Chapter 10: The King

Chapter 10: The King

Issak approached the gate at the end of the hall. The same plain decorations were here as well. Though there was an addition of two guards on either side of the throne room door. He stepped forward and placed his hand on the handle.

“Sir!” one of the guards snapped.

“Sir?” Issak questioned. Did they really just call him sir?

“I'm sorry but there are no weapons allowed in the throne room,” the guard said firmly in response to Issak's angry stare.

Issak's tone was cold as ice as his hand reached for the blade's hilt. “I either enter with the sword or not at all. I will make no exception.”

“Than you may leave,” the guard said angrily.

“It is alright,” came a voice from down the hall. Merade placed her hand on Issak's shoulder. “If he were any danger he would have proven such already. Let him in.”

The guards yielded with a sigh and pushed open the gate. All the while staring at Issak's hand which was gripping the sword tightly.

“Thank you,” Issak muttered to Merade as he entered the throne room.

Like every other room in the keep the throne room shone with an simple and humble beauty. Scattered plants lined the walls and tall pillars surrounded the red carpet. All leading to the wooden throne which sat atop a platform the was round in shape. There sat the King, Elenor and Tao standing on either side in still silence.

“Here he is! The man of the hour!” Said a booming voice as Issak entered the throne room. “Come, come there will always be a place in Shenok Duhl for the hero who saved my daughter.”

“Hero?” he thought sadly. “He had to bring that up.” But his thoughts were interrupted quickly as the man's voice once again echoed across the throne room.

“My daughter and I are very grateful for...” His face wrinkled in puzzlement. “I'm sorry, I forgot to ask you your name.”

“Issak,” Issak said softly. His eyes meeting the kings with cool contemplation.

“I apologize,” the King said softly, the boom lessening from his voice. “I am an old man and I do forget my manners on occasion.”

He didn't, however, appear elderly by any definition to Issak's eyes. The King's eyes shined vibrantly with life and his hair and beard, though greying, were thick and healthy. Hardly the appearance of an old man.

The King lifted himself from his wooden throne and began to walk towards Issak. He towered over Issak in both size and stature, amusement painted on his face in reaction to Issak's cool gaze.

“Your highness!” Tao shouted urgently. “He has a weapon, please do not endanger...”

“Come now,” the King interrupted “Issak we shall take a walk through the gardens. It is quite the beautiful place if I do say so myself. A great place for a romantic stroll!” he turned and winked at Elenor, or maybe Issak was just imagining it. “It is also the perfect place for two friends to converse.”

“There is quite a nice little area of the garden with a pond.” the King continued his voice taking a softer tone as he placed his hand on Issak's shoulder. “There we will have both privacy and tranquility. We can talk freely and I can properly meet you.” The guard closed the door to the throne room with a slam as they proceeded down the hall.

“You are quite the dangerous looking young man,” the King said calmly as they continued on their journey. “I cannot wait to hear your story!”

“Cannot wait to hear my story?” Issak thought bitterly. “What does this man want from me?”

Author's Note

I will admit this isn't my favorite chapter. Not a whole lot happens here but the introduction to a character. Aside from more setting detail is there anything that needs more improvement? Thanks again for your input!

Reviews

[The dark story]

"the man of the hour":the king.well.if i judge him by this chapter.he's kind and generous and is may be hiding a small mystery from isaak(if i go with the concluding part).but still.let's see what lies ahead.anyway.it's a nice one too.o always enjoy reading your work!!!

[ewest1220]

Thanks! I always enjoy hearing from you as well thank you again for reading!

[FantasyLover24601]

I like this King! He is a pretty cool guy! However, with him being addressed as "highness", that word should be capitalized. And there doesn't seem to be any Queen, so I'm wondering who Elenor takes after more, her mother or her father. Going off that, I really have no idea what the King looks like. All I know is that he's tall and has a beard. But what about hair color and eye color? Physical traits to a character are just as important as personality traits. And what are the family colors? I know that the sigil was mentioned in the last chapter, but no colors. Are they green and silver? Red and gold? Blue? Purple? Bronze? Copper? Cream? Ivory? Crimson? Pink?

Great chapter though, if a bit short!

[ewest1220]

Thanks! Now you have me debating whether a pink hired kind would be relevant XD I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter!

[FantasyLover24601]

Hahahaha!!!!! I would absolutely love it if their family colors were pink! And you are welcome!

[Junert]

The King is amusing, makes me believe he has a darker side underneath.

[ewest1220]

Interesting. I think you'll enjoy how the King is. He actually turned into a pretty complicated character to tell you the truth.

[Junert]

I won't doubt that.

[gombeggar]

needs a little fixing especially with the guard dialogue at the start and in my opinon (or the way i write) internal dialogue doesn't need quotaion marks, but the story moves along and u need that

[ewest1220]

The guard dialogue was rushed I'll admit. I tried to change it a bit but I think I'll revert to the original. Thanks for the help my friend!

[Junert]

I agree internal dialogue should be in italics or plain as you later state that it's a thought.

[∠( ᐛ 」..]

I'm really enjoying your book :)
Magnificent job!
100/100

[ewest1220]

Thanks! I'm really glad you're enjoying it!