Hetalia – Of Magic and Might

Chapter 27 and I don't have much to say so I'll pass you this next chapter

Enjoy!


Whale-Tail Island, The small quaint town known as 'Tinker's Town', Upon the main road into the centre of the town.

Arthur Kirkland along with rebels Matthew Jones, Jonny Boulder and Dominic Shard, walked along the grey stone road into the heart of the town. Tinker's town had been built as an establishment for talented craftsmen and artistes to start and uphold successful businesses. The town was built a few miles between the Airship Crossing and the grand manor owned by Lord Antonio. The Forrest that Arthur and company had stayed in surrounded Tinker's town, though over the years the town's folk had extended and cleared away the pine trees to make move for fertile crop fields. The town's buildings were low and constructed of grey cut stone and muted red brick. Flower pots hung below windows and bumble bees pleasantly buzzed and conducted their daily lives. Tinker's town was described as humble and warm with its soft delicate charm.

As Arthur's boot hit the smooth stone pavement rhythmically, he noticed the patrolling Empire soldiers as they stood armed with large black batons, steel great swords and a double barrelled hunting rifles. They wore minimal armour, sporting only a thin metal breast plate and iron gauntlets. Arthur wondered if the reason for their lack of full body armour was due to the Isle they had been assigned to was considered a 'low grade' Isle by the Empire.

"We'll go into the market first" Matthew said, his voice bright but his eyes suspicious as they followed passing soldiers. Arthur shrugged and slowed his walking speed so it matched Jonny's, simultaneously his friend Dominic speeding up to match Matthew's. The thought that Dominic didn't like him briefly crossed Arthur's mind before Jonny's deep voice jarred him back to the present.

"So Arthur, how was life back in the Capital? Met that special someone yet?" Jonny teased, bumping his large shoulder against Arthur, nearly sending him flying into a herd of passing nuns. The girls giggling at Arthur's blushing face as they scrambled to get out the way. Jonny bellowed his heartening laugh as Arthur rightened himself beside Jonny before answering.

"No, no I haven't" Arthur grumbled, Jonny threw him a look of shock and disbelief.

"What? Handsome lad like you? Now that's not true! I don't think you realise how many admirers you have boy" Jonny remarked kindly, Arthur's ear turning red as he shook his head modestly.

"Ha, well what about you? Do you have your other half?" Arthur inquired to Jonny whose eyes crinkled with joy.

"Aye my wife. She's a fierce woman, so full of spirit like a wild mare. She wouldn't let me get away with nothin'," Jonny fondly remarked "She's expecting, you know. A healthy kicking boy her midwife thinks.

Arthur grazed upon Jonny's proud face, the twinkling light in his eyes flashing with emotion. Pure unconditional happiness for this once stranger whelmed up inside Arthur and escaped in the form of laughter, Arthur offered his congratulations earnestly.

As Arthur and company neared the market square, loud festive music could be heard streaming from the centre. A grand band stand stood central of the packed square, the crowd consisting of lively town folk hopping from stall to stall merrily.

"Must be their last harvest" Arthur heard Matthew mutter as he watched a jester avidly entertain a crowd of spellbound ankle biters. Beautiful dancing girls with musical bells around their ankles and waists swayed in harmony with the upbeat jig being performed by an enthusiastic fiddler. Around the bandstand white clothed tables had been set out, with bountiful amounts of fresh produce ranging from orange pumpkins to white turnips that had been carefully displayed. The musicians sang thanks to the gods for the plentiful harvest and prayed for a short winter for the rest of the year.

Arthur found himself wanting to throw himself into the festival, start dancing and never stop. He nearly did if it wasn't for the high pitched sounds of distress in front of him. Arthur and Matthew turned to see five Empire soldiers marching out of a bakery, a young boy no more then fifteen was being roughly dragged out with them. A middle aged sobbing women ran out after them, her cries a jagged shard amongst the cheerful sounds of the festival.

"No! Please! Not my son! Not my son, he's just a boy. He's just a boy!" She continued to heartbreakingly weep. Around the commotion passerby had stopped, watching fearfully and silently not daring to stand up to the intimidating soldiers.

"Their recruitment program. The boy must not of enlisted" Jonny murmured grimly to Arthur, who watched on with clenched fists and gritted teeth. The poor woman continued sob pitifully, until a solider stepped towards her and brutally backhanded her. The slap forced her head sideways with unrestrained strength, the pain and shock knocking her to the dirty ground where she clutched her face howling. Arthur had had enough. He stepped forward but was halted as he felt a vice-like grip encircled his arm. Looking back he saw it was Matthew, his face still like stone and yet his eyes burned with rage.

"Why?," Arthur hissed between his teeth at his friend. "We could stop this". Matthew shook his head and began to easily pull Arthur away by his single arm, Arthur attempted to struggle but to no avail. Jonny and Dominic solemnly followed, giving the soldiers the evil eye as they did. After Matthew had pulled Arthur a good distance away he released Arthur as they ducked behind a corner. Arthur's ears burnt in embarrassment at being so easily dragged away as Matthew finally spoke, his voice careful and controlled.

"We couldn't of done anything. Not here, not now" Matthew explained to the unbelieving Arthur, his thick eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"Couldn't of done anything? We could of taken the soldiers if that was you implying" Arthur argued angrily, Matthew shook his head slowly and with regret.

"This isn't about whether or not we could of taken them, Arthur. If we had engaged with the soldiers, caused a ruckus, then it would be the town that would suffer. Our short term hero work would be viewed as rebel activity. The Empire would send more soldiers to investigate and they would strictly 'discipline' the town. It would not only hurt this town, it'd draw unwanted attention to this Isle as whole" Matthew finished, his logic sound and impenetrable. Arthur's head lowered, his blonde bangs hid his eyes from view and , his shoulders and body language was tense and rigid.

"I've seen enough. I would like to go back now" Arthur said in a low voice that sounded forcefully formal and strained for control. Matthew shared a look with Jonny and Dominic, not sure whether to be relieved or worried about Arthur. Matthew nodded and lead the charge out of town. The cries of the wounded mother followied the men as they walked further away, her screams echoing in their ears long after they were out of earshot.


Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you are enjoying this story and would like to see it continue then please take the time to leave a review to tell me your opinions, questions and predictions. Once again thank you for reading!

Until next time folks!