Chapter X – Alstar's Missed Meeting
The pair parted, heading towards their respective buildings within the city, Alstar towards the king's council building in the royal district at the northern most of the city, and Y'Fran in the direction of the cities main hospital in one of the lesser districts. The walk was good as it gave both of them time to 'cool off', Alstar took his time walking through the quiet streets of the city, men and women alike would stop, take a look at the man, and then continue with their business. It was as though everyone was looking at him, as if he had done something unheard of. "He's one of those bastards that went after them" "Yeah, I hear they outnumbered them eight to one" "There's no honour in that sort of killing.. No it'd be more like a massacre" The word came from more and more mouths 'Murderer.. Murderer.. Murderer.. Murderer.. Murderer!' Alstar stopped and took a look around to see people everywhere staring at him, their eyes held a mixture of both fear and anger. "What wrong have I done!?" Shouted Alstar as he slammed his hand down on a nearby table spilling the contents of two men's tankards. "Murderer, you going to pay for my spilt ale?" A rough looking man barks as he stands, the man stood nearly a whole head taller than Alstar. "Here!" Alstar's fist lands into the man's chest bringing him to his knees in front of him "Get yourself some decent ale instead of that coeurl piss your drinking" Throwing a small coin pouch on the table Alstar walks off, this time wanting answers from the council as to why a complete stranger was ready to punch his lights out. Y'Fran on the other hand had a much less eventful return to her destination, the only excitement was when Joseph stopped her once again to try another dish. Y'Fran was quick to divulge the information about the attack and how Alstar had saved her, "Well girl what happened after that?" "I fell asleep" Joseph slapped his palm against his face "What do you mean you fell asleep, he'd just saved you from a horrible ordeal and then you go fall asleep in his arms.. No kiss or anything!?.. What happened after that?" "I woke up.. In.. In his bed" "What!? Y'Fran Orho!" "No no nothing happened, I awoke alone, my injuries couldn't have been disturbed or I would've awoken" "So where was our hero?" "He stayed outside the tent the whole time" "He stayed outside?" "Yes, he said something about making sure I didn't wake up in a strange place without knowing what had happened" "Well my dear he sounds like a keeper.. But by the looks of your cheeks that isn't all that happened.. So humour me" The mention of cheeks brought forth the memory of Alstar's hands on her backside, a slight redness tinted her cheeks as she thought about the intimate kiss the two had shared. "On the way back we stopped at an inn and had some food, some wine and some rest.. Then we came back.. That's all that happened" "Rest you say?.. Ah I see.. You slept with him!" "Joseph! Do you have to be so loud.. Yes we shared a bed.. but nothing happened.. we just slept" "Of course you did.. Right well your secret is safe with me" "Joseph I don't have a secret" "Of course you don't, because 'nothing' happened.. Right?." "Your impossible, you know that?" "Yes.." Joseph started before laughing, upon catching his breath he continued ".. But surely I've kept you long enough, now off you go, drop by soon okay?" "I.. Yeah I will Joseph" Y'Fran waves to her friend as she leaves, heading towards the hospital.
Alstar arrives at the council building where the captain meetings are held and bursts through the main doors, gaining an unsure look from the receptionist "Who do you think you are?!.. Do you know what place this is?" "Captain Alstar Silverbane, and yes I do know.. Exactly what place this is" Alstar spoke as he pushed his way past two guards, heading towards the meeting hall "Excuse me sir.. Sir you can't go through there!" Alstar ignored the guard and opened the two large wooden doors that led into the hall. Silence was all that met him, the bewildered captain stood in the doorway, 'normally captain meetings last for at least six days.. now unless I drank a lot more wine than I think, it has only been three days'. Alstar entered the room and began examining everything, he found evidence that most, if not all of the room's occupants had been in full armour. Distinct scratches on the floor where plate boots had been. Subtle marks in the masonry where hard armour had been leaning. Closer inspection revealed multiple scratches and fist marks in the soft-wood tables, which could have only be made by gauntlets. 'What had been discussed for captains to have gotten so angry about?' Alstar continued to look around before the receptionist caught up with him, the two guards at her side. "Unfortunately you are too late captain Silverbane, the meeting ended yesterday morning" Her words were hiding something and Alstar intended on finding out what she knew. "Well then that was the fastest captain's meeting I bet you've ever had huh?" "Yes sir, once everyone received their orders they left.. Some left earlier though.. They didn't look very happy" "And why wouldn't they look happy, it was just the usual talks.. Was it not?" "Well.. I don't know sir, but last I heard one of them was heading into the White Peaks.. Maybe your fellow captain can tell you what happened" "Mm, thank you" "No problem sir, may the twelve guide you" "And you" Alstar replied as he headed out the main doors he'd only just been through. Alstar left the building with more questions than answers. 'I have a real bad feeling about this.. Why was the meeting so short?.. What in seven hells is going on?' Alstar headed the direction of the white peaks inn, the building was the closest watering hole to the council building and he knew the place well, most captain's would have a drink there after the meetings and then return to their camps.
Upon entering the establishment he came across a man he recognised, another captain. "Capitan.." Started Alstar lacking the man's name. "Hah, I'm no more a captain than the other drunks in here, who's asking?" "Capitan Alstar Silverbane" "Cain Bluehearth.. Now Silverbane.. why aren't you out killing monks like the rest?.. Wait, there wasn't a Silverbane at the meeting" "No I.. Wait, what did you say?!" "The king's gone mad, he thinks the monks of the fist are after his throne, says they have too much power or something.. So that's why we were all rounded up to this meeting.. Pah.. It was a mission briefing.." "What!?" "..Get me another jug of wine barkeep!" "You've already had five jugs!" "Shut it, fill me up!" "Fine, as long as you got the g.." Alstar put his hand in his pocket pulling out a small coin purse and interrupted "Here two thousand should cover this man's drinks.. And half your other patrons as well, am I wrong?" "Ah.. a slate it is" The barman quickly ran off, returning with two fresh jugs of wine "Now continue Cain" "Hmm" The man took a large swig from the jug, wiping his brow before he continued "Thanks.. Right, where was I?.. Yes.. It was a mission briefing, the plan was to assault the main temple while most of the fist were there for some gathering. The council gave only three rules; no witnesses, no survivors, no mercy" "Why are you here then?" "I objected to the whole thing and got stripped of my rank, my men, even my honours and titles.. Everything.. Lost.. I've fought for Ala Mhigo for fifth-teen hard years! And this is how I'm treated!" Cain shouted, the anger in his words more visible now than before. Cain's fist came down on the table relieving some of is pent-up rage, the man sat himself back down just as Alstar began to speak. "Didn't anyone else object?" "Yeah, a few others, maybe two or three" A rage began to fill Alstar as the loyalist in front of him continued his explanation. "Any of the captains that objected were warned that they would be stripped of any and all; rank, men, titles, estates.. Everything. With immediate effect. Most captains had accepted the bloody request only so they would be able to keep food on their families table" "Was it just the Divisions involved?" "No.. The king had also ordered nearly a sixth of the standing army to the attack as well.. How do you think most of the people out there know about it.. The Divisions would have kept it quiet.. But a simple soldier.. He's going to blabber after a drink or two" Alstar knew that the captains would have been more than enough to have taken the lives of everyone in the temple. Alstar was taken from his raging thoughts as Cain's hand gripped his shoulder, he spoke now in a quieter tone "Listen, just push it aside Silverbane, believe me when I say it's not worth losing everything for, it's happened, and there's nothing you can do to change that, now get out of here, leave this old soldier in peace" "The Division suffers a great loss without you my friend, thank you, and may the twelve guide you" "You too, Silverbane" Alstar left the man to his drinking, and headed for his estate. As he walked his mind tried to make sense of what had been said by the ex-captain at the inn. '.. At least mother will be happy to know I have a guest coming tonight'
Well over a month and the story is still going strong :D Wooo! I would like to thank you all again for reading the story! And hope that you are all still finding it interesting :)
Well this chapter follows the Eorzean timeline, which parts of my story are derived from. The first sign of the king of Ala Mhigo's fall to darkness and ruin. I didn't want Alstar any part of the massacre due to his ties to the Fist of Rhalgr.. As much as I could picture him turning on everyone else to help the monks I didn't want him torn apart by guilt ect. So instead I had everything happen before he arrived, and then have ex-captain Bluehearth fill Alstar in on the details. There will possibly be repercussions later due to him missing the meeting but nothing of note or importance. This chapter is based around Alstar solely which is rare for me, normally I will put a small section in for Y'Fran or another character. This chapter and the next have a focus around one main character rather than both, next chapter we see how Y'Fran deals with the soldiers who return from the assault on the temple, with two complications.
As per usual I hope you have a glorious day my lovely readers
01L