The Castle In Which She Waits..pt.1

The Servants, cooks, soldiers, and attendees of the castle look with hushed whispers as the current love interest, Ken, is held by his arms being roughly escorted from the castle. The dimly lit halls and echoing footsteps sour the mood of the dashing boy, as he fights back tears."Perk up kid, you were in here longer than any other" says the guard holding his left arm quite tight."I thought you'd be gone by week two, but here we are full year later..you're a good man I'd say" the guard on the right tries to lighten the mood. The three start down the stairs that lead to the grand front entrance, greatly furnished with some of the kings most impressive treasures from his old days of adventure. Pearls and Gems line the walls, great vases of beauty unmatched and garments from headwear to bracelets are on display. Ken, feeling a single tear escape his eye stops on the stairs and begins to shudder.

"H-hey, lets move it now" the left guard grunts, trying to move the boy. The guard on the right is understanding, but is beginning to grow impatient as he sees the head commander looking on with anger from the door."Please Ken..don't cause a scene lad" He tenderly tries to convince him. Kens shudders grow, and his tough facade vanishes, as he drops all weight, leaving the guards to hold him by the arms completely, his legs limp."She was MINE..we loved each other dearly. I taught her the ways of the outside world, and she taught me mercy, kindness, perspective.." Kens crying and emotional state leaving him null to the audience slowly gathering around him."I began to grow complacent, I let my own misery win my mind as I chastised her for things of no significance" he wept."I left her loving teachings to the wayside and fell upon my old ways of moodiness and stubbornness". The female servants who had secretly, or not so secretly, fallen in love with ken could only swoon and hold back their tears, and some men who could relate to kens mistakes silently mourned and grieved the boys sorrowful state."This is all true Ken." the head guard slowly responded as he walked towards him, surprising everyone as he is usually short tempered."You allowed your past to consume your present.Your lover the princess is not one to handle unjustified confrontation well." he continued.

There was a silence in the room, broken only by Kens gasps for air in between his now ugly faced sobbing. "She gave me reason to live! I had purpose, strength, conviction, i felt fearlessness in the most prime sense, my life was complete!" Kens screams had begun to push the crowd away. "My boy" the head commander said sternly, losing some of his compassion,"If you had those things and now lost them because you lost her, then you never had them to begin with." he closed his eyes with a solemn but stone face, as Ken grew silent."Take him men, he is princess Lucy's lover no more." The commander waved his hand to the door, and the guards pushed ahead still holding Ken by the arms as he remained motionless. The doors to the great castle opened with force, and a gust of wind brushed kens luscious hair in all directions, as he squinted from the afternoon sun. Outside the town was bustling, and the villagers, travelers, and shop owners alike all began to notice the guards carrying Ken."This is your exit lad, we really are sorry" the right guard said, before he and his fellow guard lurched back and then forcefully threw Ken to the ground, kicking up dirt and dust and ruining the clothes the heartbroken boy wore. After looking upon him for a moment, they turned and went back inside as the doors swung to a close, and Ken was met with more hushed whispers, this time from the townspeople, who had thought Ken would truly be the one to become the next king.

As he stood and began brushing himself off, he saw the townspeople getting rustled up and pointing above him. He turned, looking up towards the perch in which the king would address the land, and saw as the royal guards lined up, trumpets playing. The townspeople bunched up along the bridge and along the front road and gates, all eager to hear the announcement of their ruler. Ken looked on in horror as the great king, Simon Vaust the II, came out and stood at the farthest edge of the balcony, looking upon his people, only glancing at ken for a second. The people erupted in a cheer, as their king was merciful, kind, and respectful, often coming into the streets to engage in conversation with families as if he wasn't royalty at all. Kens heart clenched as then, met with louder cheers, the princess, Lucy Vaust, with makeup that hadn't met tears, emerged and stood next to her father, looking beautiful, elegant, but noticeably bothered. The king raised his hand, and the crowd fell quickly to a hush." My dearest and only daughter, who you all love as your own, Lucy Vaust, has run into some..concerning issues with her most recent partner!" his deep, booming voice echoed off the walls of the town houses, as the eyes of many fell on Ken, who had his head down, fist clenched, and teeth gritted." The time for my daughter to marry is upon us, and the man who was to take her hand in marriage has sullied his chances at royalty and the most beautiful maiden in the land!"."He was a great and upstanding partner for a majority of his stay, and had gained the hearts and friendship of many within the castle walls, but his overbearing and self destroying ego has hurt my daughter, and I cannot allow such a man to be the next king". Simon lamented, before looking and pointing to Ken, who's head was still down.

"My dear Lucy, please tell the people of Kens gravest offense, as I cannot do so without losing my temper" he clenched his fist and moved aside, allowing Lucy to take the center."I-..h-he.." she stuttered, as ken looked up painfully, not knowing what was being spoken about."He once hit me, on a night where an argument of our has grown unusually fierce.." she looked away ashamed. Kens face turned to shock and disbelief, as the townspeople began yelling and berating Ken, throwing trash and food his way."I DID NO SUCH THNG LUCY!" Ken screamed, as people further insulted him, seeing what looked like a blatant lie as Ken frantically tried to reach her ears."There is a mark!" a voice from the back of the balcony was heard, and the crowd fell to a hush. Out came Linen, the personal guard of Lucy, and her childhood friend."Linen please, I-" Lucy began. "This morning",Linen interrupted, "the princess reluctantly showed this mark strewn across her delicate arm!" Linen then took and raised Lucys left arm, showing a bruise that looked to be from a stick or something of the sort. The kings face tightened, and Lucy could only look away in shame. Ken now riddled with anger began flailing his arms."LUCY! WHO DID THAT TO YOU?! WHO HARMED MY LOVER AND IS FRAMING ME?!" He shouted, now crying tears of rage. "That is enough!" the king said as Lucy was taken back by Linen. The crowd turned their anger away from Ken for the moment to look to their king.

"I will waste no more time, as of now, the seat of lover for my daughter has opened yet again!" he beckoned, and a collective sense of drive could almost be felt among the men in the crowd." As is custom in this land, the castle before you is now a battleground, and the prize is my daughter!"."Take up your arms, gather your courage, and fight your way to the top." "Best my soldiers and guards, my hardened and legendary commanders and generals, my specially tamed beasts from countries abroad, and The personal guard of the princess, Linen, to claim Lucy Vaust as your lover..all men may take the challenge..Even you..Ken". The king looked down on a furious Ken, as if almost trying to entice him to take on the castle again. The people erupted in a furious roar, as men of all ilks began brandishing their arms and weapons of choice. The castle's many windows and balconies from all corners began opening up as fierce soldiers with intimidating lances, axes, and swords walked out to look among the people. Higher up Ferocious beasts were heard roaring and bellowing, and the rattles of their thick chains sent chills down the peoples spines.

"Death may come your way.But the prize, of royalty, and my daughter, awaits.." Simon Vaust closed as he turned to enter his castle."The doors, and the challenge, begins at sunrise tomorrow!" Yelled the king as he left the eyes of the people. Ken looked on in disbelief, as he saw the numbers of soldiers, commanders and generals he had managed to beat before, now looking down on him as an enemy once more. He looked higher up and saw the wounds and scars of the beasts he'd managed to overcome, and felt a sudden ache in his own scars he'd received from their great battles.Ken felt defeated and powerless, as the crowd of amped up contestants began preparations for the great challenge to take place..

End Pt1...

The events of Pt 2 will largely be decided by YOU, the reader. The most popular vote will be woven in to the next chapter, so decide which fate suits Ken, or YOU, best...

Path of Fate 1: After solemnly drudging through the streets, enduring continued insults from the townspeople, Ken gathers his mind after reflecting on the wound he saw Lucy had received. Determined to set right the wrongs to his name and his Love, Ken acquires weapons and provisions, and sleeps outside the town, waiting with new found ambition, to siege and climb the castle alone once more to prove his worth...

Path of Fate 2: Kens actions within the castle net him instant enemies, as the townspeople who once respected him now only see a childish abuser, not set to take the challenge. After getting into a street brawl with some other would be contestants, Ken is met by a strong and combat skilled woman, who wishes to aid him on his task in taking back the castle, her only request is she be granted a place within the walls once he becomes king..Ken, knowing he isn't likely to fair well with so many new enemies, takes up the offer of this strong, yet mysterious woman, and together they plan to climb the castle...

Hello, Im very new to this, and i'm sure there are all sorts of grammar mistakes, but I hope you enjoyed part 1! This kingdoms way of deciding the next ruler is very odd isn't it? Theres going to be so much blood and ruined floors and decorations once this challenge ends! Ken has already won the challenge, but its not something most men dare challenge repeatedly, although, Lucy didn't exactly look as if she wanted him gone..There are definitely some mysteries in this land, but they can only be uncovered by climbing that castle! Leave any and all feedback or comments so I can improve this story in future parts!