150 I’ll take an orange juice (2/2)
Small windows were scattered generously around the walls in fairly symmetrical patterns, along with same-sized holes for archers and artillery.
The portal disappeared when the last of Don's men stepped out as King Edward motioned Don to follow him to his castle.
While following King Edward, Don noticed that the people were in a better state than Agoria but seeing their dried mouths, the cracks that grew deep in the barren, he didn't have to be a genius to guess that this was the beginning of the drought. The clatter of the horse hooves echoed around the desperate landscape while they were marching.
The people looked at Don and his men with both curiosity and concern, the path to the castle was built in between the houses and shops that too had cracks on their walls.
There was no green as far as Don could see it and what seemed to the plants looked dried out and even the cactuses had no green in them.
The taverns and shops looked empty by looking from outside, there were a couple of small food stalls, one which seemed like a smithy, two or three merchant shops, and quite a few inns and taverns which had most customers compared to the rest of the businesses.
”Whoa”
Arrora was startled to see the prices of the drinks written on the boards outside of the taverns and inns.
Don didn't ask any questions to King Edward as he just nodded while King Edward was blabbering about the history of the Sigalla.
Eventually, after a long lesson of Sigalla's history, Don saw the castle gates, a sizable gate with hefty wooden doors, a drawbridge, and a group of royal guards standing in front of the gates, probably to welcome their king and Don.
Without a doubt, when Don noticed the two women, one older probably King Edward's age and the young one and knew that they must be the queen and the princess.
When they got closer, the young one looked shyly at Don while the other one welcomed them with a gentle smile.
”King Don, meet my wife Sienna, the queen of Sigalla”
King Edward introduced his wife as a guard passed a bouquet of flowers to Queen Sienna
”Welcome to Sigalla, King Don”
Queen Sienna gave a bouquet of various color flowers
”It's beautiful, Queen Sienna”
But looking at Don's neutral face, Queen Sienna thought that he didn't like the Boquete ”One must first master emotions to master the sword, Queen Sienna”
Don said as Queen Sienna nodded with a gentle smile and motioned the young girl beside to step forward
”This is my daughter King Don, Amber”
”King Don”
Amber curtseyed as she said
”Princess Amber”
Don nodded
”Please come inside, King Don, I hope everyone is hungry”
Queen Sienna glanced at the guards as they opened the gates and let everyone in.
Statues of kings were lined up inside of the castle gates, serving as reminders of the past. Thes castle showed signs of decay probably after being around for ages, but still by the looks of the castle walls, it was evident that the inhabitants were determined to repair any weaknesses to make sure this castle will be around for ages to come.
While walking towards the castle, Arrora noticed Amber glancing at Don and slightly blushing while he was talking with King Edward and Queen Sienna
And when Don reached the entrance of the castle, he just looked at his men as they formed a line while King Edward welcome the rest of them in
Arwen and Arrora followed King Edward to the living room where the maids were waiting with beverages, mainly liquors like wine, ale
”King Don, please”
King Edward gestured at Don to take a drink
”Can I have something else? I don't drink liquors”
King Edward was shocked to hear Don just like Queen Sienna and Princess Amber who just took a long sip of wine but quickly King Edward hid his shock with a smile
”Of course, maid bring king Don an orange juice”
”King Don, please, Lord Clemo”
King Edward gestured at Don to sit on the fancy red sofa behind him as he sat on the one opposite of Don with Queen Sienna and Princess Amber while Arwen and Arrora stood behind Don and Lord Clemo sat in his seat placed beside Don
”I hope that I didn't hinder any of your plans with my invitation, King Don”
”No you didn't, King Edward, I was planning to come here on my way to the gathering”
”wonderful”
King Edward laughed
The maid came with the juice and gave it to Don
”You're very different, King Don, can I ask why you don't drink liqueurs?”
Queen Sienna said as Don leaned on the sofa and took a sip from the glass
”I'm used to not drinking liqueurs Queen Sienna and I'll take water over any wines on any day”
”Water seems more valuable than wines nowadays, King Don”