/-Kaelynn's pov-/
Castle Court loomed before me.
It was said that Castle Court was the place all three great kings converged. That was before the undead swept a third of their people and kingdom.
Now, the people of Veldera weren't just the Northern people, the East, and West also mixed in with them. They were the survivors of the horrors.
To be honest, I wished I could just see either an Easterner or Westerner… to ask about the horrors they faced.
"Remember what we have taught you, child." Evangra whispered close to my ears. "Castle court is not a place for people like you."
I raised my head up, amused at her words. "Are you concerned for me, Evangra?"
Nephroma and Syrr both chuckled at the same time.
I glared at them.
The grand halls of Castle Court were majestic, ancient and… beautiful. I'd never known such a beautiful place in my entire life.
My father often talked about Castle Court.
When the days were good, he'd wrap his sweating hands around me, and whisper that Castle Court was as beautiful as it was dangerous.
Even more dangerous as the King and Queens quarters were situated inside. What separated them was a spiral staircase that stretched to the Creator.
My eyes darted around, searching for a spiral staircase that stretched to the Creator. I couldn't see it. Well, not right now as I was carried hand in hand by Nephroma and Syrr.
My legs dragged against the soft floor, bandaged heavily… limp and useless.
I didn't like the stares I was given by the people here. I should be asking myself if I'd love to see my mother, the queen or my brothers. I'd really, really… like that.
However, the fascination of Castle Court was better to be focused on than thinking about cuckoo wonderland.
Thump.
I was dropped atop an empty table unceremoniously.
"We need to get her a wheelchair. We can't keep carrying her about. Are we going to follow her into the toilet too?" Nephroma sneered at her fellow courtier.
Evangra shook her head. "That's what the Queen asked us to do. Do you want her to send us back to the winding road? Don't you appreciate the fresh air?"
"But her chair was destroyed by those people. I am afraid that's our only choice."
"It's all your fault for indulging her!" Nephroma wagged her long fingers at Evangra. "That chair was the King's gift…"
I shuddered.
The King's gift.
Good riddance.
Their words became whispers in my ear, as I let my gaze settle on the ladies both young and old in wrinkled white gowns and men in the same stylish but wrinkle white top and short baggy pants. They were busy cleaning the first floor where I was, just right at the corner.
In the middle of the hall, something grand was inscribed in black, violet and silver colours.
Castle Court- A sanctuary for all.
Come one, come all.
Heh. I watched as several soldiers silently paraded the entire place. There was so little I could see from where I sat. My head could only move left and right as I took in their Northern Veldera military attire.
It was curt, commanding and grey. Could anything be more colorful here? The attire was a simple button in long sleeves, and silver buttons, while their pants were baggy and reached to the knees… stopping there. They all had hats on, dipped so close to the nose they could barely see anything.
But I knew not to be fooled. Their eyes were on everything, everyone…
"You!" One of them shouted.
… and me?
I froze. Was I not supposed to sit here? I looked up slowly to see a man in grey military garb storming toward me. His pace quickened as he assessed me with harsh eyes.
I didn't see Nephroma move until she stepped into his path.
"What is the matter?" she asked flatly, though her tone carried more than irritation.
The guard scowled.
"Haven't you heard?" he barked. "Today is the King's memorial and the Five Houses will be arriving any minute now, yet you stand here asking questions?"
When his hand hovered near his sword, I blinked, unsure if I was imagining it. But this guard was ready to cut off my head.
"Get her out of here," he snapped. "Back to the servants' quarters. Or I'll mark her as a spy this instant."
My eyes widened. I didn't know people here were so quick to draw words, let alone swords. I glared at him, tempted to speak my mind but that might not be wise.
Nephroma tsked dryly. "How easily your words fall from your mouth," she said with a smile. "And how easily they might cut the wrong throat. How can you assume she's a servant?"
As if summoned by tension, Evangra and Syrr stepped forward. They stood shoulder to shoulder with Nephroma, forming a curved wall between him and me.
"We've been sent by the Queen herself," Evangra said, "to escort this girl to Castle Court and here we are."
The guard's gaze slid down to me slowly.
My skin itched.
His eyes moved from my braided hair, my too-small arms, bruised knuckles to my limp legs, wrapped in thick white bandages… his hand inched again toward his sword.
"And what use is a cripple to the Queen?"
I flinched.
"If you speak another word of nonsense," Evangra said coldly, "your head will meet the sacred floor on which we stand." With those words, she retrieved something from the folds of her robes… the same scroll and unraveled it with the slowness of a tortoise.
I knew she was doing that just to toy with the impatient guard.
When she was done, she showed him the royal raven crest designed in violet and silver.
I held my breath. That was the royal sigil. The courtiers taught me that the violet and silver raven belonged to my mother while the black and silver raven insignia belonged to my father.
The guard stared at it. Then slowly, he stepped back. "Fair enough," he muttered. "But the Five Houses are bound to enter at any moment. Find her somewhere inconspicuous and quickly."
To my surprise, he stood straight and doffed his cap toward me. "My lady."
I didn't return the gesture. My attention was already elsewhere… on the castle doors.
What was going on there? People had begun to gather. Servants, nobles, perhaps even soldiers and scholars of the court had all turned toward the wide entrance as faint horns blew in the distance.
I smiled, excited about what was going on. For the first time, I'd get to see the five houses.
The Five Houses.
They were arriving.