"Welcome, Your Majesty... We are very honored to have you here." Lord Hirsch smiled broadly when he welcomed Maxim and Renwyck at the dining hall. "Uhm... yesterday was your birthday. So, we want to celebrate it with you today. I hope you will enjoy the food we serve. "
Behind him, there were his whole family, his wife and four children, and important government officials waiting for Maxim's arrival. All their faces were filled with awe and happiness.
They still couldn't believe their eyes. The king.... he really came to their humble city!
When Maxim entered the hall, all the women curtseyed and the men bowed down respectfully. After he greeted them, they all looked up to him and listened to his every word.
"Thank you," Maxim finally smiled. He was pleasantly surprised that he could celebrate his birthday far away from home. When Renwyck mentioned it last night, he didn't really think about it.
Maxim thought this year he had the worst birthday ever. The raging snowstorm outside of their inn seemed to solidify that feeling for him. It was harsh, cold, and unpleasant. He hated it.
However, seeing strangers, greeted him so warmly and even held belated birthday lunch for him, slowly, the hatred in his heart subsided and he actually felt touched.
Maxim took a seat at the head of the table because Lord Hirsch insisted. Even though he was the mayor, he said Maxim was the king and should get the highest place of honor.
"To His Majesty, King Loriel Ashborn." Lord Hirsch raised his wine cup before they started the feast. Everyone rose from their seat and followed him to raise their cups too.
"To His Majesty, King Loriel Ashborn!" They all said in unison.
"Long live the king!" someone added.
"Long live the king..!" the others copied.
They all cheered for the king and somehow Maxim felt his ice-cold heart slowly melted. He didn't say anything. He didn't really know what to say but thank you and he already said that before. He didn't like to repeat himself.
He only nodded at them to show his appreciation. After he downed his wine, followed by the others, the feast started.
***
"Thank you for throwing the feast earlier," Maxim told Lord Hirsch. When they met in private at his study after the feast. There was only the two of them and Renwyck.
Maxim decided to tell Lord Hirsch a little bit about the reason why he suddenly appeared in Greensborough. He continued, "I am on an important mission. That's why I am not bringing the king's guards with me. I came here because I will need your help."
"Oh, I will be glad to be of use for your, Your Majesty," Lord Hirsch replied. "It's an honor for me."
"Thank you. Well, my right hand here, Renwyck, has been accompanying me and protecting me during this trip. However, now, I want to send him somewhere to do a very important mission for me," Maxim explained. "Therefore, I want you to arrange the security protocol to take me back to Castilse. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Definitely," Lord Hirsch quickly agreed. "I will prepare it as soon as possible. I can send our best knights to escort you to Castilse. When do you need to go back?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Noted."
"I also need to send pigeons to the capital and notify the prime minister about my trip. They must feel worried because I have been gone for much longer than plan and I haven't sent them any news."
"Understood."
"Once they know where I am and the route I am taking, they can send people to meet me halfway. I think it is also safer that way," Maxim added.
Lord Hirsch took out a paper and a quill, and quickly took note of everything Maxim wanted him to do. The young king noticed his thoughtfulness and smiled.
He decided to look into the Hirsch family later after he reached Castilse and found out what should be the best reward to give this mayor for his thoughtful actions in helping Maxim.
Renwyck turned to Maxim and asked the king with his eyes, what the new plan was. Maxim tapped his fingers on the table and spoke to him. "Do you remember Raphael from Mount Tempest and what he gave Emmelyn?"
Renwyck nodded. He immediately understood what Maxim had in mind. Now that he thought of it, it actually made sense. "You want me to go to Mount Tempest and ask for their help with Lady Emmelyn?"
Maxim nodded. "Yes."
"Okay," Renwyck nodded back. "I can go there with Eris. Do you want to keep Aslain with you, Your Majesty? He can protect you from above. You know... just in case."
Renwyck would feel a lot safer to leave the king behind if he could make sure at least Aslain would stay. He knew Maxim was a formidable man, but he was traveling with three weak humans which would need his protection.
Renwyck didn't know if Lord Hirsch's men would be sufficient to protect their king who was traveling incognito. That's why he offered to let Aslain protect Maxim too.
"Yeah, you are right. Aslain will be helpful in any given situation. I would love to keep him by my side," Maxim replied.
"That will make me feel so relieved, Your Majesty," said Renwyck with a smile.
"All right. Now that we have settled it, I want to send pigeons back home," Maxim said. He rose from his seat and turned to Lord Hirsch. "Can we do it now?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, definitely," Lord Hirsch replied. "Follow me."
Maxim had written a brief letter to Grand Duke Lance Goodwin, the prime minister, to explain his situation and gave the updates. He realized the government must start feeling worried because he had been gone for months without news.
Now, he followed Lord Hirsch to the pigeon station and send the letter using one of the pigeons there. His letter would reach Castilse in four days. He hoped to receive a reply in one week when he reached Cromwell.
Maxim felt his heart lighter when he reached his chamber for the night to rest.
.
.
**********
From Missrealitybites:
I really, really, really wanted to make chapter 600 special by throwing Mars' and Emmelyn's reunion in here... but sadly I can't go there yet.
I have to bridge the scenes between Maxim and Emmelyn leaving Myreen to Mars entering Atlantea and finally they meet in the middle. I have to write the bridging chapters so the story would make sense.
You have no idea how writing these bridging chapters felt so boring and unexciting... ahahaha, that it took me many hours just to write one chapter. However, they must be written otherwise the story will just be a collection of good scenes without logic to connect them.
So, please bear with me. We are going to the good parts soon!