Chapter 4
In the Court of the King

    Tymat gawked in awe of the beauties that he could not explain. A hard, stone floor beneath his feet, intricate, gold and purple tapestries flowing down the walls, and several delicate statues of elven war heroes chiseled out of pure gold and silver lined the way to a large throne guarded by four elves on either side of it. The throne, compared to the rest of the scene, was rather plain, being just a large wooden chair, though intricately carved, had nothing else to it but cushions.
    His eyes rose from his surroundings and eyed the king, who seemed like an impenetrable force that could not be touched. The king was guarded by so many men that he could hardly be seen amongst the twenty or so defenders. Tymat and company slowly and nervously approached the king. Everything was silent except for the slow patter of shoes as they touched the floor.
    Soon they were standing at the throne. His mind in a haze, Tymat did not realize the rest of the company kneeling before the king.
    “Tymat!” whispered captain Griel harshly. Tymat turned his head. “Kneel before his Highness!”
    Tymat did this with little hesitation.
    “Ah, a young one I see. Doesn’t quite know the ways of royalty. Oh, never bother. I never was one for the proper ways of royalty. You may all stand. But stay attentive. I am still the king of this island and I would at least like to be halfway treated as so.”
    The company rose to there feet.
    Griel spoke, “Your highness, me and me crew here are members of the privateer ship Doveseye assisting the Rilitorian army in fighting the Dread Dwarves of the West. We were on our way to this here island when there be a mutiny on the ship!     We fought them off and won too, but we were still short manned and the ship was heavily damaged. Yur scouts apparently saw the smoke coming from our ship and found us stranded. They took us here, to your keep and said that if ye were willin,’ that we could stay the night here.”
    “So they did.” was all the king said. He turned and faced the scouts. “Vallore, may I have a word with you?” He questioned.
    “Vallore bowed and said, “certainly Sir.”
    The king took Vallore aside. “Vallore, inviting guests to our island is one thing, but inviting a band of pirate scum into the presence of the king? What were you thinking? How do we know that this band of pirates aren’t a bunch of thieving scalawags?”
    “Oh, sir, I haven’t known the Tolias family to be thieves, let alone scalawags.” Interrupted Vallore.
    “The Tolias family! Did you just say the Tolias family?! Why they’re the most blessed family of all the humans my eyes have been graced to see! Tell me Vallore, where have you found such member of the Tolias family, that they may grace my eyes once again.”
    “Your highness, the boy they call Tymat, I believe is a Tolias. While I was on their ship, I caught a glimpse of the hilt of his sword. It is engraved with the symbol of the Tolias family. Either he is, in fact a Tolias, or he killed a Tolias. I highly doubt anyone could kill a Tolias though…” His words trailed off.
    “Well, to make sure, let us speak with the boy privately. If indeed he is a Tolias, then we shall have grand company tonight, but if not, we will have to send them away.”
    “But sir!”
    “But nothing!” interrupted the king. “Do not argue with me Vallore, I am much higher in authority than you. They will stay if he is a Tolias, and only if he’s a Tolias. No exceptions.”
    “Yes sir!” replied Vallore firmly. He raised his hand in salute, then returned to the main hall where the privateers were anxiously awaiting the verdict.
Vallore said, “ Tymat, may I see you for a brief minute?”
    “Certainly my lord.” Tymat replied.
They both walked back to where the king was standing. Vallore spoke, “King Xalamath has an important question to ask of you.” He said simply.
    Xalamath stepped forward. Making a formal arm gesture, he spoke, “Tymat, I have strange suspicion about you. You are different than the rest of the men, for obvious and not so obvious reasons. You see, Vallore here has noticed that the hilt of your sword is engraved in the ways of the Tolias family. We strongly believe that you may indeed be a Tolias, or possibly have killed one…” his voice trailed off.
    “King Xalamath, I indeed am a Tolias, you need not worry about me being a killer. My father has sent me to become a warrior, he believes that I fear death, therefore I am weak. He is trying to make me grow out of what he believes is a childish nonsense. I am not sure I understand his meaning, but I will follow his commands. I will become a fearless warrior, no matter what the cost…”
    “Well thank you for the little speech Tymat.” Chuckled Xalamath. “But I do believe that what you say is true. Come with me, I would like to dine with you and the rest of the fellows tonight. It has been a long time since I have talked with someone as noble as a Tolias. Who knows, maybe you could be teaching me some things about swordplay.”
    Tymat and Xalamath chuckled as they turned around and started off to discuss dinner plans with the rest of the crew.

Main • Introduction • Chapter One (Struggling to Start) • Chapter Two (Mutineers)
Chapter Three (A New Life) • Chapter Four (In the Court of the King)
Chapter Five (Good Night…It Will Be Your Last) • Chapter Six (Holding the Fort)
Chapter Seven (The End of an Alliance) • Chapter Eight (Journey to the Pirate Islands)