The Land of the Lost

Chapter 4: Louis - The Enlistment

As I approached our tiny flat, the weight of a day's work at the mill settled heavily on my shoulders. The creak of our rusty mailbox seemed to echo throughout the street as I reached for a single letter nestled within, its familiar royal crest catching the light of the fading evening.

Pushing open the door, I found my mother hunched over the table, her hands professionally kneading dough into loafs of bread. The comforting aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, a stark contrast to the anticipation building in my chest.

"Mother? Do we have a letter opener?" I asked, my voice tinged with urgency.

Without looking up, she nodded towards the clutter drawer, where a glint of silver caught my eye. Retrieving the knife, I wasted no time in tearing open the envelope, its pristine surface a contrast to the worn surroundings of our home.

Eliana glanced up from her magazine, her eyes widening with excitement as she caught sight of the royal seal. "What's that?" She exclaimed, leaning in eagerly.

"It's from the royal family! Open it now!" She urged, her curiosity growing.

As I unfolded the legal-looking document, my heart raced with anticipation, my eyes scanning the word with a mixture of misbelief and awe.

"Dear Louis Hillock," the letter began, its formal tone belying the weight of its contents. "Thank you for your enlistment to the Oryn Royal Army."

A surge of pride and disbelief rushed over me as I read on, the reality of the situation sinking in with each passing word. I had been selected for a special assignment, one that would see me working with Princess Odette herself.

"On May 13th, you will be summoned to the castle to discuss the fine details of your job." The letter concluded, leaving me reeling with mix of excitement and fear.

My mother's worried gaze met mine, her concern etched in the furrow of her brow. "Louis, is everything alright?" She asked, her voice filled with concern.

I looked at her and Eliana, a mixture of emotions swirling within me. "I'm going to be working with Princess Odette." I finally managed to say, the weight of the words sinking in as reality dawned upon me.

...

The morning of May 13th dawned with a weighty significance, the air tinged with anticipation and uncertainty. Slowly, I got myself up from the comfort of my bed, the gravity of the day's events pulling me to wakefulness. With each step, I felt the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders, like a cloak of duty draped over my weary frame.

Descending into the kitchen, I found myself greeted by a man in a resplendent royal uniform engaged in conversation with my mother. Eliana sat nearby, her brow furrowed with concentration as she attempted to decipher the adult conversation unfolding before her.

"Ah, there you are." The man addressed me, his voice carrying an air of authority. "I am General Manly, the king's right hand man. I am here to escort you to the palace."

He handed me a neatly folded royal uniform, its golden hue shimmering in the morning light. "Put this on," he instructed, his tone brooking no argument. "And don't forget to pack a small bag with your personal belongings."

Retreating to my room, I selected a worn, brown bag that had seen better days, yet remained sturdy and reliable. Carefully, I filled it with essentials; medical supplies, a few cherished mementos, and my flute - a cherished relic of my father's legacy.

Changing into the uniform, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as a I buttoned the dark golden shirt, the royal crest gleaming just below my collarbone. With each adjustment, I felt a sense of purpose settling inside me, as if the uniform itself instilled in me a newfound strength.