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To Rescue a Retinue

Red and blue banners snapped in the wind as King Skarl and his retinue stepped outside the Hall of Heroes. A dozen metres ahead, Salayne Ritad stood a little straighter at his post and took a deep, calming breath of spiced market air. Though the midday sun baked the stone underfoot, Altador's crisp, coastal breeze offered some relief from the heat.
"Welcome to the Bazaar District, King Skarl," Salayne recited under his breath. This was his first official tour, and he wanted to start off on his best foot. "I'm here to escort you to our finest shops, beginning with the Illustrious Armoury..."
Team Altador had volunteered to be official guides while the city played host to Neopia's greatest rulers. Their captain, Foltaggio, had taken a sudden leave of absence on the Isle of Yooyu, leaving the team feeling unmoored. Salayne was not as upset about their captain's withdrawal as the rest of them. After the dismal results of Cup XIX, he knew Foltaggio needed the break, just as his teammates needed a renewed sense of purpose.
Salayne tore his mind from the Isle of Yooyu as the red-robed king approached. This was his purpose, now.
"Welco-" A pair of Meridell guards hefted a large trunk of coins into Salayne's arms, nearly throwing him off balance. "Er, welcome, King Skarl! I'm here to-"
"Where is this glorious Shopping Centre?!" the king shouted. "Pick up the pace, you sluggards!"
Salayne fell into step with the king's retinue as they shuffled ahead. Despite their two month stay, he didn't recognize many of Skarl's aides; rumour had it, they were on constant rotation.
"Has the grey made him grumpier?" he quietly asked a Shoyru holding a sack of hearty foods-snacks, he supposed, for the road.
The king whirled around to erupt once more, but stopped short at the sight of Salayne walking behind him. "You, Elephante! Where do I know you from?"
The goalkeeper tried to be heartened by this. It was the whole reason the team had volunteered-so they could be familiar faces for troubled visitors in a foreign land. But in this moment, beneath King Skarl's beady red eyes, he wished he'd gone to the Isle, too.
"Oh ho, yes, I remember. You're that keeper for Team Altador. Played like dung."
"Er, thanks." Salayne shifted the weight of the trunk in his arms.
"Strong, though. Could use that. The grey has turned my guards weak and pathetic! Prove your worth here and I'll make you my squire."
As Skarl marched forth, Salayne took note of how dismal the retinue felt: eyes downcast, shoulders slumped. He gently nudged the Shoyru, and quietly shared a little joke to try to build some camaraderie.
"Squire for Skarl? I'd rather face ten Darigan Yooyus!"
A gasp rippled across the retinue, who all shrunk away from the king. Apparently Salayne's voice carried, even in a whisper. The Shoyru gave him a sideways glance, until-
"BAHAHAHA. Oh my," King Skarl said, wiping tears that'd sprung to his eyes. "My, my. I can't remember my last laugh. You're a funny one. Thank you. SCARDELL! Take that chest."
A Meerca squire juggling an armful of scrolls quivered and approached, but Salayne hefted the chest to his shoulder.
"That is quite alright, your majesty," he said, stepping forward to take the lead. "I can handle this one. Allow me to escort you to the Illustrious Armoury."
As they walked the streets of his beloved city, Salayne took courage from being on home turf. The sun was shining, and Sasha the Dancer was performing in the square. Salayne carried the conversation, giving the guards and squires a breather from their king. "Have you tried Altador Buns yet? They're truly a delicacy. Just a bite perks me right up."
As the entourage from Meridell slowly made way, Sasha the Dancer, a Protector of Altador, watched how Salayne's strong instincts smoothed over King Skarl's thorny personality. When her performance concluded, she dashed to the Hall of Heroes with a proposal to King Altador: perhaps the goalkeeper ought to become an official Council Aide.

The Grey Year Brochure
Desk Yooyuball (old staff tournament prize)

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