The Feathering

~ prologue ~

(Luan Nox)

The moon shone behind the dark clouds as I, Luan Nox, walked across the silent streets of the kingdom of Maghale. At nighttime, the kingdom surely was a puzzling mystery.The kingdom was mostly known for its' eerie folk and ridiculous storytellers who told unforgettable stories.
The king, Neon Lyde, who caused havoc by collecting far too many enchanted objects, kept many secrets from all folk, including his citizens. Nobody ever knew his intentions and motives, especially the strange staff of his that did his dirty work for him. I had never thought of him as anything worth worrying about until I became a subject of his interest.

I then turned to an alleyway, pressed my back against a stonecold wall and took a dagger from my weaponry-belt. The hilt of the dagger felt ice cold in my grasp as if it were frostbitten. The alleyway seemed bewitched and rippling in the shadows as if a glamour had been cast over it. I took a step forward and began slowly walking along the silent path.

"Glad to see you here" I quickly turned to my side, "Luan Nox." There the king stood right beside my right arm, looming in the shadows. His hair was as bright as a reflection of a gold ring, eyes were a deep shade of grey and his uniform was a vibrant royal blue. I cocked a brow at him and smiled.

"What's with the royal attire, Your Highness," I said with a humorous undertone, "I wouldn't call stealing a royal manner,". I saw as a flicker of anger lit at the side of his eyes.

"I believe this occasion is rather high valued, wouldn't you agree?" he asked and approached me slowly. A wicked grin lit up his tanned face, causing me to relax my shoulders and tighten my grip on my dagger. It was as if he was trying to read my expression, but received no response.

"I've heard a lot about you, and all the stories were true," he said as he rose his thick eyebrows, "How fascinating,". Even though the king was known for possessing no emotion for no one at all, he was as easy to read like a children's colouring book.

"And what makes you think that?" I asked as I took a small step towards him. I clenched my jaw as his expression had revenge written all over it.

"Your expressions are as blank as a white canvas," he said letting out a small laugh, "and you say words as if they are more profound than they are,"

"How amusing, I was rather surprised when I found out you are the exact opposite," I smiled sarcastically.

"Would you, by any chance, be interested in a trade-"

"What, you want The Eye Of The Beholder?" I asked as I took out the golden pocket watch from my right pocket. The small gadget was rather interesting; it had my destiny written all over it, carved in a language that only suited my tongue. The only person who could ever benefit from the gadget was me.

"Yes-""And why is that?" I asked. The king fell silent and looked me straight in the eye, "I'm pretty sure that you know what you're getting yourself into."The king then snatched the pocket watch from my grasp and smiled wickedly.

"Because you can't live without it," he said with uncertainty, "And I'm going to find out why,".

"Good luck with that," I said and turned around to face the haunting moonlight. The sun was about to rise and was glinting on the horizon. Even though I knew the consequences of giving him the enchanted gadget, something in my gut told me that whatever happened, I would get it back somehow. My raven black hair danced in the early dawn's wind, causing me to let out a small smile on my pale face.

"I'll get going then," I said and glanced at the king, "I don't need anything in return,"

"I was expecting a fight," he said and put the gadget inside his jacket, "How pleasant,"

"Do as you desire," I said piercing him with my ice-cold gaze, "Meddling with enchanted objects isn't exactly my cup of tea,"

"Then why do you have a gadget like this in your possession?" he asked and took a step towards me, crossing his arms across his chest.

"That's for you to find out,"

I then walked away from the alleyway and took flight towards the very first rays of sunlight. As a wise maiden once told me:

"Getting in tangled in the enchanted objects is always dangerous, one has to face the consequences to receive what they desire the most and bare as the wicked power claws you to the bone.".

To be continued...