章 16: To Meet a Count Part 3

Joshua and the butler headed back down the winding staircase and to the back of the foyer where double doors stood. The butler stood in front of the doors and grabbed the handle of one.

"The count is just down this hallway." The butler said. "Please go to the other doors and wait for your name to be called. When you enter, remember to keep your head down unless otherwise told."

"I understand." Joshua said.

The butler then opened the door, and a long hallway was before Joshua. Red carpet sat atop hardwood flooring and along the walls were portraits of the count and his ancestors. Each was labeled with their name and the years of their rule. Every ten feet or so was a glass lantern illuminating the windowless corridor.

Joshua stood in front of the door and waited for his name to be called as he was told to. Although Joshua worried because he could not hear anything coming from the other side. If he missed his call, he knew the penalty would be death and if he entered too soon it would also be death.

After several nerve racking minutes the doors in front of him opened giving him a complete view of the throne room. The red carpet extended out to the end of the room where a small, raised platform housed a throne. Large red banners hung from the rafters of the ceiling on either side of the carpet. Guards lined the walls of the room, and the count was sitting upon his throne with his left ankle on his right knee, and his left elbow propped up on the arm rest of the throne. He was holding his head in his hand and looked very bored.

On either side of him were his advisors, one from the military and one from the treasury. Another man stood adjacent along the edge of the carpet. He started to shout.

"Introducing, the slayer of the demon of the woods and new hero of the lands." He yelled. "Joshua Stone."

[I guess my last name is Stone?] He thought to himself. [His mother never used their last name, and he assumed they didn't have one since he never knew it.]

"Bastard son of Sir Gilhaven Stone the fourth." The announcer continued.

[So that's why I have no memories of my father.] Joshua thought. [It was probably too painful for my mother to bring up.]

Joshua took a deep breath and walked to fifteen feet in front of the throne, keeping his head down the whole time. When he reached his destination, he knelt down on one knee.

"So, this is Gilhaven's son." The count said. "Raise your head and let me look at you demon slayer."

Joshua did as he was told and locked eyes with the count.

"Yes, I see the resemblance now." The count said with a laugh. "To think that fool had a son, and that son to be a great demon slayer. How humorous."

The room all laughed, knowing better than to not laugh at the count's jokes.

"So, demon slayer, I have a reward for you." The count said. "It was part of the quest that we did not make public, against my wishes." The count glared at his treasury advisor.

"My lord, as I explained the loss of life involved in revealing that would have been catastrophic for our economy." The advisor replied.

"And that is why we did not post it." The count said. "It was still against my wishes, why would I care if a few rats die?"

Joshua fought hard to contain his rage; he did not want to show his anger to the count. He knew doing so would cause him to be executed on the spot and he was not confident that he would be able to survive an assault from all of the guards in the room.

"What's wrong with your face, young son of Gilhaven?" The count asked.

"I beg pardon my lord, it must be something I ate." Joshua said, hoping he replied correctly.

"Do try and hide your discomfort." The count said. "Seeing such things is unpleasant."

Joshua focused and calmed his face.

"Ah that's better." The count said. "Now onto the matter at hand. The reward was given to us by his majesty, King Leopold Verigold the Eighteenth. Hand me the scroll."

The man who called out Joshua's entrance earlier walked over to the count and handed him a rolled-up parchment. The count unrolled it and began to read.

"He whoever kills the foul demon that plagues these lands shall be granted henceforth a title befitting their accomplishments. If they are low born, by this order I declare them to be a knight, as their deeds have brought honor and glory to the people of this kingdom.

If they are already a noble, but not a knight, I grant them the rank of knight. As their actions have brought honor and glory to the people of this kingdom.

If their rank is above knighthood, I shall grant them one hundred gold pieces as compensation for service to the kingdom.

This is my command, the will of your god king."

The advisor of the military walked over to Joshua and presented him with a ring. "Let this king be a symbol to all of your status and station." He said. "May you bring honor and glory to our kingdom and to its people. You are now a Knight in the service of God King Leopold Verigold. Long live the king!"

"That is where you say long live the king." The count replied.

"Long live the king." Joshua replied.

"Very well." The count said. "As you were once low born, I shall let your lack of knowledge slide. Rejoice, for you have joined the nobility and will no longer suffer and toil as a rat. As an additional reward I shall entertain one question, although I warn you if I find it to be boring, there will be consequences."

"Where is my father?!" Joshua asked. "You seemed to know who he is, my lord." Joshua hoped that finding the man who was his father would help him free his mother.

"Oh, He is dead." The count replied. "He was a Viscount of a neighboring territory. His personal maid fled when the territory was attacked, at that fool's directive no less. It seems she found her way here, and when she did, she had you. It was all in the records. We kept such matters for political reasons.

I have now granted you an answer. You may leave."