Mark of the Fool

Chapter 573: The Prince

This humble servant greets His Royal Highness, Raptor of Tekezash, Lord of the Sapphire Sea! a woman in silk robes cried in Tekish, mirroring the salute offered by the guards outside.

This humble servant greets His Royal Highness, Raptor of Tekezash, Lord of the Sapphire Sea! shouted a small army of servants filling the entrance hall, each bowing with hands clasped before them in supplication.

The servants, who were ringed by guardsbowed in salute to their princeall were clad in high-collared silken robes or gowns in muted tones. Alex realised that every last one of them wore finer clothing than the magistrate or richest citizens in Alric.

He was suddenly a little numb. Even when Khalik had first told him about his background, or even when hed seen the guards reaction outside, it hadnt hit him this hard.

His friend, Khalik, was royalty, and everything that the title meant.

He wasnt just some rich man, or powerful wizard, but a lord descended from a bloodline of monarchs. Alex had never considered what that truly meant before: that most people, and an entire country completely deferred to Khalik.

Something about the thought made him feel a little strange as he acknowledged that there was a lot about his close friends life that he didnt know, never would know, or even understand.

Judging by Thundars stiff stance, and Theresa and Selinas guarded body language, it seemed theyd also come to the same conclusions. Isolde, however, simply stood in the lavish space as proud and poised as ever.

The prince, on the other hand, looked anything but comfortable.

He waved a hand at the servants with a mix of weariness and tension, and the glance he threw at his friends almost seemed a little awkward. This Prince greets you and beseeches you to be as you were, he said to the servants, his voice commanding. Have my parents arrived yet,Tiz?

As one the servants rose from their bowed positions and scattered, returning to their duties as commanded. Only the doorwomanTizand acouple of guards remained with the prince.

The former lowered her head. My apologies my prince, but their Majesties have not yet arrived, though we expect them within the hour. Shall we escort you and your guests to the parlour for refreshments and music while you wait? It is quite cold here, so I can have the servants start a fire for you if you wish; Beauteous Maraki is in residence already and her skill with krar has improved to be even loftier than before you departed for your studies, my lord.

Where will my parents be arriving?

In the courtyard, sir. Her majesty wanted to arrive when the sun was still high.

Mother has definitely not changed, then. Khalik smiled, squinting up at the clear sky. As much as I look forward to Marakis song, I think some fresh air will do me good. We will wait in the gazebo.

Yes, sir, the woman nodded. Then I will have an honour guard accompany you to the garden.

Khalik quickly held up his hand. That will not be necessary, Tiz. There are more guards on the walls than there are stones in the courtyard.

An expression of surprise briefly crossed the servants facealong with a slight widening of her eyes, a stiffening of her cheeks, and a glance at those behind himbefore she lowered her head. As you say, Your Highness. Some servants to attend to your needs, then?

No, thank you, Tiz.

She paused. As you will, my princePerhaps a pair of attendants to warm or cool you with hot stones or fans?

No, thank you, Khaliks refusal was firmer.

Shouldrefreshments be brought outside, sir?

N Khalik was about to decline, when he turned to his friends. Do you want anything?

I would be most grateful for your hospitality, your Royal Highness, Isolde said, drawing a mournful look from the prince.

Yeah, its gonna be a hot one, so thanks, Thundar agreed.

Isolde and the servant both gave him a sharp look, catching the fact that he hadnt used the proper honourfic when hed addressed the prince, but neither pointed out the lapse.

Then some drinks, and other refreshmentsbut no music for now, Khalik said. Well be in the garden.

The servant bowed in salute once more. Might I again humbly suggest an honour guard of perhaps ten, Your Royal Highness? the doorwoman said, giving Khaliks companions a quick once over.

No, no honour guard, Tiz, Khaliks tone was final as he stepped away from the door. Just the refreshments.

As you will it, Your Royal Highness.

Before the servant could offer anything else, the prince turned, took long strides away from the door and sprinted away from the veranda and toward the gazebo. His friends followed, giving each other curious looks.

Isolde glared at Thundar. You let your formality slip, Son of Gulbiff. Your decorum to royalty is incredibly wanting.

Look, Ill talk all formal and proper to Khaliks parents, the minotaur fired back. But my friend Khalik once asked us to treat him like we always did. And he didnt ask us to change that today, so Im gonna honour what he wants.

Gratitude, Khalik said with relief. I will ask the same of you Isolde: you are my friends, not my subjects. I came to you in Generasi as an equal, and I would see that we still treat each other as such.

The young noblewoman gave him a scandalised look, as though hed just asked her to stand on her head in her pyjamas in the middle of campus. But, after a moments consideration, she nodded. As you will it, Khalik.

Alex burst out laughing, while the prince glared at her.

Truly? A joke at my expense? Now? he scowled.

I normally do so, do I not? I am simply acting as I normally do, she said, her blue eyes widening as though she was the most innocent person in the world.

Alex laughed harder.

Khalik muttered to himself as he stomped into the gazebo.

Wrought iron benches and single chairs that everyone, except Claygon and Khalik threw themselves into, were laid out, surrounding a marble table. Claygon took a position by the entrance, all four arms crossed, standing on guard like their personal sentry.

The guards of Tekezash watched him and their prince with equal measure. Even as his friends relaxed around him, the prince paced back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back, covering the length of the gazebo. He kept mumbling in Tekish, watching the middle of the courtyard.

Alex had seen mice that were less nervous in the face of a barnyard full of cats.

Come and sit, man. He leaned forwardhe was wedged comfortably between Selina and Theresapointing to a chair at the table. Seriously, man, youre making your guards dizzy with all that pacing, and you're making me dizzy!

What if they do not like Sinope? The prince looked directly at him, tension in his face. She is the most wonderful woman in the world to me, but what if they do not see it? What if they do not understand the ways of her and her people?

Itll be Alex started.

What if they reveal my identity? Khaliks anxious mind went to another subject like a flitting bird. They could, you know, entirely by accident. Then, the next thing you know, the entire city knows that I am a prince of a grand realm who then finds himself drowning in toadies and sycophants!

I Isolde was about to speak, then paused. I would say not to worry about such things, but my position attractedDerekas well as a veritable menagerie of other losers. She sniffed.

Theresa looked at her sharply. I havent seen people begging you for favours.

That is because I drove the chaff off in my first year, in no uncertain terms. They were far too cowardly to withstand even the weakest of verbal barbs.

Hear that, Khalik? Thundar grinned. Thats the solution: just start being really nasty to everyone you meet.

Hmph, just the chaff, Thundar. Isolde insisted.

Well, I would be far happier not having to drive anyone off every few steps, Khalik scoffed. Thenthere is the matter of Greymoorand the dangers there. People are talking about it.

At this, the group fell into a grim silence.

Look, I wouldnt worry about that, Thundar said. Those guys were idiotsevery last one of themthey seemed to think what we do is easy. I feel bad for em, sure, butlook, they knew the risks and they got bit. Badly.

Yes, but will my parents see a difference? Khalik asked.

Your parents were the ones who sent you to Generasi to build character, Khalik, Alex said. I dont think theyd suddenly hold you back just because of some isolated danger.

I am not so sure... Khalik mused. I do not think they would simply command me to come home like a childand I would refuse if they didbut I do think that there is a chance they would worry. Perhaps wrongly. Perhaps rightfully. I do not consider throwing myself against the legions of the hells abnormal anymore, so I am not sure if my judgement issound.

Whatre you guys talking about? Selina asked, frowning. What happened?

Oh, rightI guess I didnt tell you about that, Alex said. A bunch of wizards have been going to Thameland to get dungeon cores. But He paused. Most of them werent as prepared as they needed to be.

I guess from where they were standing, harvesting cores looked easy. It seems they thought that since we got them, they could do it too. Theresas expression darkened. But, its not easy. And they found that out the hard way.

Manydied, Claygon added.

Oh! Oh no. Selina went pale. Those poor people.

Some of them, I do mourn, Isolde said. But others were profiteers who heard about the cores and their value and simply rushed ahead without preparation. I will also say that if I shed tears for every individual who lost their lives to monsters because they made the choice to act while unprepared, I would be crying eternally.

Youre like ice, Isolde, Thundar said.

I am merely practical.

Well, let us not speak too much on the subject when my parents arrive, shall we? Khalik pleaded. I do not wish to give them reason to panic.

Listen, Khalik, Alex pushed. Im sure itll be fine. Come on, man, at this rate, youre going to drop dead of a heart attack before they even get here.

And what empirical evidence do you have that things will be fine? Isolde asked.

Thanks, Isolde, thanks. He glared at her. Lets make my reassurances less assuring.

The truth is important.

Not if it kills him, Thundar said.

You do look like you are ready to dig a grave for yourself. Theresa looked at the cold sweat beading on Khaliks brow.

I assure you that I am not, the prince insisted. For one, I would need a shovel. No wait, I am an earth mage. Problem solved! I shall start the gravesite right away.

Yourparentswill not kill you. Claygon pointed out. The graveyou wont need it. But, you would be tired from using.magic to dig the grave.

The prince stared at Claygon. You know whatyoure right. They will not kill me.

Im gladyouve come to that conclusion. The golem peered into the sky. Najyahlooks excitedperhaps you should follow her lead.

In the blue sky, Najyah swooped through the air, drawing circles and figure eights through the sky as she had all morning. She cried out again and again, frightening birds out of nearby trees.

Khalik gave her a flinty look. Ill tell you something about my father. He spoils her unrelentingly, he said distastefully. She is not excited to see my parents, she is excited for treats, that treacherous, gluttonous bird!

He spoils her? Alex asked, thinking back to the prank Najyah had pulled on her master when theyd first met him in the beastarium. The eagle had pretended to be lost in the forest, then when he and Khalik had gone searching for her, theyd found her lying on the ground, not moving, like she was dead. Then, when they got closer and were panicked enough, shed suddenly shot up, screeching and flapping, scaring both Khalik and him out of ten years of life.

He shook his head. The whole spoils her thing explains a lot.

As they watched Najyah celebrate her impending food-coma, servants began streaming from the villa, pulling silver carts laden with carafes of wine, cheeses, flatbreads stuffed with different fillings, golden bowls of sliced fruit chilled in ice, and fresh tartare. Accompanying the food, were half a dozen guards who claimed to be guarding the food under Tizs orders, but were clearly there to ensure the safety of their prince.

At this, Khalik merely sighed and allowed it, too defeated to argue.

Najyah swooped down, gorging on a bowl of tartare while attendants quickly began serving Khalik and his friends before they could help themselves.

The food was delicious, melting in Alexs mouth with every bite. Whoever the royal chef was, they had his compliments: his taste buds were happy that Khalik had said yes to refreshments.

Selina stared, wide eyed at the sheer opulence of everything, shocked as an attendant stood near, continually refilling her glass with citrus punch the instant she took more than three sips.

Do you live like this all the time in Tekezash? she asked Khalik.

He smiled wryly. Yes, this is my other life. It has strengths and wondersbut my life here with all of you has strengths and wonders too. And on the upside, it lets me put limits on a certain greedy chicken. He glared as Najyah continued gorging on raw meat. Bird, I swear, if you grow too fat to fly, then I shall sell you at the market with a smile on my face. And I will not insist on too high a price

Something tingled in Alexs senses.

It was coming from the centre of the courtyard. Guys, I feel teleportation magic.

The prince took a deep breath. So it begins. Alright, my friends, get some last bites for now. You are about to meet the king and queen of Tekezash.

With a cry, Najyah took to the air, soaring and diving, circling in excitement. Khalik glowered up at her.

Treacherous bird. My father arrives, and so its out of sight, out of mind for me.

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