Yuri
So far Yuri's ride up into Emboldor was calm. He had a grand view of the land around him, finding it hard to believe it would all be his.
The mountains were truly a sight to behold as he passed them. They were white as snow, others as blue as the sky or black as night. The air was crisp and cool and the birds in the sweet-smelling pine trees sang blissful songs.
The Great White Mountains surrounded the plains and there was a lake a mile away to the west that cast reflections so perfectly that it looked like there was a hole in the earth with a blue sky and fluffy clouds. About half an hour later he left the plains and entered the forest. The golden rays of the setting sun beamed in between two large trees on both sides of the dirt road making a tunnel of light. The sun's light turning the leaves emerald green and the trunks of the trees into a shade of dark brownish-red.
Just as Yuri entered the forest he came into trouble. A rock flew out of the trees and whacked Nightwind in the hindquarters. She reared up in shock knocking Yuri off the saddle and crashing into the ground. Ropes flew in from all sorts of directions and tangled around his horse restraining her. Then dirty, smelly men in patchwork leather armor came out of the trees.
They were bandits.
"Oy, that green eye!" one of them shouted, he had a rusty metal helmet over his head. "He's got the eye he has!"
"So you 'im?" said a shirtless bandit with leather pouches all over him. "Yer this Yuri fella everyone's bin talkin' about."
"And what of it?" Yuri said getting up from the ground and brushing the dirt from his hands.
"Someone's fetched a good price fer yer head. And are dose Duel Monster cards? We can make plenty more gold starries sellin' those off."
"Over my dead body?" Yuri said holding activating his Light-forged sword.
"Ho, ho, ho, ho that can be arranged!"
"Dibs on 'is sword!"
"Come off it, ya tosser, I saw it first!"
"Let's get 'im!"
"Looks like Termnnia won't be namin' you High King, boy!"
"MAVELUS!" someone shouted.
And then a swan-like bird with fiery feathers swooped from the sky creating a barrier of fire in front of Yuri and bandits. Yuri heard the clip-clop of hooves behind him. He turned and saw a girl in ornate fiery red robes trimmed with gold riding on top of a light brown mare.
Her hair was almost orange in color and her bangs over her bright green eyes had streaks of neon red highlights. Her legs were covered in polished black metal leg armor and she wore long leather gloves that widened over her forearms making them look rather large.
She wielded an ornate polished ash longbow that was engulfed in flames. She fired arrows at the bandits with precise and rapid shots. One hit one in the forehead and the other in the chest.
"HURRY!" she shouted firing another arrow. Yuri ran for Nightwind and used his dagger to free her. He got on and rode into the forest after the girl. The fiery winged creature, Mavelus, trailed after them flying close to its master. Their horses galloped as fast as they could, an hour later Yuri and the girl pulled the reins, commanding their mounts to stop. It was all quiet again and all Yuri heard were the animals of the forest.
"Well then," said the girl. "Looks like we've lost them...for now."
"Thanks," Yuri said. "I'm..."
"I know who you are," the girl said interrupting Yuri's introduction. "Master Yu-Gi-Oh sent for me to travel with you. And if I were you I suggest you stop introducing yourself with just anyone. There's a bounty on your head 'Your Majesty'. And it's someone other than your cousin."
"But who?" Yuri asked.
"I do not know who posted it or why," said the girl. "But they must have a lot of gold. I saw many posters on noticeboards offering a reward for you. 500,000,000 Star Chips."
"Oh man!" yelled Yuri. "That's a king's ransom in gold alright. Thanks for saving me back there. Who are you?"
"Forgive me," the girl said removing her hood. Her fiery-red hair flowed down to her waist in flame-like waves. The curvy bangs over her eyes were streaked with neon red highlights. "I am Phoenix Lockheart. I am an Apprentice Mage in The Citadel."
"The Citadel? I've heard of that place," said Yuri. "My friend Michael says its where spellcasters practice magic and stuff."
"Yes," said Phoenix. "Uh-oh, hide your horse and come with me."
"Why?" Yuri asked.
"Bandits ahead. You smell their campsite?"
"That's not all I smell," Yuri said covering his nose from the awful stench of urine and vomit and booze mixed with the smog of cigars.
"Follow my lead and we can get the drop on them," Phoenix said holding her bow tightly on her glove-covered left hand.
She opened her right hand and a ball of flames burst over her palm. She crouched down, moving silently through the ferns. Yuri could hear her gear jingling with every extension of her leg. The tip of her armored boots lightly touched the ground making no sound save for when she touched a pebble or two. While it was easier for her to move silently Yuri's task for a stealth approach on the bandits wasn't so easy due to his heavy gear and all the weapons strapped on his body. As he and Phoenix got closer to the campsite, they began to hear voices echoing in the forest.
"Oy! Look wot she 'ad on 'er."
"Ah, she carries them munster cards. These'll fetch a good price at the market."
"Aye, let's go to town after lunch. We'll sell the bitch's cards, and then we can ' ave some fun with ' er."
"O Aye, bin t' long since I 'ad a woman ridin' me cock. I'll be restin' easy t' night."
Phoenix rose and released an arrow.
It sang through the trees and hit the back of one of her targets. The bandit let out a wail of agony as he danced around, his body engulfed in flames.
"Nice shot," Yuri said. He looked up and Phoenix was gone. He saw a red streak dart through the trees and heard another arrow zoom through the air and strike another bandit.
"LOOK OV'A THERE!" cried the bandit leader.
He wore leather armor with metal gauntlets and a large metal kettle-hat helmet.
He was tall and thick and proudly displayed a hairy beer gut. He and his men charged for Yuri. He sprung out of the ground and took out his light-forged sword cutting through the men like butter. After Yuri sliced the intestines out of the bandit leader his followers dropped their weapons and ran away screaming like banshees into the forest.
"Not bad," said Phoenix. "Looks like you really can handle yourself."
"Wait a minute you lured them towards me like that just to see if I can fight."
Phoenix shot him a mischievous smile. She tilted her head to the right, eyes peering rightward. "I had heard you trained in the Legion. I wanted to see if word of their technique is true. Looks like they taught you well."
"A little word of warning next time. The way you talked it seemed like you were going for a stealthy approach."
"Humph," said Phoenix. "Come, I believe a girl over there needs our help."
Yuri followed Phoenix into the camp. There was trash and chewed up ham bones all over the ground. And hanging from her arms by a rope tied to a high branch was the girl the bandits were talking about. But Yuri could not believe his eyes.
It was Aksana.
"What are you doing here?" Yuri said removing his dagger and cutting the rope.
"Oh, you know each other then?" said Phoenix.
"Yes, she's the Aurelian General's daughter."
"Pleasure to meet you, mage," Aksana said rubbing her sore wrists. "I am Aksana."
"I am Phoenix. Are you hurt Aksana?"
"No just chilly. Those bastards took my gear and barely left me with a stitch of clothing."
"So, I see," Yuri said turning around as Aksana stood up from the ground.
"Is this your gear in that trunk?" Phoenix asked.
"Yes, it is. Thank you."
When she was dressed, she told Yuri he could turn around.
"So, what now?" Aksana asked.
"What now?" said Yuri. "You owe me an explanation! What are you doing all the way in Emboldor? Does Gaius know you're here?"
"No. He doesn't," Aksana said collecting her cards on the table.
"Your dad just doesn't let you go anywhere does he?" said Yuri.
"Well, for good reason," said Phoenix. "Had Yuri and I not been in the area, the bandits would've had their way with you."
"And for that I'm grateful," said Aksana. "They smell like latrines that haven't been cleaned in years. Well where are you off to?"
"I'm going north to the ancient ruins of Fort Labelda to meet with King Forrest." said Yuri. "He holds the sister of one of my friends captive."
"Well, it's getting dark." said Aksana. "Let us find a room in Buckletree."
"Eww, that's a forest fishing town," cringed Phoenix, tightly embracing her shoulders. "Head-Mage Icarus told me to steer clear of it. Buckletree is a place for scum like the ones we killed to make merry."
"We can't wander the woods at night," said Yuri.
"So be it," said Phoenix.
"How did you get here?" Yuri asked Aksana.
"You can travel anywhere quickly on the back of a Fortress Whale." said Aksana.
"I see," said Yuri. "Well, why don't we head for Buckletree then? Let's meet up with the guys and make way for the ancient Celtran fort post-haste."
They looted any money they could find from the bandits and searched the camp for any other treasures. Thankfully the bandit leader had a towering black horse in a stable nestled in a cave.
Yuri and the girls could not believe its size. It was ten feet tall and weighed 3000 pounds.
The horse was rudely called Skidmarks by the bandits as the beast was too frightened to do work for them but Aksana renamed it to Gaius after her father.
\He was a gentle giant and grew fond of Aksana quickly, trusting her enough to ride him. Yuri thought it was rather strange seeing Aksana tower above him. Nightwind was a pretty tall creature too but to be dwarfed by such a beast like Gaius was a rather odd sight indeed.
An hour later the metallic blue glow of twilight darkened the forest. But Yuri could see the river next to the path they walked. The beasts and insects of the night began to bellow and chirp in the forest making Yuri shiver. Aksana and Phoenix, however, were like rocks on top of their horses. Phoenix summoned Mavelus again and let it perch on her shoulder so its glowing fiery-like feathers could provide her and her companions with some light.
Yuri saw the wooden walls of the town. There was smoke from the chimneys bellowing from over the walls and tall buildings poked out revealing windows being illuminated from within. The hammer of the blacksmith could be heard pounding on the anvil and there was the sound of laughter and drunken merriment echoing in the night.
The three left their horses in the stable and proceeded into the town. Yuri beheld an awful stench. The ground was muddy and there were puddles of smelly water. The town smelled of urine, muck, and booze. People, poorly dressed and dirty, waddled through town. A band played cheery music as two jesters performed in the square where two men were standing on a scaffolding. The crowd burped and cheered as a man in colorful garments pulled a lever.
The men fell and that's when Yuri finally noticed the ropes around their necks. The sickening crack told him their lives ended.
"QUARTER THEM!" screamed a hag of a woman. The crowd flooded towards the scaffolding, dragging the corpses down. Phoenix noticed villagers moving in, brandishing sharp tools. The man in the colorful garments then noticed the two girls and the young man with the glowing green eye. The man in the colorful garments must have been the mayor of the town. He walked towards them, some people in the mob followed.
"You there!" he pointed. The companions were surrounded by the villagers.
"Oy, Sanders," the mayor said to one of the villagers who was the town baker. "Do you know who this is?"
"Bless my soul. It's Prince Yuri."
The crowd's mood changed from bloodthirsty to friendly in seconds.
"But the bounty. Did you not see the wanted posters?" Yuri asked.
"My dear boy, did you not see those two fools being hanged?" said a villager.
"Aye!" said a woman. "Those two scoundrels were 'ere lookin' fer ya t' claim the bounty."
"Any enemy of Prince Yuri is an enemy to the town," said the mayor. "HAIL EVERYONE! THE ERADICATOR OF ANUBIS IS HERE!"
The villagers cheered and they moved in pushing and shoving to shake Yuri's hand.
"Carl Eardsmoth delighted to meet you, sir."
"Anders McCullen my dear boy. You are welcome in my home."
"Abbie Millbuie m'lord. It is a pleasure."
"I am Mayor Robert the Brown," the mayor said shaking Yuri's hand. "I must say what an honor it is to have Yuri Delgado in our fair town. Ah, and I see he travels with...fine company."
"You're too much," Aksana said with mock flattery.
"Well, Yuri. Why don't you three make yourselves comfortable? We have plenty of food and drink at the brothel down the street."
"Oh, a brothel!" snapped Phoenix with displeasure. "How convenient!"
"It's the best meat and mead in these parts," said Robert. "And I'll have a room available should you and the ladies like some quiet time."
"It's not like that!" pouted Phoenix.
The crowd laughed.
"I don't care if the food is in the pig pen," said Aksana. "I'm starving."
"Yeah, I could go for some food too," said Yuri.
"Oh, if you insist," said Phoenix crossing her arms over her chest in disgust.
The band began to play their music again. As Yuri, Phoenix and Aksana made their way through town. The people danced on the muddy streets. It began to rain but that did not stop the celebration. Wheelbarrows with kegs of beer were rolled into the town square and fresh meat began to roast in spits that were shielded from the downpour by blue and red tarps. Lightning flashed in the sky followed by a clap of thunder as Yuri pulled open the colorful wooden door letting his two companions into the building.
It was nice and warm inside. There was a fire roaring in a musty stone fireplace and what appeared to be a lump of venison being cooked over it. A stout woman wearing white walked up to it and added a touch of pepper to it, then sprinkled herbs for more flavor. Akasana noticed a group of bards was singing merrily in the corner about the coming of the High King. She enjoyed their song and tossed a silver coin into a hat that lay in front of them, eagerly awaiting more tips.
Phoenix coughed and waved her hand over her face when the strong odor of tobacco filled her nose. It overpowered the smell of meat being cooked over the fire and the other delicacies that were getting prepped in the kitchen.
Over the music, loud burps erupted from the booths where weary travelers and traders sat. Women dressed in thin dresses of white silk walked about the floor looking for men (or women) to do business with. Phoenix stayed close to Yuri when she noticed how many men were gazing at her. Some leaned towards one another, whispering. Phoenix's sharp hearing could pick up their horrible words. As they passed by a stinky group of farmers, one of them asked out loud if she was available.
She turned, fingers glowing bright red.
"Ah, ah, ah," said Akasana. "None of that. These people have welcomed us with open arms. It would be unwise to upset them."
"Swamp folk," muttered Phoenix. "Of all the places for us to wind up."
"It's not so bad," said Yuri.
"She's been too pampered in her Citadel Tower for far too long," Aksana said. She pointed to an empty booth with a window facing the swamp. Rain tapped against the glass. A flash of lightning revealed the silhouettes of trees outside and the faint glow of the ferry man's lantern in the port down below. They sat down, Phoenix rushing forward and scooting towards the window.
"Well, of course, I'm used to such luxuries," said Phoenix. "I'm a highborn girl. And at the Citadel, I was treated to a good education, all the food I could eat, a warm bed with silks, and a bath. Something these folk sure don't have the luxury of."
The storm got worse. They could hear the wind blowing through the window. The rainwater practically smashed against the glass. Despite the horrid weather outside, it was very dry and warm in the brothel's tavern. Yuri unfastened his cape, folded it over his lap, and rolled up his sleeves.
"I don't think these people care all that much," said Aksana.
"Because they're used to it," Phoenix grunted. "I am not."
A server approached ready to take their order. Aksana smiled and told her friends that she would take care of the payment so long as she ordered.
"Free food is all right with me," said Yuri.
"So long as I have a glass of clean water, I will be fine," said Phoenix. Poof! A fiery burst erupted over her seat, startling the waiter and the patrons sitting on the other side of the booth. "Ah, Mavelus. "What did you see?"
"Is he a domesticated bird, madame?" the waiter asked nervously.
"Far more domesticated than these filth you call patrons," Phoenix answered pretentiously.
"Don't mind her," said Askana with a hearty laugh. "She's a highborn girl from the flowery fields of Katina. And you know how snobby those lot can be."
Phoenix squeezed her fork. It turned molten red and shriveled up.
Aksana grinned and gave her a wink. "Shall I begin?"
"Of course," said the waiter. "What would the young masters like?"
"First beer," said Aksana. "And to save you the trips, bring forth a keg. And...uh, what do you suggest to go along with the beer?"
"How about cheese?"
"Hmm, I would have preferred it for dessert, but go ahead."
"At your service," said the waiter.
"And I believe I saw a gentleman over there having a bowl of soup with mollusks and other tasty morsels."
"Ah, that's the Flotsom Special, ma'am."
"I'll take it. Then roast lamb with onions, a pot of crayfish, a plate of bacon burnt to a crisp. Hmm, do you have hen?"
"We just got a dozen of them in, ma'am."
"Good. We'll take two of them and douse them in honey and your best herbs." She asked the waiter to hold out his hand. Aksana took out a handful of coins from her purse and gave them to him. "Now, hurry to the kitchen, my good fellow."
The waiter left at once.
"You're seriously going to eat all that?" Phoenix asked, brushing her finger against Mavelus's chest.
"It's for all of us," said Aksana.
"Where on earth did you get the gold for all of that?"
She looked at Yuri, sitting beside her, and winked. "Yuri and I had all sorts of amazing adventures out there in the Sea of Glass. Why, we battled giants, mercenaries, dragons, you name it. Along the way, there was a lot of loot for us to pillage. We all became very rich men and women after our voyage. Weren't we, Yuri."
"Indeed," he agreed.
Phoenix swallowed and said, "I heard about Princess Antoinette. You have my deepest condolences."
Yuri's face creased in sorrow. He looked at the table.
"Smooth move, Phoenix!" grumbled Aksana.
"No, no, it's all right," said Yuri. "I still haven't gotten over it. And the way she..." He buried his face in his hands.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," said Phoenix. "I'll understand. But I've heard about everything else. Your battle up the mountain was just...wow...the stuff of legend. They're going to be singing songs about that for ages and ages."
"He's already a legend," Aksana said, patting him on the shoulder. "Killing Anubis and summoning the Divine Beasts as a baby. And now look at all he's accomplished as a young man. I have a feeling the best is yet to come."
The door to the tavern burst open. A weary sailor was held up by his feet by two men. "Someone get this man a beer!" he shouted.
"What happened?" asked a patron having a smoke by the door.
"That blasted sea monster is what happened. This poor sod was a fool to be crossing the river at a time like this."
"But the river was closed on account of the monster!" said the innkeeper, who came rushing toward the man with a tankard of beer. "What were you doing out there, lad?"
"I was bringing in a shipment of yarn, spices, and wood from Berrynook. The lord of the town cares not about the monster nor our safety. He wants his gold."
"We can't trade," said the innkeeper. "Why can't he understand that."
"You heard him, lass," said a farmer. "The Lord of Berrynook is not a patient man. He'll risk the lives of his people to get what he wants. And what he wants is our meats and our cheese."
"Aye," said the sailor. "He's having a party for his son in the morrow. He wants his food now."
"But he can't," said the innkeeper. "Mayor Brown will not allow trade so long as that monster is lurking around in the swamp."
"We can't go on like this," the mayor said entering the inn. "It's gone on long enough. I have to hire some monster hunters to get rid of the beast."
"But they'll rob us blind," said the innkeeper. "They pay way too much."
"Unless..." The mayor rubbed his chin and looked at the booth where Yuri and his friends sat.
"Uh oh," said Phoenix.
"Friends," the mayor said approaching them. "It is quite fortunate they you came into our town. A horrible monster arrived about a month ago and began attacking our trading ships. It made its home in the river. The river of all places. It's our only way to sell and buy goods from other settlements. That monster has scared away our best partners. And as you heard, the brute over in Berrynook is sending his people down here on a suicide mission to get what he wants. This poor man one of the few survivors we find every now and then. His crew of ten men. Gone."
"And you want us to deal with this monster?" said Aksana.
"We can pay."
"We have plenty of money," she replied. "Yuri. You're our leader. Why don't you decide what we should do?"
Yuri pondered this for a moment. He didn't like the idea of fighting another monster. And a big one at that if it could take down trading ships with ease. But then again, these people were in need of some help and there was a fool out there with no regard for human life. He was definitely going to report this to High Chancellor Pegasus when he got back.
"We'll take the job," he said. After all, what was a bog monster compared to the demons he fought in the Pillar of Termnnia. "That monster is as good as dead. Free of charge."
"HOORAY!" cheered the patrons.
"This is a day of independence!" cried the mayor. "Music! Beer! Rejoice, everyone. ALL HAIL PRINCE YURI!"
"HAIL!"