Chapter Text
⏝̅⏝̅⏝̅ ୨ ♱ ୧ ⏝̅⏝̅⏝̅
The gallops of the horses were loud this evening. I looked on with anticipation upon the window, pushing a curtain aside to see the bustle of the town villages. The Spade Division was lush with promise and opportunity. Lo, I had to make haste if I wished to reach the Spade Castle! I grasp the lantern on my lap and tension rises in my body, like a powder keg, as I peered outside the window. I desperately hoped the coachmen would stop soon. I gazed upon the bustle, doors holding beautiful lights atop their wooden and stone doorcases, through windows or lanterns perched or hanging down from curated metals. Darkners of all shapes and sizes, strolling and chatting, shopping and selling, doing all sorts of merry, leisure ventures upon the stony sideways. It was sunset, the comfort of dark soon encroaching upon us. Oh, I mustn't be late for this special occasion. I donned my best attire, purple silks, a patterned blouse, a brown tunic, and my best silk trousers. This occasion, this opportunity, hark, it was like no other I have ever encountered! My mother was filled with pride, and I am certain my dearest father would have been as well. While my mind lingered upon the pride of my family, I heard the wheels of the coach creak to a stop. This made me alight with energy and I instantly sprung to my two back paws. I leapt the moment the coachmen opened the door, and I swiftly thanked the frightened darkner with a word or two before proceeding.
I ran like my very soul depended on it, lifting the lantern towards my mouth to blow life into the magical flame that began to dance within. I then held it above my horned head, lighting my path and alerting the urgency of my movement. Coaches holding merry darkners inside clopped its way down the roads as I sped down the sidewalk, only glimpsing at porches of homes, tight-knit vendors, and businesses. I swerved through others, some gasping and yipping at our evanescent closeness. I recklessly threw brief apologies as I continued to sprint down towards the castle. You see, my coachmen could not simply reach the Spade Castle. Woe, my carriage had come all their way from Castle Town, passing the Great Board, the winding trails of the Fields of Hopes, and Dreams and The Scarlet Forest. The epicenter was grand; Four great divisions with four castles towering over them. I had been graced by the light to simply be in the right division! Blessed be! This place housed tens of thousands of darkners, the size of this sanctuary could only be measured by the royal court mathematician! As I ran closer and closer toward the castle, I pondered upon using my magic to get to the entrance of it... I decided against it, for my mother warned me of using more than I should. The very curse upon me had granted me this opportunity, I mustn't take advantage of it lest I wished for my body to collapse. I heaved heavy breath and my body began to ache, yet this was familiar feeling. I was willing to swink through the pain. The gates of the castle were in the horizon, and I was on my way hither to them! My breath was heaving the moment I reached the guards in front of the gate, I was teetering toward fatigue as I breathlessly spoke to one of the chess-pieced darkners, adorned with spades and beautiful, royal blues, typical of the Spade Royalty.
"HARK!" I started with a gasp of air as I straightened, holding my lantern proudly high over my head, the blue flame within dancing with joy, "I come hither for my meet appointing, appointing, I am here to see the very liege, I am to leifly serve, serve!"
The guards took quick notice, but eyed me with mild suspicion. The two looked at one another before looking back towards me. One raised a question plaintively; he eyed me with a creeping judgement.
"Why doth thee travel here by foot? Such a strait court jester would have arrived in coach to greet us merrily."
I paused for a moment before bursting into a short, yet nervous laughter, "Why! I am humble, humble! I come from Castle Town, far from here, here! My coachmen could not afford such a longer travel than the edge of this gracious land, land, you must understand!"
Woe, to be questioned so soon, what wanion is this? I did my best not to break my look of confidence! It would be a terrible disgrace to be pushed away by these very guards... oh, I hope they would believe me and take my word! I straightened my aching back, hearing a faint pop or two as I lowered the lantern in front of me. I took a proud stance, hoping this would help them comprehend the eagerness I felt. Yet, they still eyed and prodded me with words.
"Thee mustn't be the Jacktrade we have been told anent" One of them said. "Are you truly? We hold knowledge of your lantern, yet...", One began, squinting down at me as he held his long spade-pointed spear, "A darkner from Castle Town, what humbler could have the King chosen?"
"Woe, must I?", I started, words briefly spilling from my lips, I stopped with a shock of worry flashing in my eyes.
Oh, I mustn't, I truly mustn't go parading my magic to them! Woe, but, a little trick wouldn't hurt, would it? They looked towards me with curiosity, so I had no option but to continue. I improvised, bringing out the best smiles I could muster, "I say to thee once again, must I play a game to prove to you my jesterly role, role?"
One guard scoffed at me, yet looked amused. The other looked on in on sort of muted wonderment, this was my chance to speak!
"The game is simple, simple!" I started, "Don't blink, blink! Keep your peering eyes upon me, and if you don't, don't..."
I waved my arms mystically and ominously at them, putting on a hallowed voice, waving my very claws at them.
"I'll disappear!"
Both snickered at my proposal, and I smugly smirked at them. I watched their eyes carefully, hoping their suspicion of me would be their very downfall. I kept my back straight and my eyes wide and alert. I then tilted my head at them, a simple smile plastered on my face. Woe, how this was a facade, certes, I was beset with nervousness. I do not think this could work at all unless I focused most of my power on them! Yet. I didn't let my fears overcome me. I simply stayed put, waiting for both of them to look away... It was a tense, strange moment with both of them intently peering down at me. Yet, after a stifling amount of silence, one spoke, looking to the other.
"Nay, this darkner must be jesting... No one has such power as grand as the court magician's!" he spoke with amusement on his very tongue.
The other looked to him, this was my moment. As soon as both guards averted their eyes. I took in a deep breath and the ache in my spine was replaced with a familiar tingling as my mana awoke from within me. I softly shuddered at the sensation of it moving up my spine and into my head. I closed my eyes to visualize myself walking through the gate betwixt the guards and through its very bars. Such a visualization made me feel weightless, like I passed through them like a gentle cloud. As soon as the feeling came to me, it stopped. I opened my eyes and found myself on the other side. I did not have time to see their reactions, for I had to move forward for them to no longer perceive me. Yet, hark, how I could see their priceless faces as they exclaimed in disbelief and confusion. I had to stifle my laughter in my throat as I nimbly and silently trotted forward. To the castle I went, and how beautiful it was. Architecture so grandiose and proud, stained glass murals adorned on each side of the structure. All in dark stone and reddened wood, it was a beauty and pride of the Spade Division, much as the other castles were. There were another set of guards in front of the entrance, but I had higher hopes that they would believe it was truly I than the others at the gate did. I made my way to them, and noticed that they were plush-like darkners clad in armor and spade imagery, something quite rare to see. I greeted them with a happy soul.
"Hark! Darkners, friends, it is I!" I started joyously, "Jevil Jacktrade, the new jester of the Spade Court, Court!" I stopped in front of them and then bowed in respectful greeting.
They simply nodded their heads down back at me, not mustering a single smile. It must've been their jobs to keep straight faces. These were by far much higher ranked guards of the Spade Court, it made me question the competence of the guards near the gate for an instant, but woe, who am I to judge them? They must have been freshly trained! Alas, the other guards thankfully let me through, opening the door for me to pass through. I was starkly blown away by the lavishness of the interior! The finest, blue-patterned carpet laid before me amidst this grand, decorated lobby hall. Murals and painting of the Spade Royals sit at each side of the room. I could see the late queen, the king, and the little newborn prince beautifully painted on one of them. Such a family portrait was bittersweet, but still made a smile form on my face. There were imperial stairs that branched itself beautifully around a wide entrance. Lo! I couldn't help myself but go hopping merrily inside! I thanked the guards as they closed the door behind me. The throne room must have been right ahead of me. Oh, how they must've been awaiting my arrival! two other guards noticed my entrance, and began to open the grand doors of the throne room. Both of them announced my presence.
"HARK! JACKTRADE OF THE CASTLE TOWN HAS COME USWARD!"
And there, before me, at a distance, I could see the very Spade King sitting upon his siege. My time was nigh.