ALVA & ZULLIE'S FLAME
Prologue: "Alva crossed many a land in search of a cure for Saint Serreta's sickness, but failed and relinquished his knighthood.
Alva was once wracked with guilt and remorse, but rediscovered his purpose in life with the aid of the witch who once plotted against him."
"When Zullie the witch learned of Alva's dedication to Saint Serreta she used all manner of tricks and deceit to ruin him, but in the end she would spend her life with him, supporting his endeavors.
The witch, as unloving as she was unloved, finally found illumination through her blighted existence."
You think you know the story of Alva the Wayfarer and Zullie, the black witch... YOU DO NOT. Yes they were enemies at first, yes they fell in love, but there were many events that transpired before, during, and after their time together. Allow me to tell you the true tale of Alva and Zullie's flame.
Chapter 1 – The KNIGHT
In a land far, far away lies a white tower, guarded by knights, and welcoming to all travelers. During one late evening the angelic Saint Seretta called in her most trusted comrades and knights to watch over her as she has been cursed and fallen ill to a deadly sickness. In her chamber by her bedside stands her two dear friends and maidens Liana and Dalia, and also the Knight-commander Bron. Liana and Dalia wore the same maid's uniforms and head-wear that covered most of the eyes. The only true distinction between the two sisters was the color of their hair, Liana was blonde and Dalia a brunette. The Knight-commander was a tall, bulky man with a long white beard and hair to match. A few battle scars across the cheek and heavy dark blue armor let whoever layed eyes upon him know he was battle-hardened. His love for Saint Seretta was the only thing motivating him to remain Knight-commander and protect her with his life and those of his knights.
Knight-commander Bron: How could this happen?! Just what kind of curse could have afflicted our dear lady!
Liana: Calm yourself Knight-commander, we are trying to aid Saint Seretta as best we can.
Knight-commander Bron: Nonsense! This clearly was an attempted assassination of some sort and I-
Saint Seretta: Please, all of you stop bickering holds her head it's giving me quite the headache chuckles and coughs
Knight-commander Bron: Milady? rushes to her bedside how are you feeling?
Saint Seretta: I will admit, I've had better days but I will see the end of this one.
Dalia: Lady Seretta, here gives her a cup with liquid drink this. It is a pain medicine that should sooth you for the rest of the day.
Liana: It will make you sweat excessively however so I've brought you a dry towel hands it to her
Saint Seretta: Thank the both of you for taking the time out of your day to ease my pain. And you, Bron have always been a kind, true friend.
Knight-commander Bron: Takes her hand Just tell me what you need of me Milady.
Saint Seretta was a beautiful, middle-aged woman with long black hair and ashen skin. She wore a white elegant dress and a golden headpiece that looked almost like a crown wrapped around her forehead. Seretta was the kindest, most honest, and genuine person in the land and her duty was to serve those who entered it and preach the faith to her followers in the white tower like her predecessors before her. All those who knew Saint Seretta said her presence was that of an angel and she became a mother figure to everyone around her.
Saint Seretta: All I ask is that you protect our home from any possible invasions.
Knight-commander Bron: Of course, undoubtedly.
Saint Seretta: Thank you, Bron smiles and turns her head to the sisters I need you two to fetch Orion the librarian. Perhaps he knows something of this curse that we do not.
Liana and Dalia: Both nod their heads and leave the room
Saint Seretta: In the meantime, Bron will you see that Alva is doing alright? He hasn't come to see me yet I'm worried.
Knight-commander Bron: Growls slightly That fool! He has no respect and shows no compassion for the well-being of our trusted lady. Why did we even knight him! raises to his feet
Saint Seretta: Please, Bron. He is like a son to me and I want to ensure his safety. Find him and assure him I am well will you?
Knight-commander Bron: Takes a deep breath Of course, Saint Seretta.
Just outside the tower in the training courtyard, Alva is seen with all his armor on but his chest-plate and his helmet. Sword and shield in hand, he was slicing away at the dummies set there for obvious purposes. Alva was a young man, in his late twenties with golden hair that spiked upwards, crystal blue eyes, and a patch of hair on his chin. Aside from seemingly being an average man with an average height of 5'9, he was quite handsome and muscular for a man of his young age.
Alva: rolls and slices the head off one of the dummies Hah! There. I imagine thats the look I'll give to the one who cursed Saint Seretta.
Knight-commander Bron: So this is how you intend to spend your day while Lady Seretta lay sick and cursed?!
Alva: Drops his shield It's better than having to watch her fight for her life when we could be here training to get stronger so we can kill the one who did this to her!
Knight-commander Bron: gets in Alva's face how long must I babysit you! With all your insubordination and foolishness I'm certain the only reason you still live is because of this wretched undying love that Lady Seretta has for you to make it so! grabs Alva by the shoulder and cocks his fist back
Alva: Oh yeah?! does the same
Liana: Stop it! Both of you!
Alva and Bron: Look over at her and drop their fists
Liana: The lady needs the two of you, now you can finish this ridiculous squabble after she's told you what she needs to.
Back in the tower Saint Seretta is in bed drenched in sweat with the towel given to her by Liana over her forehead. Also in the room is Dalia and Orion, the librarian. Orion was an old man with a bald head and wore only his favorite black robe anywhere.
Orion, the librarian: I'm afraid this curse is rare indeed. Whoever inflicted it upon you Milady intended for you to die suffering.
Saint Seretta: I see... perhaps there will be a revelation by the days end.
Liana: I've brought them back here Lady Seretta.
Alva and Knight-commander Bron walk in
Saint Seretta: Ah, yes thank you Liana. Alva smiles happily how are you child?
Alva: I-I'm fine Lady Seretta, how are you? I hate to see you like this... I'm sorry I didn't come sooner...
Saint Seretta: Nonsense child, I am simply glad to see you are well. This is Orion, the librarian and he has come to shed some light on this illness that befalls me.
Knight-commander Bron: Well? Is there a cure Orion? Will Saint Seretta be alright?
Orion, the librarian: I am uncertain of a cure but... flips through pages in an old book I do believe that there is somewhere where a curse like this is commonplace.
Alva: Commonplace? The hell kind of place could get used to something like this?
Orion, the librarian: It has had many names over the years. Kingdoms have risen and fallen on that very land and each time the same curse takes it somehow... I believe they now call it... Drangleic.
Knight-commander Bron: Drangleic? I've never heard of such a land.
Orion, the librarian: Not many have. It was recently founded by a King who went to war with the giants in hopes to prevent a prophecy. I believe his name was-
Saint Seretta: Vendrick. His name is King Vendrick...
Knight-commander Bron: You know this fabled king?
Saint Seretta: chuckles He is no fable I assure you. Me and Vendrick were great friends before that woman came into his life, telling him of this prophecy that drove him to become some sort of war-god on a path to nothing but destruction. I was forced to leave our friendship behind long ago.
Orion, the librarian: If this is true and the curse that afflicts you now inhabits his kingdom, perhaps he is our best hope of curing it.
Knight-commander Bron: I'll go rally my men immediately and be on our way to Drangleic.
Saint Seretta: No! Knight-commander if this person who tried to end my life with a curse still lurks somewhere in our very kingdom I need you and your men here to protect the tower and the innocents who might get caught in the crossfire of an ongoing battle.
Knight-commander Bron: But... Milady someone needs to retrieve the cure for you! I can't allow myself to stand here and do nothing knowing it could be out there!
Dalia: Perhaps sending just one trusted knight to find the cure would be a better option.
Liana: Yes indeed, the knight who retrieves the cure could rest easy knowing that Saint Seretta is safe here and being guarded
Knight-commander Bron: Then it shall be me.
Orion, the librarian: Perhaps that is not the best idea. Your men need a leader in case of a battle do they not? Whoever tried to kill Saint Seretta is clearly skilled enough to go undetected by any of us. Even 1,000 good soldiers won't be enough to take someone like that down without good leadership.
Knight-commander Bron: snarls then who?!
Alva: I'll go. goes to Seretta's bedside and lowers to one knee I'll get the cure you need from this King Vendrick. I promise.
Knight-commander Bron: You've got to be kidding me!
Liana: Alva is like a son to The Lady. He surely is suited to take on this mission. Look how much he's grown over the years how could we deny his wish to save her?
Dalia: Lady Seretta it is ultimately your choice of who goes to retrieve your cure.
Saint Seretta: Alva... touches his cheek this journey will surely be perilous and full of monsters and demons you have yet to face.
Alva: You saved my life once. It's time I repay the debt I owe you. Let me do this Lady Seretta... please.
Knight-commander Bron: scoffs
Saint Seretta: turns her head to the rest of the room and then back at Alva Alright my child... go... be the hero I've always known you to be.
Alva: Makes a determined face and gets up I wont fail you! Just hang tight Milady.
Alva walks out followed by an clearly angry Bron
Liana and Dalia: Oh boy...
Alva is walking out of the tower and goes up to one of the horses and preparing it for travel. Knight-commander Bron walks out and goes up to Alva.
Knight-commander Bron: You listen to me, boy! I don't know what kind of game you're playing at but if you come back with anything but the cure for Saint Seretta so help me I-
Alva: She's my mother Bron!... she's the only family I have in this world and even if you don't believe I can do it I'll prove you wrong! I won't let her die.
Knight-commander Bron: Hmph... fine. You'll need this gives Alva a bag filled with a new weapon and shield this is an early gift from the knights ranks.
Alva: You were going to give this to me?.. takes out the sword
Knight-commander Bron: When you proved yourself worthy... yes. But it seems you'll need the finest tools you can find to help you on this journey.
The sword was a straight longsword that was large enough to be placed on the back instead of the hip. The hilt was made of a golden iron and engraved in the blade, very tiny were the words "Wayfarer". The shield was of normal stature at first glance, shining brightly against the sun, marked with the engravings of what seemed to be dragons.
Alva: Thank you, Knight-commander.
Knight-commander Bron: Just bring that cure back Alva.
Alva: Gets on the horse and begins to trot down the road out of the kingdom
Knight-commander Bron: Alva!
Alva: Turns his head around
Knight-commander Bron: Remember all your training.
Alva: Smirks and puts his helmet on
To be continued...