After Eiravel and the soldiers had left the room Arri's mother had entered. She said goodbye to both of her parents, much to her mothers dismay. Walking down the castle corridors the help bowed to her, as well as wished her good luck. She smiled politely at them and gladly accepted their small gifts, which consisted of nothing more than small trinkets that were made of various materials.
Arrving at her room she picked up a small bag, which had been packed for her, and made her way down to the stables. Her horse, Shan, was a young mare who had a white coat that had gray spots near her chest. Arri put her foot into Shan's stirrup and lifted herself onto the saddle. She walked the horse around for a few moments before riding towards the castle gates.
Lucidas sat on a crate in the rain watching the clouds shift in almost unnatural patterns.
"Huh? A very powerful wizard created this rain..." said Lucidas as he leapt off the crate, he continued "... It adds atmosphere, I'll give him that but I dont know what he is attempting to warn the other wizards about."
A crowd of people split and scattered as a single man in a dark cloak walked through, there was nothing altogether impressive about the man and yet the crowd was buzzing with fear. With this event Lucidas quickly pulled up his hood and turned away from the man, "He isnt here for me, he certainly doesnt need to see my face..." he muttered as he walked slowly after the cloaked stranger and thought "... but that doesnt mean I dont want to know what is happening.".
Once they arrived at the castle Lucidas sat down on a rock just outside the gates and watched as the guards talked with what looked to be an especially well trained fighter up in a catle window.
"I dont want to be rude so I'll just sit here and eavesdrop, wait... Is that rude?!" pondered Lucidas as he sat with his chin resting on his hand, watching and waiting to be noticed as he concluded he could learn alot more from the castles jailer.
"Princess, when we leave this gate you must pull your own weight. Youwill care for your own horse and equipment. I am here to protect you, not to baby sit you. Are we clear?"
She nodded yes and they road out into the greying skies. The journey was silent for hours, the only sound was the horses whinnies and their iron shod shoes striking the road. Eiravel liked the silent travel, he was not a very outspoken Elf, not unless the discussion was war that is.
As night fell upon them, so did they rain and they decided to make camp in a small cavernous like indent in the mountain side.
"Liking the journey so far Princess" He said as she struggled with her own tent.
Arri traveled contently next to Eiravel. She liked the feeling of being on the open road, though they were on an important journey she enjoyed being outside of the kingdom walls.
When it began to rain and they made camp Arri struggled a bit to put together her own tent.
"Liking the journey so far Princess?"
Looking up at Eiravel, Arri smiled. "Please Eiravel, call me Arri. And yes, I am enjoying this journey. Its different, but in a good way. I'm finding it difficult to do some of the basics, but I'm glad that I'm able to experience them."
After assembling her tent Arri asked Eiravel a question. "How much further until we reach our destination?"
I think we might need to hurry up and get to the castle. XD
Blearily opening his eyes, Korgan awoke to a foul taste in his mouth. Pushing the covers from him, he sat up in bed, blinking as he did so. Noticing that he was still fully clothed, he dropped to the floor and checked his possessions. Finding that nothing had gone missing during the night, he made his way from his room to the inn's stables, whereupon he proceeded to dunk his head in a large bucket of water before striding back into the inn and gulping down a flagon of mead mixed with Firewine. The edge taken off, he paid the barman and made his way back to his room.
Closiing the door behind him, Korgan read through the letter delivered to him the night before by the Clanless Dwarf. Making the sign of stone to ward off evil at the thought of the Dwarf, he reread the King's offer before sitting on the bed, his fist against his chin.
It'd be good to get back in the fight again, and who knows, I might find something to return to Baranzibar with. Anyhow, I'll need the money. Guess doing this beats wasting my time elsewhere.
A painful twinge at the memory of his father made Korgan close his eyes. Opening them again, his gaze took on its stereotypical steely look and he dropped to the floor again. Gathering his belongings, he was soon clad in his fine Mithril mailshirt and greaves, with his horned helmet held under one arm. After a good half-hour, his beard had been finely combed and braided, and his hair was neatly ordered as opposed to the shaggy mess that it had been for the past several months. The only other belongings that he owned hung from his belt - his dagger, his tinderbox and flint, his purse, the letter of marque from the King and a bedroll slung around the small of his back. Around his neck, a silver chain held a small pendant of black obsidian stone, chipped from one of the many walls of his home Citadel beneath the Durnhold mountains. Slinging his round shield over his back, Korgan picked up Snaga and rested it on his shoulder.
Damn, it's good to actually feel like an Ironclad again.
Making his way downstairs, he strode to the bar, noticing the awed looks he got from the few patrons of the inn, and strode to the innkeeper. The man looked down, unsure of how to react.
"E- Erm, yes?"
Korgan looked up at the man.
"I believe that I stayed here for four nights, how much do I owe you?"
The man breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh I... Never mind. The price will be six silvers."
Korgan nodded, the price was a fair one, and handed over the coins, nodding his thanks to the man. Turning to leave, he saw two of the patrons glance at him and laugh between the two. His eyes narrowing, he strode up to them.
"What?!"
The two men looked him up and down and burst into outright laughter. One of the men turned to his friend, choking with laughter.
"E- E- E's like a lil' 'airy kid in armour, inn-e?"
The other man was about to reply when he saw his companion fly from his seat, barrelled out of it by Korgan. The drunk man was silenced with a solid fist to the stomach and having his head battered into his own chair. Korgan turned and fixed the other drunk with a steely stare.
"Say one more word..."
He retrieved and raised Snaga.
"... and I'll gut you like the upworlder pig that you are!"
The man's mouth opened and closed like a goldfish a few times, his face pale. Korgan sneered before turning away and leaving the inn.
"Good."
Exiting into the grey drizzle, Korgan squinted (water that fell from the sky was yet another thing that he wasn't completely used to), spying the castle's spires, even with the limited view afforded by his short stature and the rain.
The letter said head to the castle and report to someone named LeRoue.
Shrugging, Korgan began to make his way through the busy streets. Normally, his size would make rapid movement difficult, but carrying a large battle axe tends to move people out of your way rather quickly.
"About noon tomorrow if we can get an early start" He said feeding the fire, he placed a pot of stew over the fire and began to inspect his blades. This was a habit of his, after a days ride he would cool down his horse, check his gear, then finally inspect and service his blades. He hummed a family battle song as he applied oil over his saber and cleaned the blade as light danced off its gleaming face.
"Arri," He said quietly as if he didn't want to be heard " i-"
She looked over at him as if she didn't expect him to talk.
"-I think you should try to get to sleep as soon as we are done eating." He looked out at the dark and empty woods " It's just a precaution but i will stand guard for tonight."
He cast his eyes back to his work at hand. His cold orbs starred back at him from the blade, a haunting loneliness seemed to creep around there edges. As thou they were looking deep into the past, constantly replaying that-
No. He finished with his saber and sheathed it. He looked off into the rainy sky. How long has it been?
Maybe you should do your thing before bed, then narrate the ride to the castle. . .
"I smite you down you terrible ugly beast!" roared Bombur as he swung his mighty axe, putting all of his height and weight-albeit not much- into the swing, "You shall feel the wrath of my axe for the vengeance of the families and lives you have taken!"
He hit the great ugly beast on the arm and it threw its head toward the sky, roaring in pain its yellow teeth bared and its shrill shriek echoed throughout the land. The shriek was abruptly interrupted by Bombur's axe, which in a quick swipe, removed the ugly beasts head.
"HAHA!" he heartily laughed, leaning on his now bloody axe, "May your spirit fall to the depths of hell and your body feed a many creature!"
Bombur continued laughing as he grabbed the head of the beast, a bit of a souvenir, he did need to keep up to his name after all and proof is the best way to go about such a thing. He walked for about an hour, axe sheathed and trolls head in hand, he continued along the hills and back toward his quaint little town.
"Oh! What a most wonderful discovery I have stumbled upon!" cheered Bombur as he spotted a tree, with many a leaf and a thick trunk, "Looks like the perfect spot for a hearty lunch then a good nap!"
He approached the tree, legs trembling in excitement and stomach rumbling in anticipation. Off the pack on his back flew and down to the ground went he. In a matter of moments he was asleep, crumbs from the lunch he had engulfed rested on his chest and stomach, which heaved and ho'd as he heavily breathed and snored.
**********************************
"Ahem... AHEM"
"EH whot? Whats that?" Bombur's eyes groggily opened, his stomach was satisfied and his mind was cleared, nothing more refreshing to the body and mind than a good lunch and nap to follow it up with, "Who's that then thats quite en-" Bombur rolled to his right and was met with the head of the troll, he jumped up and grabbed for his axe, the tolls head was cut in half and the Dwarf-the person who awoke Bombur I might add- jumped back and stood in surprise.
Ahem, would you by any chance by Mr. Bombur Trollslayer son of Fili Ironforger? asked the young strapping Dwarf with shiny armor and a glorious axe, I have been sent here under the request of the Human King Daniel the Sixth, you have been requested to honor his presence as soon as you can possibly make it to the castle. I have other matters to attend to, please take this parchment for more information upon the kings request. Thank you Bombur Trollslayer son of Fili Ironforger, may your beard grow forever long!"
And with that the Dwarf turned and was trotting over a nearby hill, by this time Bombur had fully awoken and ripped open the parchment which was handed to him.
"Bah-what-Human? Now what would I want to do with those beardless, boring people!?" he gruffly asked to himself reading over the parchment, "Pah! Regardless or not of if I venture to this castle, I must return home first, I most certainly would not want to go off on an adventure without a sack full of lunches!"
So Bombur grabbed his sack-leaving the halved trolls head, no longer much of a souvenir- and headed off toward his town, pondering over the adventure which had just been proposed.
It's not me with Paldo yet...it's just one of the guards...so he might be a bit annoyed that you call him LeRouge, as I have no idea his name D: Sorry for the confusion...and for reference my last names LeRoue if you want me
Lucidas snapped out of his thoughful gaze and noticed a group of guards heading toward him, he quickly rose to his feet and yelled "Its about time, you know how easy it was to just walk in here?" as a mischievous grin stretched across his face.
He put up no resistance as the guards took him to a cell, while Fredrick kept eye contact with him as he escorted past.
The slightly rusted cell door scraped shut as Lucidas leaned against the back wall of the cell, he briefly surveyed his surroundings and lazily said "I guess I am not using the door to get out of here, I know cells arent supposed to be inviting but I am sure they arent supposed to give you tetanus either!"
Lucidas took a pair of gloves out of his pocket and placed them on his cells bed roll, "Soon." he thought just as his first bowl of slop was being delivered. The bowl was left on a shelf built into the cell door as the slop began to drool out of a rather sizable crack, the jailer noticed Lucidas hadnt moved toward the food so he shouted "Eat it, you'll get nothing else!". Lucidas gasped and replied "How rude! I wont be recommending any of my friends to stay here, even though your food IS of the highest quality!", he then broke out into laughter which echoed through the silent halls of the castle.
The jailer sighs and murmurs "This one is going to be trouble.".
Deep in the mountains, the rider finally arrived at a secluded hall. The buildings were modest, even by the standards of the Elves, and when he knocked, it was answered not by a servant, but by the very elf he had come to seek, though not in the mood he had hoped
"Who disturbs me now?" cried the elf, his hand rainsing to the sword slung over his shoulder, "Now, of all times! I must have focus to properly practise the Eagle Form!"
The elf's hand closed on the hilt, and he began to draw the sword, a trace of golden blade visible, but before it was even a few inches drawn, he stopped, and with a visible effprt, quelled his fury.
"I am sorry," he said, with a deep Elven bow, "Forgive my outburst. Since the death of my father, I have had manymore responsibilities, and they begin to wear me thin over the years. And now, with the Altrin threat..."
"It is of the Altrin that I come to speak" siad the messenger, eager to do his duty and be gone, "Daniel the Sixth, King of Men, would make use of your services, Swordsmaster Skilganon. He bids you come with all haste, that you can arrive before they attack"
Rage flared in Skilganon again, but he calmed it. "I will come," he told the messenger, "It will do me good, perhaps to be away from this hall for a while. Tell Daniel of Men that I will come with all the speed I can muster"
Three days later, Skilganon rode form the moutains, heading for Dresha
Arri had followed Eiravel's orders and slept. He stood guard, watching and listening for anything that could potentially harm them. Thankfully, the night was uneventful.
When Arri woke the sun had risen, and she saw Eiravel in the same position that he had been the night before. The pair gathered their things and rode off on their horses towards the castle. The journey was a quiet one, neither Elf saying a word, and instead just looking at the beautiful country side.
After a few hours they had arrived at gates of Dresha.
The old gates slowly open, creaking under age and weather distress, several guards are standing in a row, waiting for the Elf princesses entrance to the castle.
A man in robes steps to the pair a wide smile on his face, "welcome to the King's castle princess, whom may be your personal guard?" he asks politely, his smile seeming more forced by the second.
Arri frowned slightly when the man addressed her as the princess. It seemed as though everywhere she went no one called her by her name. They just called her princess.
Shaking off whatever feelings of dissappointment she had Arri spoke back to the man dressed in robes. " His name is Eiravel Cyredrahel. He is a respected Elf and should be treated as so."
Stepping off of her mare, Shan, Arri walked to the guards, who seemed to be ready to strike at any second.
Making his way through the drizzle, Korgan soon arrived at the castle, the the path afforded by Snaga making his journey quick (for a Dwarf) and painless. Walking onwards, he saw that the gates were already open. Korgan strode towards the Gate Captain and fished the letter from his belt pouch, handing it to the man.
"I've received summons from the King and respectfully request an audience. If you could direct me to a Mr LeRoue, that should be sufficient."
Although he had no real like or dislike for humans, he was still about to enter the presence of a King and would afford him the respect demanded by his status. Korgan's warrior principles would not let him show any disrespect to the descendant of the man who had ceased the warring between the races. The Captain looked down at the letter and nodded, looking back up and eyeing Korgan with suspicion before returning the letter to him and beckoning a young human soldier over.
"This appears to be in order, Sammael here will take you to the Lord LeRoue."
Korgan nodded at the Captain and eyed the soldier. He was young, maybe twenty or so, and was dressed in a mail hauberk with a polished breastplate and steel greaves. A well-made longsword was strapped to his waist and he carried a well-crafted shield. His head was mostly covered by his chainmail coif and Spangenhelm, but Korgan could clearly make out his facial features and a few tufts of dark hair that fell onto his brow. He seemed reasonably competent, for a human. Korgan nodded at him.
"Lead the way."
Sammael nodded in return and turned.
"Please, follow me."
Korgan followed the soldier into the central courtyard, focusing on the small of Sammael's back and following him into the castle interior.
Turning his head, Korgan watched Sammael leave. With the soldier gone, he turned his head back to LeRoue, taking the man in with a degree of suspicion.
He looks like he's being haunted by a Deep Cavern abomination...
Korgan stepped forward, locking eyes with the man.
"So, you telling me why I was brought here or what?"
Eiravel dismounted his horse and handed the reigns over to an eager looking stable boy,
"If this horse is miss treated i will bring your short life to an even more abrupt end." The boy flushed white as Eiravel walked over to the Princess's side.
"We have an audience waiting of the outmost importance. Princess Arri we must make haste. I want to get out of this disgusting kingdom as fast as i can and be on our way back home."
He followed the appointed guard into the castle, stopping just outside of an open portal that spilled into a room occupied by a human and a Dwarf
"LeRouge i presume?" He said offering a hand shake over the Drawf's head. "I am Princess Arri's body guard, Eiravel Crydrehal, and we are here on behalf of the Elf King." he said with an official, if unenthusiastic, voice.
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Guess I'm just waiting for TTT, then.
