Draco's quest

14. treasure hunt

Narrator

Draco made sure that the scroll was well hidden when he made his way to the garden. To his relief, lord Killian too had left with the royals. So literally no one was around to push him around. Perhaps some knights and other wizards may throw a few insults here and there. But that was nothing compared to what he had endured. 

He worked in the garden and looked around so that he could determine where the ‘X was marked on the map. Finally, when he watered the plants, he realised that the ‘X was marked right under the heavy hedges. Maybe, something was buried underneath? After all, he found the sword from the same place. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to it. 

“Hey, weirdo! Draco the weirdo suits you.” his thoughts were interrupted by the taunts of the knights and rounds of laughter followed by it. 

“We are hungry. Cook for us.” They called out. Sighing, he finished his work in the garden and made his way to the kitchen. The digging will have to wait. He didn’t want to get in trouble and today no one will come to help him. Maybe he should wait for tomorrow. He could just tell them he found something and wanted to dig to see if anything else was there. But the question was, would a request of a mere servant be accepted? 

He quietly cooked for the knights and left the place. He knew if he stayed he would most probably be bullied. 

“I better wait. Even if I find anything, they will take credit for it. I am sure.” Murmuring to himself he retreated to his room and continued to practice his skills until it was finally time to sleep. 

*****

The next day Draco woke up early so that he could finish all the morning chores by the time the royals arrived. If he had done his chores, his request might be granted. 

The king was impressed by Draco’s perseverance. Despite all the taunts and hardships, he had completed his work ever since he was made a slave. 

“I am impressed. I have never seen such a remarkable human.” He admitted. Draco knew that lord Killian was glaring at him with his deathly glare. He knew his hate must skyrocket when he heard the king say that he was impressed by a weak human slave. 

“May I ask for a small favour from your highness,” Draco asked humbly. 

“What is it?” the king’s tone suddenly changed.

“Your royal highness. I found a sword under the hedges in the garden a few days back. I feel there might be more. I would like to dig and find out more so that this kingdom might benefit from any treasure underneath it.” Draco meekly requested. 

The king’s rock hard expression seemed to change to an amused one. This little slave was requesting to find a treasure so that his Kingdom could benefit?

“You are an amazing human. You want to find a treasure so that my kingdom will be benefited? You don’t want it for yourself?” He questioned, amused by Draco’s humble request. 

“Yes. Your highness.” He confirmed. “What would a slave like me do with such treasure? I am grateful that I have a place to sleep and food to eat your majesty.” He replied, bowing down slightly. 

He had learnt how to deal with an arrogant king. Never in his had he ever thought that he would have to live in such a situation, which he had only read in books or seen in the movies. But this king was arrogant and intimidating only if anyone disobeyed him.

The king started to laugh at Draco’s humble reply. 

“And this sword. Where is it?” the king questioned. 

“In my room your highness.” He told him honestly. “It was dirty so I cleaned it up.” 

“Fine. Bring me this sword. I want to see it for myself.” He replied. 

Draco hastened to obey the king’s orders and brought the sword to him. When his eyes landed on it, his eyes widened in utter amazement. 

“This sword sure belongs to this kingdom. It has got our symbol on its handle. But....this looks like it was used thousands of years ago. Perhaps by our fathers.” The queen commented but the king kept silent. 

“Are you sure you found this under the hedges?” The king’s tone was somewhat soft when he asked Draco. 

He timidly nodded, hoping that he was not in trouble. He knew he had given the sword he used to practice, but he gave it up, hoping that it would bring a greater good. If it didn’t work the way he had hoped it would, well, then that meant he would have to think of a way to get out of this bizarre world. 

“Fine!” the king finally stated. “You can dig the garden. But if you don’t find anything, and you ruin any of my plants in the process, I will punish you.” He threatened. 

Draco gulped but then he nodded. There was no going back. 

“I will supervise this myself.” He muttered and ordered his guards to follow Draco with him.

Draco worked hard in the garden, being as careful as he could not break even a small twig. He dug under the hedge where he had found the sword. But there was nothing even when he dug for a long time. Draco slowly felt his arms tiring and the sniggers of those surrounding him. 

He was thankful that the king was present, otherwise, he would have to bear insults thrown in his direction. He kept praying and working hard, knowing that he couldn’t afford to not find anything in there. He had taken a risk and had even given up the sword he had found, just because he was positive that he would find something valuable under the hedges. 

“Slave!” you have dug up the whole place!” came the king’s voice. Draco could feel the mocking glares and sniggers of the wizards. 

But Draco continued to dig, still not wanting to give up. He didn’t want to be punished. He didn’t want to find out the different ways of torture the king used. He had suffered enough from Volga. And after he was dismissed, Draco’s days had been rather pleasant. Well, at least compared to when Volga was there. 

“Enough slave. Stop!” the king ordered and Draco felt the last ounce of hope left in his heart melt away. 

But just as he dropped his shovel in the pit he had dug, the cling of metal caught everyone’s attention. 

“What was that?” 

“Huh?” 

Hushed whispers were heard around them. Draco looked at his feet. Something that looked like a metal handle was peeking from underneath the dirt. 

“Your majesty! There is something inside!” Draco exclaimed in excitement. 

“Dig it up,” the king ordered. And this time, his royal guards climbed into the pit to help Draco. 

They dug a little more to reveal what looked like an old chest, which was quickly taken to the king. The chest, of course, was covered with dirt and mud, which concealed the real colour and beauty of it. However, after clearing up the lock, the king realised that the lock had the replica of the drawing on the handle of the sword. So there must be some kind of a relationship between these two. 

He took the sword out and inserted the tip of the sword into the lock, which was clogged with sand and dirt. After a few tries, the lock was cleaned enough for it to be opened. 

“Hulhehmus!” he mumbled, as he pointed his forefinger at the lock, causing it to open in an instant. 

Draco was now used to seeing them do wonders using magic. So it was not surprising for him that a chest that most probably was buried underground for decades was easily opened by an almighty wizard king. 

But what amazed him was the amount of gold in the chest. Glimmering, and shining gold. Draco was shocked beyond words. When he thought it was a treasure, he didn’t expect that. 

“Human!” the king whispered.

“Tell me once again how you found the sword.” He questioned, keeping. His eyes fixed on the gold.

“Your highness.” He humbly replied. “On the day your grace saved me from the knights who tried to force themselves on me, I found it when I was trying to level the messed up ground. I saw its handle shimmering under the hedges. At first, I wanted to use it to learn how to use a sword. But I realised that more which belonged to this prestigious kingdom might be hiding underneath, so I wanted to....”

“Treasure hunt?” 

The king cut him off. Draco humbly bowed down. The king smiled at the human slave, who seemed to have proved to be one of a kind. His humble demeanour was appealing and the way he submitted to the king started to make the king approve of this immortal soul. 

“I am impressed.” He smirked. “I like how honest you are, human.” the King admitted.

“Now tell me. Do you like sword fights?” he questioned. Draco gulped and nodded. 

“Would you like to learn from the best?” he asked once again, surprising everyone present. 

“Your highness.” Draco humbly bowed, not knowing exactly what to say.

“I have appointed a royal trainer to teach him sword fighting. This is the least I could do for someone who had so skilfully found and faithfully returned this kingdom’s long lost treasure to us. If anyone has any problem with what I have decided, can leave the palace.” He stated. 

“Human. You have proven that all humans are not treacherous. You have changed my views about humans.” He turned to one of the guards. “I want his room to be refurbished. And remember, whoever tries to push him around will have to face me hereafter.” 

The king’s statement made Draco’s heart flutter in excitement. Finally, some kind of relief. And he will learn sword fighting from a real trainer. Draco felt like jumping in joy and punching in the air. His desire to learn sword fighting was finally becoming a reality.