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Seed of Alandria

     The man approaches the megalithic stone structure, surrounded by a stone wall into which large iron gates are anchored. The castle of Alandria has six towers, the tallest being about four hundred feet tall and, the shortest, about fifty. Like the buildings and houses of the city, the stone is mostly black, moss and vines growing up its walls in various places. After marveling at its beauty, he finally turns in his saddle and faces one of the guards.
      �Can I help you, ser?� asks one of the two guards, eyeing him closely.
      �Yes, ser. I have a personal message for the king,� the man replies.
      �Do you have a scroll that you wish to be given to his majesty?�
      �Well, if it be possible, I would like to speak with him personally.�
      The guard hesitates for a moment, looking to the second guard, before answering, �Very well. Remove all your weapons.�
      The man dismounts his horse and gives the reins to the second guard, who has stretched out his hand to take them. First, the man removes the long sword from its leather scabbard around his waist. After setting it gently on the stone in front of him, he remains bent down and lifts up his pant leg, removing a small dagger. He has no other visible weapons, but the guards check him thoroughly before unlocking the gates, which are locked together by the city�s seal.
      He is led through the large iron gates and on a stone pathway, which is very beautiful, having small strips of grass growing between the stones. The walk is long and silent, but, finally, they reach large wooden double-doors. The guard unlocks and opens one, letting him in. As soon as he is inside, the door is closed behind him.
      Before him is a large open space, fully stone, except for the wooden dais which sits at the very back of the space and holds a throne. The king sits upon the throne; the man notes how young he appears.
      �Greetings!� the king yells happily. �What brings you here? Have you a message for me?�
      �Yes, ser. I am Storm, son of Gilden, and I bring you a very important message,� he replies.
      �Yes? Tell me, from where do you come?�
      �I come from the outskirts of Kahndoshur, ser, located on Rosch.�
      �That�s a long way to come,� the king says as he becomes more serious. �Tell me, what is your message, for it must be very important to come that long way.�
      �Yes, ser. Very much so.� Storm pauses, but very briefly. �I believe I have found the child that was stolen away from you twenty-two years ago.�
      The king leans forward in his throne. �Where have you found him? Where he is now?� the king asks anxiously.
      �Well, ser. He was an orphan in Kahndoshur.� Storm does not speak for a moment, allowing the king time to lean back in his throne and take everything in. �And, my king, he stands before you now. For I am he.�
      The king is astounded by his words, and wants to believe him, yet cannot right away. He knows he must send for someone skilled in discerning truth from lies.
      �Storm,� the king says. �I will send for you a servant who will show you to a room and take care of your needs as long as you stay here.� The king turns to his advisor on his right. �Could you please find Kahrey and bring her here?�
      �Yes, ser,� replies the advisor. His dark form disappears into the shadows.
      �Thank you very much, my king. Your kindness and hospitality is greatly appreciated,� Storm says to the king.
      The king offers a forward inclination of his head as he looks away. They wait in silence.
      The advisor quickly returns, followed by a girl in tattered clothing.
      �Kahrey,� the king calls.
      �Yes, my lord.� She kneels before his throne, holding her face to the ground.
      �Please show this young man a room. For the remainder of the time he stays here, you will be his servant.�
      �Yes, my king,� Kahrey replies, continuing to hold her face down.
      Ringing through her head is the king�s voice, �He says he is the stolen child. See if this is truth.�
      She concentrates hard, and speaks within the king�s mind. �Yes, my king. I will.�
      She rises to her feet, and then bows slightly before exiting the large room into a narrow hallway, Storm trailing behind her. She is shorter than him by about four inches. Her skin is very light; he guesses that maybe she stays inside. Tied around her slender body is black cloth, its edges jagged, ripped, and frayed, revealing much of her body. Her hair is short, just reaching her shoulders in the back, though the front doesn�t even reach her jaw. It is blond and curly, not thick, but not thin.
      After walking down a few hallways and up a couple of staircases, she stops at a wooden door and opens it, then stares at him blankly. Her eyes are blue-gray, nearly a mirror image of his own. She has a small face, which matches her body, and is framed perfectly by her hair. Suddenly, his thoughts are interrupted.
      �Ser, this shall be your room,� she says in her soft voice. �I cleaned it just this morning.�
      �Thank you,� he says. By now, a broad smile has crossed his face.
      She smiles also, and laughs � he thinks. She continues to smile as she gestures for him to enter the room.
      �I will be your servant, ser. I will serve only you until you leave this place.�
      �Well,� he turns towards her, �I�m Storm, son of Gilden. And you are�?�
      �I�m Kahrey,� she answers quietly.
      He stares at her awkwardly for a moment, then steps into the room. She waits at the door with her hands clasped in front of her.
      �This is nice, Kahrey. It looks good,� he says.
      �Good. Now I must go get your pack, master. I will return shortly,� she answers.
      He nods his head in approval and watches as she disappears from the doorway.
      The room is completely stone, along with the rest of the castle, as far as he has seen. A rug lies on the floor, in the center of the room, offering comfort to his tired feet. There is a wardrobe, a bookshelf, table-desk, two chairs � all in the main room � and a bedchamber, which holds the bed and a small table beside it. Everything is made of black oak, making the room very darkened.
      He notices a door in the back corner of the room and realizes that it is a washroom, complete with towels and a washbasin.
      He looks towards the window and walks up to it. Looking out, he notices a storm has begun. He sees the black clouds covering the sky and the rain smashing down upon the stones, but he cannot hear it very well. Lightning burns the sky, and he walks away.