Fifty Seven

The bustling city is filled with smells and sounds that I had forgotten. The colour that paints my diverse kingdom and the equally diverse people who bring it to life and give it meaning. Who give me meaning. The people cleared the stone road allowing for us to pass by, but with every step, their happiness became grief as they saw the black drape over our crest.

Before we had entered the city, Elizabeth and I were put on two horses and led the procession into Artica and onto the palace. The magnificent marble that made up most of the palace shimmered and glistened in the sunlight and the trees right by the walls brought a local feeling to the building. It's towers which reached high into the sky and the granite beneath our feet were the most beautiful reminder that I was home.

As we made our way up those alluring steps, Elizabeth's head of military affairs, Chayse, addressed her as "your majesty" but she was quick to remind him that she was to be addressed as her highness until her coronation. We were then led to the throne room where all of the generals had gathered. They planned to attack Pasiphae from the sea, while reinforcing the border, but that would require them knowing Pasiphae's military tactics and such.

They turned to Nathaniel hoping that he had memorised them and could help, and he did. Not a lot though. He mentioned that Donatello was present at all the meetings as well and most likely knows more than he did. Donatello stressed that he couldn't participate as it wasn't his place to, and he had the responsibilities of protecting and taking care of Nathaniel as well.

One of the generals, who happened to be George's father, called in his second son, Leonardo and assigned him to be Nathaniel's bodyguard during his stay in Ceres. With that, Nathaniel and Donatello could help the generals and the meeting was adjourned. As soon as it was, Elizabeth took me away, rather quickly.