The procession came to a halt just outside the palace gates. To either side, a white wall curved away around the grounds. Decian frowned slightly when he looked at the golden gates. They were so… extravagant. His unclear sight didn’t help to ease his mind, either. He could see Krenn, and the people around him, but as things grew farther, they appeared blurrier. He had never been somewhere where his near-sightedness was an issue, before.

Two elven guards in ornate golden and silver armour opened the gates for the royals and their guests, leaving only a long cobbled path between them and the palace. Decian straightened his posture, and patted Krenn’s neck again.

“And onward, to the lair of the beasts?” Ridley spoke quietly, having pulled his horse next to Decian and Krenn.

Decian let a slight smile curve his lips. “I think I would prefer actual beasts. I needn’t be so political.” He whispered in return as they began to move again.

Ridley laughed loudly at that, and the elven prince turned around to fix him in a glare. The human soldier made a bashful face and shrugged, mouthing ‘oops?’ But he couldn’t wash the grin away for very long. Even Decian laughed softly at the Prince’s sour reaction. Perhaps the elves’ rudeness would be tolerable with someone like Ridley to laugh with.

The path between the grounds walls and the palace itself was paved with smooth stone and lined with small trees. Past those, Decian could see the stables to one side. Up ahead on the path were a few elves all wearing the same uniform. A pale gold tunic with simple brown pants. When Prince Isgellian and King Duraine reached them, they dismounted, and handed their horses off to them. A wide-eyed elf approached Decian and Krenn as he dismounted.

“I-I’ll take your… um… mount t-to the stables?” He spoke as if it were a question, and Decian smiled gently at him.

“That will not be necessary, thank you.” He said, and kissed Krenn’s head. He whispered a good-bye to her, before running a hand along her back, and unsummoning her. The elf had already turned and hurried back to his fellow servants, and went with them as they escorted the horses to the stables.

“Shall we?” King Duraine checked that everyone had dismounted, but didn’t wait for a response before he turned back and led them toward the palace. The doors were painted gold, and ornately carved. They were also massive, and two servants pushed them open as the group neared. “Welcome to the Palace of Stelloise.” King Duraine said, spreading his arms wide as they stepped in.

The grand hall had soaring ceilings, and paintings of all the previous kings on the walls. Two big, curved staircases led up to the second floor, and wide archways opened to hallways on either side. Everything came in various shades of whites, golds, and other similar, warm colours. Decian had expected there to be servants bustling around, but he only saw a couple, who were approaching the newcomers, wearing polite smiles.

“These men will show you to your rooms,” King Duraine motioned to the servants, “And Prince Isgellian will accompany you.” Decian saw an irritated look flash across the elf’s face, before his political smile returned and he nodded.

“Of course, it would be my pleasure.” Isgellian’s fake smile was transparent, especially with the annoyance edging his voice.

“Thank you for welcoming us to your home once again, King Duraine. Will you be joining us in the dining hall tonight?” King Edward asked.

“Unfortunately, I have matters to attend to, but my son will gladly join you.” King Duraine said. Decian was watching Prince Isgellian, and saw his green eyes shut as he shook his head, though it was barely noticeable. The King certainly made many promises on his son’s behalf… When Isgellian opened his eyes again, they locked with Decian’s, and a sneer curled his lips momentarily. But King Duraine turned his attention to him, and the sneer was immediately replaced with a smile. “Very well… I will be on my way, then. I will see you all at the meeting tomorrow.” King Duraine bowed his head to them, and then turned to walk away. Prince Isgellian brightened his fabricated smile when he addressed his guests. But at the same time that he did, the Prince’s glamour glowed a little brighter, as if he had reinforced it. Decian frowned at that. Glamours always made him uneasy. In his experience, they were a monster’s, or a colleague’s way of trying to trick him. Whenever he saw one, all he desired was to remove it. Reveal the truth. It was an instinct formed throughout his years of training, and if it weren’t for the discipline he had earned in much the same way, he may have leapt to the prince and ripped the glamour off just to soothe his prickling nerves.

Decian was pulled from his thoughts when Isgellian spoke. “Come with me, your rooms are this way.” He bowed his head to them before he turned. The servants followed behind him, then the humans, and finally Decian and King Brabil.

Brabil nudged Decian’s arm and raised an eyebrow at him as they went up the stairs. “What do you think of Stelloise, so far?”

“Bright…” Decian said quietly. He was accustomed to the Deep Wood. If he wasn’t so fond of climbing up above the treetops to fly, he likely would have never seen the sun before. If he hadn’t, his headache would have been much worse.

“Yes… Well, you will get used to it. Doubtlessly, it will be just in time for us to return home.” The King laughed softly, and Decian rolled his eyes, smiling slightly.

“How reassuring…” He said.

The halls of the palace were wide and many, and Decian feared that he wouldn’t be able to find his way out again unescorted. But the Prince and his servants seemed to know exactly where they were going. The halls were elegantly decorated, yet mostly barren. Decian was used to his King’s home, with its bustling halls that felt warm no matter how dark it was where they lived. It was much smaller than the palace of Stelloise, and simpler, but King Brabil always said that he didn’t need much, and that he was happy with his home. It was much larger than most houses in the Deep Wood, after all. But there were few servants to be seen walking down the halls of the Palace of Stelloise. It wasn’t until Decian saw a panel of wall open for a servant to come out, that Decian understood. They must have their own halls, hidden away. He frowned at the thought. Why hide the people who help run your house? He found himself thinking of the elven royals with more and more distaste, the more he learned of their ways.

The humans were shown their rooms first, and Decian watched as the Prince bid farewell to them with a wide smile. He couldn’t ignore the glamour. But again, he shook off the desire to remove it, and followed as the Prince led him and his king down the hall toward their own rooms.

“Someone will come to fetch you for dinner in approximately two hours. Until then, you may walk the halls, or… bathe…” He cast a glance back at them. Decian could see distaste in the elf’s eyes, as if it were their fault, and not the simple act of travelling, that had left the men with a less than ideal scent. “However, it would be appreciated if you were back in your rooms by dinnertime, as it will be easier to find you. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask a servant…” He stopped in the hall and turned around. “Otherwise, welcome. This door leads to your room, King Brabil, and that one over there is yours.” He gestured to two doors, only a little down the hall from the humans’ rooms.

“Decian.” The nocten added, reminding the Prince of his name.

“Pardon?” Prince Isgellian looked to Decian. His permanent crown raised along with his eyebrows.

“My name is Decian, you seem to have forgotten.” He explained, forcing a smile to match the prince’s in believability.

“Ah… I see. Well, I will see you both at dinner. Until then…” He bowed his head to them, and turned to walk away. The servants opened the doors to their rooms for them, and then left as well.

“Are the royals always that…” Decian began, frowning slightly.

“Prickly? False? Yes… I’m afraid so. You will find that most elves still carry the self-righteousness of their ancestors.” King Brabil chuckled. “I’m going to bathe, I’ll see you at dinner.” Decian sighed and nodded. Of course they did. Brabil patted Decian’s shoulder before going into his room and shutting the door.

“I’ll see you then.” He said, and went over to his room. He was surprised to see pale blue and white walls, with navy accents. At least it wasn’t more white and gold. The lights hadn’t been lit, and the curtains were drawn wide to let the sunlight flood in the room from the large window. With a heavy sigh, Decian walked over, and pulled them shut, casting the room into darkness. To Decian’s surprise, it took his eyes a while to adjust. He found an exquisite looking, cushy chair. It was there that Decian sat a while, feeling very, very far away from home.