Authors: Jason McWhirter
Continuing on through the main street they arrived at the king’s castle deep within the city. The inner castle was made of a white stone, and the thick timber gate was edged and bound in black iron. They entered through the gate into a huge courtyard paved with flat stones. Servants bustled forward, attending to the horses of the knights who had dismounted and were heading towards their barracks. It was routine for them, but for Jonas and Fil everything they saw was a new experience beyond their imagination. Slack jawed, they stared in awe at all the people, the massive buildings and walls surrounding them in an almost suffocating embrace.
The servant boys took the horses to the stables where Landon explained they would be cleaned and fed. Landon told the boys that the inner castle was so big that it had four courtyards all the size of the one they had entered. The king had over two thousand troops living within these walls. These were the Finarthian Knights, the elite of King Gavinsteal’s forces. He had another ten thousand troops living within the city walls and he could call on an additional twenty thousand soldiers that were on leave to work their farms and fields throughout the expanse of the Finarthian lands.
Lathrin walked up to Landon’s wagon followed by several servants. “My men will provide barracks and food for your mercenaries. Let me take you to a healer and to your room where you can get cleaned up for your audience with the king. I will have a room prepared for Allindrian as well,” announced the third lance.
“That is most gracious, my friend. I would like these two boys to come with me. This is Fil Tanrey and Jonas Kanrene.”
Lathrin’s ice blue eyes gave them a quick wondering look. “Well met. I am Lathrin, third lance of the Finarthian Knights. Tumas here will lead you to your rooms and make sure that you have everything that you need.”
A young man, about the same age as Fil and Jonas, stepped forward, smiling and nodding his head in greeting. Tumas was tall and wiry thin and carried himself with confidence. His face was angular but youthful with slightly curly brown hair cut short and immaculately trimmed.
“Very good, Tumas, lead away,” said Landon.
Tumas and several other servants guided them and carried their bags to their quarters. Two of the boys helped Landon to the healer while Tumas took Jonas and Fil to Landon’s room.
After following Tumas up several flights of stairs and down a couple long hallways, they passed through a strong oak door into a magnificent suite. The day’s astonishments continued as they looked upon the most wonderful room they had ever seen. The floors were covered with a shiny smooth rock and the furniture was polished, intricately carved, and of the finest quality. Two glass doors framed in polished wood led out onto a balcony facing the bustling city. Crimson silk drapes covered the windows and billowed gently as the warm spring breeze drifted through the openings. Jonas sniffed deeply, recognizing the smell of jasmine as the warm air wafted around the room.
Tumas set their packs on the floor and smiled at their astonished faces. “It is magnificent isn’t it? It is one of the rooms that the royal family uses to entertain other royalty or close friends. I assume you are Master Landon’s servants?”
“No, not really, we are his traveling companions. We met on the road from Tarsis no more than three weeks ago,” replied Fil.
“I see,” Tumas replied skeptically. “I will be here in the castle for most of the evening if you should need anything. I am preoccupied during the day as I am training to become a knight, but there will be other servants here to help you with anything that you need.”
“A knight? What is it like? Can anyone train to become a Finarthian Knight?” asked Fil excitedly.
“It is hard work and many long hours of study, but I love it; it’s all I’ve ever wanted. I will have two years of training as an apprentice. Then, when I’m eighteen, I must serve in the regular army for two years. After that, if I’ve done well, I can continue my training to be a knight. That can take several years. Not everyone can do it. You must be highborn or get a sponsor to apply.” Tumas turned to leave.
“Are you highborn?” asked Jonas.
Tumas turned back to face them. “I am. My father is a merchant and landowner. What about you?” asked Tumas.
“No, we are just woodsmen from a small town deep in the Tundren Mountains,” replied Fil sadly
“Well you would have to get a sponsor then,” Tumas said nonchalantly.
“How do you do that?” asked Fil eagerly.
“You need to find someone of importance, a noble or great warrior to vouch for you, and your character. There are also training fees that need to be paid for the probationary period. If you make it that far, then your training is free. I must be going now. There is a bath already drawn for you in the room to your left. I suggest you get cleaned up. I will have servants bring up some new clothes for you.” Tumas opened the door to leave.
“Thank you, Tumas. It was nice to meet you,” Jonas said sincerely.
“And you woodsmen. Enjoy your time in Finarth,” Tumas said with a smile as he shut the heavy door.
Jonas and Fil looked at each and began smiling until their faces were beaming walls of teeth. They began running around the room, exploring their quarters and investigating the magnificence of the décor. All the furniture was polished wood graced with hand carvings, and everywhere they looked they saw glittering items, like a silver mirror, a set of bronze candle holders flanking the fireplace, and even a set of crossed swords behind a giant silver shield with the Finarthian symbol cast in the middle.
Jonas ran into the bathing quarters first where he saw a huge depression built of the same shiny stone that covered the floor. It was filled with steaming water perfumed with the fragrance of rose petals. There was a big table and drawers next to a magnificent full size mirror. The mirror’s frame was built from huge pieces of dark wood. Detailed carvings of vines wrapped around the piece and at closer inspection Jonas could even make out clusters of grapes expertly depicted within the wood.
“Fil, look at this!” Jonas yelled, turning his attention to the bath. He sat on the edge and tested the water. It was warm and inviting, making Jonas realize how dirty and smelly he was. He quickly took off his clothes and leaped into the water, splashing some over the edge.
Fil ran in, his eyes bulging even more. “Is that hot water?” Fil asked incredulously, seeing the steam rise from the gently sloshing water.
“It is,” Jonas said with pure joy.
“How did they get it all in here?”
“I don’t know. Look at that hole in the ceiling, maybe the water comes from there.”
Fil followed Jonas’s gaze up to a round hole about the size of a fist. It was positioned directly over the basin.
“I don’t know, but this feels amazing,” continued Jonas, dunking his head in the water.
Fil picked up a sticky bar from the side of the tub and smelled it. The fragrance of rosemary filled his nose.
“Is that soap?” asked Jonas.
“I think so. Here, give it a try.”
Fil threw the bar at Jonas who caught it out of the air. He used it on his wet skin and it began to lather immediately. “It must be. It smells great and it’s lathering like soap. It sure smells better than the soap we used at Manson.”
“These quarters are amazing,” Fil exclaimed, his eyes continuing to inspect the wondrous place.
“The entire city is amazing. I never imagined there could be so many people in one spot or so many buildings, huge buildings,” Jonas said, washing his hair with the soap.
“Hurry up, I want to get in.”
They both got cleaned up and put on the clothes the servants brought them. They were simple breeches and tunics with a leather belt, but the cloth was a finer weave and not thick and itchy like the wool clothes they wore. It felt so soft on their newly scrubbed skin. They had to continue to wear their leather hunting boots, though, so they scrubbed them clean with one of the towels to make them look decent. They were pretty worn, but they looked presentable once all the dirt and grime was scrubbed from them.
It wasn’t long before the door opened and Landon stepped in, no longer limping. Jonas and Fil were sitting in comfortable leather chairs eating a platter of smoked meats, cheeses, and breads that a servant had brought in.
“Ahh, my friends, I can see that you found the bath and food,” Landon said, smiling, as he went to the table to grab a cut of meat.
“Yes, sir. I hope that was okay,” Jonas said.
“Of course, please, enjoy your surroundings.” Landon stood up, rolling his pant leg up to expose his thigh. “Look at this,” he said, amazement on his face. “Magic is sure incredible. I’ve never been healed by a priest before. He put his hands on my leg and chanted. First, a blue light appeared around his hands. I could feel a warm energy that spread from his hands to my wound and my whole leg. I saw the wound slowly close and the skin mend over it. The pain was gone and only a slight tingling remained. There’s just a little scar now.”
Sure enough, the boys saw that his leg had totally healed, the only evidence of his wound being a faint pink scar about as long as a hand.
“I would have liked to have seen that,” Jonas said, examining the scar in wonder. Landon unrolled his pant leg and sat down with the boys.
“Sir, why didn’t you have Allindrian heal you?” Fil asked.
“We had other injured men, Fil, men that needed it more than I. Her power is limited and I wanted it directed to my men. Remember boys,” Landon said, using the teacher voice the boys had come to love, “when you have power, be it in the form of money, strength, or rank, you must use it with honor if you want to earn respect. Those men saw me suffer through my pain even after I used my own resources to help their comrades. That kind of respect will go a long way.”
The boys were nodding their heads, agreeing with what Landon said.
“Sir, you must be really rich or be really good friends with the king to get a room like this. We want to thank you again for letting us travel with you. This place is incredible,” Jonas said.
“Yes, I am rich, and I am good friends with the king,” Landon laughed. “I have made a fortune trading dwarven weapons and armor from Dwarf Mount down to Finarth and Annure. They cannot produce the prized weapons here so I can command a royal sum for them. King Gavinsteal supplies only the best for his knights.”
“I see,” said Fil thoughtfully.
“I must change quickly. We have an audience with the king in a few moments,” said Landon, standing up and grabbing his bags.
“We?” asked Jonas.
“Yes. I need you to tell your story to the king. Don’t worry,” Landon continued as he saw Fil and Jonas’s apprehensive looks, “I will be there with you. Besides, King Gavensteal is a good and honorable man. I think you will like him. His two sons will be present as well as several priests to analyze your mark. Allindrian will be present as well. No need to fear,” Landon continued reassuringly.
It was not long before they heard a knock at the door. Landon opened the sturdy door revealing a man-at-arms who informed him that the king was ready to see them. The soldier escorted them through several hallways and down some stairs until they entered a large anteroom. The room was lined with suits of armor holding magnificent lances, and the walls were covered with intricate tapestries. The tapestries were made from a thick cloth the color of a ripe plum. Gold thread was woven into the fabrics forming symbols and designs of various sorts. Jonas recognized one as the symbol of Finarth, a blazing sun with a fist in the middle. He did not know the others but enjoyed the beauty of the graceful lines and intricate scroll work.
At the far end of the room was a large door covered in a detailed carving. Jonas looked at the carving carefully and it seemed to be of some great battle; men and monsters alike were fighting on a great battlefield. The detail was exquisite and Jonas could even see some of the warrior’s expressions as they fought for their lives.
Two guards stood on each side of the door, unmoving as they approached. Jonas wished he could have examined the carving further but the soldier leading them grabbed the solid metal ring on the door, opening it smoothly. For a door so large and heavy, it swung open easily.
“Follow me please,” the warrior commanded as he entered the audience chamber. They walked into a large room flanked by huge stone pillars. Stained glass windows lined the walls sending an array of color throughout the room. Intricate stone work covered every base that held up the massive columns. Huge tapestries hung from the walls and placed between each was a polished suit of plate mail, complete with spear and shield. It was beautiful, and Jonas’s eager eyes took it all in.
On the far end of the room were steps leading to a great throne made of carved wood and hammered steel. Jonas stared openly at the incredible craftsmanship. The throne was carved into the shape of a huge tree trunk reaching up more than three paces, and all from one piece of wood. Shiny steel covered the arm rests and various other pieces of glittering metal were expertly placed into the carving. In some areas steel was inlaid to form beautiful designs that to Jonas looked like leafy vines. It was strong, powerful, and graceful all at the same time, a fitting spot for a king to rule such a wondrous kingdom.
At the base of the steps was a thick oak table, lined with heavy wood chairs that faced the impressive throne. Each chair was put together with hand carved wood, polished with oil and shining with splendor. Jonas had never seen furniture so beautiful. Everything was sublime and of the highest quality, but it was all very functional and not overly flamboyant.