The Unbreakable Bow

Aefrine had a good sleep. He wasn't used to sleeping in nice comfy beds. In fact, he always slept on a solid surface and never slept on actual beds which made him struggle to find a nice sleeping position. He didn't even bother to hide under the warmth of the wool blankets. He just went to sleep like a wild boar.

The same servant that he met before entered.

"Sir, the feast will start soon. Please prepare. "

Aefrine woke relatively fast. His sleep was a soft one. You could go as far as to say he was only half-asleep.

"Ok, sir. I will be there ... thank you." Replied Aefrine snoring.

As the servant exited closing the door behind him and Aefrine was getting up, a skull appeared from underneath his bed, raising his alarms to the maximum extent of jumping in the process. It was Larry.

" 'ello master, do need my assistance?"

"What? Er no, wait what are you doing under the bed ?"

"O' master, I was just c'ecking if t'ere was anyt'ing that mig't 'arm you, master. "

"Ok, we should get ready. Did they give you new clothes?"

"Er, they told me not to leave this room "

"Oh, yes. I forgot... Anyway, stay here and don't make any noise. "

"But master !"

"Larry, there is no reason to worry, I will be back soon enough. I will get you something if you like. What do you eat?"

"O' no need master, I don't eat or drink. "

"What? How, oh ..Nevermind..."

It was obvious that Larry didn't have any inner organs. How would be eating anyway? The food would just pass through his shallow bones.

After some time, the servants guided them through the complicated corridors of the royal palace. Aefrine was struggling a bit with fancy clothing. He as always was completely new to this not to mention the fact that his attire was a bit too big for him. He felt his pants slowly going down his thighs regularly. They didn't bother to tell the servants as he already got into an almost pointless argument when he refused to wear his new cloak. To Aefrine under any circumstances, he will not take off his old cape even if it is torn, dirty and objectively small as his new surcoat was big on him. He only took it off until now to try the surcoat for a few moments.

They arrived finally at a big wooden door. The guards opened them as the servants showed them the way. This was the boy's first time attending a feast and as always he was dumbfounded with the sight.

A long, polished oak table stretches the length of the room, adorned with shimmering silverware, ornate goblets, and flickering candlelight casting a warm glow over the surroundings.

At the head of the table sits the noble orc king, flanked by his esteemed guests and advisors, all adorned in regal attire befitting the occasion. The air is filled with the enticing aroma of roasted meats, spiced vegetables, and freshly baked bread, expertly prepared by the castle's finest chefs.

Servants move gracefully about the room, carrying platters piled high with succulent dishes, each more lavish than the last. Roast T.rex meat, glazed with honey and herbs, glistens temptingly under the chandeliers, while bowls of steaming stew brim with hearty ingredients from the kingdom's bountiful lands.

Amidst the feasting and revelry, minstrels serenade the gathered company with melodic tunes, their music adding to the ambience of merriment and celebration. The atmosphere is one of joy and camaraderie, as the royal orcs and their esteemed guests come together to indulge in the splendour of the feast and honour the traditions of their ancient lineage.

There was an empty chair next to the king. He invited him to sit next to him. Aefrine was hesitant but couldn't refuse, so sat down next to him. He could feel the eyes of the guests following his very movements.

The chair was slightly larger than a normal chair. As he sat down the king announced:

"Now that our honourable guest has arrived, we shall begin our feast of gratitude!"

He then started to speak in a different language. Aefrine was wondering what he was saying. He felt overwhelmed by the 'honourable guest' title.

After the king, repeated the same sentence but in their language. All the present orcs raised their beer in the air and shouted: "Hamd Veult"

Out of nervousness, Aefrine took his beer as well and tried muttering the same words.

Then the guests all started eating, some with quite an appetite and the others with a respectful one. Aefrine looked around his plate searching for a fork or a spoon. It had been a long time since he had a meal like this He took a look at the people around before he realised why he didn't need a fork. They were all eating with their hands. Thinking about it, the servants did insist that he wash their hands in a bowl of warm water. He was glad about this. He never actually ate with a fork or a spoon.

Never better than the good old hands

Aefrine decided not to think about it too much and started eating. The roasted meat was delightful. The sauce was mouth-watering, quite literally in Aefrine's case. Whoever made it was clearly the best at what he made. Even though, it was T.rex meat it tasted like chicken.

Something nobody would know because chickens don't exist in this world.

Aefrine doesn't drink alcohol, so he didn't bother to look at his beer despite the rest almost finishing their mugs. He preferred milk but there was none to his displeasure. Milk is very expensive.

He was the only person in his village who had some access to it.

After some time, the plates were mostly empty and the bellies were full. And the king after cleaning his face with his napkin started to speak again in his language. Aefrine was really uncomfortable in a place where he wouldn't understand anyone most of the time. So he just decided to use his soul-hearing ability to take a deeper look into the crowd. It was mixed. There were some who were filled with envy and anticipation, some with joy were and pride however the king's soul was nice in the most simple way possible.

Aefrine hadn't heard an one like his in a while. It had perfect amounts of pride, empathy, happiness and joy like a well-made cake. Aefrine's hearing session was over once the king shrugged Aefrine:

"So tell me what brings you here to our lovely kingdom, son."

"Well.. my village was attacked by some black soldiers. Their leader was called Ryuji, I think-"

"Ryuji?!" Called out one of the crowd

And all of them commenced at belting at each other what seemed to Aefrine as nonsense.

The king thundered out, silencing the crowd as his voice echoed through the room. Aefrine was startled as a finger was tapping his shoulder.

"Would like me to translate for you, sir?"

Of course, I would?! Where were you ever since the feast has started-Oh it was the one who interrogated me.

"Er-r yes sir, please. "

While they were talking, the king and one of his nobles were arguing in their language of course.

"Over there is Duke Greg he said that we should reconsider our coalition with the Kingdom of Thracia as Ryuji's forces are now closer than ever to our borders. Soon enough, he will see us as easy prey. His majesty said that he would not enter an unprovoked war. We have just finished a civil war and the people and the state cannot afford to start a new conflict. He believes the C.O.T.U.R will figure out a peaceful solution. As we have no business in this human war ." Translated the orc as Aefrine was struggling to keep up with these new political termes . Aefrine wished he could go back in time and tell mself to not bring up any names.

"Tell me, son, do you know what Ryuji wanted from your village or why, was he there?"

Asked the king calmly

"Oh, he wanted something called the keys of Fate. He said it could er-r .. change someone 's fate .. or something like that.."

Aefrine absolutely felt like he just fucked up. He isn't used to lying, not like he was good in that aspect in the first place.

The orcs returned to arguing. But it wasn't long before Aefrine was hit with a surprise request from the king that stated :

"You can go back to your room."

Not knowing if it was indeed a request or a soft order, Aefrine didn't question it. He already had enough of this bizarre.

The servants led to his room where he and Larry by extent were not in a mood to sleep. He didn't know the orcs 's relation with humans let alone Ryuji. Ever e the kidnapping incident, it was clear that it wasn't a good one.After some time of trying to put sense to the whole conversation, the only thing he understood was that Ryuji was unfamous among the orcs. After some time passed Larry was still sitting there watching his master with his empty eye sockets.

"Larry if you want to go to sleep , you can. Don't worry about me, I will be OK. "

"Don't worry master, I don't need sleep. "

As Aefrine was going to argue back with the beautiful feeling of resting, an unexpected guest entered. It was the king.

"Aefrine would you mind if came with me alone for a walk."

Not wanting to question the king again despite his hesitant this time he said :

"Ok . .."

Then he whispered:

"Wait here, Larry"

Aefrine followed the king through the dark circular staircase of one of the towers. As they reached the top of what seemed like one of the castle's towers, the wind welcomed them. However, before taking the last step outside, Aefrine used soul hearing. There was no one else. As he took the final step outside, the king turned around to him.

"Tell me what do you desire?"