Chapter: 25

Sparrow sat down at the Bowerstone market. He watched as the people went about their daily lives, walking back and forth from place to place. His eyes followed them all intently.

The hero was expected to recruit people for an army. Such a simply stated plan, yet it dawned heavily on him. Sparrow had had a hard enough time recruiting three heroes long ago. The idea of an entire army seemed daunting.

His furry companion whined for his master, placing his paws on his knees and nudging him with his chin. Sparrow chuckled at the dog, he could understand his master's mind better then anyone else could.

All of a sudden, his dog started growling. Sparrow looked to see someone approaching them. The hero was shocked to see it was Beck.

"Walter?" he asked, not believing his eyes. The man gave a large smile to the hero.

"Finally, I find you Sparrow."

"But...how did you get here?" Beck's grin took over his face as he remembered what had happened.

"It was the strangest thing," his voice was starting to get excited, as if he was telling the best story of his life, "I continued to head east after we were separated. I'm not entirely sure how long I was riding, but I eventually blacked out from exhaustion. When I came to, the cart was stopped outside of Bowerstone. I stabled the horses and stayed here figuring I would run into you eventually."

Sparrow couldn't help but smile at the ridiculous story, but he knew not to question it, stranger things have happened to himself.

"So where is Elizabeth?" he asked, looking around thinking he would find her.

"Safe," Sparrow answered. Sparrow updated Beck on what had happened, and their current plan.

"Uniting Albion?" Walter was just as surprised by the idea as Sparrow was. "Balls Sparrow, might as well try and move the sun while your at it."

"I wouldn't be up for it either if I thought there was a better option, but as of now, I see none." Beck heaved an uneasy sigh.

"Well, if you are going through with this, I see no reason not to help," he held out his arm to the hero, "consider me the first recruit." Sparrow showed a smirk and shook the hand.

"Welcome aboard Walter Beck." Sparrow reached into his pockets and retrieved a folded piece of parchment, he undid the paper and flattened it out. It was a map of Albion. Different marks were made across it, each with name under it. "For now, we will head to three different locations." Sparrow tapped three spots on the map. "We will, of course, start with Bowerstone."

"Yes sir!" Beck declared, straitening his posture and saluting. The hero pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. "So where do we start with convincing everyone?" Sparrow thought about it for a moment, no clear idea came to him. But an idea on who to talk to brought itself up.

"We need to head to Old Town."

"Your planning to do what?" asked Derek the Sheriff of Old Town. Having been told Sparrow's plan, he gave the expected reaction.

"Recruit," Sparrow repeated, giving his fullest patience to the skepticism. The old sheriff rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sparrow... I... well, you do realize what your asking?" Sparrow nodded, showing his seriousness in his eyes.

"Yes Derek, but if we can't hope to believe in Albion's own strength, then what hope is there?"

"Well Sparrow, you have my utmost respect and loyalty. While I'm confident the other guards will agree to joining you in this, it isn't in our power to decide it." Derek snapped his fingers as he thought of something. "If we were to see Fendier, I'm sure you can discuss terms about this army you are planning."

Fendier was the current lord of Bowerstone. After the chaos caused by the Spire had been put to a stop, the town needed a new political leader. So Fendier earned the title and took over Castle Fairfax. His public opinion was a positive one, eager to help out all the people of Bowerstone.

So Sparrow and Beck followed Derek to the castle.

The castle ground was an area of Bowerstone that Sparrow hadn't visited in years. Though not much had changed in that time. Lush, green gardens surrounded the area. The constant sound of splashing water came from the fountain set in the corner, its continuous flow being almost hypnotic. Sparrow only noticed a small change, the amount of nobles filling the area had seemed to have increase.

As they approached the large double front doors to the castle, a guard stepped toward them.

"Halt. What is your business here?" The guard asked, eying the four newcomers. Derek stepped forward.

"Sheriff Derek of Old Town, I am escorting the hero Lionheart to see Lord Fendier." The guard stiffened his posture and made a slight step back at the mention of the name.

"L-Lionheart?" he asked, stammering out his title. His eyes widening as he fully took in Sparrow's appearance and recognized him. "W-well you would need to make the proper appointments...but for Lionheart... Lord Fendier would be more then happy to have an audience with you." The guard gave a hard tap on the doors and they opened, allowing them through.

Much like the grounds, the castle was hardly changed. Walking the halls, Sparrow could remember his first visit there. The pain that occurred there as well as the beginning of his life was a clear memory to him.

One of the guards at the inside of the door led them further into the castle. They were taken through the different halls. Sparrow could feel himself following the same path he took as a child. Following the same steps he made all those years ago.

They stopped at another set of towering double doors. Sparrow knew they led to the castle's study. The guard hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Like the rest of the castle, no clear changes were visible. The walls were made of large wooden bookcases with and endless supply of literature. The back wall was a stained glass window, the floor based around it bearing the Heroes Guild Seal.

To the side of the room was a wooden desk and chair. A man was sitting at the desk shifting through the stacks of documents that littered the surface. The man hadn't noticed the large doors being opened.

"Uh, Lord Fendier," the guard said, the man rose his head from the papers, "you have guests, sir."

"What?" he asked, not looking at the guard, "I have no scheduled meetings today."

"Y-yes, sir. I am sorry for the unexpected intrusion. But it is insisted you see them."

"Oh?" Fendier's voice began growing annoyed, "And who thinks they are important enough to disturb-" he turned in his chair and stopped mid-sentence. "Sparrow! I had no idea you had returned to Bowerstone." The man's face softened as he approached the hero.

Fendier was a tall, thin, well kept man. Always with a clean shaven face, his black hair slicked backward. He wore fine robes that were fitting for his position.

"You are dismissed," he said, turning a ruling gaze to the guard. The guard gave a quick bow and turned to leave, almost tripping over himself at the speed he was walking. Fendier shook his head in disappointment. "Sorry about that, guards are a bit unnerved when things aren't according to a schedule." The man looked into Sparrow's eyes with sympathy. "I should take this time to express my sorrow for what happened to Alex. Dieing at the hands of some cult," he spat the word like poison on his tongue, "I still have trouble thinking something like that could happen in Bowerstone, I've tried so hard to keep this town in shape."

"Thank you Fendier," Sparrow spoke with gratitude.

"Now, may I ask what this is about? I'm sure it's not to enjoy the pleasure of each others company, especially when you come in with one of my Sheriffs trailing behind you." He shot a glance to Derek who took a step forward.

"Lord Fendier," Derek said, his voice steady, "Sparrow has asked for our help."

"And what might that be Sparrow? We are after all in your debt, name what you need and I will offer what I can." Sparrow took a deep breath before he answered.

"To allow the recruitment of Bowerstone citizens for our army." Fendier's posture froze up, his face went blank of emotion, and Sparrow could swear he saw a small amount of moisture forming on his brow.

"Excuse me?" he asked. Sparrow heaved a sigh and tried his best at explaining the situation. Though he knew some details were lost to the man, Fendier also showed understanding to much of it.

"Uniting Albion..." Fendier said after Sparrow was done, his hand on his chin, his eyes on the floor in thought. "I must say I like the idea Sparrow, but..."

"What?" the hero asked, raising his eyebrow questioningly.

"Well, I will grant my guards permission to join you, that I will do without hesitation. But for the citizens, while I can allow them, that doesn't mean they will be eager to help." Sparrow thought it over and knew he was right. "However, perhaps if you were to speak with them, let them see their hero request for their help, it may stir up their spirits to join."

"Alright, I will try my best," Sparrow answered.

"Excellent," Fendier said, excitedly bringing his hands together in a clap, "I will have papers drawn up for some kind of a draft, it will prove useful for gathering the signatures of your army." He turned to the sheriff beside Sparrow. "Derek, if you would, head into town. Find the other sheriffs and criers, have them spread the word to meet here in three hours. They better be expecting the words of a hero."

"Yes sir," the old sheriff answered with a salute, he then left the others to carry out his orders.

"So Sparrow," Fendier continued, "I hope your skill in speech is on par with your skill in combat. And please, take a long rest here while we get the preparations made." Sparrow smiled with a nod, he left the study and walked about the castle.

"Well that went better then I expected," Walter murmured, speaking after being silent for so long.

"It isn't over yet Beck," Sparrow replied, "even if we convince the people to join us, we have far more difficult tasks afterward." Walter nodded, knowing full well what was ahead of them.

They waited in the castles library. While material in the study was all of the Old Kingdom and heroes, the library was a vast collection of different books. Sparrow smiled inwardly as he found a copy of his biography, the hero rested his feet on top of a nearby table and flipped through the pages.

After a time,the hero turned to the last page, ending on a note of his impending marriage to Alex. Sparrow set the book down with a smile. A tapping across the room caught his hearing. Fendier was standing in the doorway, having rapped his hand against the wood to catch his attention.

"They are ready Sparrow." A smile stretching across his face, his excitement was as plain as day. Sparrow clutched at his chest, the idea of speaking to so many people left the pit of his stomach as chaotic as the sea in a storm. Walter gripped his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. They followed the Lord towards the castle's exit.

Passing by a mirror, Sparrow stopped before it. Seeing his own face looking back at him. He removed his hat and coat, making himself look more presentable. The hero rubbed his eyes and looked into them, he could see the eyes of any normal person. But he knew others saw the eyes of a hero, and they would be expecting just that. He took a deep breathe before walking out the doors.

Just outside the steps to the castle was the largest crowd he had ever seen. All the familiar faces of Bowerstone were there.

Beside Sparrow, Walter, Fendier, and Derek all stood, showing their support. As Sparrow stood before the crowd, their eyes all came to him.

"Everyone," he began, giving his voice as much command as possible, having it carry across the large crowd, "you are all wondering why you have been called here. I brought you all here to request something. I'm sure you have all heard of what had happened to my home, to my wife. Even what happened to Oakfield. Maybe you even know of what has been going on all across Albion. The evil that has been responsible for it all is still out there. A demon has his hand over Albion, and I have come to realize that I am not strong enough to defeat him alone. I need the help of you, citizens of Albion, to aid me in this battle. To raise your own strength in defiance to this monster, and fight as one with the other villages in one glorious army." The crowd began murmuring to one another, all being clearly shocked at what they heard.

"People, people," he called out, trying to have them listen, "I was like all of you long ago. I grew up in the streets of Old Town. I grew up as a normal child, oblivious to any notion that I could be a hero. It wasn't until Lucien killed my sister did I realize it. I felt helpless as I watched her die, but once again I feel that now. To realize I can't win. Jack of Blades has returned, and with it, he brings the destruction of Albion. Though the time of heroes has ended, that doesn't mean we are helpless. If we unite, not as heroes, not as separate villages, but as one nation. Then together, we will wipe this scourge from our lands." Sparrow retrieved Avo's Tear from his waist, he held the blade high into the air. "Whose with me? Who will fight for their home? Who will fight for their land? Who will fight for their people?"

The crowd went into an uproar of cheering, Sparrow could see them all, ready to battle for what they believed in. It filled the hero with a sense of pride.

"Now, this is only the beginning. Like any army, we will need the skills of all of you. Blacksmiths for arms, doctors for injures, guards for training, and soldiers for combat. Prepare yourselves, soon the battle will start and you will need to be ready." Sparrow turned to Derek with a smile. "I trust you can run things here while I'm away."

"You can count on me Sparrow," he replied. The hero gave a nod and walked back towards the castle. Hearing the crowd's cheering die down and Derek giving orders to organize what should be done.

"Not the best speech, but I'd say it got through," Beck said, a grin on his face, causing Sparrow to chuckle. As they entered the castle, Fendier approached them, giving the hero a slow clap.

"Excellent Sparrow, well done. I knew if anyone could rally Bowerstone, it would be you."

"Well Fendier, I wish I could stay and help more. But for the moment, rallying is all I can do now. One town will not be enough to stop Jack. There are more places we need to go." Fendier nodded.

"I understand Sparrow, the rest of us will do our best to prepare. Good luck out there."

Sparrow held out his arm and concentrated on his desired destination. The black rift opened before them, the swirling darkness welcoming them. The hero beckoned for Walter to follow, who looked slightly hesitant towards the portal. But he obeyed and followed Sparrow through.

A/N: Well that's chapter 25. Finished, typed, soon to be posted.

Again I debated with myself about the length of this one. I had at first planned on having it at least go on until after their next destination, but I figured this would be a good stopping point.

So yeah, introduced a new character, really just a way of giving Bowerstone some type of leadership. And I'm sure Sparrow's "speech" is crappy as I'm not that well with em. But I tried, so hopefully it's not too bad.

As usual, hope everyone has enjoyed this chapter. Tune in next time...