Kingdom of Magic

Chapter 2.1

Warg carefully squeezed cold water from a sponge onto Kyle’s face. His wrinkled hands were sore from arthritis. He was about to give up on reviving him, when Kyle finally regained consciousness.

Kyle blinked. “Warg? Is that you?” He asked.

“Sure is.” The old man nodded. “Been around you your whole life. I refuse to stand here and watch you die.”

“You practically raised me.” Kyle smiled at him and sat up.

“You raised yourself.” Warg cut him off. “I stay put and watched. I won’t forsake you.” Warg smiled back.

“Forever thanks, Warg.” Kyle looked around him. “How long have I been here?”

“Only a couple of hours.” Warg scratched his beard. “I thought you wasn’t coming back for some time there.” His eyes grew concerned. “What happened?”

Kyle looked at him and sighed. “Well, to make a long story short, I came to see Movada, and that ass wouldn’t let me through.”

“Well, you sure as hell found yourself in a pickle. I think you may have a concussion. You better get yourself home and get some food. Lord knows I don’t have any here. You be careful with that head.” He continued to speak walking back to his chair. “You’ll have one hell of a headache for a while.” Warg sat down. He looked at him sympathetically. “Lots of rest.” He yawned. “And lots of water.” He nodded his head.

Kyle smiled at him and stood to go. “Thank you, Warg. I appreciate everything you have done for me. I will never forget you.” Kyle left the old man to sleep in his chair. He closed the door quietly behind him and ascended the castle hall.

Shaddock rode Miduem long and hard into the next town, to deliver the message to the Duke of Vole Tirfs. The message was from Movada.

Remid ran to greet him. “Good sir, is there anything you require?”

Shaddock leered at the servant from the house. “You can tell the Duke that I have a message for him,” his smirk broadened. “From Movada of Whispershire.”

Remid recognized the name, and was no longer happy to be of service. He glared at Shaddock, his smile leaving his face. He ran to get the Duke. “I beg your pardon Sire. There is a man to see you. “ Remid knocked at the chamber door.

“Who is it?” The duke asked.

“I don’t rightly know sire,” Remid paused. He swallowed the bile in his throat. “He says he bears a message from Movada.” The Duke spat at the name. “Do you wish to hear it Sir?”

“Tell him to meet me at the main gate. Let him go no further.” The duke swung the doors open. He looked at Remid. “Take back up. He more than likely is armed, and is here to kill someone. “

“Sire?”

“Do it.” The duke commanded. “I will take no chances with my staff.”

Remid retreated to the men’s quarters to receive more guards.

Shaddock sat on his horse and sneered at them. Movada had told him that they would be afraid. Three more men came near to him. “Go to the main gate and no further.” The largest one said.

“And if I do?” Shaddock turned his scowl to him “Go further?” He raised a thick black eyebrow.

“You have your orders.” Another guard said.

“Movada is my King! I owe nothing to your way lay duke!” He answered.

The duke entered the courtyard. “That may be true, but, Movada is no King.” He glared up at Shaddock. “What is your message?”

“Ah, Balcor! We meet again.” Shaddock laughed at him.

“Get on with it, Shaddock.’

“You’re mighty testy these days, since your brother died.” Shaddock’s eyes gleamed his evil smirk.

“Speak your message or leave.” Balcor commanded with vehemence.

“Very well.” Shaddock smiled down at him from his horse. “Movada says that you have four days to swear allegiance to His Majesty. On the dawn of the fifth, if you have not, prepare to surrender all, or die like Rosseco.”

“Do not use my brother’s name!” Balcor yelled, ferociously. “Get off my land! I will never swear allegiance to that insolent, inadvertent vertebral! You may tell Movada that I Balcor, Duke of Vole Tirfs, will never swear anything to him! We will never surrender!”

The courtyard yelled and hollered their approval. Shaddock turned his horse around and galloped away. In the distance he could hear them shouting still. “Never!”

Tivico returned to Movada’s castle on the third day. “Well?” Movada asked seeing him enter. “What did the girl say?”

Tivico swallowed a lump in his throat. ”I don’t know Sir.”

“What was that?” Movada demanded, daring him to say it again.

Tivico choked looking at the floor. “I do not know sir. “

“What do you mean you do not know?”

“I was watching Kyle like you said. He was depressed and talking to himself. “ Tivico babbled something incoherent.

“Get on with it!” Movada yelled impatiently.

“Clairance showed up. No one or nothing can hide from her. Kyle was talking to himself. They talked for a moment. It was brief. She left. I went back to where I was and Kyle was gone!” He looked up.

“Damn it!!” Movada screamed and pounded his fist into his table. “How could you let this happen? You let him get away!” Movada stood. His face and eyes were red. “Get out! You are banished! I never want to see your sniveling, pasty face in this kingdom again!” He pointed to the door. “Get out!”

Tivico ran. He was not a coward, but he had to find Kyle.