Chapter: Chapter 17: Flickering lightsLord Barvis took Leah to his workspace at the ground floor of the castle, where he prepares and stores potions and treats patients as well. It was a bit small and dimly lit; the two windows high up weren't big enough to be of much effect, so Bent had the candles lit.There was an old but sturdy sycamore table at the center with small bottles of tonics and crushed herbs on it; there also was a small mortar and pestle, metal tools for medical purposes, silk for dressing wounds, and a few empty bowls. The shelves on the walls held more bottles of potions and sorts, whilst a jar of water sat on the floor by the door.Leah always liked that he somehow managed to keep the room neat, unlike the library, but she hated the smell of medicine that permeated. Leah hadn't uttered a word to him, and he was understanding enough not to push; the king had tried to force himself on her and then tried to kill her.Leah's eyes were dark with gloom and despair, there, however, was a faint flickering light
Last Updated: 2026-03-03
Chapter: Chapter 16: ObligationsOscar and the princess rode past a few dozen black tents outside the city with a number of Caine men trailing behind them. The Hearst men who inhabited the tents lined up, left and right, to behold their triumphant commander, all subsequently giving a slight bow as he rode past. Naturally, there were about a hundred tents when he left the city, but it appears the Lady Hearst had grown weary of the capital already. The soldiers were rather silent compared to the city folks, who hailed and cheered and danced when the princess rode through the gates alongside Oscar. Murnn, the second-in-command of the spear hounds, and Jakar Wenrros received Oscar at the courtyards, whilst Malorie, Greyson, Evan Larr, Lord Bent, Lord Yadrick, and Malorie's handmaiden Nelly received the princess and in high spirit. "Look at what they did to you" Malorie gasped, appalled by the princess' swollen eyes and ragged clothes; stained with blood and dirt, she pulled Marilyn into a warm, tight hug for a short m
Last Updated: 2026-02-19
Chapter: Chapter 15: the trialGreynor walked out of the temple to the loud cheers and admonitions of his people. Thousands of men, women and children gathered around the temple to see the newly crowned king; even the beggars in rags were present. The city watch men had paved a way through the multitudes for Greynor to pass, he was mounted on a horse, decorated from saddle to hoof, and with the red dragon sigil of House Caine emblazoned on the ornamented drapes, his ceremonial attire was still on him with the staff in his hand and the crown on his head. "King Greynor!" "Long live the king!" "May the gods keep you" the people hailed as he rode amidst them. He waved and smiled, as did they in ecstatic response. Their numbers were so great that the city watch struggled to hold them back as they clambered and clawed in efforts to inch closer to him. Jach, the blacksmith's son, Brant, the farmer's hand, Gerome and Gared, the innkeeper's twin sons were amongst the crowd, cheering his name as well. Greynor hollered in ex
Last Updated: 2026-02-15
Chapter: Chapter 14: All hail the kingThe high lords and ladies in the capital were present at noon, all gathered in the temple of the gods. The main hall was as large as the throne room and made to accommodate just over a hundred people, this gathering was a few dozens shy of that, the stained glass windows displayed the individual symbols of the main gods; a waxing moon for the lord of the seas known as Jupitar, a dagger for the lord of might and steel known as mars and a torch for the lord of fire and gold know as venos, the pillars were painted gold and the marble floor checkered in black and white, the ceiling had a painting of all 3 gods depicted as celestial giants in robes and sitting on thrones with outstretched arms.The northern end of the hall was raised 3 steps high; this served as an altar but also a podium where the high templar preached the words of the holy book known as 'the peneal code', howbeit today, the altar would serve as the stage on which the next king would be crowned, the hall was filled with n
Last Updated: 2026-02-01
Chapter: chapter 13: To the DragonsfortOscar donned his armour and awoke the princes at the early hours of dawn to ride back to the capital. It took all of 3 hours for her to fully awake, she very nearly fell from her horse twice in those three hours."How long until we're there?" Marilyn stressed, twitching in discomfort as she trailed behind."We're nearly halfway" Oscar answered in his usual stern, gravelly tone."Nearly halfway?! Cursed hells!!. I'm starving and it'll be noon soon, I have to eat, I get lightheaded when I don't eat breakfast, I feel like I'm dying already" the princess blurted out in exaggeration."We can't afford delays" Oscar replied humorlessly. "Oh, it's not delays you're worried about, hound; it's the risk of losing the king's reward on the bounty. That's why we're off the main roads, fewer strangers to meet who may challenge you for the prize.""You're smart; I'll at least give you that but if I die of starvation on this journey my ghost will forever haunt you" she added."Does a human head in pe
Last Updated: 2026-01-28
Chapter: chapter 12: The king of the 5 kingdomsLeah bussied herself in the library whilst the castle slept, it was indeed a harrowing day slaving under Lady Malorie's company, whispers around suggest she could be the next queen owning to the rapport she seem to share with Greynor; the yet-to-be crowned king whom Leah avoided all day, he still grieved his father, and his sister was taken by the same group of mages who killed Greymon, seeing a mage skipping across the halls of his castle might just give him some ideas so Leah steered clear. Lady Malorie on the other hand was more eager to appease, littering the castle with her conspicuous presence all in a bid to make an impression, sadly for her, Greynor didn't have the time nor the patience, yet in spite of her ambitiousness, Malorie of house Dover does posses the makings of a fine queen, she is humble and observant, learned and confident, Leah preferred her over Marilyn, apart from her exhausting desire for gossip, Malorie was better in every corner of concern but she obviously w
Last Updated: 2025-10-25
