Dragon's Keep

The Hand of Idrelas crept with trepidation through the palace, his ornate robes decorating the floors as he passed. His stomach swirled like a storm as he continued down corridors adorned with portraits of long dead royalty and tapestries of great battles. It was late in the afternoon and the glowing gold sunlight silhouetted his nervous form as he passed the large arched windows. At any other time, he might have stopped to admire the pleasing, magnificent view of the kingdom. But not now. Why him? Why did he have to do this? Oh yes, because he was the King’s advisor, respected throughout Idrelas, the reason amidst the chaos. He grimaced. Sometimes (rarely) but sometimes, he could hate his position.    Being The Hand, it was a part of his job to know the King’s regular movements. In times of crisis or alarm, it was useful as the King could be reached immediately. Unfortunately, it also meant bad news reached the King’s ears more swiftly. He swept down another staircase, the dread growing with each step. Almost there. The Hand came to a stop outside a large wooden door, held together in places by black iron. Taking a deep breath, The Hand tried calming himself before rapping on the door to announce his presence. “Enter.” A voice called from beyond the door. No turning back now. The Hand tentatively pushed open the door and stepped inside.    Kind Falon stood in the small circular room, carefully watering a medium sized terrarium. Various terrariums containing plants from the five kingdoms were dotted around on shelves and tables, in what The Hand could discern, an elemental or celestial order. Plants that thrived on the moon for example, were in little terrariums high up by a large, perfect circular window, designed to maximise moonlight exposure. The river plants were generously housed in a huge fountain terrarium lower to the ground. Each was beautiful in their own way and the air here seemed peaceful. Shame he was about to ruin it. “Viras,” King Falon uttered, not taking his eyes off the little ecosystem in his hands, “I take it you didn’t come all the way down here to admire my terrariums.” He swallowed. “As lovely as they are, you are correct your majesty.” “Well out with it then Viras, you’re The Hand of Idrelas, not The Silent Tongue.” There was nothing for it now. “We’ve had word your highness, from Sabeline.” “Ah and does my knight tell me I can rejoice for she has finally slain the great dragon plaguing our land?” King Falon said with a tone Viras couldn’t quite make out. It sounded like malice and curiosity merged into one and he wasn’t sure he liked it. “Erhm, I’m afraid not your majesty. The dragon has evaded her blade once more.” Viras braced himself for the King’s wrath, but Falon merely set the terrarium gently back on its table. “I see. Sabeline is a proud Knight. Her sensibilities mean she will chase that dragon to the ends of the five kingdoms if duty called for it.” “I am glad you have such faith in the Knights of Idrelas sire, their status as capable warriors and defenders of the realm is legendary after all.” Viras felt his chest become lighter. The King was a sensible man, there was no need to… “However, just because Sabeline has the patience to spend her life hunting the dragon, it does not mean I share her sentiment.” “Sire?” “She has had many opportunities and the dragon has outwitted her and some of our best warriors. She gets one more chance.” “Very good sire. One more chance and then we shall call her back to the kingdom.” That didn’t sound too bad, sure if she failed on her last attempt, the Knight would be restless and distraught back at the kingdom. All of the knights did not take failure well at first, but after a day or so they always retreated to their teachings that failure makes them stronger. Another knight would be dispatched in Sabeline’s place and all would be… “Yes. For if she fails this time, the punishment will be severe.” King Falon sneered, the shadows coating his expression in just the right menacing way. “P-punishment?” Viras ventured. “For a Knight of Idrelas?” The very idea was unthinkable. “What kind of punishment?” King Falon smiled. “Given the chance, she will hunt that dragon to her death. It is only fitting she compensate her failures in the same way.”    The Hand stared at the King aghast. “You wish to kill a Knight? For not taking down a dragon? Have you seen a dragon sire? I don’t wish to talk out of turn, but they’re not exactly the easiest creatures to slay.” “Don’t worry Viras, I have no intention of killing a Knight. It would put me out of favour with the people, not to mention call my actions into question by the council. I could rather do without a rebellion or being overthrown.” “Oh good, because for a moment there…” “I’ll simply get someone or something I should say, to do it for me. And the best part? She’ll walk to her death willingly due to her sense of duty.” King Falon stated confidently and with an air of fact. “Well, I do believe its nearly time for dinner and taking care of my little friends has left me starved. Come along Viras.” The King grasped his hands and strode out of the room, the epitome of regality and with no evidence of the disconcerting change.     The Hand, however, was rather confused and a bit pale. That side of the King had left him shaken. Surely he hadn’t meant what he said? The King was probably just tired that’s all, not thinking rationally. Yes that must be it. “Oh and Viras?” King Falon’s voice echoed just before he peered back round the door, “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this conversation between us. I’d hate for you to suffer any consequences from a loose tongue.” The Hand nodded his head nervously and satisfied, the King left once again. The swirling storm was back in Viras’s stomach at the King’s departure and he wiped his suddenly sweating palms on his expensive robes. He feared this King, the stranger he had seen take Falon’s features. If the King was becoming undone, then he feared greatly for what the future may hold.    He had a feeling even the Knights of Idrelas wouldn’t be able to stop it.