This story belongs to me and my creative mind. However, most of the characters, names, and places all belong to their respective companies, so don't yell at me for copyright infringements! Remember, Italics represent a person's thoughts or the telling of past events.
Enjoy...
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:Faraway Dreams:
Chapter Three:
Gerick kicked open the door to the Hide shop in an alley off the business avenue, drawing the attention of a large, tattooed man at the counter.
"Back from the hunt already, Gerick?"
"Yeah, and I got more than just spider fangs this time 'round."
The two women entered the shop with Fedrich just behind, the burman looking around at the shop like a child. The tattooed man looked at him with a surprised eye, then held back a laugh.
"And how! Takin' to hiring children to work for you?"
"Fedrich here's hardly a kid. He's got skill, just needs to learn how to use it!" Gerick laughed. "Soon he'll be the one draggin' in the spoils of combat instead of me! Fedrich, meet my 'ol buddy Corban!"
Fedrich tilted his hat in respect to the elder man. "Nice to meet you."
The tattooed man laughed again. "And formal, too! You're really lookin' ta improve your image, eh?"
"Nah, he's just a good hearted kid."
"Okay, so watcha got for sale this time?"
"Just eleven carve spider fangs and an goblin dagger. They must've been fighting each other in the mountains before comin' down to the plains."
"Okay, that'll be 880 Gil for the eleven fangs, and one hundred for that dagger."
"Sounds good."
Gerick set the fangs and the curved imp's dagger onto the table, and the tattooed man reached for a pouch at his side and pulled out the appropriate Gil as payment. Gerick gave the man thanks and the four left the shop, coins in hand.
"Okay, each of us get about 320 Gil raw, so it's 160 Gil after deductions all around."
Gerick divided the proper coins for Illis and Ruthy, then put his share and the rest into a pouch at his side and walked out towards the main avenue. The four walked towards Hunter's Gate, but turned and entered a station filled with people and small Airships.
"What's this place?" Fedrich asked aloud.
"This is a Transit station for the Aircabs." Ruthy answered. "The Aircabs take people to the different districts in the city day in and day out so they don't have to walk. It's a necessity to move around here quickly."
"What district are we going to?"
"We're heading for the Theater District where the Hall is. That's where we conduct meetings and practice our skills."
"Plus we'll introduce you to Gordan and Macky." Illis added. "Then give you a real test to see if you're good enough to work with us."
"What kind of a test?" Fedrich pressed.
Illis smiled wickedly. "You'll see."
Fedrich sighed inwardly, wondering what the dark clothed woman was hiding from him. He continued following the three Regulators as they wove their way through the moderate crowds. Apparently set on catching a certain Aircab, they rushed past other people and made their way to the front lines. An Aircab flew into the station, engines pivoting to slow the blue painted craft as it settled into a pathway to direct it's movement. The doors slid open, and the four jumped inside and took seats in the cabin next to one another.
"Now departing for Theater Station." The operator called through the cabin, voice hoarse and neutral.
The engines whirred to life, the craft lifting into the air as the power reached it's maximum. Then with a tilt forward, the Aircab flew down the painted track of the station and into open air. The craft shuddered as the winds buffered it around, causing no panic to the experienced operator. He pulled the controls back, and the Aircab gained altitude and rose up towards the higher elevated Theater District. After a slow minute of ascending, the Aircab leveled off and flew into another station similar to the one in the Business district. Decelerating and letting the engines wind down, the Aircab settled onto the ground and opened its doors to the passengers. Everyone departed, leaving Fedrich and the three Regulators alone in the sparsely populated station.
"Gods, I'm starving." Ruthy piped up. "I wonder if Gordan made anything for our return?"
"Perhaps, and hopefully it'll be edible this time 'round!" Gerick laughed.
"It's not my fault he can't follow the recipes I gave him." Illis sighed. "I blame it on his spoiled childhood, never having to cook for himself..."
"It's still early. I don't think we'll croak if we have to wait for a meal." Gerick stated.
"I just might." Ruthy snickered, looking back for Fedrich and seeing the burman rather stiff. "Hey Fedrich, lost your voice?"
Illis looked back at him. "He looks pale even under his fur. Tell me, did the little guy get scared in the Aircab?"
"Well..." Fedrich stammered. "I suppose...an amount of fright got to me...seeing that I've never flown through the skies before. So...yes!"
Illis laughed slightly. "And here he thinks to be Regulator material."
"Aw, come off it, sis. I think you've teased him enough for the day, already." Ruthy pleaded jokingly.
"Fine. I might as well save it for the test." Illis smirked.
"Okay ladies, let's get to the Hall before we waste anymore daylight!"
The four of them left the station and entered the walkways that threaded along the buildings, passing various staircases heading up and down to reach homes or shops elsewhere. After ten minutes of walking, they ascended a staircase that followed a curve in the side of the building it was against, and then finally came up to the front of a small square. Two other staircases ran into the open area, and a few children were running around in the dying afternoon sunlight.
"Welcome to the Hall." Gerick announced.
Fedrich looked at the building Gerick motioned to, a wide structure with large windows and two doors propped open to the cool air. Leaning against one of the doors was a man dressed in clothes hardly meant for a warrior, but rather a nobleman. The man looked at them through black hair framing his face, then stood upright and tugged the cuffs of his pressed white shirt straight.
"I was wondering when you would come." The man questioned. "Normally you would have returned a little earlier than this."
"Sorry 'bout that, we were just taking our time. Besides, we've got us a new trainee." Gerick motioned to Fedrich. "This is Fedrich Castor."
"A pleasure to meet your acquaintance." The man said with a light bow. "My name is Gordan Fulmen."
"Nice to meet you, too." Fedrich replied.
"Has he been formally introduced into the Regulators, yet?" Gordan asked.
"Naw, we were bringin' him here to do just that. You up for doin' it?"
"I suppose so, since my attempts at cooking failed miserably once again. Is he with weapon?"
"I am." Fedrich answered, motioning to the hilt of his sword.
"Then may I use your sword, Illis?" He asked.
"Sure." She agreed, taking her sword by the scabbard and tossing it at the well dressed man.
Gordan caught it with a single hand, then drew out the sword and set the scabbard against the door and stepped into the open square. The few children present quickly skipped to the edges of the square, chatting to one another as a few people stopped to glance at the setting.
"The trial of a Regulator is one of utter severity." Gerick quoted from his head, walking to the edge of the square with the two other women. "The battlefield knows no mercy, nor does it recognize right from wrong or good from evil. As such, a Regulator must be ready to lose his life in this terrible place, for the battlefield won't stop an enemy from taking it. Hesitation to kill is as good as being killed, and no morals or rules of combat will prevent it. Do you, Fedrich Castor, pledge to fight this trial with all your soul and heart, and fight every battle after with the same?"
"By the Goddess Rei, I swear on it." Fedrich declared, voice deep and serious.
"Gordan Fulmen, do you swear to this as well?"
"Indeed I do." He agreed.
"As this is a trial between comrades, and is not a matter of life and death, it is agreed that the trial will stop when first blood is drawn. Now, each of you draw your weapon, and let this trial commence!" Gerick commanded.
Gordan immediately went on the offensive, sword up and ready to strike. Fedrich pulled his sword free of its sheath with barely enough time to block the first blow of the trial. Gordan drew back and again lashed out, colliding into Fedrich's blade with a piercing shriek of metal. Fedrich, hoping to catch the stronger man off guard, leapt into the sky to avoid a third swing by his opponent. Landing near the edge of the square, Fedrich started forward with his sword in front of him, and he lashed out wildly with the blade. Gordan, in a show of strength, not only blocked the sword from hitting his body, but also shoved the burman backwards several steps.
"You are certainly well versed in the manner of your swords defensive capabilities. However, a longer sword such as mine is more suited to offensive attacks!" Gordan observed, moving to attack.
Fedrich didn't block the strike, but redirected the force so the longer sword struck the paved ground, leaving Gordan vulnerable. Releasing his right arm from his sword, Fedrich curled it into a fist and slammed his knuckles against Gordan's jaw. The burman quickly jumped back, out of the range of Gordan's sword to secure his hands onto his own blade.
"My father taught me to make use of a short swords lighter weight, to use the enemy's energy against him when agility is your strength." Fedrich further commented.
"Then your father is a skillful teacher." Gordan complemented, rubbing his face.
The dark haired man rushed forward again, swinging his sword out for Fedrich to easily block. However, Gordan adjusted his hold on the sword so the flat of the blade rushed at the burman, and he lowered the path so it would hit below the opposing sword's blade. Fedrich cried out in pain as the metal hit his fingers with a loud slap, his sword falling to the ground. Before the human could do anything else to harm the burman, Fedrich leapt into the air as high as his legs would push him. He attained a height almost twice as tall as the Hall before succumbing to gravity, landing on the opposite end of the square. Fedrich spun around, and he froze when his eyes met the metal glint of Gordan's sword pointed at his face.
"I had forgotten of the burman's incredible leaping abilities." Gordan explained. "However, once I could follow your movement in the sky, it was a simple matter to predict where you would land and the direction you would be facing."
Gordan pushed the blade forward, the very tip of the blade piercing Fedrich's skin, surprising the youth. He then drew the sword back, a small portion of the blade coated in red blood. Lifting the blade up, he inspected it before calling out a declaration.
"First blood is mine!" Gordan announced to all.
"Okay then, enough of this!" Gerick commanded.
Fedrich looked at the Regulators, his eyes wide in shock. "Does that mean I won't be accepted?"
Gerick looked at his members with his smile. "Well, what do you all think?"
"His agility's an advantage, especially that jumping power." Ruthy commented.
"In raw strength he's not as good, but I suppose sacrificing it for speed isn't all that bad." Illis added.
"His swordsmanship with a short blade is commendable, as well as his tenacity." Gordan furthered.
"So there no arguments about lettin' him sign on?" Gerick asked the group.
For a moment, Fedrich held his breath as the chance for his membership into the Regulators was in the balance. His hands grew sweaty suddenly, his grip on his sword no longer as firm as it was. However, a glance at Gerick, revealing the old man's unceasing grin, made his worries fade away.
"Well, since there's no one against it, let me be the first ta welcome you to the Regulators."
* * *
Fedrich woke up with the sunlight, the morning rays reaching his eyes through a window and stirring his senses. He shifted around on the cot, muscles still sore after his fierce trail the day before. A finger rubbed his forehead, feeling a scab beneath his fur where the only blood of the duel was drawn. Yawning wide, he sat up rubbed his eyes, clearing his vision to the spartan room he was granted at the Hall. A portable cot, thin sheets and pillows, and a dresser with a small mirror were all the accommodations afforded to him. He stood up and donned his clothing minus hat, then stepped out of the guest room and into the main conference hall to see if anyone was around. Sure enough, he saw Gerick sitting at the center table with another individual who looked horribly fatigued.
"Good morning." He announced.
"G'morning ta yourself." Gerick muttered.
"Aw, give him a break. He's just trying to be friendly." The other member piped up.
Gerick only grunted, so the other member stood up in his place. "I suppose you're Fedrich. I was supposed to meet you yesterday, but I got caught up at a late night meeting at the castle. The name's Mackenzie Terrace, but most people call me Macky."
Macky offered a hand, which Fedrich accepted. "Fedrich Castor. You said you were at the castle?"
"Yep. Seeing that we help defend the city from monsters, whenever the army has a general meeting, I have to go along and make reports along with the rest of the security teams."
"So you aren't out and fighting with the others?"
"Not anymore. I'm the brain behind the scene, mainly managing the money and paying bills and rent. I'm not too good a fighter as it is."
"Oh."
"So what about you? Why'd you come and join up with us?"
"I came to Lindblum to participate in the Festival of the Hunt to get the Master Hunter title. My father wanted me to go out and make a name for myself instead of staying in Burmecia, so this seemed like the best choice."
Macky grinned, walking for a table with some foods on it. "Ain't it, though. The Festival isn't for another four months, so why come now?"
"I suppose he wanted me to strike out on my own to see if I could handle it for a few months. It would be kind of pointless to come here, win the title, then go back home, wouldn't it?"
"That it would. Coffee?" He offered.
"Sure."
Macky gathered two mugs and filled them with the bitter brew, then handed one off to Fedrich. They both took a swig, enjoying the hot flavors for a silent moment.
"So how've things been working out so far? From what I've heard, it seems you've been shoved into an entirely new lifestyle in less than a week."
"Well, it's got its challenges. Living off scavenging monster hides is a lot more complicated that I thought, and the size of everything is still shocking to me. I mean, Burmecia is a large city, but it's set at the base of a mountain. Lindblum is like a man made mountain! Everything is so high in the sky, and it was all made by human hands!"
"I know the feeling. I've lived here my whole life, but I still get amazed whenever I stop and think about it."
"So back to topic, are we doing anything today?"
"Nope," Gerick finally spoke, holding his own coffee. "The city's holdin' a festival today, and I'm plannin' on attending."
"What festival is it?"
"Ack, it's really an excuse to relax, but it's for the Princess' birthday."
Fedrich froze up for a moment, his fur ruffling against his clothes. His mind immediately brought up the strange dream he had two nights ago, remembering a tidbit of information.
...Beware the princess' sixteenth birthday, for that will signal the start of this tragedy...
"What Princess do you mean!?" Fedrich demanded.
Both Gerick and Macky were surprised at the burman's shout, but the elder man responded first. "The Princess of Alexandria, 'o course. The Regent doesn't have an heir yet, despite the fact he's gray all over!"
"And how old is she today?"
"Fourteen, I think." Macky answered.
Fedrich let loose with a sigh, feeling a great burden lift from his shoulders. The two elder Regulators looked at the burman with strange expressions.
"Why are you actin' so concerned about it?" Macky asked.
Fedrich froze up again, realizing his concerns weren't in the least bit rational. He didn't want the others to think that he was mentally unbalanced, so he quickly tried to make up an excuse.
"No reason...really. I just didn't know that the Princess' birthday was around this time of year!"
"No worries, it's not like anyone would expect you to know it." Macky commented, eyeing the burman. "In any case, I'm going down to Fabool Square to get an early start for shopping. You comin', Gerick?"
"I'll be down later. I gotta catch up on a few errands."
"Okay, I'll see you later this evening." Macky waved, leaving the hall for the streets.
"So Fedrich, you have anythin' in mind for the day?" Gerick asked.
"No...not really."
"Well, the festival's gonna end today, so why not get out 'n relax a bit?"
"I guess I will. There is still a lot about Lindblum I want to see."
"That's the spirit!" Gerick praised, slapping the burman on his shoulder. "Go an' have yourself a good time tonight! Perhaps you'll meet a pretty lady ta share it with!"
Fedrich laughed dryly, then went back to his room to retrieve his hat and pouch of Gil. Securing both, he exited the Hall and struck out for the streets and the sights.
