Star Child

The morning sun bathed Velderan in a bright light as the envoy passed through its welcoming gates. The streets bustled with merchants setting up their stalls, early risers fetching water, and patrolling guards watching their surroundings with disciplined vigilance. The Eldralian knights, now back in familiar territory, peeled away from the group one by one, heading towards their homes for well-earned rest.

Alric, ever the responsible commander, led Caelus, Mira, and Elise deeper into the city, eventually stopping at a modest inn. The sign above the door read The River's Rest, its name a quiet homage to the kingdom's beginnings. The scent of fresh bread and warm stew drifted from within, and the sound of laughter echoed from inside as early patrons enjoyed their meals.

"This will be your lodging for now," Alric spoke as he handed the innkeeper a small pouch of gold. "Make yourselves at home and rest. I must report back to His Majesty."

Davos, standing beside him, gave Caelus a mischievous look. "You should prepare yourself, Sir Star Child. The king will likely want to speak with you soon."

Caelus sighed, waving them off dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. I figured as much."

With that, Alric and Davos departed, leaving the three to settle in. The inn's common room was warm and welcoming, a stark contrast to the cold journey they had taken. As a clerk came to guide them to their room, Mira stretched with a groan, a yawn soon following. Elise, on the other hand, was fidgeting uncomfortably as she walked, eventually raising a query to her companions as they settled in their room.

"What do you guys think about all this?" she asked, her voice brimming with anxiety. "Being brought out here... the king's plans for you, Caelus. It feels like there's a lot going on that we aren't really taking time to consider."

Mira hummed in thought before shrugging. "I get what you mean. All this diplomacy stuff can get pretty complicated, but as long as we're not thrown into a dungeon, I'm fine."

Elise turned to Caelus, expecting a more insightful answer. He simply sat and leaned back in a chair, laying his head on his hands behind him. "Nothing to worry about," he said nonchalantly, "the king ain't stupid. He won't force me to anything, unless he wants to make an enemy out of me."

Elise frowned at his lack of care, but before she could press further, Mira yawned loudly. "Well, I'm gonna sleep now," she announced, jumping onto and sprawling out on one of the beds, "Wake me up if ya need me for something."

Caelus gave Elise a small nod before following Mira's example. "We might as well catch up on rest while we can."

Elise sighed, watching them laze around in the room. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was a risky end awaiting them.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows over Velderan when a firm knock rattled the door to their rooms. Caelus stirred first, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he stood. Mira groaned and rolled over, while Elise stretched and quickly got up to answer.

Standing at the door was a clerk.

"Sorry to disturb you, but there are visitors for a Mr Caelus Aran." she said with a smile

"Already? They really didn't want you sitting on your ass for too long." Mira said, sitting up with a yawn

"Oh, well. Guess I gotta head out now." Caelus cracked his neck before throwing on his cloak

Caelus was guided by the clerk out of the tavern, meeting with two armoured individuals. One bore the insignia of the Eldralian royal guard, while the other, a tall woman with sharp eyes and a commanding presence, wore the distinct silver-blue armor of the Order of the River Souls.

"Sir Caelus Aran," the royal guard spoke. "His Majesty, King Marcus Eldralis, requests your presence at the castle. He has asked me, Sir Andrew Hampton, and Lady Claris Provincia of the River Souls to escort you."

He started to follow the knights as they began walking, but not before Elise called out from their room's window, "Hey, don't get yourself killed in there."

Caelus smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As he passed, hushed whispers followed in his wake, gazes flickering toward him like embers catching in the wind. Some eyes were wide with admiration, others laced with wariness as he was taken to the castle. They all seemed to look at Lady Claris with inspiration and a sense of cautiousness. They shortly arrived at the castle and quickly made their way to the audience chamber. The audience chamber of the Eldralian castle was grand, but not overly ostentatious. The banners of Eldralis draped high above. At the center of it all, on a modestly elevated dais, sat a burly man with rose-colored hair cropped short and a neatly trimmed goatee. Regal robes adorned his broad frame, the weight of a golden crown resting atop his head. Standing beside him was a young woman, wearing a sky blue dress and noble accessories, with her similarly coloured hair tied back in a short ponytail and her piercing violet eyes stealing quick glances at Caelus as he approached, a light shade of pink filling her cheeks.

"You are in the presence of King Marcus Eldralis and his daughter, Princess Kiria Eldralis, first in line to the throne!" announced a middle aged man stood by to the seated king

The king wasted no time. "Good day to you, Sir Caelus," he began, his voice firm yet diplomatic. "Eldralis stands at a crossroads, and your presence here carries great significance. Strength alone does not shape nations, but those who wield it wisely do. Your name holds a great weight because of this."

Caelus remained silent, hands in pockets beneath his cloak, waiting for him to get to the point.

The king continued, "The Vornacian king's demands are unreasonable. He wishes for the public execution of the one that humiliated his knights. But there is a solution—one that could stabilize our standing!"

He leaned forward. "Join my army! Better yet, the Order of the River Souls! Your presence would deter aggression, and your strength could ensure peace."

"Not happening." Caelus said, bluntly

Murmurs rippled through the court. Lady Claris, who had escorted him, stepped forward, voice brimming with outrage. "You are being granted such an honour as this, and you refuse? Have you no loyalty to this land?! You have lived here for two years since the fall of Magnaria and you would still refuse?!"

Caelus cast her a sharp glare. "You forget I was a knight before," he said coldly. "all it's ever meant to me is continuous loss. I've lost too many people I cared about, been used as a tool, and thrown into battles I never asked for. I do not intend to serve another kingdom as a knight ever again."

The knight clenched her fists, but the king raised a hand, silencing her.

"I expected this," King Marcus admitted, "but I urge you to reconsider. Please consider what could happen if you don't aid us."

Caelus turned on his heel. "Then find another way. I'll come back if you have a better offer."

And with that, he walked out, ignoring the hushed whispers of the court behind him.

Back at the inn, Elise and Mira were waiting, their eyes lighting up as Caelus returned.

"So? How'd it go?" Mira asked, leaning forward eagerly.

Caelus shrugged. "Just politics, y'know. Nothing too interesting."

Elise narrowed her eyes. "That's it?"

"Pretty much."

Neither girl seemed entirely convinced, but they let it drop. Soon, dinner was served in the common room, and the three ate in relative peace, the warm and lively atmosphere of the inn easing the weight of the day's events.

As night fell, the three retired to their room. Elise lay in bed, staring at the wall, her thoughts swirling with everything that had happened. She knew there was more to Caelus' meeting than he let on.

Meanwhile, Caelus stared at the ceiling, the weight of expectation pressing down on him once more.

He sighed. No matter how far he walked, it always came back to this—someone wanting him to be their sword. He could now only await what the next day had in store for him