The Skabelse

Can I Borrow Yours?

Warning: the end is a bit PG-13 ;p

As the warriors entered the throne room, Bjorn couldn't help but to notice the four large chairs in it's center, each filled with a High King and Queen. Two women were seated in the first two chairs, each one looking to be at least well into their sixties. They both had long gray hair that was curled and pinned back. Strange substances were painted on their faces which he assumed it was supposed to serve as some beauty product. Their lips were pressed into think lines and their eyes were tired. After then were two men, one looked like he would fall over dead at any moment, for he were skinny and his breathing was ragged. The other man looked to be the youngest, possibly in his fifties. His hair still had some color to it though his beard was littered with gray hairs. These are the High Kings and Queens? He couldn't help but to feel underwhelmed for he had expected more. As he drew closer, he noticed that all four wore identical robes and necklaces. Their décor is more impressive than they are he thought as his emerald eyes shifted to the marble walls that held. more art work and fine tapestries.

The short woman with dark hair bowed before speaking, "These are the warriors from Rorik and the Glade you wished to see."

The youngest High King leaned forward in his throne, running a hand through his trimmed beard, "Which one of you is prince Bjorn and princess Rowan?" His voice was deep and stern and made Rowan feel as if she were about to be scolded. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward as did Bjorn. "And who was the leader of your party?" he asked, scanning the large crowd.

Leif then stepped forward with his chin held high, "That would be me your grace."

He slowly sat back in his chair and looked to his right at the other three High Royals. They each gave a curt nod and he turned back to them, "Rochelle, can you escort everyone besides these three to their rooms for the evening? Make sure they are properly fed please."

The small dark haired women bowed quickly and shuffled Bjorn and Rowan's companions out of the throne room. Once the door was shut, the first High Queen sat forward, "Forgive us for not introducing ourselves earlier, Tomwulf is quite forgetful sometimes. I am Queen Nilac and this is Queen Via, then there is King Isen and the one on the end is King Tomwulf." When she finished she looked down the line at the youngest King who gave her an eye roll. Bjorn bit his cheek in order to not laugh at the scene before him. I guess even our High Kings and Queens have issues getting along at times.

Queen Nilac motioned to King Tomwulf to continue and sat back in her seat, resting her chin in her hand.

"We are going to split you three up and see if your stories match. Quite frankly I find it hard to believe the tales I have heard over the past few weeks. You have nothing to worry about if you tell the truth, but if we find so much as an obscured detail then the consequences will be severe. We do not take such matters as this lightly, especially when we have two Skabelse tributes who failed to contribute to society but that is another matter."

Rowan felt a lump grow in her throat with each word he spoke. She hadn't even thought about not completing the ceremony. Anger slowly filled her as she wanted to tell them right then and there as to why she and Bjorn had failed to produce a child. You would think the bear incident and being taken from our tent in the middle of the night and tortured would be a reasonable excuse.

The two Queens slowly stood up from their throne and walked over to Rowan. Queen Via lightly grabbed onto her arm, "This way child."

Rowan followed her and looked over her shoulder to Bjorn who was following King Tomwulf. Leif remained behind with King Isen.

The Queens brought Rowan through a small door that led to a spacious room with a fire place. It was warm and inviting and in the center was a large wooden table with cushioned chairs. "Sit," Queen Via ordered, taking her own seat. Rowan did as she was told and pulled out the deep orange chair and took a seat. She was nervous as she wondered what she should say, for her future depended on it. Just tell them the truth and you will have nothing to worry about.