"So uh, how do you suppose we pass the time?" Oswald asked, standing outside the throne room.
"Given that our endeavor entails the exploration of caves, procurement of a lantern is a must."
"Oh, oh! We should also buy pickaxes. Who knows what rare materials we'll find."
Percival raised an eyebrow. "What are you, spelunking? Focus on the quest!"
"Hahaha. I jest, I jest. Though before that, I think food is in order… for me at least. Haven't eaten after I woke up." He gestured toward Aelindor. "And since it's your home turf, you're in charge of food."
"Fret not, thou shalt be most nobly fed."
"Great!" Oswald clasped his hands and rubbed them. "Lead the way—"
He froze before turning, as the nape of his neck grew hot, the heat intensifying. Footsteps halted behind him, and a calm, measured male voice spoke.
"It seemeth thy audience with Her Highness is concluded."
He turned around to see another elf, wearing a white suit that shimmered with green light. Beneath it, an emerald-green buttoned shirt matched the vivid green of his hair, which was parted cleanly down the middle.
Holy suit, bro! It's shimmering without the glitter.
"Judging by your appearance…" Oswald knelt on one knee, and the other two followed suit. "It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness."
His posture and everything, it was similar to the princess.
"As for your question, yes—uh, it ended a few minutes ago."
The Prince of Lunara Glade smiled.
With his hand on his heart and the other behind his back, the prince turned on heel.
"I would gladly parley with thee o'er a cup. Pray, relate to me the boon thou didst ask of the Princess."
Tea? It's not food, but at least I'll have something.
"Of course. Lead the way."
The three trailed behind the prince for tea and a discussion of his request.
* * *
The trio entered the giant hall with the prince. A long dining table sat before the door, its tablecloth pure white with green embroidery along the edge, draping elegantly to the floor. Wooden candelabras, engraved with delicate leaves, were placed after every two chairs.
When he said tea, I didn't think I'd be drinking here. I mean, this is AWESOME!
He looked around, awestruck by the elegance.
Bro, this is just… too real…
To the left of the table, green sofas were arranged around a low coffee table. Oswald and the prince took facing sofa chairs, while Percival and Aelindor settled together on a three-seater.
"Holy comfortability! This is…" He shifted in his seat, but no matter how he moved, the cushion seemed to cradle him perfectly. "I can sleep on this, no problem."
"Hehehe." The prince chuckled. "Verily, thy commendations shall be borne unto the master-joiners."
The hall door creaked open, and the scent of lavender washed into the room.
What? What a beautiful smell.
He glanced behind him—and his eyes widened. The maid brought a wooden tray with a plate of round biscuits and four cups of tea. Tea so still it looked frozen, without a single ripple on its surface.
"Pray, thou seemest troubled. Doth aught disquiet thee?"
YES! I mean.
"Yes, the tea—it's so… deadly still."
Is it frozen? No, steam is billowing. What the heck?
"Ah, the maiden. She doth possess... a most singular nature."
Oswald faced the prince, nodding. "I've heard as much, seen as much, and eaten… as much? Furthermore, I fought as much."
How many "as much"s was that?
The maid set down the teacups and biscuits.
"I mean, you can ask them. They witnessed the whole… competition."
"Competition?"
Oh, he doesn't know.
"Basically, a five-day competition was held where a student had to duel the captains of… Solara Prime—including him." He pointed at Percival. "And the royal guard captain… their maid."
With his heightened perception, Oswald saw the maid's fingers twitch against her dagger.
The prince lifted his teacup and saucer, holding the handle with three fingers.
"Most curious… How found thee the trial?"
"Hahaha." A laugh escaped Oswald as he rested his head against the backrest. "When I think about that fight, my mind goes back to right after the bell rang. Next thing I know, I'm staring at my own reflection in the sand—a split-second duck." He turned to Aelindor. "Isn't that right?"
Aelindor nodded after sipping his tea. "All did pass with fearful haste. I call to mind the tolling bell, the cloud of dust that rose behind her, and how thou wert cast down upon the ground."
Oswald and Aelindor laughed while the prince chuckled softly, as though watching the scene unfold again.
"Yeah, I did do that. It wasn't fun. Anyway, before I continue…" He leaned forward. "Your Highness, how much do you know of their abilities?"
The prince brought his cup to his lips, pausing before he answered. "I know of their history only this: from their tender youth were they schooled in the butlerian mysteries and the dark arts of silent dispatch. Dost thou imply there lieth a deeper truth?"
Oswald studied the prince's face, his perception revealing only sincerity.
His gaze drifted to the maid. "Should I tell him?"
The maid's own assessing stare locked onto him. He isn't lying—but how does he know our secrets? Her grip tightened around her dagger.
I'll take that as a no.
"No, I'll keep the secret a secret. Anyway, the reason I'm here is about my reward—a map of all the caves on your island."
The prince took another sip, then met his eyes. "Carry on."
"Right. The attack in Aurelia was caused by parasites controlling wyverns. I've reason to believe one of your caves houses a mother wyvern that might also be infected—breeding uh, you understand. After the parasite is removed, I'd ask that your guards protect the cave, to prevent it from happening again."
The prince set his cup down and closed his eyes. "A chart whereon all demesnes and marches are display'd… and caverns so profound they might conceal a female wyvern within their depths…"
He opened his eyes and turned to the maid. "Retrieve for me the map from my private cabinet—the very one delivered hither scarce this morn."
This morning? That recent? Also, I've been yapping so much I forgot to drink my tea. Also also, I haven't nervously broken down yet. Wohoo!
The maid bowed. "At once, Your Grace." She turned on her heel and left.
Time to drink.
He sipped, letting the warm liquid glide down his throat.
WHAT THE FUCK.
He took another sip.
LAVENDER! W—Why am I tasting SWEETNESS?!
A third sip. No sugar… Is this world's lavender different?
"Methinketh our tea hath taken thee unawares."
"Unaware?!" He shook his head. "No, this… this has ruined all other teas for me. I want to drink nothing but this from now on. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Heh. It has indeed proven me wrong. I am left to wonder what plant the servant used in its preparation."
Bro's best drink was ruined by this tea… Can't disagree.
They finished their tea and biscuits just as the maid returned with the map. The table was cleared to make room for it. The map displayed the island in full detail—mountains, forests, villages, caves—all clearly marked.
She set a red ink bottle and quill beside the prince. He took the quill, hovering it over the map.
"The caverns, so vast they might conceal a wyvern and all her kin, are…" He circled two caves close together, then a third farther off. "Here, here, and here likewise."
"That one's a long way from the others."
The prince placed the quill back in the jar. "'Twas ever the design of nature, and so it is." He rolled the map and offered it to Oswald.
"I don't know how to read maps, so…" Oswald passed it to Percival. "…you're in charge."
Percival accepted it, and they all rose.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for the tea and the map."
"The honour was mine, to share a cup, O deliverer. Thou hast ended a year of sorrow by restoring our princess. This debt shall not fade from our memory."
"You're welcome. Welp, we should take our leave."
The trio left the prince's side and made for the exit.
* * *
They exited the castle to the sound of many shouts in the distance.
What?
A wall of elite and regular guards protected the courtyard entrance, blocking it from the protesters. As the trio neared the wall of guards, they saw banners of various colors bearing elven script—swaying and bouncing.
"What is that about?" Oswald pointed
Aelindor squinted, reading the letters from afar.
"They do protest… the succession."
The huh?
"What?! Why?"
Aelindor met his gaze. "They proclaim their rule 'a green and unseason'd hand'. The ancient sovereigns—most foully stricken down—did bear the realm for two full millennia. Their scions have held the throne a scant one hundred. Thus, the protest."
Oswald's eyes widened.
A century is INEXPERIENCED?! The fuck!
"Man, what in Goddess' name? That doesn't make any sense."
"I concur; in sooth, it maketh no sense at all."
Percival's gaze shifted between them. "This is an unfortunate affair, and while concerning, it is a problem for the kingdom to resolve. Our objective is singular: the exploration of the caves."
True that, but… Ah, man, it just doesn't make sense.
A few steps from the exit, the commander—pacing behind the wall of guards—turned at the sound of footsteps.
Oswald gave a nod and the commander nodded back, giving the trio a small opening to squeeze through, exiting the castle premises.
That was so cool!
* * *
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