65 The Late Kings Summons (1/2)

Leo

”About time you finally wake up.” Leo said as his best friend rose from the bed in the large fire lit room. ”We were starting to take bets if you were even going to get up.”

”Who bet that I would sleep the whole day?” The prince asked as he scratched his bedhead.

”Well,” Leo said with a grin. ”Everyone thought you'd be out for days after the attack you unleashed on Aremesis, so pretty much just me.” Leo gave a wry smile as he thought of the money he would have to pay up.

”Nobody wins this bet I'm afraid.”

”You're awake buddy,” Leo said

”Yes, I'm awake.” The prince said as he rose from the bed. ”But William is not in right now. And since his body has risen, yet the mind is wandering, I'm afraid nobody wins this bet.”

”That would make you Cainus then.” Leo said. He put his hand to his forehead and sighed deeply. ”We are going to have one upset girl after all this is cleared up, aren't we?” Leo thought of Maya and how long it took for him to convince her to go to her assigned room to sleep. Were it not past midnight, he had no doubt that she would have been by Will's bedside until he awoke. He also tried to get her a change of clothes from the ragged tatters of her midnight black dress, but she politely declined.

”Will promised to be the one to pick out my next outfit when we go to New York when he wakes up.” Maya had said on the way out of the chamber.

Now that Leo was looking at Will's body, yet Cainus in the drivers seat, he couldn't help but have a nagging feeling it would take a while for them to trade spots again.

Will's body was fairly damaged from the fight with Aremesis. As Cainus got to his feet, he winced while clutching a bandaged stomach. ”Weren't healers sent to fix this mess?” Cainus said as he limped over to the wardrobe.

”I'm pretty sure that's what the bandages are for.” Leo said. ”Will's body is already healing at a rapid rate and Bianca is busy with the others that were damaged in the fight.”

”I thought the royal line would come first in service.” Cainus said as he opened the wardrobe and took out a fine red robe with a matching vest which were embroidered in gold and a pair of pants to match them. Setting them on the bed, he went to a dresser and took out a white button up collar shirt with ruffles down the center.

Leo watched as Cainus put together his outfit. ”There's a different order of precedence from our world.” He said as Cainus tucked in the white shirt into his fine pants and put on a red vest. ”The ones who need the service more are helped first.”

Cainus buttoned up the robe over the vest and put on a pair of black leather boots, followed by a belt which was covered in fine gems within a gold belt buckle. ”What other changes do you outsiders intend to bring into the land I painstakingly put together?”

”I take it no one is supposed to think that you are Will?” Leo shrugged off the late king's question.

”That's not the plan.” Cainus said as he went to the door of the chamber. ”Call the others to the meeting hall,” he said as he opened the door. ”We have much to discuss.”

Cainus

Walking into the throne room, his red robe flowing over the polished granite floor, Cainus took a seat in the golden throne and awaited his meeting.

”It's nice to see you wearing the colors.” A strong voice said behind Cainus. ”But I'm not dead yet.” King Ragnos stepped out from behind the throne and looked at his son.

”True,” Cainus said with a quizzical tone. ”Though I had hopes that you would borrow the throne to an old friend.” Cainus's hazel eyes flashed blue and a shock of gold hair spilled down the robe.

”Cainus?” The king's eyes went wide as his son transformed into his late teacher. Instantly King Ragnos went to a knee and bowed deeply. ”My apologies,” he said with a softer tone. ”Nobody told me that the first king was going to make an appearance.”

”Sadly,” Cainus said as he allowed his appearance to return to that of Will's.” That is what this meeting is about.”

”Has something happened to my son?” The king's voice became worrisome as his thoughts went to reasons which his son would not be present.

”Be patient William.” Cainus said as he lifted the King's head softly by his chin. When their eyes met, he let go. ”Everything will be explained momentarily.”

”Will!” The kings turned their attention to the main hall doors as the burst open. A dark figure raced down the hall in a speed of desperation. Her dark hair flew behind to match the tattered dress she wore. ”Why didn't you wake me as soon as you came to?” Maya gasped as she collected herself at the stair of the throne.

Taking a moment to process what she was seeing, Maya's eyes went wide as she noticed King Ragnos kneeling before his son. Her gaze went to Will and noticed immediately that he was not in his usual black jacket. His cross and dog tags had been removed as well.

”Maya,” Cainus said in a soothing tone. ”It's good to see you again.”

Recognition hit her as soon as her name was spoken. ”Where is Will?”