Chapter 3 - Meeting the royal Family

Elaina slightly bowed to me and asked. "Can you ride Milady?" I chuckled my tribe was basically born in the saddle. But many other tribes didn't share that passion, so it was not an insult. "It has been a while but I am certain I can manage a gentle stroll." A small smile did show around her lips when she offered me a beautiful white Stallion which bore prominent the Insignia of crown and the Royal Guard.

While I safely mounted the beautiful Horse on my own without any problems. My companions, who were a bit overwhelmed, where gently lifted behind two Guardswoman. I was positively surprised about how they treated Marie the same curtesy as me and Johanna. In fact, none of them showed any disdain for me or my companions. I saw a few sad and supporting looks towards me in my rags but that was about it. It spoke lengths about their ruler if their personal guard was acting like this.

As we got closer more and more of the palace revealed itself. It was a beautiful building. Parts of its white and golden colored walls could be seen from almost everywhere in the city. It had yellow round peaked roofs and elegantly carved wooden beams running through its walls. I admired it together with the surrounding city.

It had been so long and everywhere I looked there was something interesting happening. There was a child being chased by his angry mother something about cleaning a mess. An argument between a store owner and the city guards with a very drunk person sitting leaned against one of the guardsmen. A troupe of musicians and dancers dressed in all color full outfits. Their happy song did follow us for quite some distance.

The city was oblivious doing well and the citizen where content. Most of them seemed to be unafraid of the day walking with their head hold high. Infront of us however, especially once we were on horseback, they parted their way and many even bowed slightly since I was getting an escort of the Royal Guards. But even then, it didnt seem to be the fearful bow I had seen in other places.

I shook my head slightly thinking how different they would look at me if I wasnt wearing the Cloak and they could see my Prison rags. "Should I try and get something more decent to wear?" I suddenly stated my worry. To the captain who was riding next to me. "If you wish we can stop somewhere to get you outfitted milady."

She hesitated for a moment then continued. "But the king and queen might more easily understand your situation if you remain like you are right now instead of trying to hide the marks of your false imprisonment." I chewed my lips for a moment thinking about that then nodded. "It isnt like I have much money on me anyway." I said half-jokingly. She smiled and shook her head.

We got closer and closer to the big palace gates. They were opened and the palace population went in and out unhindered. However as soon as the three guards saw us the Officer steeped out Infront of us. "Welcome back Captain." He said friendly. "May I please see the faces of those wearing Hoods?" the captain only smiled and did hold out the silver Medallion again.

"I am afraid not my friend." He nodded then saluted and let us pass. I was amazed at how much authority this medallion did hold. It seemed that they really took this quite seriously. I wonder if it was because of the warden or because of the worry that the tribes might raise yet again. I shook my head a bit while slowly riding behind the sturdy shoulders of the captain.

The area we moved through had some beautifully decorated walls to each side high enough that an rider would not be able to look over them indicating that behind that where more private areas. But it didnt feel cramped. The path was framed by rows of flower and walkways for pedestrians and was wide enough that two coaches could path each other comfortably

After a short ride we reached a wide-open space with some stables to the side nearby and we all dismounted without any trouble. One of the guards did help Marie down like she was a high court lady. Me and Johanna were as quickly off the horses as the rest, so nobody did need to help us. Most of the guards stayed here taking care of the horses only four of them stayed with us when we walked through big imposing doors into the palace. Elaina steeped next to me. "You may now remove the hood milady if you wish so nobody here will be willing to pose any threat."

I took the it off and enjoyed the full view around me. My cat ears where turning all around me now they were free from being laid flat against the head under the cape. The area that we were in now was full of activity. A few servants walking pass gawking at me but none of them stopped in their task or looked hostile towards me. The noblemen and woman instead stopped dead in whatever activity they were doing and openly stared at me. I smiled and ignored them while stretching myself, then I made a small bow. "After you captain."

She made a small confirming bow back and walked ahead of us following the wide straight path that guided to two more giant doors. This place did hold obliviously nobles waiting for something most likely to be allowed past these doors. They lounged around in comfortable armchairs with small tables next to them holding snacks and drinks. Almost all of them watched, some in amazement, some in anger, some with curiosity, when the captain guided us straight through them.

But despite that nobody dared to step into our way when they opened without anybody in sight. Behind them were a second set of giant doors just 20 meters away. At each side of that second corridor stood a line of teen guardsmen and woman all to attention. These seemed to raise a bit of more voices behind us for some reason, but the doors were closed behind us soon enough muffling any sound from the busy hall.

I assumed that normally there would be a lot less guards standing to attention for a visitor. Or any at all I dont know but the raised voices did proof that point. This was an impressive display especially for an ex prisoner like me. All of them stood still looking straight ahead and none of them did inspect us directly when we walked pass which made it a bit strange and impressive but I followed the strong shoulders of the captain expecting that she would handle any trouble.

One of the guards a large towering male steeped out of formation and into our path and bowed towards us. "Milady Captain welcome back, pardon me but her sword needs to be sealed." He bowed towards Johanna who at the side of her jailer uniform carried her old sword with her. She once told me that it was the sword, she had used in Battle so it was actually hers not the Guards in opposite to the uniform.

Elaina did something surprising and turned towards me asking wordless for permission. I hesitated, overwhelmed that she would stop a fellow guardsman if I denied, then nodded towards her. She smiled then bowed towards him and stepped aside signaling that he had permission to proceed and stepped aside to let him pass. He walked up to Johanna and did another deeper bow this time. Pointing towards the sword. "May I?" Johanna was clearly overwhelmed as well but nodded turning herself slightly so he could access it more easily. "It is more to tell that you mean no treat to the throne and you are willing to follow the rules." He explained while binding a thick cord around the guard and hilt sealing it in a way. It was of a bright red color clearly visible for everybody.

"Do not draw this sword in there unless it is to defend the king or queen. Do not break the seal unless for this specific reason." He said that with a clear and friendly tone and seeing how nervous Johanna was for being the center of attention he smiled and bowed to her again. "You may proceed."

With that he stepped back into his place. As soon as he was back two of the guards at the end of the line steeped slightly forward and grabbed the large handle to push the second set of doors out of the way. The slow push and strained arms revealed how heavy the door where and how strong the guards. I could hear in every of their steeps the heavy weight pushing into the ground while it itched along slowly. The guards however worked silently no grunt or strain was audible while the door swung open.

Behind that it revealed a giant hall that that was framed by large pillars. Behind the pillars however was not a wall but two beautiful gardens to which one could apparently walk freely. At the opposite end of the hall from where we stood was a set of Thrones raised slightly above the ground, designed in a humble but extremely beautiful looking way.

The center throne was with a large back and a crown above the backrest. Next to it to the left was one of a similar build one with yet another crown above its back. And the last throne had a smaller back and was not on the podium even further to the left. All three of them were of simple build but extremely elegant in design.

On the one at the center sat an Young man, he looked around 18 years old. He and he the woman next to him were holding hands gently while seeming into a conversation. On the third throne sat a Woman who clearly was twice as old as the first pair. She seemed to be busy with paper that was put on a small plate on her lap. All three of them however looked up when our steeps where close enough.

"Welcome back Captain! It seems you found indeed one of the tribes in that prison?" He asked once we were close enough. The three guards around us did a kneefall as well as Johanna and Marie while I and the captain only bowed Infront of the King. One of tribe did not kneel for anybody nor do we expected it to be done to us. However, it was acceptable to bow as a greeting of respect. Of course, if you wanted to kneel it was up to you but thats not so common, apart from very special occasions.

"Indeed, your Majesty. She said. My king, my queen and your Highness the queen Mother. I present you Misra Siderim De Juras of the tribe of the Sian. A former trader and guard of the great dessert being hold in the prison without our knowledge for 8 years apparently." I nodded in greeting and only slightly raised my eyebrow on her knowing my full name and the apparently.

"Milady Siderim I present to you King Sehrim Hargram of Turgal Ruler of the Kingdom of Turgal as well as surrounding provinces." I bowed lightly to the King again and he smiled and nodded towards me in return. "Her Majesty Queen Furam of Turgal coruler of the Kingdom of Turgal and the surrounding provinces." Again a small bow and smile in both direction. "And the Queen Mother Desire De Dursram." She had already returned to her paperwork Infront of her, but we exchanged a short smile and bow as well.

Now that I was close enough, I could see two similar plates with paperwork next to each of the king and queen even through both where far less overloaded then the one of the Queen mother. They all wore ornamented expansive clothing in warm red and yellow colors. The king and queen wore very elegant ornamented crowns. Both of them of similar height and size. The kings crown did spot a remarkable green gemstone while the queens one was carrying a beautiful blue one. The crown of the queen mother was smaller and did rest on a table next to her instead of her head.

"Now this is an informal session before we start the trail against the old Duke of Laris who is the one accused of imprison you." The king started his voice was calm and clear and he did sound a bit older then one would guess by his looks. "We have looked into it." He pointed at the large pile of paper. "And we could already proof that it was him who had you brought into that prison over 8 years ago and it was him who signed off the guards and made you almost disappear from all the paperwork."

I relaxed a bit, so they knew already that it was the truth. "In your case this amounts to Treason if not even high treason because the last peace treaty with your people required that all cases that involved one of you has to be brought Infront of the king. Well all cases that goes beyond a few days in prison." I nodded. I was well aware of the law. It was made to prevent us from being unjustly imprisoned and or enslaved again because that was the leading cause of the second war with the tribes with the kingdom.

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I know that it isnt that good of a chapter end xD but i dont want to end on a cliffhanger on every chapter ^^ i hope it is a good read so far =) And aargs it didnt copy over the Qutationsmarks from word. Maybe because of the writing duno will have to experiment there. Anyway now with Qutationmarks