Ch 16 Meeting King Alastair

King Alastair was pacing back and forth in his study in the Fortress of Cadmium.

While it looked like King Alastair was worried about past news and revelations, it was far from reality.

I wonder how should I greet her? Should I sit? Should I stand? Do I go get her?

King Alastair was the type of person who went with the flow. He didn't know that the Griffon Prince Alexander killed had been revived. That his pact with the God of the North was still intact. Rather, his pacing was joyous in nature with his heart having sprung back to life. From all the dreadful news there was a silver lining in his thoughts. He received news from his royal knights that his niece and nephew had arrived.

Maude his favorite niece was coming to see him after so many years.

Alastair treated Maude like she was his own daughter. In fact, people in the North territories would have believed that she was from all the similarities she had with King Alastair. Both used a bow, went out hunting, were inclined to physical activities, love the outdoors, naturally attributed to the elements of the wind, and looked rather harmless but far from their actual physical prowess. More than just a daughter figure, she was his pupil, someone who soaked the knowledge he gave and took on his teachings.

When Maude was very young, she connected with Alastair and took to him like a bear to honey. He was the first human she ever saw and as strong as any Orc she had ever known. King Alastair did not look like any Orc and didn't act like them either. But every warrior in Southscale deeply respected him and some even admired him. Maude had witnessed many of Alastair's duels from Orcs who questioned her father's blood oath to a human. All of which, was won by Alastair with a wide margin of victory.

To some extent, King Alastair doted heavily on Maude because his children vastly differed from himself.

For Alastair, his real daughter was too mature and wise for her own father. Princess Gwen acted like an Elf in the twilight of her years rather than the young Half-Elf that she was. Gwen was an expert in the field of magic, far intelligent for her age, and as beautiful as her mother. She never saw her father as the Heroic King like her brother did. Neither did she envy his accomplishments like her brother. She saw her father as a boorish rugged backwoods type of man

Queen Fiona often told him that Gwen would grow out of it but she never did.

For his son, Prince Alexander did not take to his father's teachings as much as Maude had. Alexander was a late bloomer and a shy child in his youth. He did not like to leave the underground estate and did not like the outdoors. Alastair saw his older brother Gareth in his young son and clearly knew his shortcomings. When Alexander did participate in those activities he was clearly outmatched by Maude in every aspect. Alexander did not hate his cousin Maude but actually admired her for being able to obtain his father's affection.

It's been some years but I can finally see how she's grown up! I hope she's been in good health!

A knock was heard at the door and King Alastair was panic stricken.

Queen Fiona had left to attend to matters concerning the city so Alastair was alone in his study.

"Come in," King Alastair proudly commanded while he tried to pose himself reading a book.

Alastair tried his best to maintain his kingly aura. He peeked a glance from the corner of his eye. Some figures started to emerge into the room and Alastair pretended to be reading a book. What he didn't know was that the book was upside down and the trio who entered could clearly see this. Nero and Maude had troubled looks on their faces while Kogar was fascinated.

Ah! Uncle is truly a Hero! He can read books upside down while I could barely read some right side up!

Kogar was giving his uncle deep praise in his mind.

"He reads books upside down?" Nero whispered to Maude.

"Sometimes," Maude replied back faintly as she had seen it often before.

King Alastair gave a regal turn of his head while they were staring at him.

"Ah! Maude!" King Alastair greeted to the focus of his sight.

"Uncle Al!"

King Alastair opened his arms to give his favorite niece a hug but was easily picked up by someone else.

"Ah! Uncle! How are you!" Kogar shouted as he embraced Alastair.

King Alastair had forgotten that Kogar would be here and didn't prepare himself clearly.

"Ah! Kogar! No-"

Kogar lifted up Alastair with his great might and gave him a loving squeeze.

"!!!....nice...to..*gah*..see...you...too.!" Alastair could only mutter a few short words.

"Ha ha! Uncle! It's great to see you as well!" Kogar laughed as he let go of the now limp Alastair.

This is the Heroic King Alastair? Nero thought while watching the King topple over in pain. A little eccentric indeed.

Alastair picked himself up and tried to adjust his back.

"Uncle Al!" Maude greeted Alastair with a bow. "How are you?"

The pain Alastair felt from Kogar seem to melt away as he laid his eyes on his niece.

She's grown up to be so wonderful! The image of Maude was placed growing up before his eyes. When she was a young emerald green toddler to the young woman she's become.

Alastair noticed her fiery red hair was now long and draped over her side wrapped around in braids. Maude still was clearly wearing her veil to the detriment of her beauty. King Alastair could only hope that she would recognize herself as the beautiful young woman he saw her as. An enormous well of fatherly love pitted up in King Alastair's gut.

"Maude!" Alastair opened up his arms wide.

The young Orc kindly refused his offer of a hug with a simple shaking of her head.

"You don't want to hug your uncle?" King Alastair said with tears in his eyes. "How to mean of you! You never saw your uncle in years!"

"Uncle Al," Maude said calmly with a sort of cultured air. "I'm old enough now to not hug you."

"Is this what they call puberty?"

Maude gave her uncle a straight hook to the gut.

"...you...*gah*...still have your mother's strength...I see..."

Alastair's front and back were in pain from the naturally strong Orc siblings.

Alastair had the tendency to treat Maude like a child at which the young Orc girl could only endure. Maude was fine with hugging her uncle but she just wanted to show him a more adult side of herself. She had long idolized Princess Gwen for being so mature. Maude was not royalty and always thought of herself as ugly. To her, Princess Gwen was just like her but with an elegant air. Needless to say, she thought Princess Gwen was hideous but held herself to a higher standard. She wanted to be more like her but Alastair would never let that happen.

"Don't tell me you're mad about the engagement?" Alastair said as he grimaced in pain. "I did it for you..."

Maude shrugged her shoulders and looked the other way which hit Alastair psychologically harder.

Maude would have never known about the many sleepless nights Alastair had when he thought of marrying her off in the first place. Orcs are known to be very stubborn which is why they have long lasting friendships and far standing grudges. Although, Maude did have thoughts about wanting to inflict some pain on her uncle for trying to marry her off. Her pain was levied a little when she thought of her new engagement to Nero. She never understood why he was so different but there was a sort of attraction she had for him. Maude peeked a glance at Nero who seemed to be in his own world.

Nero was behind Maude when the scene unfolded but he was utterly ignored by King Alastair.

Nero's eyes wandered around the King's study to see many maps unfurled and a plethora of books abound. His curiosity and interest piqued as he thought about books he had never read before. Nero moved without hesitation to examine the King's study. Alastair by chance noticed the boy wearing winter clothes draped with a red cloak going around his study.

"Boy," King Alastair said as he stood up. "You're in the wrong place."

Nero didn't react as he was lost in his own thoughts looking at the pile of books.

"Boy! Who are you!?" King Alastair said while stamping his foot.

The sound caught the attention of everyone in the study.

"Um, hello," Nero said as he ruffled his hair.

Alastair was already peeved at the mysterious boy in his study.

"Do you know who I am?" King Alastair said as he crossed his arms.

"Yes," Nero said with a nod. "You're King Alastair."

"Then why are you here? Without greeting?"

There was no proper form or decorum that Nero knew of to greet others especially royalty. But he did know that bows were often exchanged with royalty. So he prepared himself and gave off a flamboyant bow. Flipping his cloak behind him and twirling around to bend at his waist. King Alastair and Maude were dumbstruck at his movements. Kogar, on the other hand, was clapping energetically.

"Is that enough?" Nero said as he stood back up.

Nero was rubbing his chin clearly not embarrassed for himself.

"Guards!" King Alastair called out and knights suddenly barged into the study.

"Hold on Uncle!" Maude called out to King Alastair. "This is Nero! You should've gotten a message!"

"This is Maude's new fiancé," Kogar chimed in.

King Alastair held his hand and waved the knights away while having a disturbed look on his face.

"This is the boy?" King Alastair said with his face stuck in place. "This is the one Scar and Mare thought to marry you off to?"

"Yes," Maude nodded while blushing a little.

This is terrible! This brat is going to take Maude!? He doesn't look like anything special at all! What's his background?

"You kid," King Alastair said as pointed to Nero. "You think you're worthy of Maude?"

"Worthy or not," Nero said with a shrug. "It's just a contract between two people isn't it?"

Nero had no idea about love in marriages.

"You..." King Alastair was furious at Nero's remark. "You're saying this is only between you and Maude is it?"

King Alastair approached Nero and sized him up from head to toe.

He looks like he's from the East Continent but they rarely leave their lands.

The people from the East Continent were rare and extraordinary but stayed closed from the world. Sometimes they would mysteriously appear on the West Continent only to vanish after a short period of time. People who venture to the East Continent never seem to come back at all. The only thing that King Alastair knew about them were from having witnessed them visit the Kingdom of Or'Vale in his younger years. Their features and skin tone matched Nero perfectly.

King Alastair was intrigued that Nero could be someone from the East Continent.

"Where are you from boy?"

Nero began to ponder and thought of the easiest description he could give.

"Hmm...South of Southscale I should say?"

"South of Southscale?" King Alastair said. "There's nothing there but the Sea of Trees!"

"Yes," Nero nodded. "I'm from the Sea of Trees."

King Alastair was confused momentarily. He knew that there were no territories or people that lived in the Sea of Trees. It was an area devoid of sustaining civilized life. Monsters and dark terrors roamed freely there as they did the North Mountains. King Alastair didn't know that Bal, the King Wolf pup in the room, was one of those monsters. The Sea of Trees was an endless maze that many Hunters dare not enter so that they would not get lost in its labyrinth of forests. There was no possible way that he could be from there.

"You lived in the Sea of Trees?"

"Yes, in an Ivory Tower," Nero spoke plain faced.

"Boy, do you think I'm daft?"

King Alastair gave a stern expression to Nero.

"No, he's right Uncle Al," Maude said. "I met him there."

"Met him there?" King Alastair said. "What were you doing in the Sea of Trees!?"

Maude could not say another word as she already received a scolding from her parents.

"Fine! Let's say you are from the Sea of Trees," King Alastair said as he rubbed his temple. "Do you even have any fortune? Maude is the daughter of an Orc Chieftain and can be considered a noble in the realm of Orcs. Do you know how much a bride price would cost?"

I don't think this boy has a copper to his name!

King Alastair thought he could scare away Nero with the aspect of fortune and nobility.

Nero checked his knapsack and pulled out a hefty bag. It looked to be a considerable amount of weight with the clanking of coins. The bag seemed like it would burst at the seams from having been filled to the brim. Nero loosened the top string and revealed a golden gleam. King Alastair rubbed his eyes to make sure his mind wasn't playing tricks on him. The bag was filled with gold coins and more than enough to feed one person for a lifetime. Nero's wealth was on par with many merchants.

"Do you think this is enough?" Nero said ignorant of his own wealth.

King Alastair's eyes seemingly wanted to pop out of his sockets.

"How? Why? Did you steal all that?"

"No, I earned it," Nero said.

"Earn? How?"

"I make potions."

"You're an Alchemist?" King Alastair laughed.

Maude came to the defense of Nero.

"He's an Alchemist uncle," Maude said. "He sold many potions in Southscale."

"Yes, uncle! His potions work really well!" Kogar said after having witnessed it himself.

Alastair was astounded as he looked at Nero.

This boy an Alchemist? There's no way!

"An Alchemist? This young boy? Next thing you'll tell me is that his father is Gregor the Great of the Four Wise men!"

King Alastair laughed heartily and looked to Maude who was fidgeting a little bit.

"Actually....he is..." Maude said rubbing her arm.

"He is!?"

"I am," Nero said with a nod again.

Alastair's face was in utter shock and he was in complete denial that Nero could be Gregor's son.

Gregor was one of the Four Wise men in the Kingdom of Or'Vale. There were few that didn't know about the Four Wise men and their accomplishments. Gregor used to be the director of the Magic Academy in Or'Vale and has taught varying famous people. Alastair himself did not learn from Gregor but he caught many glimpses of the great Sage and marvelous Alchemist. Alastair in his youth was just a spare for his brother and while he did receive a great education he did not receive the best.

Impossible, is he also Lady Ashlen's son?

"Y-you..." King Alastair was racking his brain to imagine the possibilities. "Is this really true Maude?"

"Yes," Maude said. "I've seen Gregor himself, he's as great as they say."

Maude has actually seen Gregor!? He's been missing for nearly twenty years!

King Alastair was the second prince of the Kingdom of Or'Vale so he knew full well about Gregor's disappearance. Where Gregor went and where he had gone was the talk of rumors and gossip upon the upper class. Some said he was dissatisfied with the ruling family while others said he left the Kingdom to elope with Lady Ashlen. There were murmurs that Gregor had once visited Southscale so many years ago but Alastair never heard anything concrete from the former Chieftain of Southscale.

It was like he had vanished into thin air and in his place left a vacuum of power away from the Kingdom of Or'Vale. It also didn't help that Lady Ashlen had disappeared as well.

"Can you prove it?" King Alastair said still not sure of Nero's origin.

"What do you want me to do?" Nero said with a shrug.

"How about a Potion of Relaxation? Or an aroma tunic? All of Gregor's formulas have been lost since he disappeared. If you're his son and your such an Alchemist. It should be easy for you right?"

Nero blinked his eyes and grimaced a little as he looked at King Alastair almost dissatisfied.

So he can't do it, can he? Alastair thought.

"Is that all?" Nero said and began rummaging through his pouch.

"What!?"

Nero wasn't complaining that he had to mimic one of his father's formulas. He was just slightly disappointed that it was just a minor inconvenience to prove himself. It was neither a potion of healing or invisibility. He didn't have to create an energy tunic or an elixir of dragon's breath. Nero often created potions of that caliber for himself while he studied. Nero didn't know of course that these potions were highly sought after in the world.

Nero produced some small vials and ingredients while the others observed him.

"Name a color," Nero said while he looked at the others.

"Red!" Kogar said as he scratched his head.

"Okay, now name a fruit."

"Apples," Maude said as she watched Nero.

"Alright, red apples," Nero confirmed as he began to mix some things together. "Some fire powder...a little hint of tree sap...and some of this...a pinch of that."

King Alastair was amazed at how Nero worked with little-wasted movements.

Nero poured some of his magical energy into the vial after having mixed the ingredients together.

With some minor shaking, he topped the vial with a cork and handed it to King Alastair.

"This is?"

"An aroma of red apples that will leave you feeling refreshed."

Alastair examined the vial in his hands carefully. He saw a red liquid in the small vial that seems to sparkle out like the stars. He knew what men would give for a small vial of Gregor's potions. If the vial he held in his hands was even a fraction of Gregor's abilities then that must mean Nero was truly an Alchemist. Alastair cleared his throat and with his hands shaking started to open the vial. Maude and Kogar were anticipating to see what Nero created as well.

The corked popped open from the vial and something sensational released into the air.

A smell attacked the senses of everyone inside the King's study. Their vision started to brighten in a red afterglow. All their feelings and their troubles seem to wash away over the fresh aroma. A tinge of apples lingered in the air and they seem to taste it in their mouths. King Alastair began to salivate from the taste of fresh apples in his mouth. Kogar began biting the air like he was eating apples. Maude started to breathe the air like it would disappear at any moment.

Only Nero stood by while watching them in their own glee.

This potion was really nothing to him and he only created it to a mild effect. Gregor told him before to go lightly with potions before going stronger. For these types of potions often captivated the users like a drug. If the others knew that this was only a mild effect, they would scream at him for a higher dose. It was one of the reasons why Gregor had abandoned the field of aroma and refreshing potions.

After some time, the effects disappeared and it left them all feeling refreshed.

"You are truly a world class Alchemist!" King Alastair said as he grabbed Nero by the shoulders. "I'll give anything to you to stay here and develop more potions for my country!"

Nero smiled lightly and ruffled his hair.

"I was going to be here with Maude anyways."

King Alastair remembered about Nero and Maude's engagement.

"Why are you engaged to Maude?" King Alastair said with sharp eyes.

It was the last question he would ask to determine Nero's reliability.

Nero looked at King Alastair and then to Maude.

"She's my savior, she's helped me through a lot. I can say that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for her. So if I have to repay her kindness with an engagement. I think it's fair."

Maude felt her face flush red and hot as Nero stared into her eyes.

After his words and the display of his ability, King Alastair thought it was a fine for Nero to take Maude's hand in marriage.

"Yes! Of course! You're staying here right!? You two should be happy and stay together! We'll throw a party for your engagement!" King Alastair said with a quick change in demeanor.

King Alastair was excited that such a prospect would land in his lap.

Maude marrying a Duke's son might garner relations and peace talks but it was no clear thing. With having the son of Gregor, the Kingdom of Or'Vale would dare not to do anything rash. Ailments in his kingdom could disappear, the lifeline of his military would increase, and the alchemy of his country would certainly rise up. Actual Alchemists were very rare and well respected on the Western Continent.

Nero scratched his face a little.

"I just wanted to look at the underground city," Nero said with interest.

"Ah! You want to see my Kingdom!? I'll have people guide you around of course! There're also many great dating spots here in Cadmium after all!"

"Dating spots?" Nero said. "What's that?"

King Alastair gave Nero a blank look.

"You know like going to eat dinner together?"

"Eating dinner? Okay!" Nero said at the prospect of food.

Maude seemed to squirm around at the idea of going on a date with Nero.

"You've never been on a date?" King Alastair said. "You should take Maude out and see the city together! Oh, perhaps tomorrow! It's getting late after all! You can stay with us at the Royal Estate for now."

King Alastair led the trio down to the first floor where they would begin their descent to the underground city of Cadmium. There were elevators that connected the Fortress of Cadmium to the underground city. It was a marvel of Dwarven ingenuity that used a system of cables and machinery. The Free Nation State was very advance in technology compared to the other countries. Stairs were still kept as a decor for the fortress but weren't used because of how far down the underground city of Cadmium went. Just like how reaching the top of the mountain took nearly a day's time, going down the stairs was no easy task.

Nero and the others followed King Alastair into a room on the first floor.

There were couches and seats in the room with an open view of the fortress. A glass panel surrounded the entire room from all sides. Maude and Kogar got seated rather quickly and King Alistair waited until they all sat down. Bal found a soft spot on the couch to lay on while Nero looked out of the open view. King Alastair closed the door and pulled a lever against the wall.

The room began to stir awake and Nero felt the motion of movement.

"What's going on?"

"Don't worry," Maude said. It's just an elevator."

The room went dark entirely and soon soft lights turned on. The open view that Nero once saw had disappeared and been replaced by rocks and metal bars. The entire room on the first floor of the King's building happened to be an elevator that went down to the underground city. Nero was amazed at such technology. Then a new landscape appeared out the open view of the elevator room.

Nero pressed his face against the glass to look down at the wonderful underground city of Cadmium.

A shining, intricate and dignified place for anyone to witness. A city of bright lights created by the combination of magic and technology. It was like a huge open cavern built within the North Mountains. Pillars and support beams held up the mountain with workers diligently ensuring the safety of the city. The buildings reached as high as they could in the underground city. Some homes and buildings were built alongside the walls of the mountain itself.

Amazing!

Nero could not believe he would be able to witness something so magnificent far from the confines of the Ivory Tower.

---###---

Down on the underground city of Cadmium.

A small Fao girl was lugging her wares from merchant to merchant. She had on a blue coat with puffy orange shorts. Her pink hair was fluffy like cotton. Her face was small but matched her tiny height. She carried a bag over her shoulder that was filled to the brim with black crystals.

"Please! You could buy this right?" The little Fao girl said with big eyes.

"I'm sorry Chi, we have enough black crystals to go around." The merchant said as he directed her to the shelf with black crystals.

"But I came all the way from Evergreen," Chi said as she dropped down her shoulders.

The Dwarf merchant sighed.

"Well, you should've come a couple months earlier and I would've gladly bought all your black crystals," the merchant said. "I'm pretty sure you could find somebody else that would buy them."

"Nobody else is going to buy them, you're my last hope!"

Chi tiptoed up the counter and was looking at the Dwarf.

"I'm sorry Chi, you know that there is an overabundance of ore right now. The miners just found a new ore vein."

Chi was disheartened and quietly exited the shop with her bag of black crystals.

"Be careful not to catch the sickness!" The merchant called out to her.

Chi grimaced a little and then went on her way.

Chi was a Fao girl, which was a race of bunny people. She was merchant by trade and her home hailed from the east side of the Western Continent, in the plains of the Evergreen. Chi traded in black crystals which were a crystal used to erase magic. Since the Kingdom of Or'Vale was in the middle of the Western Continent, traders like Chi had to go a far distance around to trade their wares. The reason being, the Kingdom of Or'Vale did not trade with other races besides humans. Chi could not even get a passport to pass through the country and had to go around to other territories.

Chi only ventured far to trade with the Free Nation State because they were a new nation and gladly bought black crystals at high prices.

Chi had ended up being stuck in the winter season and could not come to the Free Nation State in time to peddle her wares. A new fresh magic ore mine was unearthed in the North Mountains and this resulted in a halt of black crystals. Since black crystals could erase magic, it would be a detriment to having them with so much magic ore found. The Free Nation State had halted the acquirement of black crystals, thus leaving Chi with little money and many wares she is unable to sell to return back to her home.

Chi wandered around the city of Cadmium with her black crystals in her bag. From what she could see, there were fewer people in the streets of Cadmium. She had heard the news of an underground sickness spreading through Cadmium. At first, it only affected a few people, but then it started to spread to a small portion of the population. Some people called it a "Homesickness," but others called it the "Underground sickness." Nobody had died to the sickness until very recently. One thing was that it usually affected the poor people in Cadmium.

Just my luck. I think I'm going to end up dying here poor and sick.

Chi sat down on the side of the road wondering what to do with her life.

In a close distance, she could hear the gossip of two people off to the side.

"Did you hear that Prince Alexander had killed a Griffon?"

"The Prince did!? Amazing!"

"So he IS the son of King Alastair!"

"Yes! Even King Alastair's Orc brother had sent his children to study under him."

"What? Orcs to study under our Human king!?"

"That's why he's amazing!"

"I agree."

Chi's bunny ears perked up at the revelation that Orcs have returned to the Free Nation State.

Chi remembered that her friend Kogar told her that he was the nephew of King Alastair.

Many years ago, Kogar had saved Chi in a winter storm. She had never traveled to the Free Nation State before and had gotten lost in the North Mountains during a winter storm. She went up the training path instead of taking the transportation route at the base of the mountain. Luckily, she was found by Kogar and saved. He had taken her to the fortress of Cadmium on top of the North Mountains but when she turned around, he had gotten himself lost.

Chi had found out later that Kogar had been found, but by then she had already left to go back home.

If he truly is King Alastair's nephew he could help me!

Chi wondered if she would be able to meet Kogar again and if he could help her in her plight. Chi was now determined to find Kogar to sell her wares and get the money she needed to return home. For now, she needed to waste her meager budget on finding some lodging before she could search for Kogar. Her stomach rumbled as she knew she wouldn't be able to eat anything good today either.