Chapter Two
Burmecia; Fratley's House; Mid-Afternoon
Freya woke very slowly. Her mind slipped in and out of consciousness, clearly not deciding what to do. Each time she woke Freya felt groggy and her head felt heavy. Each time her senses failed to cooperate Freya felt rather glad she could retreat to unconsciousness.
Finally, however, Freya's senses operated. Slowly Freya became aware of her surroundings. Softly she groaned, eyelids flickering.
"She's awakening," Fratley said in a soft voice.
Fratley's voice sounded distant at first, but by the end of his speaking it was clearer. As Freya slowly opened her eyes she heard someone walk towards her. Soon, she saw Fratley.
"Are you all right?" Fratley asked gently. Despite Freya's blurry vision, Freya could see the worry in his deep blue eyes.
Freya took a deep breath, then sighed. It was almost automatic, a test to see if she was breathing properly. The deep breath came easily, and left just as smoothly; it inferred no broken ribs or damaged lungs. Freya allowed soft breathing to begin as she tried to focus on Fratley.
"I'm fine," Freya muttered in a quiet whisper.
Fratley nodded slightly and looked away. "Rose, where are you?"
Freya heard more footsteps coming from above. It sounded like someone was descending a staircase. The footsteps soon became on the same level, and the person walked toward Freya.
"I'm sorry, Fratley, I was upstairs. Don't make an old lady try to strain her ears!"
"You're not old, Rose," Fratley pointed out.
"Yes I am," Rose said.
Rose approached Freya and soon appeared in Freya's line of site. Freya could not distinguish the color of her eyes, nor could she see any signs of old age on the female's face or hair.
"He's right. You're not old," Freya said, her voice stronger.
"You're eyesight's going, honey. Look." Rose lifted up some of her hair, which was beginning to look blonde as Freya's eyesight improved.
Freya lifted her heavy head slightly to get a closer look. She squinted and soon could distinguish a different color than blonde mixing in Roe's hair. A silvery color was mixing into the blonde hair.
"I must be old too, then," Freya said wryly.
Rose laughed. "Ya were born with silver hair, honey. Sure shocked the 'ell out of a lot of people too..."
"If you don't mind, I must go consult Puck," Fratley cut in.
"Go ahead," Freya said. She shifted slightly, trying to get into a sitting position, but her body refused to cooperate. "Damn it."
Fratley leaned over and helped Freya. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek in the process.
"Be back soon," Fratley said. He then walked straight through a broken window near the bed.
Rose rolled her eyes. "That's not a door!"
Fratley walked slowly through the paved, chipped streets of Burmecia. He, like all the others, did not notice the cold rain streaking from the endless armada of clouds in the sky. He had one thing on his mind: Freya. The events of earlier had disturbed him. He didn't want it to happen again at all. If Puck had an idea, then he would trust the king, no matter how young he was.
Fratley entered a building that led to the castle gate. He only glanced and nodded at the workers trying to rebuild the building. He swiftly passed through the chipped wooden doors and to the main gate. The damage here was more noticeable, the stone much more ancient. Fratley stepped through the small cubby way and began to walk up the long flight of stairs to the Castle Grounds.
A sneer stopped him.
"Well, it's the ass, stepping through for the first time."
Fratley's blood turned to ice. He whipped his head in the direction of the voice. Standing nearby was a male Burmecian who looked to be in his early 40's. He stared at Fratley coldly, just hiding a smirk.
"How did you manage to find your way here? Oh, wait, I forgot; you never know where you're going. I'm so sorry," the Burmecian snarled.
"Raven, grow up. You're 41, not six," Fratley snarled angrily, trying to keep moving.
Raven's eyes turned colder. "Did you prefer this?"
Raven rushed forward, fist raised. Fratley had expected this, however, and dodged. He did not fight back, though; he knew better.
"Get lost, Raven." Fratley tried to continue his progress.
Raven seemed to be getting aggravated. He followed Fratley, trying to suddenly attack him. Fratley dodged easily and didn't fight back. After a few minutes though, Raven smirked.
"So Freya could beaten, eh? She's a Dragon Warrior and can't even take care of herself? She didn't deserve to be a Dragon Warrior since she's such a weak bitch, and she deserved the beating..." Raven rattled.
"SHUT UP!" Fratley bellowed. "Leave Freya out of this aggravation!"
"Gee, no self-control, eh, Fratley? It's too bad. Not only is strength of the body expected when you're a Dragon Warrior, but strength of the mind too. You have the strength, but no mind. Of course, Freya has neither and that's obvious..."
"Shut up!" Fratley growled, fists clenched.
"Is that violence against another Burmecian I see, Fratley? No wonder you and Freya like each other so much; you both have no common sense and are nothing more than a bunch of shitty-"
Raven never finished. Fratley plowed his fist into the Burmecian's jaw, knocking him to the ground. He then raced up the stairs before Raven could react.
"Do better anger management."
Fratley cursed under his breath; Dimbo Two had arrived.
A Burmecian around his late forties entered. He stared at Fratley sternly.
"This is not the time to be screaming and attacking. Control your anger better or-"
"Shut your trap, Ebon, I don't care. Tell Raven to quit bad-mouthing Freya and maybe you'd see a little less 'anger problem,'" Fratley growled.
"Raven is correct. Freya has no strength in anything. She weak in the body as the beating showed, and has no intelligence since she-"
"SHUT UP, Ebon! You don't hate any women, you ass! Lay off!" Fratley roared.
Fratley stomped off, ignoring Ebon. He had never liked the male. He soon saw Puck near the path leading to the castle. He ran over.
"Get me out of here," Fratley muttered.
Puck nodded. "Don't blame you. I tried to get them to move, but they both said that 'I am too young to have permission to rule them as of yet.' Great dummies, I'm king."
Puck and Fratley walked up to the castle. They entered quickly and sat down in a quiet room.
"Freya's awake?" Puck asked.
"Yes," Fratley answered.
"How is she?"
"She seems a little out of it, but I think she'll be all right."
"Did she say anything?"
"No. She didn't even mention anything. I think..." Fratley took a deep breath. "I think she's trying to ignore the whole thing."
"I don't blame her. Do you think I could see her now?"
"I don't see anything wrong with it. Rose probably got her something to eat or drink..."
"Probably. She's a nice person."
"If nuts."
"Well, yeah, but everyone's like that. Now let's go."
Fratley and Puck rose quickly and left the castle. As they approached the Castle Gate, they were relieved to see Ebon and Raven had left.
"Those two are like two peas in a pod," Fratley said, sighing. "They thrive together. Raven hates Freya, Ebon hates Freya-"
"And every single woman out there," Puck muttered. "Which is absolutely stupid..."
"... hates me, Ebon hates me, heck, they hate and love the same things! Though they mostly hate, they both love to fight..." Fratley said thoughtfully as he and Puck descended the stairs.
"Raven loves to sneak up on people, and Ebon loves strategic fights." Puck glanced up at Fratley. "Sound like something?"
"All too much. Ebon plans attack, Raven does it," Fratley said.
"No no, I'm going further. About today. The beating?" Puck said.
Fratley gave Puck a confused look. Puck sighed with annoyance.
"I'm saying that Ebon may have planned the beating! Perhaps Raven knew someone..." Puck said.
"Raven would've done it himself," Fratley immediately said.
"No, he'd be killed. So he hired someone," Puck pointed out.
Fratley sighed, but said nothing. Puck's proposition seemed all too true, and he didn't want to think that Burmecians might have planned the attack, no matter how stupid the two suspects were. Puck, noticing Fratley's displeasure, dropped the subject. They walked to Fratley's house in silence.
"'Ello!" Rose said as Fratley and Puck entered through the broken window. "That was not broken for ya to use as a doorway!"
"Oh, hush, mamá, you silly fool," Fratley said.
"When we get that window fixed, what are ya going to do?" Rose asked.
"Tear down the window and put in a door!" Aireff declared as he entered the house through the broken window.
"Not while I'm living 'ere!" Rose said.
"Anyway, while they argue, Freya, I'm here to ask some questions," Puck said, sliding over to Freya.
Freya looked up at Puck. "Go ahead." Her voice was strong, her eyesight fine, yet her head still heavy.
"Okay..." Puck took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling. He knew what he had to ask first. He knew what he had to ask. He just didn't want to.
"What did the man look like?" Puck asked, not looking at Freya.
Freya leaned against the bedpost, closed her eyes, and thought. She soon saw the man swimming in her mind.
"Very little could be seen. He was human, with pale skin. He had completely black clothes on, and you could only see his pitch black eyes," Freya explained.
Puck nodded. "And... what weapons did he have?"
"A sword – an odd one at that. It was pitch black and shiny. That was his only weapon..." Freya then sighed. "He didn't need any others."
Puck nodded. He didn't want to ask the next question. It was the worst.
"Why couldn't you keep him away?"
Freya stared at the ground. "I-I couldn't hurt him. Sure, I tried, but nothing hurt him. He didn't even wince. The only thing that even cut skin was Lancer, and all it did was give him a measly cut."
Puck stared at the ceiling. "I see..." Puck then looked over at Fratley. "Would you suggest bodyguards?"
Freya was screaming before Fratley even opened his mouth.
"No bodyguards, Puck! Zip! Nada! None!" Freya cried. "It won't work. It won't help! Don't put anyone else in danger! Didn't you listen to what I said?"
"You could not hurt him... At least, not on your own," Puck growled. "Perhaps if you had a little help, you would be-"
"You don't get it! I was doing virtually everything I could! What am I, nine? Don't bother with bodyguards, Puck! They won't help. DON'T BOTHER!" Freya shouted.
Puck stared at Freya, then looked up at Fratley.
"Fine," he said simply.
Puck rose and left. ----------- Okay, so this chapter isn't much better... In my opinion. I promise it'll get better... And if you think it's still good anyway, thanks! =) Keep leaving reviews, and I will accept criticism! Just don't kill me...
This story is copyright to me. The characters, world, etc. are copyright to Square-Enix. Well, Julius, Meander, Ebon, and – well, never mind. Everything's copyright to something, so don't steal!
Burmecia; Fratley's House; Mid-Afternoon
Freya woke very slowly. Her mind slipped in and out of consciousness, clearly not deciding what to do. Each time she woke Freya felt groggy and her head felt heavy. Each time her senses failed to cooperate Freya felt rather glad she could retreat to unconsciousness.
Finally, however, Freya's senses operated. Slowly Freya became aware of her surroundings. Softly she groaned, eyelids flickering.
"She's awakening," Fratley said in a soft voice.
Fratley's voice sounded distant at first, but by the end of his speaking it was clearer. As Freya slowly opened her eyes she heard someone walk towards her. Soon, she saw Fratley.
"Are you all right?" Fratley asked gently. Despite Freya's blurry vision, Freya could see the worry in his deep blue eyes.
Freya took a deep breath, then sighed. It was almost automatic, a test to see if she was breathing properly. The deep breath came easily, and left just as smoothly; it inferred no broken ribs or damaged lungs. Freya allowed soft breathing to begin as she tried to focus on Fratley.
"I'm fine," Freya muttered in a quiet whisper.
Fratley nodded slightly and looked away. "Rose, where are you?"
Freya heard more footsteps coming from above. It sounded like someone was descending a staircase. The footsteps soon became on the same level, and the person walked toward Freya.
"I'm sorry, Fratley, I was upstairs. Don't make an old lady try to strain her ears!"
"You're not old, Rose," Fratley pointed out.
"Yes I am," Rose said.
Rose approached Freya and soon appeared in Freya's line of site. Freya could not distinguish the color of her eyes, nor could she see any signs of old age on the female's face or hair.
"He's right. You're not old," Freya said, her voice stronger.
"You're eyesight's going, honey. Look." Rose lifted up some of her hair, which was beginning to look blonde as Freya's eyesight improved.
Freya lifted her heavy head slightly to get a closer look. She squinted and soon could distinguish a different color than blonde mixing in Roe's hair. A silvery color was mixing into the blonde hair.
"I must be old too, then," Freya said wryly.
Rose laughed. "Ya were born with silver hair, honey. Sure shocked the 'ell out of a lot of people too..."
"If you don't mind, I must go consult Puck," Fratley cut in.
"Go ahead," Freya said. She shifted slightly, trying to get into a sitting position, but her body refused to cooperate. "Damn it."
Fratley leaned over and helped Freya. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek in the process.
"Be back soon," Fratley said. He then walked straight through a broken window near the bed.
Rose rolled her eyes. "That's not a door!"
Fratley walked slowly through the paved, chipped streets of Burmecia. He, like all the others, did not notice the cold rain streaking from the endless armada of clouds in the sky. He had one thing on his mind: Freya. The events of earlier had disturbed him. He didn't want it to happen again at all. If Puck had an idea, then he would trust the king, no matter how young he was.
Fratley entered a building that led to the castle gate. He only glanced and nodded at the workers trying to rebuild the building. He swiftly passed through the chipped wooden doors and to the main gate. The damage here was more noticeable, the stone much more ancient. Fratley stepped through the small cubby way and began to walk up the long flight of stairs to the Castle Grounds.
A sneer stopped him.
"Well, it's the ass, stepping through for the first time."
Fratley's blood turned to ice. He whipped his head in the direction of the voice. Standing nearby was a male Burmecian who looked to be in his early 40's. He stared at Fratley coldly, just hiding a smirk.
"How did you manage to find your way here? Oh, wait, I forgot; you never know where you're going. I'm so sorry," the Burmecian snarled.
"Raven, grow up. You're 41, not six," Fratley snarled angrily, trying to keep moving.
Raven's eyes turned colder. "Did you prefer this?"
Raven rushed forward, fist raised. Fratley had expected this, however, and dodged. He did not fight back, though; he knew better.
"Get lost, Raven." Fratley tried to continue his progress.
Raven seemed to be getting aggravated. He followed Fratley, trying to suddenly attack him. Fratley dodged easily and didn't fight back. After a few minutes though, Raven smirked.
"So Freya could beaten, eh? She's a Dragon Warrior and can't even take care of herself? She didn't deserve to be a Dragon Warrior since she's such a weak bitch, and she deserved the beating..." Raven rattled.
"SHUT UP!" Fratley bellowed. "Leave Freya out of this aggravation!"
"Gee, no self-control, eh, Fratley? It's too bad. Not only is strength of the body expected when you're a Dragon Warrior, but strength of the mind too. You have the strength, but no mind. Of course, Freya has neither and that's obvious..."
"Shut up!" Fratley growled, fists clenched.
"Is that violence against another Burmecian I see, Fratley? No wonder you and Freya like each other so much; you both have no common sense and are nothing more than a bunch of shitty-"
Raven never finished. Fratley plowed his fist into the Burmecian's jaw, knocking him to the ground. He then raced up the stairs before Raven could react.
"Do better anger management."
Fratley cursed under his breath; Dimbo Two had arrived.
A Burmecian around his late forties entered. He stared at Fratley sternly.
"This is not the time to be screaming and attacking. Control your anger better or-"
"Shut your trap, Ebon, I don't care. Tell Raven to quit bad-mouthing Freya and maybe you'd see a little less 'anger problem,'" Fratley growled.
"Raven is correct. Freya has no strength in anything. She weak in the body as the beating showed, and has no intelligence since she-"
"SHUT UP, Ebon! You don't hate any women, you ass! Lay off!" Fratley roared.
Fratley stomped off, ignoring Ebon. He had never liked the male. He soon saw Puck near the path leading to the castle. He ran over.
"Get me out of here," Fratley muttered.
Puck nodded. "Don't blame you. I tried to get them to move, but they both said that 'I am too young to have permission to rule them as of yet.' Great dummies, I'm king."
Puck and Fratley walked up to the castle. They entered quickly and sat down in a quiet room.
"Freya's awake?" Puck asked.
"Yes," Fratley answered.
"How is she?"
"She seems a little out of it, but I think she'll be all right."
"Did she say anything?"
"No. She didn't even mention anything. I think..." Fratley took a deep breath. "I think she's trying to ignore the whole thing."
"I don't blame her. Do you think I could see her now?"
"I don't see anything wrong with it. Rose probably got her something to eat or drink..."
"Probably. She's a nice person."
"If nuts."
"Well, yeah, but everyone's like that. Now let's go."
Fratley and Puck rose quickly and left the castle. As they approached the Castle Gate, they were relieved to see Ebon and Raven had left.
"Those two are like two peas in a pod," Fratley said, sighing. "They thrive together. Raven hates Freya, Ebon hates Freya-"
"And every single woman out there," Puck muttered. "Which is absolutely stupid..."
"... hates me, Ebon hates me, heck, they hate and love the same things! Though they mostly hate, they both love to fight..." Fratley said thoughtfully as he and Puck descended the stairs.
"Raven loves to sneak up on people, and Ebon loves strategic fights." Puck glanced up at Fratley. "Sound like something?"
"All too much. Ebon plans attack, Raven does it," Fratley said.
"No no, I'm going further. About today. The beating?" Puck said.
Fratley gave Puck a confused look. Puck sighed with annoyance.
"I'm saying that Ebon may have planned the beating! Perhaps Raven knew someone..." Puck said.
"Raven would've done it himself," Fratley immediately said.
"No, he'd be killed. So he hired someone," Puck pointed out.
Fratley sighed, but said nothing. Puck's proposition seemed all too true, and he didn't want to think that Burmecians might have planned the attack, no matter how stupid the two suspects were. Puck, noticing Fratley's displeasure, dropped the subject. They walked to Fratley's house in silence.
"'Ello!" Rose said as Fratley and Puck entered through the broken window. "That was not broken for ya to use as a doorway!"
"Oh, hush, mamá, you silly fool," Fratley said.
"When we get that window fixed, what are ya going to do?" Rose asked.
"Tear down the window and put in a door!" Aireff declared as he entered the house through the broken window.
"Not while I'm living 'ere!" Rose said.
"Anyway, while they argue, Freya, I'm here to ask some questions," Puck said, sliding over to Freya.
Freya looked up at Puck. "Go ahead." Her voice was strong, her eyesight fine, yet her head still heavy.
"Okay..." Puck took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling. He knew what he had to ask first. He knew what he had to ask. He just didn't want to.
"What did the man look like?" Puck asked, not looking at Freya.
Freya leaned against the bedpost, closed her eyes, and thought. She soon saw the man swimming in her mind.
"Very little could be seen. He was human, with pale skin. He had completely black clothes on, and you could only see his pitch black eyes," Freya explained.
Puck nodded. "And... what weapons did he have?"
"A sword – an odd one at that. It was pitch black and shiny. That was his only weapon..." Freya then sighed. "He didn't need any others."
Puck nodded. He didn't want to ask the next question. It was the worst.
"Why couldn't you keep him away?"
Freya stared at the ground. "I-I couldn't hurt him. Sure, I tried, but nothing hurt him. He didn't even wince. The only thing that even cut skin was Lancer, and all it did was give him a measly cut."
Puck stared at the ceiling. "I see..." Puck then looked over at Fratley. "Would you suggest bodyguards?"
Freya was screaming before Fratley even opened his mouth.
"No bodyguards, Puck! Zip! Nada! None!" Freya cried. "It won't work. It won't help! Don't put anyone else in danger! Didn't you listen to what I said?"
"You could not hurt him... At least, not on your own," Puck growled. "Perhaps if you had a little help, you would be-"
"You don't get it! I was doing virtually everything I could! What am I, nine? Don't bother with bodyguards, Puck! They won't help. DON'T BOTHER!" Freya shouted.
Puck stared at Freya, then looked up at Fratley.
"Fine," he said simply.
Puck rose and left. ----------- Okay, so this chapter isn't much better... In my opinion. I promise it'll get better... And if you think it's still good anyway, thanks! =) Keep leaving reviews, and I will accept criticism! Just don't kill me...
This story is copyright to me. The characters, world, etc. are copyright to Square-Enix. Well, Julius, Meander, Ebon, and – well, never mind. Everything's copyright to something, so don't steal!