Commander Alena couldn't be bothered with walking all the way down to get food from the royal kitchens, so she pivoted and headed back into the floor toward the cafeteria.
She barked orders at the cooks, and in less time than it took her to tap her foot fifty times impatiently, the head cook returned with a child-sized basket filled with what Astaroth could only imagine was food and drinks he had personally prepared.
The cook looked in their direction, a flash of sadness passing his eyes before he smiled wide toward the monarchs.
Astaroth and Phoenix returned his smile in kind, with a nod of their heads, before they headed toward the area where the roots were, which would bring them up in the tree's bough.
Castien walked up to the mage and shook his hand amicably.
"Hey, Barett. What are you doing here on your day off? Shouldn't you be with your wife in the outer city?"
The burly man guffawed at the question.
"My wife has been in a mood lately. A client of hers has been taking care of the rabble in her tavern, but his methods are strange, and she says it always leaves her dishes suddenly stale or cold.
"Normally, I'd deal with him, but he's made the establishment safer ever since he started staying there. Plus, I don't want to mess with a man that can bend time. I'm already old as it is.
"So when I heard Charlie had caught a stomach bug and was taking the day off, I jumped at the opportunity to stay here. Don't tell my wife, though. She would murder me, Boahahahaha!"
As he guffawed, the mage behind the counter noticed the retinue behind Castien and paled.
"Your Majesties! I'm sorry! I hadn't noticed you there!" he apologized as he bowed, almost slamming his head onto the counter.
Astaroth was still hung at his mention of a man who could bend time, so he barely reacted. But Phoenix took charge.
"Don't worry about it, Barett, was it? We didn't announce our coming here, either. We were heading up on a whim. Would you mind opening us a path? She asked him with a warm smile.
"Absolutely, my queen! Right away! Did you have a location in mind?"
Castien looked at him, taking over the conversation.
"Actually, Barett, I think the new place I had you enter is perfect for what we had in mind. Could you link us there?"
Barett looked at him before looking at the others. He leaned in closer to whisper.
"You sure? You are bringing a lot of people there. Won't that defeat the purpose of a hidden romantic spot?"
Castien chuckled.
"It was never my hidden spot to begin with. Just link us up."
Barett shrugged before tapping twice and sliding his hand across the desk before a pillar root nearby contorted and lit up.
"That'll bring you up there. Have a nice evening," he said to everyone before adding, "Please be safe up there, your Highnesses."
Astaroth wanted to laugh, but he refrained from it.
'As if I was ever in danger up there,' he mused.
The party walked through the portal, and soon after, they appeared out of the trunk in the tree palace's bough.
Astaroth looked around and quickly recognized the place, a grin rising to his lips.
He turned to Castien, who glared at him.
"Not a word. I already know what you're thinking. Coral took a liking to the view. But I still blame you for her fall."
Astaroth laughed it off.
"Was it really my fault? Eh. It's in the past now, isn't it? Let's just enjoy a calm meal in the presence of… friends?" he said, his tone rising in uncertainty.
Alena coughed at him, and Castien glared, but the others smiled.
Reaching the opening in the branches and leaves, Astaroth walked to the edge of the giant branch they were on and looked down on the city.
It was close to dinnertime already, and the sun was starting to disappear above the forest. New Eden's seasons seemed to be in sync with Earth's, and with September almost over, the days were getting shorter and shorter.
Stellar Woodlands sat in the middle western part of the Elven forest, landing them around the equator of New Eden's world. So the temperatures were still hot, even for the coming fall.
But Astaroth could feel the chill of a coming winter in the winds.
Maybe it was because he was used to the higher temps of the place, but he could tell the temps would feel colder, even though he came from Canada, where winter was frigid.
But that didn't stop him from enjoying the cool breeze and the stunning view. Novel Fire - novelfire.net
Coral approached him while the guards and Castien set up the picnic spot.
"I remember coming here for the first time with you. I was terrified. But the view stuck with me after the event, and I asked Castien to bring me up a few times since then. It seems my fear of heights has subsided, at least for here."
Astaroth looked at her, a warm smile coming to his lips.
"I am glad to see the view was powerful enough to get you back here. I'm also impressed with how calm you are, given the fall you took last time we were here, you and I. What changed?"
Coral shivered slightly, something that didn't escape Astaroth's eyes, before replying.
"I think… that… event made me fear something more than heights. Before it happened, I had already come with Castien twice up here, and I was terrified. But after that… It was like the height no longer scared me. But I still see his face when going to sleep sometimes…" Coral said, her voice streaking off.
Astaroth put his hand on her shoulder.
"He's dead, Coral. And I promise I won't ever let anything like that happen to you or anyone ever again. Your betrothed would have my head, anyway, ha ha!" Astaroth said, trying to lighten her mood.
Coral wiped away a stray tear but smiled at him.
"Thank you, King Astaroth. I hope it never happens again, either. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Now, let's discuss something more pleasant and enjoy a good meal."
She stepped away from the ledge, Castien keeping a hawkish eye on her, and Astaroth snickered.
'Sadly, many other things will soon happen. I only hope we can withstand everything…'
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