Sweet Waters Throne

Along the way she met travellers and locals. Once you cross the harbor, you come upon a market square full of items and crowds. The sounds which could be heard were of street vendors selling off their items. “I sell bread. Come test my bread” a woman yelled out to people.

When Aryan passed through her, she grabbed her cloak. “Sir, I sell bread, tasty breads... with honey” she said. Aryan took out a few coins and handed it to her without taking any of the breads. The woman was thankful for the coins and she wept.

Aryan kept on walking as she looked around for any sign of inn, or tavern. But while she walked around she wondered if Katarina and her sons were still in Whitebridge. She didn’t know where they stayed, and nor did she want to find them because of what happened and matter of fact she was the Queen of Prophis now. Katarina’s sons will only prove to be trouble to her claim which she planned to keep hanging on it for while longer.

When her head was crowded with thoughts, she came upon a house with a banner on the front “Richard’s Inn” it was written with capital letters. She walked inside with her muddy boots and still covering her identity with the black hoodie. There was a tavern full of people and it was so noisy, the rooms were obviously upstairs as most of inns were built in Whitebridge.

The tavern was mostly occupied by men, and the women were cooks who served the guests with food and drinks. Just few of them, counting to five were half naked. Aryan didn’t need any convincing to know they were whores probably brought there to please the men in attendance.

But all that was irrelevant to her, she just needed a hot bath, a change of clothes and civilized food after eating garbage food for fifteen days. That’s why she went straight to the reception area where a woman was behind the table ready to serve her.

“What can I get you handsome?” The woman was quite charming, she made Aryan smile.

.....

Aryan took a small bag which had few pieces of gold and placed it on top of the table without uttering even a single word. The woman reached out for the small bag and opened it — her eyes dazzled and glittered in that clearness of the gold. It made the woman wonder who this new guest was. She grabbed the bag and winked at Aryan.

“The luxury one?” she asked.

Aryan’s voice was thick and husky “Yes, away from all these noises. I like it quiet”

“How many days?”

“Make it a week. With warm bath and clean towels”

“You got it sugar” said the woman. Then she signalled her girls to come using her fingers, Aryan turned around to look at the place.

Then when she turned back again to look at the woman, that’s when three men arrived at the inn with their boots making such huge thumping noise. They were discussing matters concerning Prophis, that’s when she had to turn around and see. Aryan couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw Prince Ambrose in his fine silk brown shirt, black trouser and a huge fur coat on top. He was accompanied with two other men, Aryan didn’t know who these men were.

As they walked in, Prince Ambrose started talking. “I need to make my way to Blackmount and meet my sister there. I received her letter this morning, we shall get the full support in the capital to overthrow that cunt. A realm needs a King not some whore with tits” he said with confidence. Aryan didn’t turn to look again for fear Ambrose might recognize her, these two exchanged swords during the Battle of Stonedance.

The receptionist noticed how Aryan seemed to be paying attention to every word that came out of Prince Ambrose’s mouth. She interrupted her softly; “He is a crowned prince, that one” she said.

“That guy?” Aryan pretended to be shocked.

“Yes, of a kingdom called Prophis — it’s in the North, the most powerful kingdom and also the richest. His brother was beheaded after the Battle of Stonedance by a King called Gandalf, and his entire family was executed. So he’s the true heir to the Silver throne now, and he can’t stop bragging about it”

“I thought Prophis had a Queen, and rumors are she’s a good fighter with ten lions at her command”

“Oh you mean Queen Aryan? She’s a hero no doubt, but how do you defeat a dragon? Especially the one breathing fire on you from above?” asked the receptionist.

It was all confusing for Aryan, she wanted to know what does that woman mean by saying that. And how did dragons come to pass in matters like this.

“Dragons? Do dragons exist?” she pretended to be shocked. “From where I come from dragons are a myth”

“Not in Blackmount handsome. The king of Maldonia and his queen are dragon riders. Those who witnessed them say the King rides his male black dragon and the Queen a she-dragon green of color”

“How do their dragons come to play? I thought Maldonia and Prophis were great foes” This time Aryan turned back to look, she saw Ambrose putting on the letter on top of the table. Then he handed it to his pals to read it.

Aryan was facing Ambrose’s back, this proved to be good to Aryan because that way Ambrose wasn’t aware of who was looking at him. His friends didn’t know Aryan, they never fought in the war, they were just rich men in Whitebridge who claimed to support his claim. “Read it! It’s from the King of Maldonia himself, with his own royal sigil” Ambrose bragged it while hastening his wealthy friends to read the letter.

Then Aryan turned to the receptionist again. “What’s in the letter?” she asked curiously. Now the questions were too much and she started to get scared the receptionist may think ill of her, or even reveal her identity. She quickly changed from that and asked “Is my room ready?” as if to change the subject.

“Yes sir, if you’ll follow me...” Aryan followed the woman slowly still keeping her head down. The noises heightened and now she couldn’t hear what Prince Ambrose and his pals were talking about anymore.

To upstairs she went following the receptionist lead, along the way she learned that her name was Tiara. Aryan asked what was she doing there because she was so young, no more than just eighteen years. Tiara said she runs the business for her mother who was away on her travels, then she claimed it was so profitable she can’t stop.

“Here it is sir, your luxurious room” said Tiara with a smile. Aryan didn’t smile nor did she react on any sort of way, she was just ready to hit the bed and sleep. When she was inside, Tiara chuckled softly while blushing. “You asked me about the Prince earlier, I know I shouldn’t say but... King of Maldonia has promised to help him take Prophis using his dragons. I fear a war is coming, we should never travel to North or South, it will not be safe any longer”

Then Tiara left Aryan alone and climbed the stairs down to entertainment more of her customers. Aryan was stunned after she just learnt of Artemis’s letter to Prince Ambrose, but yet she didn’t believe it. She had to get her hands on that letter and read it for herself, it it had the royal sigil then it will be legitimate and from the King himself. But if it didn’t, then it’ll prove to be false.

There was a warm water inside a bathing sink, Aryan took off her clothes and her muddy boots. Then she immersed herself inside the sink and sighed, a long deep breath escaped her lungs and she found calmness in that silence.

Then she remembered Aurora’s visit to Raven in her dragon. Aurora seemed civil and kind but could that have meant to be a warning? If Artemis wrote to Taelins and offer his dragons, then Aurora was responsible too. It was at this point Aryan felt betrayed especially since she dined with Artemis and swore him loyalty as long as each one of them kept their businesses to themselves, and she wondered did Artemis order her brother’s execution? When she thought of that, she immediately opened her eyes and exhaled loudly.