“Fwuffy teww ‘ou when Isaw some of those guiwd weadews entewing, fwuffy sweaw one of them was gwinnin’ eaw to eaw.”
[An excerpt from an interview with a Stablelot Guardsmen, given to you by the SafferMatch Newspaper]
[Pov Charles]
For a second I thought about speaking after that interruption but decided just to go inside, as this day was already stressful enough. Walking out of the carriage I was greeted by the same building we originally were told about the specialists, and about Nickel city… Walking through the open doors Quin speaks, having the the upmost need to give her opinion on the littlest of things.
“Wook at dah state of dis pwace! Was dis buiwt fo’ woyawty, ow dah common dwunkawd…”
I speak, mustering up the most petty sarcastic tone I could.
“Yeah, it wasn’t wike a giant buiwdin’ cowwapsed an’ needed to constwuct somethin’ quickwy.”
Quin gives an annoyed look and continues on, pointing her nose into the air. As we began to walk towards the Royal chamber one of the Anuian guards had come up to us, him holding a list of some sort. with him looking at Ix and speaking.
“‘Ou hab dah wastes’ of dah speciawists?”
Ix speaks.
“Yes Quin has agreed to come with us, but she want’s word with his majesty.”
The Anuian guard speaks, him checking off the list.
“Just to wet ‘ou know his majesty isn’t in his chambew, fwuffy am cuwwentwy dinin’ wiff some figuwes of impowtance.”
Ix speaks, slightly turning back.
“Would you want us to head to Camp Driscoll than?”
The anuian guard look a bit shocked and speaks, shaking his head.
“Nu nu! Dewe’s tabwes actuawwy wesewbed fo’ ‘ou, chawwes an’ dah speciawist., An’ I pewsonawwy think dah gud news wiww do him weww…”
Beginning to my our way towards the dining area, the Anuian guard had one last thing to say.
“Dah one in dah pointy hat has to stay though.”
I could see a wave of disappointment hit Ozymandias face, as he looked down. Quin seeing this was about to speak with a half outraged expression, until Ozymandias himself spoke.
“It’s fine, i’ww wait outside.”
looking the most reluctant Quin didn’t speak, and we all started to walk towards the dining hall.
As the large wooden door of the dining hall opened, all I saw was a crowded room full of strangers. Dozens upon dozens of strangers that were finely dressed and well groomed, obviously they were from money. As the sound of the door echoed across the room they all turned to look at us, there faces full of confusion. And finally as we kept walking I looked until finally I recognized a few faces. At one of the many tables I saw Mac, Dac and WingScratch all sitting with what I presume to be army and guard commanders, and they looked different to. They now wore Royal Guardsmen armor, with WingScratch’s armor even being specially made for puffies. They had seemed to notice as well and after pointing them out to Ix, we both waved at them, with Mac & Dac waving back and WingScratch giving a acknowledging nod. Than as I was about to continue Quin gave a gasp and and we turned to her direction, and once there I saw him. In the center of the largest table in the dining hall, sat upon his throne. The King of Motor.
He looked so different from the last time I saw him… The never-ending stress of this crisis had seemed to have aged him several years, his mane and coat were duller, there were deep lines below his eyes, and even though we were still pretty far I could see the look of tiredness clearly. And it wasn’t just Enoch who was sitting there, Queen Roxy and now the fully grown Princess Jasmine were sitting right beside him on the left, with Tethius also close by his side on the right. And the other people on the table I could easily recognize, it was the nobility that was sat, with me even recognizing people like Vaastu (Even now that he was fully grown, he still had that Regent with him) As we began to make our way towards the table, they saw us and the for probably the first time in awhile I saw Enoch give a smile and quickly spoke, getting up to get everyone’s attention.
“Ebewyone gib an appwause, my guawdsmen hab wetuwned!”
Instantly the hall erupted in applause and I admit it felt good, Enoch sits and speaks again.
“May my woyaw sowdiews an’ dah speciawist dey bwought come up an’ speak wiff Enoch.”
Beginning to walk up, I had begun to notice the reaction of Tethius. He looked completely shocked, unlike everyone else who was looking at me or Ix, his eyes were solely on Quin. And curious I turned my head to look at Quin to see she had the same exact expression, with her mouth opened a little. As we finally made it to Enoch, me and Ix bowed our heads and kneeled. And after a few seconds I get up and speak to Enoch and the Queen and Princess.
“Am majesty, Queen, an’ Pwincess.”
Ix finishes what I have to say.
“Our mission is complete.”
Enoch gives a warm smile, and rubs one of his eyes with his hoove, speaking in a much more tired voice.
“It’s gud to finawwy hab some positibe news fo’ a change, dis whowe situation am a mess…”
Ix is quick to respond.
“A mess, you’re majesty?”
Enoch continues.
“Dah ebah depwetin’ Doe-StwongWing’ fowtune, ebewy decision Enoch makes bein’ cwiticized an’ swandewed… Twoubwe at home. If ‘ou wan’ dah detaiws speak wiff Tethius.”
I speak, wanting a answer to question I had since I entered.
“Who am aww these peopwe?”
Enoch sighs and speaks.
“Most of dah peopwe hewe am eithah pwominent guiwd figuwes, ownews of iwon mines, ow those who own muwtipwe bwacksmithin’ fowges. Wewe cuwwentwy negotiatin’ dah manufactuwin’ of things needed fo’ dah waw effowt.”
So it’s those types… I speak, my tone a bit sour.
“I’d be cawefuw wiff these foows am highness, some of them wouwd seww theiw own famiwies if dey couwd.”
Enoch let’s out a long sigh, and speaks.
“To win a waw ‘ou sometimes hab to do things an’ wowk wiff peopwe ‘ou nu wike that much, Enoch doesn’t hab choice. Dewe’s a tabwe set up fo’ ‘ou, dah speciawists an’ some miwitawy figuwes, go enjoy dah feast. Enoch wiww speak wiff ‘ou watew, fo’ am new owdews.”
As me and Ix started to leave, I turned to see Quin and Tethius completely oblivious to our conversation, with them close together and speaking. I thought about telling her that we needed to go to our table but I decided not to as I already felt myself feeling tired (I think Enoch saying new orders is what did it…) As me and Ix started walking towards our table, Ix spoke to me sounding a bit disappointed.
“Didn’t even get a chance to tell him about that monster Charles, but maybe we should wait a bit to tell him.”
Now that I think about it, yeah. Didn’t tell him about the monster, or even about my son for that matter. But what is Ix thinking about not telling him?
“Why?”
Ix speaks, us getting closer and closer to the table.
“Look at him, he looks so stressed. We should let him enjoy this good news for at least one day.”
I guess with that logic it makes sense, who knows how Enoch would react to learning that our enemies have even worse monsters.
Once we find the seats with our names written down, I feel a bit down at what I see. To the left of me are two empty seats, with the names “Emily” and “Dar” written on them. We got a whole ovation with a feast, while Anu only knows where they are. I really hope their doing okay, they should have been here with us… As I sit down in my chair WingScratch speaks to me, her tone sounding slightly impressed.
“So tell me about the boobytraps, were they that bad?”
[10 minutes of me and Ix explaining all that had happened later]
“Holy shit!”
WingScratch looks completely shocked, while Mac & Dac and completely speechless. Ix speaks.
“So what have you been doing when we’ve been gone?”
Mac speaks with him grabbing a large chicken drumstick and eating eat as he does.
“Spent most of dah time in some woom wiff that Tethius fewwah.”
Dac speaks, adding on.
"Yeah, just him tewwin’ us what a Woyaw guawd am expected to do, an’ ouw wowes as instwuctows. "
I speak.
“Any news about that, hab dey eben sewected wecwuits?”
Mac speaks.
“Mac heawd nothin yet.'”
For the next 20 minutes we ate and spoke, me personally trying my best to avoid more heavy topics, instead trying to steer the conversation to be less stressful. After that I could tell that the feast had started wrapping up, with many of the strangers beginning to leave and servants starting to clean up the place. I was just about to hand my half eaten bowl of fruit to a servant when Ix spoke, her tapping my shoulder.
“Charles look!”
I look up to see Enoch walking towards us, with Tethius and Quin (Tethius looked happier than I had ever seen him and he was holding Quin’s hoove) by his side. Ix speaks a bit shocked.
“You’re majesty?”
Enoch speaks, sitting in a empty chair.
“Enoch came to teww 'ou about am next assignment, about dah wecwuits…”
Me, Ix, Mac & Dac and WingScratch were all now listening deeply, for if the King of Motor himself was going to give us orders, they were very important. Enoch gives an unexpected smile, and speaks in a tone of happiness.
“To my compwete shock my wecwuitment officews wewe actuawwy abwe to meet quota eawwy! Enoch just got the news that dah wecwuits wiww be at Fowt Dwiscoww tomowwow!” Fin
Thank you for reading my story! I hope to have the next part done in at least a week, and of course constructive criticism is appreciated. May you have a good day!