Life was good in Carulia. Wally was now king, and had quickly made a law declaring that abuse of any kind was illegal, and would result in banishment. Rudolph assumed the law didn't apply to him, but quickly found himself kicked out of the kingdom.
Dick had decided to remain as a servant. Despite knowing he might be a chief, he liked the calm life he had. He knew it would change when he and Wally got married, but for now, it was calm. He was allowed to love Wally as he wished without consequences. The only change was that he now lived in Wally's room, and everyone saw how much happier the servant was for it.
A few months after Wally's coronation, a foreign king contacted him. He wanted to make a treaty, and was hoping to come to Carulia for a few days. Wally agreed, wanting as many kingdoms to ally with them as possible. Dick was happy for Wally, seeing his reign succeed so far.
Dick had been standing beside Wally when the King and his Knights arrived. "Welcome to Carulia. I'm King Wally." "King Alfor. Pleased to be here. This is Baro, Ulric, and Sadon. They are new Knights, and are learning what it means to be one." "I'm sure the Knights here will love to give them a few tips. This is Dick, my servant. If anyone needs anything, just call him and he can help."
"No last name?" "I don't know where I'm from, Sire. The Knights here rescued me from the forest when I was young. My village was attacked, and I was the only one to survive. Carulia has been my home since I was four, but I have had no clues as to my last name. I would go back and search, but I don't know where it is. The Knight that saved me passed in battle years ago. Unless I'm brought back, I might never know my last name." Dick told them, surprised at the shocked looks.
"You have no idea?" "No, Sire. But I'm fine not knowing. I prefer being called Dick anyway." "Why don't you show the Knights to their rooms, and I'll show King Alfor to his? Try not to freak them out." Wally put a hand on Dick's shoulder. He nodded. "Right this way."
Dick felt uneasy alone with the knights. Something just struck him as odd. He could hear them whispering, and chills crept down his spine. He wanted someone else with him.
"These are your rooms. Call for me if you need anything." Dick directed them to three rooms, which were reserved for Knights of any royal guests. They each took a room, closing the door behind them.
Dick sighed, walking back towards the throne room. He felt better, being away from the Knights. He'd been alone with strangers before, and they'd never given him that feeling. Maybe he was nervous for the wedding? Yeah, that had to be it.
Dick entered the throne room to see Wally talking with King Alfor. "Come here, Dick." Wally said gently, smiling at him. Dick walked next to Wally, glancing up at Alfor. "It's alright. He won't hurt you. Our previous King had a habit of hurting his subjects, so our people are nervous around new Kings. If you feel any hesitance from our people, it is because they are trying to heal from King Rudolph." Wally explained, grabbing Dick's hand.
"I understand. Two Kings ago in Tohamar, he would kill anyone he believed to be magical, including a caravan of Gypsies that came through. The people feared his wrath, and were relieved when the new king overthrew him. It took a few years for them to heal. I understand completely." Alfor smiled.
Wally and Alfor talked for a while, Dick occasionally chiming in. He felt comfortable around Alfor, but being around the Knights scared him. He didn't mention this, deciding to wait until they got to their room.
Dick sighed as the door closed, sitting on the bed. "Is everything alright?" Wally asked, sitting next to him. "It's those Knights. I don't know what it is, but I don't feel comfortable being alone with them. I've never felt that way around strangers, besides Alzather. I didn't want to say anything and ruin our chance of creating the treaty, but they scare me. I don't know why." Dick told him, shivering as he thought of the Knights again.
"Could it be that they're new?" "I thought of that. Like I said, I don't know what it is. Something doesn't sit right with me." "They'll only be here three days. If it gets worse, or if they try to do something to you, find me immediately and tell me. I don't want you getting hurt." Wally instructed, cupping Dick's face.
Dick slept uneasily. He didn't like the Knights in Carulia. It felt wrong, and it felt dangerous. The nightmares came back again, which worried both. Dick hadn't had a nightmare in months. This wasn't good.
The next morning was difficult. Dick was almost too tired to get out of bed, the nightmares draining his energy away. Wally helped him bathe, using colder water to keep him awake. He didn't want to, but Dick had asked for it.
Dick did his best to keep awake with the Knights. Once they were in the dining room with Alfor and Wally, Dick could go get some of his chores done. He went to wash the horses first, as that usually took the most time.
Dick was washing Kao, his horse, when the Knights came. It had originally been King Rudolph's horse, but Wally had gifted it to Dick, since he had no horse of his own. It used to have a fierce temper, but Dick had been calming it. He didn't use pain to control the horse, instead using praise and treats. Kao was now one of the sweetest horses in the stables.
"Servant, we need a favor." Ulric boomed in his ear. "What can I do for you?" Dick asked, thinking maybe he hadn't meant to be that loud. "Our armor needs polishing. Think you can do that?" "Yes. I'll get it as soon as I'm done washing the horses." Dick felt chills go down his spine again. He could feel Kao tense behind him.
The Knights left again, and Dick sighed. Kao nosed Dick's face, snorting. "I know. Maybe it was an accident? I don't know they're culture. They could talk loudly because they live in a loud kingdom. Although that doesn't explain why Alfor talks so quietly." Dick mused, scrubbing at Kao's chest.
Dick finished washing the horses, and went to get the armor. It wasn't too heavy, and he was able to carry it easily. He worked as quickly as he could to polish the armor, wanting as little interaction with the Knights as possible.
After returning the armor to the Knight's rooms, he continued on. It was possible they just forgot his name. New place, new people, they were bound to forget a few things. It couldn't be too bad.
The second night, two of them cornered Dick in the hallway. It wasn't a well used hallway, meaning he was alone. Dick gulped, feeling like he was with Rudolph again. "I need something from you, servant. I need the key to the King's room" Ulric hissed, grabbing his arm. "I-I need the King's permission to give you that." Dick stuttered, feeling the grip on his arm tighten. "Wrong answer. Get me the key, now." "Like I said, I need the King's permission. The key is with him."
They dragged him into a nearby closet, throwing him to the ground. Dick knew he'd felt bad about these guys. He backed up, feeling panic come over him. He was about to be hurt again.
Sadon picked him up by the throat, slamming him against the wall. "If you're not going to get us they key, we'll make sure you're out of the way." Dick gasped for air, clawing at Sadon's arm. The last thing he saw was the Knight's grinning face before blacking out.
When Dick woke again, he was alone. He had been alone in the closet, the door shut. His throat ached, and his arm hurt. He felt weak, and didn't want to get up. But he had to get up, he had to warn Wally.
He stumbled over to the door, pushing against it. It wouldn't give. They'd locked it behind him, trapping him. Dick rammed into it a few times, panicking as he remembered Rudolph. How many times had he been locked in rooms, unable to do anything? He didn't know.
He collapsed to the floor, tears bubbling up. They were planning something, and Dick couldn't stop them. He couldn't save Wally. He couldn't do anything but sit there and sob, hoping someone found him before they hurt Wally. Despite his wishes, his eyes closed, and he fell asleep.
The Knights found Wally searching for something. "Have any of you seen Dick? I've been trying to find him for hours." Wally asked. "No, Sire. Is something wrong?" Ulric asked. "He's missed several of his chores. He never misses them. According to some of the other servants, he missed the evening meal, and no one has seen him. I'm worried for him."
Alfor walked over. "What's wrong?" "I can't find Dick anywhere. No one's seen him for hours. I'm worried something's happened to him. Kao is still here, and he doesn't leave the kingdom without him. Something's wrong." "I will help you search."
Wally searched throughout the castle, calling for Dick. A few of the servants joined him, going to different sections of the castle. Wally went down, starting from the bottom and working his way up. He had to find Dick.
He came across a door that had a board locking it. It was a closet that was never used, but there should be no reason it was locked. Unless the servants wanted it locked, which they usually didn't after Rudolph, and they always told Wally first. No one had told him about this.
He pulled the board off the hooks, throwing it to the side and yanking the door open. On the floor laid Dick, his neck heavily bruised. His eyes were closed, and his face was covered in tear tracks.
"Dick!" Wally cried, racing forward and taking the younger into his arms. Dick groaned, leaning into Wally. "Hang on, Dick. I'm going to get you to Agatha." Wally picked him up, racing towards the stables.
He ran into Alfor on the way over, who was startled by Dick's condition. "What happened?" "He was attacked and locked in a closet. I need to get him to a healer. There's one on the edge of the forest, but I need everyone at the castle to stay here." "I will take over until you return." "Please do so. Don't let anyone leave. Not even the Knights." "Understood."
Alfor held Dick while Wally leapt onto Agro, handing him over when Wally was ready. Wally spurred Agro, racing towards Agatha's house. He had no doubt in his mind that those Knights lied to him. No servant had a hand that big, but they did. Alfor had been with him all evening, until he went to search for Dick, and wouldn't have been able to do this. The bruise was too dark for him to have been the culprit.
"Agatha! Dick's hurt!" Wally called, slipping down with Dick in his arms. Agatha opened the door and ushered them in, instructing Wally to lay Dick on the cot. "What happened?" "He was attacked, then locked in a closet. I think someone tried to strangle him, based on the bruise around his neck. I don't know if he has any other bruises, I just knew I needed to get him to you." Wally's hands were shaking, his voice wavering.
He moved to give Agatha room, looking at Dick's face. Dick looked like he was in pain, with the tear tracks standing out against his dark skin. "Sit down. You'll collapse. I'll take care of him." Agatha said, looking for other injuries. He had a bruise on his arm, another hand, and a bruise on his shoulders, where he could have been slammed into a wall.
"From what I can tell, it's just bruises. I feel no fractures or breaks. I will perform a spell, which will help his bruises heal faster. Without it, it could take weeks for them to heal. With it, it'll narrow it down to a week, at most." Agatha told him. "Do it. Please." Wally practically begged. Iscara sat in Wally's lap, looking sad. As Agatha's familiar, she could show emotion better than other animals.
Wally pet Iscara as Agatha worked her magic, saying words that were completely unfamiliar to Wally. Dick looked lifeless, as if he wasn't breathing. She had to keep reassuring him Dick was alive. Dick had never been strangled, not even by Rudolph, so it was understandable that Wally would be worried.
Agatha removed her hands from Dick's chest, motioning for Wally to come over. He kneeled next to her, looking at Dick. "He'll be fine. He needs a good night's rest, but he should be able to tell you who hurt him in the morning. He can stay here, if you wish." Wally nodded. "Everyone who was in the castle when Dick was missing is there, and I don't want them to try again. I'll return in the morning."
Wally went back to the castle, anger burning in him. Why would anyone want to hurt Dick? He was one of the best servants, even if Wally wasn't slightly biased, and he was as sweet as honey. It made no sense.
Wally put Agro back in her pen, storming into the castle. Alfor greeted him in the throne room. "How is he?" "He'll be alright. He's staying with the healer until we find the culprit. I need to ask where your men are." "Did they do this?" "I believe at least one of them did. The bruise around Dick's throat was too big for any of my servants." "Tohamarians have large hands, because of the land we work. It would make sense."
"I apologise if it sounds like I'm accusing them. I just want to catch whoever this was." "I know. Besides, they are new Knights. It is hard to predict how they will be. I understand perfectly. They're in their rooms, isolated from the others." "Good. I need to get their stories. Can you make sure the other two stay in their rooms?" "Yes."
Wally interviewed the Knights separately, listening for discrepancies in their stories. Ulric claimed he was at the training grounds, which Wally knew was a lie. He and Alfor had been training, and he'd seen no sign of the Knight. Sadon claimed to have been in his room, which Wally knew was also a lie. The maids cleaned the rooms during and after the evening meal. Sadon would have been asked to leave.
Baro was the one he knew told him the truth. He told Wally that Ulric and Sadon had gone somewhere, not telling him anything. He followed at a slow pace, hearing an argument, and then a door slam. He'd been unable to make out the words, but he heard them slide a board across something. He had wanted to help whoever it was, but they'd caught him, and threatened to kill him if he told anyone. He knew he should have, but he felt he couldn't help whoever it was if he was dead.
Alfor had decided to leave punishment up to Wally. Baro was to be left unpunished, as he had been in a situation he couldn't help. Ulric and Sadon, however, would be banished from the kingdom, and Alfor would deal with them at his kingdom. They were put in two different cells, stripped of their weapons and armor.
True to his word, Wally returned to Agatha's hut. Dick was still asleep, but he looked better. He looked alive. The bruise was fading already, now a lighter purple.
"How is he?" Wally asked. "He's alright. He's still sleeping, but he should wake up soon. Have you figured out who it was?" "Two of the Knights from Tohamar. They're in cells, and Alfor will be punishing them when they are back at the kingdom. They are banished from Carulia. I believe it is safe for him to return."
Agatha nodded. "If he is not awake when you return to the castle, put him in bed and let him rest." Wally nodded, picking up his consort. Dick seemed to sense who it was, snuggling into Wally's chest.
Dick sat across Agro's back, leaning into Wally. Wally held onto Dick with one arm, pressing kisses to his face. Dick would be able to confirm everything. Once he healed, he could be with Wally again, like they normally were.
Dick slept for three hours. He was curled up in the four poster bed, buried under blankets. Wally sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Dick to wake up again. He just wanted Dick to be okay.
When Dick did wake up, Wally pulled him into a hug and smothered him in kisses. "Wally?" Dick croaked, smiling as Wally kissed his cheek. "It's me. What happened? Are you okay?" "Ulric and Sadon…cornered me, locked me in a closet. Hurt me trying to get a key to your room. I tried to warn you, but the door was locked." Dick leaned into Wally.
"We've got them in cells. They're awaiting the trip home, where they will be punished. Do you think you're strong enough to come to the signing of the treaty?" Dick nodded. "I may need a chair, but I can come." Dick smiled. "Then we'll get you a chair. I want you to be there for the first treaty. One day, you'll end up signing them yourself." "Until then, I'm happy just being by your side. I love you, Wally." "I love you, Dick. Never leave me." "Never in a million years."