Chapter 2: The King's Court

Dr. Nick Rush hadn't paid close attention in school when it came to History class. His mind was wrapped up in science and mathematics. He had no time to learn about the ups and downs of the people who came before him. Only historical scientist caught his interest, but that was only to figure out how to improve on what they added to the science world.

As he rode awkwardly through the forest on horseback, tentatively eyeing the soldiers riding before him, he wished he had heeded history better. What little he knew of the medieval era was mostly steeped in stereotypical knowledge. Knights in shining armor. Maidens in pointy, cone-shaped hats. Joisting. Minstrels playing lutes. Truly, he knew little of what to expect from his current situation.

The soldiers remained quiet on the journey, most likely to keep an ear out for any more of those creatures – ogres, Sir Gaston called them. A clearing and a visible path finally appeared, and only minutes later a village in the distance. Rush was surprised by the sturdy, wooden houses with stone chimney, half-expected huts or the sort. The people of the village ran to the road, cheering for the soldiers and tossing flowers before them as they passed. He wondered if the ogre had been terrorizing their village.

In the distance, the spirals of a castle reached toward the sky. Rarely had he seen Destiny from afar, but the few times he was given the opportunity, its beauty holding ancient secrets of technology had been breathtaking. As they drew closer, he did admire the lovely architecture of the castle, even if it were primitive and all.

A long, narrow stable sat off to the side of the castle and that is where they ended their journey. Rush stumbled backwards as he climbed off the horse, his legs unused to the form and his knee worse for wear. A soldier was there beside him, and steadied him before he could fall.

Dr. Nick Rush was a proud man, at least in the sight of others, and he pushed away any help as Sir Gaston led him into the castle. The interior was half what he expected. Stone walls, fine tapestries, lush velvet curtains. But there was also a dustiness about the castle like the worn feeling that had accompanied parts of Destiny.

After a treacherous climb up a harrowing flight of spiral stairs, they halted before a pair of heavy wooden doors. Rush sucked in a sharp breath as his knee throbbed restlessly. He needed something to dull the pain, but these people probably used some backwards old medical practices that he didn't trust no more than the whole crew on Destiny.

He and Sir Gaston were admitted beyond the doors, entering into a massive room occupied by several men in robes and armor. A lengthy wooden table holding strategy pieces and a think parchment map stood off to the side. The men gathered about the room parted, revealing a man dressed in velvet and some sort of crown rested on his head. He stood rigidly, one hand behind his back, the other gripping the fanciest high-back chair Rush had ever seen.

"What news, Sir Gaston?" the man inquired as Gaston strode up to him, cape flapping behind him as if he were some damn superhero.

Sir Gaston bowed, though it did nothing to lower his looming stature. "Sire, my company has brought down an ogre toward the East passed Delacroix."

"Very good." The man - the king of this land, Rush assumed – laid eyes on him for the first time. Rush gazed back, trying with what little strength he had left, to appear larger than life. "Who is this?"

"Dr. Nicholas Rush," he answered with pride through gritted teeth.

"We found him in the forest being pursued by the ogre," Sir Gaston added in that military tone Rush despised.

"I am Sir Maurice of the Marchlands," the man at the throne introduced. The title told Rush very little. Apparently the man wasn't a king. Maybe the king was away or dead or who cares. All Rush wished to do was be back on Destiny at his beloved controls without a throbbing knee. "Who are you, Dr. Nicholas Rush?"

"I am scientist," Rush replied slowly, pronouncing every word with an air of haughtiness. "A portal brought me to this world through unfortunate circumstances." At those words, Rush cursed Young for the thousandth time in his head. "All I want is to find a way back to my own world."

A sound of fabric rustling caught Rush's attention, and for the first time he noticed a woman in the room. She wore a silk green gown, cut just off her shoulders and making the neckline swoop down to her bosom. He didn't realize he was staring at her until their eyes connected, a deep, shining blue piercing him.

"A scientist from another world-" Sir Maurice pondered aloud, drawing Rush's attention from the lovely distraction. "Is that a type of sorcerer?"

Rush gritted his teeth, rolling his eyes in aggravation. "No, I do not do silly magic," he spat as if talking to an ignorant child, "A scientist is a person who studies bodies of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws." Heaving a sigh, Rush breathed in deep and gestured toward the doors. "Can I get something for this damn pain in my knee?"

"You are injured?" a new voice filled the room and Rush stared blankly at the woman by Sir Maurice's side.

"Yes," he huffed, feeling his strength leave him in droves.

"Papa, I will escort our guest to the physician." Rush heard the name the woman called Sir Maurice, but it barely registered. Gentle hands wrapped around his forearm and those shining eyes obscured his view of the stone floor. "Come with me, Dr. Nicholas Rush," the woman said soothingly.

Rush let himself be led out the room, gentle hands and a soft body to lean upon.