Winterfall

Traversing the Noble Ring District was second nature to me. As the first of the kingdom's seven rings, it was home to families with deep-rooted histories, many of whom had lived there since the kingdom's founding. This district was a testament to the enduring legacy and wealth of its long-established residents.

“Now, Marcel, since you haven’t traveled the kingdom as much, let me introduce you into the history of each ring.”

I told Marcel as we stepped foot into the first ring. “This ring is the first out of seven, we know it as the Nobel ring district, but others may call it Eldora.”

“I don’t need a history lesson.” Marcel snarled.

“Sure you do. You need to know who you will be ruling.” I told him as we continued our path into the noble ring district.

“What type of history do you think I need to learn?”

“The people. Let me tell you a bit about some of the families that reside here.”

“Fine.” He grumbled.

“Great! First, there is the Mortimers. The Mortimers are a strong minded family that spans out ten generations. The family consists of mainly all elves except for one child who started a controversy as the family was strict in who their children would have relations with. The child was a half bred as their elder spoke as this child was half elf and half human, he was impure and cast outside the family. Now this child, his name was Orion Mortimer. I have met him a few times as he was part of the staff that helped with events in the castle. He was a nice kid and was very intelligent. The way his family treated him always bothered me but there was nothing we could do.”

I stopped outside of the Mortimer house, showing Marcel the massive three story mansion. The mansion's base is solid and functional, with large arched wooden doors reinforced with wrought iron bands. Narrow, slitted windows with heavy, leaded glass provide security and light. The exterior walls are adorned with intricate carvings and family crest, showcasing the wealth and lineage of the inhabitants. A cobblestone path leads to the entrance, flanked by meticulously maintained gardens.

This house always impressed me as it always seemed they were magically adding onto the house as the family always seems to expand.

We walked further down the path and came across a second house, just as equally large and unique. This house was crafted from five large dark oak trees as the main base of the house. There were three floors present with this house. In the front of this house there was plenty of nature from trees to shrubs as nature overgrown here. As it was blessed by the Wild Mother.

“Now here we have, the Roslan family spanned eight generations and held strong religious beliefs within the kingdom. Their family had founded seven temples, each ring receiving one of their own temples. Their families are genuine and pure believers in their religion. Most of the family followed The Wild Mother - a nature themed deity. However, their temples were welcome to most religions. Each temple was named The Temple of The Guiding Hand. As the building’s tower construction was that of two hands folded in prayer. Inside the tower consists of a metal bell. For the bells themselves they had not rang in over one hundred years. Each of the temples that the family founded was crafted from nature. All made from trees and overgrowth.”

We walked further into the ring and I could tell that Marcel was already getting bored with his history lesson of the first ring of the Nobel district. However, there were still two families of note.

“The next family to note in this ring is Xaveria. This is one of the wizard school’s founding family’s. This family has been around longer than the Mortimer’s as wizards have a tendency to utilize spells such as Wish or True Shift - both spells allow for the caster to become another race. Wish gives them more freedom as they could easily wish to be young again and still maintain all knowledge. I know two of them have successfully done this. The main founder of the family, I know, is on his second if not third life span. As he was the creator of the Library of Forgotten knowledge. His true name very few know as it has become lost over time.

I took him by the library to show him what the family was known for. “I have one more family to tell you about in this ring.”

He sighed in relief, “Good. I am starting to get a bit bored.”

I rolled my eyes, “These are the people you are set to rule Marcel.”

“Just carry on.” Marcel grumbled.

“Okay, there is one more family of note that I will talk about. They are the Moonshadow. This family consists primarily of all druidic casters as they founded the tree that provides teleportation to our surrounding kingdoms. The tree in the center of the kingdom and in one of the more dangerous rings is the tree used for teleportation. The ring the tree is in wasn’t always dangerous. But as more became aware of the tree’s purpose, thieves hopped to pickpocket those coming through the tree. As those realized not many were allowed to teleport, they resorted to violence in the ring. Not only did they provide the tree for transportation, they also protected our surrounding nature and provided new growth as they die.”

“That’s it right?”

“Yes, that is it.”

Now, there were more other notable families but I didn’t want to bore him to death. Besides, I at least covered the most active nobles in the district.

“So, now that the history lesson of this ring is over with, where are you taking me?”

We stopped just outside a row of two story houses. These houses were well crafted by the architect named Henry Aalto. Each of the houses here were similar in style but different at the same time. Each house consisted of a hidden feature that told a tale of who lived there.

There were a few places I could take him. One I have been wanting to visit for awhile now and that was Griffon Park. “Griffon Park.” I told him, “Though I will give you this warning, you need to behave. The two Griffon’s can get aggressive.”

Marcel looked at me surprised, “Actual Griffons?” He questioned with hesitation.

“You seem surprised. Have you not seen a Griffon or something?” I asked him as I matched his tone.

“How could I not be? Besides, you know how animals and children don’t like me.” Marcel crossed his arms in displeasure.

That I knew was true as the children avoided him and most animals didn’t want to approach him. “Regardless, it is still a beautiful park. I promise to keep the Griffon’s at bay.” I begged him with pleading eyes.

As I stood there with a pleading look in my eye, I could hear Theo chuckle through the bond. I’d like to see him go up against one of the Griffons.

I bit my tongue as I tried not to laugh, Please, I thought I was the one that needed to behave.

You have got to admit, it would be pretty amusing to see him get dragged by a Griffon.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, please.

“Is something amusing darling?” Marcel asked as he looked down at me.

I felt my body tense up, “Sorry Marcel.”

“You know, if he has something to say, he can contact me directly.” Marcel proclaimed as he fully admitted he knew about the bond.

Fuck. I muttered through the bond.

This is getting strange. Théoden said as he fell silent.

You can say that again.

“I apologize for the both of us. Let’s just move on.” I told Marcel as I looked away from him, grabbing his hand and walked the path to Griffon park.

I felt uncomfortable holding onto his hand. As I felt the sweat start to build and his grip on my own hand tightened.

This is going to be a long date. I uttered through the bond.

“You shouldn’t have to apologize for him, you know.” Marcel said, breaking the silence.

“It’s called being polite.” Yeah, I had a feeling that Marcel didn’t know how to be polite.

It fell silent between us briefly. “Shall we continue?” Marcel motioned me forward as we had stopped moving at that point.

“Yes of course.” We resumed walking towards the park. Griffon Park was home to two Griffons. One male and one female. They were named Kynthia and Kishiko. The pair had been in the park for fifty years. Hatching one baby every five years. The pair of Griffons were pretty much friendly unless approached aggressively.

Upon entering the park, the park was a lush green and full of life. The druids kept the park lively all year long as it provided a sanctuary to those who traversed the park. The park was full of colorful flowers of various types. From Lilies to Roses to more rare flowers like Ghost Orchids and Queen of the Nights. The shrubs that lined the park were sculpted with care and represented different beasts of power, like the Griffons and Dragons.

“Okay, we are in the park, can we go now?” Marcel spoke as he appeared uncomfortable and we hadn’t even seen the Griffon’s yet.

“Let me take you to the fountain first. The fountain runs on a natural spring and has some of the most delicious tasting water ever.”

I took him the long way around to avoid the two monsters as his grip on my hand tightened as we ventured forth. The fountain was something of wonder, as it was that of magical construction. There were several metal floating disk-like objects that dripped water from the magical spring. The water itself flowed through the five tier piece by a force of magical enchantments, allowing the water to rise and fall back into the earth.

“Sit.” I brushed off the cement bench and let him take a seat first. “It’s not bad, see?”

I watched his chest rise and fall as he took in the fresh air, “you are right.” I watched his eyes scan the park for the Griffons, which was settled at the other end of the park.

I leaned against his body which took him by surprise. His warm touch was a lot different than Theo’s cold body. His scent bothered me, but I tried to just focus on the smell of fresh flowers.

“Can I ask you something Marcel?”

“Of course,” he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

“Tell me one thing you would be doing if you were not here right now.”

“Hmm…that’s an interesting question darling. I’d probably be back at Summer Crest trying to figure out how to rule a kingdom that doesn’t rely on chaos.”

“Let me expand that a bit. What would you be doing if you were not involved in the kingdoms?”

“Well, let’s put it simply, constant fighting and chaos.”

“Don’t you ever get tired of that?”

“Not really. Do you ever get tired of just sitting around an empty castle?”

It took me a moment to answer his question. Was I bored in the castle? No. That couldn’t be the case. I mean at first, after my parents death but that was an excuse I feel like. Now, I have things that are keeping me busy. “Maybe at first, but now, no.” That was the honest truth.

I could feel that Theo was trying to think of something to say. So I spoke first, don’t worry about it. It was after my parents died. I shut myself out from everyone. Including you for the first week.

You don’t need to explain my love. I knew but I didn’t want to push you. I respect your space.

Thank you my dear.

Of course Mi Amor.

I turned my focus back to Marcel and tried not to think of Theo’s jealousy, clearing my throat, “it’s time to go to the second ring, The Second Noble Ring District.”