I really like the way this chapter turned out. I really don't show a lot of the other characters in my stories, so this chapter is dedicated to all my other favorite characters!
Word of the Day: Mollify - to soften in feeling or temper, as a person; pacify; appease.
It had been a quiet day; the sun had risen and fallen quickly. The lands of Shin Makoku were shrouded in darkness as the sky and land melted into each other. The anger that may have been held that day had been mollified. The villagers returned to their little houses and the merchants closed their shops.
Somewhere in Big Shimaron, Lanzhil was setting his curly strand of hair into curlers for the night, his eyes glowing with self confidence.
A few miles away from Blood Pledge Castle, Murata and Shinou smiled secretly at each other as their hands clasped each other's. They shared a knowing look before both of them retired to Murata's room for the night.
The castle guards closed the gates, yawning widely as they shared a smile with each other. The next shift met them on their way back to their rooms, clasping each other's backs in salute. The heavy, iron gate that guarded Blood Pledge Castle met the gray stone of the walls that surrounded it, almost as if they were holding each other in a tight embrace.
Sangria, Doria, and Lasagna each nursed a cup of warm apple cider, gossiping to each other as they always did.
Gunter and Gwendal locked the office door as the succumbed to the pent up passion that they had been holding in their guts all day. Conrad and Yozak met once more in an empty barrack, their lips locking as if they would never let go. Greta and Devi curled up next to each other, tiny little smiles gracing their faces as peaceful dreams filled their sleeping minds, and their hands were clasped in front of them. Celi gazed at the paintings of her sons that hung in her room with a peaceful smile, her hand fingering the rings that each of her dear husbands had given her.
Somewhere outside, Dakaskos gave Ao an apple and brushed at his mane, cooing to the black horse passionately.
And somewhere within the library of Blood Pledge Castle, the king and his consort lay together on the couch, sharing a book as they curled into each other, their eyes drooping and the book falling to the floor as they slipped into a deep sleep, the fire burning in the large fireplace keeping them warm.
It had been a quiet day, indeed.