Page 30 of The Tricksters Deception

“I suppose it would,” I say, smiling. “It’s hard to pin you down.”

“Is that a challenge?” He asks, his tone playful but with an edge of seriousness.

“Maybe,” I reply, feeling a bit bolder with the ale warming me. “You’re hard to read, Corvu. One moment you’re distant, the next...”

“The next what?” He prompts, leaning a bit closer.

“The next, you’re right here, like this.” I gesture between us.

He looks thoughtful for a moment. “Tia, I... I find myself drawn to you, more than I’ve been to anyone in a long time. It’s confusing, even for me.”

I blink, surprised by his admission. “I thought I was completely misunderstanding you,” I admit, feeling a bit foolish.

“You understand more than you think,” he says softly. “Maybe better than I understand myself.” His words hang in the air between us, heavy with unspoken possibilities. I don’t know what to say, so I take another sip of my ale, letting the warmth spread through me.

“Well,” I finally manage, “, here’s to not running away from confusion.”

He smiles, lifting his glass. As our glasses clink, I can’t help but feel that this moment, in this tavern filled with creatures and stories, is the start of something new and unexpected.

Day Nineteen

The next morning, the boys and I take off quickly. We don't have the luxury of time on our side with the Orcs so close behind us. The only stop we make is to eat, and for Corvu to teach me a few more basics of swordplay.

I think he's worried about me. Although I'm getting better, my footwork is not the greatest and I'm still a bit clumsy with a sword. It does mean that I still have a long way to go and I shouldn't be looking to get into a fight any time soon. However, I don't think a choice is a luxury I'll have with the Orcs so close behind. That's when Corvu tells me that we will be riding through the night to make it to the Capital, Wanbourne, if we hope to reach the King before Cutlass and his army. The words ring through my ears, we've traveled faster than expected, and we're nearly there.

If there are gods in this world, I hope they're on our side.

Chapter seventeen

Day Twenty-One

Riding to the top of the hill with Corvu and Gecko by my side, we finally see it: Wanbourne. The Capital from this heightened distance is magnificent. There are hundreds of homes, towers, and farms circling a great white stone wall, and within those walls, I can see towers made of white stone and emerald roofing, accented in glistening gold around all of the edges that glisten in the sunlight. I can’t wait to see what the area looks like from inside.

Travelling past a guard tower, we make our way inward. Dismounting the horses, we walk them through the crowded village. Each home is built with a lot of care upon the dirt and ground beneath it. It is obvious by the flowerpots and colored paint on their front doors that people take pride in their homes. Gecko is right though; it is mostly dominated by humans, although I do see the odd Daemonaria or two.

I hadn’t noticed till now that Corvu has put his hood up. It’s sad that in a way he’s ashamed of himself. I know more than anything he wants to prove the curse of the Tricksters to be false. I just wish I could help him do that, but I feel like just telling him that he shouldn’t be ashamed won’t nearly be enough. Walking through a market, I can see at the end of the line of stalls is a clearing in front of iron gates embedded into the wall surrounding the main part of the city. The two guards at the front gate seem to be human, but their shining silver armor isn’t nearly as impressive as the gates themselves. They seem to be crafted delicately to reflect vines growing on them, just with iron. Some of the bars resemble a rose thicket, covered in thorns.

Corvu approaches the guard on the right, “We want to request an audience with the King, on an urgent matter.”

“The King doesn’t need to know about issues that can be handled in General Court,” the guard exclaims, a little too loudly. “What is your business?”

“It’s regarding the approaching Orc army,” Corvu states firmly. The guards take a moment to exchange a glance. The one on the left lifts his arm high, signaling someone on top of the wall to open the gate. I couldn’t see the person on top of the wall very clearly since the sun is blaring right into my eyes, but my thoughts about them dissipate when my eyes readjust to the sight before me. Slowly walking through the gates, I see the area inside is luscious and green, with plants of various colors, shapes, and sizes—some even glowing in the daylight. They make the white stone of the buildings really stand out. It’s still very crowded inside, and there are many homes here just like the outside, but maybe slightly upgraded versions with two stories instead of one.

Step by step, we approach the tallest structure—an elegant castle with many twists and turns that make up paths between the towers, guards, and archers stationed along them all. We tie our horses outside the castle and begin ascending the pearly white stairs. Most people don’t even have teeth this white; how do they keep it so clean?

Gecko seems a bit worried and grabs my hand with his free one. I feel bad that we’re dragging him along with a broken arm; it’s hardly fair on such a small body. Staying close to Corvu, we approach a guard standing at the front door. Reiterating our reason for being there, he ushers us inside, where he asks us to wait in front of the main hall doors for permission to enter and speak to the King. As we wait, the knight by the door looks at us strangely.

“Remove your hood, boy,” he states to Corvu. I see Corvu restrain himself from glaring at the man as he complies. The knight purses his lips but otherwise says nothing more. I’m really nervous about approaching the King; even though I’m not from this world, he’s still royalty—respect where it’s due. I’m startled by a slight knock on the other side of the door. The knight then adds, “You may enter.”

We don’t even push the doors open; the big wooden bay doors swing open at the same time. With determination, we all enter together. The main hall is glorious. On both sides, there are at least ten stained windows depicting battles. The tiled floor is a glossy grey-brown and reflects the ceiling with a central chandelier. I'm blown away by how traditional it feels, with its glass windows lit by candlelight. Before me is the main attraction. Upon a couple of higher steps is a huge throne, beside it another, both padded with emerald green cushions and spectacular swirling gold accents. A man sits in the largest chair, older, perhaps in his forties, wearing armor similar to the knights and guards but in gold, with a large green emerald in the center of his chestplate. Leaning on the smaller chair is a boy, reminiscent of Corvu but dressed in general noble-style clothing. His formal tunic is green, contrasting well against his fiery short hair.

“You may approach,” the guards' voices startle me from my left. The room is so amazing that I hadn’t noticed just how many guards are around us, two at each of the six pillars leading up to the throne. As Corvu and Gecko lean forward to do a short bow, I follow their lead. This is not something I’m used to.

As we stand perhaps ten feet away from the King, the room goes silent.

“What is it you wish to discuss with the King?” The boy with red hair questions, a little disinterested in the formal slang.

Corvu responds, “We wish to discuss-”

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