Chapter 15: 15
"Your mother is dead."
This is the news no kid wants to hear, especially Luca. He'd already lost his father. He was still struggling to get over his death. But he refused to believe the words that were coming out of King Kojo's mouth.
Foster gasped slightly, and his grip tightened on Luca's hand. "She can't be-she's-she's not-" he broke off and started crying.
King Kojo gestured toward the doors and they were opened letting an older man enter.
"This is Master Lee. He was the one who found her body down in the dungeons." King Kojo said.
Master Lee nods. "It's true. The guards that were on watch last night came to alert me of a commotion. When we went to see what the problem was your mother she...she was slumped against the wall with a wound in her stomach." he wiped at his cheek."I'm truly sorry."
Foster spluttered something that sounded like, "You're lying."
A moment later the doors were opened again and two guards hauled in a body wrapped in white cloth, Luca blinked back his tears when they laid it down in front of them.
Surely they were mistaken.
Luca crouched down and pulled back some of the sheet revealing his mother's pale face. Her eyes were closed as though she were just sleeping. He touched her skin and yanked his hand back in surprise.
Cold.
She was cold.
"We will not stop until the murderer is found." King Kojo said, standing. He stepped down from the throne to pat Luca's shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"What are we going to do?" Foster whimpered. "Where can we live?"
"Why not here at the palace?" Master Lee offered. "If whoever murdered your mother was after something..I highly doubt you two would be safe going back out there."
King Kojo nods. "That's a possibility. In the meantime, I want you and your brother to stay on the palace grounds. You aren't to leave without my say."
Luca nodded, feeling numb. What other choice do they have?
He wasn't old enough to own a house, and he was currently getting paid less than what his mother was, so there was no way he and Foster could survive out there for long without help.
"Thank you, Your majesty." Luca managed, covering his mother's face. "We are truly grateful."
Kojo waved off the comment. "Think nothing of it. Lee, take them to the room in the east wing."
The man bowed and gestured for the two of them to follow him. Luca wasn't sure if they'd fit in here. His family had never been rich.
But they weren't poor either.
Everything here was new, shiny, expensive. Luca felt out of place in his faded clothes and patched robes.
Master Lee lead them up a set of stairs and around the corner on the left was a single door. "This is usually used for the guests, but since we haven't had any in a while..this is where you'll be staying."
Luca pushed open the door and his jaw dropped.
The room was larger than the cottage is parents owned, in fact they would have been able to fit about three of them inside. With its immense proportions, the room accommodated two sizable beds positioned on each side, creating a truly spacious atmosphere. A reading nook was by the window and along the back wall were rows and rows of books, by the door the wall was covered in weapons of all kinds.
"Please make yourselves at home."
Foster scurried inside to explore the room. Luca turned toward Master Lee. "What exactly was my mother doing down in the dungeons in the first place?"
"The guards said that she was there to visit the elves that were accused of the bombings in the mine." Master Lee frowned slightly. "Though I'm not sure why."
"You think it was the elves, then?"
Master Lee shrugged. "It could be a possibility. We have yet to question them. Right now, just focus on taking care of your brother. We'll take care of the rest."
Luca watched him turn and march away.
...
Throughout the day many people who'd heard about his mom's death had come to give condolences, even his self-defense teacher, Master Red.
"I'm sorry for what happened to your mother. I was terrible, and not something any kid should have to go through; especially after the death of your father." Master Red patted his back awkwardly. "You don't have to participate in today's training session."
Luca tried to argue against him, to give him something to do, something else to focus on, but Master Red insisted.
Once the sessions were finished, Luca stood up to leave when Zander approached him.
"You're not actually going to leave are you?"
Luca sighed. "What do you want me to do?" he gestured at his still wrapped arm. "I can't move much."
Zander turned. "Well, we could work on your aim."
Luca trailed after him. "My aim?"
"I've seen you when you throw daggers. It's quite..." Zander massaged his neck. "Scary."
"It can't be that bad!" Luca protested. "Master Red's been trying to teach me!"
"Oh."
Luca raised a brow. "Oh?"
Zander pulled out two daggers and handed one to him. Then in one smooth motion, he tossed the dagger at the target, hitting it square in the center.
He smirked over at him. "Your turn."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
SPPrincess
SPPrincess Master Lee's a sneaky one....
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone