A hooded figure rode through the mountain pathways towards a destination. It was cloudy, and raining heavily...fitting for a family who was about discover that someone had died.
The rider rode up a large gate on the moutain-side where ten guards stood watch.
"What business do you have in Atlantia?"
The rider took off his hood, revealing himself to be Kaldur.
The guards widened their eyes and quickly opened the gates.
"Forgive me, my lord."
"All is forgiven."
"Welcome home."
Kaldur waved the guard farewell before entering the city.
Atlantia was different from Innsbrook. It was far less lively. The people live underground where many mountain water reservoirs existed. The Atlantians like swimming.
The people looked at Kaldur with surprise and joy, but were quickly saddened by the load he was carrying. A body wrapped in velvet.
The people moved to the sides of the road. One man stepped up to him.
"If it pleases you my lord, you may ride to the castle in full gallop."
Kaldur looked at him, before looking at the castle.
"YAH! YAH!"
The horse galloped through the brick roads and up the curved roads to the castle. More guards came to the gate of the castle.
"My lord! What is wrong?"
"Many...many things."
With his two hands he pushed the gates opened and then he led his horse inside.
"Where is the King?"
"I am here."
A tall, fit man with long blond hair and pointed ears looked at Kaldur. Kaldur lifted his gaze to the wrapped body.
"Is it...is it my son?"
Kaldur bowed his head.
"It is, your majesty."
The duo stood on a grassy field with several mounds on them.
"The Adium fields. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my ancestors...my father, my father's father and so on...and now...
The king looked at Kaldur, who was wearing a black robe to honor this sacred moment.
"..it shall hold the grave of my son."
Kaldur looked on at the newly made mound as a pile of flowers was placed on it.
"The last of these lonely days should be mine...the young die off while the old are left to traverse the Earth...to linger in sadness and despair."
"Garth's death was not of your making."
The king looked at Kaldur.
"No parent...should have to bury their child."
He then kneeled to the floor and wept in front of his son's grave.
"Garth is strong in power and spirit...he has earned his place in paradise."
The words offered little comfort to the king.
"Rest your heart, your majesty. For dark times may come again."
Kaldur bowed his head and left the king to mourn for his son. By this time it was almost nighttime and Kaldur walked into the castle.
There a middle-aged woman with black hair hair walked down the corridor. There was a teenage boy looked at Kaldur's tall figure.
"Kaldur? Is...is that you?"
"Yes...your majesty."
"If your here...then where's Garth?"
The boy spoke up.
"Where's my father?"
Kaldur kneeled to the boy's height and lifted his chin.
"Leopold where are you brothers?"
"Daniel and Jacob are sleeping in their quarters, I was awake doing my geography homework...you haven't answered our questions..."
Leopold's lips trembled and his eyes began to water.
"I'm..."
Kaldur bowed his head.
"I'm so sorry..."
Leopold hugged his grandmother after hearing the news.
"Father's dead isn't he?"
The queen tried to calm Leopold down.
"Shhh...do not cry...your father would not have wanted that..."
Leopold held in his tears and tried to behave as masculine as possible.
"I can't help it grandmother...I can't...I just-"
He planted his face on his grandmother's shoulders and spilled all of his tears.
"If there's anything I can do ,your majesty."
"No...no, you owe nothing to us...make worth your time here Kaldur one never knows how long they have left."
"Yes, your majesty."
She cradled Leopold and rocked him back and forth as if he was a baby, while struggling to hold back her own tears. Kaldur then ran to the sack which contain the late Garth's belongings.
"Here is his armor and his swords, they may yet be useful."
The queen looked at Kaldur.
"What of his helmet?"
"It...it's beyond repair..."
She nodded her head as she imagined the pain her son might have went through. Kaldur sighed and walked to his room. Nothing had changed since he left 3 years ago. Dust hadn't even piled up, it was clean, organized...desolate. He took off his armor and laid down gently on the mattress. He didn't feel like eating at all.
Early at dawn a hammer could be heard repeatedly striking something. Rita walked outside the house and saw Garfield on the roof hammering nails into wooden planks.
"How did you manage to wake up so early, did you not enjoy the party?"
"I kind of enjoyed the party."
He continued hammering.
"Except for that part where Ulric tossed an anvil through the roof."
"Well, he was drunk."
"Drunk or not, they should behave responsibly."
He continued hammering.
"How did you think of the girls, Garfield? Did you find one that could be a suitable wife?"
"Uhhhhh...to be honest, I wasn't really paying attention. Sleep was the first thing on my mind."
He continued hammering.
"What do you think of the princess from Markovia?"
"I've said it once and I'll say it again. Girls weren't on my mind...I had more urgent things to think about."
"Like?"
Garfield's tone got darker.
"War-related issues."
Rita looked away.
"Oh...I see..."
She sighed and crossed her arms.
"It seemed only yesterday that you were a squire, now your almost a fully grown man, and a knight, so mature and...tall."
"If by yesterday, you mean 3 years ago then yes. And I'm 22, surely that's mature enough."
"If you're so mature? Then why aren't you thinking about a wife?"
"I'm not that mature..."
He hammered in the last plank and then jumped onto the ground making a loud thump.
"I'll guess I'll just wait and see."
He walked into the house.
"Why can't there be arranged marriages? It would have been so much easier."
He laid on a pile of sheep wool and took a deep breath. He reflected on what he had experienced before..
"IT'S NOT FOR US TO DECIDE THE FATE OF THESE PEOPLE! IT IS NOT JUST!"
"WHAT PEOPLE? THAT IS WHY WE FIGHT! THEY ARE NOT US!"
He winced his eyes as he recalled the slaughter that took place. A slaughter that Richard had approved.
"I could've done something...I've could've..."
He rolled on his side and sighed.
"Richard...what has become of you?"
Koriander woke up from her slumber. She stretched her arms out and yawned.
She also nude.
She saw Roy with his clothes on sitting on a chair by the window, looking at the rising sun.
"Roy, what is the matter?"
"I was just thinking about...our affair...I don't know how long I can keep this up...Richard is my best friend...it would break my heart to let you go and it would break my heart to see him heartbroken by us."
She wrapped her arms around him.
"Do not worry, we will approach that issue when that time comes."
Roy kissed her bare arms sweetly.
"I hope it never comes to begin with."
"Then how shall we be together?"
Roy smiled at Koriander.
"Aren't we already together?"
"I mean, just the two of us, no more cover-ups or secrets."
"We'd have to break the news to him first. I just need to know how."
"Come, join me in the dining hall, are you not hungry?"
"I'll be there...I'll be there."
She put on her nightgown and fixed her hair. Then she made her way to the dining hall. Roy just stared at the sun..aimlessly. He looked at his arm and its many scars. Memories of blocking enemy attacks with his forearms came to mind.
Archer gauntlets weren't meant for defense.
He put on a robe and made his way downstairs.
Meanwhile at the front. Richard was already assembling the armies again.
"No..no, have the cavalry at the sides, but spread them out, for we know not the treacheries these savages can conjure."
"Yes, your majesty."
He covered his eyes from the sun's gaze and went back inside his tent.
"Bring me to the Oracle, I must here what she predicts."
Two guards escorted Richard to a larger tent. Inside it was very dark and eerie, yet there a glow emitting from the center of the tent.
Richard looked at both of his guards.
"Guard the entrance, I want to do this alone."
The guards did as they were told.
He kneeled in front of the large glowing container.
"Oracle...what becomes of my armies as we march forward."
A sweet feminine voice could be heard.
"Many hardships shall follow, but what great triumph has not been preceded by suffering?"
"My friends have lost their faith in the cause and oppose the actions which I do. They've become weary of me and I fear treachery is to become of them."
"Your friends need just a little push to the right direction, then they shall follow you."
"How are you so sure?"
Then from the fog a beautiful woman with luscious red hair wearing a dress toga lifted his chin.
"Have I ever been wrong?"
"No...no, I'm sorry for ever doubting you."
"Come, you look tired-"
She pulled down one of the strands of her dress.
"Let me comfort you."
"No...no yet...I must lead my men, now that my companions are on leave."
She lifted his chin again so that they looking at her hypnotizing eyes.
"What good is a tired man as a leader, when your army needs leader who feels confident and ready in all that he does."
"Of course...of course."
"Tell me, are you worn out?"
"Very..."
"Then allow me..."
She then wrapped her arms around him and kissed him softly. That alone was enough for him to stand up and lift her off of her feet. Oracle blushed.
"Oh my..."
"No, allow me..."
He kissed her, this time a little less innocent, letting a little tongue enter in back and forth. Together, he walked into the glowing mist.
Errr...I'm not so great with the semi-semi-semi-sensual writing, it's just not my thing.
If you haven't guessed already, Oracle is Barbara Gordon, the first Batgirl, and arguably, Richard(Dick) Grayson's first love interest.
Hope you enjoy the story so far.
Please, all suggestions are welcome.
