The Hidden Orphan (The Chronicles of Mistar - Book 2)

Six · · · Jadon (.2)

As they got closer to the top, Ella disappeared out of view. Jadon found her waiting outside Boulder Arena standing in the heat of the day next to the street. Her hands sat on the handles of her knives as she swayed back and forth. Jadon watched her jump when trumpets sounded in the distance. As Ella turned around to see what the commotion was, Jadon and Ben picked up the pace as they ran to Ella's side. Startled, Ella grabbed hold Ben's arm making him blush even more than he already was.

Rounding the corner, was the king and his entourage of advisors, soldiers, guards, his pale, sickly wife sitting behind him with their young prince in her arms sitting on her baby bump, only a few days due. Weeks before, they had already announced it was a girl but with the due date so close people were worried about the queen's safety.

Their toddler son was squirming in Queen Farla's arms, a spitting image of his father. They both had bright blonde hair, though King Cole did have his in a small man bun hidden behind the tiny towers of his crown. Prince Quine had his mother's electric, baby blue eyes, while the king's were a dark brown ringed in teal blue. They reminded Jadon of Tapalla's own eyes which were the same deep, dark brown that seemed to stare into your soul. Jadon only wished Tapalla were at his side so he could stare into her's rather than her funny looking uncle in front of him.

With his queen's analyn, a horse-like creature that was leaner but strong with large, twisted gray horns from the top of their head to their snout, trailing him, King Cole sat on top of his own. It was a beautiful navy blue with streaks of white racing throughout its body like a massive lightning bolt. The large beast snuffed and squealed when the king pulled its reins, making the antalyn rear back in protest. King Cole's antalyn was a stallion of sorts. Never wanting to follow the rules, which was what probably attracted the king to the idea of owning one since he was a boy to make him look tough in front of his people. It was rumored to also have attracted his wife, who would rather have a more tame analyn. She slowed her own to a trot and completely stopped it when she was side-by-side with her husband.

Their soldiers stopped too, parting for the king as he made his way over to Jadon and his friends. Before he spoke, King Cole cleared his throat. "Teeka, Jadon Mackel. It's nice to see you again. How long has it been?"

Jadon would've acted polite but the king, was prince, knew his family so they were considered friends. "I don't know. Since my dad retired probably. What was that? Six? Five births ago?"

"I couldn't say so if I wanted too," King Cole replied. "It's nice to see a friendly Mackel face again."

"Why do you say that?" Jadon asked the king as Ben and Ella shifted uncomfortably in the sight of the king.

"I've tried to contact your father," King Cole admitted, "but he's never made any contact back. I just want to apologize. Can you tell him that?"

Standing his ground, Jadon buffed up his chest in defense and asked, "Apologize for what? What did you do?"

Sighing the king replied, "It's nothing I did. It's just... your father was there the night of my brother's escape. I can still tell your father feels grief for not stopping those warriors in black."

Jadon could feel his face turning red with emotion. "I was there too, ya know. I feel the same grief my father does."

Instantly the king's face turned blue-green due to the guilt and grief he felt. "I'll apologize to you then. I'm sorry Jadon. Whatever your family needs."

Jadon didn't respond. He stood in silence waiting for the king to say something else. To Jadon, it seemed as if the king was waiting for him to respond.

When he didn't, the king cleared his throat again, letting the awkward silence pass. "Anyway, that's not what I came here to talk to you about. I thought I'd find you here, at the training grounds."