Chapter 30

"Why do I have to watch him?" Charles complained.

"Just for a few hours. So I can sleep. Just make sure he doesn't do anything suspicious."

"And what if he attacks me and tries to kill me?"

I drew my sword and handed it to Charles.

"Use this."

"It's heavyyy." He said, drooping his arms to the ground.

"Just for a few hours."

"Daniel is head guard. When is he coming back so he can do this?"

"I don't know. I hope he returns home soon."

I began to worry about Daniel, but I couldn't tell Mavis. I didn't want to increase her already existing anxieties about her missing partner.

I woke up the next morning early, to relieve Charles of his guard duties. I went to the chambers we gave Orion access to. He arose well mid into the morning. He turned his body so he was facing me. He was wrapped into the sheets.

"Good morning, King Bray." He said with a yawn.

I stood by the door with my arms crossed.

"Nice of you to finally wake up."

"I've had a long journey. I'm sure you've spent nights sleeping outside before. It's not quite as comfortable as sleeping in a palace bed."

"I agree." I said shortly.

Orion pulled himself out of bed and began preparing a bath for himself.

"Nothing like bathing in a nice tub either. Are you seriously going to watch me bathe as well?" He raised an eyebrow.

"What if you try to send a message to your father?"

"In the tub? What kind of message would that even be?"

"I don't know. Your father has came up with elaborate plans before. I don't know what you're capable of."

"I am extremely capable, but not nearly as terrible. If you insist on watching me bathe, then so be it."

He stripped down completely naked, revealing deep and long scars all along his body. They were long and red. Some were bigger than others. The scars down his back looked like branches of a tree, with the root of the scar in the middle. He plopped down in the warm water filled with soaps. The soapy water went all the way up to the top of his stomach. He rested his arms on the side of the tub.

"Feels great on the muscles after a long journey, doesn't it?"

My eyes followed the long scars down his body. It looked like he had been mauled by a brutal animal.

"Your full of scars. Did an animal attack you?"

He looked up at me.

"My father is much worse than anything a wild animal could do."

I jerked my head in shock. My eyes pulled away from his scars. I couldn't imagine what his father did to them to create such deep scars.

"Your father did that?"

"I told you him and I didn't get along."

Orion's plea felt organic to me, my gut told me that he was honest. The brutal scars etched into his body only furthered my belief for him. Only a monster would inflict that type of abuse on anyone, let alone their own child.

"I'm..I'm sorry."

He squeezed his fists and sank his body deeper into the tub.

"He's done worse things. Much worse."

I was at a loss for words. I opened my mouth to speak, unaware of what was going to come out. Just then, the door to the room quarters.

"Zander! I. Er. Am I walking in on something I shouldn't be?" Charles said, standing at the doorway.

"I'm just guarding him. What's going on?" I asked.

"They're back." Charles said. He needed to say nothing more.

"I'll be right down." I said to Charles. He gave me a small nod and strutted off.

"I have something I need to go do. Enjoy the rest of your bath." I said to Orion.

"You're letting me bathe alone?"

"Unless you'd prefer me to call Charles back to watch you." I said.

"No, no. A quiet bath sounds nice." He said.

I closed the door behind him, granting him access to privacy for the first time since he arrived.

Mavis was anxiously pacing the throne room. Her heels clicked as she marched in an unsteady line. Her fingers picked under her nails on the other hand.

"Zander! They're here! Charles spotted Daniel and Jonny approaching! They should be at the gates any minute!"

"Let's go out there and greet them." I said.

Daniel and Johnny were not alone. Rows of people trotted behind them, some were on horses, other on foot. Daniel and Johnny led the pack.

"Charles! Open the gates! They're almost here!" Mavis commanded.

The gates of the pearl palace lifted. Daniel rushed down to be greeted by Mavis's arms.

"I'm so glad you're back." She whispered.

"Me too." He winced his tired eyes.

"It's good to see you, Johnny."

"You as well, King Zander. We all went through a lot to be here. These are the Lafayette loyalists." Johnny said to the variety of people behind her.

They grumbled with noise, and back and forth conversation. In the crowd I could hear many questions, but very little answers.

"King Zander! What's the plan?"

"How are we going to defeat Vendov?"

"Are we going to take back Lafayette?"

"Are they going to come for us?"

Their questions attacked me like a group of pirates, and I was a vulnerable pile of gold.

"Please, everyone come into the castle! Belmonte will provide you with food, living quarters, and fresh clothes." Mavis said.

"But what about-."

"Once we are all settled King Zander and I will speak to all of you about our plan. For now, let us provide you with nourishment. You had a long and relentless journey to be here, I'm sure." Mavis said.

The citizens obeyed and entered through the gates. They were in awe of the beautiful gardens, and majestic marble architecture. Bushes of pale pink roses spread out along the gardens. I had forgotten that most commoners had not seen something so extravagant.

"Daniel will show all of you to the East wing, where you'll all be staying. Please feel free to change your clothes and bathe if you desire to. Food will be served this afternoon." Mavis told them.

The few staff that stayed worked hard in the kitchen to prepare a hearty meal for the loyalists.

"Please, once you and Daniel feel refreshed, join us in the strategy room. We need to discuss a plan."

"Of course. We will meet you there shortly, your majesty."

We waited there for the people who could help us plan our attack.

For some reason, Charles had entered.

"I didn't remember asking you to join us." Mavis said across the long wooden table. Charles took a seat.

"You expect me to eat with those peasants? Mavis, surely you know better than that."

Mavis let out a tired huff.

"Charles, we're going to be discussing very important matters here. It's crucial that what we say stays in this room."

"You know me, I can keep secrets."

"I'm serious, Charles." Mavis said.

The doors opened, Daniel and Johnny joined us. They were less dirty, Daniel returned to his knight clothes. Johnny wore all black and dark blue. Her hair was tied up and out of her face.

"I hope our guests are doing alright." Mavis said.

"They've had a long journey, but they'll be alright." Daniel sat next to Mavis, and Johnny next to him.

"Are we ready to begin?" Mavis asked me.

"Not yet." I said. "We're still waiting for one more person."

"Did you miscount, Zander? Everyone's here." Charles said.

Just then, the doors opened one final time. He wore black, his hair was cleaned.

"Thank you for joining us." I said to Zander.

"My pleasure." Said Orion.