Hours had passed since they arrived at the huge castle. Retnan was carried to a room to heal. To his surprise, they had magical items that could do just that. He lay on a bed while a rectangular metal device hovered over his leg; a crystal chamber at its center pulsed, sending waves of energy into the wound. Soothing it as it healed.
Retnan recognized the crystal from the one he'd seen in the dungeon. No wonder Meliah talked about sending miners over.
A woman operated the device, moving it around his leg. Though focused on the process, she frowned while doing so.
His burn began to heal slowly. The charred skin peeled away. Then, when it was done, the woman abruptly walked out of the room slamming the door behind her.
Leaving Retnan alone.
He flexed his toes. The skin was healed. Smooth. But it left some darkening on his feet. He sighed, then looked around the plain room.
Just a bed. And a metal piece shaped like an eye an orb acting as the pupil up against the wall directly before him.
Retnan knew they were using it to monitor him.
Still dressed in his hospital gown, he spotted a uniform on the bed and boots beside it. He took the uniform and lifted the bed frame, using it to block the creepy eye. Then he got dressed. A white shirt with a tunic. Trousers. Color-coded. Leather boots. Topped off with a knight's cropped cape.
All dressed, he left the room. Staying in it reminded him of when he was once bedridden.
Standing in the grand hallway. Paintings hung on the walls. Armored golems lined either side. He was surprised to find no knights stationed at his door, but as he walked further down the hall just wanting to explore he paused.
Voices, coming from a nearby room. He reached for the door handle and opened it.
Everyone present all women paused. The conversation died. They froze and turned to the door.
The room radiated with hostility from his presence alone.
"Excuse me." He closed the door.
Just about to leave, he heard a voice from behind him.
"What are you doing here? Who gave you permission to leave your room?"
He turned. An unknown knight stood with her arms crossed, looking down at him. Two more knights watched from behind her.
"Just wanted to stroll. Any problem?"
"You think you have the right to walk around. The only reason you're not locked up is because of the Commander just know that."
"I have no problem with that." Retnan brushed past her.
The knight grabbed his collar and yanked him back, slamming him against the wall. "Know your place. You don't deserve to wear that cape."
Retnan looked at her hand rumpling his collar. "Beating up a woman is nothing honorable but if you go any further, I'll snap." His tone stayed controlled.
The knight laughed and tightened her grip. "That's what you men always think. You're stronger and superior and you take us as weak. No in Avalon, you are the weaker"
Retnan grabbed her arm, fingers digging in, and twisted. The knight resisted but his strength was superior. Her eyes widened. Retnan held a bored expression.
She dropped to her knees, her arm nearly leaving its socket. Her fingers freed his collar. He let go.
"Next time, talk to me without rumpling my collar." He fixed his collar.
The knight's fist clenched. "Aqueth-craft"
"That's enough."
Meliah's voice cut through the confrontation with authority.
The knight froze. Her companions had already stepped away.
"Your behavior is very"
"He"
"I'm speaking." Meliah cut her off. "Like it or not, he's a magic knight. He will serve Avalon. Any form of hostility toward him will not be tolerated."
The knight clenched her fist but bowed. "Pardon me, Commander." Then walked away.
"I was about to hit her too, for the record."
"I won't tolerate you hitting anyone either. You'll be punished." Meliah's tone was serious.
Retnan waved it off. "Fine, fine."
"Follow me." Meliah led him down the hall.
As they walked, knights stepped aside, bowing slightly at Meliah.
Their murmurs reached Retnan.
"Why is the Commander with him?"
"I already hate him."
"Who does he think he is?"
Their voices faded behind him.
They stopped before a huge wooden door. Two knights were stationed at either side, faces carved from stone. Meliah knocked, and it swung open on its own.
Inside, the room was vast and luxurious. At the far end, raised on a stage, sat a throne and on it, a woman dressed in royal attire.
Meliah knelt on one knee. Retnan followed.
The queen stood. Sharp footsteps echoed as she descended the stairs, silent otherwise. The air felt tense. The echoes stopped. Retnan raised his head slightly to see her standing before Meliah.
"Seriously, Meliah you don't have to be so formal. You're my daughter, for God's sake."
Retnan's eyes widened. Daughter. Meliah is the princess of Avalon?
"You're my mother, but you're still the Queen of Avalon. I choose to serve you."
A sigh. The queen raised Meliah to her feet and patted her shoulder. Retnan stood too, staying silent until the queen acknowledged his presence.
"That's him you were talking about, right, Mel?"
Meliah nodded.
"Hmm. Greetings, young man. You've caused quite the buzz in my kingdom." She studied him. "Meliah claims you have a conceptual affinity. Is that correct?"
"Obviously."
"Mind the way you talk to her."
The queen chuckled. "You don't have to be so serious, Mel. He's being casual, not rude." She tilted her head. "You must have gotten some rest. Think you could demonstrate your ability now?"
Retnan glanced at his stats screen. The reset time was already off. "Sure. No problem."
The queen's expression lit with excitement.
Retnan took a deep breath and concentrated. He felt his mana, drew it to his palm, and held his hand out.
"Wish-craft: Throne of My Wishes."
A throne materialized. Gold. Adorned with jewels. It stood higher than the queen's own and was beautifully carved exactly as Retnan had envisioned. He walked to it and sat down, arms on the rests, legs crossed.
"Convincing enough?"
The queen was awed. She traced her fingers over it, checking for illusion but it was real.
'His incantation was Wish-craft. An affinity to cast wishes. He's not just gifted he's dangerous.'