Ever had that feeling someone's talking behind your back?
I sometimes feel paranoid that people mean worse by cover it up with some sweet compliment or something of that sort. Many may say: "Don't take those insults to heart", but as all things in life, easier said than done. Let's see how the Knights of the Rainbow Heart deal with that. Shall we? ;)
John Hawkwood's P.O.V.
"Shut your mouth Artorius! We get it! We're a wreck!" I grumbled.
I was distraught. We can't go anywhere looking like this! We're gonna miss all those yummy desserts they serve!
"Guess it's back to the tailor's," grouched Artorius, heading back.
"No way!" Richard disagreed. "I can tell very well you don't want to head back there. Besides, we can't have anyone see them like this!"
"Oh! How about that tunnel entrance I was talking about earlier?" Lancelot recalled. "You and Artorius can enter normally, while the rest of us take my way? Meet us at our dorm."
The way he casually said that took me by surprise. Lancelot would always brag that it was his dorm, and his alone, which wasn't necessarily true. Technically, everything that was his was also mine, since we pretty much shared everything. We were almost like twin brothers really, only, sometimes I'd end up believing I was the younger submissive one while he was the dominant leader, though our age said otherwise. I smiled, finally glad to get some recognition. Maybe we'd finally become equals now that we're in this new Knights of the Rainbow Heart...
"I'll get you a change of clothes from our room Edward," Richard offered.
"Get the black outfit with puffy sleeves, silver trim, and shimmering red vest!" specified Edward.
"I think my only change of clothes is still being washed by the maids," blushed Emeric. "I know you have quite the influence Artorius. The maids would definitely listen to you if you asked the to speed things up."
Art didn't question about how we'd get there or details about Emeric's clothes. "Okay! See you then and there!"
Richard and Artorius took the main road back while we shadowed them in the bushes and trees all the way back. As they went through the main entrance, Lancelot and I guided Edward and Emeric around to the back.
"So you dug the whole tunnel Lancelot? You're not pushing aside John's help are you?" Edward wanted to know.
"He's not telling tales this time," I ensured him, kind of disappointed that I wasn't involved until quite recently.
"The foundation of the wall was starting to crumble, so it wasn't as challenging as you think," explained Lancelot. "It was removing the paved stones and a corner of the tiled walls. That was hard."
I let Lancelot jump in the tunnel first. It looked like he was a rabbit going down a rabbit hole, about to travel through time.
"I'll go last." I pushed the others ahead. "Just to make sure you both get through."
Edward started to panic. "We might not make it?"
I rolled my eyes. "Just get down there already!"
I pushed the scaredy-cat Edward into the tunnel as he screamed as loud as his lungs could. "HELP!"
"Edward, you're on solid ground!" reassured Emeric, tapping the ground with his feet once I jumped in.
"And there's solid ground surrounding us too!" he stuttered, unnerved.
"Be quiet you too!" hushed Lancelot. "This place echos a lot. If you're too loud, others can hear us from the boys' dormitory!"
They immediately silenced themselves at that and kept moving. We could hear all the commotion of the pages and squires getting dressed. I could hear their arguments on calling dibs on wearing certain garments others intended on displaying themselves.
I don't think there's ever been a time when those boys weren't fighting or arguing. Or both. I shook my head. I mean, it's not that big a deal! They can take turns. One can wear it for this occasion and another can wear it in the next big event. Simple as that. Works for Lancelot and I.
"Hey E's," I nicknamed Emeric and Edward since their names both started with the same letter.
They both searched for me in the dark. "Huh?"
"That's what I'm calling you both together from now on," I clarified.
"Joy…" I heard Edward grumble. "Nicknames..."
"What is it John?" moved on Emeric.
"Kind of worried if the boys above spot you guys. If worst comes to worse, we might act tough against you. Just remember it's all an act," I forewarned.
"Ooh. I like that idea," corresponded Lancelot. "It'll be just like old times!"
"The 'old times', as you call it, were only moments earlier today," prompt Edward. "Let's try and avoid that situation at all cost."
"Ugh. Fine."
We finally made it up to our room safely. While the E's sat in a corner whispering to each other with their backs turned, Lancelot and I got changed. Unexpectedly, someone started banging at the door.
I immediately tensed up. Uh oh… This could mean the end of us...
Artorius' P.O.V.
Richard guided me towards the laundry room since I wasn't exactly certain where it was. Hey, it's a big castle! He kept going after pointing it out to me. Once I entered the room, all the maids gasped in surprise at my sudden appearance, here out of all places. They all immediately went on their knees to bow. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, not that I was getting the attention I've always yearned for, but that I was finally getting to know my surroundings better.
I wanted to start anew starting with courtesy. "Greetings my ladies. Do you know where my close servant Emeric's clothes are at?"
There was a murmur within the crowd of women, all varying from young to old. I think one or two of them that were far beyond my clear eyesight actually fainted. I knew this was not the Prince Artorius they were used to, but I had to start somewhere. There were already men against me, so the only way I could possibly keep them settled down is through the opposing liking of the women. I just hoped it would work.
"They're at the bottom of the large pile there, your Grace." A young woman pointed towards a huge pile of clothes and avoided my eye contact.
I knew it was custom not to look directly at the king, queen, or their heirs. It would be considered an insult. However, instead of basking in that glory, it make me feel distant and isolated from everyone else. I went up to the woman who pointed at the large pile of clothing. I could feel the pressure that all eyes were on me, but hers. She covered her eyes as I got closer.
I looked up at her. "You can look at me mam. I'm just a ten year old boy."
Everyone gasped at that. I ignored them.
"Would you mind doing me a favor and wash Emeric's set of clothes as soon as possible? I'll meet you outside the boys' dormitory with the clean clothes once you're done."
I left the large room full of puzzled whispers. Hopefully, that maid would do as I asked.
Richard's P.O.V.
I rushed down the hall.
Gotta hurry, gotta hurry, gotta hurry!
I was only a turn away from the servants' enormous dormitory, when two knights appeared walking my direction!
Gotta hide, gotta hide, gotta hide!
I turned around, panicking. I found a good hiding spot behind a gigantic, pearl-colored vase. The clash of their armor against the marble floor got louder every clank.
"I can't believe that to-be King of Avalon ordered us to wake up in the middle of the night to search for one boy!" complained one of them. "I mean, he's awful young to give such orders, that brat..."
The second agreed. "Certainly. The nerve he had to summon us like that so late! If that brat is gonna be our future ruler, he better get his act together, otherwise this will be the end of him..."
"How's your squire doing?" inquired the first knight, changing the topic. "I hear he's the most cunning of the lot!"
"Indeed he is," boasted the second. "He'd make the perfect ruler if only that spot weren't already reserved… How about yours? Is he still a strong ally to my squire?"
"But of course!" exclaimed the first automatically. "He's the strongest supporters of them all! Figuratively speaking and literally."
I waited for their footsteps and conversation about their squires to fade away. After I saw them taking a turn down the hall, I immediately hurried to the servants' dormitory and grabbed the set of clothes Edward requested that were neatly folded on a chair in our dorm. I changed my ruined clothes as quickly as I could.
Artorius wasn't exaggerating that all generations of knights are now against him… I puffed as I ran back to the boys' dormitory. Those two knights were covering up something big with all that sweet talk. It's probably a plot against Artorius after bossing them around! They must have sensed I was around spying on them… but how?
