Kingdoms and crowns - oxo - romance

“Does it have a nice view…your room?” He asked for no reason.

Fiel paused thoughtfully. "I've looked at it my whole life. It shows our kingdom stretched out below the mountain. On clear days I can almost see the entire island. I certainly enjoy the view…..I like being able to look out every morning and see that things are all right. Your room will probably have the same view, but through a smaller window. Any rooms facing the other way get the brunt of the sea winds and are much colder, so they're not fit for guests. Anyway, you'll see all that where we get there. I can't wait to show you the castle, Lukas."

Lukas smiled, “I can’t wait to leave, you’re making me even more excited to see everything and meet everyone”

Fiel beamed, took a last bite of food, and patted Lukas's shoulder. "We'll leave first thing tomorrow. That means we'd better get to sleep early tonight so we're properly rested."

Lukas nodded “yeah, though I am usually up early, and I might go to the garden in the morning…” he said the last part more to himself, he had not yet decided if he would or not. After all he did it every morning.

"It's up to you," Fiel said. "Just as long as you're dressed and have all your belongings ready by the time the sun rises. That reminds me, what's the highest spot in the castle? Is there a large upper window or lookout tower perhaps?"

“Yeah we have a lookout tower, no one ever goes there, not even the servants” he said simply.

"If it's safe to go up there," Fiel said, "I'd like to start our flight from there so we can be sure to gain enough altitude. So, I'll meet you up in the tower when we're both ready, all right?"

“Yeah, do you need me to show you were it is?” He asked.

"Yes, I think that would be best," Fiel agreed. "Is it hard to reach?"

“Not really, it’s just…the main way passes my brothers old room, so it’s been avoided because of that” he said quietly.

"Oh." Fiel quieted sympathetically. "I see…..you don't have to show me if you don't want, I can always ask someone else…"

“No, no one else will show you, they all avoid it” he shrugged
(I gtg to bed)

(sleep well!)
"All right. Well, yes, I should probably know where the tower is. Thank-you." Fiel wondered if he was being insensitive, but a lookout tower really was the best place for them to take off from, especially with the extra weight and lack of strong sea winds.

Lukas nodded, "right, I can show you now if you want"

Fiel nodded. "Yes please, I would like to make sure it will actually work."

He nodded standing up, "Lets go then"

Fiel got up as well, thanked the cooks for the meal, and followed Lukas.

Lukas led him to the tower, only stopping once to put his hand on a door that had been untouched for years. He smiled at it softly before leading Fiel up the stairs to the tower top.

Fiel glanced at the door as they passed but didn't comment, thinking that at least Lukas seemed to still have a good relationship with his brother's spirit. That seemed like a fairly healthy thing. He didn't linger, trotting after Lukas to the top of the stairs.

Lukas opened the door at the top which led to a flat open area of the tower.

Fiel stepped out into the lookout area, surveying the view and studying the space around him. Although by now they were quite high up, and the tower was not large, he walked as confidently as if they were at ground level.
"This is perfect," he said after a moment. "We'll have a clear shot from here straight out of the keep and off towards the coast. Judging by the flight I took early this morning, the prevailing winds will be strong and in our favor as well. I'll be able to gain plenty of altitude before we reach the sea. Thank-you for showing me this."

Lukas smiled, not walking close to the edge, "your welcome" he smiled.

Fiel glanced over his shoulder at him and smiled ruefully. "I'm not sure if I already asked this, but are you afraid of heights at all? It's better to know beforehand so I can prepare accordingly."

"well..not really, I mean I am not a huge fan of them, but I am not scared, I just dont trust the edge here" He shrugged.

"That's understandable." Fiel studied the ramparts carefully, then tested them with one foot before springing up to balance in a gap on the crenulated wall like a tightrope walker. "Don't worry, it's perfectly stable. Your castle seems very well-cared for, I haven't seen much crumbling stone or signs of decay anywhere."

“Yeah, we are a large kingdom it would look bad if our castle was falling apart” he said rolling his eyes.

"True. Appearances are important, although sometimes I wish they weren't." Fiel stepped back down to the floor of the tower and swept his hair back into place. "Well, I think that's all I needed. We can go back down now, it's getting a little late."

Lukas smiled, “Yeah, we should”

This time Fiel was able to lead the way down, remembering the route back to the kitchen. "Well….I think I'm off to bed early. Will you be staying up or doing the same?"