The Realm Between: A LitRPG Saga (Books 7 - 10), page 11
“I am on board with that plan.” Azure bobbed his head decidedly.
Jin sighed. “Let’s just see what’s said tonight, and we will go from there.”
GOD OF LAND
CHAPTER TEN
THE REALM – DAY 268
As soon as King Algrenon discovered that Jin was sharing his room with Azure and Uden, he had more clothes sent over. Apparently, armor and cloaks were not appropriate attire to sup with a king.
Women also came to groom Jin, slicking his hair back away from his face so that it rested behind his ears, then weaving small braids into it, which they decorated with leaves and tiny white flowers. The second they left, Uden made sure to tell the elf that he looked like a pansy.
Of course, Azure and Uden did not get the same treatment. They were made to dress themselves and take care of their own personal grooming. Azure was surprised that the clothes fit him remarkably well, though he still didn’t quite feel comfortable in them. He was given black breeches with a tan tunic made from a cloth and pattern that reminded him of curtains.
Uden’s silky dark red tunic looked much more fitting. If he had been given a choice, Azure would have picked that one instead, but the women handing out the clothes had decided for them.
Jin, on the other hand, was wearing a baby blue tunic with golden embroidery and breeches of the same color. It really made him stand out as a creature of light. In it, he looked like true royalty.
When it was time for supper, they were escorted to the dining room by one of the guards. An excessively long table awaited them there. Covered in evenly spaced candelabras, at least twenty people could have comfortably sat at the table with room to spare. A mural of the sky was painted on the ceiling, and two crystal chandeliers cascaded down from it. Azure bet that if one fell, it could crush a man to death under its weight.
The men were made to sit and wait for the royal party. It was awkwardly silent, with the guard standing behind them, presumably to make sure they didn’t get up and leave.
Azure’s eyes swept over the pewter plates in front of them and the assortment of cutlery. He had no idea what most of it was used for and hoped he didn’t embarrass himself.
When the royal family finally entered some twenty minutes later, they were made to stand, and they did not sit again until King Algrenon gave them permission. It all felt too strange and uncomfortable to Azure.
“So, tell us how it came to be that you exist when elves have supposedly been extinct for two-hundred years. Is it true that you’re the last of your kind?” King Algernon began the conversation before reaching across the table to rip a chicken leg off a whole bird.
“Yes, please tell us,” Princess Zadori piped up, her eyes large as she kept them fixed on Jin. She hadn’t been able to tear her gaze away from him since entering the room, and every time she was caught, a soft pinkness took over her cheeks.
Only the queen seemed disinterested in the elf, though she smiled politely all the same.
“It is a strange story,” Jin admitted. “While I do not remember how I died, I awoke in Kirset Forest, naked and alone. The earth beneath and around me was upturned, as if I had been buried previously. Finborh must have had the land spit me out, but why, I do not know, and I have not questioned it. You do not ask a God his reason for doing things.”
“Perhaps it was just time for the elves to return,” King Algrenon reasoned. “Evil from The Deathlands has spread across The Realm as of late. Perhaps all the Gods decided that it was time to bring balance back to the world.”
His words gave Azure hope. From the way King Algrenon spoke, it seemed that he thought of Jin’s existence as a good thing, which meant he would be less likely to have him murdered at the first possible opportunity.
“But how did you come to be here?” Princess Zadori inquired.
“Well,” Jin shifted in his seat, “it was not long after I revived that I was discovered by a widowed human woman. She clothed me and cared for me until I was strong enough to seek out Finborh. Along the way, I ran into Azure.” He nodded to Azure sitting next to him. “Uden was a consolation prize.” The elf smiled politely.
Azure expected the half-imp to say something snarky in response, but he remained quiet, perhaps as uncomfortable in the presence of royalty as Azure was.
“You did not search for more of your people?” King Algrenon raised an eyebrow, clearly only interested in the elf.
“I did.” Jin nodded. “But there were no others to be found.” He paused for a moment. “Upon waking, I already knew about the Stones of Blessing. Being an elf, we know most of The Realm’s history and legends. Elves are not a greedy race, so we never sought the stones for ourselves. We never had a reason to until now. They are the only thing that can bring my people back. Of that, I am certain.”
“And so you came here thinking I might be privy to some knowledge about them, being a king,” King Algrenon half-mumbled before taking a drink of wine from a golden goblet.
“I came here because Finborh said we should begin our search in a densely populated area. Nowhere in Patheana is more densely populated than Noseon.”
“And no one knows more than the king.” King Algrenon’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second, and he tipped his head to the side.
“Exactly.” Jin smiled.
The king took a deep breath. “As I have told you, I’m afraid I’m no closer to the answer than you are.”
“But you did send Rerdam to find the Keeper, which means you had to have an idea of where to look,” the elf pointed out.
“Actually, I told him to search across the land and not return until he had information.”
That was disheartening news—another reminder that they were no closer to discovering the Keeper’s identity than they had been before they’d even first set foot in Noseon.
The remainder of the dinner proved no more fruitful regarding intel. Azure and Uden sat in silence, stuffing their faces with the abundance of fruits, meats, cheeses, and bread littering the table. Meanwhile, Princess Zadori excitedly regaled them with tales of the elves that she’d read about in books, asking Jin to confirm or deny if they were true. She gazed upon him with dreamy eyes, and Azure began to feel that Uden was right about them not being able to get women now that the elf was around. Hopefully, he’d be donning his cloak again soon.
Once the dinner was over, King Algrenon assured Jin that they were all safe inside the castle. Uden was on board with the idea of having his own room, but the elf insisted that they share quarters. Azure’s only complaint was that he wanted his own bed. He was also curious if their bedchambers would have been as lavish at Jin’s.
“That was boring as hell,” Uden complained as soon as they had returned to the elf’s room, walking straight to the window to peer out of it. “If I had to endure much more of that, I might have killed myself.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” Jin chuckled.
“For you.” The half-imp gestured at him irritably. “You were allowed to speak. Azure and I might as well have been the paintings on the walls.”
Azure couldn’t really disagree, but it wasn’t like he had anything to say anyway. The situation had almost overwhelmed him. His entire focus had been on eating. As it was, he was so stuffed that he didn’t feel like talking much even now that they were all alone.
The elf’s smile faded, and he took on a serious demeanor. “I suppose you are both aware that it is your job to protect me now.”
“I didn’t volunteer for this,” Uden shot back.
“No, but we’re all in this together. We all have the same goal, to find the Keeper, to obtain the Land Stone, to get our wishes granted. We are unified, so there is no reason that we should not join for the duration of this epic-sized quest.”
Azure let out a labored breath. “I suppose not. Besides, we’ve all come to rely on each other as it is. I trust you both with my life.”
The half-imp quirked his head to the side. “That is true to some degree. I trust him with my life.” He pointed to Azure. “You…well, for being a creature of light, you’re kind of a dick.”
Jin laughed again. “You realize why that is, right? Surely, you understand now.”
“I suppose I do.” The half-imp’s head bobbed.
Since Azure clearly didn’t get what they were talking about, the elf explained further. “He is a darkly aligned creature. I am aligned with the light. We are enemies, by nature.”
“Oh!” Azure’s mouth formed the sound that had just come out of it. It all made perfect sense now. Jin wanted to kill Uden because he was incapable of trusting him. Curiously, Azure wondered if the feeling was mutual now that the half-imp knew that Jin was an elf. “So does that mean you guys are going to continue to bicker nonstop?”
“I’ve never started a fight with him,” Uden quickly defended himself.
“I don’t think it matters anymore.” Jin shook his head, gazing out the window. “I have submitted to the fact that we are in this together. At least, for now.”
“At least for now.” The half-imp huffed. “Less than five minutes ago, you were spouting bros until the end. You change your mind as fast as a woman.”
Jin sliced him with a glare. “I will make whatever decision is necessary to protect myself and my legacy.”
“What legacy?” Uden snorted. “You’re the last of a dead race that all the alchemists in The Realm want to use for spare parts. Do you really think Algrenon is going to give you the forest back? It has been in his family for three generations now.”
“He will have no choice if my people return.” The elf’s voice firmed.
“So we bring back the elves, and then there’s war. That doesn’t sound like something anyone wants.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way.” Jin shook his head.
“But it will be that way. You have been dead for too long. You don’t understand the greed of men,” the half-imp insisted.
“I have lived for hundreds of years. I know all the evils of men, and I know how to sense the evils in them. It is part of my power. King Algrenon is an honorable man. He will come to a compromise with me.”
“If you say so.” It seemed as if Uden had suddenly tired of the argument. He jumped up onto the windowsill, then placed his back against it and slid down, staring out over the city.
Jin turned to Azure, then. “I want you to know that you are my friend as well as my travel companion, and I would be honored if you would be the captain of my royal guard.”
“Heh, a two-man royal guard. You’re some king,” the half-imp muttered, but both Azure and Jin ignored him.
Azure was overwhelmed by the offer and not sure what to think about it.
“But I’m a human,” was the first thing that came out of his mouth.
“It is a great honor,” the elf tried to convince him. “No human in the history of The Realm has ever been on the royal guard of an elf.”
“That’s because you don’t really have a choice right now,” Uden mumbled.
“And what about when the elves return?” Azure cast a glance in the half-imp’s direction, feeling the validity of his words.
“You will be going back to Earth at the same time, will you not?” Jin asked.
“That is true.” Azure nodded, seeing no harm in serving the elf until then. “What would I have to do as your royal guard?”
“Protect me against my enemies, show me unwavering devotion, and obey my every command. Know that I will always have your best interest at heart, and I will never ask you to do something that I would not do myself. You will be my right hand, an extension of myself.”
It all sounded very noble and honorable.
“And would I get knighted?” A smile pulled at the corners of Azure’s lips. Being a knight would be super sweet.
“If that is what you wish.” Jin chuckled.
“Sir Azure of Earth,” Azure tried the title on for size, but it just didn’t sound right.
“Sounds dumb,” the half-imp mirrored his thoughts.
“Sir Azure of Kirset Forest,” the elf offered instead.
“Sir Azure of Crescent Island,” Uden suggested before jumping down from the windowsill. “And I shall be Sir Uden of Crescent Island, and then we shall be brothers.” He placed a hand on Azure’s shoulder.
Jin’s friendly expression dropped. “I’m not going to knight you.”
“Why not? Aren’t I to also be in your royal guard?” Uden held his arms out to his sides.
“You do not have to be knighted to be in my royal guard. Knighthood is only bestowed upon the most loyal in the elvish military.”
A wry smirk crossed the half-imp’s lips. “Knights don’t exist in the elvish military, or did you forget?” Then he looked at Azure. “He’s just trying to butter you up.”
Azure opened his mouth to call Jin out on the potential lie, but a knock at the door cut him off.
All three men turned to look at the door at once before Jin nodded for Azure to open it.
The hour was late, so Azure felt a strange wariness as he approached the door. They’d received a warm enough welcome so far. Still, it was always in the back of his mind now that there were those who wanted Jin dead, and they probably wouldn’t hesitate to go through both Azure and Uden to make it happen.
Cracking the door open, Azure peeked out to find Princess Zadori on the other side. A black robe was pulled up over her head, but he could still make out her face.
She looked surprised to see him, and an expression of doubt took over for a moment. “Is this not King Jin’s room?”
“It is,” Azure told her before twisting to inform Jin of the visitor.
The elf promptly stepped forward, opening the door wider to receive her royal highness. “Princess Zadori. The hour is late. What are you doing here?”
“Apologies for bothering you at this hour.” She looked past him into the room. Or rather, tried to with their two bodies blocking it. “May I come in?”
“Certainly.”
Both Jin and Azure moved aside to allow the princess entry.
As soon as she was inside, she lowered the hood of her robe. Her gaze paused on Uden where he stood a few yards away before returning to the elf. “I have come to help you.”
“To help me?” Jin quirked his head to the side.
“My father has been lying to you,” she said apologetically, her eyes to the floor.
The confession made Azure’s chest tighten. That one sentence had him wanting to don his armor and implement his escape plan.
“Oh?” The elf didn’t sound nearly as surprised.
“He knows who the Keeper is.”
“Oh really?” There was the surprise that had been lacking from his first response.
“I am the Keeper.” Princess Zadori’s eyes finally rose to meet Jin’s.
Azure wanted to be shocked, but he was skeptical.
“And how do I know that what you’re saying is true?” The elf put voice to what they were all thinking.
Princess Zadori raised her hand and brushed her bangs away from her face. Beneath them, a deep indentation marred her forehead, surrounded by a black ring. “This is where the Death Stone goes,” she told them before letting her hair fall back into place and pulling up the left sleeve of the burnt orange bliaut she was wearing. She exposed her naked forearm, revealing an identical indentation, this time ringed with red. “And this is where the Fire Stone goes.” Princess Zadori looked back up at Jin before continuing. “There are four more similar indentations on various parts of my body, one for each of the Stones of Blessing.”
“Where are these other indentations?” Uden asked as he strode forward.
“Ignore him.” Jin waved the half-imp’s question away before returning his attention to the princess. “We believe you. I now understand why King Algrenon wanted to keep this a secret. So why did you come forward?”
Princess Zadori bit her bottom lip, seemingly lost in thought for several seconds before she finally spoke. “My father does not know that I have come to you. He does not care to see the return of the elves. Mind you, he means you no harm,” she quickly corrected herself, “but as a good father, he would not sacrifice my life just to bring back your people.
“But I know that the life of one to save many is the right and honorable choice. And being the Keeper, it is mine to make. Not his. I would like to see the return of the elves. Your race,” Princess Zadori looked upon Jin fondly then, “is so beautiful and magical. It is a travesty that human greed drove you to extinction.
“I grew up reading stories about your people and being heartbroken that I would never in my life get to see such wonders as the great elven cities of old. I may still never be able to see them, but I, at least, would like to play a part in their rebuilding. If I can do that by helping you revive your race, then I will,” she said decidedly. “And no one will stop me.”
“Except for your father and his army,” Uden muttered before speaking up. “The king will come after us the second we leave here with you.”
Princess Zadori shook her head. “I have written him a letter and left it in my chambers. He will know that you would not leave with me unless I made it so.”
“Still,” Azure interjected, “your wish or no, this is clearly not just about you but about your father’s fear of his loss. Do you really think he’ll just let you leave once he reads that letter? He could just as easily think you’re making a foolish mistake and send men to retrieve you.”
“Let them come. We will be long gone by then.” She held her nose up, as if she truly believed that the king’s men couldn’t catch up to them if they had a night’s lead.
“Do you need to make any preparations before we leave?” Jin asked, clearly on board with this plan.
Azure was surprised that the elf wasn’t even considering the possible consequences of their actions. For all they knew, King Algrenon might charge them with kidnapping. If they made him angry, it could be bad news. Maybe even public execution if they were caught.
“I came prepared. I have everything I need in my bag.” She patted a bag on her hip that was concealed beneath her cloak.
