Recter bowed low, practically 90 degrees as he caught sight of Jeline. He wore exquisite metal armor and carried a long spear, just as before. Noah frowned, questioning the reality of his presence. The Recter he knew had never acted so subservient or lowly. What happened to that drakon pride? Noah separated from the procession and jogged up to his former companion.

  “Recter, is that you?” Noah asked. Recter raised his head. He smiled in recognition before his expression turned grave.

  “Ah Noah, you have been bound as well?” He asked mournfully. Noah tilted his head in confusion.

  “Bound? I’m not sure what you mean.” Noah replied.

  “You’re lucky then. You still have time to run, don’t waste it.” Recter hissed. Just then the procession stopped beside them and the soft patter of a deer’s trot approached. Recter’s eyes went wide and he immediately resumed his bow.

  “Noah, do you know this guard?” Jeline asked. Noah nodded.

  “I do, we traveled together for a time and fought side by side. I consider him a friend.” Noah explained. The queen looked thoughtful for a moment before responding.

  “Very well then, I will have him assigned as your squire.” She said, matter of factly. Noah’s brow knitted and he opened his mouth to refute her but caught Recter’s reaction just in time to see the relief on his face.

  “That would be very nice, thank you Jeline.” Noah responded. Jeline only smiled.

  “Come along, I’m sure you are tired. Your friend will receive his new assignment for tomorrow.” She said. Noah agreed and together they made their way through the castle gates and into the inner yard. The grounds were expansive with either side of the road filled with lush grass and scattered fruit trees. Groups of various beasts and two-legged beings performed exercises in the fields, and others sparred with a mix of weaponry and claws. They continued along the cobbled path, eventually coming to a massive ornate fountain, placed in a courtyard directly in front of the palace. Noah gawked at the sprawling castle before him. It stretched high into the air and was made from polished dark grey stone. He could hardly fathom how it had all been made, especially given the limited amount of Coppers in the world. Though as he considered that thought, it dawned on him that they weren't nearly as limited as he had imagined, they simply didn’t appear on the leaderboard. It was all a lot to take in and so he simply followed Jeline through the front doors. A handful of the deer continued into the palace with them, but the majority went their own ways upon reaching the palace. He was led into a grand lobby with several staircases going to different wings. They went up the right-most one and walked down a hallway ordained with beautiful artwork and the occasional door. A vibrant green rug stretched throughout the hallway and seemed to clean his boots as walked. Enchanted rugs? Jeline eventually stopped in front of a beautiful wood door and looked at Noah.

  “This will be your quarters. I will have servants bring you everything you need, including a meal for the evening. I am sure you could use some rest, so I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” Jeline said, her voice kind and soft.

  “Thank you, Jeline. I–I have so many questions that I don’t know where to start.” He replied. She smiled.

  “They will all be answered in due time. For tonight, rest. We will speak at length tomorrow.” She said before turning back down the hall. Noah opened the door and stepped through. The room was massive, with one wall filled with windows. On one side was a large bed, on a carved wooden frame. There was a small couch and coffee table near the windows and a door on the opposite wall, leading into another room. Curious as he was, he first went to the door and found it led to a bathing chamber. There was a smaller wash basin with a drain in the floor and a large stone pool with a modern-looking faucet, both of which immediately piqued his interest. Even more exciting, however, was the toilet. It had been nearly a year since he last saw the beautiful sight, the very peak of modern luxury. He quickly moved to test his new devices and found the latter to be in perfect working order. To his disappointment, the bath only ran cold, and his dreams of a modern spa vanished.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  He began to undress, finding his clothes to be rather filthy. In fact, he started to wonder what the others had thought of his appearance, not to mention the smell. For the second time this year, he felt a flush of embarrassment as he considered his barbaric state. He was interrupted by a loud knocking on his door.

  “My lord, may I enter?” A voice called out from the hallway. My lord? He slung his bloodied furs back over his chest and reentered the main room.

  “Come in!” He shouted in response. The door opened and a doe entered his room, pushing a cart with some kind of telekinetic magic. She looked him over and he swore he saw her nose flinch in disgust.

  “Good, you are already preparing for a bath. I will heat the water for you, and take your clothes. I will leave a towel and a fresh set of garments on the bench next to the bath. Another servant will bring you a meal in an hour.” She explained.

  “Uh. Thank you.” He said, sheepishly. “Do you have a name?” She made what sounded like an amused bleat.

  “My name is Dalia, milord. Though typically servants aren’t addressed by name.” She replied. Noah frowned.

  “Dalia, why are you calling me ‘lord’, and furthermore how are you a servant? Surely you are at least as powerful as me if not more.” Noah protested.

  “It is true what you say, but I serve her majesty and she has asked me to serve you. Compared to her majesty my strength is irrelevant.” She said before entering the bathroom. It was only then that her words sank in. He smiled in giddy anticipation. Spa episode confirmed. As soon as Dalia finished, he rushed into the bathroom and peeled the rest of the furs off his body, depositing them on the cart by the entry. The small basin had been filled with warm water and next to it was a sturdy brush and a bar of soap. He began scrubbing at his body, immediately grateful for the separate wash area. Streams of brown and red flowed down the drain as he relished in the sensation of warm water. After an exorbitant amount of scrubbing, he finally felt clean and stepped into the pool of water. The stone was hot to the touch and kept the water at a pleasantly scalding temperature. He sighed as he leaned his head back, allowing his mind to drift. Given the opportunity, a deluge of thoughts rushed in. His psyche felt fragile, as if a single event could push him over the edge. He knew he wasn’t allowing his mind to process what was going on, but he couldn’t help it. He was numb. Logically, he knew that the new events should be jarring. His most recent close encounter with death should be alarming. His mental lapse at seeing the grassy plains should be an indicator. Instead, it was all a wall of grey.

  What is wrong with me?

  He sat in the water for a long time. At some point, he heard someone enter his room–likely to drop off food, and then leave. He didn’t move. At some point, the sun went down, and his chamber was lit only by the stars. He remained. Tears streamed down his face, yet he couldn’t explain why. His heart ached and he let it. As the storm of chaos threatened to overtake his mind he heard a whisper, faint but familiar.

  “It’s going to be okay.”

  The words carried a warmth to them, full of an affection he hadn’t known. The tears came freely after that, and Noah found himself missing someone he had never met. He had always felt guilty mentioning his birth parents growing up, not because of anything that was said but because of what he saw. He could see the pain it caused his parents when he brought them up. There was a hole they couldn’t fill. It had been years since he last considered them, but as he lay in the pool he became homesick for a family he didn’t know.

  Are you still out there?

  ~

  In another galaxy, an impossible distance away a woman cried for the first time in many years. Suddenly two years felt like an eternity, and her heart ached for a reason she couldn’t put her finger on.