Synbios: Hero of the Republic by Truro
Lord Synbios was in his office reading the various reports.
Food report, garden report, army report, health report, stock report, firewood oil & coal report. And a partridge in a pair tree!
He wasn't very keen on going through these documents. It wasn't because he found the job a tad boring. By all means no.
He found the job ridiculously boring.
He was fond of his new responsibilities of lordship over the city of Flagard, left to him by his father, in his will. But he was still board stiff.
Another reason he was unhappy at the moment, was because he had just seen the budget. He had to practically empty the coffers, when his army joined the quest to destroy the Bulzome sect. The modern man would think that poor Synbios had a teenage daughter who found out where his credit card was hidden.
He rang a bell, to summon his butler (or the medieval equivalent of a butler). Two seconds later, he entered the chamber.
"You're a bit slow today." said Synbios, "Would you Summon Sir Dantares, for me?"
"Yes master." said the butler in reserved speech as he walked out of the room backwards.
Five minutes later, Sir Dantares, second in command of Synbios army, and the strongest centaur in the kingdom entered the chamber.
"Good day sir!" he said, as he gave a salute. His voice was halfway between middle-tone and deep.
"I need some advice, Dantares." Said the young master (and I don't mean Jackie Chan), who liked to keep things informal. "The coffers are nearly empty. As my long time friend, and an experienced soldier, how do you suggest we fix the problem?"
"Well, you could ask your sister, the Lady Margaret of Malory to give you a hand out."
"Oh yes!" exclaimed his lordship, "That would look splendid, wouldn't it? The lord of Flagard goes running to his big sister when the going gets tough!"
Dantares looked around the room, trying not to make eye contact
"Well, why not ask King Bentram for aid?" he couldn't go wrong with that suggestion. Synbios had served the King well, during the war with the Bulzome sect, and Bentram was a great friend of Synbios' farther during his youth, so it seemed highly likely that he could he relied on for financial support.
"We can't. He's busy rebuilding the capital, after that fiasco with the colossus."
"You could raise the taxes." Third time lucky perhaps.
"Never!" said Synbios, his green eyes glaring daggers at the centaur, "My farther always kept the taxes the same, so that they were fair to the people of this city!" thee strikes and you're out Dantares.
"Well, the only other thing I can suggest," said Dantares, (who doesn't seem to know the rules of baseball), "Is that you go on a quest."
"A quest?" asked Synbios. Yes, the word is in Synbios' vocabulary, but he didn't get what was being suggested.
"You see sir, when I was younger, and I needed some extra cash, I'd go a little quest, dragon slaying, treasure hunting, catching thieves, returning lost toys to children, stuff like that. I usually found a couple of coins, when I was out and about."
"You mean go on holiday, and leave me land, without its lord?"
"It won't be for very long sir, and remember, we do need to put some money back in the coffers."
"You're right. I've got no choice. I'll have my horse (who's name is Alan) saddle, and I'll depart in the morning. You Dantares will be in charge until I get back. Make sure no one finds out."
"Yes sir!" said the knight, as he gave another salute. This was the chance Dantares had been waiting for. Synbios, he felt, was a bit soft on his army. As much as Dantares respects his lord and master, he was going to enjoy putting the force through torture and agony of boot camp.
All was nearly ready for tomorrow. Synbios had readied he armour, sharpened his sword, and even got round to baking some muffins for the journey. He had food, maps, horse, weapons, water, telephone money (Okay so he wouldn't EXACTLY need that last one). There was only one thing he needed. Something that he wouldn't be able to travel without. Something of the utmost importance, and its absence would make all his preparations in vain…
An idea of where the hell he was going.
You can't go on a quest, unless you know what it is, can you? So it was time for our hero to hit the books. Legends of ancient heroes, who had lead shining forces, before him, history of the surrounding area, travel logs of great sea captains, one thousand and one fabulous chat up lines (Well you never know…)
Dawn was breaking. Breaking wind. And what a pong.
AS the sun came up, Synbios dragged himself out of bed. He was quite sloppy in putting on his armour, having been up all night reading. Some of those chat up lines were pure genius.
Dantares watched as Synbios rode off into the sunrise. Now to get to work.
He paraded through the barracks blowing the bugle as loud as he could. And considering what an enormous voice Dantares had, that was definitely saying something.
"Right lovely boys, I want you on parade in ten minutes, for special drill!" he roared, in Sergeant Major mode.
Ten minutes later, the force was on parade.
"You 'horrible lot." Sneered Dantares, "I've never seen a sloppier shower in all me life!" blasting the last three words at maximum volume, "All with scruffy haircuts, and who knows how many different outfits we've got on!"
"If I may say something Dantares, " began Obright, the dwarf,
"Shut up!" snapped Danatares, who's voice now seemed to be amplified several times, "By the time I am finished, you will think twice before coming on parade, looking like a bunch of scruffs…" he reviled his teeth, in a wicked grin, and chuckled menacingly, at his victims/troops.
Synbios was riding fast on his horse (who's name was Alan) towards the Destonia Empire; The rival kingdom of the land of Aspinia, run by the tyrannical Emperor Domeric. Having been unable to decide on what sort of quest to embark on, he decided that a raid on an Imperial lord would fill the coffers up pretty quickly.
But will our hero succeed in this adventure? Listen in, and watch out, for the next thrilling instalment.