.....Darkness swept across the plains, but for the kingdom of Asgarth, there was an ominous feel to the air. A stranger in a dark blue robe approached the kingdom, arm holding a staff, seeking shelter from the night. The town was deserted after nightfall, though it was to be expected, for dark forces were rumored to be spreading ill intent over the land. The figure in black wasted no time seeking the local inn; once inside, the innkeeper spotted the stranger immediately, and placed one hand on a dagger, unseen, from behind the wooden desk.
....."Be you friend or foe," the man questioned.
.....The stranger pulled the hood from the robe down, exposing the face of a lady no older than twenty. Blonde hair fell into place, partially covering her face and reaching down to her shoulders; the rest had been pulled back in a ponytail, the length hidden beneath her robe. She brushed a few locks from her face.
....."You...you're but a young woman."
....."Please, I merely seek shelter for the night," spoke the woman. The tone was soft, timid.
....."We are not accustomed to strangers, especially at this time of night. A plague has been spreading across the kingdom; they say it is the work of mages. Those who would practice black magic have cursed our land. Be you a magic caster, young woman?"
....."No, sir. I merely seek a place to rest for the night. I am able to pay, and would be out and on my way by early morning." The woman removed a small pouch from her cloak, the other hand still gripping tightly to her staff, and retrieved three pieces of silver, placing them on the counter.
.....The innkeeper noticed the staff, a trademark of spell-casters. Cautiously, he asked, "And what of your staff? A woman as young as yourself would have little need of a walking staff."
....."It is for protection, as I have no blade, and am travelling by night. As you can see, there is no jewel attached. It is merely for show, to ward off would-be attackers, as is my hooded robe. Please, sir, may I have a room? It is quite late, and I am so very tired."
.....The innkeeper reached out his hand, and swept the pieces of silver towards him. "Very well. I mean not to interrogate, but the kingdom is nothing but nerves since the plague descended upon us. A word of caution -- stay the night, but leave at first sign of sunrise, lest you too fall victim to the plague that has fallen upon our kingdom."
....."Yes, kind sir, I will." And with that, the young woman climbed the staircase to her room, and closed the door behind her.
.....Within the castle walls, much was stirring, despite the late hour. A guard had entered the room of his master, the king of Asgarth, waking him from slumber.
....."My Lord," spoke the guard, as he placed a hand on the sleeping man's shoulder. The king's eyes began to twitch, and within moments opened. "Forgive me for disturbing your sleep, Lord Defiant, but there is a matter most urgent, that requires your immediate attention."
.....The king wearily sat upright, rubbing his eyes and running a hand through his short brown hair. He motioned for the guard to continue.
....."Well you see...the innkeeper...he said that hours ago, a strange visitor requested a room for the night -- a woman, dressed in a dark cloak, carrying with her a staff. Though it had no jewel, he suspected she may be a magic-caster, for what woman travels at night without protection, by means of weaponry or a party of travellers?"
....."For this, you disturbed my slumber," questioned King Defiant, rather annoyed. "Yes, odd as it may seem for a visitor to come at this hour, he has no proof she is a sorceress or witch. Perhaps the woman lost her way in Segwyn forest, to the east; after darkness falls, they can be as terrifying to navigate as the most confusing labyrinth."
....."I agree, my Lord. But there IS proof." And with that, the guard removed from his pouch a jewel, roughly the size of a small apple, though blue in color.
.....At the sight of the gem, the eyes of King Defiant grew wide. He stood from his bed, and held the blue gem in his hands. "This...it is...a water jewel of a magic-caster," he said in awe. "It has been years since I laid eyes on one." He took his eyes off the jewel momentarily, and addressed the guard. "Where did the innkeeper find this? The woman would know better than to admit to being a magic-caster."
....."Forgive his means, but he waited until the woman was asleep, then managed to rummage through her belongings. This jewel was found in her pouch. She must have removed it from her staff before entering the town. Just as disturbing, the innkeeper also found a sorceress' tiara, with a small uncolored jewel attached in the front, used to focus her thoughts while casting."
....."Yes, I am aware of the use of such items, and while I object to his means, I am glad of his discovery. It is the magic-casters who have brought this plague upon our kingdom, and I will not stand to have one in our midst, especially one who deceives. I shall hold on to this jewel; bring the tiara to my room, along with the rest of her belongings, and have the woman jailed. I shall deal with this matter in the morning."
....."Yes, my Lord," spoke the guard. With that, he turned and headed for the door. King Defiant placed the water jewel on a stand next to his bed, watching the light from the moon cast a blue shadow on the stone wall. He returned under the covers of his bed, denying sleep until the guard returned with confirmation of the woman's capture. Assurance came no more than thirty minutes later, when he was told the woman made no struggle, but went peacefully and silently as she was led to the castle dungeon, and imprisoned.
.....At first sign of morning, Christopher Defiant, King of Asgarth wasted no time in dressing. His original plans would take him outside the kingdom, and as he still had full intention of carrying out his plans, he would forgoe the usual attire, and instead don his armor. Black cloth laid underneath white full plate armor with a gold trim. Lastly, he attached a blue cape, the bottom of which came inches from the ground.
.....Exiting his room, Defiant made way to the stairwell leading to the ground floor. A man approached the king, as if he were in a great hurry -- a short, thin fellow much older than the young ruler, who was only twenty-three himself.
....."Young King, I must advise against leaving the kingdom. While a plague grips our humble town, there are far worse dangers outside our walls. There is talk of demons roaming the plains."
....."Of this, I am not surprised. You have heard the latest, no doubt? A young woman, a magic-caster, was found in our town last night, disguised as a harmless wanderer?"
....."Yes, my King, I have. Perhaps she is also the cause of the plague, as well?"
....."My instinct tells me no, for if such were true, she would avoid the town altogether. Though I am not one to understand the mind of a witch." After speaking those words, Christopher Defiant resumed walking towards the castle doors. The older man followed alongside.
....."Be that as it may, I still advise you not to leave the town. We have men at our disposal who can do your bidding."
....."Patrick, you are an invaluable advisor, and trusted friend, but my mind has been made up." Defiant stopped, and turned to face his advisor. "The truth is, I know not my destination; only that I must find a cure. Not from the plague, but from..." Defiant's voice trailed after the words had passed his lips."
....."So, is this what your hurried state is about? If so, then not even a wild chimera, let alone an old man such as myself, could keep you bound to within these kingdom walls. But do be careful. The death of you would be the death of this kingdom."
.....Defiant placed both hands on the man's skinny biceps. "Patrick, my friend, if the plague should continue as it does, death would befall the kingdom just as swift." He chose to end the conversation at that point, removing his hands from the older gentleman, and heading for the castle doors.
.....Though morning had come, inside one of the houses in the town, darkness surrounded the inhabitants. The windows had been covered in heavy cloth, blocking the sun's rays from entering. A single torch was lit, giving a steady, yet faint light. A woman sat by the bedside of her daughter; the former in her early forties, and the latter mere months past twenty. The daughter lay in bed, her face visibly pale even by the dim light of the torch. The mother placed a cool cloth on her daughter's forehead as she watched the child's chest slowly rise and fall, as she listened to her daughter breathing. A knock at the front door broke the rhythmic trance. Slowly, as not to disturb her daughter's slumber, the mother rose to answer the knocking.
....."King Defiant," the mother quietly said. Before she could say more, he responded.
....."May I?" Defiant motioned with his hand. The woman opened the door further to allow him entry, then shut it once they were both inside. The king laid eyes on the daughter, but before getting closer, asked the older woman in a quiet tone, "How has she been?"
....."Not well. Indarus the Cleric says her eyesight has been taken from her, and her fever remains long after it should have ceased."
....."A plague has descended upon the kingdom, yet she suffers from another affliction."
....."There is no healer than can cure her from this sickness, let alone identify it. While they all remain baffled, I must stand by and suffer the pains of losing my only daughter. My Lord, you are a Paladin. Can you not heal her, as all others have failed?"
.....Defiant walked slowly towards the bed, and sat in the chair next to it. He placed a hand upon the ill daughter's chest, feeling her heartbeat. Instinctively, the woman took his hand in hers, tracing his fingers with her own. Though she opened her eyes, she saw nothing. Her mouth opened slightly, trying to utter a word or two, but Defiant put a finger to her lips.
....."There is no need to speak, my love. More is said in your grasp than can be spoken by your voice."
.....Still, determined as she was, she managed a few words. "Chr...Christopher. I fear...I may never see your...face again."
.....Defiant took her hand, and held it against the side of his face. Her palm motioned across his smooth cheek, and came to rest by his lips. He took her hand once more, and spoke. "My kingdom is falling to a horrible plague, yet my concern is for you and your unknown illness. In my heart I know this is selfish, yet I care not, for I would rather see a thousand kingdoms fall than to lose you. Today I shall set foot outside the kingdom boundaries, and vow not to rest until I find some way to restore your health, be it by potions or some unknown sage."
.....Autumn gripped Defiant's hand as best she could. "Worry not...for me, but rather...for your people. I have little time left...in this world."
....."Nonsense," responded the king, attempting to convince not only his dying love, but himself as well. "I shall see to it. Within the current season, you and I shall be married. This illness is but a minor incident, and shall come to pass quickly enough."
....."Oh Christopher, tell me once more...about the lavish wedding. About...the bards' songs, roses which shall...adorn the..." but Defiant once more placed a finger to her lips.
....."Save your strength, for there will be time later to speak of such pleasantries. For now, however, I must be off. There are matters I must attend to, and promises to keep, most importantly the one I have made to you. I shall return as swiftly as possible." Defiant rose from his chair, unwilling to let go of Autumn's hand. Sensing his departure, she spoke one last phrase.
....."I...I love you, Christopher," and her eyelids closed.
....."As I to you, my love," said the king. He set her hand by her side, bent, and kissed her forehead, hot and glistened with sweat. A silent farewell to the woman's mother, and Christopher Defiant was off once more, reminding himself that he had one last stop before leaving the kingdom.
.....Outside, dawn had passed, and the morning saw various townspeople working, though there was an eerie silence throughout. Since the outbreak of the mysterious plague, many had fallen ill, or worse, died. Those that did wander outdoors moved rapidly from one place to another, returning as quickly as possible to their sickly relatives. Christopher Defiant had kept a brave face, as he was now, walking through the town as if to show his citizens that fear would not keep him confined to his quarters. As he walked back to the castle, his mind moved on to the task at hand -- first, he would search out a cure for Autumn, who was suffering from an unknown illness. Then, after restoring her health, he would search out the source of the plague, or at the very least a cure. Neither would be an easy task, but for each, it would be more than Defiant alone to handle.
.....Once back at his castle, Defiant first searched out Patrick the advisor, who was never difficult to find.
....."Ah, young King, are you here to tell me you've changed your mind about leaving the town," he spoke, optimistically.
....."No, Patrick, though I have realized I will need company on the trek. If the rumors are true, of monsters outside our castle walls, then I dare not go alone. Send guards of your choosing to summon...," Defiant's mind quickly scanned a list of possible choices, though his mind had been made up on his walk back to the castle, "...Ellegon Cyrus."
....."Ellegon Cyrus, the mercenary? Forgive me for doubting you, my Lord, but we have very capable men right here in the castle, all of whom are willing to give their life for you at a moments notice. For what reason would you choose an outsider, one who cannot be trusted?"
....."Sir Cyrus and I have a history together; he is worth ten of our men, and I would trust him with my life, if necessary. This journey will not be easy; his abilities and experience would prove invaluable. Have him summoned here immediately. Tell him there is a job waiting for him at the castle. If he accepts, he will be rewarded. If our journey proves successful, he will be rewarded even greater."
....."Yes, my Lord. It shall be done. But...what if he refuses?"
....."Then have him arrested and brought to me in shackles," Defiant quipped, sarcastically. "Ellegon Cyrus lives within the town. He is to be in this castle within the hour. Understood?"
....."Yes, my Lord," spoke Patrick, and he was off.
.....Defiant assured himself that Cyrus would comply, for a friendship had been forged over three years ago, during the battle for Asgarth's independence. His mind at ease over the matter, Christopher Defiant began a descent down the depths of the castle, where the dungeon was situated. The long stone, spiral staircase was lit by torches, for the path (and dungeon itself) was all underground, void of windows to let the morning sunlight in. Guards stood by the entrance to the dungeon, at the bottom of the stairwell, and stood rigid as they allowed their king to pass. He passed by the cells housing an assortment of vandals, criminals, and kingdom spies, for the prisoner he wished to see was being kept at the end of the dungeon, alone. A guard stood outside the captive's cell, though left when Defiant waved him away. The king watched the man walk away, out of sight, before speaking.
....."Why are you here," he asked, his face devoid of emotion.
.....The woman, timid before King Defiant, spoke softly. "I sought shelter at an inn, was taken in the night, and left here."
....."I am aware of that. It was I who had you sent here. Why are you in my kingdom?"
....."I merely was seeking shelter from the night. It was dark, and I was too far from home to return in the darkness."
.....Defiant stared her down, as if he could see into her very soul. "What is your name?"
....."Ash," she responded. She was hoping her voice would not give away the fear in her heart, though it did.
....."I am Christopher Defiant, King of Asgarth. Right now, my people are dying from a plague, the origin of which is believed to be the work of those who cast black magic. You were found to have a water jewel with you, as well as a staff. Are you a magic caster?"
.....There was hesitation. "I am a sorceress, but I am not one to use my powers for evil intent. I have heard of this plague, but know not its origin. What proof do you have that it is the mages that are responsible?"
....."The summoning of such evil power is creating an imbalance in nature. It disturbs the harmony of our world, and now nature itself lashes back at us for our sins. We are all being punished for your people's wrongdoings."
....."But again, where is your proof? Your armor...you are a Paladin, are you not? Do you not summon white magic? Should this not balance out nature, for white and black magic are opposites?"
.....Defiant was slightly taken aback by her logic. He had once thought the same thing, but dismissed it. "I need not answer to the likes of you. You are-"
.....She cut him off. "No, an explanation IS in order, for you consider yourself a Paladin, a man of honor and justice, yet you have your townspeople rummage through my belongings, and jail me under false accusations, with no proof of crime."
.....Angry as he was, Defiant understood her complaint, and tried to calm her. "Believe me, you were jailed for your own safety. Had the townspeople discovered you were a sorceress, you would have been killed before sunrise. It was a wonder the innkeeper did not slay you as you sleep. My people blame the casters of black magic, a category which you fall under, for the plague which grips the kingdom." Defiant then leaned in closer, and whispered. "To my people, I agree that this is the cause of the plague, yet in secret I know not what to think. Perhaps it is the work of summoning, and black magic, that has led this plague to sweep the world, but without proof, my mind believes nothing. I tell you this not as a friend, for I do not for a moment trust you, nor sympathize with you. But perhaps you can be useful to us, later." His train of thought was cut off by the entrance of Patrick the Advisor.
....."Forgive me for disturbing you, my Lord, but Ellegon Cyrus is here, in the castle. He awaits your presence in the war room."
....."Excellent. I take it he chose to come of his own accord?"
....."Yes, my Lord."
....."Excellent. Let him know I will be joining him shortly." Patrick gave a short bow and excused himself, and Defiant turned around, removing a key from a hook in the wall. Using the key, he unlocked the cell of Ash. "I will be going on a journey shortly, and you shall join." He stepped aside to let the prisoner walk out of her cell. After doing so, Defiant grabbed her arm forcefully, and with a piece of rope, bound her wrists in front of her, so that she could not escape without much struggle. She did not resist, but merely looked to the king.
....."But why? What use shall I be on your journey?"
....."All will be explained shortly, when the three of us are together. Now walk." And together, they climbed the stone stairwell, making their way to the war room, to meet Ellegon Cyrus, the mercenary.
.....The war room was seldom used, for the kingdom of Asgarth was a kingdom of peace, after obtaining independence from the Maldan Empire, though there were artifacts scattered throughout. Ellegon Cyrus stood in front of a map of the mainland, tracing the outline of the kingdom of Asgarth with a gloved hand. Cyrus was an intimidating man; he was neither overly tall not large, but powerful nonetheless. Piercing blue eyes often lay hidden behind his dark, wavy hair, which fell just past his ears. Being a mercenary, currency was never in abundance for Cyrus, and so instead of a decent suit of metal armor, he had come to the castle equipped in a worn piece of studded leather armor, which covered his shoulders, chest, and back. His pants were a thick cloth, tucked into a pair of leather boots.
.....Cyrus had began looking at a cloth parchment when Defiant and Ash entered the room. Ash's eyes scanned from Cyrus to her surroundings. "Lord Defiant," Cyrus spoke, "months have passed since we were in the same room. I trust all is not well, or else I would not be here."
....."T'is true. You know of the plague that has sent many of my citizens to their grave. We must find a way to counter this wave of death, but first, I have yet another matter to attend, and request your help. Autumn, the woman whom I shall marry, has fallen ill to another disease, and I must find a cure before it is too late. As we speak, she grows weaker."
....."Forgive me, my Lord, but would it not be in your best interest to first find a way to stop the plague? The lives of thousands are at stake."
....."You are a wise man, and my elder, but I have made my decision. The plague, although it moves quickly, is nowhere near as deadly. Every night, I fear Autumn may not live to see the next sunrise."
.....Cyrus held up a hand. "There is no need to justify your actions to me, so long as you make good on your word. I was told I would be rewarded greatly for my participation."
....."And you will, as I am a man of my word. You shall be rewarded, and even greater riches await if our journey proves successful, and we cure Autumn."
.....All the while, Ash had remained silent, though her presence did not go unnoticed by Cyrus. He looked at her, still covered in her robe, though the hood was down. She felt Cyrus' eyes upon her, and turned away shyly. "And who is this young woman? What need is there to bind the wrists of such a timid creature?"
....."Do not let your eyes fool you, Ellegon Cyrus. She is a sorceress, discovered last night at the town's inn. She will be joining us on our journey."
....."If indeed she is a sorceress, then you would do well to keep her wrists bound. Though I have seen many a caster call upon dark magic simply by chanting, most at her age cannot without the use of a staff and elemental jewel."
....."Both of which we found on her last night. No, she will be kept bound, and under our care."
.....For the first time since entering, Ash spoke, addressing Defiant. "Excuse me, sir, but I would only slow you down if I were bound, impeding your journey. Perhaps it would be best if I remained here. You have my word that I would not attempt to escape."
....."Your word means little to me. You are coming, not because I feel you will be of great help, but that leaving you in this town would be the death of you. By now, the innkeeper has no doubt told others of his discovery, and by midday this castle would be flooded by angry townsfolk, wishing to strike you dead. You will be much safer with us."
.....Ellegon stepped in. "Well then, since time is of such importance, shall we plan our route? Where have you planned to take us, my Lord?"
.....Defiant made his way to a map, the same one Cyrus had been looking at before, and placed a finger on his kingdom. "If we head north, we will come to the Tyrus river, attempting to cross would not be difficult, though the current will take us slightly off course, to the east. Once we get to the other side, we will head northwest to the city of Cairan. We can search for help there, but if that proves unsuccessful, I suppose we can travel further north, to the town of Khalts, or west to Baran."
.....Cyrus stroked his chin. "There may be a problem though, for while Cairan and Khalts pledge allegiance to our kingdom, there is talk that many of the townspeople support the Maldan Empire. If word spread that the King of Asgarth was within the town, we could be jailed, or worse."
....."Yes, I am aware of the danger, but we have little choice. I know of no better option, unless you have another idea? The clerics of this town are baffled, and our herbs do nothing to better her condition."
....."Um..." Ash had begun to speak, though quickly looked down, eying the floor beneath her.
....."Were you to say something? Speak, sorceress." Defiant stepped towards her.
....."I...I know of a man who may be able to help. He is very wise in the ways of healing herbs and potions. If you tell him the girl's symptoms, he may be able to help."
....."You were found lying to my town's innkeeper not long ago. Why should I believe your words now?"
....."Please, I only wish to help. If I prove myself to you, perhaps you will see I never meant any harm to you or your kingdom, and will allow me to leave your kingdom in peace."
....."Are you sure this acquaintance of yours will be able to help? Countless men have offered their services and yielded no results."
....."I am sure, for he is most wise, and knows more on this matter than any other I have met."
.....Defiant thought for a moment; Cyrus saw the fixed expression upon the kings face, and pulled him aside, out of earshot from Ash. "My king, I know you wish to cure your love, Autumn, and for that you would march into the fires of Hell itself, but we must think rationally about this. You say this woman is a sorceress, and a liar. You found her last night, you mentioned before; I take it she spent the night within the castle's dungeon?"
....."It was more for her safety than the town's, but yes, she did."
....."Then her motive may be to lure us far from the castle, into the arms of her allies. Bound or not, she would face no difficulty in doing this. She may seek retribution for her imprisonment."
....."I agree," stated the king, "but we have little choice. Time is fleeting, and if the girl speaks the truth, it is our best option. Far better than wandering the land searching for a small bit of hope."
.....Cyrus glanced over at Ash, who was casually glimpsing at old artifacts within the room. "Very well. I will still accompany you on your journey, but hear me well. I will waste no time beheading this girl if I feel she is a threat to myself or you, my Lord."
.....Defiant nodded quietly to Cyrus, then turned to address Ash. "Listen well, sorceress. We will set out to see this wise man of yours. If he can be of help to Autumn, then you will have proven yourself to me, and I will grant you your freedom, as well as a fair share of silver. However, mark my words, if you lead us to a trap, your end will come swiftly thereafter by my blade. Do you understand?"
.....Ash tried to contain her fear while responding. "Yes sir. I...I want only to help."
....."If your intentions are pure, then for that I am grateful. Now, where does this man take residence?"
....."He is a solitary man, sir, living far from towns or castles. He lives alone, hidden within the Varikai Mountains. I am sure he would help, if given the opportunity."
....."You know which path would lead us to him? How is that?"
....."He is an old friend of mine. He has secluded himself from others so that he can be alone to think, and experiment." Ash stepped up to the map, and lifted both arms, for they were still bound. "He should be somewhere in this region, not too far west from our current location. It would not take very long to get there from here. The mountains can take hours to navigate, but I know the way, so it should not take us long at all."
.....Defiant studied the map for a moment, then spoke. "Very well, we shall leave immediately. We will travel by foot, for horses will be of no use once we enter the mountains. There may be some steep inclines, and I do not wish to leave my horses behind."
.....Cyrus stepped forward. "My Lord, if you will permit me, I wish to stop by my home in the town before we depart. It would take no more than a few minutes; I wish to take a sword with me on this journey."
....."Of course, Cyrus, I would not think of having you unarmed, for it is a pleasure to watch you wield Bio, the sword of your ancestors. As for armor, you need not journey in that leather garment you have on. You are at liberty to take a full set of armor from my stock. I am sure you will find one to your liking."
....."Even if I was worthy enough to wear the armor of this kingdom, I must decline. This studded leather provides far greater mobility than full-plate metal armor." Cyrus looked down at his chest. "Besides, this grants me adequate protection on a trek though the plains. Had we been venturing to hostile territory, or a large battle, I would kindly accept your offer."
....."If the rumors of demons on the plains proves true, we will indeed encounter hostility."
....."Excuse me, King Defiant," spoke Ash, "but will you allow me the freedom of my arms on our travels? These binds would do little good, should we meet with an enemy."
.....Cyrus answered on Defiant's behalf. "As far as we can tell, you are an enemy."
.....Ash's eyes grew wide. For the first time since meeting either gentleman, she rose her voice. "An enemy? Do you forget it is I who offered to lead us to this man in the mountains? You treat me as your enemy, and for what reason? That I have studied in the art of spell casting? Until you present to me proof that this plague derived from the calling of black magic, I wish to hear no more about my 'guilt' in the matter."
.....Cyrus' face bore a look of anger, and he began to walk swiftly towards Ash. Christopher Defiant, sensing Cyrus would strike her if provoked any more, stopped the man in his tracks with a simple raising of his palm. He pulled Cyrus aside, once again of earshot of Ash, and kept a low voice. "I understand your anger, but I will not have you jeopardize my greatest chance at reviving Autumn. There is some truth to her words, and I would rather take a chance with her than wander aimlessly for days on end, searching for some form of hope."
.....Cyrus whispered. "I am only thinking what is best for our survival; we still cannot trust her word. Keep her bound, and keep a close eye on her as well."
....."I agree, yet she is aware that she holds the upper hand right now, and I fear an outburst by you or I will cause her to become difficult or reluctant to lead us through the mountains. We must keep our tempers." As if to lead by example, Defiant turned and spoke to Ash. "I apologize on behalf of Ellegon Cyrus. I see you not as an enemy, yet not as a friend either. Friendship is earned, and I wish to grant you my friendship if this journey proves successful."
.....Ash's eyes moved from Cyrus to Defiant as she spoke. "It is I who should apologize for raising my voice in the presence of a king. Your dungeon did not provide me with much sleep, which I fear has put me in ill sorts."
.....Though there was not a trace of sarcasm in her voice, Defiant could not help but sense bitterness. He abandoned the course of the conversation, and instead talked of preparations. "Ash, I will allow you to use your staff on this journey, though I will hold on to your water jewel and tiara. Until we return to the castle with this friend of yours, your wrists will remain bound."
....."A wooden staff would do little against these demons you speak of, my hands bound or not."
....."Fear not, for it is just rumor at the moment. Even I have not seen such a creature roaming the plains, and keep in mind Cyrus and I shall be on your side throughout."
.....Cyrus cut in. "My Lord, since you bring up such matters -- I believe it would be wise to add yet another to our group for this journey. We would do well to include a scout, one who would stay several yards ahead, to warn us of any dangers, be it demons or soldiers from the Maldan Empire. If the mountains prove difficult to ascend or navigate, it may be nightfall before we head back, and there may be unforeseen dangers. I would volunteer myself, though I dare not leave you alone with..." Cyrus cut himself off, though both Ash and Defiant did not need for him to finish. "Anyway, my eyes and ears are not as well as they should. I fear my years in battle have taken their toll slightly." He managed a smirk. "I have twenty seven years to my name, and already I carry on as though I were past seventy."
....."An excellent idea, Cyrus, and I know of a man who would be willing to carry out such a favor. In your years as a mercenary, surely you have come to know the name of Serion the Elf, from the town of Syra."
....."Indeed, my Lord. He served alongside our army in the war for Asgarth's independence."
....."A very right-minded individual, and worthy ally. He credits the kingdom of Asgarth for liberating Syra, so I am sure he will accompany us on our journey if I ask of such a favor. It is settled then; we will leave in twenty minutes time. Cyrus, go to your house in town, and take what you need for this journey. I will have my men ready two horses, and we will meet by the east gate of town. Ash, you will stay here with me, and prepare."
....."I shall await your arrival, my Lord." Cyrus excused himself, and left the room, on his way back to town.
....."He has a cunning mind, though I admit there is not much room for compassion in his heart," admitted Defiant.
....."Most mercenaries are as such. Say what you will about my kind, but my fear would be over that man, not myself, if I were you."
....."There is much about Ellegon Cyrus you do not know, and it would be best not to pry. I trust him, which is more than I can say for you." Defiant reconsidered his statement. "I wish to trust you. You must remember, I am a king, and have seen my share of battles; I have been betrayed far too often to simply give my trust to another so quickly."
....."Then I hope to win your trust by the time the sun goes down." Ash smiled. It was the first time she had smiled since her arrival in Asgarth.
....."Charm will not see to it that your binds are removed, I should remind you. Come, we shall prepare for our journey. Since I am already in my full armor, I need just to choose weaponry, and we shall be off." Together, Defiant led Ash to his armory. They walked in silence, as Ash took in her surroundings. After a short while, she spoke.
....."Your castle looks fairly new," noticed Ash.
....."Yes. Originally, Asgarth was further southwest, on the other side of the Varikai Mountains. We were surrounded on three sides by the mountains, which offered protection, but also trapped my people under the watch of the Maldan Empire. We had heard of several towns in the north rebelling against the empire, and we became one of them. War had been waged, and although our side suffered many casualties, we emerged victorious. This was three years ago. After the war, my people migrated to our present location and began construction on our new town, to be closer to our allies. I take it you are not from this land, or else you would know of these tales."
....."This is true. I know not of which you speak, for I come from across the ocean, to the west. News takes long to cross our seas, so last I heard before my arrival here, the Maldan Empire controlled all the surrounding land."
....."Well then, upon your arrival back home, you shall have a bit of news to share with your people."
.....Ash was about to speak again when Patrick approached them, looking panicked. "My Lord, I-"
....."Patrick," Defiant said with a smile, "you have done more running today than our horses."
.....Patrick, a bit out of breath, did not respond to the king's joke. "Please, my Lord, I must give you an urgent message from Ellegon Cyrus."
....."Cyrus? He left my sight no more than ten minutes ago."
....."Yes, my Lord, but upon departure from our castle, he quickly turned back and sought me, asking to pass a message to you while he prepares for a journey. It seems word has spread throughout town that our castle is housing a magic-caster, and now many of your people stand by the castle gates, shouting. Cyrus fears a riot may break out, and your castle overrun by angry townsfolk."
.....Ash looked to the floor. Defiant could not feel somewhat embarrassed for his people's reaction, as well as his own. "Had Cyrus heard their shouts, and if so, what do they want?"
....."They wish to have her removed from the castle, dead. If not, they will see to it the task is carried out. For now, it is my estimation that these are empty threats, however, if anger fuels the people, and their numbers grow throughout the day, perhaps an attempt will be made to storm the castle. Your followers are loyal, my Lord, but this plague has poisoned mind as well as body." Patrick, though not introduced to Ash, had saw tears begin to form in her eyes, and wished to console her. "I apologize, miss. Many have seen their children, their spouses and parents taken from them by means of this plague; the burden of scapegoat has unfortunately fallen on your shoulders. Believe myself and King Defiant when I say we are a kingdom of honor and justice. But to have our loved ones taken from us prematurely -- it brings forth ill judgment, and regrettable actions."
.....Before she had a chance to speak, Defiant stepped in. "Worry not, for soon we will leave the kingdom. I will address my people before departing, and if they still wish to slay this girl, they will have to slay me as well. Tell those at the front gate that I will be there shortly. Nobody is to enter the castle until that time."
....."Yes my Lord. Miss." He bowed to both Defiant and Ash before leaving once more.
.....Together, the two came to Defiant's storage room. Before entering, he stopped to look at Ash. She had fought tears that would have otherwise rolled down her cheeks, though her eyes, glazed, told of her sadness. "I wish to apologize. By hearing of my people's blind reaction to your presence, I saw my own faults. There is truth to what Patrick had to say -- that having our loved ones taken from us disrupts our common sense. My mind has not been the same since my love, Autumn, has fallen ill, though there is no excuse for poor decisions. Perhaps I should not have been so harsh upon our first meeting."
....."Perhaps now you understand why I sought to deceive the innkeeper. The opinion towards spellcasters by others is rarely in our favor."
....."No, I suppose it is not. Now, there is not much time for conversation. Please, wait here while I equip myself. You understand that I cannot allow you inside the weapons storage room."
....."Yes, though are you not afraid of me fleeing while you are inside," she questioned with a half smile.
....."Flee, and you will not make it far. I am your only chance at leaving this town with your life." Defiant opened the door. Before closing it behind him, he added, "I shall be no more than a minute or two."
.....Alone, Ash leaned against the wall, bringing her wrists a foot from her eyes. She surveyed the rope, and the knots used to bind her wrists. It would be impossible to break her bonds by force; she would need a sharp edge to cut through the rope. She sighed, closed her eyes, and waited for the king. Meanwhile, inside, Christopher Defiant was deciding on his choice of weapons. On his belt, near his right hip, he attached a sheath, in which he placed a dagger no more than a foot long, blade and all. He removed a kite shield from the wall, and strapped it to his back. The design was quite plain; it matched Defiant's armor of pure white, with a gold trim outlining the borders. Finally, he placed his hands upon a long, white box of made of ivory. Inside was Shadowbane, the sword Defiant had used to liberate Asgarth from the Maldan Empire. It had the look of a typical blade, though the edge had been coated in silver. He attached a sheath on his belt, near his left hip, which he placed the blade in. Before leaving, he grabbed two pouches, and a wooden staff.
.....Ash felt out of place watching Defiant exit the storage room. He bore the look of a warrior, dressed in his battle attire, while Ash still remained dressed in her dark blue robe, covering most of her body. The bottom half of her grey boots could be seen; two pale hands jutted out where her robe's sleeves ended, and had her hood not been down, it would have been the only skin visible to others. Defiant placed the wooden staff in her bound hands, then held up one of two pouches.
....."As promised, I will let you use your staff, though I am holding on to your water jewel and tiara, both of which I will return once this journey is over. I will keep my word if you vow to keep yours." He handed Ash her pouch, though now all that remained were a few pieces of silver, and some bread. Together, they made their way to the front entrance of the castle. As described by Cyrus, townsfolk had gathered several yards away, as close as they would dare, lest one of them feel the blade of a guard. At first they were a mere handful, but the numbers grew throughout morning, and by the time Defiant and Ash stepped into the morning sunshine, there were almost fifty men and women waiting for the appearance of the sorceress. A rock cut through the air towards Ash's head, its aim true, but Defiant extended his arm in front of her, and the stone made a distinctive sound as it deflected off his armor. Tensions high, Christopher Defiant stepped in front of Ash, shielding her with his body.
....."My people, hear me well. Currently, there is a black cloud over our kingdom. There is talk of an evil presence in our midst, in the form of a young woman. You have my word, people of Asgarth, that I shall personally banish this woman from our kingdom, to secure the safety of our town. Upon my arrival from this task, I fear I must leave you once more. We are all aware of the plague which threatens to destroy our kingdom. This plague has taken from our families, and although I do not know where the source of such evil lies, I vow to you, the men and women of my kingdom, to discover this source...to destroy it...and to liberate our kingdom once more. Not from the Maldan Empire, but from the hand of death."
.....Discussion amongst the gathered townspeople began shortly after his speech. Defiant ordered Ash to walk ahead of him, down the stone steps of his castle which would lead to the main road through town. Before reaching the bottom steps, Defiant warned his audience. "Nobody is to touch her; nobody is to cast a stone. Justice shall be served, you have my word. However, I will not allow bloodshed on Asgarth's soil, not in a time of peace. To the one who would dare disobey your King, a lifetime spent in the castle dungeon shall be your reward. Clear a path."
.....The citizens parted on either side of the main road, past the bottom steps of the castle. Before reaching the last few steps, Ash placed the hood of her robe back over her head to block her peripheral vision, a sea of angry faces staring her down as she marched before Defiant. Her time walking was spent with her head down, while a few dared to chant insults as she passed. With exception of an occasional, "turn right" or "turn left," Defiant offered no compassion as they walked through the streets of Asgarth, eventually reaching the east gate of town. Ellegon Cyrus had been waiting there, casually stroking the two horses standing in wait. Cyrus had armed himself with a short sword strapped to his back, a dagger on either side of his waist, and Bio, a sword handed down to him through generations, sheathed on his back. He remained in the same attire -- studded leather over his shoulders, chest, and back, cloth pants tucked into a pair of leather boots, and gloves over his hands. Defiant turned around to address the townspeople that chose to follow their walk through the streets.
....."Return to your homes. We shall be off shortly, and I am sure many of you have loved ones to look after at the moment." These words reminded him of Autumn, her pale body desperately clinging to life. Slowly the crowd dispersed, until just the three remained.
....."You lied to your own people," Ash said while pulling her hood back down.
....."Unfortunately, being a king and a paladin sometimes brings about an inner conflict. I did what was right, given the current situation."
....."Shall we be off," asked Cyrus, attempting not to sound impatient.
....."With my armor, I am already quite heavy to saddle a horse. It would be best for Ash to ride with you, Cyrus," Defiant said as he mounted his steed.
.....Ash walked over to Cyrus and the horse. "How shall we do this? With my arms bound, perhaps it's best if I take front?"
....."Indeed," Cyrus agreed. He helped Ash climb the horse, then mounted the animal himself, grabbing hold of the reigns. Defiant nodded to the two, then took off. Cyrus spoke into Ash's ear. "Ready?"
....."Yes," she answered, gripping tightly to the saddle before her. With a kick of Cyrus' legs, their horse took off, gaining speed until the two were running along side each other, heading towards Syra, on the edge of the Segwyn Forest. Their journey had begun.
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