Chapter 5: Taste Testers

King Ezran made his way toward his throne room. Guards stood in a box formation around him.

A tired looking Prince Callum, and a somehow not tired looking, but extremely tired Rayla stood on either side of him.

Rayla has mastered the ability to function well with virtually no sleep. It was a moonshadow elf thing.

"How many today?" Ezran asked, yawning.

"I dunno Ez, we're just gonna have to get through it." Callum replied, patting his shoulder. "Should only be one really important one though. It's that guy you don't..."

The doors opened, to reveal General Pryce. Ezran let out an exhausted sigh.

"This guy." He muttered, bowing his head.

"Pardon?" The General asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh? What?" Ezran asked, snapping his head back up as he realized he had aired his grievance aloud. "I said uhhh...this pie!" He called, pointing to a dish that sat on a table, on the far end of the room.

The General followed his gesture, then looked back at him with bored eyes.

"That is a custard, my king."

Ezran's eyes lit up slightly.

"Can I...have it?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

"The king requests the custard!" One of the guards exclaimed.

The other guard elbowed him hard in the side.

"We're not supposed to do that anymore!" He hiss/whispered angrily.

"You are the King of Katolis." General Pryce stated, looking to the custard. "You are entitled to the custard of Katolis."

One of his soldiers lifted it up, and brought it over to the king, as he sat down on his throne.

"Wait." Rayla called, holding out a blade. "I'm his taste tester. Leave it on the floor."

The soldier looked up at her for a moment.

"You're...you're serious?"

"Do I look serious?" Rayla asked sternly. "Leave it on the floor."

The soldier hesitantly leaned over and placed it down.

Rayla pointed her blade at the fine looking custard, then leaned down and with one swift cut, sliced a corner of it off, bringing it up to her face.

She sniffed it suspiciously, then took a bite.

"Primal sources, that's sweet." She muttered, eyeing it judgmentally.

"Do you feel poisoned?" Callum asked.

Rayla held up a finger, as she chewed.

"Wait." She mumbled.

The General let out a grunt, as he folded his arms, clearly annoyed at the delay.

"Don't feel poisoned." Rayla finally conceded. "But I'm an elf, it may be poisoned for humans. Care to sample, my prince?" She asked, with a slight smirk.

"This can't be real. This is ridiculous." General Pryce grumbled.

"Patience, General, please." Corvus insisted, standing off to the side, looking somewhat amused by it all.

"It is a risk I am sworn to take." Callum agreed, leaning forward to pick up the custard.

"Allow me." Rayla offered, sliding her two swords under the dish and hoisting it up to him.

Callum rubbed his hands together, then grabbed a slice of it.

"You think that's too sweet? That's amazing. Best custard I've had in a while." He said between mouthfuls.

"Eh, it's alright." Rayla replied. "You don't seem to be keelin over. My king...?"

"Yes please!" Ezran exclaimed.

Rayla swiftly swung the dish around and placed it on his lap, effortlessly swiping her swords out from underneath it, and folding them away.

"It was good custard. The king is most grateful." Callum declared.

"I am..." Ezran managed between mouthfuls, giving a firm thumbs up.

"Lovely, may we begin?!" Pryce demanded. "Or do your brother and pet elf require more sustenance?"

The joy of the three around the throne swiftly ended.

"What did you just...?" Callum demanded, brow furrowing in anger, as Ezran nearly choked on his custard. A guard hurried over with a pitcher of water.

"It's okay." Rayla said, holding up a hand. "State your business General." She prompted angrily.

Pryce nodded.

"A peace conference has been called, in a settlement near the Neolandian border. Etheros. King Ahling, while still in serious condition, will make the journey to have discussions with Katolian leadership. As you know, his son Prince Kasef..."

"Oh, I remember him!" Ezran exclaimed, mouth still full of custard. "He doesn't like me very much."

The two at his side both grimaced, as they realized the young king was not aware.

"My king, Prince Kasef is dead." General Pryce stated. "Surely you knew of this, yes?"

Ezran's eyes widened, and he swallowed what custard he was eating.

"Wait...what?"

"Kasef was killed during the battle of the storm spire. By allies of the five kingdoms. Our allies." General Pryce stated. "His father wants answers. That's why he's calling this summit."

"When did Prince Kasef die?" Ezran asked, turning to Callum.

"I uhh...probably should've mentioned that by now. He attacked me and...there were a lot of arrows flying...he's dead." Callum conceded, slumping his shoulders.

"Needless to say...King Ahling is furious. The death of his son could cause a rift between our kingdoms that we cannot afford. You must go to Etheros, on behalf of Katolis. The other kingdoms will be sending representatives as well." General Pryce explained. "We will send a sizeable garrison of troops with you. We are...wary of Neolandia's intentions."

"I agree." Opelli stated, looking from the general to King Ezran. "There are currently several...potential threat factors active in the area. We must send a large platoon to ensure the king is protected."

"You may choose who goes with you of course." The general offered. "I recommend taking some...experienced...support."

"I agree with you." Ezran replied with a nod. "Prince Callum, and Rayla will accompany me."

"Of course." The general agreed. "It would be my honor to accompany you as well. I will lead the unit tasked with your protection..."

"No thank you, general." Ezran stated.

Pryce frowned, eyes widening.

"What?"

"My king, he is the most experienced General we have." Opelli stated. "He would certainly keep you safe, I recommend that you reconsider..."

"Perhaps." Ezran replied, standing up. "Perhaps you would keep me safe, General." The child's expression hardened, his posture straightening. "But you have come into my throne room, and insulted my friend. Again." He said, gesturing to Rayla. "So I will not require your help."

"My king..." General Pryce began.

"Ezran, it's okay..." Rayla said, looking at him with genuine surprise.

"No. It isn't. She left behind everything she had, to help me. To help us. To bring us peace." Ezran said, anger in his tone. "I will tell you one more time. You will never disparage her in this, or any chamber of my kingdom, is that understood?"

Callum let out a quiet wooo at his vocabulary.

"King Ezran..." General Pryce began, clearly flabbergasted by the turn.

"Is that understood?!" Ezran repeated, brow furrowed.

General Pryce tried to hide the anger flashing across his face. He bowed.

"Of course...my king. My sincerest apologies to you miss..." he said, looking up at the still shocked moonshadow elf.

"Her name is Rayla." Ezran repeated for a third time. "I suggest you remember that name as well as you remember mine. And my brother's."

"Of course, my sincerest apologies...Rayla." Pryce managed.

"That will be all, General." Ezran finished.

"King Ezran..." Opelli began.

"We're done. Prepare our troops for the journey. I will do the same." Ezran stated, turning and heading for the door.

Callum and Rayla followed him, along with his detachment of guards, and Corvus.

Leaving a bewildered General Pryce glaring at a confused Opelli.

"Wow. You really did read that book I gave you huh? Disparage is a big word..." Callum said, as they walked out of the room.

"Its easy to remember. Sounds like asparagus." Ezran replied, still steaming. "I don't like asparagus."

"Ezran, you didn't have to do that..." Rayla began.

"Yes he did." Corvus stated from behind them. "You asserted yourself, my king. You did not allow his blatant ignorance or defiance of your wishes to stand. Your father would be proud."

Ezran closed his eyes, and let out a low sigh.

"Thank you Corvus."

As they approached the King's quarters, Corvus stepped forward.

"Before you continue, my king, there is something I feel you must know." He said, getting down on one knee.

Callum and Rayla stopped to look back.

"It's okay guys." Ezran said with a wave of his hand. "I'll catch up. Start packing."

Talon jumped down from a tree, landing at the camp site, where the barbarians had gathered.

Before him, kneeling before a makeshift altar, stood the cloaked Azrael.

"How did the terrain treat you?" He asked, looking up at his assassin.

"As any other does. Manageable. There will be a peace conference. Etheros. A small city, near the Neolandian border. The five kingdoms will have representatives there."

Azrael nodded, tucking his cloak aside.

To reveal a snake, grey, lifeless on the ground.

It's energy traveling upward, being absorbed into the orb.

"And what of Harrow's child?" He asked, feeling the dark magic course through him. His eyes began to darken.

"King Ezran will be there as well." Talon confirmed.

Azrael turned and looked up at him, a smirk on his face.

"To Etheros then."

Wolf King-Two Steps from Hell (King Ezran theme)