The Fire Horse (Chapter Three)

The large arched brown doors leading into the court of the King unveiled themselves for the three travelers from the Mystic Mountains. Where at the end of the long rectangular room atop his throne sat King Miro himself. The king's son Randor the prince led the three travelers into the room as both Ahktar along with his son Endo were told to wait outside until the next council session commenced. Once Malcome entered into the court were the arched doors leading inside pushed shut by two armored royal guardsmen holding halberds just like the guards out in the courtyard.

The three travelers where then lined up in a row in the center of the room which was still a good way from the tiered stairs which led up to King Miro his Visor along with diplomat Solas.

Prince Randor began the council meeting before the king his father," I hereby introduce, hailing from Ignitan the kingdom of scalding scales...", Randor then paused as if he was finished though the silence clued him to continue with his rehearsed opening intro," ...in the land of forged titans of both magick and metal...within the Mystic Mountains...upon the auspices of Lord Tyr...first his majesties only heir to the throne of Skaald the chosen flame of gold...", Randor cursed himself for his mistake especially since Rotar announced it properly outside the palace," Trace who is accompanied by his handmaiden Styx the Witch of the Coven of Fire along with the greatest champion in all of Ignitan...", Randor looked at Malcom's hand before continuing which caused his father to glance at it and what the strength of the whom he was about to announce did to it before finally looking straight above him at his father and those beside him, to say the name of,"...Rotar the Ignitan Titan!"

Randor gave a bow to those above in particular his father who he hoped would not bring up Malcomes fractured hand.

King Randor then spoke from his throne, "That was a grande introduction my son!"

"Thank you father.", Randor said as the visor beside his father spoke something into his ear. Miro quickly acknowledging it began, "I welcome you all to the Royal Palace of Eternos!"

The visor whispered something else into his king's ear before a question was beset upon the visitors from Ignitan," As King of Eternia I have much to consider for all the peoples whom I represent. So, I must tell you straight that my resources militarily have been dealt with a conspiracy upon my own kingdom. This conspiracy almost cost me the life of my son who stands beside you. It also costs me dearly the loss of my Man-At-Arms, who is presumed alive though has gone missing for several days. In addition, one of my councils from the Golden Isles had been used as a puppet by one of these conspirators effectively manipulating him as well as abducting both he as well as Duncan, my former Man-At-Arms."

The royal visor whispered another detail into Miros ear before the King began again, "So, you see we are currently trying to find the whereabouts of Duncan my Man-At-Arms while trying to track down the conspirators to enact a reckoning. This does not mean that I will not assist you in your cause..."

Miro waved his visor to him again in order for him to whisper again in his ear as he nodded before continuing," I turn this council over to my advisor in your case my Ignitan Diplomat Solas. Though before I do, I must tell you that I have already guaranteed my support to Lord Tyr that I would aide you...and aide you I will."

The diplomat from Ignitan had rather deep bags under his eyes as if sleep for him was hard pressed.

Solas began from where Miro left off after bowing to him," I could not agree more with King Miro. This council today acts more as a formality rather than a hearing. For the king has already declared his aide to you. As I am sure the king is aware, I have nagged him continuously about the plight of Ignitan so we are not here to disavow your words today. What we are here today for as is the purpose of this council is to here in your words the mission statement. I have played my part as diplomat of Ignitan in its role as ally to the hegemony rule of Eternia as I made it a vested interest to advocate for your cause in the prince's case."

Upon hearing his name, the young prince Trace stirs though is held in check by his Handmaiden Styx who holds onto his arm.

"I see that the young prince is eager to make his case.", Solas kindly remarks with a smile before going on," You will have your chance as I want to hear from all three of you. Though I think that it be best to go down the line. I start with you Rotar, what is it that you want to tell King Miro regarding your mission going forward?"

"The first thing that I would like to say is, thank you King Miro.", Rotar says as he bows again to King Miro. Though before Rotar can continue, King Miro jests to the warrior, "It means much to me that a man of your height would bow so low to me! It almost pains me to see it done."

"It's like an oak tree bending to the wind.", Randor remarks. "It's seldom done but means more than words can describe once seen."

"If ever it is seen!", Malcome chimes in as he is then promptly silenced when Miro proclaims, "Please remain silent!"

The outburst which was clearly directed at Malcome turns off all laughter or the thought of it. Then Miro realizing the unintentional effect it had waves his hand to Solas saying in an agitated voice not his own," Please, continue with the council. "

Randor wanted to reach out to Malcome as his head hung low though could do nothing as Solas encouraged Rotar to continue. "I thank you, though my tale will be a brief one. I was chosen by Lord Tyr to guard young prince Trace with my life. The rest of the mission rests in finding Traces twin flame the aspect of himself that has been taken from him. That part of the mystery is beyond my capableness. So, I turn that part of the journey over to Styx the Witch."

"Lady Styx, what have you to tell us?", Solas quickly asks.

"Solas my dear do we not go way back?", Styx rhetorically asks as she knows the answer just as well.

"Perhaps you will tell us that as well.", Solas playfully mentions.

"You were always a clever one, weren't you?", Styx continues on," I'll answer that one as well in childhood you were as clever as a slippery salamander. You could always wriggle out of trouble just like that. Though it seems that unlike a slimy salamander you grew out of the muck and straight climbed to the mountain top."

"Good for you, I say!", Styx unabashedly said," I say that because in my attempt to climb that mountain I fell straight off the cliff! No lie as I made serval more attempts to no avail until this child I found."

Styx then lovingly patted prince Trace on his back before continuing, "First, let me say that I am a Witch of Fire as my mother before me and hers as well. Though none of us could adhere to become a part of the inner circle of witches within the Lordships court, council or anything. That was until I was charged with becoming the princes Handmaiden."

Styx beaming with pride held a gleam in her eye as she looked at Trace then back over at the king and those beside him.

"I lived a poor, humble life outside the scaled gates of the city in the caves of fire. I found the prince abandoned in a brush on the outskirts of town, there was a note attached to the baby, pined to the blanked he was wrapped in. The note read clearly that the child be brought to Brahm Tower. The note also read to be cared for with special purpose by the Witches within the Coven of Fire."

"So, after a contested trial it was allowed that I stay at the Tower of Brahm as caretaker to young Trace as he was named on the note. Though all the while during my stay at the Brahm Tower was I able to take young Trace out the city with me. I had help in raising the child from other witches in our sectioned off part of the tower. Though it always felt that we were prisoners inside the tower. It always felt that young Traces isolation wasn't just done for his protection. That was when I discovered that the young boy had a destiny to be fulfilled."

"How did you find out about the princes destiny?", Solas asked.

To answer Solas, the right hand of young Trace was taken by Styx who displayed the palm. In the palm of Traces right hand was a birth mark which looked like a pale-yellow flame.

Styx then describes the birthmark of Traces palm as she traced her finger on it.

"It is called the golden flame; see the three flames they are the crowns which represent the lineage of the one with the symbol. Also, the flame is yellowish though called golden because it represents royalty, power as well as illumination. This means that when this boy reaches the age of man hood for which he is practically there he will shine his light upon the evil within Igniton."

"Do you not see it?", Styx begged.

"Those that plot against Igniton want to remain hidden from the flames sight."

Solas even added to Styx revelation, "This threat to Igniton would certainly effect all of Eternia as well."

Without his advisor, Miros added, "It does seem that way. I think that it is imperative that we send them on their way to find the twin flame of the prince. At once!"

Then prince Trace was about to say something for which Styx was going stop before she decided to let him speak for himself.

"Would you like to say something Prince Trace?", Solas asked the young man.

"Yes, there is!", Trace pleaded.

"You must help the young boy Endo the one with his guardian. He has inside of him a great agony! Ahktar his guardian does his best to let the boy flourish in his youth to discover his identity. There are forces that woud rather control Endo instead! We faced them on our way here! If it was not for Rotar we may not have made it to Eternos!", Trace urgently explained.

Solas asked, "I agree with your thoughts concerning them though I fear that I cannot partake in their council. As I cannot represent them as my duties pertain are exclusive to Igniton."

"If that is your one wish then I will grant it.", Miro imparted to ease the young Traces concern, "Though is there anything else that you would like to tell us about your mission ahead of you?"

"There is nothing else except our expediency in finding my other half.", Trace told Miro.

"You speak very well young prince Trace. I thank you all for your time now before you go can you tell me your destination?", Miro said.

Rotar explained as he was the transport of the group, "We are first headed to the Vale of Frogs as they are renown for interpreting dreams."

"That us a good place to start.". Randor added, "They are a friendly people though they can be wary of strangers unannounced. Do they know that you are coming?"

"The Frogmen are more averse to large vehicles. They are less suspicious of travelers on horseback.", Malcome added for consideration.

In a huff, Miro then states to Malcome, "Then you will go along with them on horseback. To ensure that they have a safe journey."

Prince Randor interjects on Malcom's behalf," Father, I think that you are being unfair to Malcome. You're sending him on horseback, wont that slow the mission down?"

"It would.", Miro said defensively, that is not my problem at this time. Perhaps he should have thought of that before participating in an adult discussion."

"You are questioning my manhood?", Malcome asked Miro in disbelief.

"No, I am questioning your sense.", Miro said looking at Malcom's right hand.

Then Miro turned to his son to ask him, "Why is Malcom's hand bandaged up? Is it broken?"

"Malcom's hand is mending. You can thank Styx for her healing arts with it.", Randor explained with a pretense of cheer.

Miro promptly looked at Malcome to ask, "How did it happen?"

"I was testing Rotar in a handshake.", Malcome freely admitted.

"Of all the...", Miro could not bring him to say what he wanted to especially in front of his guest's.

Malcome wanting to right the situation admitted, "It was a foolish thing that I did. Though what about Randor? Who will be his bodyguard?"

In his anger Miro harshly told Malcome," I would place the Earthwomen as bodyguard from what was told to me by Zarek!"

A stoic Malcome held in his frustration saying nothing with his arms at his side staring past his king.

Unable to look back at Malcome, Miro declared," Good Journey!"

Randor quickly directed the trio from Igniton out of the throne room. A dishevled Malcome was starting to leave with them when Randor came forward to pat both his shoulders.

"Good journey, my friend.", Randor said as he took out a small golden key from his velvet pouch slung on his belt. Randor then handed the key to Malcome who asked, "Are you sure that you want me to have this?"

"I command you to take it. If you don't I will never speak to you again. Now go along for a great adventure to tell me when I see you again. Also, let me know when you get to Frog Town.", Randor told Malcome before they gave each other a hug of friendship.

Upon leaving the throne room Malcom's hearts grew with confidence while his bandaged hand for which he held tenderly in the other seemed slightly stronger as well.