IV.

~Thornheart~

Knuckles awoke groggily from his patchy sleep the night before. He wiped the sleep from his eyes and sighed. He had awoken three times during the night. Each time was for the same reason. He couldn't shake that feeling that something bad was going to happen. To him… or Tails.

Tails was still snoring lightly with his body spread out awkwardly on the ground his head had fell off of the log where it had been. Tails looked rested. Knuckles was happy someone actually got a good night's sleep. Tails woke a few minutes after him. He started squirming and he sat up and looked over to Knuckles who was on his back again waiting for Tails to wake up.

"Morning, Knuckles!" Tails said enthusiastically.

"Hi," Knuckles responded, "Had a good rest? Better had because it is going to be a long rest of the trip."

"Yeah, I slept well. You, though…" Tails said noting the bags beneath his eyes.

"It's… been a long night for me." Knuckles neglected to tell Tails of his fears.

"Do you want to rest for a while? I really don't mind."

The offer was tempting, but Knuckles declined, "We gotta get going. We can rest once we are there."

Knuckles took a drink of water from his water skin and eventually made his way to his feet. He pulled the reins of the horses and guided them to a tiny waterfall for them to drink from. Before long, their entire little settlement was a memory and they were off on the path to Novella.

The trail they were on consisted of a golden trail of leaves with large splashes of red and occasionally green. The tired trees were blowing lazily in the wind. They submitted to the greater force of nature gladly as it cools their tortured limbs. The duo looked over the hill they were riding up and saw an ocean of gold and red. Seemingly the green had retired until the spring.

They also passed several farms of corn and wheat signifying the city was near. They even had a short conversation with farmer walking down the road. Overall, the last few hours leading up to the end of their journey were good ones. They arrived when the sun was hanging at its pinnacle in the sky.

About 2 kilometers away, the main gate into the city could be seen.

"At last!" Knuckles rejoiced, "We're nearly there!"

Tails found Knuckles triumphant cry very comedic. He erupted into laughter for a short time, "Finally, let's get done with this."

After the long, journey the two walked down the tall hill to the entrance of the city. The gate was even larger as they approached. To acquire entry into the city you need to pay in rings or have a writ of passage. A very dark brown squirrel in a full suit of armor, accompanied by three other guards, opened the mask of his helm, so he could see the two visitors clearly. He addressed them formally in a deep, uninterested voice.

"Good noon to you, sirs. May I have your payment or writ of passage?"

Knuckles pulled the note regarding the trip out of the pack on his back. He happily handed it to the squirrel.

"Oh! You are a guest of the king. Congratulations. One of the highest honors we can offer in our great city. I'll be your escort and bodyguard." The squirrel bowed to them. "OPEN THE GATE!" he hollered to the men above him. He gestured to the other soldiers near him to take their horses.

The metal shrieked in protest as the gate was opened. Slowly, but surely the gate was opened and the squirrel, echidna, and fox walked through the gate. A single woman approached. It was a light purple cat dressed in a darker purple dress lined in red. Her most outstanding feature was the red jewel on her forehead. To Tails' ten-and-two year old eyes she was just a woman. A female with more living experience than himself, but to Knuckles' twenty-and-seven year old eyes, she was a beautiful maiden whose name he had to find out or he might collapse.

"Hello gentlemen." Her voice was like silk, just as Knuckles had imagined. "My name is Blaze, Blaze the Cat. I'll be escorting you to your quarters. Are you at all familiar with the city?" Knuckles looked up and down at her as she spoke.

"I've been here a few times, but my young friend here hasn't," he said lying. Few people know it, but Knuckles and Tails lived in the capital for most of their lives.

"Ah, well if you want, I'd be happy to give you a brief tour of the city."

"Well, Knuckles here is very tired after our-" Tails was cut off by Knuckles.

"Yes, we'd enjoy that ma'am."

She smiled and gestured for them to follow her.

She took the main street that was filled with people browsing the wares of the vendors. Blaze pointed straight down the middle of the street. The castle could be seen from where they stood. It was a grand one that extended nearly enough to scrape the flesh of the sky.

"That is where we are headed," the cat said. "There are a few landmarks you should know about, though. The first is just around this bend here."

The group changed direction and headed for the fountain the city is know for. The fountain had a beautiful stone angel that played a harp as the other four angels around her looked as they were sad she was ascending into the afterlife. Knuckles wasn't an artist, but the piece really impressed him.

"This is our famous fountain dedicated to the Seraphim Religion. Its name is Novella Infinitum."

The next stop was at a cathedral dedicated to the Seraphs, people of the Seraphim Religion. After that, they stopped near the Consig with a whole seven men guarding the front door instead of two.

"Tight security around here, huh?" Knuckles said seeing sentinels stand boldly and completely still.

The squirrel spoke to them for the first time during the tour. "Yes, indeed. Unfortunately, we had a break in yesterday. For the capital city, it was embarrassing to get infiltrated as easily as our witnesses say it had happened."

"How was it infiltrated?" inquired Tails.

"Well, it's all very confusing. Many say that it was a chameleon that broke in, but we got a wide range of other stories. We even got some of the witnesses saying that it was a spirit. Whatever it was, it busted up several of our men. One had to be released from guard duty permanently how badly he was injured."

"Wow," Knuckles said. "Obviously his intention wasn't to kill because he could have easily done it from what we're hearing."

"There was only one found dead, a crocodile. He was a no-name vagabond. Probably better he died, anyway."

"Did they catch him?" Tails said concerned.

"As far as we know…no…"

"Hmmm very interesting," Blaze added, "May we continue, men?"

A unanimous "Yes" was ushered by the group and they continued to the castle to get to their quarters and meet the King. As they left the Consig, Tails spotted a white hooded scorpion staring directly at him as if he was his prey. Tails uncomfortably looked away and caught up to the rest of the group as he heard his name being called.

The group stood at the base of the foundation of the castle. They, with the help of servants and butlers, dragged their bags up the steps to their room. Blaze laughed at the trouble the people were having bringing a few bag up the steps. One of the male servants was struggling with a bag full of steel tools that weighed quite an amount. She picked picked it up with one arm and hauled it over her shoulder. Knuckles smiled at her strength.

Tails stepped into the room first admiring the decor. A pair of very wide beds and a large meal waiting to be eaten by the owners of the room. Knuckles had the same reaction. He was thoroughly pleased with it.

Blaze guided the group to their final planned destination of the day: The King's throne room.

Blaze turned around just before the entrance. "Sorry, but this will be the last you will see of me today as I have several errands to run. Enjoy your visit with the King. Oh, and if you didn't already know, always address the king as Your Grace. Farewell."

It only took a moment for Knuckles to stop her. "When can I meet you again, ma'am? I know it has been brief, but I have really enjoyed our time together."

"Oh, Knuckles I'm flattered, but I have already been engaged. I am to be married next week."

Knuckles was a bit disappointed, but not quite heartbroken… at least that is what he told himself. In reality, he was crushed.

"Apologies. I wouldn't have asked if I knew."

Tails looked away at the situation. He obnoxiously coughed signifying that he wanted to meet the King.

"We'll meet again Knuckles the Echidna" she said walking away.

Knuckles realized something, "How do you know my name?"

Blaze shrugged, "I know many things." She ran off.

"Time to meet the King," said the squirrel.

Tails and Knuckles agreed. They pushed open the grand double doors that lead to the throne room. Knuckles looked ahead to see who was sitting on the throne. It was no more than a young blue hedgehog. One who couldn't have been older than the already young Tails.

Knuckles frowned, This boy summoned me? he thought.

He got close to the throne and bowed to the boy before him. "It is an honor, Your Grace." The three said simultaneously, Knuckles feeling especially out of place.

"Knuckles the Echidna," the boy said simply. "You killed my father. And you are finally my prisoner. You and your two friends…" His voice although young, seethed with the bitterest of hatred.

Knuckles got up and took a few steps backwards.

"This is a joke, right?" asked Tails.

The King spoke again, "Oh no, I am serious and you will be sentended to death by EXECUTION in the coliseum!" His voice continued to strain with anger.

"What so that letter was just a ruse? To lure me out...Sniper told me about a scam, but I never expected the government to stoop so low.

Without summons, dozens of men filed through the door behind, outfitted in full military gear.

"Seize them!" the malice filled boy shouted.

The guards first grabbed Tails, then the squirrel. Knuckles downed a few men before he was also subdued.

To be continued…

xXxXx

Next chapter out now. Sorry for the delay. My schedule has been pretty hectic. Hope you enjoyed.