14. The Old King
The king’s chamber curved around the rim of the spire, and it was flooded with blue sky, clouds and bright sunlight. Sticking just above the dark trees, the room felt like a ship’s cabin riding a sea of dark foliage. The walls were open windows on all sides, and the great Volcano of Terikiak rose in the east. Perhaps twenty feet away, Arthur could make out the dark form of a very sickly, old Toola slouching upon a great wooden chair and staring out across the sea of trees. Several Toola attendants surrounded the king, waving him with branches, offering him fruit and drink, and looking very worried and solemn.
Cheelo pushed Arthur toward the ailing monarch.
“What do you want me to do?” Arthur whispered—somewhat annoyed with how little he knew of what was going on.
The king’s chamber curved around the rim of the spire, and it was flooded with blue sky, clouds and bright sunlight. Sticking just above the dark trees, the room felt like a ship’s cabin riding a sea of dark foliage. The walls were open windows on all sides, and the great Volcano of Terikiak rose in the east. Perhaps twenty feet away, Arthur could make out the dark form of a very sickly, old Toola slouching upon a great wooden chair and staring out across the sea of trees. Several Toola attendants surrounded the king, waving him with branches, offering him fruit and drink, and looking very worried and solemn.
Cheelo pushed Arthur toward the ailing monarch.
“What do you want me to do?” Arthur whispered—somewhat annoyed with how little he knew of what was going on.
The king’s chamber curved around the rim of the spire, and it was flooded with blue sky, clouds and bright sunlight. Sticking just above the dark trees, the room felt like a ship’s cabin riding a sea of dark foliage. The walls were open windows on all sides, and the great Volcano of Terikiak rose in the east. Perhaps twenty feet away, Arthur could make out the dark form of a very sickly, old Toola slouching upon a great wooden chair and staring out across the sea of trees. Several Toola attendants surrounded the king, waving him with branches, offering him fruit and drink, and looking very worried and solemn.
Cheelo pushed Arthur toward the ailing monarch.
“What do you want me to do?” Arthur whispered—somewhat annoyed with how little he knew of what was going on.