A
fter several long days of travel, the Henchmen arrived back in Kingsland. Abraham and Melris were immediately escorted to the House of Steel by the King’s Guardians within an hour of crossing the border.
As usual, they were led through the shining gates of the grand castle that overlooked the Bay of Elders.
The Guardian Commander, Pratt, greeted both of them inside the gate. The oversized man appeared like a giant in his full-plate armor, towering above both men. “You are too unsightly to stand in the presence of the king. Couldn’t you have washed up first?”
Abraham looked at his bare arms. The fish bites were scabbed over. Blisters were covered in caked blood and dirt. He eyed Pratt and said, “If you’d like to draw me a bath and bathe me, then have at it.”
Pratt snorted. “Come along. Be sure to stay downwind of the king and queen. You reek.” He led them up to the large terrace located on the back of the castle, which overlooked the Bay of Elders, the same place where Abraham had first met the king. “Wait here.”
“We will, but if you could, will you check with the dry cleaners and see if my tuxedo is ready?”
Pratt sneered at him as he moved up to the upper patio and disappeared through the double door leading inside.
Abraham sat on the edge of the wall overlooking the sea. Hundreds of ships were in the bay, many more than before. He soaked up the sea wind while letting the sun shine on his face. It wasn’t home, but being back at King Hector’s castle felt good for some reason.
Melris dropped his hood. The ocean winds rustled his fair head of hair. “Four down and only two left to pursue. Impressive.”
“Yeah, well, we still have to figure out where the other two are.” Abraham fished the stones out of his pocket. The ruby and blazing orange gemstones sparkled in the sunlight. “What sort of special fire do these jewels have? Or do you know?”
“Not all their properties are fully known, but they do reveal themselves to the bearer. They do have names, however. The emerald is the Stone of Truth. The blue sapphire is the Stone of Lightning. The ruby you hold is the Stone of Blood, the orange the Stone of Power. That leaves the yellow amber as the Stone of Piety and the white diamond the Stone of Cleansing. All as one, though, can make chaos or harmony. When the king has them all, he’ll be the most powerful person in Titanuus.”
“Even greater than the Elders?”
“They aren’t persons, but one could make a strong case for that.” Melris gazed toward the horizon beyond the sea. “I only hope that King Hector can control this great power. After all, there was a reason why they were split up before.”
Abraham thought about the zillon Ottum’s warning about King Hector. I hope I’m not creating another monster.
Pratt returned, escorting Queen Clarann and Princess Clarice. The women hustled Abraham’s way. Queen Clarann looked gorgeous in a short yellow dress the color of sunflowers. Princess Clarice wore the cuirass of a Guardian Maiden. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her beautiful eyes were as bright as ever. Both women covered their noses.
“I know—I reek,” Abraham said as he dumped the stones back in their pouch. He bowed and moved downwind. “It’s wonderful to lay eyes on the both of you again. You both look beautiful.”
“Tell me what you fought!” Clarice said as she bounced on her toes. “I want to know everything. I should have been there.”
Abraham touched the young woman’s chin and said, “I’ll tell you everything. Perhaps we can go back to Stronghold. No doubt your fellow Henchmen would love to fill you in.”
“You look like a burning behemoth spat you out,” Queen Clarann said.
“I feel like it too.”
“Are you well? You look grave,” the queen said.
“Nothing some soap and suds won’t cure.” He clasped the queen’s hand and gave her a knowing look. “All is well.”
The queen lifted her eyebrows.
Prince Lewis and Leodor stepped out onto the patio. King Hector came behind them. The dark-headed prince’s black cape rustled in the winds. The wizened Leodor’s hands were hidden in the large sleeves of his robes. King Hector stood tall. The bend in his back was gone. Some red had returned to his white beard. He wore a stately suit of black robes trimmed in gold. The Crown of Stones rested tightly on his brow, pinching the skin as if it were grafted to his head.
The king’s black garb sent a chill through Abraham.
King Hector threw up an arm and said, “Please, come sit! All of us.” He gestured toward a table that held pitchers of wine and glass goblets. Diced fruit, cheeses, and crackers were spread out on platters on the table. “I can’t wait to hear about all your adventures in the Wound.”
After the queen and princess seated themselves on the right side of the king, Prince Lewis sat on the left. Abraham took a seat at the end of the table, leaving only Melris and Leodor between them.
“Why so far away, Abraham Jenkins?”
“I’m afraid my smell might make you retch.”
King Hector let out a hearty laugh. He slapped Lewis on the back and said, “Now, that is a champion if there ever was one.” His light tone became more serious. He lifted an eyebrow and shot Abraham a lustful look. “The stones. Do you have them?”