A Medieval Sonic Story: Chapter 5 - The Offer of A Lifetime

Of course, when the king returned from the hunt a few days later, he received different versions of what happened in his absence. Upon entering the royal chamber where Sabina had attempted to seduce Sonic, Sebastian asked her what had occurred while he had been gone.

Sabina said nothing had happened, then the king's blue eyes bored into her jade green eyes. "Then tell me why I smell the scent of coal and scorched metal."

The queen feigned shock. "How dare you insinuate I would be unfaithful?!"

The king growled to her. "I warn you this once not to lie to me. You think I haven't heard the whispers, Sabina? That smell has never been in our chambers until now."

Amy, Cream, and Vanilla arrived as the queen again denied adultery. King Rose turned to them. "Then I'll ask you three what happened. You will surely be truthful."

The red-furred hedgehog approached Vanilla first. "As her handmaid, certainly she mentioned something to you."

Vanilla lowered her gaze to her feet as the intense stare met her chocolate eyes. "Indeed she did, Your Majesty. She summoned a much younger male here under the guise of learning more about him for Princess Amy's sake."

Cream confirmed her mother's story, and then the red hedgehog turned to his pink-furred daughter. "I already know who was here, because I can smell him on you, but tell me who it was."

Amy sighed. "The blacksmith Sonic the Hedgehog."

Desperate to save her position, Sabina began almost screaming. "They're lying! All of them!"

The king whirled on her. "SILENCE WOMAN! I AM THE KING! NOTHING ESCAPES MY KNOWLEDGE!"

She stuttered, and he continued. "You can hide NOTHING from me! Three have testified against you, and they all say the same. These twenty years I have loved you despite the lack of a male heir, and you attempt to seduce another, thus showing you consider our marriage of no value."

Queen Sabina stared at her feet. Taking a few breaths, King Sebastian made his ruling. "You will be placed in the tower under a constant guard, day and night, until I decide what to do with you. Consider yourself fortunate, because had you succeeded, you would be executed immediately."

The white hedgehog wiped her eyes. "I was concerned about my standing as queen… I wanted our line to continue."

Sebastian scowled. "I intend to ask Sonic and Miles about this as well, but did you ever once consider I could have let Amy marry Prince Elias Acorn?"

No answer, so the king summons three guards. "Take her to the tower, and guard her with your lives."

The guards bow and escort the queen to the tower. The king sighed and shook his head, looking at his daughter and her seamstress. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Cream glanced at Amy and back to the king. "What will become of her?"

Sebastian rubbed his quills. "Since she only attempted adultery and wasn't successful, I think a whipping through the market and then isolation in the tower will suffice."

Amy shook her head. "Do you intend for her to be naked like the punishment usually is?"

King Rose looked at her. "I haven't decided yet."

Summoning a squire, he sent for Sonic and Tails. They arrived the following day, where they were questioned about the queen's actions. Tails confirmed what happened, and then the king turned to Sonic. "Well?"

Sonic shrugged. "Thanks to her, I know where Amy got her looks from."

Tails facepalmed, Sebastian cocked an eyebrow, and Amy's cheeks turned red, her tail wagging quickly. The king kept himself composed since Sonic had essentially complimented both his wife and his daughter. "Let me ask you then, Sonic: Having been on the council a few times, and giving good wisdom and decisions, what do you think about a whipping through the market?"

Sonic thought for a second. "Does the king believe the punishment fits the attempted adultery?"

Sebastian sighs. "I honestly never thought my own wife would do this with either commoner or nobility, no offense. I don't want to do this to her, but I can't allow such a behavior to go unpunished."

Sonic nods. "Milord is a fair king, and I believe he will make the correct decision. If I were in your position, I wouldn't go through the market, but the public humiliation alone of being put in the stocks might be enough. The crowd can be rough at times with their insults and jeering."

The red hedgehog turned to the orange fox. "What do you think, Miles?"

Tails bowed. "My opinion is the same as Sonic's feelings. Milord the king has a difficult decision, but I believe he will make the right one."

The blue hedgehog and orange fox were dismissed, and after spending more time with the princess and her seamstress, they headed back to Sonic's workshop. In Acorn Kingdom, Maximilian and Princess Sally were preparing for a journey to that very same location. Prince Elias had expressed no desire for Princess Amy Rose, and the king decided to respect his wishes.

Once they were ready, the royal entourage began the journey to the hedgehog's forge. Inside the expansive complex, Sonic and Tails were finally able to catch up on finances and begin sending out orders to their respective customers. Six days later, as the first snows began falling, a knock sounded at the door, and King Acorn was announced.

Sonic came outside and bowed. "Your Majesty, Milady, welcome. What brings you here?"

Maximilian nodded to him. "Hello Master Hedgehog. I have come to inspect your work and try to figure out how King Sebastian Rose has won the last three of the tournaments."

Sonic gave a deep chuckle. "I thought that might be it. Come in, but please be careful. We haven't had a slow day in nearly three years."

As they entered, the king and Princess Sally had to avoid various working hazards, stepping where Sonic did to avoid injury. As they entered the forge, the chipmunks looked around at the various armaments in astonishment. Sally spoke what her father was thinking. "This is the work of a true master of his craft."

Sonic smiled. "Thank you. It took me almost 15 years to get here."

King Maximilian picked up a sword and balanced it on his finger, looking at the blue hedgehog. "Perfect balance… and those bows, they're gorgeous."

Tails brought one to him. "That's my area, Your Majesty. Sonic doesn't do it all."

Maximilian grabbed the bow, some arrows, and loosed them at a target, forming a tight grouping in the process. He nodded. "Miles, I love this bow. What's your price?"

Tails bowed. "Your Majesty may have it plus a full quiver for free."

The king shook his head. "I will not take for free what a master has earned. Name your price."

Tails gave a shocked look to Sonic and answered the king. "Such a bow is normally 100 gold rings."

The chipmunk king turned to the cobalt blacksmith. "The sword also."

Sonic bowed. "A Damascus-pattern sword like that is 250 gold rings."

Maximilian didn't even blink at the prices. Instead, he reached into his robes and pulled out a sizable ring purse, giving it to Sonic. "You may keep whatever is left."

Sonic and Tails bowed. "Thank you Your Majesty."

The weapons were given to the guards, and the group sat down at a nearby table, with Sally next to Sonic. King Acorn looked at the hedgehog and fox. "Now for the real reason I'm here."

After a brief pause, the king continued. "Sonic, how much is King Sebastian paying you for your work?"

Sonic shrugged. "He never said, but it's been a small fortune so far. Why?"

Maximilian glanced at his daughter and back to the hedgehog. "I wish to do the same thing he did."

Sonic thought for a second. "Well, he and his guards haven't needed anything beyond basic repairs for a while now, so I don't see a problem with it."

The king nodded. "Thank you, but there's more."

Sonic was a bit surprised. "Your Majesty has already offered a substantial sum for our services. What more does he have to offer?"

The king smiled. "The title of Lord of Acorn Kingdom, and my daughter's hand in marriage."

Tails' jaw hit the floor, and Sonic stuttered. "L-L-Lord? Like a noble lord? Did I hear the king correctly?"

He nodded. "You did."

Sonic inhaled and exhaled slowly. "Wow… Does the king remember the duel the two princesses had a few years ago? Princess Amy Rose by rights has claim to me unless I say otherwise."

Sally nods, leaning against him. "Indeed, but all you need to do is say the word, we get married, and you live a life of luxury."

Sonic shook his head. "A lordship… gold… that I should become Judas."

Sally was stunned. "You would refuse such an offer?"

Sonic nodded. "I would, at least until I've thought it over. Granted it seems like I shouldn't turn it down, but my work is my life, and I doubt I'm suited for nobility."

The king stood and nodded. "I can understand your hesitation. This is a lot to be offered, and it was quite sudden, but how about this: The conditions as stated, but you would not have to become a noble lord. You could stay working the forge, make my guards their weapons and armor, and take Sally as your wife."

Sonic looked at him. "I must think about it Your Majesty. That is a very generous offer that Milord has made a simple blacksmith, and I cannot give you an answer today."

The chipmunk nodded to the blue hedgehog. "I think that is a fair decision. We will stay the night, and be on our way in the morning."

The hedgehog and fox escorted the king and princess out, and Sonic looked at Tails when the door closed. "Can you believe it Tails? TWO royal commissions!"

Tails nodded with a smile. "This really is a craftsman's dream. Let's take stock of our wares and get ready for some more profit."

That night, after inventory was done, Sonic went to lock the shop door, but was stopped by a knock. Confused, he grabbed the handle. "Who is it?"

A female answered. "It's the princess."

Sonic opened the door to find Sally Acorn, and she entered the workshop. "Thank you."

Sonic frowned. "Milady the shop is closed for the night, and you have a long journey ahead of you."

Sally looked at him. "I know, but I came to try and help you decide on my father's offer."

Sonic looked at his feet. "Please don't take your clothes off. There's already a scandal at Rose Castle involving me and royalty."

Sally giggled. "Yes, but I'm not married, so…"

Sally allowed Sonic to view her full figure, and he nodded. "Very nice. I definitely like what I see."

Sally Acorn had more curves than a winding river, and she blushed a little. "Take advantage of it Sonic, because it may not come around again."

Sonic showed Sally to his sleeping area, and the next day before the sun rose, Sally was sleeping in the camp like nothing had happened. Sonic was impressed by the previous night's activities, but he worried about the implications of their actions.

He got to work as usual, and nodded to the others as they entered the shop. Tails came into the forge and sniffed. "Do I smell what I think I smell?"

Sonic quenched a dagger. "Princess Acorn? Yes you do."

Tails frowned at him. "One question: Is she still a virgin?"

Sonic nods. "Yes, but she made it awfully hard to keep her that way. I don't need another scandal with a ruling authority."

Tails nods and gets to work. "Well, I just received a missive from a courier. The queen will be pulled behind a cart and whipped through the market before being placed back in the tower. We are requested to be there as well."

Sonic nods. "A bit harsh maybe, but he's the king, not me. Now, let's get to work. King Acorn needs new arms and armor for his entire squad."

The fox and hedgehog crack their knuckles and get to work on the massive order the chipmunk king had placed.