Winter Festival in Theapan (Part 8)

"Bredret, if you think I would let you do something like-" King Micah argued back at Bredret while his brow throbbed from a sudden migraine.

Vorbuk rushed over to them in order to calm the situation before it caused more problems among the banquet. Onlookers were already gossipping about King Micah arguing with the dragon, Bredret. His voice was disgruntled as he already had a lot of things on his mind after what had happened since the start of the night, "What on earth is going on right now?"

"Pardon? He was just asking me for the impossible before smashing a bottle when I refused." King Micah stated while they both were looking in Bredret's direction.

Bredret looked as if he had drank more then his usual. His face was flushed from the heavy amount he had drank since the start of the day itself. Ever since Bredret had found King Micah he had been drinking and following him around. There was reason behind what Bredret was secretly trying to ask King Micah for since he'd seen the King show up in front of him. However King Micah did not feel like going into details about their conversation tonight with Vorbuk.

Growling deeply Bredret started to speak up, a glint of golden light in his eyes flashed, "I was trying to ask for you to-"

"Are you able to have that cup of tea with me now?" King Micah suddenly cut Bredret off by asking Vorbuk a question.

Vorbuk could tell that King Micah was trying to avoid the topic on what happened between the two of them. As long as the situation defused he did not mind what happened as it was a matter between the two of them. If King Micah was not going to talk about it he would not pry further either.

"Tea?" Bredret scoffed as he felt like he was suddenly being ignored by the lower creatures, "I will be coming along as well. I am not finished with you about this."

"This matter is over," King Micah retorted against Bredret. "I told you I can not do something like that."

"I dont know what this is over but we should end this matter for now. You two are drawing a crowd because of this." Vorbuk scolded them both regardless of Micah being a king. They were both starting to get on his nerves. He did not care what people thought of him but he knew he still had to watch his image to a point in order to maintain his position.

Vorbuk turned to King Micah and quickly spoke, "We can have that tea now however I suppose Bredret will be tagging along. Prince Leo will join us later on as he has current matters to deal with."

"That is alright with me," King Micah complied calmly before sighing deeply and adding on, "But we may need to make the drinks something stronger then tea if he is coming with us."

"That's more like it." Bredret mumbled to himself at those words.

"Yes, well," Vorbuk paused for a second, "I understand the feeling, King Micah."

Bredret flinched and turned his head to look away from the both of them as if his pride had been struck.

"Honestly, I could believe that very much considering how troublesome Bredret can be at times." King Micah said.

Vorbuk glanced at Bredret for a moment to see that the dragon was becoming frustrated with the conversation about himself. It was not the first time Bredret had met King Micah. In the past they had met many times when Celeste was still alive so the King knew him well. That was the reason Bredret could act so comfortable with the king compared to others.

"Have you known Bredret long?" Vorbuk asked openly as he was interested in knowing more about the dragon that traveled with him and helped him so many times along the way.

King Micah thought about it and nodded, "A very long time indeed."

"That's enough with the bullsh-" Bredret was interrupted.

"Bredret," Vorbuk spoke up quickly in order to stop him from continuing, "We should probably start heading out now for that drink."

"Ashley," Vorbuk suddenly called out to the side where Ashley was standing behind him, "We will be heading to the palace garden's gazebo for a drink."

"Yes, master~!" Ashley smiled brightly as he turned to escort the two kings outside like a loyal servant should. He called out to a couple of the other servants along the way in order to have them bring out drinks for them.

As they walked King Micah observed and took in the surroundings of the palace along the path they took. When they got outside and entered the garden it was a beauty that rivaled even his own palace garden back home in Cista Kingdom. The maze was as if it had been pulled from a thorny painting. It was beautiful yet gave off a dangerous aura of its own from a glance. Something like Vorbuk's garden was a place that gave you the feeling as though you should remain quiet and simply enjoy the view but at the same time made you feel like you should not linger because that beauty just might prick you like a thorny rose.

Entering a large gazebo with a round table and benches that wrapped around it the three of them each took a seat opposite of each other. Ashley remained standing as he waited for the servants to arrive with the drinks before placing them out in front of the three of them. He was not drinking because he had to serve his master. Remaining at the side behind Vorbuk he watched over everything in the surroundings to make sure nothing could sneak up on them while they were outside.

"You received a very rare gift from the duke earlier," King Micah started the conversation first. "it is very difficult to obtain."

"You're talking about the blue phoenix tears?" Vorbuk asked as he recalled that King Micah had reacted strongly at the mere sight of the object.

"Yes," King Micah paused, "you should keep that item safe. It could help you greatly in an emergency."

"Have you seen it before?" Vorbuk asked him.

"Yes," King Micah replied instantly. "I know very well about the blue phoenix tears."

"I thought it was something hard to find?" Vorbuk could not understand why King Micah would know so much about an item that was nearly impossible to come across. If Duke Heket had not found it among the black market Vorbuk may have never seen the object in his entire life.

"Those of the phoenix race remain hidden among the mortals. They do not come out with their race except in rare times when a phoenix will reveal themselves to those they feel as if they can entrust their secret to. Do you know what happens to a race when smugglers find them knowing they hold special abilities that could be extorted for profit?" King Micah's every word was spoken deeply as he pointed towards Vorbuk and continued. "You get rare items just like that one. What did that person experience under the hands of smugglers in order to fill that vile of blue phoenix tears? Therefore, you should make sure it counts when you use that item. It is more precious then you could imagine."

Vorbuk hesitated to speak, "King Micah, you-"

"Shall we enjoy our drinks?" King Micah smiled brightly as he changed the subject.