A Feinds Calling

Chapter 1: Arrival

Through the flora field down past the shadow lands our carriage strides forward. I sit in silence grinning my feet on the maroon carpet in anticipation of our arrival. I'm sitting rather squished up, against my father's large frame. Rain patters on the yellow tinted window as my father decides to break the silence.

"Calm yourself Jasper, grinding your feet shouldn't be good for the carriage"

I do as he says, shifting to scratch the intricate groves wrapped around the hilt of my sword.

"I expect you to be on your best behaviour once we reach Arcis, in my hundreds of years of life even I haven't had an opportunity like this."

I look up to him, his body is crouched, I'm surprised he was able to fit inside. A carriage like this is more suited to regular Fay not large Mystics like him.

"I know, I just...I don't even want to go, I'd rather be back in the valley"

My father takes a big slow puff from his pipe before releasing it out into the carriage."Then why did you come, Jasper? You have no use for the magic that the castle stores."

I cross my arms to where my armour clanks with it. sighing I reply "I didn't want to leave you"

"I appreciate that Jasper, but this is a new world we're heading to. You've stayed by my side since the day I found you. But it's time you dug your own path, you can't stay by my said forever son"

I shift in my posture away, not responding. He doesn't push me to respond, we just sit in silence once more.
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Soon out the tainted window past the fog, I see it!
Arcis Castle , it towers over any building I've seen with pointed roofs and intimated details spread out around the outside walls. Two Gargoyles guard the stone bridge as the carriage passes them. For an instant I could have sworn one of their tails moved. My heart flutters as we continue past the creek to the front gates, where guards stop the carriage. A girl no older than me approached my Father's side gesturing him to roll the window down, which he does willingly.

"What business do you have in Arcis?" Her voice is Stirn and direct.

I scooted a bit forward to get a better look at her. Her hair is cut up to her shoulders but her more signifying feature is how her hair is mainly Black with only her fringe being stained in star light.

"I have been hired by King Rowan of Arcis to be his Head Wizard for castle matters." Father replies by handing the girl his paperwork. She stands closer to a nearby oak tree to flip through the documents as the current rain might damage them. She returns quickly however, giving the paperwork back and asking.

"And who's he?" She asks, gesturing towards me.

"This is my son Jasper. He will be working in the castle guard." My father gives a proud smile as he says so, it's kinda hard to see through his white beard, but I can tell.

The girl nods in understanding and gives a Signal to the Guards manning the door to let us inside.
As we enter I gain a better sense of the castle. It's grim in nature, a feeling that hits my gut in suspense of this new place. It must be the storm or something about how the oddly shaped bushes in the garden are staring right back at me that I feel danger is on the other side of the castle walls.

We both step out to the front door where we are greeted by a servant. His Fay horns trail around the sides of his face like a ram.
"Greetings Ambrose, my majesty has been expecting you"

My father clutches his staff. Leaning down to reach the servants level. "Thank you kind sir it's an honour"
The servant smiles and begins to lead us down the spiralling halls. The walls are lined with marble with gold trimming around the edges. There are hundreds of Paintings of Royals past and present. The most notable being a large frame about 10ft taking up the space between the double staircases . It's of the current King, Queen and Princess of Arcis. All Arch Fay in stature, but my eyes are fixed on the princess. I take attention to her rosy cheeks, her sweet smile, her silky flowing chestnut hair...though a rather large smudge on the princess forehead catches me off guard but it's probably just an accident by the artist is all.

I'm Fay myself only lacking the horns like most Male Fay, though I know the reason why.
I was jealous of my father's horns as a child, his stretch and tangled themselves against one another like a majestic caribou's.

He was compassionate with my cries to be like the other boys in our travels. Eventually making me a pair of wooden horns to comfort me. Though eventually I grew out of them. I know who I am and lacking horns doesn't make me any less of a man.

As we trail up the stairs my father rustles my golden locks "Isn't this place wonderful Jasper! I'm sure with a palace like this there are many soldiers here who can properly train you"

I can tell he's trying to make me smile. I haven't even cracked a grin since the day that letter called us to stay here. My father Ambrose isn't skilled with swords or any weapons that don't involve magic. Though I was always persistent on being a knight growing up I taught myself how to fight like a true soldier.

"I don't need Castle Guards to show me how to wield a sword I've already taught myself, and I know I can handle a fight"

He looks rather irritated by my response. In sorrow he sighs and continues to follow the servant. I say nothing as usual and continue walking until we finally reach the Great Hall's entrance.