Chapter 1: What's Murder Actually? (Part 1)

"Evening! Evening, uhm…Nickles?" Greeted a coarse yet welcoming voice from the top of the winding stairway.

"Who? Nickels?" Thought Galvin.

Galvin relaxed his stiffened stance to peer towards the end of the hall. The sound of heavy footsteps accompanied by a peculiar metal jingle echoed louder and louder from the darkness of the hallway bend.

"Back downstairs! By order of the king! No guests on this floor at this time!" Commanded Galvin. His stern voice deepened with viscous defense.

There stood defiantly a dimly lit silhouette slowly revealing itself under the warm decorative lanterns lining the halls. In Galvin's many years of being his Highnesse personal guard never had he kicked someone out of a room with the frequency he had to the man walking down the hall.

"I am Bo-" Tried explaining the man.

"The antithesis of royalty." Muttered Galvin. Quickly drowning out the conversation the man was trying to strike. He only shook his head in disbelief as the man approached and drew closer.

Galvin couldn't help but observe the man's poorly maintained royal garb screaming disorder. He wore numerous scars on his cheeks demonstrating unmatched clumsiness, and even the cadence of his steps lacked discipline. To Galvin, the man now towering over her is unmistakably Bolten Woltwork.

"What was that Nickles?" Chuckled Bolten. The smell of exotic meats and alcohol from the celebration being held on the floors below was carried over in each of Bolten's breathes Bolten.

"Leave. You are beyond drunk and your privileges do not apply today of all days." Demanded Galvin. Your suit is also a mess. His majesty would never approve."

"All the more reason to let me in!" Laughed Bolten while dancing happily in place. "Today is a day of celebration! And as such I have a gift." Hinted Bolten with a cheeky smile. "I managed to earn a big ol' shiny gift for my brother to wear. Even fits his big ol' crown." Continued Bolten excitedly.

"Show me this gift." Commanded Galvin as she once again stiffened her body. Bolten's smile receded for a moment and agreed.

Bolten could feel Galvin's piercing gaze as he fished deep into the pockets of his vest which now dangled limp at his sides. He could feel her being slowly disarmed as he continued to search with a carefree smile and a less-than-graceful demeanor.

"Apologies. Got a bit- a bit of coin to sift through in here. It's worth…worth the wait. Promise." Said Bolten, focused and biting his bottom lip.

After a moment's effort, Bolten proceeded to pull a glistening round blue crystal from his pocket. He cautiously lowered it to Galvin's eye level as though not to disturb the gem's glistening radiance. Galvin observed the tear-drop-shaped gem cautiously. It was decorated beautifully; unlike any other gem Galvin had ever laid eyes on before. As if the gem itself had an aquatic world inside of it.

"Nickles! I'm tellin' the truth. Right? " Exclaimed Bolten proudly.

While the gem was indeed beautiful Galvin realized it was also distracting her and immediately rolled her gaze back onto Bolten with a newfound razor-sharp focus.

"Put it away. There is a better time for this." Admitted Galvin.

"I don't think that there is." Challenged Bolten, reluctantly withdrawing the gem back into his pocket.

Galvin shook her head in disbelief and sighed deeply wondering when her patience would give way. She had always ejected Bolten with little more than the words "get out". This was the first time she would have to interact with Bolten outside of her king's orders. Like a reflex or a ritual, she began rubbing her metal woven gloves together producing a very familiar static arc between her fingers.

"Ah! I see we're skipping a couple of steps today. Bad week Nickles?" Reacted Bolten, looking down towards Galvin's twitching fingers with a flustered smile. "Depends on what you call me next?" Smirked Galvin.

"Right. Okay. Let's switch up the dance. Jokes aside… Galvin. I need to see my brother. Your king. King of -" Tried asking Bolten.

"You can't." Interrupted Galvin firmly.

"Bloody huh!? What do you mean I can't?" Blurted Bolten. Grabbing at Galvin's thick leather shoulder pads.

"Final warning. Back-up!" Commanded Galvin. Her hand rose reflexively into a quick shove onto Galvin's chest producing a dazzling electrical shock and burning a small hole into his previously white undershirt. "You don't learn do you!?"

The impact of the electrical shock was enough to lift Bolton off his feet ultimately propelling him backward into the walls of the hall. His large stature was enough to dent the metallic sections of the wall inwards in addition to violently shaking the lanterns above. Galvin looked down towards Bolten checking to see if he had any serious injuries. He remained still and slumped over the wall. His flat cap tilted over his eyes casting a concerning shadow. "Surely he can handle a shock. He's been through far worse with me. This should tickle." thought Galvin."If the king can't kill you then neither can I. On your feet Bolten."

"Please." Sighed Galvin. His Majesty is determining the future of New Dwarden. Some-" Tried explaining Galvin.

"A future I'm part of. Exclusively." Said Bolten Defiantly, as if springing back to life. "My brother's never made such a choice without the tight-necked council pecking at his brain? What's made today so different?" He continued, rising from the ground in a swift yet acrobatic motion." Also, out of curiosity. How much joy would my death have given you? And do you repair suits by any chance?" Galvin seemingly shrugged off Bolten's last questions with a disapproving scowl.

"It was the council's decision to proceed with his exclusive guidance. Their reasons are unknown to me. I-". Explained Galvin.

"Bolten, how in the Blessed did you get up here?" Asked King Woltwork, peeking his head from between the iron doors beside Galvin.

"Your Majesty. I tried-" Stammered Galvin, avoiding eye contact with the King.

"Galvin. We will speak on this matter later. I am disappointed in you." Protested King Woltwork. "And Bolten. If you must! Only if you must! Dust yourself off and come inside." Commanded King Woltwork retreating into the comfort of his study.

Promptly, Bolten did as the King instructed and dusted himself off, keeping eye contact with Galvin as he followed the King into his study.

Galvin returned to guard. While her mind was racing, she remained as still as a statue. Ignoring Bolten's instigating stare as he passed by and only closing the door behind him when she was commanded to.