The Seven Orbs

Chapter Two

The Secret Passage

1

One day, Wisdom decided to walk around the King's castle just to see how big it was. It indeed was big, three times bigger than the village steads and stores combined. Toward the rear of the castle was a small outlet where water drained from somewhere inside the tall stone walls. The outlet was just wide enough for a young boy to fit through, of which, luckily, Wisdom qualified. However, he had to stoop and wade in a liquid that was neither water nor waste. It didn't smell, and its texture was more vapor than slime. He followed the entrance, bowed over, till he reached a separation of directions, a T point, as his mother called such roads. Here the stoop ended, and Wisdom could stand to his full height, if a boy of nine could be considered "full". To the left was the path of the stream; to the right was a walkway with steps leading upward to what looked like a doorway without a door. He chose the doorway. 

Red drapes covered the threshold. There was no part in the cloth for him to enter. He had to crawl underneath. Hundreds of candles lit the room. A diffuse light from a full moon on a cloudy evening shone through the stained glass window just above the King's Throne. The King's Throne! Suddenly, the small boy felt even smaller, a speck of flesh in the mouth of the Dragon, a single soldier on the field of battle. The awe wore off more and more with each visit, always sneaking in just at the time when he knew the Throne-room would be empty of royalty or advisors. But still each visit had a touch of that original awe. 

Tonight, for instance, that touch was present, and he needed to feel it, more so now that he felt unworthy after humiliating himself before his older brother and that awful Agyle. If his mind weren't so occupied with his own troubles, he'd have heard the King enter. 

"What do we have here?" asked the King. "How did you find your way in?"

Startled, Wisdom turned toward the voice and grasped the hilt of his wooden sword, such as it was, neither threatening nor comforting. 

It was the King, he realized and froze like a statue, no, more like a fool. 

"Am I under threat?" the King mocked with jest in his heart. 

"No, no, my King," Wisdom spoke quickly, trying to find the words to explain himself. "I was only surprised, my King."

"Two 'my Kings', when there is only one of me," the King laughed. "Have you come to join the King's Guard?"

"Truly?! Yes, I would," answered Wisdom, not quite understanding the jest. He then withdrew his homemade sword from his cloth sheathe. 

"Restore your weapon lest your pant legs slip to the ground," the King said as he sat back onto his throne of stone and iron. "Come, sit in my Counselor's seat, for he is away."

Wisdom did as instructed.

"Now, to the point" How did you find your way in?" the King asked without humor.

"There's a passageway behind the red drapes," Wisdom answered honestly. "I found it attached to the drain exit behind the castle, your castle, my King."

"You know we are at war now, don't you, lad?" the King's voice grew stern. "Spies abound with clever schemes to enter the secret meetings of the Council."

"Yes, my King," Wisdom responded. "I understand. I'll report any if I see them first."

The King laughed out loud, then a frightening thought crossed his mind. "From the passage, did you come straight here? Or did you try the west end at the T point?"

"Straight here, my King, I swear," he said as he crossed his heart. 

"Good. Now to this 'my King' stutter of yours," he said as he sat up straight. "In times of war, you must address me as 'my General.' It is tradition."

"I understand, my General," said Wisdom with a bow.

"No, no," the KIng scolded him gently, "a Guardsman salutes with his free fist across his chest, since his other hand will be occupied with his weapon, no doubt. 

Wisdom crossed his small fist across his chest and reached for his sword. 

"No, lad," the King ordered the boy. "A Guardsman never unsheathes his sword unless he is ready to kill... and ready to die. So you keep your sword sheathed till you are summoned. Tell me your family name."

"I am Wisdom of the Jenri Clan." Wisdom stood at attention.

The King lay his fist on his heart. 

"My General?" asked Wisdom shyly.

"What is it, lad?" he responded with curiosity. 

"What lies in the east passage?" he said with the smallest of voices, as if he didn't wish to be overheard.

"Victory, my lad," came the answer from a proud King. "Now it is best you go home to Mama Jenri. She must be looking for you. Tell no one of your visit here today. And straightway you'll go. No side trips to any curious passageways on this day, my lad. Grow wings like a dragon and fly."

The King stood as if to emphasize his words, and Wisdom obeyed. He ran as quickly as he could with images of flying serpents in his eyes. 

The Seven Orbs

Chapter Two

The Dragon Wakes

2

Coming soon...