Hey guys! Aw man all I want to do is work on this story! I've never been so stocked! Probably doesn't help I'm getting further in Xenoblade Chronicles…but that's beside the point.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters that appear from Xenoblade Chronicles, Pandora's Tower, or the Last Story. Nor do I own the world of The Last Story.
Chapter 3: An Unlikely Meeting
Dagran resisted the urge to kill the idiot behind him as they made their way down through the forest. All he had heard the man talk about was how much he hated the forest and all the fighting they had to do. Not only that but the man's insistent need to detail how much he wanted revenge against Zael was driving Dagran batty. He had no idea why Zangurak had allowed this idiot to help them in their mission. The Gurak leader must have had a sadistic nature to pit this idiot against Zael, knowing very well that Jirall would lose.
Dagran slid down the next slope easily, smiling as he finally found the main road in the forest. Though he heaved an annoyed sigh and rolled his eyes as he heard Jirall fall down the small slope. The idiot being unable to do a simple slide down a small hill, thankfully they didn't need to climb up any high cliffs to get here.
Dagran turned to the other man, "Are you alright Jirall?"
"That's Lord Jirall to you," The man responded with a scowl.
The raven rolled his eyes, "My apologies, but seeing as we must act as mercenaries it does not fit in my agenda to refer to you as Lord. For that will give us away, and we will be unable to continue; now if you are perfectly alright then we shall continue."
"I'm not alright though! I'm a lord I shouldn't have to be trekking through the wilderness like this! Nor should I be treated so inappropriately, I mean how dare you! Also why should I be forced to fight these grueling monsters we encounter? You practically leave me behind and don't even bother to assist!"
Dagran rolled his eyes again, "A mercenary's job requires them to take the less pleasant paths, also I have no need to watch your back. If you slow me down I will leave you behind if you are unnecessary to my plans. I suggest you begin getting better acquainted with a sword and stop relying on someone to save your neck."
With that said Dagran strode away from the blonde with a sigh, he smirked as he heard the man mutter though and knew him to be following behind. As Dagran turned the bend he stopped as he noticed a distinct rustling from nearby. Jirall continued to walk and passed Dagran, not noticing the noise from above them.
Dagran kept his eyes trained on the area above them, waiting for a beast to jump down from above. Dagran's eyes widened as a young girl jumped down from the cliff above. She landed on her feet like a cat barely even wincing before she had her daggers out to defend herself. Dagran's eyes trailed the girl's body noting her chest was covered by a white tube top but that her sides were covered by a brown material that kept her stomach and back exposed. She wore a dark red skirt with a decorative belt around her waist that connected to her brown knee-length socks. On her feet were pristine white boots perfect for running. His eyes traveled back to her face and he was surprised at her vivid green eyes that reflected her stubbornness, but also her long blond hair held back by a braid of a few strands but the rest down.
The girl blinked as she looked over the two men, "Who are you?"
Dagran blinked at her commanding tone, liking her attitude, before Jirall spoke up, "Who do you think you are to speak to us that way?"
"A citizen of Lazulis who is curious too who the two strangers in front of her are," The girl spoke, and the way she spoke reminded Dagran of Syrenne.
"We're mercenaries looking for work in Lazulis, heard there was some big event and figured we could find some jobs," Dagran explained getting the girls attention.
The girl smiled as she accessed Dagran, "Mercenaries? So you're just like my father and his friends!"
"You're father is a mercenary?" Jirall asked with a hateful sneer.
The girl gave him an annoyed look, "Well used to be…they gave up that life years ago to start families and respectable jobs."
"I always found being a mercenary to be respectable to a point," Dagran pointed out.
"You're the only one," Jirall chided.
The girl smiled, "Oh…where are my manners. I'm Fiora and you are?"
"Dagran and this is Jirall," Dagran replied with a smile.
The girl smiled before gesturing to the road and Dagran began to follow her down it. Jirall complained about how much longer it was while the two began to speak. Dagran liked how easy it was speaking to her as he tried to guess who she may be the child of from among his friends. Glancing at her blonde hair and her attitude he wished to guess she was Lowell and Syrenne's child.
He asked her all about the city and how it was now a days and she answered his questions quickly and as best as she could. He had to admit he really liked the child and couldn't wait to become better aquatinted with her. His smile faltered as they entered the gate of the city and began heading to the market. As they did though Dagran noticed a commotion heading to the main road in the city.
"What's going on?" He asked Fiora.
Fiora glanced at the crowd, "They're probably lining up for the knight's parade, since the General and his second-in-command arrive today."
"Can we go see?" Jirall asked.
Fiora nodded, "Sure why not, my father will probably be there as well so it's probably best that we go."
Dagran smiled remembering the last time he had seen the parade, it had been for Asthar and he had seen it with Zael. As they approached the plaza they noticed the crowds were thicker at the edges of the area and began pushing their way through the crowds. Dagran helped Fiora to the front and smiled as he got a look at the plaza in front of the castle gates.
He blinked noticing a woman near the castle gates and a young man next to her. He froze as he looked her over, feeling like she looked very familiar. Dark brown hair with a few lighter strands cascaded down the woman's back. She wore a very nice auburn dress with white sleeves and boots to accompany it. Dagran noted a sword sheathed at her hip, and from the looks of it she knew how to use it. What made the raven stop though was not the sword or the woman itself it was the bluish-purple coat she wore over her form, protecting her from the cold. He recognized that coat as the same one Asthar had worn, and looking at her face he noticed some similarities between the girl and the general.
The boy next to her gave off familiar vibes as well as Dagran looked him over. The boy's hair was silver, though it was a darker color then a certain white-haired knight from when he was alive. He noted the blue sweater underneath a white vest which was covered by a coat the same color as the woman's but with fur lining at the top. He wore black pants that were covered by a silver material that connected to his pale beige boots.
He watched as the gates opened and the woman turned to greet the group that exited the gates. Dagran stopped as he recognized Zael immediately. Though he let his gaze go over the dark haired boy at Zael's side and noted the formal clothing the boy wore compared to the normal knights attire, this made him suspect the boy was Zael's son.
"That's Ser Zael; the knight-commander of the Lazulis knights, next to him is Lord Dunban, a knight under Ser Zael and also the eldest of Ser Zael and Lady Calista's children," Fiora pointed out for Dagran and Jirall.
Dagran nodded, "And who is the woman and the young man?"
"That's Lady Trista, she is the daughter of the late General Asthar, next to her is her eldest son, Alvis," Fiora answered.
"She's Asthar's daughter?" Jirall asked.
"Yes, his only child," Fiora explained.
Dagran frowned, "Why is she here?"
"She's probably here for the ceremony taking place in a few days. That and she is also the wife of the current general," Fiora stated.
Before Dagran could further ask questions of the girl, the drumming began for the procession. He looked up as Zael turned to face the road as did all the onlookers. Dagran turned his attention as they awaited the arrival of the knights and general. It didn't take long for the procession to reach them and when it did, Dagran froze as he saw the general.
Sir Therius walked at the head of the procession showing that he was the general. Dagran had to admit he had barely changed except for a few signs of aging. He still knew not how much time had passed since his death but he could definitely see some grey hair sticking out amongst Therius' white hair. The man still wore armor similar to the ones that he wore when Dagran was still alive. The man's gaze remained directed in front of him, his gaze clearly meeting Zael's as the procession approached the man.
Dagran turned his gaze to the boy to the right behind Therius, clearly his second-in-command from what Dagran remembered of Asthar's parade. The boy had short golden hair and dark brown eyes that watched him in interest. He wore black chainmail underneath a whitish-beige vest and his stomach showed just a bit and his shoulders were bare. He wore black pants, but most of it was covered by the same material used for the vest as well as additional golden armor. He had a piece of armor on each shoulder and gloves as well as boots and knee guards. He had a belt on with his travel packs on his waist and his blade sat in its sheath connected to the belt.
The way the boy walked reminded Dagran of Asthar and it almost seemed like if the boy and Therius switched places it would be similar to Asthar's parade. Dagran turned his gaze away from the boy as the boy did the same, though Dagran noted that he had nodded discreetly in their direction, as if out of respect.
Dagran looked back towards Zael and noted him smiling at Therius in a welcoming manner and nodding at the blonde boy. Zael turned along with his son and headed inside, Therius' party and Lady Trista and her son following him into the castle walls. Jirall huffed in slight annoyance as he glared at where Zael had stood.
"That was…" Dagran began, not sure how to describe it.
"Interesting? Perfect? Aspiring?" Fiora asked with a small sigh.
Dagran looked at her, "I feel like you did not enjoy the parade?"
"It happens quiet often with General Therius…this was the first year that Ser Aeron joined the procession," Fiora spoke as she looked at Dagran.
"Ser Aeron?" Jirall asked in confusion.
"The blonde at Therius' side, he's Therius' second in command. He is also Lady Trista and General Therius' youngest. He is currently one of the three in line for the position of knight commander here in Lazulis as well as heir to the position of general in the empire," Fiora explained.
"How would you know that he one of the three in line? That doesn't seem to be public knowledge?" Jirall questioned the girl suspiciously.
Fiora ignored him, "There is a tavern down that way that you can get rooms at, It's known as Ariela's tavern, you'll love it."
Dagran smiled, "Thanks…but we have reservations at another tavern…wish we had known about that one earlier…"
"Well no matter about that, nearby is a shop where you can get equipment, the owner is great at breaking curses on weapons. Near there is a bar at night, but during the day it runs as a mercenary store. Also around this area is a healers shop, if you need healing go there. It does act as a school though for kids," Fiora suggested as she back away from them.
"You leaving?" Dagran asked almost disappointed.
Fiora nodded, "I have to report to the person who hired me, I'll see you later. Don't catch the guards attention. They'll open the gates again tomorrow by the way!"
With that Fiora ran away from them, and Dagran watched her go sadly. He sighed before leading the once again complaining Jirall to the flame and lizard tavern. As they walked towards it though, Dagran couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. When he looked around he found nobody even looking in their direction. He kept his senses sharp as they continued making their way to the tavern.
~End Ch. 3~
I hope you all liked it, sorry I haven't updated in a while. I was busy with my grandmother's funeral and since then just haven't been in the mood to write. I have been forcing myself to write more often recently.
I originally had it so Therius and his family met Dagran on the way in, then I switched it to Fiora to make it simpler.
Wasn't too confusing was it?
Explanations:
Lady Trista – No idea is Ashtar has a child or not, but if he did and it was a girl I could see her marrying Therius. By the way her name is actually Ashtar's Japanese name, and her mother's name is Tasha, or Therius' Japanese name.
Aeron - From Pandora's Tower
Alvis – From Xenoblade Chronicles, he is an interesting character who is a kind of guide to Shulk and the others.
So any guesses to what may happen?
Reviewer's Corner:
Lopmion-12: I'm glad you like the story so far!
Cormag Ravenstaff: I was shocked at Lowell's age also, but it was an agreed consensus to his age by several.
Iris J.F. : You'll have to read to see if Dagran will be an antagonist, but I am taking his repenting as a major point in the story,
Roses for Marianne: Thanks for reading!
Till next time!
