A Royal Obligation
Chapter 160: Fire in the Armory

Chapter 160: Fire in the Armory

Kaelix lay back against the pillows, one arm draped around Eirik’s shoulders as they chatted quietly in the dim light of their chambers. The warmth of the room, combined with the comfort of being close, made the atmosphere peaceful, almost serene.

Eirik snuggled closer, resting his head against Kaelix’s chest as he listened to the steady rise and fall of his lover’s breathing.

Suddenly, the peaceful quiet shattered with the piercing ring of a bell echoing through the palace walls. Eirik flinched, sitting upright in alarm. His wide eyes searched Kaelix’s face, and he could see the sudden alertness there as well.

"What’s going on?" Eirik asked, voice laced with worry.

Kaelix was already shifting out of bed, his movements quick and efficient. "That’s the alarm bell. It signals a fire somewhere in the palace."

Eirik’s heart raced, his mind immediately jumping to worst-case scenarios. "A fire? Where?"

Kaelix began dressing hurriedly, slipping on his tunic and boots. "I don’t know, but I’ll find out. Stay here, Eirik. I’ll handle this."

Eirik swung his legs off the bed, moving to stand. "I’m coming with you."

Kaelix turned sharply, his expression softening, but his tone firm. "No. You’re still on bed rest. The healers said you need more time to recover. Please, Eirik, stay here and rest. I’ll be back soon."

Eirik clenched his fists, feeling helpless as the anxiety twisted in his chest. Before he could protest further, the door to their chamber swung open with a quick knock. Drystan entered, his face grim, followed by Sadiki, who looked noticeably anxious.

"Your Highness," Drystan began urgently, "there’s a fire in the armory. We don’t know how it started, but the guards and staff are trying to control it."

Kaelix frowned, pulling on his leather armor. "The armory? How could that happen?"

Drystan shook his head. "I don’t know, but it’s spreading fast."

As Drystan and Kaelix exchanged hurried words, Eirik sat on the edge of the bed, watching the scene unfold with growing concern. His hands tightened on the sheets, his heart pounding in his cchest

The idea of a fire in the armory, a place filled with weapons and explosives, was terrifying. His gaze flickered between the two men as they spoke, feeling more and more uneasy with each passing second.

Kaelix finally finished lacing his boots and stood tall, his eyes full of determination. "Drystan, come with me. We need to assess the damage and help put it out."

Drystan nodded, but before they could move, Kaelix turned to Sadiki, his voice authoritative. "Sadiki, I need you to stay here and look after Eirik. Don’t let him out of your sight, understood?"

Sadiki’s eyes flickered, betraying a nervous tension, but he nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Highness."

Kaelix glanced at Eirik one last time, his gaze softening. "I’ll be back soon. Stay here."

Eirik wanted to argue, wanted to demand that he come along, but something in Kaelix’s firm tone made him hold his tongue. He nodded reluctantly, though his insides twisted with unease.

As Kaelix and Drystan turned to leave, Sadiki stood awkwardly by the side, fidgeting with his hands. His fingers clenched and unclenched, his body shifting nervously from foot to foot as though he was trying to ground himself, but couldn’t quite find balance.

Sadiki’s eyes lingered on Drystan’s retreating back, a fleeting moment of longing crossing his face before the door closed behind them. The sound of the door clicking shut echoed in the now-quiet room, and Eirik felt the weight of the silence pressing in.

Eirik’s mind raced as the bell continued to ring, signaling the ongoing fire. The longer it went on, the more his worry grew. He stared at the door, willing Kaelix to come back quickly and tell him everything was under control. The thought of a fire raging in the armory filled him with dread, not just for the palace’s safety but for Kaelix’s well-being.

"How could this happen?" Eirik muttered, more to himself than to Sadiki.

Sadiki, standing just behind him, responded quietly. "I don’t know, Your Highness."

Eirik barely heard the words. His mind was already far away, lost in thought. His fingers drummed nervously against his thigh as the relentless sound of the alarm bell rang in his ears. He hated feeling useless, hated that he was stuck here in bed while something so dangerous was happening in the palace. What if something went wrong? What if someone got hurt? He wished desperately that he could be there with Kaelix, helping in some way.

The more the bell rang, the more Eirik’s anxiety gnawed at him, twisting in his gut like a coiled serpent. "What is taking so long in putting out a fire?" he whispered. His eyes flickered toward the door again, longing to leave the room and see for himself what was happening. "What if Kaelix..."

"Do you want to see how it’s going?" Sadiki suddenly asked.

Eirik blinked, turning his gaze toward Sadiki, surprised by the suggestion. His body ached to get out of bed and follow Kaelix, but he knew the royal healers and Kaelix would scold him if they found out. He wasn’t supposed to exert himself until fully recovered, though his body didn’t feel so weak anymore. Still, he hesitated.

"We could watch from a distance," Sadiki said, his voice calm but tinged with something else, something nervous. "At least you can see how Prince Kaelix is handling it."

Eirik bit his lip, considering. He did want to see, and Sadiki’s suggestion felt like an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. After all, standing idly by wasn’t in his nature.

"Alright," Eirik said, standing up. "But only for a moment. Once I see everything is under control, we’ll come back."

Sadiki nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Highness."

Eirik grabbed a heavier robe and wrapped it around himself before heading toward the door. Sadiki followed close behind him.

The moment they stepped out into the corridor, Eirik noticed how eerily empty it was. The usually bustling halls were deserted, the only sound the distant tolling of the bell that seemed to grow louder as they moved. The shadows stretched long across the stone floor, flickering with the light of the few torches that still burned.

Eirik guessed that most of the staff and guards were at the armory, helping to fight the fire.

The emptiness was unsettling, and the further they walked, the more Eirik’s worry deepened. The bell kept ringing, constant, urgent reminder that the fire wasn’t yet under control.

Just as they neared a window that overlooked the direction of the armory, Sadiki’s voice broke the quiet.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness," he whispered.

Eirik frowned and turned, confused. "What are you apologizing for?"

He never got the chance to ask more.

Before he could fully register what was happening, Sadiki moved swiftly, pressing a cloth over Eirik’s nose and mouth. Eirik’s eyes widened in shock, his body jerking in confusion. His first instinct was to struggle, his hands grabbing at Sadiki’s wrists, but the strong, pungent scent filled his senses, clouding his thoughts.

"What... what are you doing?" Eirik mumbled, his voice muffled against the cloth. His strength faded rapidly, and his vision blurred.

"I’m sorry," Sadiki muttered again, his voice breaking slightly as he held Eirik firm, despite the struggle.

Eirik’s mind raced, trying to make sense of what was happening. Why was Sadiki doing this? What was going on? His vision darkened at the edges, and his muscles weakened as the drug took hold.

Sadiki’s words blurred in Eirik’s mind, the apology echoing over and over. His last conscious thought was a mixture of confusion and betrayal, and then darkness overtook him completely.

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