The Langorans readied their weapons at the Sages as Arimus raised up his hands.
“Please, sir. We mean no trouble!”
“FIRE!” the Captain shouted, and over forty arrows flew towards the Sages. Chloe responded before Arimus could even give the order. Throwing her cloak off to the side, she unsheathed her eidolon with great confidence. A double edged long sword emerged, very thin but undeniably powerful as the green aura that radiated from it was wider than the blade itself.
Her draw of the sword was so fast that James could do nothing but awe as he saw the light appear after it was drawn! And in that split second, her right arm transformed, no more bare, but cloaked by the green sleeve of a majestic robe. Only her right arm had the robe covering her as the rest of her body remained the same, revealing the same green sundress she was so fond of. This one arm was all she needed.
It moved in a blur, extending the six feet long sword over her friends’ head like a whip. Chloe herself barely moved, but her arm was like a tornado, gobbling up every arrow that threatened the Sages’ lives. And when the spray was over, the archers just sat back and stared. Chloe smirked and then snapped her arm once toward the ground. The robe covering her right arm, and the eidolon both disappeared instantly.
“You’re Sages!” The Captain cried out as he began to draw his sword. Catherine reached out and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword as she removed her cloak with the other.
“Stop!” she pleaded. “I am the Princess of Allay!”
Scarlet and Arimus groaned as Chloe stepped next to Catherine, ready to defend any surprise attack the Captain dare try.
“I recognize you,” he sighed after a moment’s study, taking his hand away from the sword. “Although you’ve grown…tell me, what are you doing on our grounds?”
“We want to speak with your King,” she said. “That is all. It’s a matter that concerns him as well.”
“The King sensed something coming from this area…” he said as he examined the Sages one by one. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll see if you can gain an audience. But I swear, if you try anything to upset the order of our Kingdom, Languor itself will descend upon Allay in all-out war.”
“I would expect no less from such a proud people,” Catherine replied as the Captain offered his arm. The Princess accepted it as the guards of Languor descended from the trees, ushering the Sages along. Chloe shook her head and turned to Arimus.
“Perhaps you should let Catherine do the talking from here on out.”
Scarlet tapped the large man on the mouth as she walked past.
“Yeah, Arimus, keep your mouth shut for once.”
Chapter 6 – The Kingdom of Languor
“Is this a back entrance?” Arimus asked as the Captain turned around and glared at him.
“And what if it is?”
“Don’t mind my servant,” Catherine said, patting her escort on the forearm. “He doesn’t know when to keep his thoughts in his mind, where they belong.”
Chloe and Scarlet laughed as James examined the interior. After walking for about an hour through the forest, the Captain had revealed a camouflaged entrance, crafted out of the ground itself. James could imagine a tree stump, but how they managed to make entrances out of the dirt and grass without creatures falling through was a mystery.
After a short fall of only a couple feet, they landed in a tunnel, also man made, complete with torches and railings on the side in case darkness overtook it. Arimus had whispered that it was possible they were going under parts of the Kingdom itself with the way it was designed. Originally, they were to spend the next couple days climbing over the hills and rocky terrain that lay outside the confines of the forest, but now, by skipping the hills they would save much time.
It was all quite fascinating really, and with the Captain agreeing to take them to the King, James felt a sense of security. Especially after seeing Chloe move. Whatever Languor had to threaten them, he just wasn’t afraid, and suddenly he felt that familiar lackadaisical feeling coming back to soothe him. He brushed it off and gathered his composure. If he wouldn’t face any conflict while they were in Languor, then he would have all the more opportunity to train. After all, he was confident that at the very least, Quietus wouldn’t escort them through their Kingdom. They would have to take it by force.
And it was a great time to see Catherine in action. She had suddenly taken on a personality he had never witnessed. Talking about Arimus like a butler, charming the Captain, giggling like a little girl with a schoolyard crush, she was truly playing the diplomat. And it looked like she was enjoying it in the process, which just made him all the happier. As long as she was enjoying herself, so was he.
As they walked, Achan nudged him.
“Getting jealous?” he whispered as he pointed at Catherine and the Captain whispering and exchanging small talk.
“No. Should I be?”
“Ha, you sound like you’re already her fiancée.”
“Shut up,” James laughed as he pushed Achan aside. “Well, at least someone’s making a move. Not like you.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I remember what you said back in Allay. I intend to slip in and take over their dance the first chance I get.”
“Oh?” James asked, feeling a bit of sadness. He had hoped Achan had forgotten.
“How much further is this walk?”
“Seriously. My feet are beginning to ache.”
“Stop complaining,” Scarlet grunted from in front of them. “We’re here.”
The Captain came to the end of the tunnel and knocked at the wall, made up of nothing but rocks and dirt. Surprisingly, a slit opened in the middle, and a pair of eyes peered through.
“Who’s there?” a muffled voice called.
“Captain of the King’s guard,” the Captain said.
“Where are your men?”
“With our guests,” he said as James looked behind him. It was pretty intimidating to see fifty soldiers cramped up behind them with swords and bows in hand.
“Proceed,” the voice replied as a couple creaks were heard. Then the door opened, and the groups began filing in. James could barely hold in his excitement upon seeing the other side. Sure there were fifty other soldiers at the door’s entrance with swords, ready to kill any foreigners, but past that was a majestic hall, with an arched ceiling nearly a mile wide, laced with gold and splashed in white. Colorful murals of ancient battles and old tales were painted in vibrant colors, showing off Languor’s history in amazing displays. Colossal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and only further brightened the room. Even though by now it had to be night, it was as if the sun was still shining brightly through with how many candles and torches were lit, line by line, like a choir of light. To the right at the far end of the hall was a door which James suspected was an exit to the Kingdom, and to the left were stairs that were over a football field wide, with red carpet in the middle and candles bordering the outskirts. Golden colored banners and curtains hung from the bannisters and five servants stood at each side at the bottom, dressed in fine clothing with food served on a golden platter in their hands. James heard his stomach weep.
“Princess,” the Captain bowed to her as he let go of her hand. “I will be right back. I will inform the King and Queen of your arrival and inquire if they will receive you tonight. It is getting quite late in the evening. They will be off duty soon.”
“I understand,” she said. “But I must ask, may my servants have some of that delicious food I see over there? It has been a long walk.”
“Of course,” the Captain replied, and then proceeded up the stairs. The guards of the King joined those surrounding the door in formation. All of them packed close to one another like a school of fish as they formed a half-circle around the door’s perimeter. The doorman sighed and took a large stake out of his jacket pocket to pick his teeth.
James looked back at the guards, still as statues and then back at the food.
“Is it okay now?” he ask
ed, and Arimus nodded. He ran forward to partake but he had only taken two steps when Catherine smacked his face back with her palm of her hand, vying to take the lead.
“OH MY!” Catherine gasped as she nearly dived onto one of the plates and started shoveling mouthfuls of apples, grapes, oranges and plums into her mouth, pounding her chest as she swallowed with only minimal chewing.
“Disgusting!” James exclaimed as he joined in on the plate next to her. The other Sages took their time with the other servants.
“I....have to!” she said through a mouthful. “The Captain will come any minute…and I, have you tried this?....mmm….then I have to act like a lady!”
“Catherine, for Paradise’ sake, slow down,” Dominic sighed as he rolled his eyes. “You’re spilling juices all over you!”
“Oh, sorry!” she said as she pulled up parts of her shirt and started sucking on the juice stains.
“Just stop!” Dominic cried out as James snorted from laughing so hard. Up above, he heard a click coming from a door.
“They’re coming!” James said the best he could as he swallowed what was left in his mouth. Catherine quickly shoved a bunch of fruit under her armor and brushed her hands on her clothes while throwing up a cheesy, Princess smile. Achan laughed so hard that he spit out his food into the servant’s face who immediately smashed the gold plate right into Achan’s nose. Achan cried out and fell to the floor as the servant stormed off in rage, neglecting his post altogether. James helped his friend up and they laughed together. The rush of food entering their system gave them new life, and they were now more alert than ever.
The Captain waved a hand up in peace as he descended the steps. The stairs ascended so far into the ceiling that James could barely make out the door he had come from.
“The King will see you,” he said. “All of you. Please remember my warning while you are in his presence.”
“Of course, Captain,” Catherine replied, giving him a slight bow and proceeding up the stairs. The Sages followed behind, taking the steps slowly as to cause no alarm. After a lengthy flight, the door revealed itself. Cased in pure gold from the decorations to the hinges, it looked more like a vault than a royal entrance. As soon as Catherine stopped in front of it, it opened, and immediately they saw the King and Queen, sitting on individual gold thrones side by side, adorned with a number of diamonds, rubies and precious gems. There were no guards in the room, and surprisingly, no décor or impressive displays to speak of. Besides the thrones, it was quite plain, though massive in height.
The Sages walked forward a few yards and then kept their distance as Catherine approached and bowed.
“Your Majesty,” she said as they stared at her curiously. The King waved the Sages forward to join their Princess side by side.
“Greetings,” the King spoke. He was an elderly fellow, withered and thin despite his heritage. Still, James could sense a dormant power from within him, as if he could break out his real strength at a moment’s notice. The Queen was also getting older in age; gray hair was falling from her scalp even as they gazed upon her, and her hands were wrinkled and brittle. The couple had been on the throne for a long time.
“Why do you come to our Kingdom?” the King asked as he leaned into his arm rest.
“We are on a mission,” Catherine said. “One that concerns each of the five Kingdoms.”
“Surely you don’t mean the five stones? After all, that is the only thing that we still have in common.”
“I do, sir.”
The King scoffed and shook his head. Arimus stepped forward.
“If I may,” he said, and then he removed his cloak entirely. The King stared at the Sage curiously and then his eyes lit up with recognition. He gasped and stood up from his throne, gazing at the Sage with joy.
“Arimus?” the King chuckled. “Is that you, old friend?”
“It is,” he replied to everyone’s surprise. The old King walked over as fast as he could and hugged him.
“It has been too long,” the King laughed. “Where have you been?”
“I want to discuss that with you if you don’t mind. And the business at hand as well.”
“Of course. Of course. MESSENGER!!!”
One of the guards ran into the chamber and the King pointed directly at him.
“Declare this throughout the entire Kingdom. No harm is to come to our guests unless they bring the trouble upon themselves. Understood?”
The guard nodded and ran out the door quickly as the King looked at each of the Sages.
“While Arimus and I discuss your mission, please, enjoy Languor to your heart’s content. Eat and be merry!”
“Thank you, friend,” Arimus said as he walked with the King behind the throne and down the chamber to a hidden room. Scarlet turned to the rest of the Sages.
“Have fun, but be careful. We’re still in a foreign land.”
Chloe started walking off alone, no doubt to look for the invisible Kyran while Scarlet looked to the young Sages.
“Keep Catherine safe,” she said. “I’m going off alone.”
She then left too without another word, leaving the young recruits to sort out their next adventure amongst themselves.
“So what now?” James asked as Achan turned to the Princess.
“Catherine, if you wouldn’t mind, I would like to be your personal escort around this Kingdom.”
“Why can’t we all be?” Dominic snapped. “She might need more than one.”
“Let me be a little more plain,” Achan said to her. “I want to ask you out on a date.”
Catherine was taken back in surprise as he took her hand and kissed it. She continued to blush and nervously, she looked to James and Dominic.
“Um,” she hesitated. “Sure…if James and Dominic don’t mind.”
“Why would we mind?” they said in unison, both scowling at Achan. Achan smiled and offered her his arm. She took it, smiled at him, and together they walked out the chamber and down the stairs, ready to enjoy the night. James and Dominic were the only ones left.
“Just great,” Dominic scoffed. “The Sage and the Villager, left alone.”
“You’re referring to yourself as the villager, right?”
“Hardly,” he said turning to face James. “I have more nobility in my blood than you have in your whole lineage.”
“You know nothing about me.”
“I know you aim to destroy my marriage to the Princess.”
“I’m not the one on a date with her right now.”
Dominic studied his face solemnly.
“That much is true,” he said and looked at the chamber around him and then back at the Queen. “Perhaps we should take this opportunity to get to know each other better. You know, solidify our teamwork.”
“You…want to do that?” James said suspiciously.
“It’s not my idea,” he said. “Scarlet suggested it.”
“That sounds even stranger. Last time I checked she hated my guts.”
“And so do I,” Dominic said truthfully. “But we have to work together. So, we might as well get familiar.”
James shuddered at the word “familiar.”
“Okay, let’s check out the Kingdom…”
* * * * *
The King of Languor sat down into a throne similar to the one in his chamber, even though the room had been designed explicitly for privacy. Arimus sat in the throne seat across from him as they both rested their hands on the small diamond table between them. Upon the King’s order, a guard lit ten more torches and then left them to talk in the room that looked very much like Arimus’ dorm. The King gave Arimus a warm smile and then sat back into his seat.
“My, how you’ve aged,” the King commented. “At least in appearance. You weren’t that old the last time we saw each other. What have you been through in the past sixteen years?”
“Too much to reminisce about,” Arimus replied, fidgeting in his seat. “Tell me, what is the purpose of these thrones and the
abundance of gold?”
“Production has increased. There is a surplus of gold that I’ve decided not to waste.”
“Still a distinction between the classes, your Majesty?”
“I don’t see how that concerns you. You’re an Allayan again, correct?”
“I am.”
“Then we’ll chalk my handling of Languor as a taboo topic during the rest of your stay here.”
“Fair enough.”
“Tell me, Arimus, what are you doing here? Really? Surely you knew that we would meet eventually. Especially with the topic you wish to discuss with me about.”
“I realize that.”
“And you’re not afraid I’ll simply have my guards take you to prison and have you executed for treason? That doesn’t concern you?”
“Not at all. I’ve…acquired great skill since I left.”
“My,” the King chuckled. “You’ve become a Sage, haven’t you?”
“I have.”
“And do you honestly think that since the Kingdoms learned of the Sage’s near extinction that we have not prepared for a return? That we have not put in precautions against you kind? You are, after all our closest neighbors. What would stop you from growing strong and trying to take us over completely?”
“This is a different time, King. Allay is different. We wouldn’t consider conquering anybody.”
“Ah yes, I forgot that your Kingdom is cut off at the knees. Hard to wage war when you can barely stand.”
“I know you’re bitter for what happened,” Arimus said. “And if it’s any consolation, I do regret leaving you in your hour of need, but I had to, considering the circumstances.”
“We’ve worked together for years, and after what Allay did to you, I was willing to grant you trust, but then, on the brink of victory, you abandon me. Why, Arimus? What was it that changed you so?”
“It was her,” Arimus sighed wearily. “It was Catherine.”
“The Princess? That’s all?”
“It was more than her innocence that convinced me that what I was doing was wrong, it was…it’s hard to explain. She has some kind of power to change people. If only you got the chance to know her.”
The Dark Kingdom (Sage Trilogy, Book 2) Page 10