For All The Glory {sVerrine/EJKing}

[EJKing]

The country side was once a thing of beauty, lush, green, and full of life. Yet here and now as he made his way towards the nearest town it was dead, there was no other way to describe it. Shades of brown spread across the land like a disease. It was only last year that famine started to run wild among the lands. Farmer were fleeing the kingdom to seek refuge in the surrounding lands, the crops dying and being destroyed left and right. Game was growing scarce at this point. But money was to be made here and that was the only thing leaving him to linger this dying land. That and the fact that Leolon was his homeland, even if he had spent most of it in the Burning Mountains in the far corner of the kingdom.

 

Humming to himself as he walked along the side of the road Roth stood out no matter what he wore. The long blue hair was one thing, the softest of blues like a gently warm spring day without a cloud in the sky. It was a shock of color in such dull surroundings. His fair clean skin was another, in a kingdom where most were filthy and starving he seemed almost untouched by the world around him, despite how much sharper his features where from less food. But the slightly hallowed cheeks only added to the elfin like features he had. What made it more obvious was the black he wore, fitted pants tucked in worn black boots,a leather belt with a sheathed sword at his hip, a black jerkin over the off white shirt he had on. And the dusty black traveling cloak he had over the quiver and unstrung bow across his back beside the bag he also had slung over his shoulder. He truly did just stick out no matter the efforts to avoid it.

 

Yet, for once it sounded as though he was not the one in trouble. Ahead he heard commotion just beyond the dying trees in the bend leading to the town. Roth's brows creased with confusion and instantly he quieted and rested his hand on the beaten old hilt of his sword. His stride slowed as he reached the bend and turned it to see four men clearly native tot he area giving a foreigner of sorts trouble. Clearly they were ready to pick a fight. No doubt they were some so called 'tax collectors' or as many call them, highway men.

 

One the dirty brutes suddenly rushed the stranger and the others moved to join and Roth didn't hesitate to move. His bow was out strung and notched in seconds. A breath later one man dropped with a howl, an arrow in the thigh. Then another with one to the shoulder and quickly one to the knee. Swinging the bow over his shoulder as he drew closer to the fight he made sure the stranger had the last two in hand before moving to break the arrows so they could be pulled free but not get in the way, earning curses from the men. "Oh be still, I didn't permanently damage anything," he scolded them like a mother might a fussing child. The one with the thigh wound lunged at him knife in hand from some place on his person and a swift kick sent the man into a nice rest for the next hour or so.

 

Blue eyes turned to the stranger as he pulled the string from his bow. "Are you well," he switched to a common tongue used the the kingdoms not entirely sure if the stranger knew the tongue of this land. "There is a town just ahead, best to head that way before any of their friends come looking," he added stepping over the man he kicked and heading on his way, pausing to only glance and be sure the stranger was following him. "I'll buy you a drink in exchange for word from outside the kingdom," he offered always curious of the on goings outside this hellish land. Besides, companionship, even brief, was always welcome with him.

[sVerrine]

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The warm waft of the morning stroke Dante's cheek gently as he watched the crimson roses beautifying the royal garden. A few servants were passing down the veranda, bringing tea and peculiar foods, but Dante simply gazed at the garden, without taking notice of their movement.

It wasn't a moment before a trail of loud steps broke Dante's still posture. He moved his eye towards the only door that lead to the garden and saw Cecil, his little sister, coming in with an expression that betrayed disappointment.

 

"Brother..." She started gloomily. "I heard about your leaving to the neighbor kingdom. Can you tell when you will be back?"

 

Dante let out a wan smile. "It won't be long." He responded, rising from his chair and approaching her, ultimately offering a reassured and warm embrace. Something seemed to tear inside him when he felt her hands tightly gripping his broad shoulders.

 

They looked into each other's eyes, and after a short moment Cecil smiled, hiding a poignant sadness that Dante took notice of. "Of course." She wanted to prolong her words but another man approached the room with a distinctively assertive pacing. They broke their small body engagement just before the man threw the door open.

 

"Dante, here you are!" He exclaimed nonchalantly before acknowledging Cecil's somehow meager presence. "Together with my beautiful wife." The man added with the same tone. "Well, I am sorry to interrupt your fair-wells, but I need Dante to look at the final arrangements for tonight's departing." He entered their perimeter and wrapped his hand around Cecil's wasp waist, not before placing an innocent kiss on her forehead. Dante seemed to exert himself when displaying a smile at the sudden affection.

 

"Of course, your Highness." He responded with sharp politeness.

 

The two of them locked their eyes and left the room in silence, but not before giving a last apologetic glance to Cecil who seemed to whisper a "be well". Dante let out a sigh and followed the heir, Richard, who was also to be his 'companion' during their freshly assigned mission. Although no apparent feeling seemed to pervade Dante's frame, deep inside, he found himself fighting with an excruciating pain. A deep sigh followed and Dante decided to put a stop to the evil thoughts that, during the past days, seemed to have become his sole intimates.

He had to see his mission through and that was the only thing that mattered- for the kingdom, for himself, for Cecil.

[EJKing]

The stranger offered a small uneasy smile but nodded at him. "I'm good thanks, and a drink sounds good to me", he said relaxing a little. Roth smiled faintly in response and waiting for the other male to join him and together they walked the road in silence, both too alert for other dangers to dabble in simple conversation. Luck seemed with them however for by the end of the hour they found themselves in the town. It was lively, the townsfolk going about their daily routines. The pair found their way to the nearest Inn. The next few hours were spent with a couple of drinks and tales of the world passing between them. It seemed outside of the kingdom the war was destroying the country, and the floods of refugees into other kingdoms was a burden. He hadn't thought it was that bad, but he hardly noticed the amount of time having passed by this point or why the humans were at war in the first place.

 

After time his companion parted ways declaring he had more ground to cover before night. He decided it was best to find room and look into refreshing his supplies and getting a horse, the last one had died in a fight, arrow to the heart. So he paid for a room and secured his belongings in the space but his sword, knife, and money. That in place he headed out, the day was to end soon enough a few hours in time but he was sure he could manage to tasks ahead.

 

A few little shops with payments set for goods to be ready the next day and he followed the directions to the finest stable in town. After all he needed a mount that was sturdy and had good breeding. Soon enough he found the place just out of town on the gentle slope of a hill overlooking everything. Roth slowed his pace as he reached the large barn, horses and the smell of a stable reaching his senses, but the sound of a man in the barn at work also came to him. "Salutations," he called and heard a grunt and a curse before some shuffling in his direction was made. The man was stalky, sturdy, and tan from hours outdoors. "Wha'cha want," he grumbled eyeing Roth over. "A mount, something sturdy, that can handle long travels, possible fighting," he said. There was silence but the horses about them as the man seemed to consider him.

 

"Thisa way." he said before spitting on the hay scattered ground. Roth mentally cringed at the act but followed the man out the back side of the barn to a pasture where three horses grazed a spotty pasture. Roth looked to them and then the man who nodded. Taking the permission he ducked under the fence and made his way half way and found the apple in the small pouch at his waist. His hunting knife served to cut it to three pieces. The smell of the treat had the beasts coming to him. One a tall proud white stallion, fancy looking and he knew it by the prance in his step. The second slightly shorter bulkier with kind eyes a white blaze down his face and warm chestnut coat. The last one taller than the second but still a touch shorter than the white one, a simple buckskin, tan gold coat black legs mane, tail, muzzle, and stripe down his back. Roth gave them each a bit of apple before looking them over. The buckskin seemed his best choice, heavier built, but still light weight, like a Calvary mount but steady and calm at his presence unlike the other two, the scent of his people often unnerved animals, but not this one.

 

"How much for the buckskin," he called over to the horsemaster. Again a long silence. "15," he gave finally. Roth winced and looked at the stallion and then back before sighing. "Include tack and we have a deal," he said and after only a moment the horsemaster nodded. Roth headed back and they shook hands. The drake gave half the gold over then before deciding it was time to head back to town. Dinner sounded good. Tomorrow he would move on once more.

[sVerrine]

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The royal convoy traveled for a night and a day and by the time they reached the countryside, the sun was setting leisurely, taking away the splendid cerulean blue of the sky. With a vacant expression, Dante directed his gaze skyward. The cooing and bellowing of voices echoed loudly in the air as night began to settle in. It would be best for them to remain in the approaching village for the rest of the night. A quick glance at the restless forest and one could feel a sense of danger lingering around.

 

"We should call it a night." Dante gave voice to his thoughts. Richard, whose ivory white horse was contrasting Dante's obsidian beast, glanced at him evenly. He spoke belatedly. "Fine then. The village we are approaching seems to be enough to replenish our supplies." He spoke loud enough for the men accompanying them to hear.

 

It did not take long for them to arrive. Richard took the lead and assigned two men to make the necessary arrangements regarding their supplies. The rest of them headed towards the nearest inn to have dinner and book the rooms. As soon as they arrived, Richard left Dante to take care of the horses and the man proceeded fast and efficiently to guide the animals towards the small murky stall that the inn provided.

 

When he returned, he saw Richard at a wooden table in the far corner of the room, talking fervidly to a young black haired woman. Her neck and hands were adorned by a tremendous number of golden jewelry that matched the colorful aspect of her dress. He pressed his lips together and approached the two with small pacing to overhear their conversation before stepping in.

 

"Ten golds and everything is set." The woman spoke with a confidence that picked Dante's curiosity.

 

"That is robbery." Richard confessed, not with condescension as he would have normally done, but rather with a polite and broad smile.

 

"This is not the ordinary commoner you are paying for, I am offering you... exotic goods." The woman continued, not letting herself convinced to lower the price. Dante simply tried not to have an impulsive reaction to the situation. He approached the table hastily and ended their conversation by harshly placing his hand on Richard's shoulder.

 

"Richard!" He said as if the young heir was someone he had been hardly looking for. "Ma'am, I have some important business with this young man, could you please leave us alone?"

 

The woman simply glanced at Dante and as she saw that the man's face brooked no argument, she left the table with contempt.

 

"Dante, have I ever told you that you are always spoil my fun?"

 

"You were going to spend ten golds on a whore."

 

"So?" Richard's challenging eyes pierced Dante's black chunks that were devoid of any apparent emotion. Deep inside, though, he tried to oppress his internal screams.

 

"Sire, these young girls have various disease. We can not afford to have the only heir infected."

 

As the response was not the one expected, Richard lost interest quickly in Dante's answer and he returned to his food. "Still a bore." He said unaffected by what the other man might think of his rude behaviour. Dante avoided a potential fight between them and that made him to sigh with relief. He took a seat beside Richard who started eating and then thought it would be a good idea for him to do the same. It was just that dealing with Richard seemed to deplete him of any form of energy, mental or physical.

Dante aimlessly wondered how long could he keep up maintaining the tension between them in a steady balance and what would be the consequences of its disturbance.