Chapter Five – A King’s Pain
The King sat engulfed in a large red armchair as a half-full glass of red wine swirled softly in one hand and an old photograph quivered vulnerably in the other. The space around him was gently lit by the great fire that raged furiously in the fireplace beside him, whilst before him, a small round table of solid oak stood proudly with thin, golden beading around its edge. A collection of old photographs - that partly documented his life in Thyagreen, centuries earlier - lay erratically strewn and completely covered its surface as he sat comfortably in the dim light.
The familiar sound of heels that clicked upon marbled floors came imminently from the corridor and grew louder and louder as they quickly approached. Suddenly they ceased and the old oak door beside the King creaked slowly open. Surrounded by the darkness of the corridor, Hannah stood and watched as the glow from the fireplace caressed her father gently.
“Ah, my angel,” he whispered softly as he turned in his chair and gestured for her to walk in. Slowly she did so, followed closely by William and flicked a golden switch beside her as the many chandeliers above them lit up.
“And my little soldier too!” The King exclaimed as he rose from his seat.
The light that now filled the room revealed it to be quite huge and yet quite empty for a space of its size.
Great rugs of fur littered the floor and great golden framed paintings - depicting vast open plains and rolling hills - hung solemnly from the walls. Immense crystal windows stood at the far end of the room, draped with thick heavy curtains of dark red velvet that were drawn tightly closed to block out the last of the day’s sun. The curtains were made all the darker by the sheer volume of dust that had settled upon them throughout the ages, whilst great thin cylinders stood in each corner of the room and stretched all of the way up to its elegant ceiling that stretched out high overhead. The two siblings walked slowly up to their father - who by now had sat back into his armchair - and sat heavily into a chair of their own.
Hannah gazed at the photos before her that presented themselves all the better in the light, whilst William simply sat and gazed deeply into the flames.
“I haven’t seen some of these,” she said quietly.
The King drank from his almost empty glass; “I haven’t been much of a father to either of you,” he said slowly, “for that - I am truly sorry.” The lump that William had suddenly felt in his throat made it hard to respond, as did the tears that he tried so hard to resist.
“You’ve been more of a father to me than I could ever have asked for,” Hannah quietly cooed with deep concern in her voice, “the past, is in the past. We are all together now, that’s what’s important.”
William remained silent whilst the flames continued to dance for him.
“I have wronged you my daughter and I have wronged you my son, I have wronged both of your mothers in turn and have regretted it these many years. Still, I have remained here as King,” he took the last sip from his glass before he placed it on to the table before him, “as King, I have wronged nobody and I am, at the very least, tolerated by all,” he paused for a moment in thought, “some even like me,” he chuckled softly as he fell back into his chair and stared deep into the flames that continued to lick high into their housing.
“How have you fared my daughter?” He asked as his thoughts turned suddenly to business.
“The Firefly lost twenty men,” she replied with sorrow in her heart, “I’m told they died bravely.”
For a few moments, the King was silent. Only the sound of the flames that flicked violently filled the emptiness of the room before Jax appeared quietly in the doorway and knocked gently on the door.
The King quickly looked around and gradually smiled, “Ah, come in my friend!”
Jax walked quietly into the room, “I have the advert ready for your approval my King.”
“Then let’s see it,” he sternly replied.
Jax walked up to a small black box that sat neatly upon a shelf next to the draped, red curtains and inserted a small disc, before disappearing and momentarily reappearing beside William.
The King rose from his armchair and sat gently beside his daughter - facing the device at the other end of the huge room. He looked at William with a smile, “Everything you will now see before you is entirely holographic, there is no need for alarm,” he whispered as he sat back into his new chair, “play!” He asserted.
Immediately, a single soldier appeared in the space before them wearing a brilliant red blazer and holding a short sword with an emerald-green handle firmly in his grasp. He stood poised, ready to strike, as a loud and deep voice filled the room; “The Glitherhiem Games!” It rumbled as it echoed out and two foul beasts appeared on either side of him - snarling and drooling as they waited. Suddenly, he struck at one and then swiftly at the other before they vanished in turn and he froze in position. The voice sounded once more, “twenty men!” It bellowed before the soldier himself vanished and the Firefly appeared as it flew swiftly through light cloud in a strong blue sky, “to join the Firefly!” The image quickly vanished altogether as all of the lights went instantly out, “players must be eighteen years or over, games commence in three days,” the tone of the voice changed demonically, “the beasts are waiting!” It snarled before the lights came back on.
The King applauded; “Tell me old friend,” he squinted, “how did you do it so quickly?”
“One never reveals his secrets, your majesty,” Jax smirked.
The King looked around at Hannah and William, who were both awestricken, “How did you like it my boy?” He asked with a smile.
“It was amazing!” William quickly replied without hesitation.
“Run with it,” the King announced before Jax disappeared, “I’ll never get used to him doing that!” He chuckled as he rose once again, “You and your sister will stay here for the next few days,” he paused, “that is of course, if you want to.”
“Oh yes! I do!” Replied William eagerly.
“Good! Then it’s settled. My home is your home,” he beamed as he poured himself a new glass of red wine and sat comfortably back into his armchair.
“I’ll show you to your room then,” Hannah said softly as she rose to her feet.
William jumped up and closely followed as they headed back to the open door and walked swiftly back along the corridor.
A sea of marble swirled under their feet as they walked across the hallway whilst majestic white staircases curved up to new heights at each far side. Surrounding on all sides, were white wooden doors - all with golden handles and all with golden frames that each led to yet more secret places. William hurried to keep up as they quickly ascended one of the staircases that led them to a new level of finery. Golden statues of knights on horseback with gem-studded swords lifted high into the air dotted the floor, whilst monumental tapestries of war scenes and landscapes - framed with thin golden weave - covered all of the walls. Each footstep echoed loudly and reverberated as it instantly came into existence. Hannah slowly led William to a single door that stood proudly in solitude right between two of the elegant tapestries, whilst a golden knight sat bravely on his steed, far before it.
“This room should suffice,” she said ever so quietly as she smiled, “goodnight, my brother,” she whispered before she continued along and disappeared behind another of the intriguing doors. William gazed around before he slowly opened his own door and stepped into the spacious room before him. A huge double bed, with four red pillows and a thick red duvet, lounged within and filled much of the space before him, whilst one of the tall palace windows - draped in none other than the dark red drapes that he had seen throughout the rest of the palace - drew his attention. He closed the door behind him and approached the mighty window. For a long while, he stood in gaze of the strange - almost ominous - illumination from the setting sun far beyond.
“William!” He heard before he quickly opened his eyes and sat upright on the bed in a panic.
> “Who’s there?” He asked in confusion as he waited for his door to open.
After a short while and with no response, he settled back down and closed his eyes once again.
“It is I, William - Aurora,” whispered the same majestic voice, “welcome home my Prince.”
William quickly opened his eyes once more in fear of the unknown and lay completely still.
“Aeons ago, I sent your father into your world to give Glitherhiem two Thyagreetion heirs. Hannah was the first to return and now you have come home to us.”
His heart thumped rapidly in his chest.
“You are the youngest of a long line of Loucartion royalty; it is your blood that will free me, William.”
Quickly and in a panic, he sprang from his bed and bolted out of his room. Along the marbled floor he flew and toward the white staircase that swiftly took him back down to the expanse of the great hall. For a while, he stood in confusion - gazing at the many elegant doors around him and trying hard to remember which one he and his sister had used earlier that evening. One of the palace guards that had been stationed at the palace entrance approached him quietly. He stood tall in gleaming red and black and wore a look of concern upon his worldly face.
“Are you quite alright young Prince?” He asked kindly.
“I …” William flustered, still gazing from door-to-door.
“I’ll take you to your father,” nodded the guard.
William quickly followed as he was led along the same dark corridor that he had followed his sister along that evening before, until they stopped at the open door of the King’s study - where the King still sat comfortably and pondered on years gone by.
“William?” He uttered in concern as he peered at him from across the room, “what is the matter my boy?”
Slowly, William entered the huge room as the guard continued along the corridor until the strike of his heels could no longer be heard. William sat opposite his father - in the same chair that he had earlier sat in - and once again gazed deeply into the flames that still raged with the same ferocity that he had remembered.
The King watched him patiently with a worried look upon his face.
“I … heard Aurora in my room,” William eventually uttered.
His father sat silently and listened intently to his son.
“She said that she sent you into my world to father two heirs.”
“She speaks the truth,” the King said lovingly, “after millennia of Loucartion royalty, a fresh gene pool is essential to thin the blood. Thyagreetion traits compliment those of Loucartion perfectly.”
William gazed at his loving fathers face.
“You should be proud, my boy, you are both of Thyagreen and of Loucarta,” the King paused and smiled, “you are also the youngest of the Loucartion royalty.”
“Yes,” William replied quietly as he gazed back into the fire, “she said that as well.”
“A single drop of the blood that flows throughout you, mixed with that of a Demonite’s, will grant you entrance to Haidreal,” his father added.
William’s eyes grew wide and his mouth grew quickly dry as he gazed back at the noble figure before him.
“And the right magic shall bring you back,” continued the King with a twinkle in his eye, “think of it William!” He shouted excitedly, “to rescue a Goddess! That is what awaits you in destiny!” he paused briefly, “tomorrow,” he uttered, “tomorrow, we will start your training.”
William awoke to a gentle knock on his door and found himself back in the huge double bed covered with the soft red duvet.
“Come in,” he said groggily.
The door slowly opened and in walked Hannah, all bright and bubbly, “Come on!” she excitedly exclaimed, “cook has prepared us a wonderful breakfast!”
William slowly clambered out of bed and once he was up and dressed, they proceeded toward the great curved staircase and down to the great hallway.
The King was already sat at one end of a very long and very wide cherry-wood dining table that was fitted with fourteen chairs and that was adorned with great brown candle sticks – fitted, with pearly white, unlit candles. The dining room door slowly opened and in walked Hannah with William just steps behind her. Hannah immediately took a seat whilst William was slower off of the mark and slowly approached the table in quiet amazement.
The King began to laugh, “Sit down my boy!” He chuckled as William chose a chair and finally sat down. All at once, four servants in long white coats rushed in from the great kitchen. They each pushed before them, a double tiered, silver trolley - loaded to capacity with exciting foods and delicious treats of all kinds and colours. William watched each dish intently as it passed him by, as each servant began to lay all of their wares gently on to the table. Hannah, too, gazed around in excitement in contemplation of her first enjoyment. When all of the food was loaded on to the mighty table, the servants - all at once, returned to the huge kitchen with their empty trolleys - leaving the King with his two children fixated on the delicious foods before them. There were great pancakes and golden syrup, all kinds of scrumptious cereals, numerous brightly coloured jugs with all kinds of drinks within them, more fruit than anyone could possibly eat - some of which William had never even seen before, ice creams of all different colours - with all different things within them, sponge cakes, chocolate cakes and all kinds of other niceties.
Three further servants - that appeared to come out of nowhere – quickly set about laying dishes and silver cutlery in front of the three dinners-to-be, before they hurried quickly away.
“Why is there so much food?” William asked, still undecided about what to eat first.
“When we are all finished - and are gone,” the King quietly began; “All of my staff have their own fill,” he smiled to himself, “there will be even more in the kitchen no doubt!”
William and Hannah began to fill their bowls and glasses, whilst the King looked on and enjoyed the scene before him, “After you finish, William,” he said after a short while, “I will take you to see my tailor.’
William nodded and the King began to fill his own bowl. They ate and drank heartily, as they laughed and talked and enjoyed one-another’s company in the morning light.
Once they were finished, Hannah quickly left the table to tend to the unix, whilst the King took his son to see his tailor as he had suggested. Back along the corridor they flew and once again, into the great hall, until they stopped in front of yet another golden handled door. This door felt different somehow as the King slowly turned the handle and they entered the room within. Before them, stood manikin upon manikin - dressed up to the hilt, in the finest clothes that William had ever seen, whilst vast Mirrors - of all shapes and sizes - adorned nearly all of the wall space within the huge room.
“Tailor!” Cried the King before a small, aged man poked his head up from behind a pile of fabrics rolls.
“This is Theodore,” The King announced as he looked at his son, “Theodore, my dear friend, my son needs a new wardrobe. I’ll leave it to you then,” he said before he left the room and left Theodore and William; who simply gazed at each other.
“William, is it?” Theodore gently asked after a while as he slowly approached.
“Yes sir,” William replied quietly.
“No need for that son, you can call me Theodore, everybody does!” He smiled, “now let’s get you in front of Clarence,” he gestured as William followed him.
“Who’s Clarence?” William asked in confusion.
“He’s not so much of a whom;” Theodore paused, “more of a what!” He added as he positioned William in front of one of the tallest mirrors in the room, “now stay still for Clarence as I measure you up.”
William remained still, in the various poses that Theodore had placed him in, whilst the funny little man measured and jotted on to a small notepad that he held tightly in his hand. After a while - and a lot of measurements - he announced; “Right, that’s that. Let’s see what
colours you like,” as he once again gestured for William to follow him. He led him to a wall of fabric swatches of all different colours and textures; “Now you just take your time and tell old Theodore what you like.”
William slowly raised his hand to the swatches that covered the wall and ran his fingers through lots of different ones - before returning to them, time and time again and announcing: ‘This one’ every now and then as Theodore jotted and scribbled madly.
After a while, William lowered his hand.
“Are there no more that you like?” Theodore asked inquisitively.
“Um … I don’t think so,” William slowly replied.
“Good!” Theodore shouted, “I’ve got your measurements and I’ve got your preferences,” the old tailor looked at William with a funny look in his eye and a slight smirk upon his face, “now, I take it that you don’t want any floral dresses?” Theodore paused, before laughing like never before at the William’s expression; “Don’t worry,” he said wiping his tears away, “I’m just messing with you. I’ll have your new clothes sent to your room just as soon as you can spell jackonannyflap!”
William thanked the crazy old man and left to find his father.