A Meeting with the King - 1000 word flash fiction

Hi, I'm DC with XanCon and I'm on a writing journey. Here is a 1000 word flash fiction.

Senator Cloud scratched at his neck where a coarse, stiff robe collar irritated him. The fibers of the garment would occasionally snag his manicured beard.  The sleeves were long and heavy as if designed to weight the abrasive material down on to his shoulders.

“Say… would either of you gents care to explain why I was asked to change my robes?”

The two tall armored guards seemed to stretch out from the floor to the ceiling of the damp hallway. As they led him their long legs made strides that Senator Cloud struggled to keep up with. Touches hung on the walls every 20 paces or so. The flames whipped violently towards the vacuum of his destination. The guards said nothing.

“I do find this attire a little unusual for such a stately occasion. Are you sure everything is quite alright?”

The sweat building around his neck made the collar of his tunic feel tighter. If the guards heard him, neither had indicated so. Instead, they continued their march forward, guiding the man through an unfamiliar passage. He briefly turned his head to evaluate what was behind him. The fibers of his robe snagged his beard again. There was nothing stopping him from turning back. He returned his attention forward. The guards seemed thinner now while their dull tarnished armor trudged further. He remembered having not noticed either’s face. He pinched the tunic at his chest and pulled it away. The guards said nothing.

“I tell you… I consider this a great honor, I do. No one really gets to see the king these days. I appreciate your guidance. Truly sirs, I do.”

A cool draft of air from behind breezed through the crudely sowed robe. He shivered. The garment dug like sandpaper against his naked body. The floor felt cold under his bare feet. He noticed a rhythmic cadence in the guards’ steps like a slow countdown. He questioned how many steps were left. The guards said nothing.

“I was informed by a quite reliable source that His Grace had been intrigued by my most recent critique of his farmland allocations. I… I… I confess to feeling considerably concerned currently. I say, sirs, I have heard hundreds of tales about His Grace’s kindness and open mindedness. I pray, what have you witnessed? What should I expect?"

The guards continued their long strides. The torches seemed farther apart now to Senator Cloud. To his estimation 40 paces. His under arms felt raw. His shoulders felt wet. The cool air blew stronger. The guards said nothing.

“I can tell you are not the most talkative duo. Quite professional if you ask me.”

His bare feet began to feel the texture of the floor getting dirtier and more granular. He noticed the first set of unlit torches on the wall followed by another and another. As he edged towards complete darkness the guards stopped and turned, rigid but synchronized. They walked past Senator Cloud and turned again, blocking the path behind him. He cautiously peered into the darkness ahead of him and caught a faint light waving though thin dancing curtains. He looked back at the guards. They appeared as shadows stretched down the hallway in this absence of light.

“I… I… I… I… appreciate your transportation sirs. I will be sure to spread praise of your good work on my prompt return to the senate. You are the pride of the kingdom.”

Senator Cloud faced the darkness again and scratched his neck where the stiff robe collar irritated and the coarse material clung to his skin. The light ahead was at least 100 paces away. He began walking with small steps.

“What a true honor to be summoned into the great King Halloway’s presence. I can’t say that I know of anyone to have such a privilege.  My mother will be very proud. If my father was still among the breathing, I would be confident that he would as well,” He said aloud in a vain attempt to flatter the emptiness that surrounded him.

“I declare that I will tell the whole of the Senate… and the chamber too… of the gracious and kind and forgiving King Halloway’s hospitality.” A faint tremble in his voice betrayed him, revealing a the truth he wasn’t prepared to admit.

As he crept forward the dancing light revealed a mountainous shape with a precariously positioned throne. On the throne a slanted figure sat. He approached slowly, with his head down avoiding eye contact.

“My grace, my king. Your humble servant approaches as requested. I am honored to be in your presence. Please…”

He was interrupted by an otherworldly groan. A sound neither from animal or man. He crashed to his knees and pressed his head to the filthy floor.

“P… P… Please, your grace. I have made a disgraceful error. I can fix this. I can prove my loyalty to you… my King. If only I could have an opportunity to…”

A hundred scratching sounds paused Senator Cloud and he raised his head, catching his first intentional view. The mound before him was compiled of lumps covered in the same fabric as his robe. His eyes climbed the pile to the throne. Planted in the chair sat a gaunt, wasted frame leaning to one side.

“My Lord?”

From somewhere within the mountain of rough sacks, long thin fingers attached to long thin hands attached to long thin arms dug themselves out. Hand after hand followed by more. There was no information for Senator Cloud to determine whether these arms belonged to many or to one. He stood up to run away. The guards were standing behind him. There was nowhere to run to. There was no one to save him. Cold fingers and hands slowly wrapped around him, squeezing the coarse stiff robe tighter into his flesh. They scratched his neck where the robe collar irritated and pulled him towards the mound underneath the throne.

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