After breakfast, the room was all cleaned up, and Ruddiger was looking through the large window when Varian was taken out of the castle's walls, with Pete, Stan and the Captain of the Guards.
The castle's town was so alive like always, people were going in and out of shops, chatting with friends, selling goods or food, having fun with their families or just walking around randomly, the streets were loud and busy with talks and footsteps, but then everything started to calm down, people's faces turned all in the direction where the boy and the guards were coming from, one solemn look from the Captain made everyone turn back to what they were doing, thought still, when Varian passed past them he would hear murmuring, probably about him, his eyes focused on the road, but the muttering and whispering of people made him throw glances and silent glare here and there, folks did the same. Cold stares, narrowed glances, glares of hate and disapproval were thrown at him from many directions, Varian tried to ignore those eyes, those whispers of discomfort, as much as he can. His teeth clutched each other tightly in anger, he couldn't bear the attention and humiliation he's being through, although he has tasted it so many times by now, it burnt him from the inside. But still, he wasn't in the mood for troubles, and a shady spot of a shop saved him, a blacksmith's workshop. What better way to distract yourself from people other than hard hand working. The four of them reached their standpoint, Xavier's work, Xavier was a blacksmith working in the town, but now his shop was closed because he has an important task to accomplish in elsewhere in the kingdom, and he agreed to let Varian work in his shop when needed. Monty's candy shifter was a pretty big machine, Varian needed to build it first then bring it to the Sweet Shop, actually this was one of the biggest works that Varian had done in the town, he would usually fix something or such, but this was an invention that he designed and built, also the first invention ever that he hated working on. Varian entered with Pete and Stan, while the Captain said that he has other duties to finish.
"I need you two to- "
"Keep a good eye on me blah blah blah, don't you think they got it?"
The Captain glared at Varian's sassy tune, the boy was gazing away with an annoyed expression, the Captain took a deep breath to prevent himself from doing something wrong, then walked off. Pete and Stan stared after the Captain who clutched his hands into fists, but then calmed down.
"Hello! Mind taking those off?" Varian said sarcastically, more annoyed, raising his handcuffed hands, "Oh." Pete unlocked the cuffs while Stan brought the uncompleted machine, Varian rubbed his free wrists and winced a bit, he glared at Stan who was already avoiding any eye contact, the boy walked to the machine and took the large piece of fabric that covered it off, then gazed at it along with the two guards, the machine was designed to shift the sweet batter into different shapes, it uses the power of steam that can be pumped into it. Varian sighed through his nose, people don't decide to accept what he's yearned to give until he's under the hands of the royals, if Monty needed the shifter, why didn't he look for someone to make it for him, through news, rumors and people the old man would have eventually stumbled upon Varian's house and the alchemist would have been delighted to help. Now that he doesn't want to help, they ask?
Varian thought that destiny was playing some sort of a game with him, and of course he didn't enjoy it.
The machine was completed, but there was only the shapes the he needed to make and attached them to it, he walked to a table that had some papers on it, on the papers the drawings of the shapes which Monty has chose, he flipped through them with bored eyes, some of the shapes were very simple, like squares, triangles, stars , some were a bit complicated, like a small tree, a flower, a bird, but when his eyes landed on the last one, he breath halted in his throat, it was a drawing of a circle with three slashes coming out its left side, the pain in his head was back, this time real and way worst, he shouted, throwing the papers to the ground, then groaned while holding his head, he leant on the table to not fall, something flashed in his mind, an image of a fair white hand, that of a young woman, with the same mark on it, it was gently holding a smaller hand in it. Then the image disappeared and so did the pain, Varian's breaths quickened, his wide eyes gazed hesitantly at the drawings, he took them in his hands again and that's when he realized, the mark wasn't even there, it was only a drawing of a peacock with a fat body and three long feathers that formed its tail.
"Boy, you ok?" Varian heard Pete saying, but ignored him and focused on the drawing. "If you want, you can take some tim-"
"I'm fine!" The boy snapped, eyes cold on the two guards who looked confused at his actions. He put the papers back on the table and massaged his temple, he thought about it for a moment, was he hallucinating? He figured out that it's the lake of sleep he's getting that caused something to his mind, he decided to push everything away, finish his work then worry about anything else, and so he started working, he held a piece of by a tong, heated it up in the forge, extended it, banged on it with a hammer, wiped some sweat from his forehead, heated it a bit again, detailed it, blew on it, banged more, sat down and drank some water, and lastly, he cooled it up in water, and the hollow shape of a little bird was ready. Varian held his work up, he narrowed his eyes examining it, when he was sure that it was done he put it aside and immediately turned to work on the next one. Pete and Stan were watching from behind, if Varian wasn't too harsh with them, they wouldn't complain about this duty, watching his work gave a different feeling, even though he's forced to do it, he still do it right for some reason, he doesn't mess things up, he works patiently neatly, he just doesn't want to work on something twise. And the two guards found it interesting to see how much effort he puts into anything, even if his effort wasn't out of good well.
It was already evening, when Varian but attached the last shape of a star to the rubber belt on the machine, then settled himself down on a stool to rest, his legs hurt him from the long duration of standing, his arms muscles felt stiff, he rubber his necked and looked up at the machine to admire his work, his arms rested on his knees as he eyed it oddly , this was an invention of his, even though he hated it, but it still was something out of his mind and hands, something that he worked hard on to give it to someone, and he couldn't help but feel something towards it, something he felt whenever he's done working on a functional invention, he felt proud, though he denied it, but he felt proud of himself.
Pete and Stan realized that he finished, they stood besides him and admired it with him. "Great job, kid!" Stan complimented with a nod.
"Thanks." Varian said mindlessly, the two men looked at him with surprise, this was the nicest thing he had ever said to them, and he didn't realize, Stan and Pete grinned to each other, then smiled down at him.
The three of them took off, with Stan rolling the invention, towards Uncle Monty's, the streets were still full of people, some of them stared at the huge covered figure that was rolled across the street, some huddled around a man who fixed a new poster to the news board, the poster had a picture of some acrobats forming a human pyramid, with a little girl with long hair and a proud smile standing on top of them, down was written: The Cebricus Circus is coming to Corona. The man held more posters and fixed then at random spots, and went on to continue with the rest of the town. Varian's eyes wandered to the crowds around the posters, but he considered it as another wanted person, and thought that maybe he would get a chance to escape if the guards put their concerns on other criminals more than him.
The bell on the Sweet Shop's door rang as Pete opened it and let Varian and Stan with the machine come in, the delightful aroma of sweets, chocolate and cupcakes filled the place, there was also the laughter of children who were paying snacks and running around joyfully, the shelves and cupboards were beautifully decorated with the many Colours of different sweets inside jars, the front sight held amazing statues made out of candies and sugar. One of the kids was skipping with a huge lollipop in her hand, big enough to not let her see what was in front, what caused her to bump into Varian, the little girl looked up in surprise, only to back off in fear of the guards, handcuffed boy, and huge machine standing before her, she accidentally knocked a jar off the shelf, fortunately, good old Uncle Monty caught it before it could crush into the ground, "Oy, be careful there, child," the old man said, his voice had a slight groan in it at first, but then he smiled warmly at the little girl, she nodded then headed out the shop, "Sorry uncle Monty! Goodbye uncle Monty!" She half screamed and then ran through the gap between Varian and guards, and more children followed her out, Varian gave a short huff of amusement before rolling his eyes, Monty put the jar back on the shelf, then his eyes landed on them, his warm smile went colder, thought he's still smiling. "Why, it's my favourite two guards!" He said brightly, "Pete!" "Good evening Uncle Monty!" "Stan!" "Hello Uncle Monty!" They greet each other, Monty's gaze turned to Varian who was looking anywhere but not at the old man, "And our little prodigy, Varian," the boy eyed Monty with an expressionless face, old man frowned, not an annoyed grumpy frown, but a rather sad one.
Some Coronans fought in the Battle of Old Corona, they know what Varian has done, what he turned himself into, and most of them knew how he was, Uncle Monty was one of those, he has known Varian, the boy would always come to his shop when he visits the town with his father, he would always buy chocolate chips to make cookies back at his house, he was so joyful and kind back then.
"Well, " Monty struggled to get his smile back, "I have some more customers to take care off. Stan, why don't you put the thing in the back? Oh and on your way can you tell Attila to make more apple pies?" He said kindly, Stan nodded and pushed the machine towards a door in the back, Monty has learned how to use it the day before, so he didn't need any help by now. And the three of them left.
Varian was turned back to the castle, and after a hard half day of work, nothing could cheer him up but the usual joyful greet of his raccoon, and that he was told to have the rest of the day off.
"It's getting really dangerous your Highness, this time we found everything broken, it's...it's really creepy," Pete was saying, grimacing a bit. "And we really can't understand it." Hesaid with a worried look.
The woman before them saddened, she have been told about the things happening in the boy's room, and today's news weren't good.
"His nightmares are getting worst everyday, your majesty," Pete spoke again, Stan, who was standing next to him, gave a nod.
The queen, Arianna of Corona paced before them, hummingdeep in thoughts.
"Did-..did he say anything during his sleep?" She stopped to ask them, eyes concerned about their young prisoner.
"Yes, yes in fact, your highness, " Pete started, then looked at Stan, gesturing for him to finish. "This time we heard him calling for someone," Stan answered, then looked away in hurt, so did Pete.
"Who?" Arianna asked eagerly, eyeing them with her curious green eyes, hands together over her heart, and after a moment, they answered in unison.
"His mother."
The queen's eyes went wide, then they softened in pain, Arianna's heart broke, her hands slowly covered her mouth.
"Oh dear," she whispered through her fingers, took a deep breath and straightened herself.
"I'll...I'll see him tonight, who knows, maybe this time he will open up,"
"You should have seen him, Attila!" Uncle Monty grunted, taking a big bowl of purple sweet dough, adding more ingredients into it, and diluting it with some water, Attila Buckethead was behind, holding a big empty barrel then putting it next to the machine. "The boy was as peppy and joyful as a little pup!" The old man continued.
After the shop was closed, the two decided to taste the sweet shifter. Monty sighed holding the bowl as he walked next to Attila. "And now he holds all that anger and hate towards everyone," He handed the ruffian the bowl.
"That's one salty cookie," Attila spoke, his voice vibrated because of his bucket helmet. "Well, we have nothing to do but to wish good for him," he told the old man with a hand on his shoulder, "Now let's try this machine of his." He said positively, letting the dough into the machine through a conical entrance, then going to its side and turning a circular handle three times, he and Monty backed away when the machine started heating up, loud noise of steam being pumped through pipes was heard, when they expected the dough to fall into the shapes, a huge amount of it was splashed into their faces.
They stared at the machine for seconds, Attila's head fell in disappointment. "I'm not wishing good for him," he said sadly. Monty's face was red from anger, under the purple because of the dough, "I'm going to snatch the daylight out of him!!" He groaned and walked toward the door, his footsteps banging heavily on the floor. Attila stood there wiping off the dough from his bucket, then he turned his face up and gasped in surprise. "Uncle Monty! Look!" Attila exclaimed. Monty turned around to find the machine working perfectly, the dough was filling the shapes which were attached to the rubber belt, it heated up and the dough became solid, the belt moved and the purple colored candies fell onto the barrel, various of them, the two watched gladly as the barrel was almost full.
The moon was shining brightly at the end of the day, the streets were left empty and there was no sound but the songs of the grasshoppers and the blowing of the nighty cold breeze. The light of the moon creeped into Varian's room, but there was light from the lanterns in the hall outside his room as well, he was sitting on the chair, his hands and head rested on the table, talking quietly to Ruddiger who was on the table near him, he told the raccoon about his nightmare and what happened during his work, the critter was one great listener, who chittered anxiously when Varian burried his face face in his hands after finishing his speech.
"I don't know, buddy," He mumbled, then raised his head, he sighed with unease, his hand reached to stroke the raccoon's fur. "Do you think I'm going...insane?" He seemed surprised by his own words, but not much as the raccoon who shook his head violently and chittered in disagreement. Varian heard footsteps fading away, and others getting close.
"Please don't say such things," A soft voice called from his side, then a shadow fell upon his floor. Varian knew its owner very well, and turned his head to look at the Queen standing behind the bars of his room, Ruddiger couldn't help but smile at her, Varian blinked for seconds, looking at her face with the small smile on it, his eyes hardened then he shifted his gaze to his window. "What do you want?" He asked coldly, crossing his arms and leaning on his chair. Arianna has been visiting Varian since he came to the castle, she was trying as hard as she can to reason him, convince him that all of this could end if he let go of his anger and vengeance, but he didn't listen at all, and she has became used to his cold self, his sarcasm and mockery didn't get on her nerves.
"I came to check on you, how was your day?" She asked kindly, her smile still glimmering on her face.
"Just like every other miserable day here, thank you." He looked at the view of the city, which was sleeping tightly in the calm night. Arianna knew that it was no point to longer the conversation with him, so she tried to get into the main thing.
"Shouldn't you be asleep by now?" She asked raising an eyebrow, "It's a bit too late for-"
Varian scuffed, then turned to face her. "Well, why aren't you? Shouldn't the queen get her beauty sleep? Huh?" He fakely chuckled at his words then turned away again, Arianna frowned, taking it longer was useless.
"The queen can't have her beauty sleep when one of her citizens is struggling through an unexplainable series of dangerous evens." She spoke with a stern tune, making him look at her, then her solemn look softened. "I need to know what's exactly happening to you, Varian."
His eyes widened at her words, then he looked down at his hands, he really needed help, he really wanted someone to help, but not her, not them, he could never accept help from those who didn't help him when he was in need, his hands turned onto fists and he groaned with anger. "And why should I tell you?" Then he heard the sound of chittering, the raccoon was pleading him to tell the queen about it, but Varian was really stubborn.
"Varian, you should understand that I'm trying to help you," She said, her hand holding one of the bars.
"How many times I have to tell you?!" He exclaimed, "I. do not. need your help!" He threw his hands in the air, standing up and walking towards her. "Why don't you all just surrender and leave me alone?!" He asked bitterly, holding the metal bars, her hand let go of the bar but she stood firm in her place, she shook her head and smiled sadly. "Surrender is not an option." She said calmly, his eyes went wide.
"When danger threatens what's loved, surrender is not an option."
A voice echoed in Varian's mind, suddenly the pain exploded again, he yelped and went back a few steps, his hair filled the gaps between his fingers as he held his head, "Varian!" He heard the queen gasping, his feet tripped and he fell backwards, he heard Ruddiger chittering, his head hit the tip of the chair harshly and he fell to the ground with a loud thump. Arianna stood there for seconds, her hands were trying to reach for him before he fell, but they couldn't. "Varian? Varian are you alright?" She called for him but he didn't move, she gasped more, such a hit should not cause fainting in normal situations, Ruddiger rushed down the table towards Varian, his little paws shook the boy's head as he chittered loudly, the raccoon looked at the queen, asking for help, Arianna held her dress in hands then ran through the hall.
"P- Pete! Stan! Get the keys, he's badly hurt!!"
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