The soft -tap- of fingers resounded throughout the hollow room. Little to do and too much done had taken the young king to the brink of boredom. The room itself was suffocating with colors of grandeur. Golds and silver laden chairs and floors, ceilings and doors, were all too rich for the taste of this young man. The throne of his father didn’t feel like his rightful place even after the four years he had spent reclaiming his right to rule. Whips of fire danced around his body bending and molding into shapes of knives and spoons, a useless means of entertainment as he awaited his next meeting with someone from the high council. He could care less about the group of idiots who daily spoke with him on their personal agendas in the guise of renovations towards prosperity for the kingdom. In truth he missed his old life as a wanderer, bodyguard, and eventually husband. A smile slowly replaced the scowl upon his face as he began to reminisce of his times as a teen. He fondly remembered the days he ran wild with the crew of the Moonlight Sonata, the place he rested his head after his exile, the place he defended with his life, and the place where he fell in love and married the woman of his entire life. Now he sat upon the thrown, barely able to devote time more than a passing hello to that very woman.
“Blade-sama….”
It was the voice of his handmaid that brought his wonderful dream to an end, quickly returning the scowl to his face. “It’s time for the meeting…” she said bashfully, here golden eyes quickly diverting from the piercing stare of this own. Her small arms clutched her agenda book close to her chest, pressing her breasts in a manner that would have most men more than interested in getting to know her. Despite her small frame she filled the curves of her red and black dress too nicely. She was a “gift” from a diplomat of a neighboring country. At first he did not want to accept her as a personal attendant but after some thought he accepted. He had realized during his time that she was not a blood relative of the family, rather a slave in her own home of adoption. He couldn’t help but want to save her. Slowly she took another step back. Her actions were natural. She was hoping to steer clear of angering the King, something that all knew was difficult but still a real fear for most who did not already know him personally.
“Krielle, you don’t have to be scared of me.” Blade said with a sigh. “I may be king, but I am nothing like the royalty you know.”
Blade’s expression softened as he spoke to her. A small smile to hide the frustration he felt at her presence and his lack of ability to do as he wanted. “Tell the idiots they can….” His voice faded as his eyes widened as if he had taken a blow to the stomach.
“Blade-sama, what’s wrong?” Krielle gasped, immediately confused at the sudden change in expression of her king. As if in response to her question the flames stopped dancing in front of Blade and merged together. Within the glow of the fire an image appeared of a young woman walking into an old, beat down tavern. Blade slowly stood from his throne, his feet shakily holding his balance as his fingers reached out towards the image. There was little to be said about the feelings that welled inside his heart as his eyes softened at what he saw, the tears streaming down his face in an uncontrollable torrent that evaporated at the length of his chin in whips of thin smoke. For years he had silently watched over the Moonlight Sonata. Even in the years of its decline and eventual closure he had not removed the wards he placed over the building and its land. It had served as a large deterrent to scavengers and thieves who looked to vandalize the place. Its true purpose in days of late was for a much simpler purpose. It told him when it was time to return home. As the image died away Blade dropped his arm to his side. Quickly he began walking straight down the small set of stairs that lead away from his throne, attendant in tow.
“Tell the Idiots we won’t be meeting today.” Blade said quickly to Krielle.
“Wait, what?” she replied, becoming more and more confused by the moment. “Where are you going? You can’t miss this meeting again Blade-sama!” She was yelling at this point. Blade had quickly outpaced her with his much longer strides.
“I’m sure you will handle it. You’re in charge while I’m gone.” He responded with slight wave of his hand. Flames enveloped his body as his hand dropped back to his side. It didn’t take long before his body was wrapped in a cloak of beautiful golden fire that danced happily. As quickly as they had come they vanished taking Blade along with them to his desired destination. He had no reason to inform Kikki. He was sure she was more than aware of who had just reappeared and where at that. Hell, she probably already beat him there.
Krielle stood in place staring at the location that once stood her king. She coughed twice, realizing that for that entire moment she had not taken a single breath. Her entire being was stunned by the event she had witness, the beauty of the flames had taken her but not as much as the face of her king surrounded by the golden light. For the first time she had seen a true smile upon his face and had fallen into the depths of the soft green eyes that looked as if they were finally alive again. She could feel her face grow hot and quickly turned away from the entrance where several guards were rushing in. Before they could ask what had happened tendrils of fire appeared spelling out an official decree stating Krielle as “King proxy.” A few guards laughed while others simply shook their head and walked out knowing that Blade would return again one-day sooner or later.
-Moonlight Sonata-
Flames erupted into existence on top of a table within the center of the bar area. Within that same moment they disappeared, revealing a long time member and patron of the Sonata crew. Blade the wanderer had returned.
“Well aren’t you a sight for these sore eyes sister-in-law.” He said with a soft smile. He spoke again without turning to look at Chance who was off in his peripheral. “Chance put on some clothes damn it. This isn’t the way I want to see you for the first time after so many years have passed.”
