Aero sits in the Kings study awaiting his father, with him are is brother David, Ser Stephan and his current squire Rich, a sixteen-year-old runaway from Trayalia, a fishing port in the Western region and Ser Matthew whom tagged along in support of Aero.
Aero has ample support now; each person is someone of value to the Prince. They all sit quietly in the ancient office of the King. The floor to ceiling bookshelves filled with books, hundreds of them adorn the walls. Weapons of former Kings are mere ornaments in the room. Somewhere in the room is a record of how many Kings have ruled in this place, but no one knows for sure.
Though quiet in the room. Everyone can hear the buzzing outside the door. Nothing compared to when well to do socialites worked themselves into a frenzy over any drama in the court; but today was even more so. The entire building seems to have been electrified by the events of the Great Hall.
The silence is erased quickly by the King bursting through the door in a rush with his advisor Marco, Marco’s assistant Leon, and the King’s Council member Gerwin.
“So, you went into a forbidden place? The punishment for that is death you know.” Says the King as he makes his way to his desk.
Aero adjusts himself in the seat he has been in for some time waiting on his father. “Of course not, I left the note as a joke. Does anyone really think I’m dumb enough to walk into the Forbidden Cave of Brintz?”
Stephan speaks up first. “No.”
Prince David back him up.
Marco throws out a “maybe.”
“Not without me.” Matthew adds.
Everyone looks at Matthew with a puzzled look on their face, they all see the familiar grin that had been in place since he knew Will was in trouble.
“Guard, could you wait outside the room?” The King asks.
“Of course, my King” Matthew states as he bows and makes a move toward the door.
“And take my Squire with you” Stephan adds.
As they leave, Marco also expresses a desire to leave, so he and his assistant do so.
The King instructs Gerwin to return with a scribe in one hour. The King intends on sending out a message throughout the kingdom.
With just the King, Princes David and Aero and the Broken Sword, the King gets down to business.
“If you really didn’t go into the cave then what were you doing in the area.? Because you left a note stating you were going to visit the cave so that you could die on your own terms. Then you disappear for nearly two months.”
“I thought it would be a funny joke. I had no idea that anyone would take that seriously. I did enter the hill country via the broken trail that rises to the cave and I exited out that same path. But father, I never even saw the cave. I have been receiving reports that a blood leopard had been spotted in the area. With what little personal time I had left, I chose to make one last hunting trip. I wondered the upper ridges of the hill country. Unfortunately, I never even seen a sign of it. Father, only a fool would go into that cave, do you really think I would go in?” Aero asks.
The King stares at his son, exploring the depths of his golden eyes looking for any glimpse of a tell; but Aero doesn’t give him one.
“Besides, if I had entered that cave, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
King William accepts the statement as fact. People don’t go into the forbidden cave and come out; therefore Aero didn’t go into the cave.
“That I believe. But why would you hunt such a dangerous animal when you know you have an important mission ahead of you? Son, you’re not getting out of this. I fully expect you to complete this mission.”
Aero looks away from the King at the first mention of the impending crusade to Meego.
“I killed a halo bear with just a dagger, a blood leopard wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Don’t start with that story again.” The King continues “Son, look at me… (Aero turns to his father) …this is not a suicide mission, you will meet with the officials and charm their asses off and return with my sword. Once you do that, I will reunite the kingdom. Everything is riding on you.”
Aero hangs his head again as his father continues to speak.
“It’s not that dangerous either, just refuse to have anything to do with the Councilor’s daughters. This is not the death sentence you think it is. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“Good, you will leave in a few days with your new friend, I expect you to bring him back as well. I have decided to send Ser Stephan with you to ensure you make it to the Summer Palace on time. And since you enjoy the company of this Ser Matthew, I will allow him to go.” The King commands.
“I would like to travel with them as well” David speaks somewhat out of turn.
“No, your place is here with me, I need you. It will take Ser Stephan four and a half months to complete the trip and return. I can’t be without you for that long.”
David looks at Ser Stephan, his personal guard whom he hasn’t been without in years.
“Don’t worry, I will assign you two guardsmen to protect you until the Broken Sword returns, so let’s get ready for the feast. I will crush these rumors of you entering a forbidden area. That letter was dumb, in the future, just be honest on paper.” The King states.
“Yes Father.” Aero responds as he rises out of his seat to leave. He takes a large breath, he had kept his vow to Crimson, and he would be safe.
Aero knows he is on the fast track to Meego. At least he gets to bring his mentor and one of his best friends with him. He will have the capability of ignoring Will through most of the journey. He knows that his accompaniment’s primary mission is to make sure Aero doesn’t find a way to avoid his, but since it’s friends he doesn’t have a sense of dread. In a strange way, Aero is looking forward to his pilgrimage.
First though, he must endure one more night of the social elite at a feast in his honor no less.
Relics of the Old Age 