Catalyst(53)
The king leaned forward. “Really? When was this?” I noticed that Premier seemed interested as well.
“Several years ago, when I traveled Northern Shala.”
King Furlong nodded and sighed. “Ah. I remember.” He looked at me. “So you’re the one who saved my precious daughter from those bandits?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I said.
“Then I’m in your debt.” The king forced a smile. It wasn’t exactly in appreciation. He still looked suspicious of me. He coughed again, gasping for air. When he recovered, he said, “I must leave you now. The guards will show you to your rooms. I will see you tonight at dinner.” Premier whispered in the king’s ear. “I will have to ask all of you to wait in your rooms until then.”
“Father, would you like me to accompany you back to your room?”
“No, Premier is here.”
Krystal turned to us. “I will show you to your rooms,” the princess said. “If you’d follow me.”
We were silent as we followed her from the room. It was not until we were halfway down the corridor that I ventured to speak.
“I’m glad to see you again, Your Highness,” I said as I walked alongside her, flanked by guards. I recognized Ardimus, from that day in the forest.
“And I you.” She smiled at me. “I see the years have been kind to you. You look well, Hellsfire.”
My eyes devoured her. She had grown taller and her body’s curves had deepened. “And so do you, Your Highness.” Ardimus flicked me a quick warning look. “I mean, you look better than when I last saw you. I mean—”
“I know what you mean, and I thank you.” Krystal's lips curled in a little smile. “I'm glad to see you came to Alexandria. I just wish it was under better circumstances.”
“What do you mean?”
“I—” The princess stopped herself, glancing quickly at the elves. “So what brings you here, Prastian and Hellsfire? I assume this isn't a social call.”
“No, Your Highness,” Prastian said. “We came because our king ordered us to. We're looking for elves who were sent here a few weeks ago. We've not heard of them since.”
Krystal looked surprised, then concerned. “You're the first elves I've seen in months.”
“Are you sure? They should have been here.”
Krystal's voice turned icy. “I'm positive, Prastian. I have no reason to lie to you.”
“Forgive me, Your Highness,” Prastian said.
She nodded. “Why would King Sharald send elves here?”
“He's worried about the Wasteland monsters,” Prastian said. “Increasing numbers of them have been getting through your patrols and wreaking havoc near Sharald. We’ve had to send parties out to kill the creatures. We needed to know if things in Alexandria were as bad as they appeared.”
Princess Krystal's face didn't change, but those of the guards around us did. Their faces hardened, and a few gave each other worried looks.
“As you can see, Alexandria still stands,” the princess said. “As long as the bloodline of Alexander exists, it will stand.”
“As you say, Princess.”
“But Princess, something's wrong,” I said. “Surely, you of all people could find out what it is.”
She stopped and measured me with that royal gaze of hers.
“Forgive me, Your Highness,” I said, bowing. “Could you please help us out, if you have the time?”
“I'll do what I can, Hellsfire.”
“Thank you.”
We reached our rooms. I was the last to enter mine.
“I’ll be back in a few hours to escort you to dinner,” the princess said. “You may want to rest. I know how tiring traveling can be. Though you may find a formal dinner even more tiring.”
“Where will you be?” I asked.
“I have duties to attend to.”
“What about the guards?” I glanced at one of the stoic guards from the corner of my eye.
“As father normally puts it, ‘the guards are here for your protection.’” Krystal smiled. “I’ll see you in a little while, hero.” For a brief moment, she melted my worries and hunger away.
But the moment didn’t last. I shut the door, then cracked my neck and shook my shoulders, trying to relieve myself of the stress that had built up over the day. I wished that I was visiting Alexandria under more normal conditions. I would have loved to see the city and talk with the princess.
There wasn't time for that now. We needed to find out what had happened to the elves and what was wrong within the city. Alexandria hadn't fallen yet, but it looked like it was getting ready to topple.