The Dream Weaver

The Visit

After breakfast, Daemon quickly left for his room for packing essential stuff for the journey. They might have to live on the High Castle for about a week or so since all of the Kings and their entourage have to travel from distant kingdoms. Even though they have portals.

Daemon quickly packed some books and dresses he needs for the journey. He knows some people would mock him for him being not so warrior likes his family. They won't miss a chance to belittle his family. He felt sorry for his father for dragging his family name on the ground but his father also knows about this matter. if the duke himself doesn't concern about the matter, then it doesn't matter to Daemon too. He put his things on the dimensional ring and left the room.

Outside Aeron and Reiner were already waiting for him. They have already packed all the things since they were already ready for departure. 4 commanders were also coming with them. The commanders were top warriors of the Duchy. Since the duke himself is going, they are also going with him.

The High Council usually meets in the flying castle above the Bloody Forest which happens to be on the borderline of all of the kingdoms. A bloody dark forest that is said to contain many dangerous unidentified and ancient monsters. It is said that even the strongest of strongest warriors never came back once ventured to the heart of the forest. The flying castle situates in the sky above the Bloody Forest. Nobody knows how they came or who build something like that. Stories date back to the 'era of God'. But scholars and historians quoted that they were just mythologies and folk stories and nothing true. But no one can pinpoint how the castle came to be.

Daemon went to his family. They were all there including other members and workers who are present in the castle.

"Have you packed all the stuff you need?" asked Reiner

"Yes, I have, brother"

"Ask him if he has packed all of the useless books too so he can read them when they are in the meeting" Amon mocked

"Amon, they are going on a journey stop with that behavior" The duchess bitterly remarked and Amon shut his mouth. Seeing this Daemon stick his tongue out at him. This further angered Amon.

"See, he doesn't have a care in the world. I bet he doesn't even know the importance of this meeting" said Amon with a visible red face.

"Well brother, even if I forgot about the gist of the meeting, I surely will not forget to tell you about all the beautiful princesses and ladies attending the meeting," Daemon said those words with utmost mockery, earning Amon mocking laughter from the crowd of people.

"Hope you have a great meeting father" Amon went into the castle after saying it.

After saying necessary goodbyes the duke and his entourage started their journey. They traveled in two cars the duke and his sons in one car and their entourage in another car. They have to get to the royal palace as that is the place where the teleportation portal situates.

Throughout the ride, neither the duke nor the sons talked too much. Though there was silence nothing was awkward as all the parties enjoyed the silence. They listened to the low music on the radio and was sightseeing.

Daemon particularly didn't like to go out but that doesn't mean he hates to go out. He likes to take small walks alone along the outskirts of his duchy. He was a very energetic boy much like his brother Aemon and sister Daerys. He was hailed as a prodigy. He has that rare attribute to learn anything after seeing for only a few times. He excelled at both magic and weapon mastery. He was said to be the next Sword saint of the Astrode kingdom. But one day he just dropped all of it. He became bedridden not because of any illness but because of laziness. No one knows what happened. His parents worried he might have a dream which scared him. When asked he said nothing. They didn't further persuade the matter and let him be. They know he is smart and whatever predicament is going on, he will find the solution himself. Sure enough, he started coming out of his room and started to visit the castle library. He spends hours and hours in the library. Since he was doing something, nobody disturbed him.

That was years ago and he does still look into books and never lifted a weapon after that. Sitting on the window seat of the limo, Daemon looked at his father who was sitting across from him.

"Why didn't you reprimand me, father?" Daemon asked. Reiner quickly glanced at the father and son duo while reading a book and quickly averted his gaze back to the book like it was not his business at all.

The duke looking through the window gazed at his son.

"Why should I reprimand you Daemon?" he asked with serenity

"Cause I brought disgrace to the family"

"And why did you think you brought disgrace to your family?" the duke answered with a question.

"Well, I used to be excellent at both magic and weaponry and suddenly dropped it to read some… books"

A subtle sudden laughter escaped the duke. This doesn't go unnoticed by the eldest son as he gazed at his father in astonishment which quickly died down to focus on the book.

"So, just because you started to read some books and stopped your training why would I criticize you?"

"I know you were mocked by fellow dukes and other noble families because the prodigy of the century suddenly stopped being excellent and started to read books," Daemon said in a low voice

"Well, it doesn't matter whether you read or fight. We know you're smart and we know whatever you do, you have a reason for it. So do what you want. Don't worry about other people mocking me. They can mock but they also know none of their children comes close to mine in any way." The Duke proudly replied and regally gazed through the window.

"Thanks, dad" Daemon said and resumed sightseeing. Reiner had a thin smile tugged on his face.

There wasn't much talk on the way to the royal palace. Each one quietly enjoyed whatever they were doing.

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The royal palace was nothing like anything Daemon know about. Though he has seen the outside from T.V. shows and news, seeing it personally was a new experience. Even though he had many chances to visit the palace, Daemon have never really set afoot on the royal palace.

The royal palace out shadowed his duke's castle by many folds. The palace was huge, very huge. Daemon never really thought his castle was small in size, even compared to the other duchies, apart from the Dragonborns, there wasn't simply any larger castle than his castle. But the royal palace outshined every castle he ever saw. Seeing his brother's amused expression, Reiner chuckled. Ruffling Daemon's hair, he said "wait till you see the inside. You will be bewildered beyond words.

Daemon wondered what more amusement he could get.

They entered through the royal gates without any formality as the guards were already informed about the arrival of the duke. In the parking lot several limos were parked. By looking at the sigil one can determine they are from the other dukes and nobles.

They were welcomed by the royal maids.

"Have all of them arrived?" asked the duke.

"Yes, they have. You are the last to arrive my lord" the maid politely replied.

Daemon noted that they weren't fearful or cower in front of the duke like other maids. And their mana capacity was certainly too high for a simple maid. They were also part of the first-line defenders when the royal palace is under attack.

"This way my lords," the maid said and urged them to follow her.

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Daemon assumed he don't have any more surprises even though his brother warned him. Sure enough, he understood what his older brother was talking about. The palace insides left him expressionless. The whole atmosphere changed once he set foot in the palace. There was something in the air that Daemon couldn't wrap his head around. The whole ordeal feels extremely regal.

"Young lords are advised to be admitted in the guest room while the duke can enter the meeting room now. The knights can rest too." the maid said with the same expression and politeness.

Like almost a doll. Daemon thought.

The duke left immediately to the meeting room while Reiner guided Daemon to the guest room. Reiner was accustomed to the way of the palace since he regularly visited the palace with his father. Many times.

Entering the guest room, they were immediately greeted with many gazes. Settling on the Reiner first and Daemon next. The gaze was filled with doubt, surprise, pity… pity. Daemon knows what that was. There wasn't a single day passed by where he hadn't gazed with pity. He thought he was accustomed to their gaze. But he was wrong. He never was accustomed to the looks he only had shut him from others.

"Well, what do we have here" came an excited and arrogant word from the side of the room. Daemon looked over there to find a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. He know who the boy was. It was the eldest son of the duke of Glanchester, Marakin Dragonborn.

Daemon instantly knew his day was ruined.