Chapter 435 - A Prince's Welcome

Thanks for waiting. Been a bit ill the last few days and it slowed me down. Hope you like the chapter!

Hump was halfway through a yawn when he, Nisha, and Celaine arrived at the Rike Estate. One downside of the Time Stop Hourglass, he’d discovered, was those two extra hours of being awake and training each day was rather exhausting. It didn’t sound like much, but he was starting to feel it.

The others were lounging by the fireplace in the livingroom when they arrived. Emilia stood when she saw them and collected two parchment envelopes sealed with wax from the table.

“For you both,” she said, handing them over with a smile.

Hump frowned, breaking the seal with a finger. “What’s this?”

“Your invitations.”

“To what?”

“Open it and find out.”

Hump unfolded the thick parchment and squinted at the ornate writing. It took him a moment to realise it was in Alveronian, just unnecessarily fancy. “The High Castellan is commanded by His Highness Prince Gregory to invite Wizard Humphrey Woodrow to a private celebration in the Royal Palace in honour of Prince Kassius’ return.”

“We’re going to the palace?” Celaine asked. She tore open her own letter. “I can’t read this. When is it?”

“Four days from now,” Emilia said. “Which means we’re all going to need to go shopping.”

Celaine folded her letter and placed it back on the table. “I have a dress.”

“And I’ve still got those fancy clothes we got in Sheercliff,” Hump said.

Emilia gave them both a look and shook her head. “Not good enough. This is courtly attire. Think silks, embroidery, layers. Either you dress like nobility, or you get mistaken for the help.”

Celaine groaned. “Your people all dress so inconveniently.”

“Too bad,” Emilia said with a grin. “I can’t wait! We have a couple of days to make sure none of us embarrass ourselves. This is our moment of recognition for all the hard work, and we’re going to own it.”

Dylan let out a long sigh from his seat. “I’m really starting to miss the Remnant Realm.”

Bud laughed. “Let her have her fun.”

“Do you think Lorissa will want to be on her arm if you’re not dressed the part?” Emilia asked Dylan, raising an eyebrow. “She’ll be thanking me for this, let me tell you. You’re going to look stunning.”

“It’s nice that one of us is excited,” Celaine said. “I don’t like how out of our hands this situation feels. Kassius could do anything.”

“We play along,” Hump said. “We’re in public. Either Kassius stirs trouble and reveals himself for what he is, or he keeps his mouth shut and we don’t have any trouble.”

“What if he starts pointing his finger at us?” Dylan said. “Wouldn’t surprise me if he has a bit of a grudge against you three.”

“It will be fine,” Bud said. “Trust in Count Daston, the Inquisition, and the High Priests to figure out if he’s a warlock or not.”

“And we have allies now,” Hump said. “Prince Gregory believes me. We just have to make it through the evening and then we can get on with our own task to the north. Others will protect the seal of Elenvine.”

***

Kassius’ return was heralded with the full weight of royal fanfare—trumpets bared from palace towers, banners fluttered from every window, and a crowd so dense it spilled into the streets like floodwaters.

Hump stood among the masses that had gathered along the city’s main route, pressed shoulder to shoulder with cheering citizens. Voices rang out in celebration, a cacophony of joy and awe, yet Hump felt only cold disbelief.

The man had fooled them all.

Prince Kassius road near the head of the column atop a proud brown stallion. He wore silver armour that gleamed in the afternoon light, a deep blue cloak billowing behind him. His gloved hand was in the air, waving at the crowd, his expression was stern, the image of a war-hardened prince returning victorious to his people, and army at his back ready to defend them.

No doubt, this was exactly what the people of Elenvine needed. A glimpse of the might that Alveron could bring to bear. Something to bring them hope.

As Kassius passed by where Hump and his party stood, he saw through the guise. One side of Kassius’ face bore deep scars, remnants of the dragon’s fire that had once consumed him. The skin was puckered and uneven, twisting around his jaw and eye. It did nothing to lessen his presence—if anything, it made him more imposing. The scars gave him the look of a man who had endured hell and emerged stronger for it.

The people adored him. Hump’s stomach twisted as he watched children perched on shoulders, waving excitedly. Mothers threw flowers into the street. Chosen stood with solemn pride, guarding the way toward the royal palace. This is what Emilia had meant when she had said it wouldn’t matter what the truth was when Kassius returned. What mattered was perception, both of the public, the Pantheon, and nobles.

“Same old Kassius,” Bud whispered.

“The scars are new,” Celaine said.

“To be fair, he’s looking good for someone that was burnt black,” Hump said. “Whoever treated him must have used some strong healing magic.”

Riders flanked him, soldiers in battered armour and torn cloaks, their faces drawn and tired. There was little cheer amongst them, only exhaustion. Perhaps a thousand men strong, this was one contingent of the army that had been stationed in Fort Nordric. Little did they know, these men were likely fated for a battle in another realm.

With this, the armies were almost ready to march on the warlock stronghold. Meanwhile, Hump had received a letter from Wizard Aldric. The wizard temple in the Dukedom of Yore had been discovered. The journey north would be soon.

But for tonight, they had to welcome a man Hump was all but certain was still their enemy.

He stared at himself in a gilded mirror inside his old room at the Rike Estate, turning slightly from side to side. The outfits Emilia had forced onto them were uncomfortable and made him look like a right prick. If only the old man could see him—he’d laugh his head off. Midnight black trousers, as the tailor had called them, a fitted green doublet lined with silver thread, and a high-collared jacket with delicate embroidery in the shade of stylised flames. His boots were so polished he could see his outfit glaring back at him. At least he’d been allowed to keep his own Cloak of Protection. He wouldn’t be completely defenceless if he was attacked—and considering the company, it wouldn’t surprise him in the slightest if all this was a pretence for warlocks to attack. Kassius might have smuggled in an artificial dungeon core, some sort of rift opening device, or any number of other things.

“I look ridiculous,” Hump muttered as he stepped out into the hall.

Celaine appeared from her own room, smoothing down her dress of emeralds and black, with shimmering threads of gold as she moved. Long gold earrings caught the light as she tilted her head, looking at him.

A smile broke out on her face that she quickly hid behind a hand, but Hump could see the sneer in her eyes.

“How bad is it?”

She shook her head. “Not bad. You look… noble.”

Hump sighed. “That’s what I was worried about.”

“What about me?” She gave him a twirl, her dress shimmering as the frills curled up around her. It was tight around her body and chest.

“You look beautiful,” Hump said with a smile. “Are you worried about tonight?”

“We handled Kassius when we were still iron ranked adventurers,” Celaine said. “We’ve come a long way since then. Whatever happens, we can handle it now. What about you?”

“A little,” Hump said. “But you’re right. We can handle it.”

She gripped Hump’s elbow and the two of them descended the stairs and joined the others. All of them were dressed in matching outfits. Bud and Emilia wore blues and red, while Dylan and Lorissa were in lavish purple and black.

“You be good, Mav,” Hump said, turning to the kid in the livingroom.

“What do you mean, me?” Mav snapped. “I’m the boss here.”

“Eh,” Hump said, wrinkling his nose. “We’ll see once we get back. Nisha’s bigger than you.”

The little dragon huffed, staring at Mav with a challenge in her eyes.

“You be nice, Nisha,” Hump said. “Don’t scare him too much.”

Soon, a grand carriage arrived for them. Staring up at it, Hump decided he just had to move with the blows. If he let every luxury he saw get to him, he’d be surprised all evening.

Hump’s heart was racing when the palace came into view. He held Celaine’s hand, staring out the carriage window and doing his best to ignore the onlookers gawking at the arrivals. They passed through a towering entrance and entered the palace through large doors with servants stood on either side with crisp uniforms and blank expressions. Musicians played from somewhere inside, the sound only just reaching Hump here.

They were led into a grand hallway with a luxurious red carpet, following behind other guests. Almost everyone walked in pairs. Emilia and Bud had been kind enough to take the lead, Hump and Celaine following second, while Dylan and Lorissa brought up the rear.

As they reached a doorway, a herald stood atop the stairs, reading from a long scroll.

“Presenting Sir Robert Blackthorne and Lady Emilia Rike.”

Hump swallowed nervously and watched the two descend the stairs.

“Try not to trip,” Celaine whispered.

“Why would you say that now?” Hump hissed back. “Now it’s bound—”

He stopped as the herald stared at them, waiting. Hump took a nervous step forward, Celaine on his arm.

“Presenting Wizard Humphrey Woodrow and Celaine of Drakalyn.”

Hump stiffened as the name echoed through the entrance hall. Every head seemed to turn their way, though only for a moment before the crowd resumed its murmuring. As Hump descended the stairs to the ballroom, he had never felt so out of place in his life. Not just the people casting glances his way, but the sheer grandeur of the place.

The space was enormous. Vaulted ceilings painted with scenes of myth and legend, towering stained glass windows that shone with inner light, a lavish floor of deep brown wood. Chandeliers overhead bathed the room in golden light, and the scent of perfume and expensive wine and good food hung in the air. Rich silk hangings adorned the walls in tapestries of gold, blue and red. Music floated through the air, a soft blend of strings and wind instruments that underscored the chatter of the hundreds that had already arrived.

Hump glanced around unsure where to go or what to do. People clustered in elegant groups—nobles and adventurers alike dressed in silks and embroidered coats, some in fine armour polished to a ceremonial gleam. Everyone seemed to know each other. Everyone had a place.

He had no idea what to do.

He did his best to make small talk and give respectful greetings as Emilia led them through the hall. Hump was surprised at how many came over to speak with him actually, his status as the White Flame Wizard known even here. It was a disconcerting feeling speaking with people that knew so much about his history when he did not even know their names.

“Wizard Humphrey?” a man said, stepping forward with a goblet in hand. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in layers of deep red, silver threading catching the light like threads of lightning. “An honour. I’m Lord Alleron. Your name’s begun to make the rounds.”

Hump shook his hand, trying not to seem surprised. “Is that so?”

“We’ll see,” Alleron said with a smirk, then gestured to the younger man beside him—a boy of sixteen or so, with sharp cheekbones and a serious expression. “This is my son, Renald. He’s studying the arcane as well.”

“A pleasure,” Renald gave a formal bow. “I was hoping I had a chance to speak with you this evening. I’ve heard many tales of your exploits, but they are always against demons and monsters. Have you ever killed someone, Wizard Humphrey? Not monsters. People.”

Hump blinked. “That’s… a bit direct.”

Thankfully, salvation arrived in the form of Marcela, sweeping in like a breeze of familiarity.

“Do you mind if I steal these two?” she asked with a pleasant smile, already leading Hump and Celaine away without waiting for an answer.

Celaine exhaled as soon as they were out of earshot. “Wow.”

“Lor Alleron is harmless,” Marcela said. “But his son has the social skills of a rock.”

“I feel like I’m in a room full of peacocks,” Celaine said. “Everyone prancing around, showing off their feathers. It’s exhausting.”

“You get used to it. Come on. Let’s get some food before it’s too late.”

It was not long before a trumpet rang through the ballroom, silencing conversation and drawing all eyes upward.

A voice called out. “Announcing Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Gregory and Prince Kassius.”

All heads turned to the grand staircase. Someone started to clap, and then applause filled the room.

Hump stared silently as Kassius slowly descended the staircase, dressed in a rich red doublet and dark trousers, his cape a deep royal blue, trailing behind him. He was clean-shaven, showing off the scars on his face in full.

His eyes roamed the room and soon found Hump. It was brief, but there was no doubt in Hump’s mind the prince’s gaze locked onto him. Then the prince was caught up in a wave of nobles rushing to greet him first.

“Did your father mention anything about him yet?” Hump asked quietly to Marcela.

She glanced at him. “He was examined under the guise of a health inspection. The High Priests have confirmed that he is himself. There are no signs of mind control or corruption. Word is that he has no recollection of the weeks leading up to his capture.”

“How’s that possible?” Celaine asked.

Hump frowned, turning back to Prince Kassius. There was no doubt that the man had stared at him—he remembered. He had to. “I have no idea, but I don’t believe it. Marcela, would it be appropriate for us to go and say hello?”

“You’re not planning to cause any trouble, are you?”

Hump shook his head. “No. I would never.”