Chapter 10 The King's Order

Later that night the moonlight spilled through the stained-glass windows of the Royal Strategy Chamber, scattering patches of white and gold across the polished stone floor. A massive map of the kingdom occupied the center of the room. Colored pins marked festival stages, noble camps, dragon migration routes, and every patrol assigned to protect the Hunting Festival. King Aldros stood at the head of the table.

Leander arrived first. "Father."

The King acknowledged him with a quiet nod. Moments later, another knock sounded. Ravynne entered carrying a leather folder against her chest. Her posture remained composed, though the faint shadows beneath her eyes betrayed another sleepless night.

She bowed politely. "Your Majesty."

Aldros studied her for only a moment. "...Thank you for coming."

Before Ravynne could answer— The heavy doors opened again. Commander Leif Morvain stepped inside. Silence settled over the chamber.

Leander's expression hardened almost immediately. Ravynne lowered her gaze. Leif stopped several steps inside the doorway.

The King slowly looked around the room before speaking. "Sit."

The three obeyed. Even then... The silence refused to leave.

Aldros spread another map across the table. "The Hunting Festival begins in four days."

His finger traced a route leading toward the northern forest. "Yesterday's incident has already shaken public confidence."

Nobody interrupted. "I refuse to allow another mistake."

Leander lowered the report in his hand. "We've already doubled security around the festival grounds."

"I know." The King nodded once. "But reports don't concern me."

His finger stopped on a dense section of woodland. "This does."

Ravynne followed his hand. "The Northern Ridge."

Leif studied the report. "...These tracks weren't made yesterday."

Ravynne leaned over the parchment. "Then we'll need to inspect the area before the festival."

Aldros nodded. "Exactly."

He folded his hands together. "I want the area inspected before the festival."

Leander answered immediately. "I'll leave tomorrow morning."

"No." The King's voice stopped him. "This inspection requires only two people."

Silence returned. Then— "Commander Morvain."

Leif straightened.

"And Lady Ravynne."

The room froze. Leander looked up sharply. "Father."

"I know exactly what I'm asking."

Leander didn't hide his disagreement. "Yesterday was barely twenty-four hours ago."

"And that's exactly why."

The King looked toward Leif. "If Commander Morvain cannot stand beside Lady Ravynne..."

His gaze shifted toward Leander. "...then how do I ask this kingdom to stand behind him?"

Leander's jaw thigtened, "Father."

His voice stayed calm. "Yesterday, Commander Morvain nearly killed Lady Ravynne. You're asking her to place herself beside him again."

Aldros looked at Leander. The bitterness in his eyes caught him off guard. For a brief moment, he saw not the Crown Prince... but the little boy who had once stood before him, asking in a trembling voice, "Father... am I not enough?"

Ravynne noticed the emotion on Leander's face, Leif watched them quietly.

"I think it is for the best, my prince. If it is Your Majesty's order..." She spoke softly. "...I will accompany the Commander."

Leander turned toward her. "You don't have to."

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "If I refuse..."

She looked toward the festival map. "...the rumors only become louder."

Leander wanted to argue. He couldn't. She was right.

Then— "I refuse."

Everyone looked toward Leif.

His voice remained calm. "I'll inspect the forest alone."

The King didn't even hesitate. "No."

"I don't require assistance."

"This isn't about your ability."

Aldros met his son's eyes. "It's about trust."

Leif's jaw tightened.

The King continued. "Yesterday, you accused the kingdom's Royal Advisor of being a dragon."

He paused. "Today...you will prove you can protect her."

The words landed like chains. Leif said nothing. Because there was nothing he could say. The order had already been given.

The meeting ended. Nobody spoke as they left the strategy chamber. Leander caught Ravynne's wrist before she could disappear into the corridor. "You don't have to do this."

She smiled gently. "I know."

"Then don't."

"The King gave an order."

Leander frowned. "I'll speak to him."

She slowly shook her head. "It isn't only about the inspection anymore."

She glanced toward the palace windows overlooking the festival grounds. "The entire kingdom is watching us. If I refuse to work beside Commander Morvain..."

She smiled sadly. "...everyone will assume he truly tried to kill an innocent woman."

Leander fell silent. She was right. He sighed quietly.

"...Then promise me something."

"What is it?"

"If anything feels wrong..." His eyes became unusually serious. "...come home immediately."

Ravynne nodded. "I promise."

Leander looked toward Leif, who had already disappeared down another hallway. "I still don't like this."

"I know." She smiled. "...Thank you."

***

The royal stable buzzed with activity the next morning. Stable hands brushed horses. Blacksmiths checked horseshoes. Soldiers loaded supplies onto saddles. The Hunting Festival transformed the palace into controlled chaos.

Leif arrived first. His horse lifted its head immediately. A massive black stallion. Nearly every stable hand instinctively stepped aside.

"Onyx."

The horse snorted once. Leif rested one hand against its neck. Unlike everyone else... Onyx never judged him.

"Easy." The stallion leaned slightly into his touch.

A young stable boy whispered from several stalls away. "...Even the horse looks scary."

Another nodded. "...They really suit each other."

Leif pretended not to hear.

Several minutes later— Ravynne entered. Half the stable brightened immediately...

"Lady Ravynne!" One groom hurried over carrying a saddle.

"We prepared Snowdrop for you."

A beautiful white mare trotted forward. She immediately rubbed her nose against Ravynne's shoulder. Ravynne laughed softly. "There you are."

She scratched behind the mare's ears. "I missed you too."

Several stable hands smiled. Unlike Onyx... Everyone loved Snowdrop. Including children.

Even Leif looked over. His eyes lingered. 'The dragon. Talking to horses. Ridiculous.'

Yet... Every animal inside the stable had quietly relaxed the moment she'd entered. Almost... As if they trusted her.

Leif looked away first. "We're wasting daylight."

Ravynne nodded. "Of course."

A stable hand handed her the reins. She had barely taken three steps—

CRACK! A loud snap echoed overhead. Everyone looked up. One festival banner had broken loose. The enormous crimson cloth whipped violently through the stable.

Horses panicked. Snowdrop reared. The reins slipped from Ravynne's fingers. "Snowdrop!"

The frightened mare bolted. Stable hands shouted. "Catch her!"

"Close the gate!"

Too late. Snowdrop dashed straight through the open courtyard. Within seconds— She disappeared.

They froze for suspended moments. Everyone stared in silence.

One groom looked ready to cry. "...Lady Ravynne... I'm so sorry..."

Ravynne simply exhaled. "It's alright."

She forced a smile. "She was frightened."

Leif watched the empty gate. "...We'll find her later."

The stable master hurried over. "We have another horse prepared."

He gestured toward a chestnut gelding. The horse immediately pinned its ears back. The moment Leif stepped closer... It backed away.

He tried another horse. They gave the same reaction. Within minutes... Three different horses had refused to let Leif approach.

The stable master turned pale. "I'm terribly sorry, Commander..."

Leif wasn't surprised. Animals sensed things. He was the beast hunter after all.

Onyx was the only horse remained. The enormous stallion lazily flicked an ear.

One groom laughed nervously. "...Surely not."

Another whispered, "They can't ride together..."

Leif answered immediately. "No."

Ravynne nodded at the same time. "I agree."

The stable master looked as though he wanted the ground to swallow him. "...Your Majesty ordered both of you to inspect the Northern Ridge together."

No one moved. The stable boy quietly muttered, "...This is going to end badly."

Leif untied Onyx himself. "We'll walk."

The stable master immediately shook his head. "The Northern Ridge is nearly thirty miles away."

"You'll never return before dark."

Leif looked annoyed. "I said we'll walk."

Ravynne looked toward the waiting saddle. "...Commander."

He didn't answer.

"...Onyx won't carry two people?"

"He can."

"Then?"

Leif looked away. "...We'll walk."

Ravynne sighed. "If we waste any more time..."

She looked toward the stable entrance. "...His Majesty will send someone after us."

Leif stared at her. Long enough to become awkward. Finally— "...Fine."

He mounted first. One smooth movement. Onyx barely shifted.

Leif looked down. "Get on."

Several stable hands immediately pretended to become fascinated by absolutely everything except the two of them. Ravynne placed one boot into the stirrup.

Before she could climb— Onyx suddenly stepped sideways. She lost her balance. Her body tipped backward.

Leif reacted without thinking. His arm shot forward. Strong fingers caught her wrist. For one suspended second— She stumbled directly against him. Much too close. The entire stable seemed to stop.

Ravynne quickly steadied herself. "...Thank you."

Leif released her immediately. His voice came out rougher than intended. "...Don't fall."

She held her breath. "...I'll try."

A faint chuckle escaped one of the older stable hands. His wife elbowed him so hard he nearly doubled over.

Ravynne climbed onto Onyx as carefully as she could. There was barely enough room for two people. She kept her hands folded in her lap, leaving the smallest gap between them she could manage.

Leif noticed immediately. He says nothing. 

Onyx started forward with a lazy stride. Ravynne almost relaxed. Then, without warning, the stallion surged into a brisk trot.

The sudden jolt threw her backward. Her body lurched. Instinct moved before pride. Both hands caught the leather belt around Leif's waist.

Leif says without turning around, "...You can hold tighter."

She froze, "...Excuse me?"

"I'd rather explain bruises than your funeral."

Ravynne hesitated. Then... Her arm wrapped around his waist tightly. "...Like this?"

Leif's shoulders stiffened. He held his breath. "...Not that tight."

She immediately let go. "...Sorry."

The horse continued forward. Three silent heartbeats passed. Then—

"...I didn't tell you to let go."

"... Okay." Her finger tightened around his belt.

Onyx flicked an ear. Then broke into an effortless gallop.

Ravynne let out a tiny gasp. Her forehead bumped lightly against Leif's back. Neither of them spoke. The stable hands watched them disappear through the palace gate.

Leif felt it. His grip on the reins tightened. He didn't look back. "...Are you still alive?"

Ravynne blinked. "...I think so."

"...Good."

They got further away. Everyone watched them until their shadow dissapeared.

One young groom whispered, "...Do you think Onyx did that on purpose?"

The stable master didn't answer. He simply watched the black stallion disappear beyond the palace gates. "...Wouldn't surprise me."