-A Kingdom of Sunshine and of Skeletons-
The town around him was filled with the usual early morning sounds that made you aware you were alive and the day was fresh and new. A creaking vegetable cart wheel just off to his left as a man headed to market with his crops. The delicious scent of fresh baked goods rose from an open window right next to him and made his stomach let out a growling cry as reminder of his last missed meal. The chatter from a group of young children as they went running by him and off on their next great adventure. Their innocent laughter caught in his mind and made Duo smile in spite of himself. That kind of sound had escaped him at a young age, and he vaguely missed it as one would a childhood friend. Laughter like that only came when you were too young to understand how cruel the world could be and were convinced you'd live forever.
As he slowly made his way down the center of one well kept and also well worn street, pale hands came up and tucked back his foreboding hood. Intimidating people by looking like death itself had come to claim their town was not what he wanted. Just your average traveler, don't mind me.
One thing he noticed quickly was that it seemed no matter where you were walking in this pleasant little burg, that large castle or at least part of it, was always visible. It had a comforting feel to it, that unshakable presence. In fact everything around him felt that way. It was too clean, and he wondered if he was really sticking out as bad as he thought he was. The dried dirt that clung to the faded brown fabric of his pants felt like it should be drawing all of these peasants eyes to him, and well as the hole hanging about halfway down what used to be his white shirt. He made a mental note that he really needed to use some of his money to get something new after this, then sighed and pushed the thoughts away for now. It was too late to worry about that for this time around.
More of the tall buildings around him opened up rather like flowers as he made his way to the castle, and he paid good attention to what shops he saw with intentions of later visits. Eventually he arrived at the wooden drawbridge that served as entry to the castle and that was where he had to stop in awe. Up close the home of whoever ruled over these lands was even more beautiful then from his earlier perch on the hill top. Each of the four high white towers seemed to actually reach into the sky like a spiral straight to heaven and they were surprisingly clean. The bricks that made up the castle were small and perfectly formed, and it altogether it looked like something that would probably still be standing when men were nothing but myths and gods walked the earth. Dark blue banners slap far above them and his keen eyes picked out the unfamiliar white design of a unicorn with a knightly rider on each of them. Well, it's better then blood red with crossed swords and the words 'go away' that's for certain, but why do I feel like I've just walked into someone else's fairy tale and I'm about to meet the crazy old witch that leaves in the tower and had cursed everyone? He surprised himself with a laugh at that thought, then shook his head and walked through the arch of stone and into the castle courtyard with a smirk still resting on his lips.
The trees laying between the gateway and the large double doors that opened into the front hall of Fayllen castle were still lush and green, the type of plants that would live all year round whether the sun was streaming down on them or snow was covering their thick branches. He had to smile as he looked around at the currently empty stone flowerbeds and the delicately carved marble benches that laid scattered over these grounds, this place was beautiful. He almost expected to see faeries flying about or hear some woman singing sadly as she sat on that bench besides the halfway frozen pond across the yard and brushed her hair. That thought caused him to frown and study the dark blue body of water uncertainly. It was just too vivid, for a brief second he could almost -see- that woman and the streaks of tears glittering on her cheeks… His heart stopped dead in his chest as a hand fell heavily on his shoulder.
"Who are you and what are you doing standing in the royal garden sightseeing?" Ground out a steady monotone from right beside Duo's ear.
He winced at the surprising contact and twisted around in the grip to find himself face to face with a pair of very intense dark blue eyes… And those being set in a serious face under a mat of wild brown hair. A guard, Duo mused as his eyes drifted down and over the stiff blue uniform and sheathed sword at his side. But apparently he was taking to long in his answer to satisfy the young man whose hand was still locked onto him. He was rattled and then again that stony voice intoned, "Answer me. Who are you?"
He frowned at that, then ducked to get that hand off him before straightening and answering in a deliberately light way, "Name's Duo. Lay off, okay? And I'm here because I have a service to offer the king. Now, could you be so kind as to lead the way there so I don't get distracted by your lovely castle again?"
Judging by the look on the guard's face, he could guess that if he'd asked to see anyone but the king, this guy would flat out refuse and seen him out the door with a boot on his backside. Duo sighed and lifted his hands in an innocent gesture. "Look, I'm not a bad guy, and I'm not going to hurt him. I come of my own free will to see if I can give him any assistance with my peculiar talent."
"What talent?" Came the sharp response from the brunette.
Duo smirked a little. Not much of a conversationalist, is he? "I can see certain events before they happen, and sometimes the past. And I can tell the outcome of a decision before it is officially made."
All he got for that truthful information was a slightly raised eyebrow, and then the guard turned and stalked back towards the gate. Duo remained where he was and stared after him in confusion until the brunette stopped, turned, and barked out, "Are you coming or have you changed your mind about seeing the king?" And then he was grinning and jogging to come stand near his side. It was almost reassuring to know not everyone in town had this perfect attitude and person next door complex.
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The inner hall, as he expected, was stunning. The roof had a cathedral style to it that came to a point at least a hundred feet over his head, and from that dangled a large and elaborate chandelier every ten or so feet. Several doors lay to either side, some opening and revealing a library or sitting room, but most closed against innocently peeping eyes. They proceeded down the midnight blue carpet that covered the entire length of the hall and came to a pair of half opened large doors before his tour guide stopped, looked back at him and then order in a voice that would not be denied- "Stay here. I'll tell the king you wish to see him. You are not to move. You are not to touch anything."
Ah, it was good to feel welcome.
But as the guard slipped through the doors and padded quietly away, he did do his best to comply. He clasped his hands behind himself and looked around the lovely chambers with a soft, if not slightly mischievous, smile. This was the kind of place someone dreamed all their life to live. He would kill to see some of the bedrooms here, and he would bet money that all of the beds had gorgeous canopies over them carved into some pretty scene. Must be at least a hundred people employed here, maybe more. Maids, cooks, all the guards, stablemen then the grounds keepers and all the helpers to watch the royal brats. And of course the king's advisors, his wife's ladies… Hell, more likely about two hundred. Each castle makes me think of a little city inside a city. These places are more like dollhouses then a ruler ship. Everything looks so delicate and perfect, but no one but the dolls can really touch it. In a way, I think these people must be some of the loneliest and most disillusioned people in the world.
When a door halfway down the hall opened, he turned towards it instinctively… And that was when his world came to a crashing halt.
The boy that stood just thirty feet away outside the slowly closing door looked like an angel. Hair that barely covered his ears shone like white gold under the dim light coming from the stain glass windows above, and the pale and flawless skin that was beautifully displayed by a robe-like garment furthered his heavenly appearance. There was something ethereal and somehow forsaken within that tragically innocent face, and it hit Duo almost painfully. Thoughts of dolls came flooding back into mind as his eyes drifted down the small, youthfully smooth arms and to the delicate hands were working together to hold a huge book of faerie tales of all things. He was short, but proportioned just right so it looked like something you expected to see behind am expensive shop window. As Duo raised his eyes again he realized the boy was looking right at him with a curious expression, but he didn't think to answer as he stared at the cherub cheeks and candy colored lips… And above those, a pair of stormy sea colored eyes that were inhumanly aware and too beautiful to behold.
He noticed he was holding his breath and let it out with a shaky sigh as he lowered his gaze briefly to the ground and tried to collect himself. A few seconds later when he lifted his eyes the boy was gone. Duo jerked his head from side to side only to catch a glimpse of white fabric vanishing into a door. He jumped forward quickly with the intent to follow the being and learn more only to once again find himself yelping in surprise as a hand fell on his shoulder and stopped him. He could have growled in frustration as the now familiar voice spoke up, "The king has agreed to see you now."
The prophet whirled around and stared up at cold cobalt blue eyes intently as he pointed a slim finger down the hall and asked- "Did you see that? Who was that boy?"
"I didn't see a boy… I just saw you. About to walk off and directly disobey what I asked."
He did growl then and lowered his head defeatedly. This guy was single minded, it was clear he'd be of -no- help whatsoever. Duo looked hopefully down the hall again, praying silently that the boy would be back again and he'd have some proof to start asking on, but the long corridor was empty and still as a grave. Not wanting to risk getting himself shaken again he turned to his charming escort and nodded dully, "Fine, please take me to him… And I'm sorry I started off. I thought I saw something."
A snort was what he got for his apology, then the young man turned and moved through the door with a motion that he was to follow this time. Sparing once last glance behind him, Duo did exactly that.
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The king, unlike everything else up until now (other then that brief glimpse of paradise in the hallway), was not what he expected. As he approached the throne he found himself having to hide a puzzled and distraught expression. Uh oh.
Mostly bald other then a few white and ragged strands in varying places over his scalp, and with yellowish skin that was hanging loosely over old bones, the glorious ruler of Fayllen looked more dead then alive…
As the guard reached the throne and announced in his monotone 'Your guest, Sire.' dull mostly white eyes turned towards him and Duo had to work not to flinch away or get visibly sick. He felt a brief ironic flicker as he realized he'd found something that finally disgusted him the way he disgusted people, but that disappeared when the ancient and cracked lips parted to allow forth a voice like deadly wind- "Ahhh, thank you Heero… You may leave us be."
Heero, the so named guard with the bad habit of scaring the hell of out him, looked as uncertain about that idea as he felt about it. But after a moment of thought, he moved to obey and Duo watched him go with a wary frown. When he turned his attention back to the decrepit king, the old creature was leaned forward in his throne and eyeing him with what Duo presumed was curiosity. He shivered under the gaze, but fixed a big smile on his face.
"Your most gracious Majesty, please forgive my intrusion in your beautiful kingdom, but I have come to offer my unique services to you if you would have them." Amazing how much effort he had to put into those words to make them come out without shaking and sounding mousy.
And the skeleton on the beautiful chair simply stared at him unblinking for several seconds until he felt he was going to start squirming in place and eventually run screaming from the hall like a lunatic from the first full moon. Then that mouth opened again to reveal black and gray teethed, "Just what are you, boy? And what 'services' are you offering?" Incredibly enough, a rotted looking tongue snaked out between those tooth stumps and ran over his lips with a papery sound.
He felt his stomach lurch into his throat. Oh god. Oh god! I should have known! It's always the pretty towns that harbor the worst secrets!! He had to close his eyes before he could muster the strength to answer, "I can see the future, Sire. And the past on occasion. I am a prophet, and a good one, Milord… And I know some general magic as well."
"A prophet, aye? … We could indeed have some use of you, boy. Of course, I'd need to be knowing what you want for pay, and what other things you'd be having for your services… And you've still not answered my question as to -what- you are."
He had wondered if that was what the king meant… Funny, even as this disgusting thing was giving him the willies, the bag of bones had caught onto his strange aura. Duo smiled dryly. "I'm a half blood, Sire… My mother was human, and my father was demon or so I've been told. He kidnapped her from a village and flew to a near by forest… When they found her she was pregnant with me." He hoped that was answer enough for the old coot. He didn't want to get into the villagers debating whether or not they should kill her, or remove the baby from her and burn it, or wait until it was born then destroy both for being 'tainted by evil'. Childhood was hell when everyone had a torch with your name on it.
Luckily the king seemed to accept his answer with a decayed grin and almost understanding nod, "Oh, ayuh… That explains the vibe you've got, boy. My late wife had something similar to yours, but on the opposite side of the spectrum as it were. Very well, I would like to employ you if you're interested."
Although he had had major second thoughts when he'd seen this king, it was the thought that he -really- needed money and probably wouldn't make it too another town without any, and the hope that perhaps he could learn more about that blonde creature ,that eventually made him smile and nod in acceptance. From there he spent about twenty minutes working out the finer details of his stay here with a creature that should have been long dead in his opinion. He was to have a room (and for one of the rare time not in a tower), eat with the rest of the staff, have a meeting a day with the king, and receive five gold as wages each morning. Other then that meeting, he could go where he wished within the castle and through the town and under the title of the king's staff and generally do as he pleased… But of course, this was all based on if he could wow the king with their first actual meeting tomorrow morning. He wasn't concerned in the least.