Makiya

9. "Not everyone walks side to side with the king"

Legba. That's how the bird's species was named. They would always fly somewhere near their holder or stay on their shoulder. It seemed to vary on the individual. Legbas appeared to be very well orientated and could serve as a navigation system. They just need to have been at the target destination or to be able to see it.

When Andrey first entered Mage-Mountain he wondered how he would go back when the road-walk was gone and he couldn't see the city anymore. Well, now it all made sense. It would appear that this adventure and its outcome were more or less predicted. 

The young man had his sack with books and food for a day conjured by the mages. The conjured robes were comfortable after some time of wearing them. However, the most useful part of them was that they made carrying the black blades easier. They were sheathed and were hanging from his waist.

The legba Dea had been leading the way to Princepsius. Andrey expected that he would be having a sleepover in the forest again, but apparently going downhill is easier than the opposite. Furthermore, he didn't really want to risk a chance of getting attacked by that Sudok. That black beast and its beautiful blue stripes. Big and strong, looked as if just as hungry. Going through the forest didn't mean the young man wouldn't encounter it, but still moving is better than being the sleeping prey.

The legba was going higher into the sky to scout and then went back in front of Andrey to guide his way. After hours of walking, Andrey felt the hunger inside him, but he just grabbed a bite while moving without making any pause. It was not long before he could now recognize the path. 

Princepsius. Surrounded by incredible deep lakes. The high walls guarding the city, filled with water. A marvelous sight each time anyone sees it. It was like a golden city. A city full of joy, peace, and also - secrets. Too many secrets. It was loud yet to Andrey it appeared so silent now. It's as if the city was afraid to say a word not to be found out.

"Dea'n'ha, I'm arriving. I'll go seek Nyadzel first to say hello." Andrey spoke out loud with only the bird in front of him.

"Okay, I'm glad you're safe. Tell him I said hello." a gentle voice spoke as if straight into his mind.

Walking into the city he saw the training grounds and the places he used to jog. He hadn't jogged today, he had to. It's important to not miss training. Or at least so he thought. 

Nyadzel's house. It was time to meet this good friend again. Feels as if it has been so long yet it has been only a few days. 

Andrey knocked a few times on the door. Nobody opened. Maybe he was out training?  The boy thought. But it wasn't that time of the day yet. Rather, of the evening. 
"Nyadzel!" Andrey yelled thinking that maybe he was reading some book and is way too deep into it that he didn't pay attention to the knocking. Still nothing. 

After knocking a few more times Andrey realized that there really wasn't anybody in there. 

Then he set out to the king's hall. He passed by the mighty statues of the warriors. Castle is still as beautiful as ever. Not that it has been that long since he was last here. It's just that it strikes a nerve every time you pass by these surroundings. Great architecture. Any man would feel this way when he comes from a world that looks at these as fiction. 

"Is the king present?" Andrey asked the gate guards before the king's hall.

"Who's asking? " the guards replied in one voice.

"Andrey Makiya, I was here not long ago. I've come to report to His Highness" Andrey replied trying to pick the right words so they would let him in.

"Ah, you're that kid who cried a few days back. You've changed!" - one of the guards said while rolling eyes all over Andrey.

"That's a conjured mage robe. And the bird, look." The guards talked to each other.

"Can you please let me in? I have urgent news." Andrey persuaded adding some worry on his face. It was fake, but the guards didn't really notice. What they cared more about was the legba and the mage robes. They spoke to them tenfold whatever Andrey could tell them.

After they spoke to each other for a few seconds one of them went in and the other asked of the boy to wait. 

It wasn't even a few minutes when the king's voice could be heard muttering the guard who went in. To a big surprise, it wasn't the guard who invited Andrey in. The king was kind of impatient. He simply opened the gate himself and said "Andrey, come in. Now." with a slight order-kind of tone to it. Still, it was apparent the king didn't really mean to order him, it was just the way he was used to speaking. Andrey noticed this.

As the boy walked in he saw the guards' faces were kind of worried they messed up at work. With a small smile, he passed by them and walked beside the king. He didn't mock them or anything, he just found the situation funny. 

The king didn't show any emotional expression on his face. Andrey walked beside him as if they were best friends, which they weren't, but he wasn't used to the customs of this hierarchy. He was no king of his and even if that were true, there was no reason for the boy to walk behind him or whatever position or way that would hint the words "I'm in a lower position than you". 

Andrey was against hierarchy. He believed everybody should be equal. Even if this king walking right next to him had all the necessary power to jail him, kill him, torture him and it being legal, it didn't matter. The boy had kind of a messy vision of politics and ethics, but he had a strong feeling for it. 

"How was the journey?" the king asked.

"It was one hell of a journey." Andrey replied unsure what words to pick. There was too much to say if he would have to say it, it would take hours. He doubted that the king wanted to listen to him in detail so he didn't try to get into any.

"Tell me what happened up there. You were gone for what, four days? And you return here, well you don't look like a warrior, but you don't look like a mislead child anymore." the king hinted Andrey's body transformation. 

The boy lifted a brow in suspicion trying not to get insulted by the king's words, instead of trying to get on his funny side. "I believe that I faced death multiple times, the world as I knew it changed drastically, and I appear to have become stronger than ever." he reported as the bird was closely inspecting the king from the boy's right shoulder. 

"Should we duel? Maybe you want to become king now?" The king joked again and burst in laughter.

"Hah!" Andrey laughed back and tried to continue the joke "I wouldn't want to be a king to lands I don't even know I own, so I'll refuse." 

"Dea'n'ha told me you would need a new pair of clothes as these will vanish in a few days. They are conjured, right?" The king asked, even though he knew the answer.

"Yeah. I would love to get my shirt back, but their clothes just wouldn't fit me anymore."

"Are you sure that you want that thing again? Why don't you dress normally?" the king spoke as if he couldn't understand Andrey's culture. And he didn't. He still didn't see anything good about his clothing, but he was a royal king. Dynasties have been passed down and neither he, his dad, his grandfather, his son, or anybody closely related to him had worn anything different than royal clothes.

"I really like them. I wouldn't mind wearing your people's clothes if I don't have a choice." Andrey realized he should just give up on the idea and lowered his head.

"Nonsense! I will order clothes and armors to your taste. You have a privilege here. You are not just common folk, young man." the king explained, and suddenly as if enraged he turned around and looked Andrey in the eyes with a really sharp stare "Not everyone walks side to side with the king." he added in a dark low voice. His curly long hair made him look really fierce at that moment. Those sharp eyes, those rivers on the skin which revealed his age and wisdom. 

Andrey couldn't think but jump to the conclusion he didn't match his manners to the customs here. A slight amount of fear struck Andrey, his necklace started floating just a few centimeters above his chest. This took the king's eyes away from his and he gazed into the necklace.

Did the king sense the evil energy resonating from it?