Worry of time was catching Roderick. He couldn’t feel anything positive while being under dark sky and moon shining. They could hear music coming out from the palace and could smell the food being cooked in there.
Headless looked excited. He was not responding to the music, but to a feeling.
MY HEAD IS NEARBY, Headless signed at him.
Soon they were on the gate of the castle, looking eye to eye with a guard.
“Are you wearing one of the royal helms?” guard pointed at Headless.
“Lord Commander gave us the token along with this.” Roderick handed him the letter.
“Welcome to the palace, alchemists.” He said and let them in.
They walked in the palace with music and sound of drums echoing in every step. Roderick was stunned to see the shining floor, generations of old portraits and furniture laminated with gold.
“Who are you people?” Kingsguard came with some knights.
Roderick gave him the letter as well.
“Alchemists.” Kingsguard said after handing him back the letter, “I apologize for your inconvenience. We already have treated the King.”
Everyone looked at each other in disbelief.
“Why don’t you gentlemen have some dinner and stay here for tonight? You look tired, Sers.” Kingsguard greeted them with hospitality.
“Thank you for your hospitality. It will be an honor to stay in here.” Roderick said.
When Kingsguard was about to leave, Roderick asked him, “Ser, what time is it now?”
“Eleven.” He said and left.
None of them ate anything. Instead, they spent all those minutes trying to find where the head was. Every once in a while, Roderick had thoughts of being accused as thieves. They even started to fear the servants who had seen them wandering in the palace looking for something.
Roderick desperately needed to find the head. Enthusiastic Headless was not helping by any means. Headless could survive with no head, but Roderick could not if he failed to fulfill his wish.
All the while he was watching Headless being childish.
While Roderick was looking under the couches for the head, he saw Kingsguard walking around them.
As long as he is here, I can’t sneak deeper in the palace. Roderick thought. It seemed like Headless was thinking the same.
GET HIM OUT OF OUR WAY, Headless signaled.
Headless and Roderick followed Kingsguard. Kingsguard stood on the balcony, admiring the rain. Roderick showed some courage and pushed him from there.
Both of them made their way more deep inside the splendid keep.
Headless stopped.
I KNOW WHERE MY HEAD IS, he said to Roderick.
