The Unbreakable Bow

A few minutes passed like hours for Aefrine as he sat in the darkness of his cell waiting for someone to come to visit. It didn't matter who or why , he just wanted to talk with someone. Then , finally the someone showed up . Aefrine looked up to see another orc standing before him . He was wearing a crown. Aefrine knew that only Kings wore crowns . Could he be the king ? Is this good news or bad news ?

Clad in a surcoat of deep crimson velvet, emblazoned with his royal sigil in gold embroidery ,the king stood in front of his cell.His tunic, made of the finest silk, shimmered with intricate patterns woven into the fabric

The king's piercing gaze swept over the prisoner within, his eyes betraying neither pity nor remorse. His horned crown, adorned with jewels that glinted ominously in the flickering torchlight, cast a halo of authority around his brow, marking him as the undisputed ruler of his realm.

Aefrine's heart beated as the words came out of his mouth:

"So you are the one who saved my daughter?"

"Y-yes" squealed Aefrine, thinking it was a tricky question.

"My daughter had already confirmed that you weren't the one to kidnap her . She stated that you said you were trying to help. I just wanted to make sure that you didn't put under a spell or something... you don't belong here ."

The king gave the signal to the guard to open the door. Aefrine couldn't believe his eyes . He was so relieved that he reached out for the king's hand .

"Thank you, sir . I will never betray your trust, your majesty. " He thought that king probably knew about his reputation as the 'Glasnapper'

"I will -.."

"Ok," said the king, getting his head away from the boy's reach. "Just tell that pet skeleton of yours to keep quiet! He is in the last hallway . "

The king pointed in one direction. Aefrine went that way. It didn't take long before he started hearing a familiar voice shouting with all his might . He quickly hurried to Larry . He was also in a prison cell . However, he was covered in a lot of mud . He was just a pile of muddy bones if you could ignore the fact that he spoke.

"Master! Are you alrig't? You look totally fine . Last time I saw you , you were 'it 'ard in t'e 'ead . T'ank god, you're OK. Is t'ere anyt'ing I can 'elp you wit' ?"

"No, no. I am just glad you're fine, too. Tell me, is it true that you attacked three of their warriors?"

"Yes master . T'ey were the ones who attacked you ,master. Fearing the worst , I went for revenge as my last act of service, "

"What? No , listen, never harm anyone unless I tell you so . Even if they have harmed me, OK?"

"Ok!"

Aefrine didn't know Larry's full strength. He feared that the orc warriors were lucky there were some mud around, or maybe he was exaggerating his power.

The king walked in .

"May I ask you if you have any certain destination in mind ?"

Why was he asking?

"No, not really."

"Well, why don't you stay for the night. We gonna have a feast, and we undoubtedly will want you to join us if you wouldn't mind ."

"Ok ...Er it will a pleasure sir Er you majesty "

Aefrine still wasn't used to talking to royalty . He didn't have anywhere to go because he didn't know anything outside his village . He didn't see any harm in attending a feast. He has no clue of the usage of the keys of the fate. So if the orcs are at good terms with him, surely they help him in some way.

The guards lead him out of the prison and upstairs to a cosy bedroom .

The room exudes an air of opulence and grandeur, yet retains a sense of comfort and warmth amidst its ancient surroundings.

The centrepiece of the room is a large, intricately carved bed, its canopy draped with rich fabrics in deep hues of crimson and gold. Soft pillows and sumptuous blankets invite rest and relaxation, while the headboard is adorned with intricate designs depicting scenes from mythology and heraldry.

Candle sconces cast flickering shadows across the room, their warm light dancing off the polished stone floors and casting a soft glow over the chamber.

A large fireplace dominates one wall, its roaring flames providing both warmth and light to the room.

In one corner, a small desk and chair provide a space for reading and writing, with parchment scrolls and quill pens neatly arranged alongside leather-bound volumes of ancient texts and illuminated manuscripts.

Finally, scattered throughout the room are plush rugs and fur throws, adding a touch of luxury and comfort to the medieval splendour of the nobleman's or noblewoman's private sanctuary.

The servant entered the room .

"Your belongs are on the desk. There are clean clothes on the bed for you . Choose as you like ...

The feast will be at sunset . I will come back to accompany you to the dining hall . Feel free to do what you want."

And with that , the servant was about to exit the place before Aefrine asked him:

"What about Larry?"

"Your friend will be delivered soon , here . The king has requested that your friend will not leave this room and not make any noise. "

"Ok.."

Guess they still don't like skeletons. I honestly can't blame them ...

Once alone, Aefrine immediately went searching for his 'belongs' on the desk . As he found all three of the keys , his worries were vanquished. And he could finally take a good look of where was he . The shining sunlight emitting from the windows was the first to catch his eye. He opened it.

The sight that greeted him was one of bustling activity and raw energy, a stark contrast to the serene stillness of the castle's interior.

Down in the city streets, orcish merchants bustled about, their voices raised in lively chatter as they bartered and traded their wares. Stalls filled with colourful fabrics, exotic spices, and gleaming metalwork lined the narrow cobblestone lanes, while the scent of roasting meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air. The nostalgia awoken from its slumber reminded the boy of his early days when his village was alive .

At the heart of the city, the grand citadel of the orcish king rose majestically into the sky, its towering spires piercing the clouds and casting long shadows over the bustling streets below. Dark green banners bearing the royal crest that had a crimson head of what looked like the same dinosaur that attacked him,fluttered in the breeze, their colors vibrant against the backdrop of stone and sky. Aefrine wondered if that monster was feared among these people or not if it is praised in their banners.

Surrounding the citadel, the city sprawled out in all directions, a labyrinth of winding alleyways and bustling market squares. Orcish warriors clad in armor patrolled the streets, their presence a constant reminder of the city's strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

Aefrine had never seen such a big city. It only reminded him of how unknown the world was for him . His head was dizzy for the first since a long time he felt like he wanted to just sleep and never wake up . Yet before that , he examined the clothes on the bed .

At the centre lay a doublet of sumptuous velvet, dyed a deep shade of burgundy and adorned with intricate gold embroidery along the cuffs and collar. Nearby, a matching pair of hose, snug and tailored to perfection, promised both comfort and elegance.

A surcoat of rich brocade was draped over the foot of the bed, its colours shifting and shimmering in the soft candlelight that bathed the chamber.

Nestled among the folds of the surcoat lay a cloak of fine wool, its lining lined with plush fur .

Upon the desk's chair, a pair of leather boots stood at attention, their polished surface gleaming in the firelight. Embellished with intricate stitching and silver buckles.

There was a nearby circular mirror . He went and took a look at himself. His clothes were a mess of their own , torn apart ,full of dirt. He didn't care, really. After all, he had been wearing them for the past ten years , ten lonely years.

He took off his shirt . His body wasn't any cleaner as dirt spots could be found on his skin . He also hasn't showered for the last ten years, which resulted in a bad smell that made standing next to him a challenge .

"Hello ? Are you still awake? "

An orc had just entered the room . It was the princesse but this time she was wearing a beautiful olive green robe and a white butterfly hennin. She opened the door slowly, searching for the inhabitant of the room ,hoping that she hadn't disturbed his privacy. When she didn't find a body in the bed , she assumed he was awake and swang the door open .

However, she blushed as she obversed the boy, turning her light greenish cheeks into red-yellow . She wasn't overacting as the fight between Aefrine and Ryuji suggested he had quite a strong physique. His broad shoulders form the foundation of this, tapering down to a narrow waistline that accentuates his chiselled abdomen. Defined abdominals ripple beneath the surface. Bulging biceps and powerful triceps dominate his arms, their contours pronounced . His chest is a wall of muscle, expansive and imposing.

With all of this , it is hard to believe that Aefrine had a somewhat childish face compared to his body structure with little signs of puberty. Even though he was almost nineteen years old, it seemed puberty hit way late .

Hiding behind the door, the princesse explained in a confident manner :

"Sorry , I disrupted you . I just wanted to thank you for your bravery and apologie for misunderstanding you and .. you know ar spiting on you ."

Her confidence seemed to fade away after remembering what she did on that night. Aefrine noticed her embarrassment and remembered that awkward situation trying to explain what he was doing.

"Anyways , see you at the feast , Er ,it's Afrin, right?"

"Oh yes , see you, Errr..."

Aefrine was struggling to find a name before realising he didn't know it. Luckily,she saved him from the embarrassment and finished:

"Princess Alma"