Chapter 60: A King's Sad Tale
The throne room was large, far bigger than perhaps was necessary. Soldiers in glossy black armor lined the walls facing the throne. a long purple rug extended from the door to the base of the throne and sparkling silver chandeliers hung like miniature suns from the ceiling. On the walls hung interesting banners which depicted the history of House Suvain, They showed glorious battle and burning cities, and the rise and death of kings. Ra was captivated by the scenes woven into the fabric for a short while, but his attention was eventually drawn to the inhabitant of the throne, the base of the throne was a circular platform, two square protrusions stuck out on either side and tall elite Knights emitting a dangerous aura stood on them, with large gleaming silver broadswords held in their hands rested in a groove tip first in the platform as they stared with red eyes at the approaching newcomers. Above the platform were three steps leading to a throne carved beautifully from obsidian and a large, muscular man sat in it, a sharp black beard and mane of hair hung past his shoulders, Ra noticed a few streaks of grey present in the otherwise dark hair. At the foot of the throne Xllor kneeled, Ra did not imitate him, the eyes of the two Knights seemed to glow with anger but Ra ignored them. "Father, I have returned," said Xllor still bowing his eyes were focused on the floor. Ra watched carefully as the man stood and began to descend the steps, He noticed that while to the others the man might seem tall, he was actually quite short, a little over 7 feet, by the time the man had reached the foot of the throne to clap his son on the shoulder Ra was looking down on him.
Feeling his father's strong hand upon his shoulder Xllor raised his head, but his father was no longer looking at him and was instead approaching Ra. "You are?" he asked and extended his hand. "Usfur, Ra," he replied and took it, a glint flashed in the man's eyes but he said nothing. "And you, Young Lady?" Bast remained silent, "Is none of your concern," said Ra, the soldiers standing along the walls bristled and the Knights stepped down from their platforms, their broadswords raised. "She's with me," he continued and his eyes grew sharper, more dangerous. "And until I know the full story we will not be offering any help." he said flatly. By this time the Knights had arrived and they stood on either side of Ra threateningly, Gwyn and Morrigan were now flapping their wings and hovering at shoulder height to Ra and mewling incessantly, one of the Knights reached out to grab Morrigan who was currently mewling and flapping in his face, Ra's eyes grew cold, "Touch her and die," he said harshly and the Knight took several involuntary steps backward. Realizing that he had just been looked down on he grew furious and raised his sword again- "STOP!" This loud order came from the King, "Stand down!" he yelled at the Knight. The man immediately lowered his sword and took several steps backward.
The King smiled and gave Ra an approving smile, "Indeed, a man worthy of praise," he nodded smiling, "What then, do you wish to know? this King will do his best to answer." he said simply, he folded his arms behind his back and ascended the throne, Xllor was looking on in shock glancing back and forth between Ra and his father with a look of confusion evident on his face. Ra ignored him, "Who is the Troll King?" he asked airily, "A beast who goes by the name of Duvoll," the King replied. Ra nodded, "I see, I must warn you, I will not tolerate baseless derogatory remarks without evidence that they are true." Ra said. This caused the soldiers to bristle again, but the King merely nodded and waved his hand to show he understood, "My apologies," he said kindly. Ra nodded, "Very good, then, how did the war start?"
Xllor was looking back and forth rapidly as he attempted to process the interaction taking place in front of him, he had never known his father to bow his head to anyone, let alone a 17 year old kid, one should know his father was over 3,000 years old!
"The Trolls..." he began, "are innovative, clever, and their magic is the most powerful I've ever seen." Bast snorted, Xiara shot her a piercing glare. "But due to the nature of their magic the Trolls are limited in its applications," he said. "Oh? how so?" Ra asked suddenly more interested. "Their magic is...I suppose you could say it is anti-combat, it focuses on healing, growth...druidic practices but no power." Ra pondered this for a moment, "Okay, but how is this a problem? why did it lead to war?" "I am getting to that," the King said patiently, "200 years ago we made contact with the Trolls, I was very sick at the time you see, and no medicine could cure me, in a fit of desperation one of my loyal physicians reached put to the Trolls who were famous for their healing magic. The Troll Shaman, that is what they call their healers, agreed to treat me, and after a few months I was once again whole." Ra was listening intently and nodded his head, "So they did you a favor," he said, "Yes...and no," the King said wearily, "While the Trolls did indeed save my life we had never discussed the issue of payment, naturally I did not expect to receive this service for free but it is what they demanded in return that sparked the war."
"I see, and what did they request?" said Ra.
"My first daughter," he said heavily as if the words had taxed him, "Naturally, at the time I agreed, I had no children," he said gazing at his daughter regretfully with a wretched appearance. Xiara stared back at him, a trace of bitterness hidden in her eyes. "12 years ago, The Trolls learned of my wife's pregnancy and her subsequent birth, a spy planted in the court had been sending them details of the going ons in the castle, and when Xiara was born they came for her. Naturally my wife was unwilling to part with her only daughter, and fought the Trolls off," Rage now filled the man's face as he recalled this memory, "My wife died fighting the Troll, The Trolls fled, they send word of apology claiming it to be an accident, and it likely was but in my rage I ordered... the attack," he heaved a huge sigh and slumped back in his throne as if glad to be rid of the huge weight residing in his chest. "Oh Father!" and Xiara ran up the steps of the throne and flung herself into his arms, tears streaming from her eyes, The Knights behind the throne flinched at this but relaxed after sharing a glance. "My dear child, your father was foolish, could you forgive a silly old man?"
She nodded her head repeatedly without speaking and buried her head deeper into his chest. "Young man, can you help us?" he directed this question at Ra.
Ra gave the situation some thought and nodded slowly, "Provided that what you have told me is true, I should be able to resolve your problem in short order, in return..." The King's face blanched, Ra ignored this, and gestured with his hand and Gwyn and Morrigan flew toward the throne, "find out what they eat," he said simply. The King visibly relaxed and a slow smile spread across his face, "Young man...thank you," he breathed.
Ra waved his hand, "No problem," he said and turned to exit the throne room, Xllor ran forward to open the door but was stopped by Ra, "No need," he said impatiently, and opened a spatial gate that he and Bast stepped through.
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