A grand hall rose tens of metres high, with chandeliers hanging with glass bulbs shining coloured light across the stretching pillars that followed along a series of five pillars that stood alongside a grand carpet of colours.
This carpet flowed up to the end of the hall, where a staircase of twelve steps rose to a second level, where two thrones sat next to eachother, one larger and smaller, both full.
" It's rather empty don't you agree" His voice echoed far, rebounding off of expensive stained glass windows as tall as the towering walls.
" This is a private affair, not even the other ministers know of your presence... I will be departing as soon as the king and Queen accept your presence" Alek whispered back, guards four strong standing at the base of each pillar, another twelve surrounding the throne where the king and queen sat.
' She does look sickly' And by the looks of it, he came to the understanding that these two may infact be siblings.
Both had the pitch black hair of the natives and dark olive skin. They shared green eyes and sharp jawlines, with roughly similar noses. Infact he was almost positive that these people may infact even be twins.
They finally approached the throne, coming within a metre of the base of the stairs where Alek lowered himself to a knee.
" Your majesty, I have brought the one you seek" Aleks voice echoed as the king and sickly queen studied the holy man of white.
" So it seems... is that a dragon I see on his shoulder" The king rose slightly, interested in seeing the legendary creature nesting itself on its owner. " and what is your name ser "
Malak bowed at the waist, reluctantly showing a sort of respect to this king he didn't recognise.
" I am the gift giver, known in my home village as the lord of roses ... " Malak slowly rose, as Tyr studied the two above the stairs" This is my drake, it is newborn ... and it is hungry "
" FETCH THE BABE A COOKED PLATE .. OF BEEF " The authority of the kings voice echoed, the servants rushing into the side door access of the throne room to fulfil the order belayed apon them. " Am I of the correct assumption that they call you the lord of gifts because of blessing you bestow "
" Yes your grace ... through my body the gods levy blessings apon those that would he recognised. Of all sorts" Malak confirmed, the King turning to his lady queen for a moment, seeing her blackened veins and tired eyes.
" Minister ... leave us ... I wish to converse with this lord of roses with mine lady wife .." And so Alek bowed, turning heel and marching from the kings chamber under the watchful eye of the guards.
" Please ... I wish to look apon your dragon closer" The king beckoned his up the stairs, the guards grabbing their weapons as Uhar moved to follow.
" Forgive me your majesty, Uhar is rather keen amd overzealous in his desire to protect ... she is my shadow, and acts as such" Malak explained as he continued to rise, a wave of the kings hand stilling the guards, while his green eyes widened at the sheer height of the woman.
" By the gods old and new, what is this woman" He shivered under the sheer size of the woman, he cold demeanour and massive hands constantly gripping the hilt of her sword.
" Strong ... stronger than any man in this room i would wager" Several scoffs echoed from nearby guards, where the kings brow furrowed at the guards dismissal and silent japes.
" Silence ... all of you ... infact ... leave this chamber" The kings guard grunted. As a hobbling withered dark skinned man rushed into the room, hobbling over to take his place at the kings side.
" And where have you been" The king hissed at his hand.
" My apologies my liege, I injured myself on the way down the stairs " The man adjusted his tunic to show the gash in his leg, hobbling slightly.
" Ah ... a most opportune time... you did well " The king smiled and turned a keen eye to the lord of roses.
" Forgive me but I do require proof of your gifts, i hesitate to let any man lay even a finger of mine wife, and a prime opportunity has presented itself" Malak could smell the bullshit in the air, taste it even.
' Is his hand so willing to I cure himself just to test a man, such loyalty ' Malak studied the hand whose lips wavered, seeing the bloodied gash the looked more blade drawn than any fall.' A prime opportunity indeed '
" This will take just a moment " There was no need to voice the wish, as Malak simply raised his hand and placed it apon the hands head.
[ Blessing granted ]
" O...oh " The hand stumbled away from his touch, turning violently and exposing his damaged leg to his majesty.
Before their very eyes, with the witnesses of the gods themselves, the man's leg knitted itself together rapidly, healing itself at a visible rate before unblemished, unharmed skin stained red from still hot leaking blood.
" Your gifts are true" The kings eyes widened, and the light of hope bloomed under those orbs.
" I am a man of my word afterall "Malak bowed as the side doors burst open, the servants rushing in several trays of cooked meat, Tyr on his shoulder sniffing at the air hungrily, locking onto the plates of food with greedy eyes. " May I "
The king nodded as Malak unfurled Tyr's tale from his neck, a keen whistle launching the dragon forward. It didn't fly, not yet, instead it's powerful legs drove it up into the air where it fell to the ground and screeched angrily.
The screams of the servant echoed as they dropped the trays to the ground, jumping around before fleeing the angry drake.
It didn't care for their fear, instead it immediately gouged itself apon the plates of cooked beef like a overzealous child to candy. Meanwhile the king held the bridge of his nose as the servants dumped the food before the drake and fled.
" Idiots and fools the lot of them" The king grunted letting go of the bridge of his nose and letting out a deep breath." as I already instructed, leave us... all of you "
Now that Malak's gifts had been verified, the guards nodded and departed with the kings hand, leaving nobody but the two royals and the lord of Ross and his guard.
" I believe you have been made aware of my request " Malak started, staring into the lime eyes of the king who stared him back, nodding once, once again.
" In payment for your services, I intend to lay apon you, the title of lord, land to your name ... and a house to go with it ... " The king, king Niguel Wuron of Sathar.
" I would graciously accept your majesty and I thank you for humouring my request. And in turn, I would fix the problems experienced by your and your lady queen ... may I begin " He gestured to the Queen practically sunken I to the seat of her throne.
" You may" And so Malak lowered himself before queen wuron's throne, a single upturned hand offered to the validity woman.
" May I have the honour of touching your hand milady" Malak asked, and slowly, ever so slowly, did the queens hand slink out of her sleeves and place itself apon his white gloves.
[ Blessing gifted. Blessing of fertility. Blessing of healing]
The queen gasped and the king rose to his feet, watching with bated breath as the black veins on her face visibly smoothed over, leaving nothing but perfect and unmarred skin. Her sunken eyes became full with life. Her sunken cheeks puffed, red from the pleasure that ran through her body at the sudden and potent healing.
" Solest " Niguel fell to his knees at the base of his throne, gently taking the hand Malak had been holding and laying a gentle kiss to her once flaky but now smooth skin. " Are you well "
" I've never felt better my love " Malak could have been sick, would have if they kissed eachother before his gaze.
" You have done me and my wife a great service, lord of roses. A service I won't soon forget. Your lands are yours, you may pick land for yourself from my maps and do what you wish to it. Your title as lord is recognised by mine city and the Sarnori empire from this day forward , you and your house will forever be recognised far and wide, as the lord of roses under whatever name you give your banner. You will have the backing of my word until the end of my days and then you will have the backing of my children... and their children after that" Niguel rose, slowly lip quivering as the most profound expression of pure love Malak had ever seen shon in his eyes." This is the most basic of awards I give you for your services... and ... if I may ... I would call you friend ... lord of roses "
" Of course your grace, I would be honoured to call the king of Sathar friend. My house will be named henceforth, House thorne. I leave the requisition of land to you milord, I trust your favour in doing so. And ... I am honoured to have your favour so ... your majesty" Malak smirked viciously under his veil, and bowed deeply to the king who looked as if he wanted to pounce on his lady wife the next moment.
" You will find my hand ready to help you finish with the finality of our agreement. If you would mind my friend... my and mine lady wife wish to reture for the evening" Niguel offered his queen his hand, lifting her to her feet.
" Of course your majesty ... and I thank you again for your generosity"
....
' Smart man ' Malak sat comfortably into the cushions of the carriage provided by the king for his use, bearing the banner marred by a single rose head surrounded by a thicket of thorny vines. Uhar sat front the carriage, their line pitch black horse driving them forward as if it were several horses in one body. She snapped the reigns harshly, the horse releasing a grunt as they tore across the carved path towards their next destination city.
Tyr sat opposite Malak in the carriage, eating from a bowl of cooked meats prepared for their departure, gorging itself, what had been a two metre wing span now being three, it's legs thicker than the night before, it's eyes more intelligent ... it was learning.
' The king was quite keen to see me off' Amd he understood why, he was a threat to the kings power, even more so than the aspiring magister, he had followed through with his promise to give Malak land, and good land at that, with fertile ands amd flowing river. But there was no castle to rule or village to govern. Simply an empty land over several hundred tens of thousand acres across. A small sizable land all things considered, but compared to the land of the dothraki desert, small in comparison.
' You know you don't have to guide shadow all night don't you' Malak reached up through the carriage with his mind, connecting with Uhar sitting afront the carriage dutifully.
' I know milord, but someone has to make sure he stays his course' Uhar whispered back, her timid, small voice unused since she was but a girl, echoed in response.
' Hm ... ' Malak grunted, eyes turning to Tyr that was still gouging apon the meat it had been provided. ' Then allowed us to stop for the evening... you need rest as much as shadow '
' As you wish 'She relented under his request, pulling the reigns taunt as shadow slowly came to a stop, heaving gusts of air angrily.
Slowly but surely, the carriage came to a slow stop from its thunderous ride, sinking slightly into the ground under the wheels.
" Come Tyr ... let us explore outside" And so he wrenched the doors to the carriage open, stepping down onto the dirt and gravel below meanwhile Uhar dropped from the seat she sat upon during the ride.
' Shall I prepare a tent milord' Uhar asked, already prepared to do so by the time Malak shook his head in the negative.
" There is no need, it's a pleasant night out, let us bask under the stars light"
And so they did just that, Uhar collecting flammable material and making a small fire for them to sit beside.
And as the fire gently illuminated their figures, sitting, leaning on two cushions dragged from within the carriage to lean back and stare up at the skies.
" They are ... quite beautiful aren't they" Tyr lay upon his chest, It's chest rumbling as it slept. As stars twinkled with their ethereal beauty man wasn't meant to reach. Though he couldn't recognise any of the constellations, they still held the splendour and beauty of earth if not more since there was no artificial light pollution to destroy the sight.
His dark eyes turned to Uhar whom lay on another cushion, her Uchigatana next to her left hand whilst her right hand thumb circled the blue sapphire he had given her so so long ago.
' They are indeed beautiful...' She responded, able to clearly see the skies despite the veils covering their face. Though she seemed distracted, burdened even by whatever he wasn't aware. With her hand rounding repeated circles.
" What's ails your mind Uhar " They lay not a metre apart, comforting eachother not with word, but by presence itself that seemed to level between the two of them. One a giant woman whose duty bound by word she followed, the other her lord she swore to.
She turned her shrouded head to him, and stared in silence without responding verbally or non verbally for several long moments.
' Nothing milord... I am simply ... taking in the beauty of this world ' There was an emotion in that whisper in his mind, one that he himself couldn't quite put to thought, couldn't quite understand. But he respected her privacy, and decided not to push.
" Of course my dear... they are splendid " He mumbled back wistfully, turning back to the skies as they broke eye contact and turned to the unmarked heavens above.
And so they lay, under starlight, the fire glowing around them as shadow stood beside the carriage removed from the road by a hundred metres and ate happily at a bowl of fruits and vegetables provided for it to eat.
' Milord ... ' Uhar whispered in his mind unprompted, refusing to look his way as a wind disturbed her black robes and veil for a single moment.
" Yes my dear" Malak turned to her, seeing the outline of her face as the veil settled over her delicate, rounded face, her small button like nose sticking up, her full lips parting ever so slightly as if mouthing words she couldn't speak.
' Would it he too much to ask for a story ... like back then' It came out almost fearful of rejection,scared that he would deny her request, the only request she had made in many moons.
" Of course I can ... hm ... what story should I tell you this night " He hummed in thought, he wanted something that would leave an impression apon her something she would enjoy and bring her stunted emotions to the surface.
" Ah yes ... I remember one now, it's a tragedy ... but I think it holds presence ... and a sort of ... comfort for the soul ... " He rose slightly, adjusting the pillow he lay so he could sit up and look towards Uhar to tell the tale. " It's called Romea and Juliet... let's start at the beginning "