Your Weight in Gold

ARC 1 PART 4

"Wait guys!" I stumbled to slip my shoes on and hurry down the huge marble staircase of the castle. "Wait-wait up! Slow down!"

It wasn't too bad to sleep in the palace in the room they gave me. Hell, it was amazing. The beds were all King size (Ha!), and a couple of maids even came to my assistance when I woke up in order to help me dress. They gave me a loose beige dress that reached my ankles covered with golden embroidery. On top of that, I even was given a golden robe to wear over everything. This kingdom must have been waiting for us for a long time...

However, no one decided to tell me that the other knights? warriors? had already left and were meeting in the banquet hall to discuss whatever the hell they needed to talk about. I shuffled across the polished floor, accidentally ruffling the red carpets that covered it in an attempt to catch up to them.

"Jeez...you guys could have waited just a minute you know?" I wiped beads of sweat from my brow and sat down at their table, despite the dirty looks I received. "Anyway," Louis rolled his eyes like he hasn't already shown me his obvious dislike for my presence. "We need to get working. None of us are combat trained, and aside from our abilities..." He glanced at me with his eyebrows raised. "...we have no experience." "Sounds great!" I smiled, pissed off slightly. "I. can't. wait. to. get. started."

They must have been just pretending I wasn't there, because the knights all looked over at me with an uncomfortable gaze. "Umm...you're probably better of doing something else, kid."
Jared laughed, his copper colored bangs moving with his head. "Maybe you can talk to that priest guy— I'm sure he'd be glad to show you to the library or something."

"Make sure to tell him you need books with pictures." Louis added.

This was tiring. I wasn't new to the feeling of other people hating me, but it still hurt to pretend like I wasn't affected.

"Thanks for the tips!" I grinned with the biggest smile I could muster. "I'll be going now!" My hands slammed into the table much harder than I intended and I pushed off of my chair.

"Wait- Lilly." Andrew tried to call after me, but I didn't turn around. I knew if I made eye contact with his clear silver eyes, I might have wanted to stay.

Instead, I did just as that bastard with the glasses said I should and I followed the castle servant's to the temple attached to this grand structure. It was honestly quite beautiful, with its crystal fountains and stone sculptures. The temple's interior was also completely different than normal churches I had seen back home. The High Priest was waiting inside, standing at the altar and staring at me with the same displeased look that everyone in this damn castle seemed to have on their faces.

"Hello, sir." I greeted impolitely, crossing my arms and meeting his burning gaze. "Yes, greetings Golden Warrior. May blessings be upon you." He spat, coming forward. "You're better off here than in the garrison with the rest of the metal spirit holders. I've decided to do you a most generous favor and accept you as my apprentice. Untalented as you are, you are still a host of a spirit from the Gods." I stuck out my tongue at him. This must have been why my clothes resembled something a cartoon wizard would rather rather than the battle outfits and armor the other guys were wearing.

"Fine, grandpa. I'll become a priest." He flinched at my tone and seemed to stick the imaginary rod in his ass up farther. "Don't be too disappointing."