Chapter 2 - Kings call

  The princess of Solvara, Ariel, sat poised before the tall mirror, her reflection framed in white stone and gilded trim, while nimble hands fastened jewels into her golden hair and smoothed the folds of her gown across her shoulders.

  Her chambers glowed with a subtle radiance. Tall windows, draped in gauzy silver fabric, swayed slightly in the evening breeze. The evening sun let in a fading light, casting a golden hue on the polished white stones of the room. A carved canopy bed stood against one side, its posts shaped like winding vines, as if grown from the very silverwood of the city. Beneath it, silken rugs softened the gleaming floor, their woven patterns of lilies blooming among stars.

  The servants moved quickly and with precision, their hands busy at her dressing table. Boxes of lacquered wood lay open, revealing powders ground from rare minerals, oils and brushes with polished handles.

  The scent of crushed blossoms and warm candlewax mingled in the air.

  Two attendants worked on her gown, fastening the intricate layers of the silver white fabric that shimmered like water when they moved. Another servant hovered above her head, brushing a faint powder across her skin. At the same time, yet another carefully arranged her golden hair into an elegant knot, fixing it with delicate silver and gold pins.

  The corset tightened, and the weight of the layered fabric pressed down on her shoulders, stifling and relentless. Ariel let out a silent groan. This ritual, with its meticulous powders, pins, and folds, was the very embodiment of her disdain for the suffocating order of castle life.

  Ariel tugged lightly at the edge of her gown, frowning as she watched her attendants fuss over the folds. She glanced at her maid, who was standing beside her chair, and asked.

  “What’s this meeting about?”

  Her attendant paused, considering her words before replying in a timid murmur. “Um… I-it’s a council with the royal knights, Your Highness. They’re going to… discuss the city’s security, I think…”

  Ariel’s golden eyes flicked toward the window, where the last rays of sunlight glinted off the silvered towers beyond. “The city’s safety… again,” she murmured, a faint detachment threading in her voice.

  ***

  “The king has called for us.”

  Those words echoed in every knight’s mind as they marched through Solvara’s palace halls.

  The laughter and warmth of the barracks were gone now, replaced by the steady rhythm of armored boots against marble.

  Beside Ryn, Brann leaned in slightly, his voice lower than usual.

  “Hey,” he muttered, glancing around at the other knights, “what do you think we’re being called in for?”

  The usual spark in his tone was gone, replaced by a quiet unease.

  The crowd of knights remained quiet for awhile as they walked

  “I don’t know…” Sara was the first to speak, her voice low, uncertain.

  Ryn said nothing. His gaze flicked briefly over the gleaming walls, the spotless floor, the ornate carvings that stretched toward the vaulted ceiling. The place was too clean, too perfect.

  Kael’s voice broke the silence, quiet but steady.

  “You think the king’s worried about the borders again?” he asked, glancing ahead. “Or maybe he’s finally realized how thin we’re spread?”

  Brann scoffed softly from behind him. “When has that never not been the case, Kael?"

  Kael didn’t reply right away. His eyes lingered on the distant doors at the end of the corridor.

  “…Or maybe something’s changed,” he said. “Something bigger than we’re being told.”

  The rest of the walk passed in muted silence. Only the echo of armored boots filled the marble corridor.

  The palace of Solvara was beautiful in a cold, deliberate way. Gold-veined stone gleamed under the soft glow of lanternlight, every surface polished to mirror brightness. The white banners of the Sun Crest hung heavy along the walls.

  Their footsteps seemed too loud here.

  Ahead, the corridor widened into a grand archway where two sentries stood at attention, halberds crossed in salute. Beyond them loomed the doors to the Great Hall.

  When the guards swung the doors open, a slow, deep creak filled the air.

  Warm, amber light spilled from within, not the glow of day, but the softer gleam of hundreds of lanterns and chandeliers burning against the night.

  Rows of long, polished tables lined the space, arranged in a wide semicircle.

  At the far end, beneath a great banner, stood the King’s chair, tall and empty for now.

  The captains were already assembled near the front. Ryn’s Captain was sat there aswell, posture straight, his cloak folded neatly over his chair. A few other senior officers flanked him, speaking in low, clipped tones.

  Closer than most knights, yet still short of the captains’ ranks, Eldric sat near the second row, his usual grin replaced with something that almost resembled composure.

  Further back, Ryn, Brann, Kael, and Sara took their seats among the other knights. The last echo of boots faded as the doors shut behind them with a deep, resonant thud.

  Lanternlight shimmered off armor, glinting like molten gold as every knight turned toward the empty throne.

  For a few long breaths, nothing moved.

  Then, a clear voice broke the quiet from near the dais, calm, practiced, and carrying easily through the hall:

  “His Majesty,The King of Solvara.”

  ***

  Ariel walked in behind her father, the hem of her long white gown whispering across the marble floor.

  The Hall stretched before her, vast, its high ceilings lost in shadows above.

  Her golden eyes swept across the room as she entered, taking in the knights already settled around the long, polished tables. Blessed Eldric and the knight captains sat nearest to her fathers chair, both postures rigid and an unwavering presence in their eyes.

  But it wasn’t them who caught her eye, she’d seen them enough times in her life

  A few rows back, a small cluster of knights stood apart from the rest. She recognized one of them instantly, the dark-haired boy from that afternoon.

  She exhaled softly through her nose and looked away, forcing her attention to the others.

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  A dark skinned man with braided hair stood close to the wall, posture rigid, a picture of discipline. Another man, much shorter and younger, leaned casually against the edge of the table, fingers drumming impatiently, his brown hair dripping down his boyish face. Sat next to him, A much taller girl, probably around the same age as Ariel, had her back straight, eyes sharp, red hair cut short, silently noting everything.

  Ariel’s hand brushed the folds of her gown, smoothing them even though there was nothing out of place. The silver-white fabric shimmered faintly beneath the chandelier’s light.

  She told herself it wasn’t irritation that made her do it.

  ***

  Every knight in the hall rose and straightened as one, armor glinting under the chandelier light.

  The king stepped through, tall, broad-shouldered despite the years, his cloak trailing behind him like a banner. A circlet of gold rested upon his brow,

  He walked with steady, unhurried steps, his expression composed but shadowed with thought. Ariel followed a few paces behind.

  The kings Silver-threaded gold hair fell neatly to his shoulders, framing a face marked by sharp cheekbones

  When the king reached his high chair, he paused. The hall fell into perfect silence.

  “Be seated,” he said. His voice carried easily, firm but unforced, a tone that needed no effort to command.

  The knights obeyed, the faint scrape of chairs against marble the only sound.

  “Let us begin,” he said, his tone calm but carrying through the hall.

  A captain near the front stepped forward, placing a gauntleted hand on the map. “The matter of Varghelm, Your Majesty.”

  The faint murmur of parchment filled the room as the map was unrolled further. Black ink traced the northern frontier, Varghelm’s jagged mountains pressing like teeth against Solvara’s border.

  “They’ve been… restless,” the captain continued. “At first, small movements, caravans redirected, shipments delayed. But now…” He hesitated. “Now they’ve begun deploying soldiers near the northern range. Not patrols. Formations, all blessed.”

  A quiet ripple of unease moved through the gathered knights.

  the King leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening. “And their intentions?”

  Another captain spoke, his voice lower. “Unclear. They claim it’s a precaution against the aberrations migrating north.”

  Silence. again.

  “A Solvaran scout was found near the lake’s crossing three nights past, barely alive. Beaten into a pool of blood, bones shattered, yet not a single strike meant to kill. Almost… playful.”

  The captain’s voice dropped lower. “They lived, but they haven’t spoken since. Whatever they saw broke them.”

  A younger captain continued,

  ”The incident occured too close to the city for comfort.”

  The air grew heavy.

  The king’s jaw tightened. “Varghelm was once our ally. Their queen stood beside me in council not too long ago. Yet now they move like a kingdom preparing for siege.”

  He glanced toward his captains. “This is no act of caution. It feels… unnatural.”

  Eldric stirred where he sat, his voice cutting through the quiet like gravel.“I would wager their growing escalation is due to Her Majesty’s passing, if—”

  A sharp intake of breath swept through the chamber.

  The words hung for only a heartbeat before realization settled in like a shadow.

  Ryn’s eyes narrowed, posture stiffening. Around him, the other knights froze mid-gesture.

  “—only she were still with us,” Eldric added quickly, a strained laugh slipping out. “May the gods bless her soul.” His dark eyes flicked uneasily toward the king and princess.

  Whispers rippled across the room. Eyes that moments before had been fixed on the maps now darted between Eldric and the kings chair. A few attendants along the walls shifted uncomfortably.

  The king’s expression didn’t waver, but a faint crease formed between his brows.

  “It is true,” he said, “that Varghelm’s recklessness has grown since Solvara lost its apostle .”

  His gaze shifted briefly toward Ariel, standing beside his throne.

  “And my daughter has yet to awaken her own blessing.”

  “There is no better time for them to strike than now,” Ryn’s captain added, his tone clipped but grim.

  The words carried truth. Every knight in Solvara knew what the Captain meant. The queens of Solvara were not merely rulers; they were vessels of the Sun God, Sol’s light, bearers of a Celestial’s gift.

  With the Queen gone, and Princess Ariel’s power still dormant, their defenses were thin.

  ‘A sorry state,’ Ryn thought.

  The Great Hall continued in discussion.The murmurs that had followed the tactical brief died out as the King’s voice filled the chamber.

  “In the coming days,” he said, “the royal guard will fortify the supply routes and reinforce all patrols. The northern walls will be our first line should Varghelm test our resolve. They must be ready for harassment, if not worse.”

  His tone carried the weight of certainty, a command, not a suggestion.

  Ryn stood among the assembled knights, listening quietly as assignments were listed one after another. Most of the royal guard were to be stationed along the walls and bridge, bolstering defenses in case of a siege. His name was among them. It was expected, unglamorous, but necessary work.

  Then the King’s voice shifted, low and deliberate.

  “There remains one matter of greater importance.”

  The sound of parchment and armor stilled. The King’s gaze swept across the chamber, sharp as the edge of a blade, before settling on one man.

  “Eldric.”

  The blessed straightened slightly, his habitual grin fading.

  “My daughter, Ariel,” the King continued, “is young, her blessing is fragile, untempered. That makes her vulnerable, and a target. I am assigning you to her protection. Should any threat come, you will be her shield.”

  A flicker of discomfort passed over Eldric’s face. He leaned back in his chair, brow furrowed.

  “Protection, sire? I could— ”

  “Your Majesty,” Captain Sylvas interrupted, his voice calm but carrying a weight of iron beneath the words. “With all due respect… Eldric is the only blessed in Solvara. If Varghelm acts, he is our strongest defense. I would advise he remain near the walls, in position to respond swiftly.”

  The room settled into whispers and consideration. Captains and nobles muttered among themselves, their voices blending into a restless murmur.

  Eldric’s hand sliced through the murmurs like a blade.

  “This boy would do it,” he said simply.

  All eyes turned as his finger pointed across the chamber. His dark gaze landed squarely on Ryn.

  “This one here,” Eldric continued, voice unusually steady, stripped of its usual humor. “He’s talented with a blade, disciplined, quiet, loyal. He would have no trouble protecting your daughter from whatever trouble may come her way.”

  The words hung heavy in the air, lingering longer than they should have. For a heartbeat, no one spoke.

  Ryn stiffened against the wall, shoulders straight, but the faint wince that tugged at his jaw betrayed him.

  Then came the sound of silk moving sharply against marble.

  “I refuse.”

  The princess spoke, fierce heat in her gold eyes.

  Ryn shifted slightly, his expression calm.

  His gaze moved between the princess and Eldric before settling on the king.

  “I am at Your Majesty’s command,” he said evenly. “If my presence is required for Princess Ariel’s safety, then I will serve as ordered.”

  Ariel’s laugh cut through the silence, bitter, sharp, and entirely without humor. “Do as commanded? How noble,” she said, the words dripping with disdain. She stepped forward, her voice rising. “However, I don’t need some guard shadowing me.”

  Her glare fixed on him, golden eyes blazing. Her fists clenched at her sides, the soft rustle of her gown filling the sudden quiet. Even the faint movement of attendants in the room seemed to freeze under the weight of her anger.

  Ryn met her gaze steadily, his tone flat. “It’s not your decision to make, Princess.”

  Ariel’s eyes widened, fury flaring behind them. “You—”

  “Enough!” The king’s voice rang out, sharp and unyielding. Both turned toward him.

  He rose from his seat,tall, regal, the golden embroidery of his cape glinting in the fading light. His gaze swept over the hall, silencing even the faint rustle of armor.

  “You,” he said, gesturing toward Ryn, “shall be appointed as Princess Ariel’s personal guard. This is not a suggestion, nor is it a matter for debate. Your duty is to ensure her protection, no matter her objections.”

  Ryn inclined his head, silent, accepting the command without a word. His stillness only seemed to fuel Ariel’s fury further; her hands curled into fists at her sides, her glare burning with frustration.

  “This is absurd!” she snapped. “I do not need—”

  “Silence, Ariel.” The king’s tone was colder now, every syllable cutting through the air. “The threats are real. You will not be left vulnerable and you will not waste time arguing with a knight who has proven his skill and loyalty.”

  Ariel’s golden eyes flashed one last time toward Ryn. Her jaw tightened, breath shaking through her teeth. Then, without another word, she spun on her heel. The layers of her silver-white gown flared with the motion, her golden hair whipping behind her as she stormed from the chamber.

  The heavy doors shut behind her, echoing through the hall.