Dawn of the Last Dragon Rider - Chapter 081 - King Aldric

“My legs are getting tired of standing,” Kaen whispered to Hess as he listened to what seemed like the fiftieth man inform the King about shipments, trades, and other stuff that could put someone to sleep.  “I thought we were meeting the King, not listening to all this.”

Hess chuckled quietly and received an elbow from Sulenda, who never took her eyes off the King.

They were standing in a crowd of people on both sides of the massive throne room with people who came today to update the King on matters of the state.

“If we had a private audience, it would not look good for your first time. Do what you were told, and things will be fine.”

Nodding, Kaen started to zone out again as he stared across the open space, locking eyes with Ava, who was on the other side behind her mother and father.  She winked at him again, and he smiled, helping him drown out the noise of news he cared not for.

An elbow knocked him out of his daydream causing him to glance up at Hess, who was motioning with his head slightly to move forward.

A man in a totally outrageous outfit, puffy, feather on top of his hat, holding a staff of some sort, was looking at him.

“Adventurer Kaen, if you would please follow me to present yourself to the King!”

Kaen bowed and moved forward behind the man as he walked toward the King, who had leaned forward on his throne.

Slight murmurs and conversations could be heard around the hall as people motioned to him as he walked down the purple carpet that ran from one end to the other.

As they arrived at the end of the carpet, a good fifteen yards from the king, the man stepped to the side, motioning for Kaen to stop next to him.

“Your Highness!  May I present to you, Adventurer Kaen, slayer of goblins and orcs and our newest silver adventurer!”

Kaen gave a deep bow, holding it like he had been told to.

“Arise Adventurer Kaen.”

Kaen stood tall, surprised by the strength in the King’s voice.  It sounded like one who could crush rocks with just the very words from his mouth.  He saw the King sitting on his stone throne, wearing armor that looked like it could stop anything sent at him.  Even though it was a full plate, it seemed to move easily and not hinder the King at all.  It shined like the sun, the gold plates radiating their own light.  The king, with his black hair and brown eyes, had a face that looked aged but wise.

“Thank you for humoring your King and coming here today.  I must admit I have been anxious to meet the one who slew six orcs for his first quest in order to rise the the rank of silver.”

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but it was only five orcs,” Kaen interrupted, causing a stir in the room and the man on his right to shift nervously.

The King smiled, unphased by Kaen’s interruption.

“I had heard it was six,” he stated, glancing around the room.  “Are you saying I was misinformed?”

“Forgive me again, Your Highness, but I only killed five by myself.  The sixth one you have been told about was a tier three orc, and while I did deliver the killing blow, Luca, the silver token adventurer who gave his life to save Aubri and myself, did the damage that allowed me to survive and defeat the orc.  Any honor for that one should be given to Luca and Aubri.  The role I played was small at best.”

King Aldric nodded as he leaned against one of the stone armrests.

“Perhaps you would be willing to share with me the details of all the orcs and goblins you have killed so far?  I have heard you have a knack for making it enjoyable to listen to.”

Kaen saw the smile the King gave him with that request.

“I would be honored to hopefully tell a story worthy of entertaining the King.”

Taking a deep breath, Kaen closed his eyes briefly, honing his thoughts on one thing.

Protecting families.

His lifestone roared with heat.  Smiling he opened his eyes and his mouth.

Panting, Kaen stood there, his feet spread apart, spinning around the room as seemed to be holding the head of the orc Luca had given his life to kill in his hand.

When he turned back and faced King Aldric, he gave a slight bow.

“And that, Your Highness, is the story of the five orcs I killed and the one Luca sacrificed everything so that Aubri and I might live.”

He paused, his lifestone still burning in his chest.

[ Story Telling Skill Increased x5 ]

King Aldric stood up and moved down from his throne.  As he did, guards shifted, and people all throughout the hall held their breath, waiting to hear and see what the King would do.

As Aldric stood just a few feet from him, Kaen started to drop to his knee, and the King reached out with both hands, grabbing Kaen by the shoulders and lifting him back up.

He then spun him around and moved to the side of Kaen.

“Let it be known that no finer tale has been told in these halls in a long time,” belted out Aldric.  “Give this adventurer who has heart, and skill with a bow, and honor applause!”

The hall erupted in applause and the occasional whistle that Kaen knew was coming from Hess.  King Aldric himself clapped his hands as he stood next to Kaen, encouraging the applause of the nobles and other leaders there.

“You have quite the gift if I do say so,” whispered Aldric above the noise.  “If you were not an adventurer, I would offer to hire you to tell stories here all the time.”

Kaen gave a slight bow and smiled.

After a moment, the King raised his hands, and the room became absolutely still in a moment.

“After this fine tale, I doubt anyone would want to follow up behind it.  As such, I shall end today’s gathering and thank you all who do what you do to keep our kingdom safe.”

The man who had initially escorted Kaen up quickly moved down the carpet, motioning for people to head to the room's exit.

As Kaen prepared to leave, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Stay with me a moment,” Aldric said.  “I have a few questions if you don’t mind answering.”

“I would be honored,” Kaen replied.  “Can I have my guardian and mentor stay with me?  I know both of them or perhaps at least one of them, would like to meet you.”

Chucking, Aldric nodded as he motioned to where Sulenda and Hess were standing, waiting to see what would happen.  Both of their faces lit up, and as they moved toward Kaen, the man who had escorted Kaen verified the King had given permission before allowing them to continue.

“Follow me if you would,” Aldric said as he walked away.  “I prefer somewhere a little more private.”

“Thank you for this privilege,” Sulenda gushed as she did a deep curtsy.  “We are honored just to be able to meet you, let alone to have a private audience.”

Aldric smiled and motioned for them to sit down.  Once Sulenda sat in her chair, all of the men took their seats.

“Now, Kaen, let me say you probably do not know this, but I have met your father before a few times, and you are a spitting image of him.  I would be honest when I say the apple does not fall far from the tree.”

Stunned at the knowledge that his father had met King Aldric a few times, he wondered if the reason for the meeting was because of his own merit or because of his father.

“Adventurer Hess, I have also known about you for a while, but it seemed you never wanted to visit me from what I have gleaned.  What changed this time?”

Glancing at Sulenda and her watchful eye, Hess smiled as he motioned to Kaen with his hand.

“As his guardian for the last eight years, I wanted to ensure Kaen was not alone during such an important event.  I’m not one for getting dressed up.  A good ale and a hard chair are more my style.”

King Aldric began to laugh and tapped the armrest with his fist a few times.

“I appreciate the honesty.  I wish I had the freedom to enjoy such simple things,” he declared as he motioned to the men who were in the room with them.  “Alas, I cannot even be alone with others due to concerns for my safety.”

Hess chuckled and shook his head.

“I doubt many people would assume that you have anything to fear from most.  I have been told by Hoste just how formidable you could be.”

Kaen sat there in awe when a boyish grin flashed across Adlric’s face.

“Well, let’s get down to business,” Aldric suddenly declared as he motioned to a man off to the side.  “I have heard of your desire to fund an academy, and Lord Hurem and a few others told me of their commitment to this cause.  I want you to know I am excited to see such an endeavor and I will support you, but it will be done behind the scenes.”

“Behind the scenes?”

“If I put my name on this Kaen,” explained Aldric, “it will no longer be your academy.  It would be ours, and that is not what this kingdom needs.  The adventurers guild is part of and separate for a reason.  I have no true power over it, nor do I want that responsibility.  I know of the quests you often partake and the kingdom and myself are grateful to all the adventurers who risk their lives for us.”

The man whom the King had summoned handed a rolled-up paper to him.

“In this document is a commitment by me for you and lifestones which are currently in short supply.”

Aldric leaned forward and handed the letter to Kaen, who stood up to collect his prize.

“Do not break the seal, but for now, hold onto it and use it to collect from my house when the time comes for your first twenty of them.  I have some set aside just for you.”

“Thank you,” gushed Kaen as he spun the document in his hand, admiring the wax seal with the King’s crest in it.  “I will not forget such a gift as this.”

Nodding, Aldric waved off Kaen’s statement and leaned forward the three of them.

“I know things look bleak right now.  I spoke with Fiola and want you to understand we are doing everything possible to help.” He paused, and a look of concern washed over his face.  “I know you leave tomorrow and would caution you to be safe.  Come back, and perhaps we can enjoy another chance to hear you share the tales of how you killed more creatures in order to protect the kingdom.”

Kaen bowed and sat back down on his chair.

“One last thing,” Aldric said as the man beside him pulled out a small box from behind him.  “I have a gift.  May it aid you in the coming battles, and may you never lose the honor you showed today in the story of Luca and his sacrifice.”

The servant walked over and opened the box.  Inside was a simple leather belt that had leaves etched in silver all over it.

Staring at it, Kaen hesitated to take the belt until he saw Hess nodding at him.

His fingers slowly grasped the leather, and as he pulled it out, he could feel the magic it carried.

“That is a belt a friend of mine had a lifetime ago.  It may not seem like much, but it offers two points to dexterity.  Perhaps they will serve you in the coming days.”

“I am honored and grateful for such a gift.  I will wear it proudly and do what I can to honor your friend's name.”

The servant closed the box and moved back beside King Aldric.

“If you will excuse me, I have a variety of other matters that I must attend to today, and if I do not take care of them, some of my servants,” Aldric said as he motioned to the man behind him with his eyes, “will become impatient and make my life difficult.”

King Aldric stood up and as he did, the other three rose as well.

“Adventurer Kaen, Hess, and Sulenda, it has been a pleasure.  May the spirits watch over you and keep you safe.”

The three of them bowed as the King left through a door on the side of the room.  Once he was gone, one of the servants escorted them out of the King’s keep and back to the courtyard outside it.

You seem in a good mood. Pammon suddenly spoke as Kaen rode his horse behind Sulenda and Hess.  What has you all excited?

Running a finger over the belt, Kaen smiled.

I received a gift from King Aldric.  I had not expected it, but it will help in our quest.  What about you?  I can tell you are flying, and you feel far away.  What are you up to?

Different emotions, mixed and more, flooded their bond for a moment before becoming nothing.

I am on a mission for Hess.  He asked me to scout where we were to make sure nothing has changed.  You can tell him that later, I will have a full report.  You should also ask him about the conversation we had today.  I think it surprised him to hear me.

WHAT?!  Hess heard you?!  How is that possible?

Kaen’s emotions boiled over as he flooded the connection.

Relax, please!  You are overly excited.  I wanted to tell him thank you for protecting you and loving you the way he did.  Somehow, I just knew how to do it.  I cannot do it with everyone, but I marked him.  He carries one of my teeth, and I know he is right next to you.

Amazed at what Pammon was telling him, Kaen had hundreds of questions to ask but only one seemed important right now.

Can he hear you right now?

No. chuckled Pammon.  Only when we are close will it work.  He still has to talk to me like you two talk, but he can hear me now.

Kaen sighed at the joy that Pammon and Hess could share a little of what he felt erupted from him.

Thank you for doing that for him.  It means a lot to both of us.

While you might call him your dad, I guess I would call him an uncle.

Laughing out loud, Kaen saw Sulenda and Hess had turned and were looking at him.

“Sorry,” Kaen said with a shrug.  “Just thinking about today and how much I wished this belt would let me talk with others far away.”

Hess’s face never changed, but he saw the twinkle in his eye as Hess tapped his temple.

“You’re keeping your head in the clouds, son.  Remember to keep your feet on the ground.”

Grinning, Kaen nodded.

“Wouldn’t it be great if Hess could read your mind, Sulenda?”

Roaring in laughter, Sulenda shook her head no emphatically.

“Please no… There are not many worse things I could think of than for a man to read my mind.”

The three of them laughed as they rode back to the inn. They had a few things to finish preparing for, and then it would be time to turn in.  Tomorrow would be the day they separated ways.