Chapter 7: King's Play: Part VIII and Part IX

VIII

The sorcerer was already asleep, when the king entered. The king stopped for a moment, looking deeply into the sorcerer's eyes, they were widely opened. The king made a silly face, waived his hand in front of the sorcerer, there was no reply. What else could he do? The sorcerer was asleep, no, he was sleeping like a log. The king took one feather from his hat, and started tickling the sorcerer.

“Very funny, Your Grace.” the sorcerer said.

“You're awake!” the king said.

“Yes.”

“I need your help.”

“What kind of help? A spell or two? Something complex?”

“Yes.”

“Leave it to me.”

“I want you to scare someone.”

“Easy.”

The sorcerer entered the circle, looked at his sides, and started speaking the magical words. A layer of black smoke appeared around the circle. The sorcerer continued. Black figures formed from the black smoke. Their eyes were red as blood, their teeth were sharp as swords, their claws are spears, and their tails are a thunderbolt. The figures danced around the sorcerer. They were getting bigger and bigger. Their faces appeared from the blackness. Creatures from nightmares, there was no doubt, creatures from the worst nightmares. Their forms changed, they became more and more terror looking.

“Whom do you want to scare, Your Grace?” the sorcerer asked with a metallic voice.

The king, thought for a moment and said the name:

“Alerich.”

“It shall be done.”

The creatures left the room, most of them were going through walls. They went across field and villages. The sorcerer, in the meantime, with king was watching through his golden mirror. The creatures weren't different that normal clouds.

“Where is that man?”

“Patience, Your Grace, we will find him.”

“I hope so.”

“Have no worry, we will find him. This has to do with Lady Joanna?”

“Well… well, yes.”

“I knew it.”

“Can those things, go any faster.”

“No, Your Grace. There!”

“I see him.”

“Let's see he's talking about.”

Two figure stood near the castle entrance. One of them was leaning over the balcony. The second one was walking in circles with a nervous turn.

‘‘Relax, you are only making things harder.”

“I know.”

“Then, do it.”

“I can't. It's easy for you to say.”

“Relax.”

“I can't.”

“But you must.”

“I can't.”

“Everything will be alright, don't you worry.”

“I'm trying to.”

“You think it will be alright?”

“Yes.”

“How can you be like that? Like everything is alright, that nothing will happen.”

“I was always like this.”

“If only, I could be like you.”

“It's not so hard.”

“Will the Lady Joanna do it?”

“That, I don't know.”

“There is something that you don't.”

“First thing for everything.”

The mirror turned blue, the sorcerer moved forward, the king had done the same.

“What's happening?” the king asked with a shocked look on his face.

“Everything is going according to plan.” the sorcerer said without emotions.

“I hope so. I truly do.”

“The creatures have found his bedroom; we only have to wait for him to fall asleep.”

“So, more waiting?”

“Yes.”

“In the meantime, I'm going to make me a pair socks.” the king said in a sarcastic tone.

“Make me a pair.”

“Why don't you do it?”

“My hands aren't that skilled as yours, Your Grace.”

“Me and my big mouth!”

They waited. The knight and his squire sat at the table, drinking and eating until they were full. The knight was the first to break the silence.

“You like, don't you?”

“Yes.”

“There is no secrecy.”

“It's a known fact.”

“Where do I live?”

“In the castle, sir.”

“I know that. What I meant, where am I?”

“In the great hall, sir.”

“I know that. I don't know anything about you two.”

“It's strange. You don't know anything?”

“No.”

“Strange, you must know, that we are married.”

“When? How long?”

“Soon, it will be two years.”

“Two years?”

“Yes.”

“You didn't know it?”

“No. You were sixteen than.”

“Yes.”

“Was I there?”

“You were in the third row.”

“Third row… on what side?”

“The left one.”

“The left one?”

“Yes. You were with Lady Gardilia.”

“Lady Gardilia?”

“Yes.”

“I thought, I have forgotten something. Now, I see that. ”

“What did you forgot?”

“To write her a letter.”

“You think, that she still waits for you?”

“You're right. Forget the last part. I'm going to my room.”

“Goodnight, sir.”

“Before I go, I must ask you a question.”

“Ask away, sir.”

“Do you have kids?”

“Well…I…I can't answer that.”

“I've heard rumors.”

“They are wrong. She's pregnant.”

“Don't stay up to late.”

“I won't, sir.”

The knight slowly went up the stairs. His mind was spinning from the information he just heard.

“Almost, Your Grace.” the sorcerer said.

“I'm almost finished with the socks.” the king gave him a pair.

“They are much better than the socks Irianna sells.” the sorcerer was pleased with the quality.

“I didn't that Irianna sells socks. When did she start?”

“Two months ago.”

“I always wanted to beat her in her own game. This is my chance.”

“With the socks of this quality, it will be easy.”

“You think?”

“Yes.”

“Back to the matter at hand. Where is he?”

“In his room.”

“What is he doing?”

“Sleeping.”

“That fast?”

“Yes.”

“Send him the surprise.”

The sorcerer's hand moved, his bony fingers made a sign that was unknown to the king. His eyes had bluish light to them; his face was paler and paler, until it became a lightly blue colored. The only thing that stayed the same was his reddish hair and beard.

“It's done.” he said in a voice that shocked the foundations of the castle.

“Then, let's enjoy the show.”

Alerich turned to his side with one eye opened. He thought he heard something; he wasn't wrong. The creature lifted him and the bed high in the air. The knight froze, he was holding for dear life. The creature laughed at him, its mouth was wide open, reviling three full rows of teeth.

“Why must everything bad happen to me?”

“Because you a magnet to bad luck.” the creature said.

“You speak?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Well, that's something new.”

“Don't tell, that you have never seen a talking creature.”

“No.”

“Great, for you. Tell me this, do you like to fly?”

“Never had the opportunity.”   

“You'll love it.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“Well, then, let's do it.”

“You wish, not mine.”

The creature lifted him high above its head. The knight was holding the creatures hand with such force, that the creature couldn't shake him off. The creature tried again. Again, the knight holds with such force. After half an hour, they were weary. Both of them gave up at the same time.

“This isn't good.” the king said.

“It could be worse.”

“True. Can you speak through the creature?”

“I can.”

“Is there something, you can't do?”

“One thing, to write a romance novel.”

“Me too. Never liked those types of novels.”

“There is one more type that I don't like.”

“What type is that?”

“Where the husband cheats his wife, and she faithfully prays that he will return to her and that they will live happily ever after.”

“Just, look at our Lady Vertina.”

“What's with her?”

“The last time, I heard about her, she had three lovers and two husbands.”

“Three lovers and two husbands? ”

“Yes. Do you know, what's the best part?”

“What?”

“They never meet.”

“That's impossible.”

“I had the same attitude, then I saw her with them. Each of them, waited for her in the different part of the palace.”

“She has a lot of stamina.”

“Let's return to the matter at hand. I want you to tell him, that he must leave Lady Joanna alone.”

“Done.”

The knight went on his knees, swearing that he will leave Lady Joanna alone. The creature turned, looked him in the eyes and disappeared.

“I will return, if you don't.” its voice could only be heard.

“I leave you, now.” the king said. He exits the room. Only his footsteps could be heard.

IX

A servant entered the king's room, in his hands he was holding a large pile of paper.

“You Grace, Alsfrut Grosod sends these for you see.” he said waiting for the king's command.

“Leave them on the table.” the king said.

He left them on the table, bowed his head and left the room. The king sat for moment in his chair. He looked at the large pile of paper that was on his desk.

That man is mad, he thought. I can officially say that he is mad. Who would want to read that? It's history. I hope is better than one of those romance novels. Never liked that man and his Romance of the Three States. It's always a bad choice to mix romance and history. Alsfrut is known for his history. Maybe, I'll give it a try.

The king sat up, he took the papers in his hand and with a high level of focus started reading. A few hours later, he finished.

Now, I know nothing. What happened to me? I must have got caught in the web of time. I won't try to read them again. I don't have the energy.

The king waited for his focus to recover. His head was spinning. He always thought that people were making up the stories. When they started reading something really long and boring, their heads hurt. He has finally, seen the truth.

After a hour and a half, he finally decided to leave his room. In the throne room, the royal painter waited for him. The canvas was already prepared; the paints were prepared.

I only need him, the king thought. What a timing. Maybe, he's a seeker.

“Your Grace, if you have a minute?” the painter asked.

“I do.” the king replied with a sarcastic tone.

“It's time for you painting.”

“Let's get this done.”

The king sat in the high chair. The painter took a red cloak and covered the right side of the king.

“What's this for.”

“A bit of decor, Your Grace.”

“Do, continue.”

The painter took out his pencil, measured something and made a rough sketch on the canvas. He took a few steps back, observed the sketch. With a swift turn of his head, the painter returned to the sketch. He measured again, always looking at the king.

“Is there a problem?” the king asked after a few moments.

“No, I just need to get the proportions right.” The painter said while he measured the king's nose. “A bit here, a bit there.”

This is going to last for hours, the king thought. That idiot couldn't even get my nose right. This will be a long painting.

A few hours later… the painter has finished the first under-layer.

“You've made progress?” the king asked after a half of hour silence.

“Yes, I have finished the first under-layer.”

“That only leaves the shadows and the highlights, if I'm not mistaken?”

“True.”

“How long will that take?”

“Anywhere from two to three hours.”

“Great, I can hardly wait.”

Two hours and fifteen minutes later…

“I am finished.” the painter said, putting away his brush.

 “Let's see it.”

“Behold, Your Grace. I give to you, my masterpiece.”

“You aren't wrong on that part.”

The portrait on painting was the same as the king. Everything was reproduced to the smallest of details. Every hair on his face could be seen. The king was quite pleased with the painting.

“Tell me, could you do a love scene?”

“I can do anything.”

“I don't know.”

“I will prove it.”

“I'm waiting.”

“In what form?”

“What do you mean?”

“In the form of a painting or in the form of a book?”

“You can do that?”

“I can.”

“Then, I choose the book form.”

“If it is the book form, one or more?”

“More.”

“How many?”

“You decide.”

“I accept the challenge.”

The painter left. The king looked at his painting. Still, he couldn't believe the realism of the painting. It was a small canvas. The details were stunning.