A Fool's Call {Discontinued}

six

"So, when can I leave?"

Balthazar was getting bored sitting around in this little room, which was apparently Hendrick's headquarters, although Jarah seemed more comfortable here than its owner. Hendrick himself had already left a while ago, taking Andre and Leonard with him. Seemed like they were going to have a practice fight for fun, though neither Andre nor Leonard looked pleased about having to team up.

"I already told you, there are preparations to be made before you get to start life as a commoner," Jarah replied.

He had been the only one who had stayed, telling Hendrick, "Someone has to stay to watch him until Karida comes. And you're not doing it, so it has to be me."

Balthazar stared at Jarah from across the table. "What preparations, exactly?"

Jarah sighed, and leaned forwards onto the table. He raised a finger, and started to speak. "Your identity, for one."

"My identity? What do you mean? I know what my identity is. I'm Balthazar."

"Yes, you are. But where did you come from? Are you just about to reveal that you are from beyond the human kingdom?"

"Well, I-"

"You will not be allowed to reveal certain things," Jarah warned. "You might be a human, but you will be exiled if you do not obey our laws. We do have a kingdom to run, after all."

Balthazar rolled his eyes and receded back into his chair. "Whatever you say."

"Secondly, y-"

"Secondly?"

Jarah rolled his eyes at being interrupted by Balthazar. "You asked what needed preparation, yes?"

"Oh, that. I don't really-"

"There's nothing for you to do now anyway. You might as well listen."

"Spare my ears the trouble," Balthazar mumbled to himself.

Jarah cleared his throat and looked at Balthazar pointedly, making him mutter, "Nothing at all. Do go on with what you were saying."

"As I was saying, secondly, you need some basic supplies before you set out."

"Now this will be useful." Balthazar sat up, slowly rubbing his hands together. "What have you got?"

"Just basic supplies. Food, water, clothes, money. That's what I'm expecting, but what exactly-"

"That's it?" Balthazar fell back into his chair with a sigh. "I was expecting a little more than that."

Jarah cleared his throat. "Yes. It should be enough to keep you alive for a month. Past that, you will have to survive on your own."

"How disappointing. Is that all a king can provide to his new subjects?"

"All his subjects, new or old, are expected to earn their own keep. It is, after all, the human way."

"The human way, hmm? So you say."

"So I do. What about it?" Jarah asked, staring at Balthazar cautiously. Balthazar noticed his hand shifting slowly towards his weapons resting at the foot of his chair.

That was a bad choice of words. Balthazar had to defuse this situation fast. "Nothing much," he said. He glanced back up at Jarah quickly and noted that the hand was now back on the arm of the chair. He sighed and leaned back slowly into his own chair. That could have gotten complicated.

But things had barely calmed down before Balthazar heard a knock on the door. He glanced at Jarah, who explained, "It's probably Karida."

"Oh." That meant he would be ready to go soon. He certainly wouldn't mind being away from the confinement here.