Start Talking
Daniel decided to put his thoughts aside for now and focused his attention on the journey. After a day of their horses galloping, they finally arrived at their kingdom. Daniel breathed in relief, soon he would carry out his mission and escape with his brother, he made up his mind to stop bothering about his feelings for the king, and focused that energy on himself.
Back at the castle, in the training quarters the guards disarmed. Daniel looked around in awe, he couldn't believe he had missed training. He couldn't blame himself either, because that was where he had met his newfound family. Speaking of family….’ he muttered, his eyes finding their way to Timber, Frank, and Justin.
Although he had a bumpy beginning with Justin, he had come to like him. Justin was not the big strong man he pretended to be, he was very emotional, but he hid his true self under a facade acting. He would miss all of them when he finally leaves. He thought, his eyes filled with sadness.
“What in the world are you thinking about, buddy? Let's go and check on the new guards. I am sure they will be training their butts off. Thank goodness we are the king's personal men,” Frank said as he put his arms around Daniel's neck. Daniel sighed, at first he didn't like when people touched his neck, but over time, he had gotten used to it, and he liked it, especially if it was Frank's arms.
“You this lazy man,” Daniel replied with a husky voice, and they both laughed it out, as Justin joined them. Timber had left for home, saying it was urgent.
When they entered the training room, they bumped into Lord Henry, and the strict look on his face made them stumble back in fear, beside him stood Lord Aaron, he had an unreadable yet scary eyes.
“What are you doing here? Why aren't you reporting your assignment?!” Lord Henry asked with a grimace on his face. His harsh voice was back, he seemed to have gotten over his heartbreak.
Frank, Justin, and Daniel looked at one another, puzzled and confused.
“Assignment? We weren't given any,” Daniel stuttered, he was scared of Henry, he had always been intimidated by his aura.
Henry's eyes squinted with irritation, and he was about to lash out at them when Lord Astro appeared.
“Greetings my Lords. After every royal journey, you are to report to your captain/trainer. Protecting the king is your assignment,” Lord Astro explained to the three frightened men and turned to look at Lord Henry with a gentle smile. “Please forgive them, they are new recruits and don't know much about the palace,” he apologized on behalf of them.
Frank, Daniel, and Justin bowed down respectfully. Lord Henry didn't look like he would let the matter die down, but Lord Liam appeared at that moment, Lord Xander trailing at his back.
“Aaron! My guy!” Lord Xander cried out like a baby who had just been given candy, and he jumped on Lord Aaron.
“Lord Aaron,” Daniel murmured under his breath as he looked at the last Lord.
“Oh, I am so fortunate to meet the troublesome Xander,” Lord Aaron replied with a sarcasm-filled voice. He wanted to push Xander away from his body, he even tried to remove his arms which were around his neck, but Xander was unyielding.
“Liam,” Lord Aaron said with a soft voice, and for the first time, Daniel could swear that he saw a smile on the Lord's face. They all looked happy and excited to see one another, and Daniel wished that one day he could have such a relationship with his friends.
“Lord Liam, Lord Aaron, Lord Xander, Lord Henry ... .one of the lords is missing, who could it be…..yes! Lord Israel!” The guards' training screamed out for joy as Lord Israel entered with a broad smile on his face.
“Continue training!” Lord Henry growled at the guards who looked very happy to welcome their captain, Lord Israel. The guards scrambled away in fear, and continued training.
“I thought you weren't planning to return Aaron. How are you doing Liam? Hey….” Lord Israel greeted with a smile, but his smile vanished immediately he set his eyes on Lord Henry. They both stared at each other, their eyes unblinking and flowing with unresolved emotions. Israel didn't know what to say because of how they ended their last fight, he was about to say hi, when Henry hissed and left the room. Everyone was shocked, most especially people in their friendship community who knew about their close friendship.
“You guys are dismissed for today. Good job, go and rest,” Lord Israel's sad voice said to Daniel, Justin, and Frank, much to their displeasure, it looked like they wanted to stay and listen to the Lords’ conversation.
“Good night, My Lords,” Daniel, Justin, and Frank bowed at the Lords before reluctantly leaving.
“You are free to leave, the other trainers will handle the guards today,” Lord Israel informed Lord Astro.
“Okay, My Lord,” Astro bowed respectfully before leaving. The guards who were training had moved to the main ground, and the room was quiet. The Lords teleported themselves to their discussion chambers.
“Okay, are we going to cut down the elephant in the room or what?” Lord Xander asked ironically with a frown on his face, the moment they appeared in the chamber.
Lord Israel, Lord Liam, Lord Aaron, and Lord Xander were the only ones in the room.
“What elephant? What is going on?” Lord Aaron asked curiously, he felt confused since he was not around when the fight had taken place.
Lord Israel didn't reply to anyone, he kept quiet, maintaining his silence.
“Oh, so you wouldn't start talking? How about I bring Henry, maybe one of you will be motivated to talk,” Liam said with a gentle voice.
“No, please don't bring Henry here,” Israel pleaded with a solemn voice, he looked nervous and anxious.