CTMAS - Chapter 3: Regulus Castle

Computer, Tell Me a Story
Chapter 3: Regulus Castle
The group walked for a good half an hour before the castle came into full view.  Castle Regulus is a majestic piece of art.  Definitely more impressive up close.  Gold-trimmed red banners with a golden lion symbol fluttered in the wind.  You can see marks on the walls where perhaps battering rams hit and fireballs melted stone, yet it remained a towering symbol of fortitude and strength.  A fair sized moat encircled the castle, but the huge drawbridge is lowered and the guards looked at ease.  A booming horn sounded as they approached.
Two guards in standard plate armor gave a salute as they entered the gates.  “Good evening sir Jezriel.” One greeted.  “Guests tonight?”
“New esper.  And a friend.” Jezriel answered, gesturing towards the kids.
“Oh!” The guards looked alarmed.  “Pardon us.  We didn’t realize… we will have preparations ready.” The other guard said in a panic.  The other guard boomed another trumpet into the halls, and one could hear the fading relay of more trumpets inside.
“Thank you.” Jezriel nodded and proceeded walking towards the main hall.
Three ladies in waiting approached them halfway, wearing what seems to be a standard uniform of white aprons on top of black dresses.  One of them had a white headpiece and appeared to be more senior.  “Sir Jezriel, at your service.” She said, head slightly bowed.
“Kids, please follow them and get cleaned up, leave your things in your assigned rooms.  Meet me at the dining halls in a few minutes.” He told Rayan and Aurora.
“Yes mister Jezriel!” Aurora giggled excitedly.  “I’ve never been to a house this big before.”
“Aurora…” Jezriel paused a bit before walking away.  “Leave the bunny.”
“I’ll make sure she does.” Rayan replied.  “Come on Aurora.  I’m getting hungry too.  I hope the villagers aren’t worried sick looking for us.”
As the ladies guided them, Rayan turned and saw Jezriel met by another man and woman in the main halls.  They wore identical clothes, but with different armor pieces on top.  Must be more royal guards, he thought.  But what exactly did royal guards do?  The old man didn’t look much like a fighter… neither did the other two.  He caught glimpse of a small girl run across the hallway.  “Maybe that’s Emrys, the other esper?” He thought.
Dining hall.  Food.  Lots of food.
“Woow!” Aurora’s wide eyed gaze was only matched by the drool on Rayan’s face.  They were in what looks like normal castle Regulus clothes, definitely a lot fresher now than right after the muddy struggle a while ago.
“Come children.  Please have a seat.” Jezriel waved at them.
At the end of the table is a middle aged man wearing a golden crown.  A golden lion emblem adorns the center of the headpiece.  “Welcome to castle Regulus, Aurora, Rayan.” He smiled.
“Are you the king?... um… sir?” Rayan asked, stammering.
“I am king Stefan of house Regulus.” The man answered, gesturing for them to sit.
“My name is Aurora, pleased to meet you mister king Stefan!” Aurora said, sitting down next to another girl.  Rayan recognized her as the one he saw earlier.  Quite thin, shoulder length straight black hair, condescending eyes that seems to be measuring you with her stare, yes, this was someone he doesn’t think he would get along with.
“Oh where are my manners.” Stefan laughed.  “Introductions!”
“I am Rayan, friend to Aurora.” Rayan said bluntly and stopped there.  Less words, less awkward mistakes.
“Emrys.  Esper.” The girl beside Aurora said, eyes rolled up.  Rayan felt like she just wanted to get it over with.
“And I am her teacher, Echo.” A tall, thin man behind Emrys’ chair added, raising his hand.  “Honored to meet a new esper.” He smiled.  “... and her friend.”  Rayan kept feeling closer and closer to being an add-on.
“Name’s Kass.” Another voice said from the far end of the table.  Rayan hardly noticed him there.  It was another boy, a bit older than him, perhaps a year or two.  The scars on his face shows a lot of combat experience.  “Esper.  Assassin.” The boy added.
“He specializes in displacement.” Jezriel said as he sat down beside Rayan.

“Portals that really move your location?” Rayan asked to confirm.
Jezriel gave a knowing smile and nodded.  “Teleportation is the word you are looking for young man.”
Stefan raised his glass and boomed.  “Welcome back to castle Regulus, sir Jezriel.  Once again, the royal guards are complete, each with their own students.”  He glanced at Aurora.  “I am assuming of course that you choose to stay with us to hone your abilities, young lady.”
Aurora giggled.  She liked being called a lady rather than a little girl.  “If I like it here, mister king.”  She replied.  “...and if Rayan lets me stay.  He’s my personal guard.” She added, bumping Rayan’s shoulder.
“I am very hopeful.” Stefan replied.  “Please eat.  The food is getting cold.”
Everyone dug in.  It seemed like forever since Rayan had food this good.  He was quite hungry from a stressful day, and he still has to figure out a way to leave with Aurora as soon as possible.  “So mister Jezriel...” He began, chewing through a mouthful of small boiled potatoes.  “After we are done with what Aurora wants to learn, can you send us back home anytime?”
“Why would you want to go home?” Emrys interrupted before Jezriel could say anything.  “There are only about three or four possible iterations of worlds better than Eldris.”
“Excuse me?” Rayan squinted at the girl.  He still didn’t like her one bit.
“I did my research.  The resources in Eldris are far richer than any other world.” Emrys replied casually, ignoring Rayan’s obvious disapproval of her interruption.  “What sets this world back from a few others is the limited capability they have in harnessing its power.  But that’s what we espers are here for.”
“Now now, children.” Echo injected himself into a potentially awkward conversation.  “Let’s give our new guests time to get used to Eldris first before coming to any conclusions.  Young Rayan, I am sure each one of us royal guards have the capability by one means or another to send you home, so there is no need to worry.”
Rayan slumped back, arms folded.  “Thank you.” He replied.  “Why are you called royal guards anyway?  You don’t look like the fighter types.”
There was a few moments of disturbing silence and eyes slowly travelled from each person towards the king.  “I’m sorry.  Bad topic?” Rayan asked, realizing the can of worms he opened a bit too late.
The king coughed a few times, wiping his lips with a piece of white cloth.  “That, young man, is a bit of a sensitive topic.” Stefan started.  “But I guess I could spare a short explanation, given that I would be entrusting the future of house Regulus to you all.”