Chapter 49:Training

The corridors of the palace were quieter than Atheline expected. As for one, he wasn’t one to sit in one place and while doing nothing. It was too quiet and suffocating.

He had tried that but it only lasted a few hours. He had always prayed for a vacation period while slaving for the prince but it wasn’t working out well now that he had it.

’I think I might be able workaholic.’

Atheline wasn’t truly comfortable in the palace, everyone avoided him like the plague and he couldn’t even begin a conversation without them excusing themselves and running as if their lives depended on it.

’

Can you believe that? I’m pretty sure she did it’

Atheline walked in an unhurried pace hands tucked behind his back. A few steps from him blending against the walls were her shadows following his every move.

He wasn’t allowed to leave the palace, he’d tried that and it had not ended well.

The memory of her ridiculous reasoning came to him.

"Why can’t I leave the palace?" He asked.

She placed the pen she was holding down and faced him.

"It’s not safe," she answered curtly.

"Why, it’s right there," Atheline said while pointing at the market visible from her window," I’m not going far, I’m just bored in here okay and i want to see what you’ve built."

"You’re safe here and that’s for the best," she said coldly," you know what I’ll do to you if you even try to leave."

At that moment, Atheline had felt like throwing his hands in the air. Her paranoia was just ridiculous or she might have had a point but Atheline wasn’t about to explore that side.

His gaze went to the group of servants and palace guards.

’

This is so awkward ’

It was clear at first glance that they were avoiding him. Whenever he passed a servant they would press themselves against the wall as much as possible and try to get past him.

Ridiculous.

Some of the better ones would bow to him but before he could even ask anything, they would scramble away.

This was a clear sign of rejection from most of them.

Atheline understood it since he was new and from a near rival kingdom but a small bit of courtesy would do.

’I have a lot of work in front of me’

He needed to integrate with them if he wanted to have a peaceful life.

He wandered around aimlessly, observing the in and out of the place. He wanted to have a better understanding of the layout of the palace but it was proving to be difficult with how he was being avoided.

He came to a stop near the branching of another hallway.

There were many of those, he’d lost count already.

This hall was different though, the luminous plant veins were dimmer than normal as though they were dying but still light enough for him to see.

’

This feels like the start of a horror’

A young servant stood by holding a tray of black sealed vials that Atheline couldn’t place since he had never seen them before. The servant moved to the side as Atheline approached.

"You."

The servant stiffened a little then turned to Atheline and bowed.

"My lord."

"You don’t have to call me that," Atheline said quietly.

The servant shook his head.

"We have been instructed.... it is safer to do so."

’

Fair enough ’

Atheline scratched the back of his neck," Right. Quick question, where do people go to train when you know...you don’t want a crowd and everything?"

He gestured wildly while speaking trying to give the servant his point of view.

The servant hesitated his eyes glancing around.

"Somewhere private would be good, " Atheline added his voice trying to be as convincing as possible, " it’s okay if you don’t know I’ll go find someone else."

That made the servant glance up briefly only to be met with Atheline’s smile, which he always wore when he was trying to come off as harmless and convincing.

"The lower chambers of the palace," he started carefully almost whispering, " there are a few training grounds that aren’t in use and no one knows the reasons.... You should be careful though if you decide to go there. "

Atheline raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"The queen does not appreciate anyone who goes there but since you’re her consort you should be able to get through. "

Atheline chuckled softly at that.

’

Maybe it’s her private training grounds, let’s just hope it’s that. It’s okay since it’s still inside the palace’

"I didn’t get your name," he said casually.

"Pardon me, my name is Dolian my lord. "

"Dolian, a unique name."

"My late sister gave me that name."

A smile came to his face.

"She has a good naming sense then."

He nodded.

"Yes, she does."

Atheline looked down the corridor and the servant noticed his gaze. He angled his body to the side and pointed down the left corridor.

"Follow the path until you find two sets of stairs take the right one down and turn left then go down another flight of stairs and turn right. At the end of the corridor, you will see the entrance to the training grounds. "

Atheline nodded along memorising his instructions.

"Thats further than I expected. "

The servant nodded.

"The palace is quite complicated, treat it as an exercise my lord."

"Fair enough," Atheline chuckled," thank you for your help."

The servant nodded.

"It’s my pleasure my lord."

The path through the hallways was different, long and quiet. If Atheline didn’t have a good memory he might have confused a few of the flights since there were so many turns and stairs.

At last, Atheline arrived in front of the huge black doors and pushed the door open.

The chamber was more different than he had imagined. Light spilled into the training room unlike the dark hallway.

On the side was a large opening curved out from the mountain with a gate closed over it to prevent entry or exit but allow light in.

From inside Atheline could see the opposite mountain. There weren’t a lot of dark elves walking around at night but the curved buildings opposite were still open.

It seems to be the residence of most of the elves.

Atheline marveled at the structure. Inside the main chamber, he could directly see the market but here he got a full view of what seemed to be the residential areas.

Atheline turned his back to the view and picked a small knife from the array of weapons on the wall.

’I hope she’ll give me my weapon back’

Atheline thought grumpily. During his rampage, he had unfortunately lost his bow and arrows. Their conversations flashed through his mind.

"Did you pick my bow and arrows?"

She nodded.

"Can I get it back?"

She shook her head, "No."

"Why?"

"You’re still healing. If you want to train just train your Aether control, you’ve gotten an increase in power but you can’t control it, using your bow is useless. "

"I’m just used to it."

"I’ll think about it."

Atheline pressed the memory to the back of his mind. He extended his palm and sliced into it. He placed the knife on the small stand and watched the blood start pool.