Chapter 3: Escape"After the Age of Conflict, the new golden age of humanity began with the establishment of Order.
Before, our landswere divided by petty squabbles and greedy warlords. But when the Chosen united these scattered lands, it was against a common enemy. So when the Great War ended, many feared a return to the fruitless bloodshed. But the Chosen brokered peace between the kings.
In his wisdom, he established the Council of Seven. Six Kingdoms would sit as equals, to discuss and debate relations. When matters could not be settled diplomatically, the elected Seventh would arbitrate between rulers.
While there is no limit on a King's term as High King, an election is held every seven years. Furthermore, if the High-King proves unsuitable, the other 6 may vote no confidence, a law that ensures the High-Kings are kept in check.
At the time of writing this book, House Goldmane has sat as High-King for an unprecedented 21 years, with King Harold having entered his 4th term strong. This historian expects another season of peace and prosperity under the leadership of his majesty."
***
Most people don't like the dark, but I've never been bothered by it. To tell the truth, more than anything, I hate quiet. I don't mind amicable silence, but when tension is high, I try to talk things out, which hasn't been going so well right now.
Reinhardt was calmly leading the way, and deep down, I was glad the intimidating knight was in front in case of an attack. If my obsession with fiction has taught me anything, it's to respect an old man in a young man's game.
And in between Sir Reinhardt and me was the princess. She had the only source of light, so I couldn't lag behind. The corridor's floors were made from uneven and chipped stone slabs, and walking outside of the torchlight was practically begging for a broken ankle. And I was fairly certain that the princess would leave the failure of a Chosen behind if I gave her the opportunity.
After several minutes of walking through the twisting passages, I couldn't take it anymore, and I broke the silence.
"So what were they like?"
Aurelia recoiled, like she'd forgotten that I was there. Her shock quickly turned to irritation.
"What are you talking about?"
I rubbed the back of my head, suddenly feeling nervous.
"Your family. You obviously cared a lot about them. When I lost–." I paused, catching myself, and continued, "I've always been told that talking about these things helps."
I saw the anger fade from her face, and she looked away.
"That's… Surprisingly wise."
I grinned, "Maybe I really am the Chosen after all."
Aurelia rolled her eyes, but I thought I could see a faint smile. My grin grew wider before I continued.
"So, back to your issues. Your dad was the king, right? Was he… um… a good king?"
The corner of her mouth twitched in response to my amazingly coherent question. When she finally spoke, I could hear the admiration in her voice.
"He was a great king. High King, in fact. I can remember every month the Court of Commons was filled with subjects asking for advice or adjudication. It wasn't just nobles or merchants either; farmers, weavers, even the lowliest street sweeper felt they had a right to his ear, and he never once made them feel otherwise."
She let out a sigh, the sound echoing slightly in the damp passage, and she swapped the torch between her hands, wringing out her tired one as she continued, the flickering light casting long, dancing shadows. "He believed that justice was a right, not a privilege reserved for the rich."
"Without fail, he somehow heard everyone, even if it took him until sunrise. We'd sit with the nobles, all five of us, silent as mice, while the petitioners argued their cases and Father handed down his judgment. Sometimes, the issue ended with him passing down a decree, and other times, it was just a few well-chosen words that sent someone away with peace of mind."
Aurelia gave a sad smile that didn't quite reach her weary eyes. As I watched her, I could feel a knot of concern tighten in my chest. I hoped that my clumsy impromptu therapy session was having the desired effect.
It was the sharp, jarring sensation of my foot catching on a piece of loose, jagged stone that violently dragged me back to my senses. I was abruptly reminded that we were still standing on solid ground, with real dangers and obstacles around us.
Apparently oblivious to my mistake, the princess continued, her voice softer around the edges.
"When I was little, he would bring all of us to watch the proceedings. Insisted that it would help when we were ruling our own fiefs."
A deep shadow seemed to pass over her face, and she gave a harsh laugh. It was a short, barking sound devoid of any actual amusement. "I suppose that's not going to happen anymore."
The statement hung in the air, and I was at a loss for how to continue.
Aurelia then turned to me, the shift in her attention sudden, pulling herself back from her melancholy.
"How about you, Sir Chosen? Do you have family from… wherever you are from?"
I rolled the question around in my head. "Yes. I only have one sister. From the sound of it, you have quite a bit more."
The nostalgic smile returned. "You shock me once again with your 'wisdom,' Sir Chosen. I am the fourth child of five."
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "That's… impressive. The two of us were quite a handful. I can't even begin to imagine what five of us would have been like."
A faint, more perceptible chuckle reached my ears this time. She glanced back at me, wearing that same sad smile. "Yes, but having an army of tutors and teachers certainly helped. I think Mother would have gone mad if it weren't for them."
I grinned back, hoping I looked reassuring. "I take it you weren't a perfect pack of princes and princesses?"
This time, she audibly snorted, and inwardly, I pumped my fist in a silent victory dance. Maybe if the whole chosen thing doesn't work out, I can always try becoming the world's first psychiatrist. Her tone became lighter as she went on.
"Well, I can say we weren't the perfect royal children, but I would like to think we were slightly respectable."
Aurelia let out a sigh, then stopped so suddenly I nearly ran into her, my heart giving a startled thump against my ribs. She sniffed and rubbed a hand across her face. She took a deep breath, then, with a decisive turn, she faced away from me to gaze down the long, dark distance of the corridor.
"Thank you, Sir Chosen, truly."
I let out an uncomfortable chuckle and ran a hand through my hair. "For what?"
"For… you know, this–" She said, making a vague circular gesture in my general direction. "The talking. It was nice."
I waved away her gratitude. "Please, everyone deserves reassurance when things aren't going well. You looked sad. I wanted to help. It's the least I could do."
She fiddled with the edge of her cloak, her eyes glued to the floor, and the moment of silence stretched on. Godamnit, now what do I say?
Thankfully, the knight in shining armor stepped in, startling the two of us out of our reprieve.
"M'lady, Sir Chosen, we have reached the end of this passage."
Aurelia quickly hurried to the knight, and after a moment, I did as well
Reinhardt was standing at the end of the stone hallway, hand resting on the wall. It was then that I noticed that the surface was actually made of wood, not the dusty stone from before.
Reinhardt looked dead serious as he began, "This panel will lead us into the Drakekeeper's quarters. There shouldn't be any guards nearby, but we should be ready. If combat begins, please stand behind me."
I waved my hands wildly in an attempt to pause the conversation.
"Whoa whoa whoa, time out. You're saying that there's dragons out there?"
The knight shook his head sadly in response.
"Unfortunately, Sir Chosen, no Drakes have lived in the Drakehold since well before my time. Which is why it is likely to be abandoned."
"Oh, alright then."
Damnit. Maybe I can fly on a dragon some other time.
Reinhardt held a finger to his lips, and having found the catch embedded in the wood grain, and slowly opened the wall.
The room was covered in dust, with cobwebs and ragged canvas sheets draped over most of the furniture. It was definitely abandoned. Or I had done the impossible and found someone worse at cleaning their room than myself.
I turned to the princess, but found her staring at me expectantly.
Aureila lifted her eyebrow at me, and I could tell she was hiding a smile. "Well, Sir Chosen? Are you not going ahead to clear the way?"
I grinned back. "Well if her ladyships insists." I said, before stepping into the room, with her following quickly behind.