Marching sounds could be heard as Isharuma got closer and closer to the throne room. The marching sounds around him got closer as well as they marched him down.
Soon Isharuma found himself before the royal court along with what appeared to be an executor and also His Majesty himself sitting on his throne. His face appeared indifferent, as the rest of his subjects appeared the same.
The announcer spoke.
" Announcing to His Majesty the king and to the royal court Isharuma Kitshiza! "
Everyone looked forward as Isharuma with his limp and old age entered the massive throne room. Nothing but golden pillars, tall firepit lamps, and ancient statues with Egyptian carvings.
His majesty wore an all black attire, as he had perfect posture sitting on his throne silently. Zealot, Barclays, Mahad, and Ishitzu including other subjects all around the throne room watching.
For a moment or two the hall was silent, before Mahad would speak first and directly towards Isharuma.
" Isharuma Kitshiza! " Mahad would say loudly and clearly for everyone within the throne room to hear him. Isharuma, being blind barely could see anything but his ears were as sharp as ever.
" You are standing in front of His Majesty the king— Yami Ranmaru Minamoto first of his name, king of dragon flame castle, ruler of Scaleton city, the angel of darkness, breaker of chains, the unburnt one, the dragon king, the khal of the desert sands, and father of dragons! "
Isharuma hearing Yami's long list of titles said nothing in return, as he continued to just stand and listen.
However Yami had plenty to say, as he spoke after Mahad was finished.
" ... Isharuma... I welcome you to my castle... I hope your travels went well. "
" Indeed your Majesty.. about as well as they can be. " He responded back.
" And I do hope that my royal servants have been most pleasing to you, and your quarters are also to your liking. " The king added.
Isharuma nodded.
" Indeed, your grace you show me much generosity. "
Yami crossed his legs gently as he allowed his arms to drape on the throne's chair arms.
" I am told you are a very refined craftsman worker, if not the best craftsman worker in all of Scaleton city.. "
Isharuma hears the words ' I am told ' indicating something to him. Though he didn't speak much on it aloud. Once again Isharuma said nothing, but Zealot stepped in.
" His Majesty has given you a compliment old man... speak! "
Mahad shifted his eyes towards Zealot's harsh tone briefly before turning back around without a word.
Isharuma however coughed a bit and shrugged his shoulders.
" My apologies... but such a compliment is wasted upon me. For His majesty flatters me with his words... but he shall find I do not possess that talent any longer."
" Oh? " Yami said curiously.
" Has your talent run from you after all your adventures? "
" I'm afraid so, your grace. " Isharuma remarked.
" I haven't crafted weapons and armor in nearly a decade. And those weapons and armors I did— they would be an insult to your kingdom to make your fine men wear such shambling plates. "
Yami tilted his head up slightly at Isharuma's response, as his head looked over at Zealot and then back down at Isharuma.
" .... So.. you're useless to me then.. " Yami remarked aloud.
Isharuma said nothing, as Yami didn't wish for him to speak anyways. His orbs glanced over at Zealot, as Yami looked over at them both.
" You brought me a man who can barely see, stand, is older than Barclays and yourself and has informed me that his talent somehow managed to reach that of a toddler stage.. "
" I can assure you your majesty, Isharuma's talent hasn't faded away in fact he simply needs to get back into the swing of things." Zealot said with a bow and trying to keep his composure.
Isharuma hearing Zealot's words felt like snakes sliding into his earlobe. His head turned in the direction of where Zealot was standing, as Zealot walked down the steps to approach where Isharuma was standing.
" Did you tell His grace, that you once worked for his late great grandfather. " Zealot said aloud as he walked around Isharuma, his smirk forming.
Isharuma felt a stun expression in his bones, although his expression looked frozen in place. To Yami's astonishment, he was speechless briefly before eyeing him.
" .... Really.... No. I'm afraid I wasn't aware of that... is this true Isharuma? " Yami questioned.
Isharuma hearing His majesty shifted his eyes towards where he heard Zealot's voice, and then looked back towards Yami.
" ... I did your grace. "
Zealot looked at everyone and then back at Yami.
" Oh it's very true, your majesty in fact— he made weapons and armor for your great grandfather the finest weapons and armor in the land. He was a bit younger back then— but the equipment he used we can supply that and much more for him to use. " Zealot proclaimed.
Zealot would slowly approach Isharuma in his face, as he looked down at the somewhat hunchback Isharuma. His voice lowered down a bit so that only him and Isharuma could hear.
" ... I know who you really are Isharuma Kitshiza... but lucky for you— that part of the ' history books ' mysteriously disappeared, leaving out vital and important information about your past... "
Isharuma listening intensely towards Zealot's words felt like daggers towards him. The grip around his cane became tighter and tighter.
Zealot soon walked around Isharuma and whispered something in his ear.
" I would hate for our king here to somehow remember you and you getting beheaded for treason... or worse... that woman.. you came here with reaping your sins for you... "
Isharuma hearing that Abigail was now in danger all but made the old man livid on the inside, as he tried to say something back to Zealot.
" You snaky bas— " However, Zealot cut him off, speaking loudly enough to the rest of the court.
" Your majesty, it is with great honor I present to you, Isharuma Kitshiza, who can and will make your weapons and armor without any concerns..."
Isharuma looked back up at Yami, who slowly stood up on his feet in front of his throne.
" ... Yes... All I need is the right supplies.... And I can make whatever you request... Master Zealot is right... " Isharuma said, looking back at Zealot who stood there with his arms behind his back.
" .... I'm just a bit rusty... "
Yami would look at Zealot who looked at Isharuma and then eventually, looked back up at Yami. Yami would arch a brow briefly before speaking.
" ... Very well. I shall supply whatever you need, Master Zealot, since you have such confidence in this elder. I leave Master Isharuma Kitshiza in your care. If he fails... you will take the responsibility... "
Zealot bowed to Yami, as he kept his evil smirk hidden, before he slowly rose back up and nodded towards him.
" Thank you, your grace. I shall make sure we have the finest weapons and armor, and you shall not fear anything. It will. Get done. "
" If that is all, I shall leave you to it." Yami remarked aloud, as he was proceeding to walk out of the throne room.
Zealot eyed Isharuma, as Isharuma could hear Zealot's heels clicking closer towards him.
" I am unsure, your grace, is that all you need from his majesty.... Isharuma Kitshiza... ? Do you need to ... confess? Anything else? " Zealot asked him in a sarcastic and cold tone.
Isharuma looked down at himself before closing his eyes as he inhaled and exhaled deeply. His thoughts landed back on his past, and then his wife.
Finally it landed on Abigail and her well being, it was like a repeat was happening all over again. He didn't wish for Abby to get into danger if something were to go wrong all over again.
He had to make this decision even if Abigail would disagree with it later on.
" Yes! I do have a request. If His majesty is willing to hear it, considering I am making weapons and armor for his grace that you cannot buy anywhere else.. " Isharuma remarked, as Zealot spoke as well.
" How dare you... you do not ask for a request from the king! It is not your place to!— "
Yami hearing Isharuma finally speak up, the king stopped in his tracks and walked back over to his throne and stood there in front of it. Zealot spoke, but Yami would chime in and speak as well.
"Ask." Yami replied back.
Zealot looking back at the king, was shocked that Yami would hear him out. Immediately took that to his advantage to ask him something he never would've asked before knowing how Abigail would feel about it.
" I wish for the woman I came here with Abigail, to be under your care— your majesty. "
Everyone including Yami was somewhat stunned, but Yami's expression slowly but surely changed into someone who could see Isharuma's heart and soul.
Zealot was immediately livid, as he quickly tried to speak towards the king.
" Your majesty, you cannot be seen with a commoner woman! She is but a whore! And not even royalty ! You asking something from our king is deplorable! " Zealot explained.
" Not to mention— " Zealot was trying to continue saying, before Yami raised his hand to silence Zealot.
Zealot, appalled, stayed silent.
" ... If I may ask.. why ask this of me... Master Isharuma? " Yami questioned as he slowly stepped down the royal throne stairs heading towards Isharuma.
His long draped attire flowing behind him.
Isharuma hearing the sounds of Yami's heels inching closer and closer towards him, felt a heaviness that he hadn't felt since his wife died. He felt crushed, broken, and started to tremble.
Yami reached but a few feet from him awaited his response.
" ... Because.... I know you are the only one who can protect her... "
Zealot looked at both the king and Isharuma, as Zealot was at disarray.
Yami, hearing Isharuma's reason, started to form a slight smile against his visage.
" ... And no matter what happens to me... please hold her with no accountability... she is innocent in all of this... "
" Why this is absurd! " Zealot bursted out loud to say, as Yami would speak back.
" .... Consider it done. " Yami would say towards Isharuma's request.
Isharuma, hearing Yami's words, would feel the need to fall down to his knees, as the guards rushed over to quickly catch him.
Yami watched as Isharuma became numb almost, as Yami would look up and over towards Zealot. However, his demeanor appeared more firm and serious towards him.
" .... And the next time I raise my hand up... and your tongue is still moving.... It shall be the very last time .. you have a tongue... "
Zealot hearing Yami's words would go silent seeing the king eye him with a deadly stare. Zealot bowing swiftly at Yami's remark.
" .... Of course.. your grace... I sincerely apologize... " He remarked, as Yami turned heel and walked off as his servants followed him along with Mahad.
The court dispersed as Zealot watching Yami walk off immediately balled his fist up and grinned his teeth together at Yami's words.
Isharuma knew that his time would come near, but he couldn't help but feel a massive relief in the end. He knew that if he shall die, Abigail would be unharmed and safe.