10 REAPERS, RIVERS, & RAPIERS (1/2)
Long oak tables lined the center of a vast hall surrounded by red banners with a dragon symbol on it in the shape of a scythe. There was an abundance of berries, wine, and mutton, and their aroma filled the entire throne room—the smell of banquet.
”To King Longdon Egbert XIII's victory!” a younger Imogen with a short, curly, blond hair said.
”Long live the King!” the other members of the court said. They then clinked their golden goblets with each other.
In the middle of their feast, the two giant oak doors swung open. A female with long white legs in a red coat entered.
”Lady Leva! Look at you! Where have you been all this time?” Talos, in his classic red scale armor, said. Seating beside the King, he stood from his seat.
”Get lost, Talos,” Lady Leva said. She walked past the royal members of the court, and the other Reapers like they did not exist. Arriving beside the King, she bent and whispered something to his ear.
”Hey, Leva! You're dealing with-”
King Egbert raised his palm, cutting Imogen. His face then turned grim. ”Excuse me. I have something to check. Enjoy the feast!” The King moved out of his seat like he was about to pee and proceeded to his room.
Lady Leva sat on the King's chair.
”You wench!” Imogen stood from his chair and slammed his goblet on the table. Then there was silence.
”What?” Lady Leva said, popping a berry to her mouth.
Imogen smiled. ”You may have been doing special missions for the King, but know that I'm still in command of the Reapers. From here on, this man will join you!”
”I'm Floyd Stark, the new member of the King's Reaper. Let's work hard together!” a man in his early twenties with gray hair and black knight armor said.
”You look weak,” Lady Leva said. She then emptied the goblet of Imogen and strolled out of the table.
Meanwhile, inside his private Room, King Egbert sat on a table and poured tea in two golden cups.
A hooded figure masked in gold materialized from King Egbert's velvety wall.
”Igur. I knew you'd come. Let me-”
”You did not keep your word!” Igur said.
A blue barrier enveloped the entire room. Anyone who dared to eavesdrop would find a strange silence.
”It was a hard choice I had to make.”
”Hard choice for what? When was ever the slaughter of innocent women and children been justifiable, huh? Tell me!”
”They're harbingers of destruction! You've read your history books and the prophecies, right? And that crone told me that a Dragon Hunter would bring an end to our world!”
”So you've slaughtered their kind because a crazy, withered woman told you so? Have you lost your mind, Longdon?”
”Watch your words, Igur. I'm now a King!”
”A spineless King!”
King Egbert took a sip from his cup. ”Are we done? I have a court to entertain.”
”You should have been a jester, not a king.”