Slave to the Sorceress

Just a Basic Morning

ALEX

The morning sun just skimmed the horizon as I patrol the top of the wall. It's a beautiful day in Leviance, not a cloud to be seen. I always start my mornings on the wall, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. The way the rays of golden light glimmer off the ice caps to the Western Mountains. Sounds of the babbling brook emanating from the north. Farm land as far as the eye can see spanning the eastern side of the kingdom. To the south, a forest of magnificent proportions, delicately delivering every color that mother nature has ever created.

A land vastly different from the sandy deserted hills from which I was born. A place I was taken from when I was just a mere boy.

The wind is blowing gently this morning. A fresh scent of morning dew hanging onto the breeze as it moves across the land. I rest my hand on my sword and take a deep breath, taking it all in.

Knight hood in Leviance was not viewed as such a noble duty here. Part of the job is to enforce the contract created by the magic council, which over time has created the wipe out of almost all magical peoples.

"Well, time to go, the meeting won't happen on its own," I thought to myself.

Slowly, I manouvered through the castle. Every morning, I take the scenic route to the war room to have the daily knighthood meeting. I watch the people bustle about attending to their day. Women carrying baskets from the market, bakers making bread for the day. The harsh *PING* ringing through the air of the blacksmiths hammer. Stalls linging the market holding everything you could think of. As I neared the main doors of the castle, Drake, a fellow knight, caught up to me.

"You ready to find out what matters we need to deal with today?" Drake asked, looking at me with sleep still in his eyes. In all honestly, Drake barely makes it to these meetings as he spends most nights with the ladies down at the tavern.

"Another day with more duties. I know the king writes the daily list of what needs to be done, but I always wish I could at least meet the man who is being these commands, " I replied.

Drake and I walk side by side through the main doors. As soon as we enter the castle, we are met with the massive vaulted ceilings of the throne room. Columns adoring either side, built in memory of previous rulers via painting and stories that remained in the record room when the Astria family took residence here. The last column on the right is a male figure engulfed in flames. The man had no face, and on the plaque under neath, it reads, "The king that caused all to fall."

"This one creeps me out," said Victor as he walked up beside Drake and I. Victor is the latest addition to the knighthood, bringing us up to 6 in total. Obviously, excluding the royal army.

"It's not that bad Drake laughed. "Just some old dude from a couple hundred years ago." The words were so nonchalant as they came out of him.

"He is more than some old dude Drake. He is the reason magic is not allowed to exist in this world. The number of people this man slaughtered just to prove himself is beyond imagination. He is the reason the world is the way it is today. " I replied sternly. "The king and queen put him here for a reason. As a lesson to all who come here that this country and this kingdom have survived far worse. This is a reminder that the peace we are in now was not always here. It's something to be grateful for"

Victor and Drake had their eyes at their feet. Silence filling the room. After a few minutes, we all made our way to the war room.

Jared is already here, so that makes 4 present. Jared receives the orders from the king. A letter is handed to him every morning from a servant. He is the right hand, although even he has not met the king.

"We are still waiting on Marcus and Clyde, are we?" Jared stated, facing the 3 of us.

"Nope, just a few minutes late!" Marcus laughed as he and Clyde strolled into the room. Jared had a sternly look on his face. He is a huge advocate of time management, and people being late put him in a really foul mood. Then again, most anything puts Jared in a bad mood.

We all sat down around the table and began discussing the requests of the king for the day.

A few hours later, we were free. Free to leave the room and carry out todays duties. Jared stayed in the war room to deal with defenses and handle the military. Marcus and Clyde headed to the docks to handle trade afairs. Victor is dealing with law breakers and thieves today while Drake and I are being sent out tax collections and to hear the problems of the people. Throughout the day, we all take detailed notes. Making sure that everything of importance is marked down for the report this evening. Drake and I grabbed the carriage and readied the horses. We grabbed some shillings as well as other supplies such as rope, barrels, crates, and a bay of hale for the horses. The rest of the day, we traveled the countryside meeting with the people. collecting their tax payments of shillings, animals, and other supplies to provide resources for the winter and the royal army.

It was a long day of back and forth conversations. Lots of commuting and lots of people. Drake passed out on top of a bag of grain as we made our way to the confines of the wall. Overall, it was a good day. As the carriage swayed back and forth from the bumps in the road, I thought about what the royal family might be like. Were they kind? Well, I'd assume so as their kingdom is flourishing and their people are happy. What about what they look like? So hard to remember their faces. 4 times they have been seen in my lifetime here in Leviance. All 4 times, being the birth of an heir and all 4 babies being girls. It's a regular discussion amongst the people on whether or not we will get a prince. None of the daughters have married, although 2 are of age to have children of their own. Not one bit of information was available as to how the kingdom will live on. Many people believe the king is trying for a son to inherit the throne, but it's been 18 years since the birth of the last child.

Finally arriving at the Storage vaults just inside the wall, my trian of thought derailed, and I set about unloading the supplies. Drake is still passed out, I grab the bag of grain he is using as a bed and yank it out from under him. Without fail, Drake tumbled from his slumber spot and heavily landed on the ground. Unable to contain my laughter, I doubled over barely able to breathe. The look on Drake's face was one of rage.

"Why would you do that!" he furiously yelled at me.

"Wh- why would I not!" I blurted out, still laughing. Tears streamed from my eyes. "That was the highlight of my day!" I howled out.

Drake angrily picked himself up and huffed at me as he stormed last to unload the last of the materials while I stood by trying to regain my composure.

"You better stop, or else you're going to suffocate before you make it to dinner," He grumbled on his way to the dining hall.

The rest of the knights had already begun eating by the time that we showed up. Drake, still in a foul mood, pluncked down into his seat without a word and began filling his plate. I was in no rush, so calmly, I sat down and deciphered what I would like to eat.

"Whats up with him?" Clyde inquired, gesturing to Drake.

"Shut up!" Drake snapped back.

"I made him fall off the carriage because he fell asleep on a sack of grain. Yanked it out from under him, and he tumbled onto the ground pretty hard. Pretty boy can't take a joke, so he is pretty sour about it, " I smirked.

"I'm not sour about it! That really hurt!"

Everyone around the table laughed except Jared. He was calm and quiet as per usual during dinner. In fact, dinner was probably the only time he wasn't in a foul mood. The evening continued on with polite conversation and the occasional joke. Drake and Jared remained quiet and finished off their dinner without a sound before they both exited the room to turn in for the night.