongest and most honored knight married to a French woman. That should be no problem. But wait, that's right. We are at war with France. I forgot about that minor detail!" the grinned while sarcasm crawled out through his voice. As Aden approached closer, he asked, "I don't understand how this happened?" confused and frustrated, after everything he did, every bit of precaution taken, yet here he stood in the exact situation he was trying to prevent.