Ch.2 Old Friends

The farm land and houses outside of Dunbarton held very little change over the last twelve years. Only difference were the people that inhabited them now. Some families got enough money to move away. Some died off. Some remained.

The children of the farm land had changed how ever. All fifteen children were now grown and were liable to leave any day. To embark on their own adventure within life and seek out the treasures of dungeons and roam the lands making allies or enemies. The mothers were all close to tears on certain days thinking it would be the one but at the end of the day they were all still together.

A young muscled man would pull a cart with one hand and hold up a bale of straw on his shoulder. His blonde, long hair tight in a ponytail reveals a fresh, wild face. Shuttered black eyes, set tightly within their sockets, watch lovingly over the haven they've rarely felt at home at for so long. A sword left a mark stretching from just under the right eye, running towards his left nostril and ending under his left eye leaves a painful burden of an unusual alliance. This was now Destrian Rosenster, grown up and eager to face the world as an adult man.

A horse whinniedin the distance as it galloped towards him. A beautiful white Shire carrying a young girl, almost a teen now. Light blue, long layered hair slightly reveals a furrowed, lived-in face. Dead pink eyes, set handsomely within their sockets, watch anxiously over the farmlands they've grown affectionate of for so long. This was now Alisceon Rosenster, little sister of Destrian.

She wore a dress of pale purple hues that her mother had sewn and dyed for her to match her soft complexion. As the Shire was slowed to walk alongside Destrian an older boy from a neighboring village that was visiting called out to them both but mainly at Alisceon. Alisecon disliked the attention she'd always get from people that were male and she'd come to ignore them. This would amuse her brother which he'd come to be a protector of his sister.

"You're going to ignore Lancelot like that?" teased Destrian. "You know he's going to become a Knight of the Capital? Tara is the biggest place to get a job in and be set for life."

"Good for him," scoffed the girl. "One less guy to ignore on my daily route from the bakery." She'd sigh and look down at her brother. "Your senseless teasing is why so many girls are heart broken."

He'd scoff then and smirk at her. "Hey, I'm not in the wrong for waiting. I'll know when I see her. If it'll be on my journey or after it. I won't know. Fate is something I have to understand."

The Shire's head reached over to tug at the hay playfully. Destrian would push the horse's head away scoldingly. "Hey! No! You've broken in the feed storage this morning and got more than you need! Don't even think about it!"

The horse nickered and clapped his lips together at him before shaking his head. Alisceon would giggle and pat her best friend. "Challes is only getting the things he feels he deserves. Though that isn't right of you to feed yourself more than others."

"Challes just got a cut in his food for the month," Destrian replied narrowing his eyes at the Shire. "You know I told dad about him being sneaky and dad still hasn't changed the locks."

Alisceon would giggle at this and play with the Shire's braided mane. "Dad's been really busy with the crops this season. It wouldn't surprise me if he never got around to it. You might have to be the one to do the locks."

"Yeah." Destrian would sigh and see their village coming into view. Their father and the other men of the village were out working. Within their cart was the goods that they'd bought from the bakery for their friends and neighbors. "Hey, I think you'll be good at your new job. Working at the bakery and stuff. It'll be good for you."

Alisceon would look up at their village. Her thoughts on a few things. "I like Glenis. She's sweet. I feel like I'll be in good hands as I learn how to be a baker and a cook. Maybe once I get good at cooking I'll go to Tara and be a chef for them?" She'd chuckle at herself.

"Already becoming good house-wife material," Destrian would smirk at her. "Keep at it and Lancelot will be at your doorstep in no time."

Alisceon would take ahalf hearted swing at him which he'd duck and giggle. "Hey, he has wet dreams for you-" He'd dodge her kick. "I'm just telling you what he told me!"

"I don't want to hear that stuff! He's pathetically boring!" snapped Alisceon looking upset. "Why do men always force themselves at a woman just for her looks?! It's so unfair!"

Destrian shrugged. "It's how our society is. If you don't like it…change it? Find a way?" He'd look at his sister and stop.

Challes would be stopped then by Alisceon as she'd turn to look back at him. "What is it?"

"I…just feel like…" He'd look confused on how to explain the feeling he'd get when he'd look to his younger sister. Finally he'd shake his head and continue walking. "I'll have to think on it and tell you later. I don't have words on what I feel right now."

Alisceon looked a bit confused but nudged the Shire to walk on after her brother. They would reach the village and bring food and other things to their neighbors and friends. The mothers and older to younger daughters would thank them. Alisceon slid off Challes's saddle and lead him to the barn where she'd remove his saddle and padding. Going to the well she'd take up a bucket and pull up the well's bucket to dump it in hers.

The well was fed by a underground stream that gave mineral rich water. Some times it would make you sick after a heavy rain storm and others it would nourish your body and make you feel stronger. The water within Uladh was what kept the people alive. It sparkled and was always crystal clear and clean. Something that her mother and father always told her was to praise the Gods for such a necessity because one day it could be gone forever.

She'd carry the bucket back to her horse and pour it over him as she stood on a tall stool. Challes stood seventeen and five hands high and was a white stallion who was the farmers stud for the work horses. Though lately Challes was the riding horse of Alisceon due to worry from her father that she'd be kidnapped off a thoroughbred. His thinking was if she was higher than others it would be harder for her to be grabbed and thus Challes could rear and gallop off.

Alisceon didn't mind what his reasoning was, she loved the stallion and had always preferred him to the others. As she washed him down from sweat a girl would walk up with a bucket of carrots she'd gathered from the field. "Would Challes like a carrot, sister?"

Alisceon turned and smiled warmly. "Sure! They're his favorite. Be careful though, he gets excited and will sometimes nip."

The girl, Alia, walked over to the male and offered the carrot sideways. Challes would eat the half offered and munch on it with happy whippings of his tail before being fed the other half. He'd investigate the little girl with deep sniffs and snort under her chin making her giggle. "I can only give you one. We have to keep the others for preservation." Alia would stroke his long face and tickle his nose making his lips clap together before he'd toss his head in a nicker at her teasing.

Alia would giggle and wave good bye to Alisceon. Alisceon would smile and wave. "Thanks, Alia! See you later!"

Challes would give a soft whinny wanting more carrots but Alisceon would pet him with heavy pats on his wet back. "Hey, you're big enough. You got extra's this morning and that wasn't very nice of you. You're lucky I allowed the carrot." She'd step off the stool and go get more water.

"Alisceon," called Roesia from the front door. "You have a letter!"

From the look on her mothers face it was probably another proclamation letter from a man. She'd set the bucket down by the well and walk over to be enthrusted the letter excitedly.

"Open it! Open it!" Roesia said with excitement. "It has the crest of Filia!"

"Filia? Where's that?" Alisceon asked looking puzzled as she'd turn the envelope over to look at the crest. Her mother's face that was full of excitement and joy suddenly froze. The realisation of what was in her hands had now hit her. She was then looking in shock.

"OH! OH NO!" She'd grab the letter from her daughter and stuff it into her apron. "Actually, I think this is something to do with your father! Yes!" She'd push her daughter back towards the stables. "Go-Go- Go wash up Challes! He's really dirty after your outing! I'll go talk with your father about this letter. OK?" She'd hurry off towards the fields leaving Alisceon looking utterly confused.

"So then…that letter..wasn't for me?" she'd look lost and shrug it off to go back to the stable and continue washing Challes.

Roesia would hurry towards the field her husband was working in and look scared. "Haveron! Haveron!"

Haveron looked up from sewing the new seeds to see his wife waving a letter at him frantically. "What's wrong?" He'd walk off the field with his hoe in his hand and draw near to see how bad his wife was panting and looking frantic.

Roesia would shove the letter to him coming to tears. "It's happened! It came! What are we to do?! He told us…!"

Haveron would lean his hoe against his right shoulder to take his wife in his left arm to calm her down. "Shh, shhh, it's ok. It's probably nothing." As he was about to open the letter he'd note that he was being watched by the others around him. He'd pull his wife along side him back to the house and pass the barn to see their daughter working on washing the Shire stallion. He'd step in and shut the door, locking it just to be safe.

Going to their bedroom he'd open the letter and read it while his wife sat next to him wringing her hands together in worry and fretting. A long silence filled the room as her husband read what was said. After a moment he'd sigh and let the words process. "Well…Uhh…" He'd clear his throat trying to think of what to say. "It says…'To whom it may concern, our contacts have told us about one of our people that resides here at this residence. He/She is cordially invited to Filia's long standing historical event of Heritage Month. The Chief will be hosting said event and wish all their children, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, old and new to attend. Our people near and far must remember where they came from and that our spirits are all interlinked with our past, from where we came from and how we came to be. The event will be held on Alban Heruin; Wednesday starting from 4:00 P.M. and lasting until 12:00 P.M.

This event will last from Alban Heruin to Alban Elved; Wednesday to Friday. This event has been doing such for generations. We look forward to seeing Him/Her at our family reunion to kick off the upcoming Samhain. Much love, Councillor Aelrindel Umelor." He'd look to his wife who sat there in shock. He'd heave a slow and steady sigh before creasing the paper and placing it back in the envelope. "I…can only assume…it was because of her father."

"I thought no one was to know about her?" whispered Roesia who still looked shocked. "He said…He said that, didn't he?"

Haveron had no words. "Now that you say this…I think he did. Though it's also rather peculiar because it's going to happen upon the day of her Coming of Age." He'd look to his wife feeling that this was all rather peculiar. "Are Elves born on the same days or is there something more to all of this?"

Roesia leaned on her husband fearing the worst. "S-Surely they won't attack her? I mean…Is her family the type to greet her then banish her in cold blood?"

"It said …" Haveron would take a deep breath and stand to think about this more. In his past years as a Alban Knight things like this were uncommon. He'd run a rough hand through his white short hair. His strong, tense face looked worried. Hazel eyes, set concealed within their sockets held his fear within them.

His right hand pulling his goatee as he thought it over carefully.

"Haveron, can we get some of your friends to go with her? Surely you've kept in touch with them? We have until next week to get this done and take her back to her homeland." Roesia asked thinking of anything she could to keep her daughter safe. "We don't know how her family stands with that other kingdom."

Haveron would step towards the window and pull the curtain back a little to gaze outwards at the forest that their room faced. "I'll..I'll go down to the pub and try and talk with the guys. I'm pretty sure they're still around and doing things. I'll take my leave tonight. I'll take the thoroughbred and keep a close eye out for thieves."

Roesia heaved a shaky sigh looking scared. "It's been a long time since we asked them a favor. I think this would make them curious, maybe?"

"Who knows. The Alban Knights are…not your normal Knight." Haveron said letting the curtain fall and turning to his wife. "When I left the Knights to be with you…it was the best decision I could've done for myself. Health issues and all. I would've been kicked off the force. I'm glad I met you when I did."

Roesia smiled to him. "Protect our daughter."

"I'll do my very best."

Around 5:00 P.M. Haveron left the fields and journeyed on horseback to Emain Macha. Once arriving he'd head to the Bean Rua, a nightclub where he met his wife at during his day off. It was around 10:00 P.M. when he'd sit at the bar. Looking around he'd note faces that he didn't recognize at all. "What can I get you?" asked a tall man with long brown hair that was kept neatly.

Haveron turned to see the owner of the pub and he'd smile knowingly. "It's been a long while, Lucas. You haven't changed a bit."

Lucas looked at Haveron with a slight tilt of the head. "Ageing doesn't really exist here, now does it? Who are you if I may inquire?"

"Haveron. Haveron Rosenster. I was one of the Alban Knights."

Lucas thought about the name for a moment then gave click of his fingers and pointed to him. "AH! YES! I remember now! You and your men would come in here every now and again way back when! How's your health? If I recall it was why you left?"

"It's…in a place. Not good nor not bad. I live working the fields with my wife and children. My son will be going off on his adventure and my daughter…my daughter…is spoiled." He'd smile thinking about Alisceon. "She made me buy her a Shire that was a massive tank of a horse and rides him like a regular horse. Jumps him, races with him. Never seen a thing like it in my life."

Lucas would lean on the counter with a smile of shared fondness. "Shire's are good horses. If I recall correctly they're really protective beasts. Strong and muscular. Hardly anything can stop them."

"It's why I'm comfortable leaving her with him. Letting her ride him. Even though he's our farms stud and work horse he's family to us." Haveron shrugged. "Who knew a family could adopt a horse like that of a dog?"

Lucas would chuckle and straighten up. "I'm glad you've found happiness, friend. It's kinda funny, I started thinking about you just the other day. Now here you are and looking a bit different with that long goatee! It suits you!"

Haveron would pull on it and beam proudly. "I kind of wanted to try it out and I really like it."

"So, what brings you here after all this time?" Lucas inquired putting his hands on his hips.

"I need to get back into contact with my old friends. Any of the Alban Knights still come around here?"

The owner would think about it for a moment and look towards a barmaid. "Hey, Rua!"

Rua, a deep red haired woman with red eyes would turn and head towards him. "Yeah?"

"You see any of the Alba Knights in here recently?" Lucas asked. "Friend of mine here wants to know. You know how bad I am on recalling that."

"Umm…I think it was a bit ago that I saw some in here? They looked as if they'd come back from a mission and were needing to relax a bit." Rua explained. "I didn't catch their names but I think they said they would be off for the next few weeks?"

"Are they coming back in here while they're off?" Haveron inquired curiously.

"I think a handful of them have been coming back here and there? Not every night though. Are you looking for ones in particular?" Rua would ask leaning on the bar.

"Yeah. I'm looking for ones that…ehh…never mind. I just need to find my old friends. I need their help with a sort of problem that has popped up."If he let it slip about his daughter being an elf then this might not go smoothly. He had to keep it to himself and to those he trusted. "I was looking for Craig."

"Craig?" Rua perked at the name. "He's the Paladin Trainer here!"

"Paladin Trainer?" Haveron repeated looking surprised by this. "That's great! He always wanted to be a Paladin when we were Knights."

"It was a bit after the tragedy that he became the trainer," Lucas spoke turning to a glass and picking up a bottle of liquor to pour into it. "We had…a lot of stuff happen around here."

Haveron looked at Lucas who held a forlorn look. "I'll…go meet with him and ask about it."

"You can find him within the training yard. He has a house out that way that he lives in." Rua explained. "It's pretty easy to find him honestly."

"Thanks, Rua." Haveron said with a smile and turned to Lucas. "You too, old friend. Thanks."

Lucas slid him the drink. "On me. I hope your meeting with Craig goes well. Not many old faces are around here anymore due to the what happened."

Haveron would down the shot in one go and wince. He'd exhale and make a face of regret. "Gods, its been too long since I last did that."

Lucas gave a laugh. "You can handle it pretty well! Have a good night!"

Haveron bid them goodbye and left for the place where Paladins trained. Walking a distance he'd reach a field that was familiar to him. There on the side of the field was a small house. A dim light was still on. Walking up to the door and knocking on it Haveron would hear someone moving about and coming closer.

The door would be unlocked and swing open with a deep creak from the hinges. There stood Craig, looking a bit more adult now than he did back then. Craig looked perplexed at why someone was knocking on his door at this hour. "Can I help you?"

"Craig, it's me, Haveron. Haveron Rosenster. We were Knights back in the day."

Craig looked a bit confused by the name. "You and I were Knights together?"

"Yeah. I, you, Jaketta, Gosfridus, Lambard, Aymer, Lylie, and Gabriela. We were in charge of running the route of Tara, Blago Prairie, Emain Macha, Osna Sail, Dunbarton and then Port Cobh. That was on every other week. Our other routes were Tara, Corrib Valley, Taillteann, Abb Neagh, Dunbarton, and Port Cobh. We kept the trade routes open and free of thieves."

Craig had a look of sadness on his face and he'd lean on the door. "Good Gods above…You're…alive?"

Haveron looked confused by his reaction. "Yeah? I've been living out in Dunbarton farming. I've got a son and a daughter."

Craig would step out and grab him by the arm to pull him inside quickly and shut the door. He'd lock and it and push him into the next room and gesture for him to sit on the couch. Haveron would sit down slowly to see his friends face change completely. "What's up? It's like you've seen a ghost?"

"It's…It's a long story, old friend. I'll tell you as much as I can." Then Craig began to explain about the tragedy that befell the city shortly after Haveron retired from being a Knight.

Haveron sat there in utter shock at the heavy loss that took place between them and their friends. They were the only ones left of the Alban Knights from back in the day. No one else was left after the Fomor Clan Invasion and the foreign Imperial ruling. Haveron sighed sitting back and staring at the ceiling. "It's crazy to wrap my head around this. All of this happened after I left."

"I was worried when no one could find you to bring you back to the battle field. We just assumed you were dead." Craig sat in his chair looking at the older man before him. "I'm glad that you're alive and well."

"I'm… not quite well one would say. My health has gotten considerably worse. There's nothing more the doctors can do for me." Haveron would explain and look towards Craig. "I'm not good nor not bad. I'm somewhere in the middle but slowly going down. I couldn't give my wife anymore kids due to the illness but…" He'd pause and think about his situation. "It's not why I'm here."

Craig raised a brow. "Oh?"

"Let me tell you my story now." Haveron would take a deep breath before exhaling it and beginning his story on a cliche' stormy morning. How a wicker bacsket containing an infant baby elf girl had been dropped off at their doorstep. How he and his wife had been given permission from the child's father to raise the baby girl, a Princess to the throne of a southern kingdom or clan within Iria. A sister clan to Filia's clan. Probably a brother to the Chief.

How the Princess was to be hidden to not be killed by the clan's enemy, a kingdom to the North. How they had killed the Princess's mother the Chieftess while the Chief was absent. The guards that were stationed to protect and look over the infant escaped with her and alerted the Chief of what happened. The kingdom was bent on ending the lineage of the Chief and chased them all the way to Dunbarton and onward. Now, twelve years later they receive an invitation to Filia's family reunion that calls all elves back home for three day events. "I'm not quite sure if I should let her go or not. I don't think I should because of the North kingdom and all. I don't know where any of it lies with Filia."

Craig looked rather surprised by all of this. "Wow. I would never have guessed you would adopt an elven baby." He'd smirk. "Fate is acting upon you, old friend."

"Yeah, I don't much like it doing that sort of thing ya' know? What should I do? Should I go with her?"

Craig thought about it for a moment. "I've not heard any reports about this northern kingdom within Iria. It's not in our jurisdiction anyways to know about it. Honestly all I can tell you is to go with her. You and your son should be able to give her enough protection. I do know that the elves protect their own no matter where they come from. I would take her to the events, let her know about her heritage."

"She knows she's different but we haven't told her about her background. Where she came from and stuff. Her assumption is that she was a child that was left by her mother's sister because the baby wasn't approved to be of family," Haveron explained. "No one knows she's an elf because we have kept her ears hidden and she keeps her hair hiding them in a certain style."

Craig looked rather stunned by this. "What? You have done all of this just to keep her out of harms way? I mean I don't disapprove but…You have until next week to get her to Filia. I think it's time you told her, don't you think?"

Haveron nodded and clasped his hands together. "I don't know how to explain this to her though. How stupid can I keep her?"

Craig burst into laughter at this. HE'd hold up a hand to stop him. "Wait! Wait! You don't know a thing about Elves?!"

"No?" Haveron replied.

"They're smarter than us! They are quite sharp and they are not stupid! They may be vain upon their looks but their ability in fighting is better than us! They excel in hunting and are literal snipers with a bow. Give her a bow and see what happens. I think going hunting with her is a good way to open up about her background." Criag would smirk at his old friend. "I'm curious now about her. What did you say her name was?"

"Alisceon. There have been so many guys after her hand in marriage. I've done everything possible to make it not allowed. She's not of age yet and she will be Coming of Age at the events. Which worries me because I feel like something may happen while she's there."

Craig nodded as he propped his head up in his fist. "I understand your worries. It's almost like that time when we had to protect the Lord when he was out giving a speech within Tara and we had an ambush happen right as he entered."

"I remember that." Haveron said recalling the memory. "I was hoping I could get your help but you're stuck here training."

Craig would nod. "Yeah. I have a lot of recruits and I'm always busy. I can't leave my station. I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I kind of figured I'd be the one to go to Filia with her anyhow. I don't trust just anyone with my daughter."

Craig would smile at his friend. "You always were one hell of a guard. You protected us all when we had that huge band of thieves within Bangor. We had to go to Port Ceann to retrieve some shipped goods and get them delivered back here."

Haveron would smile at the memory. "Yeah. I was a beast back in my younger days."

"You still are, man!" Craig would gesture to his built look. "Farming kept you in shape!"

Outside the clock would strike twelve. Haveron looked surprised by this. "Gods, already twelve? Time does fly." He'd start to get to his feet as Craig followed.

"I'm really glad you stopped by, Haveron. It's been an amazing time catching up. Also, don't worry about going to Filia. I'm pretty sure the Elves have the situation under control with the North. They aren't the type to allow such things happen to their own."

Haveron would shake his friends hand sturdily and would be pulled into a one armed hug by the trainer. "Take care of yourself, Craig. When all of this is over I'll bring her by so you can meet her. She always loves the old stories of when I was an Alban Knight and working for the capital. I think she has her eyes set on being one when she gets older. That or having an adventure for herself."

Craig would step back and clap his friend on the shoulder looking at Haveron as if he was already missing him. "If only you could be a Paladin with me. I know you can't but if fate was different…"

"You damn well know I would be!" Haveron said with a big smile He'd give a heavy push to the Paladin Trainers chest like they would do back then as their farewell. "See you later."

"Tell your wife I said hello," Craig smiled leaning on the door frame. "It's been a long time since I last saw her too."

Haveron would grin. "I'll just bring the whole family to your door when we get back! I want you to see my Ox of a son! He'll be on the Alban Knight's list as a recruit in a blink of an eye!"

Craig chuckled. "Or mine. I'm always looking for a good strong fighter."

Haveron would smile and step away with a wave. "Bye, friend!"

"Bye, friend!" Craig replied with a wave in return and watched Haveron pull himself up into the saddle of a thoroughbred that began to trot off. Craig would step back into his house and shut the door. He'd open a cabinet door that held pictures of himself and his teammates from a long time ago. Taking out a flask of whiskey he'd pop the cork and pour himself a glass over ice.

Gazing up at the pictures of the eight of them, they were a force to reckon with. Haveron being in a class all his own and leading them from battle to battle. Winning each one with a few close calls. Craig would sip his Whiskey looking at the guys arm in arm on their initiation day. All smiles and big dreams.

He could recall where each of them came from like it were yesterday. The team had been hastily put together by the council because reports were flying in. Craig had been training under his master and was pushed into the program early due to demand. Haveron…Haveron's background was really mysterious to the entire team except for Craig. Craig had found him in a black market betting ring, underground fighting.

Allied with Fomor's that he'd been blackmailed into helping. Winning fight after fight. It was right before Initiation that Craig saw the tattoo that the Fomor's had given Haveron. A black moon with a ribbon, the words engraved within the ribbon 'Formed from many, now as one.' He could recall the eyes that Haveron had when fighting in the ring and it chilled him to the bone even still.

His hazel eyes holding a cold glare with a red ring around the pupil. Back then he was a puppet for the Fomors until he was touched by the Great Priest of Tara. The Holy Water of Lymnmark broke the curse and Haveron had no memory of anything. No memory of ever being in an underground fighting ring when Craig brought it up. Craig would sighed as he set down the empty glass and stared at the picture of himself with Haveron.

The day of his retirement. Behind them was the nightclub, Bean Rua. All of the new recruits had joined in and the entire team got drunk that night. Craig would shut the cabinet door with a smile on his face from the past memories. He could finally live with his past now that a large portion had been put to rest. All thanks to Haveron's visit.