Dragon's Keep

Chapter Three: Curious Entrance

The kingdom loomed dark and terrible before them. Well, in her imagination. In reality it appeared no different to how Sabeline had left it several months before. The grey imposing walls mixed with lighter sand coloured stone were still intact and the flags bearing the crest of Idrelas were still flying from the towers. A sigh escaped her lips as she scrutinised her home. Yes, nothing had changed but that unsettling feeling remained, curling in her stomach as though waiting for something. Trying to mask her body’s rising tension, Sabeline urged Hylix on towards the gate.

   The remainder of her men followed behind, falling into a steady rhythm. The gentle treads of their horses mixed with the pacing of the foot soldiers in a returning symphony. Commander Karo followed on his horse a few paces behind her, as was custom. No one was equal to a Knight and the only one higher than a Knight was the King.   

   They arrived far too soon at the gate in Sabeline’s opinion, though a normal amount of time had passed. She was doing a lot of that since they had first spotted the kingdom through the trees. Stop this nonsense, her mind whispered as she drew herself to her full height and tried to pretend her apprehension of unknown origins did not exist. “Gatekeeper!” she called loudly. A portly, older man came into view, sporting a long grey beard that dragged on the floor. She got the impression the Gatekeeper had spent his youth betting how long he could grow it. “A’right A’right, I heard ye.” The Gatekeeper grumbled as he stepped towards his little outhouse. “Can’t even take a whizz in peace without someone demanding to be let in.”

She bit her lip to stifle a smile. “I’d be most grateful if you were to let me and my men through Gatekeeper. The King is expecting me.”

The Gatekeeper squinted at her face and then turned his gaze to the armour she’d managed to pull on before leaving. “Aye, a Knight eh? The Truth Bringer if I’m not mistaken?”

Sabeline nodded. “That’s me.” The titles bestowed upon her and the other Knights were rarely used between them, but she knew the common folk preferred to call them by their titles. She supposed a title was easier to remember than twenty or so names.

“Well Truth Bringer, it be an honour to open the gate for ye return.” The Gatekeeper reached for the long wooden lever behind him, pulling it down. Instantly, a creaking groaning filled the air as the iron gate retracted upwards. She winced at the noise but nodded her thanks at the Gatekeeper, flicking the reins. The War Horse trotted forward, leading them into Idrelas. 

   Hylix made his way around the curling cobbled streets. It was eerily quiet. Sabeline hadn’t exactly expected a parade, but she did think more people would be about. Maybe it was because they were in the lower town? It shouldn’t matter though. The lower town was a bit more ramshackle, with off centre roofs and slightly wonky brickwork, but it was still neat. After all, it was the first thing visitors and travellers would see upon entering Idrelas and it was the lower town that would form their immediate impression of the kingdom “Commander,” she called behind her “why is it so quiet?” Commander Karo looked around, as though only just noticing the silence for the first time. “I’m not entirely sure m’lady. They may have moved up to the mid or high level town?”

Well that’s a great comfort. Sabeline rolled her eyes, thankful the Commander couldn’t see her face. “Perhaps.” She answered appeasingly, still keeping a wary eye on her surroundings. The quiet followed them up until the mid-town.

At least the mid-town was a bit better. People were going about daily tasks, waving at them as they passed. It was exactly as she’d expect the place to be functioning. So why was it not this way in the lower town? What was going on there? She waved back when appropriate, trying to pick out anyone that could be from the lower towns. She’d hate to admit that Karo was right, but if she could find one less thing to be worried about at this moment, she’d take it. But unless the entirety of the lower town had travelled up and purchased whole new wardrobes (unlikely), Sabeline couldn’t find anyone fitting the lower town. The sun disappeared as Hylix stepped into the shadow of the castle. She was still halfway to the higher level town and not for the first time, marvelled at how big the castle actually was for its shadow cast over part of mid-town. From this distance, her gaze picked out the Knight’s Towers easily. She couldn’t be sure, but thought she saw some figures on the balcony, the only true comforting sight since she’d passed through the gate. The rest of her Creed may have answers about the lower town. With that thought, she encouraged Hylix forward. She’d had enough of disconcerting, ominous feelings. It was time to find out just what was going on.