Talk To Dragons

Once again Engel and Violet found themselves at the end result of a failed escape attempt, but their accommodations had been upgraded. Their sanctuary of education had been replaced by the royal palace. An enormous compound of many keeps and just as many walls, it stood in the center of the city like a town all its own. There were an uncountable amount of guards standing at every corner of every building and atop every rampart and by every doorway. The show of force was intimidating and Violet wondered why it was as such.

Riding along in the private carriage of the young princess, the two little guests tried their best to behave. Getting on the bad side of a bold little girl was not something they wished, especially if she had an army at her fingertips. The princess had introduced herself as Majesty Ulriana, and with such a quality to her voice that she seemed a little full of herself.

"My you two are quiet," Ulriana told her guests. "But, I suppose you must be quite speechless that you've been taken in by royalty."

"My goodness, this child," Engel said.

"We greatly appreciate your help, Majesty Ulriana," Violet replied.

"Oh, you don't have to be so formal with me. You may simply call me by my name, or Princess, if that suits you."

"Very well then."

The carriage came to a stop at the bottom of the front steps to a well-decorated mansion. It sat in a grand yard of green grass and maintained flower plots all around it. The giant home was a stark contrast to the military buildings that accompanied it within the walls.

"This is my home," Ulriana said, looking out the window of the carriage. "We'll have some tea and cakes while we talk. I have many questions for you."

"My horse and things are here as well, correct?" Violet asked.

"Yes, yes," Ulriana assured her with a wave of her hand. "I had guards follow us with your horse and wagon and they put your bag in there as well."

"Can't imagine they'd steal from us," Engel said. "But a bunch of treasure might be suspicion for theft."

An aged man in a black uniform came and opened the door to the carriage after placing a set of steps for the three passengers to step down upon. Such a display of luxury would have been a grand thing to behold for the two homeless wanderers if they weren't trying their best to be cautious.

"A selection of cakes and hot tea immediately," Ulriana ordered a waiting servant on the mansion steps. "Preferably before my guests and I make it to the forward dining room."

With a quick nod of his head, the servant dashed into the mansion with great haste. Violet wondered what would happen if they failed to meet the strict deadline suddenly thrust upon them.

"Come Violet, Engel," Ulriana beckoned her guests to exit the carriage. "Let us relax and socialize."

The walk up and into the home was an assault upon the eyes. Everywhere they looked there was adornment and polish. The hall they entered was lined with unnecessarily large pillars of marble and the walls were covered in large paintings that must have taken a dozen or so men to move. The floor they walked upon was tile of pure white stone and nothing of plain build could be found.

"This place makes the university look like an abandoned building," Engel said.

"No kidding," Violet replied.

"What was that?" Ulriana asked.

"Oh, my friend was just commenting on how well-decorated your home is."

"Oh, thank you," Ulriana said with a big smile. "I spent a great deal making sure that it was up to my personal standards. It was quite boring before I got my hands on it."

"Who did it belong to before?"

"My parents," Ulriana answered, causing Violet to hold her tongue. "They've been gone for such a long time. Missing in the northern wilds. They were on a mission of peace on request from our allies. The wild elves of the Dead Forest were being harassed by the northern orcs. They figured that because they had such a powerful army that they could intimidate the orcs into leaving the elves alone. That was two years ago."

"And there has been no word at all?" Violet questioned. "Have you sent more men to find them?"

"Alas, we cannot get into the north anymore," Ulriana explained. "All attempts to get into the Dead Forest have been met with hostile tactics we can't match. The orcs have completely occupied the forest and we cannot enter it. I've held out hope that my parents still live, but I know it is a foolish thing to think."

It was a sobering thing to learn, after having such a strange and goofy visit to the city up to that point.

"I had this girl all wrong," Engel said. "She isn't a little brat, she's been damaged pretty heavily."