Chapter 20: A Royal Guest?

"Welcome to Gentle Children's School, the most exclusive children's academy on all of the isles." The headmaster welcomed Rhen. She wanted to visit Theodore as she promised him.

"How is Theodore doing?"

"Young master Theodore is doing just fine! In fact, he has become quite an artist since he arrived."

"Wow! Is he any good?"

"Er…let's just say that his work is…interesting." The headmaster seemed confused.

Rhen went upstairs to Theodore to visit him. Theodore seemed quite happy when he saw her.

"Rhen! Rhen! I was hoping you would come. I drew you a picture!" he handed her a paper. It's a picture of a stickman boiling in a cauldron.

"Er…that's nice Theodore."

"You like it? Take it with you!"
"Thank you. It's…lovely."

"I love my new homw! I don't ever want to go back!"

The party had decided that they would meet at the Merchant's Pass. When Rhen, Lars and Te'ijal reached there, Dameon and Elini were already waiting for them. They went to Sedona via Trade Route. Sedona was the grandest city in the Western isle. People from all around the world come here to visit or stay. They headed to the city market. Many shops were set up with varieties of items. They have everything from all across the country. As Rhen turned to others, she found that the party split up from there. Lars went into the shops for sorcerers. Elini went into the weapon's shop for upgrading and Te'ijal continued her usual sight seeing. Rhen shrugged and Dameon chuckled. They noticed people selling various types of cheese like cheddar, provolone, mozzarella etc. There were also shops only for cheese. They strolled around the city. For a reason it was too busy. They found out that everyone was shopping for Lord Gavin's ball. Rhen's nose was wrinkled as they were at the fish market. She felt like throwing up at the rancid smell. They were leaving but she saw a guy waving at her. At first she wondered who he was. Then she went towards him when she recognized him.

"Danny! You made it to Sedona!"

"I told you I would! Isn't it beautiful Rhen?"

"I guess so. I've never seen a city obsessed with cheese, have you?"

"Ha! You noticed this too? I agree. They are obsessed." They started to have a deep conversation. After few minutes Rhen bid farewell and joined Dameon.

"I think he likes you, sword singer."

"You may be right." Rhen blushed.

"He is too short for you and his nose is too long."

"Why Dameon!" She was surprised. "Are you jealous?!"
"Jealous! Me?!" Dameon blushes and Rhen giggled.

They met with others back at the marketplace. They did quite a shopping with their hands full of bags.

"Hey guys, come with mw. I've to show you something." Lars said to them. They followed Lars and he led them to a big house. It was on sale.

"What are you trying to say Lars?" Rhen asked while looking at the note.

"Why don't we buy this house?"
"Buy it! But why?"

"Come on, we can have a resting place. We can save the inns' money and I'm tired of wandering around for some sleep."

They looked at each other for opinions.

"I've wanted a house on the surface," Te'ijal said.

"Hmm…it's a big house and I agree with the sorcerer." Elini said.

Rhen looked at Dameon. "I don't need a house so it's up to you." He shrugged.

Rhen thought for a while and others staring at her for the final decision. "Umm…well, okay as everyone wants it."

"Well then lets contact Pemberlin for the details." Lars was beaming. "I've found out that he's in a ball."

They were going to Lord Gavin's manor to talk to the owner.

"Stop," a butler blocked them. "I'm sorry, but commoners are not invited to Lord Gavin's summer ball."

Rhen looked at Lars and then asked the butler, "How do we get in?"
"You need to have a ticket and be dressed accordingly."

"Rhen I saw a ball gown in a dress shop while I was in the market. It'll fit you perfectly." Lars said.

"You are not gonna let that manor go, right?"

Lars smirked.

"Hello, dear, are you looking for a ball gown?" The seamstress asked Rhen. "You shouldn't have come so late! I have one gown left!"

"What happened to the other ball gowns?"

"They were bought by the ladies for Lord Gavin's summer ball, of course."

"Okay I'll take it."

"Here you go." She bought a layered green gown.

"Enjoy the dress dear. I'm sure it'll look lovely on you!"

"Now what about the ticket?" Rhen asked Lars.

"Why are you asking me?"

"You're the one who was excited about the manor."

"I'm thinking."

They saw an art gallery and thought to visit it while they think about an idea.

"I collect art. But there is nothing new and original worth buying these days." The man explained whose name was Frederick, who was showing them around.

"What sort of art are you looking for?" Rhen asked.

"Something fresh and shocking. I would even give up my ticket to Lord Gavin's summer ball for a good painting."

Rhen suddenly had an idea. "Would you be interested in this painting?" she shows the art dealer the creepy picture that Theodore gave her.

"Wow! That's amazing!" he exclaimed. "So simple and disturbing that only a master could have thought of it! Who's the painter?"
"He's an up-and-coming artist attending at the Gentle Children's School."

"Well that explains it! Only the gifted and rich children go to that school! How much do you want for the painting?"
"Could we have you ticket to Lord gavin's summer ball?"
"For this masterpiece, it is yours!" He hands over the ticket. Rhen gives him the painting. He frames it and puts it in display. "I call it 'Man in Hot Water'."

"He's obviously a nutter," Lars muttered while the others giggled.

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"Ticket, please." Rhen hands the butler the ticket. "Enjoy the ball, m'lady."

Rhen went inside the ball. The manor was huge as it could be seen from the outside. It was beautifully decorated. A nice tune was being played on the piano. There were many people who attended the ball. Maids were serving dishes made of cheese. Rhen did a quick search and found out the owner who was talking about selling his manor.

"Excuse me, are you Master Pemberlin who owns the Manor next door.

"Yes, that would be me. Would you young noble be interested?"

"How much are you selling it for?"

The others were waiting outside. Lars was pacing to and fro impatiently.

"The sword singer's back," Elini pointed at Rhen as she was coming slowly.

"So, did you get it?" Lars asked her impatiently.

She looked down.

"It's okay, I guess we don't need it much." He mumbled.

Then she showed them the manor key with a grin. They were surprised and cheered with happiness.

"As Rhen got the manor, she will open it," Dameon said. Everyone else agreed. Rhen opened the manor. I was quite big. There were individual rooms for everyone. A spacious living room and a organized kitchen was also there. They chose rooms for themselves. Rhen got into her room and changed into her sword singer outfit.

Rhen and Dameon decided to visit the king.

Sedona castle was situated at the top part of the city. Rows of knight armors stood along the corridor. There was a magnificent chandelier in the throne room. There were two rows of guards standing beside the red velvet carpet which paved all the way to the throne. Rhen and Dameon bowed. Rhen noticed a knight was standing beside the king. His armor was different from the others.

"Welcome outlanders!" the king welcomed them with open arms. Just then something flew past them.

"Thud!"

A dagger was thrown towards the king. Fortunately it missed him and was stuck inches above him.

"Someone just tried to assassinate the king!" the knight in the shiny armor exclaimed.

"Sir Galahad! Look down there!" a guard informed.

A hooded person in a purple robe was fleeing.

"Get him!" Galahad shouted.

Before he guards could catch him, the assassin was out of sight.

"Too late! He is gone." The guard reported.

"Who was that?" Rhen asked coming out of the sudden shock.

"He's one of the thieves! I recognize the cloak!" Galahad said.

"Find the perpetrator, Galahad! Bring me his head!" The king ordered him.

"I would, sire, but I do not know where the thieves hideout is located!" Galahad shook his head.

"We can help you, your majesty. We have been to the cave where the thieves reside." Rhen volunteered. Dameon frowned but Rhen gave him a I-know-what-I'm-doing look.

"Then it is done," the king said. "Galahad, go with these younglings and find out who is behind this assassination attempt!"

"As you wish, sire." They bowed and followed the thief's trail.

Rhen wanted to inform the others about the incident. So she went to the manor and found only sitting at the dining table.

"Where's Lars and Te'ijal?"

"The sorcerer went out somewhere and the vampress on her hunt."

Rhen and Galahad went at the outskirts of the city while Dameon stayed at the manor. When they were searching for the hideout, they saw Lars looking at something sharply.

"What is it, Lars?" Rhen asked him but he was too focused to hear her. She followed his gaze and saw a cave opening not much far.

"So that is the thieves' hideout!" Galahad said. "Let us barge in and seize the culprit!"

"Have patience, Galahad," but he didn't listen to her and marched into the cave.

"What's wrong with that dude anyway?" Lars asked.

"Let's talk about this later," she sighed. "Come, let's go."

Rhen and Lars followed Galahad's footsteps. They found him trying to pull out a sword out of a huge stone. But he couldn't. he gave up cursing under his breath.

"Hey Rhen," Lars nudged. "You should try to pull it out. Swords like you."

Rhen thought of it and decided to try. She stood in front of it and held the sword firmly. Unexpectedly, she pulled out a golden-yellow sword at ease. Strange aura transferred as she held it in awe.

"It's another Sword of Power!" she was excited at her discovery. "The Sword of Light!" she swung the sword with full concentration. A huge yellow holy cross emerged from the sword and exploded where Galahad was standing.

"Watch out, young maiden!" he jumped aside in the nick of time.

"I'm sorry," she apologized and helped him up.

Lars had a feeling that someone was watching them. He carefully looked around. He murmured a spell and a scream followed. They ran to the source of the sound and found a man in a purple robe stuck in a cage made of light bars.

"You there!" Galahad pulled his sword out and pointed it to the thief. "Tell me are you the dirty thief who tried to kill the king!"

The thief panicked and struggled to free himself but when he touched the bars he was shocked.

"Ignoremy friend," Rhen said calmly. "Could you help us? We're trying to find out why the thieves want to kill the king of Sedona."

"Hmmm…I have your answers, but why should I tell you?" he spatted.

"We'll pay the double what the perpetrator paid you." Lars' jaw dropped but Rhen ignored him.

"Will you now? Let me free….."

Rhen nudged Lars who waved his hand and remoned the shocking effect.

"Just in case." The thief scowled at him.

"I shall tell you this much. We were paid to assassinate the king by an influential nobleman in Sedona."

"Who?"

"Tsk, tsk. Payment remember? I will tell you the answeres to your questions if you do something for me."

"We don't bargain with scum!" Galahad argued.

"Er, ignore my friend. He's not right in the head." Rhen whispered. Lars chuckled.

"I thought as much," he nodded.

"What would you have us to do?"
"There's a man in Sedona who owes me money but refuses to pay. I want you to go into his house and take a special statuette."

"What does the statuette look like?"
"The statuette is of an elven man. Return the statuette and I shall tell you who hired us to kill the king."

"Galahad, will you take care of him while we search for the statuette?"
"Of course, allies under the sun! I shall cut his feet if tries escape."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Lars asked when they were snooping around a house.

"We promised that we'll find out who tried to assassinate the king. The folks said they saw this rich man bringing something like that." Lars tried to open it with his spell but failed.

"Looks like its magic-proof," she mused. "Lars, do you have what we found at the cave, the…"

""Damn it! How silly of me!" he rummaged his cloak and gave her what she wanted.

"…picklock" she took it and giggled when she noticed Lars blushing furiously at his mistake.

"Umm…Lars?" Rhen signaled him as they sneaked into the dark house. He snapped his fingers and brightened the place. "Thank you."

The statuette of an elf stood at the end of the hallway. The inscription on the base said, "Lionel the Great."

"Rhen, that looks like the elven statuette that the thieves want back," Lars whispered. "Let's take it!"

The statuette was small enough to fit in their bag. They left the house, locked the door and headed to the hideout.

"We've brought you the statuette." Rhen gave it to him. "Now it's time for you to fulfill your end of the bargain. Who hired the thieves to kill the king?"

"The client is a nobleman who goes by the name…Lord Gavin."

"GAVIN!" Galahad suddenly roared so loud that they jumped. "I shall tear his heart out with my bare hands!"
"Easy, Galahad," Rhen tried to calm him down. "Let's go tell the king. He'll decide what to do

Back at the castle,

Elini, Dameon and Te'ijal were waiting for them.

Suddenly Galahad marched back with Rhen and Lars following.

"M'lord, we have found the culprit responsible for the attempt on your life. Lord Gavin paid the thieves to have you assassinated."
"Good job, Galahad. For your reward you have access to the royal treasury."

"What about us? We did all the work!" Lars protested.

"I am sure you were very helpful to Sir Galahad. I shall let him decide if you are worthy of sharing the treasure."

"They shall share the treasures on one condition."

"And what's that?" Rhen asked.

"I must be allowed to be the young girl's champion." He pointed to Rhen whose eyes widened and mouth fell open.

"Champion! I don't need a champion!" Rhen protested. "Why would you want this?"
"I sense she is in grave danger and as a royal paladin it is my duty to ensure the maiden is safe."

"I don't need protecting! I'm a sword singer! And I know sword magic!"

"Good citizens under the sun know that magic does not exist! Do not try to dissuade me with nonsense."

"…" Rhen and the others were speechless. Rhen needed to make a decision fast. She looked at her companions for help. Lars and Dameon were giving a no expression. Te'ijal seemed to be interested in that arrogant paladin. Only Elini didn't have any opinion.

"Fine! You can come with us!" Rhen announced her decision.

"From this day on forth I pledge my sword to protect you with my life as your champion."

Rhen rolled her eyes.

They decided to stay one more day at Sedona as Lars insisted. Rhen kept wondering why.