Hello everyone and welcome to
CHAPTER # 20
That's all I have to say
"Can we show up in the opening again?" – Kitsu (Sasha plushie)
Um … we'll see
"But ShadowRose" -Kitsu
Not now we'll talk about this later
"I drew some more pictures for you" -Kitsu
Good Kitsu …
*pets Kitsu's head*
Among Riches and Royals
Chapter # 20
The wind was kind; it whispered nature's purest music as it danced across the land. His blonde hair flowed gently in the breeze of early summer. He laid in the grass that was scattered throughout the orchards owned by no one but he knew that one of his friends would claim the land for their own. He listened to the sounds and daydreamed of his girlfriend, soon to be wife, who awaited him back in his home country. His green attire made him almost invisible in the shade of the midday sun, then a small breeze caught his attention.
"What ya need Alec?" he asked looking to his left to see his friend standing close by.
"Miah 's calling a meeting, come on" the knight smiled
Alec was a thin man, short but thin. He was nimble on his feet for a man his age. His features where well chiseled and his eyes were quite large and round for a boy. Even one such as young at a teenage lad would not have such a figure as Alec. He had short black hair and green eyes. He was dressed in small armor that consisted of a chest-plate, shoulder armor, and a shield. His skill with a long sword was unmatched by none except for maybe Miah. He wondered about Alec at times sometimes wondering if he was truly a he … they all did.
"I'm comin' just me a sec" he got to his feet and picked up the longbow that was resting next to him.
"Do you carry that with you all the time Cody?" Alec asked his elven friend
"… so what's the meeting about?" Cody asked trying to change the subject
"I don't really know, to be honest, he just called it up," Alec said as he spun a knife in his palm.
The two walked over to The Wanderer's Rest Inn to reunite with the other Marauders. Upon entering the inn they found Miah and the other's gathered around a sheet of paper.
"Come, lads, what's this about?" Cody asked as he and Alec approached the table and took their seats.
With that Miah rose then cleared his throat. "My fellow Marauders, we have saved the kingdom of Ulferia from her dictator and now it is up to us to bring her to justice. For this land's name will forever be remembered not for her years as a magical empire but for the nightmarish rule of one Matrune Graymark. Her name is scorn and it is up to us to save her from her own destruction. For this, we must make her from all new materials. Make her land that will be remembered for her greatness in all, not just her ruler" Miah posed and unrolled a new sheet of paper "any suggestions?"
"Ocean Land" Eliwood declared
"… no, Eli, no" Miah said shaking his head
"Aireflu" a young knight with dark blue hair, with dark blue eyes
"… Ulferia spelled backward… really?" Miah, sighed heavily "no Corny"
"Ocendia?" A dark-haired elf said as he leaned back in his chair
"Explain Quinlan," Miah said looking at his other elven friend
"Oc-end-ia; the oc from the word ocean, end as in the this is where the land ends and meets the water—a.k.a. it's a harder town, and the ia from the end of the name Ulferia as in this is the end of Ulferia and it will remain at the end in owe past forever" the dark-haired elf explained as he tried to look cool leaning back but almost lost his balance while doing so.
"I like it," Miah said with a small smile "all agreed"
Simultaneous agreements passed around the round table as a waitress came and served them all drinks. Miah reached for his glass only for Alac to smack his hand away.
"Miah we need you to remember the words that come out of your mouth and keep all the processes you make today," Alac said as he took Miah's cup
"Fine but I was just thirsty," Miah said rubbing his hand
"We know, that's why you had two kids at twenty" Corny said with a smile
"Shut up Corny" Miah laughed
"Alright, so what do you swear?" Quinlan said sipping his whiskey.
"Limited power," Alac said raising his flask
"climb off your high horse, and speak with the people," Eliwood said looking deeply into his wine
"Eli, Sh-" all of the Marauders begin but they were silenced by Miah raising his hand
"Eli's right" a collected gasp ran around the table even Eliwood gasped "guys really he has a point, Matrune was a dictator he commanded his people and never gave them the chance to know him and in the end, the people will sigh in relief when he left. I'm going to be different I'll rule with honor never will I command my people, I will guide them as all good kings do" Miah said as he stood and looked over his friends.
"Like who?" Cody asked
"Like … like um … like Anri of Altea," Miah said indicating Corny "tell 'em Corny, tell 'em about your dad, the kind of man he was, the kind of King he was" Miah's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"You guys have all met my dad," Corny said sipping his ale nonviolently
"Freedom of the people's expression" a tall broad-shouldered light haired brunette
"Nice one Arthur" Miah said with a nod as he took his seat
"You did good Grail," Eli said petting his friends back
"Make all events open gate celebrations" Cody added
"Run all future laws through the people before it is made official" Alac added
"Power to the people nice," Miah said with a smile
"Should you break your promise we the people have the right to dethrone you" Quinlan added
The table was silent, then the whole inn, "sounds … fair" Miah said slowly then the tension left the room.
"All right Quinlan read that back to me," Miah said as looked over the paper
"By the crown on your head, you King of the new kingdom of Ocendia. Shall never abuse your crown or throne, never shall you pass a law without first receiving permission from the people. As King, you have no right to the people's freedom, you will not use your power to control what the people say, do, believe, love, or want. Should you go against this solid oath the people may rise to strip you of the very crown on your head. Do you swear on your life that you will go against this oath." Quinlan looked up from the piece of paper "this is when you agree and repeat all that back to us with your hand on the crown and one hand raised so we know you don't have your fingers crossed"
"Sounds good," Miah said as he reached for his glass again
"Fine" Alac sighed as he slid the cup over to his friend
Miah looked deep into his glass then said "guys, if I ever go against my will I want you to take me out"
"Bro we don't roll that way," Arthur said sipping his ale
"No you idiot, I mean I want you guys to kill me the day I start to turn into my brother," Miah said lowering his gaze
"Miah, you're our friend and I hope you know we aren't going to put you down like an old hound that's lost its usefulness," Alac growled through his teeth as he slammed his empty flask on the table
"I'm with Alac, we will dethrone you but I'm your friend, not your executioner," Cody said his calm face looking more determined than usual.
"Miah you're like a brother to me, I won't be able to do that to you," Corny said lowering his eyes
"Should bad come to worst we will lay you to rest Miah but until the day you spill blood we will do everything in what little power we have, to save you," Quinlan said locking eyes with Miah
"I'm with Quinny," Eliwood said putting a hand on Quinlan's shoulder
"I'm with stupid, that's with Quin," Arthur said placing his hand on Eilwood's shoulder
"James? You haven't said anything throughout this whole meeting what's wrong?" Miah said looking away from his devoted friends.
"Oh I was just drawing," a brunet said lifting his eyes from the paper
"… Thanks … what are you drawing?" Miah said looking over James' shoulder
The page was painted an ocean blue with two crossed swords with a bow laying sideways where the two meet, one sword was sheathed the other was unsheathed to reveal it's a neon blue color. The bow looked well crafted, it appeared as was made of some sort of black colored wood, and designs were engraved in nice silver color. The sword sheath was also made of black colored material with the hilt a brilliant silver.
"Damn" was all everyone could say as they had all stood up and looked over James' shoulders.
"Nice dude" was all Miah said
There was silence all over the table again
"Make it the new flag" Miah proclaimed as he slid out of the mob of friends to retake his seat.
The group burst into laughter and came to a full agreement of the contract and the new flag. Then the group of friends called for refills and the memories became blurry after that.
He returned to the present then. As the wind had grown angry; the threat of early snow was evident in the dark gray clouds. The Hunt's Master passed in the stable back and forth not as much to wait for his horse but more to ease his nerves. Something was wrong and he knew it. He knew that something was wrong very wrong, as an elf his instincts told him that magic was playing a part with his friend's mind, while the Blood of the Hylian Hero told him that more than just magic was at work here, dark magic, dark forces. It all seemed so strange; this was Miah after all, Miah was yes a romantic man who has made drastic and stupid dictions in the past but this was going too far.
Cody suddenly felt uneasy; his instincts told him that someone was here. He waited and listened, and then his senses told him who it was. The distinct smell of a mix of sand, and a faint smell of the king seemed to reflect the supposed 'Gerudo scribe', but her footsteps seemed too heavy to be human or at least a human of her size.
"May I help you?" Cody asked blankly trying hard to hide his distaste.
"Where is it?" she asked as she grew closer
"Where's what?" Cody asked not looking at the woman
"The sword" she declared
"I'm sure you know exactly where the sword is if you don't then the king is being a lot more civil than usual," Cody said with annoyance still refusing to look at her
"Don't avoid the topic I mean the Blade of Evil's Bane, the Holy Sword of Hyrule, the MasterSword," she said in a slightly irritated tone of voice
"Sorry whore, but that was on the other side of the divorce papers," Cody said with a smirk on his face
"What!" she sounded irritated "look at me!"
"No" Cody growled
"Look at me!" she demanded as she took his shoulder
"No," he said trying to pull out of her grip
"Look at me," she said her voice a lot smoother and seductively. She pulled him so he was looking at her
He turned his head away from her and looked away from her and watched the floor behind him "I know your game, you bewitched the King but not me I know your tricks"
"Why would you say a thing like that" she sounded hurt "you insult me and won't even look me in the eyes"
Cody snorted if he raised his voice at the King's little whore he might find himself on the chopping block "fine"
He knew she had a charm on her so he found a spot on her face and watched it refusing to look higher or lower "you think you fooled all, well your wrong, I come from Hyrule myself and I am her representative as a member of the Hyrule court, the Gerudo are bound to Hyrule so whether you like it or not you must report to me and should I get out of here unscathed, Daphnes will hear of this. And we will put a little end to your game. You may have the king under your spell but that doesn't work on me" his voice was laced with threat and hatred
"You are in no position to be making threats," she said with a smirk on her face
"Why do you want my family's sword … unless you're …" Cody let his thought go unfinished should he cross into unwanted terrain
"Careful there fairy boy you wouldn't want to anger the king would you?" her voice was laced with false innocence
"You little slut" the elf cursed in a low growl
"Don't test your luck" with that she walked off
"What a bitch" Cody whispered
Sasha road side-saddle on her huge warhorse that was given to her on her birthday by Nicky, She was in a slightly better mood than usual. She looked at her giant chocolate colored stallion and smiled. She had grown fond on him, she had even considered a name for him; Jason. She looked around and found a red mare with a silver mane that she recognized almost immediately; Epona. She was grazing in a nearby field meaning her master must be in the castle. With expert handling, she sped her stallion to the castle. The man she had come to know as an uncle was here it was time for him to keep his word.
As she rode up to the stable she found her uncle pacing back and forth before the stable, a look of annoyance on his usually calm face.
"Uncle Coco?" Sasha said as she rode up to the elf
"Sasha?" he was knocked out of his daze when he saw her "I didn't see you there"
"You would've if you were paying attention what's wrong?" she took note of her uncle's strange stupor
"So about those archery lessons," she said her eyes gleaming with excitement
"Those lessons will have to wait, your father in a fit of confusion banished me from the castle and I am trying to think of how I will survive until the next ferry to Hyrule arrives" Cody lowered his head feeling shameful for lying to his favorite student.
"But uncle Coco" Sasha looked broken "you promised"
"I know I know but … when my banishment is lifted and your father straightens his mind, that's when I can teach you the secrets of horseback archery" Cody looked ashamed for he had promised on Goddesses of Hyrule the next time he saw her he would teach her the secrets of horseback archery, but he didn't foresee the events that had transpired.
"Why was he mad?" Sasha asked looking confused
"I asked him why he had gone against his word, but that whore has her leash tightly around his neck, and when she said 'attack' he did so and I was banished from the castle," he said as he sat on a nearby hay bail
"What word?" Sasha asked as she rode up to him and stroke face to face
"When your father was sworn into office he took an oath, an oath; an oath that said he would not abuse his power as the past dictator had, that he would work with the people to rule not rule the people with an iron fist" Cody lowered his head
"What did he do?" Sasha asked
Cody took in a heavy sigh and began to tell his pupil of all the unfair laws her father was making.
That afternoon Sasha entered her father's privet office. She entered to find her father writing another bill with Veran leaning on his shoulder almost as if she was whispering in his ear what to write.
"Dad, can I talk to you?" Sasha asked looking at her dad
"What is it, sweetie?" Miah looked up from his paper
"Dad can I talk to you … in private" Sasha said giving Veran a sideways glance.
"No" Veran responded for Miah just as he opened his mouth
"I was talking to my dad" Sasha growled, Cody was right this woman was evil and she could sense it.
"I am the king's adviser, what you say to his Highness you can say to me," Veran said locking eyes with Sasha
Sasha's eyes narrowed and she got dangerously close to Veran and growled at her "Look here you sand dwelling slut, my dad is MY dad so when I say PRIVET that's your sign to leave. Plus Norah is my dad's adviser, not you, you half dressed whore" Sasha growled
"What did you call me" the quote was more of a warning or challenge than a question
"You heard me" the rage in her huge chocolate was unrivaled
"I hope you're happy with your living arrangements because you will be betrothed and shipped off to some other kingdom very soon" Veran threatened
"You're not my mom" Sasha spat
"Not yet" there was a sinister look on the Gerudo's face
"Eww gross, dad, she's not serious right?" Sasha looked discussed
"dad says something" Sasha pleaded
"Sasha I'm busy" Miah's voice was flat and emotionless
Sasha's eyes looked crossed between heartbroken and enraged "I get that you need some to fill the hole Tanya left but this" she motioned to Veran "this is pathetic" with that she turned her back to her father and walked to the door. Sideways glance her dad tears starting in her eyes and walked out as she raised her middle finger to Veran.
Quinlan walked through the garden looking over the countless colored plants that were scattered around the area when he spotted the Hylian Hunts Master settling his mount; despite his arrival a few minutes ago.
"Hail Hyrule" the tutor greeted
The Elf looked over his shoulder and stared for a long time before saying "Tulan? By the gods, I swear I thought you would have killed yourself by now with all your drinking but here you are." He leaped off his mare and patted Quinlan of the shoulders "been a while, last I saw you …you were off to find an old friend of yours. Well it doesn't matter nice to see you again Quin"
Quinlan fingered the dagger in his pocket as he locked gazes with the Hyrulean. "… Cody?"
"Is there another?" Cody said as the two of them began to walk together and began to chat of what has transpired in the time away from each other.
"So how long are you staying?" Quinlan asked
"Not long I'm afraid" Cody answered
"Why is that?" Quinlan was intrigued
"The king banished me from castle grounds," Cody said looking away from his friend
"Wait why?" Quinlan was shocked
"That woman; she's evil and I think she knows I know she's up to no good. She had him banish me before I could tell him Hyrule sent no scribe was sent from the Gerudo Valley, at least not with the approval of the Royal family" Cody hung his head in shame
"Look, bro, I know an inn you can stay at for free. The owner is a good friend of mine I'm sure I can get you in for free" at that Cody's head lifted slightly
"No … I couldn't ask that of you"
"Just think of it as payment for all those times you saved my ass in the old days" Quinlan smiled at his Elven friend.
"You are truly a light-hearted dark elf" Cody smiled and the two continued talking before the pair stopped.
Cody's elven ears twitched then he turned to Quinlan
"You hear something too?" the dark elf asked as he listened
The two creped through the brush and slowly approached the sound. It sounded like a conversation one was a clearly a woman but the other sounded like a young boy but he spoke like a grown man.
"What do you want?" she asked
"Did you get the sword?" the boy asked
"I can't find this 'Blue Blade' you keep talking about" she sounded irritated "and whenever I ask him he doesn't seem to know what I'm talking about"
"Fine I'll have to find it myself, what of the girl?" the boy asked
"What about her, the little bitch is starting to annoy me" she growled
"There is something special about her, she gives off this aura of power … it's not humanly possible" the boy said, "I think it has something to do with Nora and Nova"
"Nora and Nova?" she sounded confused
"Long story; but they were a God and a Goddess with unmatched power one day they vanished leaving behind a black winged angel, a silver winged demon and a knife with powers unmatched" the boy seemed to trail off "Veran I will arrive soon to take the Jeremiah"
"Yes, Master" and with that, she left and with the sound of flapping wings the pair assumed the boy left too.
"This is bad I knew she was up to no good" Cody growled
"Come on, let's take you to that Inn I told you about, I have to go see someone," Quinlan said and lead the way. Quinlan knew that must have been the Fallen Link kept crying about and if it was so, then the kingdom was in greater danger than they had hoped.
That night Sasha tossed and turned unable to find a comfortable position in her huge soft marshmallow bed. She felt as if her home was no longer safe, her father was no longer himself but a sell of the man he used to be. Finally, she laid her back at watched the ceiling.
Then her door slowly opened, without creaking or the sound of the doorknob turning it was as if the door opened on its own. A hooded figure slowly ghosted into her room, its long black cloak sliding across the floor.
Sasha's eyes went wide and she reached for her sword that was pinned between her bedside table and her bed. She slowly unsheathed it as the figure grew closer and closer.
Suddenly the candle on Sasha's bedside lit itself revealing the tall hooded figure dressed in black and silver. By this point, Sasha had her sword out and ready but her attention was focused on the candle that just lit itself.
"Sasha put the sword down I mean you no harm" a familiar voice called out from the hood.
"… Norah" Sasha sighed in relief and sheathed her sword and looked at her father's true adviser "you scared the crap out of me"
"Sorry, but I come with a warning," Norah said pulling down his hood
"as you can tell your father is not in his right mind"
"uh huh" Sasha nodded her head not truly knowing what was going on
"I fear this is only part of one huge plot" he explained
"what?" she was confused
"the Crimson Ring, they were the ones who killed the Altean King and now they must be after Ocendia" Norah looked worried
"what?!" she looked lost
"I have no doubt that Veran is part of the Crimson Ring, she will ruin Ocendian nobility and the kingdom will be thrown into civil war" he began to pace around the room "the King and his army against the people and their army"
"Que?" now she had no idea what was going on
"you have to get out of here if Veran finds out you have the knife … you need to get out of here" he pulled her out of her bed "take you sword go to the stable and mount your horse, Kyon will find you and bring you everything you need"
"… !?" Sasha was lost for words
Norah wrapped her in his cloak and sent her on her way
"Que Paso?"
Well there you go
Yes Sasha can speak Spanish
"ShadowRose I have another picture" – Kitsu (Sasha plushie)
*takes picture … looks it over*
… This is perfect
Oh to the next chapter
~ShadowRose DB (1/6/2015)