Bab 11: ROYAL DEMEANOR I

{ MICHAEL AYDEN'S POV }

The sun's first rays painted the horizon with shades of gold and pink, casting their warm glow over the wreckage that lay before me. It was a scene of devastation that I struggled to comprehend.

My gaze was fixed on my son, Jay, his small body lying still amidst the ruins, blood and dirt staining his once-innocent appearance.

The workshop and our home had crumbled under the weight of the chaos that had erupted during the night. It was a testament to the unimaginable power that my young son had unleashed.

Staring at him, I was overwhelmed by a mixture of emotions—pride at his incredible potential, astonishment at the sheer magnitude of his abilities, and a tinge of fear at what this might mean for his future. I knelt down beside him, my hands shaking as I gently brushed the dirt-streaked hair from his forehead. The metallic tang of blood mixed with the earthy scent of soil hung heavily in the air, a stark reminder of the events that had transpired.

As the sun continued to rise, two carriages approached, a stark contrast to the scene of destruction. They bore the markings of royalty—ornate designs, gilded accents, and regal fabrics that draped elegantly. The horses pulling them were adorned with fine trappings, their presence a symbol of nobility.

From the first carriage emerged a man clad in polished armor, his posture commanding respect. My attention shifted from my son to the newcomer, anxiety and apprehension tugging at my heart. The man's eyes surveyed the scene before settling on me, a mix of curiosity and concern in his gaze.

"What transpired here?" he demanded, his voice resonating with authority. Gathering my thoughts, I recounted the night's events—the attack, the fierce battle, and the astonishing power that had been unleashed by my son.

The man listened intently, his expression growing more somber with each detail I shared. When I finished speaking, his brow furrowed, a weighty realization sinking in.

"I represent the king," he explained, his tone heavy with significance. "I came for the Swords of the Knights of Denyl, but I did not anticipate finding this devastation. Are these the assailants?" he asked, his gaze shifting to the lifeless bodies suspended from the spikes of stone.

I nodded, my throat dry as I watched him approach the impaled thieves. His scrutiny was thorough, his expression growing more serious as he examined them. His gaze lingered on a dragon-shaped symbol tattooed on the back of one of the men. A sheen of sweat formed on his forehead, his shock palpable even from a distance.

"Dragon's Mark," he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of fear. His attention remained fixated on the symbol, as if it held a significance that struck a chord within him.

The man turned back to me, his face serious as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "You should accompany us to the palace," he urged, a sense of urgency coloring his words. "We must unravel the truth of what has transpired here."

My heart raced as I considered his proposition. I glanced back at my wife, Crystal, and my unconscious son, Jay, lying nearby. "And my family?" I asked, concern for their well-being tugging at my thoughts.

"They will accompany us," the man assured me. With a call to his companions in the second carriage, two other figures emerged, their expressions grave and solemn. Together, they gently removed the bodies from the spikes, carefully wrapping them in sheets before placing them in the carriage.

"These bodies will be taken to the Palace of Denyl for further examination," one of the men explained, his voice respectful despite the grim task at hand. With a final nod in my direction, they closed the carriage doors and prepared to depart.

The journey to the palace was marked by silence, the carriages progressing steadily through the landscape. The road wound its way through meadows and forests, the tranquility of nature contrasting sharply with the turmoil that had unfolded in the night. A few miles beyond the town of Aldevia, the Palace of Denyl loomed into view. Its towering spires and majestic architecture were awe-inspiring, a grandeur that spoke of centuries of history and power.

As the carriages entered the palace grounds, I couldn't help but be struck by its sheer magnificence. Marble columns lined the entrance, leading to a courtyard adorned with intricate sculptures and meticulously maintained gardens. The air was filled with an air of majesty and regality, a palpable sense of authority that resonated within the very stones.

The carriages came to a halt, and I stepped out onto the palace grounds. The man in armor and his companions led me through the palace's grand entrance, where opulent halls and towering ceilings greeted my gaze. Everything was adorned in shades of white and cream, exuding an atmosphere of both elegance and power.

Eventually, we arrived at the throne room, a space of breathtaking beauty. A massive vertical window stood behind the king's throne, allowing the sun's rays to flood the room with radiance. The king himself sat upon the throne, a figure of authority with jet-black hair, a bushy beard, and a regal white crown ad

orning his brow. His form was firm and muscular, an odd blend of handsomeness and strength that left an indelible impression.

The king rose from his throne as I approached, his eyes keenly assessing me. "Michael Ayden," he spoke, his voice commanding yet tinged with warmth.

I bowed respectfully, my heart pounding as I stood before him. "Your Highness," I began, my voice betraying a mix of gratitude and apprehension, "last night, our workshop was attacked by thieves. My family and I defended ourselves, but in the process, the Swords of the Knights of Denyl were destroyed."

King Delray's brows furrowed, his expression serious as he absorbed the gravity of my words. "Destroyed?" he repeated, his tone a mixture of surprise and concern.

I nodded, offering a brief account of the events that had transpired. My voice trembled as I described the battle and the devastation that had befallen our home.

The king's gaze remained fixed on me, his eyes searching as if seeking a deeper truth. After a moment of silence, he let out a sigh. "Michael Ayden," he addressed me, his voice firm yet compassionate, "you have served our kingdom faithfully for years. It is clear that you and your family have been through a harrowing experience. I offer you my deepest sympathies."

"Thank you, Your Highness," I replied, a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty filling me.

King Delray's lips curved into a small smile. "You have long been one of my favorites among the knights," he said. "You have shown your loyalty and dedication time and again. In light of recent events, I have a proposition for you."

I met his gaze, curiosity piqued by his words. "Your Highness?"

The king motioned to the man who had accompanied me from the wreckage. "This is Sir Eldric, one of my most trusted advisers," he introduced. "He has informed me of your valor and your willingness to serve our kingdom. I believe your skills would be of great use here."

Sir Eldric stepped forward, his expression stern as he bowed respectfully to the king before turning his attention to me. "Indeed, Michael Ayden," he said, his voice carrying a note of seriousness. "We are facing challenges that require individuals with your abilities. Your service would be invaluable."

My heart swelled with a mix of pride and duty. "Your Highness, Sir Eldric," I began, my voice steadier now, "I am honored by your trust. I will do whatever is necessary to protect our kingdom."

The king nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Very well, then," he said. "In recognition of your service and your recent trials, I offer you a mansion adjacent to the palace grounds. You will work closely with me and my advisers to address the challenges that lie ahead."

My gratitude was profound, and I bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Highness. I am humbled by your generosity and your faith in me."

Just then, the man from earlier approached the king, bowing respectfully before addressing him in a low voice. The king's expression grew serious, and he turned to me. "There is an urgent matter that requires my attention," he explained. "But it will be like the good old days, won't it, Michael?"

"Of course, Deryl," I replied, watching as the king and the man departed from the room. It was a moment of anticipation, a sense of both excitement and trepidation filling the air.

As I stood there, taking in the splendor of the throne room and the weight of the moment, I couldn't help but marvel at the twist of fate that had brought me to this point. The future was uncertain, and yet, I knew that I was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, guided by my loyalty to the kingdom and the love I held for my family.

{ DERYL'S POV }

With a sense of purpose, I strode through the hallways, accompanied by the man in armor who had relayed the events that transpired during the night. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, and I couldn't shake the unease that had settled within me.

We arrived at the medical expanse, a place of healing and solace within the palace walls. My steps faltered as I beheld the two lifeless bodies that had been placed there. They were shrouded in sheets, their forms eerily still. The sight of their bodies brought a chilling reminder of the violence that had taken place.

I approached the bodies, my eyes drawn to the backs where a symbol in the shape of a dragon was etched. It was a mark that carried an air of foreboding—a symbol I recognized all too well. The intricacy of the design, the craftsmanship of the symbol, it all pointed to a malevolent force at play.

My fingers brushed over the edge of the sheet, my gaze fixated on the dragon's mark. The symbol was not one of a mere criminal gang; it bore the signature of a hidden power, one that had lain dormant for centuries. The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Basilisks," I muttered, the word escaping my lips in a hushed breath. The man beside me, his posture rigid, cast me a sideways glance, his expression a mix of apprehension and understanding.

//// NEXT CHAPTER: ROYAL DEMEANOR II ////

Edited by: JJ