Chapter 88 - The Banquet begins

Custom it might have been, the queen and her fiancé entered with the sound of trumpets. The orchestra changed their usual performance to one befitting the entrance of someone important. Long ago, set in stones by ancestors who hadn't got the necessary will to grace everyone's presence with their own. The reigning sovereign would employ bards to shout the names of the nobles entering his court. If one didn't seem familiar, he was either put to the sword or taken to the dungeon. The kings of old were cynical and distrusted all, even their wives and children. Frequent were betrayal through poisoning and assassination by power-hungry fools. As time when on, this threat of poisoning a ruler had become the easiest way to get rid of him. The ones closest had blood on their hands after such deeds. Patricide in the name of power made a young prince and princesses the devil. Some cursed by their own mother through the power of magic who back then was known as sorcery.

The trumpet arrangement had been passed down the royal court's musicians for ages. The king had told them to no longer play said tune as it brought chaos and bad luck. It was associated with a curse, though an exception to that rule had been made. The emperor once visited Oxshield in the olden days. Not hearing the fame tunes insulted him greatly, he had the king play the song by force. From that day forth, the emperor ordered that the song be played only when someone of a rank higher than duke and duchess entered. This didn't shock the king, rather he accepted the judgment easily. No other king lived on Hidros; he was the sole ruler – thus allowing said decision.

"His majesty, King Blaine Mcleod Riverty, Queen Sely Riverty and Princess Gallienne Riverty accompanied by her husband Piers Clyfford Riverty have graced our presence." A man, dressed in white with a mustache and a loud voice yelled. He announced the royal family's entrance inside the throne room. The trumpets played the same forbidden song he despised, but those were the emperor's order.

The entire room fell silent, everyone watched in awe as his majesty took his seat. Now old and feeble, the body remained well-built. The queen who sad beside him looked as divine as ever, the men were thunderstruck. Her white hair tied so masterfully it seemed like a flower bud atop which rested her golden crown. The princess, on the other hand, took her husband and welcomed guests on behalf of her parents. The king's health, however he might have looked, grew worse with each passing day. A few minutes went by until the unexpected happened, a roar shook the castle. The king grew on edge, his mind intrigued by whom made such a powerful noise.

It came as a shock, the musician heard that a queen entered the premises. The thunderous arrival of her transport told it all. Powerful and relentless, the mysterious queen of Arda heard only in rumors had graced their presence. The room remained silent from the king's arrival. Everyone mumbled to one another but the sound of heels turned their heads. "Who's making all that noise," some asked confused. *Klock, Klock, Klock,* it grew closer with each step. The trumpets grew louder. The king heard the tune once more, his eyes filled with displeasure. A presence came from the door, or rather, two – powerful individuals. The guards grew on edge as well as a few attending mages from the main continent. "Julius, look." Millicent pointed to the entrance. "Isn't that Staxius?" she asked, everyone stared. "Yes, that's father," Eira replied joyously, she tried to wave and signal her father but he didn't notice her. Rather, his mind was focused on a particular person, his gaze met the princesses.

"Queen of Arda, Shanna Islegust and her fiancé Staxius Haggard have graced our presence." The trumpets played the song of arrival – the notes danced with one another as if fairies flying through a starry night sky. It felt calm, "i-impossible," murmurs filled the hall. "did he just say, fiancé?" Adelana asked, rather shocked but bore a smile – she nearly died of laughter. Staxius walked, arms crossed with her majesty, they walked graciously and headed directly to meet the king. "Greetings King Blaine Mcleod Riverty of Oxshield." They reached the bottom of the small podium, the king sat atop. Everyone watched as both sovereigns had first met. Mostly eyes were changed from queen Sely to queen Shanna. "Greetings Queen Shanna Islegust of Arda," he stood and walked down his throne. They formally introduced themselves, Staxius waited by her side as she engaged in a little back and forth with his majesty. The white-haired queen stood as beautiful as a flower before Staxius. She eyed him down intently, that was the boy she saw years ago in that vision. A vision that sent his life into turmoil. From the first instant he walked inside, he felt the emotions of everyone around.  Dark-arts got activated; he watched gravely for anything that could be possibly harmful.

Sely didn't try and hide her fear of the young man. She might have stood firmly, but her eyes told another story. The whole court fell silent, the small back and forth ended after a minute or so. They shook hands and got back to their places. Xula faced away and held the sternest face ever for just a fraction of a second. "Are you alright?" she locked her arms with Staxius and walked over to the open balcony. One by one, the initial impact they had on the guests faded. They all got back to their usual conversations and gallantry.

The wind blew cold and crisp, the curtains blocked unwanted eyes. "Staxius, is this kingdom really that good a place?" She asked, her eyes turned to the stars. "Not really, nothing is good in this place – some may argue otherwise but I don't." she placed her hands on the bal.u.s.trade. Her eyes screamed of anger and hate; it had turned red. "Well I agree with you on that one, this place stinks of so many things my heart can't be quelled." Her tone grew sharp, the small conversation with the king had put her in a foul mood. "Don't worry about it," Staxius placed his hands atop hers. "-there are things that take time to fix, let time do its job – we'll be the catalyst. I know not what you discussed with his majesty, but he isn't the ruler. The one pulling the strings is that princess, the one who locked me away for sixteen years." Staxius and Xula spoke and calmed each other down, they truly supported each other.

Inside, after hearing the name Staxius Haggard, the princess ran out of the room. She jolted out; her husband didn't care any less. He spent his night drinking away at the bar. Joining him, an old comrade – Millicent. They both drank, the ruler of Dorchester acted differently. None knew this but her head got assaulted regularly by strange messages. Her only remedy was locking away her consciousness using alcohol. She didn't drink because she hated the people around her, no, rather she wanted to save them from whatever ailed her.

Not many people noticed it, but all the attention got focused on Shanna. She obviously came with someone just as powerful who was her fiancé. Before entering, people felt two powerful auras, but when they arrived, only one was felt.  Staxius purposefully hid his, the goal was to scout out the surroundings.

"Julius, I'm going to meet my father," Eira said impatiently. "Didn't you hear what the guy just said? Staxius is engaged to the queen of Arda – someone who I've only heard in legends." His face changed for the worst. "I agree, Staxius might not be the one we know," Adelana added. "You guys worry too much," Ancret tried to break the growing tension. "Don't worry, I'll try asking him," Undrar spoke, she tried using their telepathic link. The joyful faced sunk into the pits of despair – she only noticed that their bond had been severed. "I-it's broken, t-the bond," she uttered. "What do you mean broken," Julius asked, "-isn't it impossible for that bond to be broken unless he d-died…" The realization hit, Staxius must have gotten defeated by someone. "Well, I don't care either way, I'm going to meet him and that's final." She dashed to the balcony.

"Father," the curtains opened, Staxius stood. He waited with open arms, "hey Eira," he smiled. She ran and embraced him tightly. "How did you know I was coming?" Eira asked. It felt suspicious how he held his arm out for a hug before she arrived. "You're my daughter after all. If I don't sense when you arrive, then, who will?" His tone, friendly and compassionate. Xula watched intently, she examined Eira's face and figure – she truly was a beauty waiting to fully bloom. Living in Claireville academy, Eira had become more acquainted with the things happening around the kingdom. The main rumor she heard was of an unforgiving queen living out in Arda. It made her shudder a little, but Staxius's presence recomforted her. "Is this Eira Haggard?" she asked politely. "Yes, this is my lovely daughter, one who I've neglected for god knows how long." He knew he was a bad dad but loved her with all his heart. "Don't worry about it, it's all fine." She smiled, her white cheeks flushed.

"Xula, I guess it's time for you to meet my companion and friends," he took her by the hand and walked closer to the curtain. He held Eira's on the other. Julius came outside, everyone followed behind – even a drunken Millicent. "Hello everyone, I'm sorry I abandoned you all in a moment of peril." He bowed, and let go of both Eira and Xula. "Worry not friend," Julius raised his head and hugged. "-I've missed you," he backed away slightly from the tight hug. "I've missed you too, my old friend." Staxius placed his hands on his shoulder. "S-Staxius… a-are y-you ok?" A worried Undrar stepped forward, she checked his neck, the symbol was gone. "Now isn't time to reminisce," Adelana jumped in, "Staxius haven't you forgotten to announce something important to us?" her arms crossed, she asked using a stern voice.

Footsteps felt like it rushed outside, a strong gust of wind took everyone by surprise. "MASTER," Staxius got pushed back to the bal.u.s.trade. "Hey there Fenrir," he patted her head. In any given situation Xula might have gotten mad, but the weeks of staying with Staxius – he told her about his friends and how they acted. To her surprise, they were all as he described, she smiled and laughed. After a few seconds in a hug so tight it nearly strangled him, Staxius walked back to where they all stood. Xula stared at him, he knew what she meant. They stepped back, Staxius stood beside her, everyone watched curiously. The moon shone directly behind, "greetings friends, I'm Shanna Islegust – queen of Arda as well as Staxius's fiancée. I hope we can get along," they both bowed, for a queen, it wasn't necessary but she did it out of respect for the friends he treasured.

"No need to bow," the girls rushed in to raise her head. "We are glad to make your acquaintance." They laughed and cheered, none cared if she was a queen. They treated her as a friend. Julius took Staxius in a separate corner to speak in private. The queen bonded with the others, especially Eira – she became attached. The aura coming out of everyone Staxius knew felt pure and innocent with a slight bit of bloodl.u.s.t. The people she interacted with were powerful. She read their minds unwillingly, none felt a threat, or rather, they all questioned how a guy like Staxius could get engaged to someone like her. She chuckled – they all had diverse opinions about him. The silver guardians bonded with her as well, the balcony became livelier than the banquet inside.

Princess Gallienne was nowhere to be found, she had run off to her room. None knew the reason and none cared. The king sat with a smile on his face – everyone had come for his day of birth. Queen Sely's eyes screamed of fear. The other nobles didn't pay much heed, they were too busy discussing trading and boasting about how much money they had. The dining hall grew more popular; their stomachs screamed. With everyone present, the banquet began.