David Bishop and the Legend of the Orb by T.C. Crawford (tools of titans ebook .txt) 📕

and relatively hazard free. Once they got into the city, people in all directions stopped what they were doing and stared.

Some pretended to ignore them as the companions passed by, some stopped mid-stride and stared, whispering amongst themselves as they passed, pointing to Rex, while others began wailing, falling desperately into each other’s arms as if a loved one had just died.

David and Orin exchanged looks privately but thought it best to keep their questions to themselves until Rex decided to reveal more.

Painstakingly they trekked onward through the center of the city, something that seemed to take even longer than the long trek up the side of the mountain.

It was unnerving to see so many people stopping to stare, point, cry… what could possibly make them so upset about Rex’s return?

David and Orin caught up to walk beside Rex, but when they saw the look on his face they decided to back off and just follow a little way behind. He wore a grim look of determination with a hint of shame. Tears welled up in his eyes, but not one fell. It was clear that returning to his home was more difficult for him than he had led them to believe.

They finally reached the outer edge of the city and started up the long, steep path towards the castle on the hill. They were relieved to be away from the bustling city and their inhabitants, but David and Orin feared that if they endured such a miserable reception from the general population that it may be even worse from the occupants in the castle.

Despite their fears, Rex seemed as steadfast as ever and marched straight up to the castle gates. Two sentries posted at the outer gates held up hands and blocked the entrance.

“Oy! Stop right there!” the soldiers shouted, but when they noticed who they spoke to, their demeanor quickly changed, and they bowed their heads low in acknowledgement.

“I’m sorry, my lord. I didn’t recognize you at first…” replied one of the guards.

“Come on, Reingard…Holzer…it’s just me. You know you don’t have to grovel!” said Rex, opening his arms in a welcoming gesture.

When the guards saw his reaction, they quickly ran to Rex and embraced him like a brother.

“Ahhh Reximus! You’ve been gone far too long!” replied Reingard. He was tall and skinny compared to Rex, but still muscular and certainly looked capable of defending himself if necessary. He had a shaved head and bushy, red beard, as was apparently customary for the men in the village, and he had tattoos on his arms as well, but not nearly as many as Rex. David wondered if they had something to do with one’s station within the community.

“I know, I know…it has been too long” agreed Rex, a distant look in his eyes.

“How’ve you been, mate?” asked Holzer, “Last we saw you was…well, you know…” he said, quickly remembering the reason their friend left.

“Yeah…I know. Don’t worry about it. I’ve been good…been through some rough times lately though, mates. That’s actually why I’m here…we need your help, as many as you can spare.” replied Rex, avoiding the subject and getting quickly to the point. “There’s been some trouble to the North. I need to speak with my uncle.” he finished.

The two men shared an equal look of worry before nodding in agreement and opening wide the front gates, revealing the inner courtyards.

It was wide and consisted of mostly cobblestone, with a few dotted trees along the walkway leading to the main structure. There were a few stables with horses and other livestock that were being tended to, and a fully functioning smithy with the blacksmith pounding away on what looked like a flaming horseshoe, sending showers of sparks each time the hammer hit its mark.

The two guards bid their friend farewell and returned to their post as the companions walked through the gates and toward the castle’s main entrance.

The front door was staggering and even more imposing up close than David had expected. It towered high above their heads and was composed of reinforced wood with long, crossing metal beams across its surface.

Rex pushed on the massive door and it slowly opened inward, allowing the trio to enter the main receiving hall.

They were quickly greeted by a series of stewards who started instinctively ushering them to a seating area until they realized who it was that had walked through the door.

“My lord?” asked one of the stewards, clearly the senior ranking of the group, “Is that truly you?” he asked in awe.

“Yes, Reginald, but I’m not here for what you may suspect. I need to speak with my uncle, can you bring me to him? It is urgent.” replied Rex, clearly no longer accustomed to all the attention.

“Of course, of course!” replied the elderly man. “Please, come this way. I will bring you to the waiting room where you can wait comfortably and enjoy some much-needed refreshments.” he finished, noticing the weary look on the travelers faces.

He led them down the hall and up a large, carpeted stairway at the far end before leading them through a double door into a long room. It was fitted with a long, elegant table lined with finely carved chairs. The table was neatly polished to the point you could see your own reflection, and it had a long colorful runner flowing down its center and hanging off the ends.

The far wall of the room was dotted with curtained windows that rose to the high ceiling, allowing the bright light from outside to brilliantly illuminate the room. Portraits and paintings covered the walls between the windows and all around the room, giving it a very formal feel.

David had never been in such a splendid room in all of his life.

They each took a seat in one of the chairs at the table and stewards quickly entered the room carrying silver dishes filled with fresh fruit, cheese, and sausage. Another set of dishes stacked high with baked fish and lemon slices on the sides