Hello all, its been a little while since I've updated anything of mine, especially this story. I don't know how many people actually read this, but I think I cranked out a reasonably good chapter this time around though, originally it was going to be smaller chapters, but I just set up the Timeskips where they needed to go, and it seems to fit the scheme of things within a Fable game's plot, especially towards the begining.
There is some actual action this chapter though! W00t!
Hope you guys enjoy.
Chapter 7: Of Time and Life
"Cybele?" I asked, surprised, to see her in my doorway just as I'd emerged from my windowsill. I was of course embarrassed, and slightly afraid. In Sicena, such a seen would've painted the picture in her mind that I was off gallivanting with some simple women of lesser inhibition.
She did not seem to think this, as she was not upset nor clubbing my head in. She just stood their, a bit surprised as well, and a bit worried, it seemed. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, yes… I was just… well… someone from my past, a family member."
She seemed to be rather interested, and surprised still. She slowly stepped into my room, as I did myself from the windowsill. "Oh, well, that's good. But why did you decide to leave out your window instead of the front door?"
"He said for me to wait in my room, and he'd let me know when he arrived and would be able to speak. I just didn't expect him right outside my window, I expected him to do as you had said." I said, sitting down on my bed, and she seemed to join me. I had no doubt it was awkward for her, I told her everything about my past, every last detail I could remember. "It was Calogero."
"Oh, your dear uncle? It must've been so nice to see him once again, please let him know he will be more than welcome here any time he wants to stay." Cybele said, reaching over, and grasping my hand, smiling. "What is it you talked about, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Well… it seems that my family was attacked just as I fled, and that all of Sicena is wrapped in bloody civil war." I said, mentioning to her what I felt was important. I still did not quite believe I was a mage. If I was, I believe I would've used it when I had to survive in the wilderness.
"Oh my, that's horrible… what do you intend to do?" Cybele asked me, fairly worried, I could tell.
I just leaned in and softly kissed her cheek. "Calogero wanted me to stay safe, so, I think I'm fine staying right here for now."
"Oh okay, if you feel everything will be alright." She said, still a bit concerned, but smiling now.
"I am, my sisters are both with wealthy families, and Calogero assured me my mother is safe. My father might be in a bit more danger, but I have faith he's still alive."
"Alright… well, if you want, I'll let you sleep." Cybele said, obviously tired herself, but always very pleasant and polite.
"Only if you want to get to sleep yourself, I'm sure I'll be bothering you in the morning either way."
"Oh shut it."
-Two Months Later-
It was bloody freezing out in these winter months. The burgher had received dire news of a rather large bandit group, marching under the guise of one of the many lords of Gerwald. He had ordered that all skilled craftsman, including myself, cease any efforts on creating exports for a time, and focus solely on creating a mighty palisade outside the city walls, constructed on the old, bare stone foundation that the town was built upon, which happened to stretch all the way into the mountain wall behind it.
Wearing full furs and my favorite fur drape, I worked diligently at the wall, just finishing up this section; fitting the sharpened spears into position on the palisade. Once that was done, I was free to go, and the next wave of workers would swarm in, coating the freshly made palisade in a finishing coat that would make it more resistant to flame and slightly to frost.
I slowly walked my way into the city, and surprisingly, the people were in good spirits. The people boasted, and spoke of cheer and hope, They conquered their fears admirably, and embraced the good times they had while they had them.
I slowly paced my way down the streets into the West district, and made my way to a small hovel that was my home.
The inn was always eager to welcome myself and all the others that made their home there, but there were always those younger and more needy than myself now who could use the room. I visited often, it was a true brotherhood with its own guildhall.
I slowly opened the door, after shaking the snow off of me, stepping inside, and then once again shaking the snow off of me, due to the amount of the stuff falling outside. I then began to removed the snow-caked furs off of me, down to a pair of linen pants I was wearing under them.
I was surprised with a sudden hug from out of nowhere, with a very strong grip. "You're cold."
"Well, you know, out there building the palisade in that snowstorm will do that to you." I said, hugging back, enjoying the nice warm body pressed up against me.
"Oh shut up Fenris, you're mean."
"I'm the mean one? Cybele, I just come home, and just after attacking me, you let me know just how I should feel." I say, teasing of course, smiling as I looked into Cybele's eyes.
She smiled playfully, and raised her fist, and slowly, teasingly, pressed it into my cheek. Then when I faked sadness, she was quick to place a kiss where her fist had just barely pressed against my cheek. "Better?"
"Much." I say, kissing her, once, nice and romantically. This was a life I loved, and one that I was glad that I had. It wasn't always easy, but it was pleasant, it was enjoyable, and it brought me true happiness.
"Good, do you want me to make you something to warm you up?"
"Well actually, I was thinking… well, we could warm each other up."
"You really are a pervert, you know that?" Cybele asked, obviously picking up on what I was suggesting.
"Yes, guilty as charged."I said, smiling, and kissing her cheek once.
She let out a playful sigh, and shook her head. "And here I was, thinking I was safe, because I thought cold made you not want to, or at least, not able to."
"The furs, and all the work, kept me from freezing too badly."
"Remind me next time to send you out in your skivvies."
"Aww, Cybele, you know you don't mean that." I said, kissing her forehead, looking at her, knowing she didn't.
"…You're right." She said, sincerely, and smiling a bit deviously, before turning, and stepping slowly upstairs, the only room up there being our bedroom.
I must say, I'm rather enjoying our engaged life, even though this rabbit-like behavior has been going on since a bit before then.
-One Months Later-
It was another cool day in the city Hieronymusa, working on the final touches of the palisade. It would be done until the spring months, then when there would be dry spells, we would have to treat the wood with specific oils that will better suite combat structure, which cannot be applied until the wood has been set in its permanent position.
As I applied what final touches I needed to add before I could call my work satisfactory, I found myself free as a bird, and headed straight for the markets to purchase some goods for the larder so we would have meals for the rest of the week. As well, I picked up some esoteric goods, and a pleasant gift of sweets for Cybele, and a book for myself.
I felt much safer knowing the palisade was ready to defend us, several cities none too far away had faced attacks, some of which were utterly devastating. So the insurance policy was greatly valued. The larger, much older stone walls around the city could not be efficiently mounted, and repairs would've taken longer than the construction of the palisade.
Once I made my way all the way home, I went through the door, as quickly as possible, trying to shake the fallen snow off of me as carefully as possible. "I swear, it was raining snowballs out there Cy-" I started, when I saw Cybele and Calogero side by side, apparently having been waiting for me, in the den. "Calogero?"
"Alfonso, you are in grave danger. A few days ago, an agent of Duilio and his foul friends saw you in town when he was passing through a couple days ago, and I was only just able to overhear this from a friend of mine within his ranks. Please, Alfonso, you are not safe here, nor is Cybele." Calogero said, the fire from the hearth giving light against the quickly darkening sunset.
"Please, Fenris, you must go with him. Duilio has his hands in many dark affairs, including the bandit raids occurring now." Cybele asked me, very worried, and definitely holding back very strong emotions as best she could.
The facts were playing through my head rapidly, and I knew what I had to do, and what my choice would be.
"No." I said, completely against logic. "I ran once, I ran and ran, and I never looked back until I was too far away to do anything about it. I found a new life, here, one I cherish with all my being. I will not run, not again, not from all I have." I said, going over to a nearby cabinet, and pulling out a sword and sheathing it at my side. "Let them come…"
"Alfonso, you are not the only one at risk here, Cybele, your friends, everyone is in danger with your presence here." Calogero warned, but treating my reaction with respect, definitely knowing my reasoning.
"Even if I were to run, I know Duilio from what he taught me. He would burn this place to the ground, and salt the Earth if I were not here, even if all his guts were to guide him away from this place."
"….You are right, I am sorry, you saw in him what an old man has foolishly overlooked. Duilio, especially now, is cruelly rational, and knows how to partially look at logic to see the way to best promote his evil." Calogero said, sighing, and pressing the bridge of his nose. "What is it we're to do then?"
"Well, what I failed to tell you earlier is…" Cybele said, before suddenly running up to me, and grasping my arm "I'm not leaving Fenris, he's my fiancé, and I don't care what danger it puts me in."
I was a bit surprised, and this was quickly followed by a smile. "Believe me, Uncle. She is feisty, and she knows how to fight. I don't think you can stop her."
"Hmm, I would advise against it, but I will not stop that course of action… I think what we should do is talk to the Burgher and…"
CRASH!
Suddenly, and with a bright flash, there was what sounded like an iron god had fallen from the sky, and collided with the curtain wall. I quickly barged out of my house and could immediately see a hole in the curtain wall, and an utterly massive boulder having toppled the wall. Soon after, I saw men flood the streets through the wall, straight into the market.
"By the gods…" Cybele muttered.
"Cybele, go into the house, and get the bastard sword from our room, we've got to get to the Greathall, now." I said, almost instinctively, drawing my sword. "And grab my other sword if you can!"
She nodded and immediately headed off, and I could feel Calogero's eyes upon me as I gazed unto the field of battle, and I witnessed the many stalls go up in flames.
"You've grown so much, were this a better moment, I would state my many hopes for you and how you've always continued to surprise me and up them three fold… but you shall have to settle for hearing these praises later, and having my hand in battle."
"Calogero, are you sure you want to fight?" I asked him, never having seen him in battle.
Calogero merely tapped his walking stick on the ground, and smirked. "At your side, I feel safer than anywhere else in the city."
"Here!" Cybele said, emerging from the front door, properly dressed for the cold, and tossing me my second blade. I caught the sheathed blade promptly, set it at my side, then unsheathed it.
Looking down at the blades, it was interesting to think just how far I'd come. A life decided for me entirely where I'd only have to nod my head, to now having all the choices in the world, and willing to throw everything away for that life. It was heartwarming.
"Alright, lets head up this way, hopefully we won't encounter too many on our way." I said, nodding in the direction of the Noble District, and the Greathall. Cybele and Calogero nodded, and we were swiftly on our way.
- Hieronymusa, Residential District-
To
The Hieronymusan Central Plaza
-Estimated Time: A couple minutes-
We passed a several regiments of men heading down to the fray, and we hoped it would be enough to stem the tide of invaders. We had finally reached the central plaza and were not too far from the Greathall, where the burgher himself resided, and we would be safest.
We stood before the gates, and could see the greathall in the distance. Many people were also rushing through to the Greathall, but we felt we were towards the end of the town's populace, most already having passed into the noble district.
"Hold!" One of the guards called. "We're undermanned up here, would you two please offer us aid and hold the gate?" He asked, gesturing towards me and Cybele.
"Cybele, how about you and Calogero…"
"Not on your life." Cybele said, withdrawing her sword. "If you're staying here, so am I"
"I will not abandon you either, Alfonso." Calogero said, staff in hand.
"…Gah, fine, stay then." I said, wishing they'd go in, but not minding the company one bit.
We watched as dozens of people passed inside at a time, keeping close watch that enemy warriors were not getting closer. We periodically noticed soldiers heading out into the fray from inside, and feared the battle was not going well. However, I also knew the amount of fighters this city had, and felt confident a comfortable fraction, none too large, had been sent to quell the threat.
"If your sister were here Alfonso, she could shout them all to death." Calogero joked, as we stood watch.
"Oh, and then she would behead each of them, and mail them back to their relatives, just to send a message." I replied, with laughter.
"She sounds like she enjoys seclusion a great deal. You say she was married off to some poor fool?" Cybele asked, giggling only slightly.
"Poor man, I cannot spare him the correct amount of pity." I said, jokingly, as I slumped back against the wall.
As the other guard chipped in to the conversation, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. When I focused on it, I saw it more clearly.
I saw a man in a fur cloak, similar to mine, with a harness light piece of chest armor, and leather leggings, wielding a cutlass and a targe with some esoteric design plastered on it.
He was peering up at is, staking us out.
"Scout." I said, gesturing to the man, hoping he didn't notice. The others glanced over and saw them, and suddenly the severity of our position had set in.
The guard quickly withdrew his crossbow, and let a bolt fly, but it did not reach the target as he intended. The distance was great and the guard was not too skilled in its use. When the bolt collided with the wall, the scout scurried off behind the bend which he was lurking.
"Damn it all… we may have to fight soon." I said, keeping my blades close, and drawing back from the corner slightly, so I could get out of the way if someone let forth a projectile.
"Fenris, I…"
I clutched Cybele's hand, and turned to her, and gave her a smile. She seemed to know that there was no need for words at this point.
Soon enough, we heard approaching footsteps, and we knew that blood would be shed soon. We took battle formation, and readied ourselves.
Soon enough, men rounded the corner, none bearing ranged weaponry at this point, but a couple of them having some on them. They wasted no time in their charge towards us. A bolt from the crossbow this time struck down one of the men, and staggered the ones behind him.
I stood beside the guard at the head of the charge, and was ready to strike. The first man wielded a two-handed sword, and marked me as his prey.
As he began to swing, I took note of how he would, and stepped back in a way to evade his swing; I then cut him to ribbons. My blades sung as I did cleave at his flesh, rending through his hard-leather and studded hauberk. To finish him I kicked him back upon his allies, knocking one or two down.
Cybele swung her blade upon them skillfully, parrying the blows of the man who rushed her, before sweeping her blade through his guts.
The guard who stood with us drew his sword and shield, and held the line as he bludgeoned men with his kite, and slew them with his sword.
What was most amazing was Calogero, he lifted his staff into the air, and when he slammed it on the ground, it was encased in fire but did not burn, then he took aim and let-way a fireball that disabled at the very least three men, harming more.
Our weapons sung the epics of battle, as we fought to hold our line, and other guards dispersed at other entrances did their bloodwork. I couldn't help but feel as these bandits fell to us, that it felt… not right… but natural. Like there was something about this, the action, the fury, the very spirit of battle and the cause of it, it was empowering. With each strike, I swung faster, with each strike, I was deadlier.
At one point, we were given a moment to recoup, and we'd only received some minor injuries. We doubled checked ourselves and tended these as best we could to ensure our proficiency later on.
However, soon enough a large man wielding a mighty maul rounded the corner, with a look of anger in his eyes.
"You three… back up, he'll merely swing for all of us if we stack up on him." I said, and as I suggested. The three backed up, turning to ranged weaponry aside from Cybele, who stood ready to assist me should I need it.
As he approached, a bolt flew into his shoulder, but he seemed unphased. A firebolt, a rather strong one at that, was sent towards him but was parried with his mighty mace, shattering it. I gripped my swords and ran for him. He tensed his body and was about to swing his maul, when I dashed forward past the head, and braced myself against the shaft. When he swung, it caused some pain, but nothing I couldn't endure. He followed that up with a knee to my gut, which sent me back a step, before I drove my sword into the sinew of his arm.
This angered him, so after trying to strike me with the butt of his maul, he prepared to swing down on me. A quick nudge to the side prevented my flattening, and to follow up on this I drove my sword down upon the top of his forearm, cutting deep, but not lethally. This angered him further, and he charged me, similar to a rhino, and knocked me off my feet.
At this point, more projectiles bombarded him, each doing some slight damage to him, and to my aid came Cybele, as she swung her broadsword so the tip cleaved his arm, and then down upon his forearm. She was efficient and lethal, and she was just able to evade a swing from his maul, but was knocked aside from a punch he delivered soon after.
This lit a fire in me, and I embraced it. "Don't you touch her!" I roared, leaping at him with both blades. He attempted to swat me aside with his offhand, but I sliced it away with mine. I then drove my right-hand's blade deep into his chest, and then repeated with my left. He roared in pain, and no doubt effected by both of these mortal wounds. I pushed with my legs, sending him down the slope to die his death alone, and pulling my blades out of him.
With that hulk dead, I rushed to Cybele. "Are you alright?" I asked, kneeling beside her.
"Yes, I'm fine." She said, smiling, and I could tell, somewhat impressed with my abilities. I blushed slightly, having some pride in my bladeskills.
"Fall back!" One of the guards yelled, as their side began to be overwhelmed. We headed the call and began to fall back behind the portcullis to the noble district.
However, we saw arrows fly, and strike the guards in the towers above us, who would shut the portcullis.
"No!" I yelled, knowing we needed to shut the gates immediately. "We need to get up there!"
"No, there is no time, the lever outside the gate is a dead switch, one way, it'll shut the gates."
Knowing that the guard might not make it in time, wearing his plate armor, I dashed towards the gate, finally diving into a roll in which I pulled down the lever. I had done this swiftly, for I did not want to give Cybele the chance to rush out with me.
"Fenris, no!" She exclaimed, from behind the gate.
"I'll be fine, just please, go with Calogero to the greathall, now." I said, looking back at her, and now drawing my blades, seeing all the men standing at the entrances to the Central Plaza.
"But I… Fenris… I'm!" She tried to say, before, for one of the very few times I'd ever seen it. "Yes… I'll go. But promise me you'll be safe. I won't forgive you if you die."
"I will not give up, I give you my word." I said, smiling, but then in a more serious tone. "Now go. Calogero, protect her with your life."
"I understand." He said, respecting my wishes enough to do this for me. "May god protect you." He said, before ushering her towards the greathall, and as the attackers had me totally surrounded.
I had signed my own death warrant, unless I would receive aid soon.
"Well well well, Alfonso, it's about time we finally met." A man said, bearing much more ornate leather armor, dyed black, and a rather self absorbed smile. "I am a friend of Duilio, and your dear, dear Uncle wishes to see you."
"My name is Fenris, and I have no relation to that man!" I said, my swords still unsheathed, though my hands drew closer to them.
"Oh my boy, yes you do. For, it was from his estate you ran that night you disappeared…"
"My family's palazzo, you add insult to injury." I said, waving my arm to emphasize my point. "He is nothing to me."
"Oh, but you are worth much to him. He sent us all the way here, to this barbarous north, to cause havoc in our hunt for you, to pave the way for his plans… but anyways, that is not for you to worry about." The man said, before chuckling and grinning as he was. "What you have to worry about, is what you will say when you meet him. It's not your choice."
At this point, I had only one thing to say.
I drew my blades, and looked him dead to the eyes. "I'll show him your head, and suggest he get his money back."
