The party ended in the midst of the cold nights, families went away towards the small capital market, The over priced items did not push away the noble ladies
Torden sitting on the table his head was filled with thoughts, his eyes carved a world of their own, his brother, Fraymon, came downstairs half a sleep
"Your up? Don't you ever rest?" said Fraymon whilst filling a cup of water
"I slept enough" said Torden still deep in thoughts
Fraymon noticing so said "Whatever it is, you need to forget about it" after putting back the cup he continued "Relax, this is a party, worst case scenario your married to royal blood"
"You seem to like the idea of it" said Torden
"At least I see myself fit in here, unlike someone" said Fraymon
"Whatever, do as you like" replied Torden walking out the room and towards the streets
"You'll end up doing the same anyways" said Fraymon as the door closed behind
Torden Walked down the street, checking the newly hanged decorations, "A big event is prepared for tomorrow's night" was written all over the place
"Seems, nice" said Torden
In the middle of the crowd, he saw his grandmother, who seemed to be conversing with someone, she waved at him to come closer
When he finally reached her, he found some man standing there, he seemed to be of high calibre, about the same ag as his father, his mother was there as well
"Hello Torden, this is lord Varyon of house Hallow stones" said Grand lady Rose
"Nice to meet you, young gentleman, I heard quit allot about you from your grandmother, you seem quit the man," said Lord Varyon
"My lord it is an honour to meet a man like you, a once in a life time occasion you could say" said lord Torden
"I guess I shall leave the you both then, you are adults after all" said Grand lady Rose, pulling Lady Elara alongside her by force
"Wait what? You will leave them alone" said Lady Elara as they went through the crowd, she seemed concerned about her son the most
"Come on, they are men, we won't fit in the conversation," said grand lady Rose giving Torden a quick stare before leaving them to the winds "And it is about time he grew his tongue out"
"So, Torden, I heard you recently got engaged," said Lord Varyon
"Oh yeh, I guess news travel fast in crowded spaces. It wasn't that long ago" said Torden "I Only found about it recently, although I saw it coming"
"So, you expected to be tossed to the royal family, smart of you," said Lord Varyon
"Torden couldn't decide how to react for this, was it a compliment or an insult, he just smiled awkwardly letting it pass by
"Oh yeh, ha, ha." Torden laughed it off
"I heard your fiancé is the eldest of the two daughters, the second in line Rembya, she is known as quit the beauty, they say she looks like her mother the most between her siblings," said Lord Varyon
"I, never heard of that actually" said Torden
"You never saw the queen before she… you know" asked Lord Varyon
"No, the last time I visited was when I was 6 or so years old" replied Torden
"So, you haven't visited for about 20 years? Wow." Said Lord Varyon "By the way, how will you be able to go back home once your married, will you take her as you go rule the Waster house when the day comes"
Torden was about to answer the question, but he stopped for a moment to think, he looked at Lord Varyon, those eyes, Grey and sharp, that beard and hair, a lion of black indeed
"I don't think, I'm allowed to answer about who is succeeding our house" said Torden
"Come on, it is not like we are enemies or anything" said Lord Varyon, Torden seemed to not hesitate a bit as he walked silently alongside him
"What about your brother, he seems to like the third daughter, will he get married around the same time," said Lord Varyon
"We are yet to get engaged in the first place" said Torden
"You're not attempting to refuse the king's offer, are you?" said Lord Varyon
"It is not like I have anyone else in mind" said Torden
"Oh, right yeh, I haven't heard of you having that many achievements to have the capacity of choice in such things" said lord Varyon, Torden started to understand that he is getting cornered answering question after questions
"Oh and I heard about what had happened in the great desert, It is quite horrifying for you to almost lose your life, although surviving counts as an achievement if you look at the bright side of it"
Whispers about the insults and the repeating one-sided questions started to move around the street
"You seem to be asking, too many, questions lord Varyon, mind if I ask some?" said Torden
"Yeh sure, why not, go ahead and fill up your, young curiosity "said lord Varyon
"I haven't seen your daughter in the party, yesterday," said Lord Torden
Lord Varyon's face removed the smile in a slow scary way as he lost himself in thoughts
"I believe you do have, a daughter?" said Lord Torden
"Yes, yes I do, she just had an excuse to not show her face," said Lord Varyon
"Not, to show, her 'face'… I heard it is quite bad, the injury" said Torden, it was as if a spear struck Varyon's heart "with her being the eldest, and your wife not giving an heir until it was this late, the age gap must look so bad"
Lord Varyon started to get annoyed, Torden without hesitation
"And your son" said Torden, Lord Varyon grew angrier with each step, each word started more flames "It must be horrifying for you, him being the only one with a full functioning body—"
A guard came forward stopping the conversation
"Lord Torden, Lord Varyon, my greetings. The king has called upon the ruler of house Hallow stones, will you follow me, my lord?" said the guard
Lord Varyon stared Torden for a moment and said "Tell lady Rose, I will remember her little trick" before going away
Beneath the surface, deep inside the castle's dungeons, Lord Varyon was escorted to come down stairs, he saw the kraken's limbs reach through the walls, the same thickness, structure, and details as the ones at the surface
Entering through a door he found himself standing before King Gerdon who sat on a chair, before the king there was a table with the world map carved into it, the king seated his chair where the capital laid, with his son, Prince Rafam standing beside him
Lord Kailer was there as well, he was seated as well but beside his house, a chair was emptied for Lord Varyon
The room was circled with guards and knights; flames backed them as they faced the centre
"Have a seat, I have something to discuss," said King Gerdon