Chapter 45
Celebration
Every Dainty in the entire kingdom was at the exquisite banquet to celebrate King Oggius reclaiming his throne. King Oggius Stonefist and his companions sat at the front of the banquet hall around a table carved entirely from one massively large diamond. Meat, bread, and desserts were piled high upon the table, and drink flowed freely. Oggius and his companions, who had not eaten for days, devoured the tender meat, plump bread and tasty desserts.
Lot picked up a leg of meat of unknown origin and considered it carefully. He wondered where the Dainties got their meat. What kind of meat is this? I am afraid if I ask I will leave the table with an empty stomach, he thought. He looked at the leg of meat again and took a ravenous bite, washing it down with a tankard of Pizenchaffe's finest drink.
Oggius's guests were a bit large for the tiny Daintish furniture, but they were able to sit and eat comfortably, all of them except for Urganox. The Brazurkin sat uneasily on the edge of the table. He stuck out like a, well . . . like a Brazurkin in a room full of Dainties.
Everyone was in an exceptionally joyful mood. They were celebrating not only the return of Oggius Stonefist, but his triumph over the Lich that troubled the depths beneath their city. Everyone was glad to see the end of Festus Rottenback's reign and the beginning of a new era with the rightful heir back on the throne where he belonged. The Dainties spent the evening singing, dancing, drinking, and gorging themselves on the exquisite food. It was one of the grandest celebrations the city had ever hosted. At one point, all activity ceased while the Dainties watched in amazement as Locmire produced a fireworks display from the end of his staff. For a brief moment, the bright lights and loud rapport frightened the Dainties. They then stood frozen in awe, mesmerized by the colorful eruptions of red, blue, green, yellow, and white light.
After his stomach was fit to burst, Red got up from the table and strutted to the middle of the room where a large group of Dainties were dancing the night away.
“What does he think he is doing?” Urganox asked.
“I am afraid to even guess. It has become apparent that one never knows what to expect from Red,” Locmire replied.
“He better hope he does not find himself in trouble. I am resting my body and soul. I do not have another altercation left in me tonight,” Urganox replied.
Lot asked with a smile, “Do you not?”
Urganox grinned and said, “Well, maybe I have one more altercation left in me.”
“Look,” Oggius said as he pointed toward Red.
The music suddenly picked up a step. Red had a plump, but cute, female Dainty in his arms dancing across the floor. Her feet were dangling high above the floor. The Dainties were all laughing uncontrollably and clapping their hands to the beat of the music.
“I do not know his purpose, but I am glad he is accompanying us on our journey,” Oggius said as he finished a large goblet of water.
“Maybe he was sent here solely for our amusement,” Lot added.
“He has grown on me,” Urganox said. This was a statement the Brazurkin had never imagined possible upon first meeting the strange Human.
Red came waltzing across the floor with two female Dainties at his side. He danced his way over to Urganox and released one of the Dainties into his direction. She grabbed the Brazurkin's hand, and after a moment of hesitation, he allowed her to lead him onto the dance floor. He picked her up in his arms and waltzed her across the room.
"Well, would you look there," Lot said.
“Wonders never cease to amaze me,” Locmire said with a grin.
“It will do him good. He needs to lighten up a little,” Oggy said.
“Let us hope that no one steps on his toes,” Lot chuckled.
“I had thought him a hateful, sour, Goat King. Now, he forever has my respect,” Zulp said.
“That he does,” Olaf added.
“Speaking of wonders. . . I want to know where you learned to fight like that, Locmire?” Oggy asked, changing the subject before the two grief stricken Dainties became emotional.
“Wizards are skilled in many areas. Hand to hand combat can become invaluable from time to time. Like it did in the fineska,” Locmire replied.
“Your combat skills were most impressive,” Oggy replied.
“And here we all thought you were just a feeble old man,” Lot said with a grin.
“I am an old man, but looks can be deceiving,” the Wizard replied.
As the night carried on, the heroes made the best of their short time of relaxation. In the back of everyone's minds the quest to destroy Hasbarie lingered, but first, Oggy had a big decision to make. It was Golgar who finally asked the King of his intentions.
“My King,” Golgar said as he took an empty seat next to Oggy. “I do not wish to be the one who brings your spirit down, but when do you plan on announcing your departure?”
Oggy mulled over Golgar's words for a moment and said, “No time better than the present. I might as well get this over with.”
The King abruptly left his table and began to make his way to the middle of the room. It took him several minutes to reach his destination. Almost every Dainty in the city stopped him to offer their congratulations. The citizens of his kingdom had missed him terribly. Finally, he made it to the middle of the room and motioned for everyone to settle down. The crowd quickly went silent.
“Friends and loved ones. First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for coming out to the feast,” Oggy said.
The crowd erupted with applause.
"We love you Oggy!" someone cried.
Laughter rang out as Red's dancing partner bellowed, "Marry me, Oggy!"
Oggy smiled and said, “The Stonefist name has been restored to its former glory. The throne is occupied by the bloodline that has proudly served Pizenchaffe since the beginning of our existence.”
The crowd roared, “All hail King Stonefist!”
“The Lich that plagued the old Daintish city has been destroyed with the help of my newfound friends. Alas, he has not been defeated without great loss,” the crowd went silent. “My son, Biddle, lost his life trying to help secure the safety of our city. Erimack, brother to Zulp and Olaf, lost his life as well, not to mention the multitude of other fearless warriors. These Dainties were courageous warriors, and after our celebration tonight, we will honor them.”
The Dainties broke out in applause once more.
“I am glad that I have been able to retake my place on the throne. I am glad that I once again have the opportunity to lead Pizenchaffe. I am glad that my people welcome my return.”
The Dainties applauded him again.
“There is much work to be done to right the wrongs of the previous King. I am prepared to correct these mistakes, but at the moment, there are more pressing matters that require my attention. In the morning, I will be leaving Pizenchaffe for an unknown period of time and traveling to the surface to help destroy a great evil that threatens not just the Dainties, but all of Calencia.”
Gasps and whispered murmurs filled the air.
The blacksmith cried out, “Who will lead us in your absence? We need your guidance, King Stonefist.”
“Although I will not be here, Pizenchaffe will be led in a fair and just direction. In my absence, I appoint. . . Golgar Stout as acting King,” Oggy said.
Golgar was taken by surprise. He dropped his tankard on the diamond table, which produced a loud clang that attracted everyone's attention to him.
“Come here, Golgar,” Oggy said.
Golgar stumbled down to where the King stood. He was nervous. Sweat rolled down his forehead and shot off of the end of his round nose.
“Golgar Stout,” Oggy said.
“Yes, my King,” he replied.
“Do you swear on your family name that you will do everything in your power to protect the city of Pizenchaffe and all of its residents?” Oggy asked.
“Yes, my King.”
“Do you swear
to lead our city without discrimination or bias?”
“Yes, my King.”
“As King of Pizenchaffe you must be prepared to lay down your life to protect the city and its citizens from all threats, whether it be a threat from the surface, the bowels or from within the city itself. Are you prepared to lay down your life for your city and its occupants?”
“Yes.”
“Golgar Stout,” Oggy said commandingly. “I, King Oggius Stonefist, appoint you acting King of Pizenchaffe. You shall take control of the city as soon as I depart. Be diligent with your duties. Be fair with our people. Be courageous when confronted with danger. Be proud of who we are. Be the Dainty I know you to be.”
“You have my word, my King.”
Oggy removed the crown from his head and placed it upon the head of Golgar. Golgar received a tumultuous applause. Even under the servitude of Festus Rottenback, Golgar Stout was still one of the most respected Dainties in all of Pizenchaffe. To Oggy, and the citizens of Pizenchaffe, Golgar was the only choice to fill the throne in his absence.
“Now,” Oggy said. “Zulp and Olaf, come down here.”
Zulp and Olaf looked at one another questioningly. They met Oggy and Golgar in the middle of the room.
“Golgar, now that you are King, you need trusted guards at your side,” Oggy said as he turned to the two Dainties.
Zulp and Olaf looked at one another. Both of their jaws were wide open.
“Zulp and Olaf Ironside, do you swear on your family name that you will lay down your life for your King? Do you promise to be honest and true to your King? Do you promise to loyally serve only your King?” Oggy asked.
In unison they said, “Yes, my King.”
“Zulp and Olaf Ironside, I now appoint you royal guards to the King. This is the highest title that one can receive, other than King himself. Do not let your kingdom down.”
“Never,” they replied.
“For as long as a Stonefist or Stout holds the throne, your family will be considered royalty and your male children will become royal guards to the King,” Oggy said as two Dainties presented Olaf and Zulp with an immaculate set of pizenore armor and two pizenore battle axes. Zulp and Olaf stood marveling at their new attire and weaponry.
Oggy looked around at everyone in the room and said, “Let us celebrate!”
The merry little Dainties commenced the celebration, and Red began to dance once more.
Urganox walked over to Oggy, extended his hand and said, “You are the very definition of a king. You have my utmost respect and my friendship.”
“As do you mine, King Urganox Skullsplitter. I am confident that after this is all over, you will rebuild your kingdom. I give you my word that the Dainties will help in any way that we can,” Oggy replied.
“Thank you,” Urganox said as he smacked Oggy on the shoulder and walked away.
A nod of respect from King Urganox did a lot to lift Oggy's spirits.
Locmire and Lot came over to Oggy. Lot was barely able to stand. If not for the shoulder of Locmire, the Thief would surely have hit the ground.
“You handled that well,” Locmire said.
“You think so, eh? It is a hard thing to do,” Oggy said with tears in his eyes.
“You know . . . retake your throne and a few hours later give it up once more. I know it is only temporary, but it is still hard.”
“You could not have picked a more suitable Dainty to act in your place, and with those two at his side,” Locmire pointed at Zulp and Olaf. “I am certain your city will prosper.”
“I hope you are right, Wizard,” Oggy replied.
“I hate to cut this short, but as you can see I have my hands full,” Locmire said as Lot began to slip from his grip. The Wizard repositioned him around his shoulder. “We must turn in for the night.”
“Very well, I will have someone escort you to your chambers. The good thing about Daintish lodgings is that we do believe in oversized beds. You all should have a very good night's sleep,” Oggy replied.
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Locmire said.
“You need not thank me for anything. I owe everything to you. Fate sent you here on your quest, and in the process, helped me regain my throne. I am forever in your debt,” Oggy said.
“I am glad that we were able to help you,” Locmire said. “Will you be turning in as well?”
“No, I think not. I do believe that I will stay up and enjoy the celebration for as long as I can,” Oggy said.
Locmire nodded his head and turned to follow their escorts to the guest quarters. Urganox came over, picked Lot up, and slung him over his shoulder.
“Do we need to get Red?” Urganox asked.
Locmire looked at the Pirate, who was now in a heated argument with a group of jealous Daintish men, and said, “Let him enjoy himself for a bit more.”
Locmire's Quest: Book One A Tales from Calencia Novel Page 64