"We were all given rooms in the palace when we got here, Captain Lion," Serna responded in kind, "As I see it, it's only fair that we use those rooms. So, I will be spending the night at the palace. How about you?"
"I shall retire to my airship, young lady," Captain Lion stood up and tipped his hat to her, "I bid you good night." And left the banquet hall.
Alyson left the banquet hall to find Lazheros quietly looking out across the valley from the balcony, "Time to retire for the evening, yes?"
Without uttering a word, he turned wrapping his arms around her and they vanished in flash of light reappearing on the airship. The crew took notice and went about their duty on the airship, while the bronze man and the elementalist occupied one of two guest rooms.
**********
"I see," Lord Irzen raised his glass as well, "Thank you, Prince Birch, for the kindness that you and your family has shown me. You could have had me killed on sight once I entered your lands or cast me out once the battle was won. But you did not! You have treated me with kindness and respect and I thank you for that. Also, a toast to you and your family, long may you reign! Long may you rule!"
"This was an interesting conversation, Lord Irzen. I am rejoining the others." Prince Yew raised his glass once more before and left him to his thoughts.
"Good eventide to you, Your Highness, I shall remain here." Irzen told Prince Yew as he departed for the party.
*********
The Horse Lord came back in joining the Ranger, "So, what did you and the girl discuss, Willow?"
"Comings and goings, brother, comings and goings," Willow replied to Yew's inquest, "Serna the Shield Maiden is my friend, a companion and a fellow traveler. I told her that I plan to remain here by father's side. She told me she was considering returning to Asylum with Captain Lion. Regardless of what she decides to do, our parting will be a hard one. She has a special place in my heart as I do with her."
Prince Yew stared wordlessly at Willow, "Must be nice with so much freedom."
"Freedom by itself is nice," Willow agreed with Yew, "But freedom with the company of friends is better. You should try it some time. Take a voyage with Birch once in awhile. Leave your lands in Liliandra's hands. We both know she is up to the task. Spend time with Birch and let him show you the wonders of true freedom unburdened by responsibilities or titles. So what say you, brother, will you at least consider travelling with Birch on one of his madcap voyages?"
"Maybe you're right about getting away from Westfall and visiting Eastport, although, Lily is concerned that I have not made a full enough recovery with recent events." Yew sipped his wine.
"Fair enough," Willow conceded, "Then your voyage with Birch will wait until Lilly feels comfortable that you have made a full recovery. Until then, I will stand by your side and help you run Westfall to best of my ability."
"It is good to be with family and friends, Willow. May our father reign long and true." Yew raised his glass to him.
"Long may he rule." Willow raised his glass to his brother as well, "He and his sons."
The Horse Lord finished his wine, "I bid you good evening, Willow. Ash. The hour is getting late for me and tomorrow will bring a swift end to the traitor, Eilionwy, and thus I will depart for Westfall soon after."
"Good evening, Yew, I will see you on the morrow." Willow acknowledged before his eldest brother addressed him.
"As will I, Willow," Ash gave his youngest brother a nod and left the banquet hall pausing briefly to see the Swordsman gazing out across the balcony, "Lord Irzen, your skills with the blade were quite impressive and your knowledge of the warlord helped my kin greatly. Thank you. I bid you good evening."
"You are most welcome, Your Grace," Lord Irzen turned to face the Crown Prince, "It was an honor and a privilege to fight by your side and the side of your kinfolk and allies. Good eventide, Your Grace."
*******
Everyone rested peacefully throughout the night and into the morning. Breakfast was served and King Sunrider requested the presence of Willow and his allies.
Prince Willow was the first to arrive at the throne room. Though the doors were closed and guarded, the Ranger made no attempt to enter. He wanted to wait until his friends arrived since the summons was for all of them to appear and not just him.
Lord Irzen was the next to appear as he strode towards the Ranger with a toothpick in his mouth, "Good morningtide, Willow, how did you sleep?"
"Quite well, thanks for asking," The Ranger replied with a grin, "And you?"
"Very well!" The Swordsman smiled back, "Since Lazheros decided not to room with me last night, I can say that my accommodations went from being good to being perfect."
Serna rounded a corner and marched towards the two Elves, "Good morning, guys, how are you doing today?"
"Well," Both Irzen and Willow responded in unison, "And you?"
"I slept like the dead!" The Shield Maiden replied flatly, "Say, did anyone see Laz or Alyson or Caliaphy at breakfast or anytime this morning for that matter? I wonder where can they be?"
There was a flash of white light as the kurori appeared, "I'm BACK! Serna, I am sorry about yesterday, well sort of."
Captain Lion had just stepped into the hallway to see Caliaphy appear, "Oh joy, the pest of Asylum has decided to grace us with her presence yet again."
Caliaphy turned around with a wink, "Says the air-head captain."
Another flash of bluish light happened as Lazheros and Alyson appeared to see everyone in the hallway. The elementalist stretched her arms high, "I slept great being so high up and had a nice breakfast on the airship."
"Your welcome," Captain Lion tipped his hat to her.
The bronze man eyed the kurori warily, "Behave, Caliaphy, or you shall find yourself back home."
"Oh, I will Bronze Man," Caliaphy said sheepishly.
He then bowed slightly to Willow, "Good morning, Prince Willow, Lord Irzen."
1
Message Thread | This response ↓
« Back to index