Trumpets

Drindle pulled the reins on Harthling and the wagon came to a slow stop. The stairs leading up to the large covered veranda were on the right of the carriage. Drindle stepped down and looked up the steps at the tall looming figure of Galorian. The well dressed figure didn't drop his chin as he studied Drindle's profile. The man had thick, short, white hair that was combed back and oiled in place.

Lionel stepped down from the driver's platform and looked up at the well dressed man at the top of the stairs. The man's eyes narrowed and his chin dropped slightly as he appeared to study Lionel. Isaac was the first to speak.

He dismounted from his horse before talking in the direction of Galorian, "My Lord, I am here to deliver Drindle to see her Highness Queen Sophia." Isaac gave a small bow.

Two servants standing off to the side of Galorian headed down the stairs. One of them took the reins of Harthling. Gil'ead had followed Isaac's lead and dismounted as well. The other servant took the reins of both Isaac's and Gil'ead's horses and led the steeds away. Gil'ead stayed in a bowed over position as he faced the imposing figure of Galorian.

"The Queen is busy." A deep voice resonated from the old figure on the peak of the stairs. "You can speak with me." There was clear disdain in the man's voice. He wouldn't even look at Drindle as he spoke.

Lionel could tell there was some history between the two old men. He couldn't quite understand why but from what he saw of Drindle it appeared they were either rivals, or maybe friends from the past. Either way Lionel could tell the two men disliked each other.

Drindle proved Lionel right when he spoke again. "Oh am I just supposed to talk to some dog?" The sarcasm was dripping from his words. "Baahh! What good is it to ask a mutt for anything?" When he finished speaking Drindle began to hover above the ground a few inches. "Come on, Ank"

Drindle began to ascend the stairs slowly while floating just above them. Lionel walked quickly after the wispy white haired man. Neither Isaac nor Gil'ead moved a step. Once Drindle reached the top of the stairs Lionel stopped as he felt a sudden pressure forming on his body. It was hard to breath. He looked at the two old figures staring at each other. He could feel the pressure emanating from between those ancient beings.

The air started to ripple. Lionel's hair blew back and forth from the sudden ebb and flow of energy fluctuations. Only now did Lionel notice the two guards standing at either side of the doors behind Galorian. Both of their faces showed signs of clear fear.

Gil'ead spoke trying to calm the tensions "Master Galorian, The Queen requested Drindle's services." Lionel could tell from the mage's voice that he would have chosen to be quiet rather than speak up.

The tensions stopped increasing but nonetheless the air was still tangible. A sudden clatter of hooves approaching finally broke the pressure. Lionel turned around to see nine figures on fast moving horses. Their destination was the the castle as well. Leading the group was the spoiled Prince.

They had barely pulled to a halt before the prince dismounted quickly and began climbing the stairs. "Galorian, escort this man to the dungeons!" The teenage prince still appeared offended with the same red tinge coloring his otherwise pale cheeks.

Galorian studied the prince's face for a moment before speaking again. "Sire, Let me handle this." it appeared Galorian had already surmised the situation as he didn't even ask why the prince wanted Drindle in the dungeons.

Drindle glanced at the butt hurt prince before speaking "I am here to see Sophia, So you lot bugger off" Drindle spoke again while moving past Galorian. Lionel took two steps forward and was beside the prince before the same pressure filled the air as before. The ripples of energy began to spread again.

It appeared neither of the two old men wanted to back down this time. the Prince had just given a better reason for the neatly dressed old man to push against Drindle. Fear showed on the face of the prince and all the others around. Lionel stood studying the flow of the energies.

Lionel was becoming more in tune with the energies as he studied them. It was strange to him but he could see the threads of the fabric of magic as he stood watching. The magic would ripple the air and he could clearly see where the energy was being spawned. The stalemate continued for a few moments longer before the oily haired old man shifted his gaze from Drindle towards Lionel.

Suddenly a huge pressure filled the air. Drindle turned towards where Isaac and Gil'ead were.

Lionel had seen the ripple of energy fly from over his shoulder towards the geezer. The codger didn't even bat an eye when he turned suddenly. The boy couldn't keep up with the flow of energy at that point so he had turned to find the source of it.

The geezer waved his hand and the sudden pressure vanished. Gil'ead fell to his knees with sweat beading on his now bleached forehead. He began to teeter forward. Isaac leaned over and grasped the mage's robe to keep him from falling face first into the stone stairs. All eyes were on the soldier and mage.

Lionel could hear the commander ask "Why did you try to attack Drindle?" His face was incredulous.

"To stop... haaaa... haaaa... the situation... getting.. worse.." was all the mage could say before passing out in the soldiers arms.

Lionel turned back to see that Drindle was headed towards the marble doors of the castle. Galorian spoke loudly as he stepped forward, his polished appearance seemed crazen as he spoke again. "You, you took another Apprentice?!"

Lionel climbed the stairs quickly and moved towards Drindle. The geezer turned and stared Galorian dead in the eyes. There was a pain in the older man's eyes Lionel had yet to see.

The doors of the castle slowly began to open and a troop of six well dressed men paraded out. They moved in synchrony and split three to either side of the door. They were carrying brass instruments that Lionel hadn't ever seen before. They were in two perfectly parallel lines as they lifted their strange horn shaped objects to their lips and blew.

A poshly dressed herald walked out of the doors and announced in a loud voice for all to hear.

"QUEEN SOPHIA WILL NOW SEE LORD DRINDLE"