Chapter 2 (Kingdom of Serdio)
The Dragoons walked under the moonlight after witnessing the disturbing event a short while earlier. They traveled a remote path towards Bale, the capital of Serdio in the search of Albert and Kongal.
"Look out, Shana!" Dart shouted in warning.
A group of monsters were heading in their direction and gaining ground fast. The group took cover in the bushes and waited for them to pass, not wanting to lose time. As the monsters passed, one of them noticed Sniper's foot sticking out of the bush he was hiding behind. It stayed behind, leaving the others and searched the area where it had seen what disturbed it. As it drew nearer, Sniper leaped out of his hiding spot and drove his blade into the monster's body with ease, then leapt back into his spot as the monster made a soft gurgle before it disappeared.
When the pack had left sight, the Dragoons continued their traveling.
"You are quick and quiet!" Shana exclaimed at the victor.
"I try to be covert, so that I am not noticed by the others." Sniper replied in embarrassment.
"Not like Meru." Haschel stated.
"What!?" She roared and nearly pounded him over the head with her hammer.
Dart separated the two at war and followed the path, hoping he will make it to Bale in decent time.
The sun hung high on the horizon as the group reached the great city early the next morning. They were greeted with kindness as they made their way to the castle.
"I'm tired." Meru whined.
"Then stay at the Inn." Haschel suggested. "We need to get some items too."
"I'll go with you." Ice offered and the two were off.
"Sniper and I will stay with Meru. Someone has to keep her out of trouble." Shana said with a smile.
"Good, then I will get Albert and Kongal." Dart stated.
With that he headed up the stairs in search of Albert. He noticed that the country was prospering from the beautiful paintings and statue in the main hall. He reached the main chamber and found the guard.
"Is the king in?" Dart asked.
"Yes, Sir Dart. He is in his royal chambers." The knight replied.
"Thank you."
He walked over the outdoor walkway to Albert's room and inhaled sweet scents from below. The cooks must have been hard at work in the kitchen. He opened the great door and found Albert sitting, facing the wall reading a letter.
"...We are prepared to take down you and your kingdom...such things do not concern me when Dart comes to my door."
"How did you know it was me?"
"You didn't knock."
Dart scratched his head in embarrassment and walked further into the small room.
"How is Shana?"
"Fine."
"Is she here with you?"
"She is, Haschel and Meru too."
"Great! Have you noticed something familiar in this room?"
"That painting! I was there when it was made. A good picture of Lavitz, worthy of royalty's walls."
"Agreed. Now, what is that I can do for you, old friend?"
"He is back." Dart said with emphasis on the "he" and in a cold tone.
"Really? Well, the problems of Serdio will have to fall into my advisor's hands."
"So, you will join us?"
"Of course! I will stand with you until death strikes me low."
"Good, shall we?" Dart asked and gestured Albert toward the door.
Both left the castle and Albert was in high spirits.
"I finally get to leave Bale!"
"But what about Princess Emile?"
"She comes here..." Albert answered in a hushed tone, cheeks turning crimson.
They met Haschel and Ice on their way to the Inn.
"We have all that we need until the next town." Ice explained.
He bowed to the king in respect.
"Nonsense, boy! I am now a warrior, like you!" He let a glimpse of his Dragoon Spirit show. "Now, don't I know you?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Stop that!"
"Sorry. I came to you for the armor design of your men so I could make my own."
The king looked the well-made armor over.
"God likeness, with a variation on the design. Good material too." He observed as he tapped the chest plate with his fist.
"Let's get the others. By the way, where is Kongal?" Dart asked.
"He is on an errand in Hoax. We should get him there." Albert said.
They met up with the rest at the Inn and talked for hours. Later, they heard screams outside in the street and they raced to find the cause. Five warriors stood, swords drawn in the street, calling for the king.
"What do you wand here!" Albert wailed.
"You, only you. Because of you, our leader is in Helena!"
Albert gracefully gestured his guards to halt their attack and he grinned.
"Ah, yes. Nelfes, the infamous thief of the Volcano Villude. Do not worry, your leader is in no immediate danger. I personally oversee all that goes on in that prison. It feels good to have a lance in my hand again."
"We will crush you!"
"Really? Show me."
Two from the front rushed and Albert countered.
"Rod Typhoon!" He shouted as he spun and defeated the first wave of the attack.
The next two lurched forward cautiously, swords poised to strike.
"Gust of Wind Dance!" He continued, defeating the other two.
"Damn you, bastard!" The last shouted and lunged toward the relaxed king.
"Harpoon!" He finished and pulled the lance from the fallen.
"I detest fools who run their mouths." Albert stated and returned to the others.
"Well done, your m..." Sniper said as Ice clenched his hand over his mouth.
"Thank you. You name?"
"Its Sniper...Albert" He answered in a confused tone, feeling odd addressing his king personally.
"Now, we head for Hoax?"
"Oh, yeah!" Meru yelled in triumph.
On the way, they met Knighthoods 6 and 8, returning to Bale after inspection of the fort in the forest between Bale and the smaller Hoax.
"The 8th Knighthood requesting the pleasure of accompying the king to his destination." The First Night asked in salute to Albert. "Oh, you have guards. A new Knighthood?" He asked, eying Ices armor.
"No, First Night. He is wearing the insignia of Basil, but he and the rest are all my dear friends." Albert replied.
"Oh, Sir Dart, Miss Shana, Sir Haschel, and Miss Meru! But I regretfully announce that I know not of the others."
"Sniper and Ice." Dart said.
"Oh, Sir Sniper and Sir Ice! My men are glad to have met you!"
"Your offer is greatly appreciated, but your men are tired and need their rest. I wish you a good time back at the castle." Albert said.
"Thank you, Sir!" Both First Nights and nearly half of the mob gratefully answered.
The men nodded in respect as they passed and the Dragoons were again off to the fort of Hoax.
As they reached the destination, it was night and Hoax's torches were burning brightly in full view. They were granted passage into the fort and entered the conference room where Kongal was in a meeting.
"We at good ties with Sacred Sister Miranda, but not send men to aid her in cleanup. We too busy cleaning our country." Kongal decided.
"But, won't they frown on our actions?" An advisor asked.
"No. We tell our situation and they'll understand."
Dart stared in amazement as the great Gigantos wore the same clothes that he had always wore. The meeting ended and Kongal greeted Albert and the others.
"Friends...It has been long time. Me glad to se you."
"Me too!" Shana speculated. "I will make you a grand dinner for you and the men posted here! I have done it before."
"Men will be happy. I tell them later."
"You, the king of Serdio's right hand man and you still wear such clothing?" Dart teased.
"All else wear out and not fit right."
"I allow him to wear what he desires because he makes a good ambassador with such an aura. He never even leaves his axe!" Albert explained.
"Rose said, I feel naked without sword. I feel same way." Kongal said, picking up his great weapon.
"It certainly goes with your outfit!" Meru said and they all laughed, except Kongal.
"Me needed?" He asked.
"Yes, friend. Melbu Frahma still lives." Albert said.
"Big Wingly, last fight. He will be tough kill."
"Not with Sniper and Ice's help." Dart said, pointing to the boys.
The great Gigantos rumbled with approval and went out on the balcony. Dart and Shana followed him and gazed at the stars.
"Will you join us?" Shana asked.
"Friends...fight for life."
"Good! It will be fun with us together again!"
"You want cook? Talk to chef in kitchen, down stairs."
"Be ready for your best meal!" She said as she hopped down the stairs.
"You happy?"
"Quite. Seles has gotten larger than when you went there last."
"Shana happy?"
"I hope so."
"Still baby sister?"
"She is much more to me than that, she always has been."
"Good. Life friend is important. Will you stay night?"
"I believe we shall. I will watch guard tonight."
"Monsters, getting tougher."
"Hopefully so will we."
With that said, Dart walked to the outer wall and joined the watchmen there. Kongal stood, deep in thought on the balcony and never moved.
Shana leaped for joy when the men told her what a wonderful dish she had made. They took their trays and went back to their posts with grins. The Dragoons sat and ate in discussion that was only broken by Haschel making a crack about the food needing salt.
After the delightful meal, they were off to bed. Shana refused to sleep when Dart was on watch, so she joined him. Within minutes, she had fallen asleep in Dart's lap and he grinned. He stroked her hair affectionately and wondered how he could have left her on the foolish journey that he had taken and left Seles.
He remembered how shocking it was to find that Rose was the dreaded Black Monster, forced on a fretful quest to stop Endines' destruction. He missed her and his father as he remembered that he stood watch with Lavitz here only two years before. He missed all of them and wondered if their deaths were worth sacrificing to complete their goal. Could there have been another way?
The thought of Rose speaking to him from the dead was jolting his brain. Could she still live as a spirit like Shirley? Hadn't her spirit been laid to rest? How could she know about Melbu Frahma still on this world? What about Lloyd? He believed that he was killed long ago, but wondered if he might still be clinging to life somewhere, regaining his strength. He had met the thief who protected Shirley's shrine earlier who said that he ran from a Wingly...with a flaming sword.
He cleared his mind from the thoughts that disturbed him and leaned back against the wall, listening to the hooting of the owls in the nearby forest.
(Ok, short chapter but I had to leave it at that...)
(I have reviews! PEOPLE LOVE ME! not really...^_^")
The Dragoons walked under the moonlight after witnessing the disturbing event a short while earlier. They traveled a remote path towards Bale, the capital of Serdio in the search of Albert and Kongal.
"Look out, Shana!" Dart shouted in warning.
A group of monsters were heading in their direction and gaining ground fast. The group took cover in the bushes and waited for them to pass, not wanting to lose time. As the monsters passed, one of them noticed Sniper's foot sticking out of the bush he was hiding behind. It stayed behind, leaving the others and searched the area where it had seen what disturbed it. As it drew nearer, Sniper leaped out of his hiding spot and drove his blade into the monster's body with ease, then leapt back into his spot as the monster made a soft gurgle before it disappeared.
When the pack had left sight, the Dragoons continued their traveling.
"You are quick and quiet!" Shana exclaimed at the victor.
"I try to be covert, so that I am not noticed by the others." Sniper replied in embarrassment.
"Not like Meru." Haschel stated.
"What!?" She roared and nearly pounded him over the head with her hammer.
Dart separated the two at war and followed the path, hoping he will make it to Bale in decent time.
The sun hung high on the horizon as the group reached the great city early the next morning. They were greeted with kindness as they made their way to the castle.
"I'm tired." Meru whined.
"Then stay at the Inn." Haschel suggested. "We need to get some items too."
"I'll go with you." Ice offered and the two were off.
"Sniper and I will stay with Meru. Someone has to keep her out of trouble." Shana said with a smile.
"Good, then I will get Albert and Kongal." Dart stated.
With that he headed up the stairs in search of Albert. He noticed that the country was prospering from the beautiful paintings and statue in the main hall. He reached the main chamber and found the guard.
"Is the king in?" Dart asked.
"Yes, Sir Dart. He is in his royal chambers." The knight replied.
"Thank you."
He walked over the outdoor walkway to Albert's room and inhaled sweet scents from below. The cooks must have been hard at work in the kitchen. He opened the great door and found Albert sitting, facing the wall reading a letter.
"...We are prepared to take down you and your kingdom...such things do not concern me when Dart comes to my door."
"How did you know it was me?"
"You didn't knock."
Dart scratched his head in embarrassment and walked further into the small room.
"How is Shana?"
"Fine."
"Is she here with you?"
"She is, Haschel and Meru too."
"Great! Have you noticed something familiar in this room?"
"That painting! I was there when it was made. A good picture of Lavitz, worthy of royalty's walls."
"Agreed. Now, what is that I can do for you, old friend?"
"He is back." Dart said with emphasis on the "he" and in a cold tone.
"Really? Well, the problems of Serdio will have to fall into my advisor's hands."
"So, you will join us?"
"Of course! I will stand with you until death strikes me low."
"Good, shall we?" Dart asked and gestured Albert toward the door.
Both left the castle and Albert was in high spirits.
"I finally get to leave Bale!"
"But what about Princess Emile?"
"She comes here..." Albert answered in a hushed tone, cheeks turning crimson.
They met Haschel and Ice on their way to the Inn.
"We have all that we need until the next town." Ice explained.
He bowed to the king in respect.
"Nonsense, boy! I am now a warrior, like you!" He let a glimpse of his Dragoon Spirit show. "Now, don't I know you?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Stop that!"
"Sorry. I came to you for the armor design of your men so I could make my own."
The king looked the well-made armor over.
"God likeness, with a variation on the design. Good material too." He observed as he tapped the chest plate with his fist.
"Let's get the others. By the way, where is Kongal?" Dart asked.
"He is on an errand in Hoax. We should get him there." Albert said.
They met up with the rest at the Inn and talked for hours. Later, they heard screams outside in the street and they raced to find the cause. Five warriors stood, swords drawn in the street, calling for the king.
"What do you wand here!" Albert wailed.
"You, only you. Because of you, our leader is in Helena!"
Albert gracefully gestured his guards to halt their attack and he grinned.
"Ah, yes. Nelfes, the infamous thief of the Volcano Villude. Do not worry, your leader is in no immediate danger. I personally oversee all that goes on in that prison. It feels good to have a lance in my hand again."
"We will crush you!"
"Really? Show me."
Two from the front rushed and Albert countered.
"Rod Typhoon!" He shouted as he spun and defeated the first wave of the attack.
The next two lurched forward cautiously, swords poised to strike.
"Gust of Wind Dance!" He continued, defeating the other two.
"Damn you, bastard!" The last shouted and lunged toward the relaxed king.
"Harpoon!" He finished and pulled the lance from the fallen.
"I detest fools who run their mouths." Albert stated and returned to the others.
"Well done, your m..." Sniper said as Ice clenched his hand over his mouth.
"Thank you. You name?"
"Its Sniper...Albert" He answered in a confused tone, feeling odd addressing his king personally.
"Now, we head for Hoax?"
"Oh, yeah!" Meru yelled in triumph.
On the way, they met Knighthoods 6 and 8, returning to Bale after inspection of the fort in the forest between Bale and the smaller Hoax.
"The 8th Knighthood requesting the pleasure of accompying the king to his destination." The First Night asked in salute to Albert. "Oh, you have guards. A new Knighthood?" He asked, eying Ices armor.
"No, First Night. He is wearing the insignia of Basil, but he and the rest are all my dear friends." Albert replied.
"Oh, Sir Dart, Miss Shana, Sir Haschel, and Miss Meru! But I regretfully announce that I know not of the others."
"Sniper and Ice." Dart said.
"Oh, Sir Sniper and Sir Ice! My men are glad to have met you!"
"Your offer is greatly appreciated, but your men are tired and need their rest. I wish you a good time back at the castle." Albert said.
"Thank you, Sir!" Both First Nights and nearly half of the mob gratefully answered.
The men nodded in respect as they passed and the Dragoons were again off to the fort of Hoax.
As they reached the destination, it was night and Hoax's torches were burning brightly in full view. They were granted passage into the fort and entered the conference room where Kongal was in a meeting.
"We at good ties with Sacred Sister Miranda, but not send men to aid her in cleanup. We too busy cleaning our country." Kongal decided.
"But, won't they frown on our actions?" An advisor asked.
"No. We tell our situation and they'll understand."
Dart stared in amazement as the great Gigantos wore the same clothes that he had always wore. The meeting ended and Kongal greeted Albert and the others.
"Friends...It has been long time. Me glad to se you."
"Me too!" Shana speculated. "I will make you a grand dinner for you and the men posted here! I have done it before."
"Men will be happy. I tell them later."
"You, the king of Serdio's right hand man and you still wear such clothing?" Dart teased.
"All else wear out and not fit right."
"I allow him to wear what he desires because he makes a good ambassador with such an aura. He never even leaves his axe!" Albert explained.
"Rose said, I feel naked without sword. I feel same way." Kongal said, picking up his great weapon.
"It certainly goes with your outfit!" Meru said and they all laughed, except Kongal.
"Me needed?" He asked.
"Yes, friend. Melbu Frahma still lives." Albert said.
"Big Wingly, last fight. He will be tough kill."
"Not with Sniper and Ice's help." Dart said, pointing to the boys.
The great Gigantos rumbled with approval and went out on the balcony. Dart and Shana followed him and gazed at the stars.
"Will you join us?" Shana asked.
"Friends...fight for life."
"Good! It will be fun with us together again!"
"You want cook? Talk to chef in kitchen, down stairs."
"Be ready for your best meal!" She said as she hopped down the stairs.
"You happy?"
"Quite. Seles has gotten larger than when you went there last."
"Shana happy?"
"I hope so."
"Still baby sister?"
"She is much more to me than that, she always has been."
"Good. Life friend is important. Will you stay night?"
"I believe we shall. I will watch guard tonight."
"Monsters, getting tougher."
"Hopefully so will we."
With that said, Dart walked to the outer wall and joined the watchmen there. Kongal stood, deep in thought on the balcony and never moved.
Shana leaped for joy when the men told her what a wonderful dish she had made. They took their trays and went back to their posts with grins. The Dragoons sat and ate in discussion that was only broken by Haschel making a crack about the food needing salt.
After the delightful meal, they were off to bed. Shana refused to sleep when Dart was on watch, so she joined him. Within minutes, she had fallen asleep in Dart's lap and he grinned. He stroked her hair affectionately and wondered how he could have left her on the foolish journey that he had taken and left Seles.
He remembered how shocking it was to find that Rose was the dreaded Black Monster, forced on a fretful quest to stop Endines' destruction. He missed her and his father as he remembered that he stood watch with Lavitz here only two years before. He missed all of them and wondered if their deaths were worth sacrificing to complete their goal. Could there have been another way?
The thought of Rose speaking to him from the dead was jolting his brain. Could she still live as a spirit like Shirley? Hadn't her spirit been laid to rest? How could she know about Melbu Frahma still on this world? What about Lloyd? He believed that he was killed long ago, but wondered if he might still be clinging to life somewhere, regaining his strength. He had met the thief who protected Shirley's shrine earlier who said that he ran from a Wingly...with a flaming sword.
He cleared his mind from the thoughts that disturbed him and leaned back against the wall, listening to the hooting of the owls in the nearby forest.
(Ok, short chapter but I had to leave it at that...)
(I have reviews! PEOPLE LOVE ME! not really...^_^")