[EO]Arc#DY#s Children-Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"I reject", slipped out of Armenthos' mouth, bypassing his sense of reason.  He stopped, thought and then started again.

"What you offer, I must decline your Majesty, I'm in perfectly good health and have plenty of other things that I could be dealing with, rather than looking for something that might be hidden from both physical and magical sight.  Now if you'll excuse me I really do have to be going".  Taking a small bow he turned to walk out of the room.  The murmurs of the other guests in the room began, before being cut off sharply by the Queen.

"I think Armenthos you will be going, otherwise I'll have you banished from my Kingdom and all others represented here, on pain of death.  Also, that banishment would start immediately, with the burning down of your precious...home."  Silence filled the room and with it brought an uncomfortable feel.

Armenthos paused, some days it didn't pay to get out of bed and certainly today was one of them.  "Then, against my wishes expressed in front of all present here, you leave me with no choice but to accept this foolish mission. I'll leave you to your company while I prepare for this idiocy.  However, don't put yourself out to provide me your carriage service.  It stinks of polish and posh filth and I'd prefer to walk where the air isn't quite a venomous".  He turned and strode to the door, before abruptly turning around and concluding, "Your Majesty."

He then opened the door and stormed out, taking many short-cuts before reaching the Palace entrance and swiftly stepping out into the courtyard.  Sighing, Armenthos paused, took a deep breath before proceeding to take a most leisurely walk through the city, taking the quickest route that many years of travelling that same path.  So deep in thought that he never realised he was home, until he rammed head first into his door and swore rather abruptly.