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Malynna (mah-lihn-nah) Mexico. the southern most part of North Alverynia.
Alverynia (ahl-ver-ihn-yah) USA/ the name of the entire western continents of Alverynia, north and south. All of the northern parts of Alverynia are inhabited by Wyverns and Fairies.
Caruvi (cah-roo-vee) Cuba. Small island off the coast of Alverynia.
Cyeneva (khee-ehn-neh-vah) Canada. Northern most part of North Alverynia. Known over the rest of the world for their beautiful trees and sweet sauces.
Wyvern: A small dragon, usually grows to be the size of a large dog. Can't breathe fire, but they do have intensely sharp claw. There are several species of Wyvern, from the ice ones the live in Cyeneva to the desert ones in Caruvi and Malynna.
Fairy: Winged creature that can use magic to help plant and animal life. They have special defensive magic that shrinks them to impossible to see smaller sizes, which is why most humans believe them to be small in size.
Infected Fairy: an old medicine man created a potion that caused Fairy men and women to become insane and rabid. Their skin becomes dark grey-blue and their bites can bring serious pain and suffering.
Kismet
Chapter Seven: Swimming
Lovino awoke pressed tightly against Antonio's chest. The prince was still sleeping so he pushed out of his grasp and rubbed his red cheeks. He looked around and found the days were hot … much hotter than nights and he frowned, rolling up his sleeves to his elbows. The sun was shining brightly and Lovino was already fighting away a sweat, "Oi, bastard! Wake up!" Lovino made his way back over to the sleeping prince.
"Mm.. Lovi~?" He opened one of his green eyes and smiled, "I don't wanna get up …"
"You have to! We need to get home, remember?" Lovino crossed his arms.
Antonio chuckled, "Don't you know your stories? You're supposed to wake sleeping royalty with a kiss~!" the prince closed his eyes and puckered his lips.
The Illonian's face became bright red and his eyes wide, "Wh-what? L-like hell I'd ever k-kiss you, bastard!" his heart was beating quickly and he licked his lips looking at his master's.
The prince sat up and laughed, "I was just kidding, Lovi~" he dusted his clothes off and sighed, "It's hot today, isn't it?" he, too, rolled up his sleeves as well and looked around, "Let's head back to the beach and keep walking. We may come across a port or village."
Lovino was still recovering from Antonio's joke, "Y-yeah … okay …"
Together, they walked back to the sandy beach. The Illonian kicked a few rocks and shells here and there as Antonio led the way, "Is this the first beach you've been to? I know we don't have them by our ports, only rocks and stuff. Father used to take us to a beach a long time ago, but there's rumors about Dragons and other southern creatures taking over areas farther up north than from where they are. We haven't been back since."
"I went to one a very long time ago … actually, it wasn't really a beach … just a village on the water … My brother was born there … and we lived there for several years before we moved. I barely remember much of it, but I do recall the way we'd sit by the water's edge and kick our feet in it."
"I've heard of that place! Your brother was born there? Amazing!" Antonio smiled.
"Yeah … because everything about Feliciano is 'amazing' …" Lovino muttered, a tiny bit of his old jealousy seeping through. It had been renewed when Roderich had chosen Feliciano over him and now when Antonio, who he shouldn't care about, was talking about how great it was Feliciano happened to be born in the village on water.
"What was that, Lovi~?"
"Nothing, bastard … I'm hungry …" Lovino gripped his belly.
Antonio frowned and looked around at the trees, "Hey! Look~! Fruit trees~!" he took off and began climbing the tree to get the fruit. Lovino watched in wonder, "For a spoiled bastard, you really know how to get your hands dirty."
The prince laughed, tossing a few of the yellow and orange and red fruit to the sand below, "Of course, when my old friend used to come visit from far up north, we would always have a blast running through the woods and trees and just exploring. Ever since he stopped visiting, I'd usually just go on my own … which is how I found you.
"Gilbert and I always had fun teasing Francis, because he never wanted to get his hands dirty."
"I knew a Francis once … had the same problem. He got along well with Feliciano, but I haven't seen him since I was … seven or eight." Lovino kicked another rock, before bending down to scoop up the fallen fruit.
Antonio dropped back to the ground and grabbed one from Lovino, "These look good~" he bit into it and smiled as the juices trailed down his tan chin.
Lovino nodded and bit into one himself. The flavor was tangy, but sweet. He liked tomatoes more, but this wasn't half bad. They had two or three each, before following the beach further down the way.
"Do … do you think we'll get home?" Lovino looked at the prince.
The Sverran nodded ecstatically, "Of course! Father would tear apart the world to find his only son. Rosana may be able to handle herself, but law says she cannot take the throne, even if she is older than me. We would lose our family power."
Lovino nodded. Rosana was Antonio's older sister. She was more a free spirit anyways, and probably would run away before taking over the kingdom. The princess was nice, fawning over Lovino's baby fat covered cheeks when she was around. Rosana Carriedo was definitely someone no one could see following the rules. She had plans to leave home before she could be forced to marry and travel the world.
"I hope for your sake, you're right. If I have to grow up and die on the island, I'll kick your ass, bastard."
Antonio smiled, "Don't worry. Even if there is no one here, I'll build us a boat, fill it with these fruits and we'll just sail back home~!"
"You're insane! What if that monster attacks us again?"
"Well, then I'll just have to fight it off with my axe!" Lovino turned to look at the large weapon strapped to the prince's back. He'd never seen it before the trip and didn't even know Antonio could fight.
"Where did you learn to fight with the thing?" he asked softly.
Antonio gripped the handle and grinned like a mad man, "My father taught me. All Carriedo men know how to use an axe like this." he let go of it and looked back to the stretch of sand ahead.
"Can … can I hold it?" Lovino looked it over, wondering if it was as heavy as it looked. The prince looked at Lovino, then to the axe and laughed, "Sure~! Careful, Maria is kind of heavy." he un snapped the hooks, holding it on and held the weapon out to Lovino.
The Illonian gripped close to where Antonio was holding it and bit his lip. The Sverran prince let go and the weight instantly fell on Lovino. He stumbled trying to stay up right, but ended up swinging it around behind him and falling over.
Antonio let loose a loud, rolling laughter and Lovino glared, "Don't laugh at me bastard!" he stood up and stormed away.
"Lovi~! Wait! I didn't mean to laugh," he caught up to him, "I'm sorry! Please don't be mad at me!" the prince pouted lightly, his bright emerald orbs glittering with hope that Lovino would forgive him.
"Fine. But you laugh at me again and I swear I'll kick your ass, spoiled bastard!" Antonio pulled Lovino into a tight hug, "Thank you!"
Lovino frowned and placed his hands against Antonio's chest, pushing lightly, "Okay, okay, touchy bastard. Let go …" his cheeks were stained a rose color.
"Ahahaha~! Sorry …" the prince scratched his head. Silence fell, but both were rather comfortable. A gentle breeze cooled them down now that the sun was at the high point in the sky.
Lovino groaned and stumbled, rubbing sweat from his forehead, "It's too hot …"
Antonio nodded, "Here," he tossed his coat onto Lovino's head, "I'm used to heat like this …" Lovino blushed lightly and held the coat over his head, giving himself a little bit of shade.
An hour or so later, they still had not come across anything or anyone. Luckily, there were no more of those creatures either. Antonio smirked, "I'm tired. Let's take a break~!" he pulled his shirt from his body and tossed it beside his axe and pants.
"What the hell are you doing, bastard?" Lovino stared as the Sverran ran out into the water, splashing and kicking it up.
"I'm playing in the water! You should join~!" he laughed dunking himself under, "It feels great~!"
Lovino frowned, wondering how playing in the water like that was supposed to be 'fun' so he dropped the coat onto the pile Antonio had created and pulled his shirt off as well, then his pants. Once he was down to nothing but his drawers, he carefully walked into the water. The cool water lapped at his feet and legs and thighs as he made his way completely into the ocean.
"I told you~!" Antonio swam in front of the Vargas and splashed him in the face.
"Damn it!" Lovino wiped the water from his face and smirked taking the moment to splash the prince back. He laughed, "I declare a splash war!" the prince shouted, before splashing up more water.
Lovino moved away and hit the salty water, hoping to hit the mark, but instead he stepped into a small sunken spot and fell under. Suddenly he became aware of the fact that he couldn't swim and began to panic. He kicked and pushed, but couldn't gain footing on the loose sand below his feet.
Antonio chuckled and dodged the splash of water and laughed more when Lovi fell over. It had been a long time since he had a splash fight like this. His laughter died down and he realized Lovi had yet to rise back to the surface. The prince's heart sped up and he quickly dove under the water to find Lovi was struggling over a deep spot.
The Sverran prince grabbed the other boy's arm and pulled him back onto the shallower part and then pulled his head to the surface, "Lovi! Are you okay? Speak to me!"
Lovi coughed and took deep breaths, but latched onto Antonio, "I … I can't swim …"
Antonio laughed softly, "I'll teach you, Lovi~!" he pulled him further up to the beach where the water was at least up to his waist. Lovi shook his head, "No. no … I just want to go now. Back to the … land …"
The prince wasn't about to take no for an answer, "I won't let you drown … I promise. Trust me~?" he held out his hand and took Lovi's into his own.
Lovi blushed lightly with that blush Antonio loved to put there. He loved embarrassing him like that. It was adorable.
"Here, lay down across my arms, on your belly." Lovi nodded and did so, "Relax, I've got you. Now … kick your legs and use your arms to paddle." Lovi listened and began working to swim. Antonio smiled and slowly let go and watched Lovi swim a short distance before sinking again. Luckily the boy was able to stand.
"Bastard! You let go!" the boy pushed his hair from his face and glared.
Antonio pouted, "Oh come now Lovi~ there's only one way to learn. How about I teach you to stay afloat in deeper water now?" he grabbed the boy's arms and dragged him to deeper water, "Kick your legs the same way as before and use your arms to push up and stay afloat. I'm right here, so don't worry, okay?"
Lovino shook his head violently and wrapped his legs around Antonio's middle and arms around his neck, "NO! Take me back! Take me back! NOW!"
"Lovi~! You have to let go to learn how to swim! Come on, Lovi, I haven't let you drown before, have I?" Antonio struggled to keep them both above the water.
Lovi shook his head violently again, "J-just take m-me back, b-bastard!"
"Please … at least try?" Antonio frowned lightly. Lovi looked at him and sighed, "Fine, but if you let go of me this time, I'll kick your ass!"
Antonio smiled and placed his hands on his waist, "Okay, now just do as I said before~!"
Lovi nodded and began to kick his legs and use his arms to control how high he floated, "I'm … I'm doing it! Look at this, Antonio! I'm actually swimming!" the prince smiled happily, loving that his servant/best friend was using his name. He let his hand fall away from Lovi's sides and watched as he remained above the surface, laughing happily, "Come on, Lovi~! Let's swim back now. It's time for some food!" He began swimming away. Lovi tilted his head and realized Antonio wasn't holding onto him anymore.
Lovino gasped, but instead of panicking, he began kicking his legs towards the shore and using his arms to push. It wasn't the way Antonio showed him, but it seemed to be working and he wasn't slipping beneath the surface.
He stepped onto the sand and flopped onto his back, taking deep breaths. "I … I'm going to … kick … your … ass!" Lovino huffed in between breaths.
Antonio laughed and dropped one of the fruits beside the Vargas, "You swam, so that's all that matters~! Eat up. We should probably be heading for shelter soon~"
Lovino nodded and quickly ate the fruit and re-dressed. He frowned lightly, feeling unusually tired. He trudged closely behind the prince, hoping shelter came soon.
"There, look Lovi~ a small cave!" the Sverran ran forward and checked out the cave, making sure it was empty before inviting Lovino inside, "I think we will be safe here, no?"
Lovino shrugged and plopped onto the ground, "I don't care … too sleepy …" Antonio laughed lightly and pulled the coat over them, "Good night, Lovi~!"
The Vargas mumbled his reply and fell into a fitful sleep, filled with nightmares of horrible, horrible things.
"Ve~! Brother?" Lovino turned to see Feliciano standing behind him in the door way, much older than before. His short auburn hair was the same, but the man was taller and thin.
"F-feliciano?"
"Ve … What are you doing here? You're not wanted here!" Roderich and Elizaveta joined his side and they each looked on Lovino with contempt. The older Vargas laughed nervously, "Come on, Feli … don't be like that … I missed you!" he stepped forward, but was pushed back by another familiar face. Antonio stood in front of Feliciano with a dark look in his cold green eyes.
"Feli~ doesn't want you here, Lovino. Go away." he turned his gaze on Feliciano and smiled warmly, "He's better than you, you know? Doesn't break my things or call me bad names. I've replaced you."
The man grabbed the axe and his hard gaze fell on Lovino again, "You just can't leave well enough alone can you?"
"But … bas- Antonio …?" Lovino felt a cold feeling grip his heart as Antonio lifted the axe above his head and brought it down.
Lovino awoke screaming.
"Lovi? Are you okay?" Antonio asked sleepily, "Is someone here?" he jumped up and grabbed his axe, ready to fight off the creatures of the night, but it only made Lovino remember the nightmare he'd just had.
Tears streamed down his face and he pushed Antonio away when the teen tried to comfort him. "Lovi? Shh … calm down … did you have a bad dream?" Lovino looked into the warm emerald eyes and then away. It only reminded him of the way the prince had looked at Feliciano in the dream. "I'm fine. Go away … leave me alone …"
Antonio would have replied but both were interrupted my a loud voice, "Who the … who are you?"
They looked up and spotted three figures at edge of the cave. The first two were a little older than Lovino and were practically identical, with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes, though one's eyes were darker.
The third was an older tanned teen with dark hair tied back, "Damn it Alfred, they could be one of the infected! You never think! I should beat your head in!"
"N-no! It's okay … Alfred … please stop yelling! Besides, Carlos, they aren't even one of us …"
Lovino gasped lightly, noticing that they indeed were a different species. Long gauzy wings sparkled underneath the rising sunlight. Fear washed over him and he cowered behind Antonio. Antonio gripped the axe tightly, anger coming into his face, "Who are you?"
"Kind of rude, eh Mattie?" the short haired blonde laughed, "I'm Alfred, your hero!" the preteen waved lightly, "It's dangerous to be out here alone, ya know?"
"Where are we?" Antonio frowned. Lovino also wondered, since all three seemed to know a dialect of Sverran.
'Carlos' was the one to answer, "You're on a big island off the coast of Alverynia. What are you humans doing here?" he pushed 'Mattie' behind him.
Antonio nodded, "I see. Far from home, but not far from one of my colonies!"
Carlos glared, "Your colonies? You must be the bratty prince everyone has been so worked up over! Damn, why didn't you say so sooner. You're stupid father has been making life hell for everyone. He's been sending messages for the passed two days driving everyone mad!"
Alfred laughed, "Come on! You should come with us! We'll take you to the leader of this island and he'll get you on your way home!"
Antonio exchanged glances with Lovino and both followed, but Antonio never let go of his blade, "So if we're off the coast of Alverynia, then what are you?"
Mattie smiled softly, "We're fairies! Haven't you ever seen one before?"
"Fairies? But … I thought they were much smaller!" Antonio looked at them in amazement.
"Just a defensive magic of ours," Carlos explained, hitting Alfred on the head for pushing Mattie, "Most humans and elves only ever see that and assume that's how big we are."
Alfred began babbling in a language neither Illonian nor Sverran understood as they pushed their way out of the trees and into a village filled with more of the winged creatures. Most were tanned like Carlos, but a very select few were like Alfred and Mattie.
"This is only one of the tribes in Caruvi." Carlos welcomed them, "I'm surprised you were even alive out there, what with all the infected running around out there."
"Infected?" Antonio asked, looking at Lovino, who was also thinking about the creature that had attacked them.
"Yeah. One of the old crazy medicine men accidentally created something quite foul and it makes fairies insane." Mattie added quietly.
Antonio nodded, "That's what that thing was …"
"You ran into one? And you're still alive? Wow!" Alfred laughed.
Carlos raised his hand in warning, but the two blonde boys ran off to somewhere else.
"Sorry 'bout them. Alfred is … arrogant and I dislike him. A lot. Mattie is okay, but those two can be hard to tell apart sometime. I'm Carlos, by the way."
"Prince Antonio Fernandez Carriedo of Sverran and this is my personal servant and best friend, Lovino Vargas."
Carlos laughed lightly and led them into the bigger of the houses. An old man holding a small winged lizard looked up, "Ah, Carlos … you found the source of the screaming I see?"
The tall teen nodded, "Yeah, just that prince who fell over board that the king of Sverran has been pestering us about."
"I see, well done Carlos, I'll send the king a message at once to let the king know his son did indeed wash up on our shores." he scrawled dome things on a crudely made piece of paper and tucked it in the lizard's grasp. The creature hissed lightly and took flight.
"What is that?" Antonio watched it disappear.
"A baby Wyvern. A dragon of sorts. We train a lot of them out here." he smiled, "I can see you two must be in need of a bath and some food." his eyes scrutinized the boys, "And I hope you steered clear of our orange and red fruits …" he smiled knowing they had not, "They are nightmare inducing."
Lovino looked away, but Antonio laughed, "That explains my crazy dream … so many tomatoes died …" tears welled up in Antonio's eyes and Lovino hit his arm, "Seriously, bastard?"
The chief laughed and called for a young girl to come in, "Adelita?"
Adelita walked in, "Alfred isn't in here, is he?" she smiled, seeing he was not.
"Can you take them to the spring to wash up and find them something to eat and possibly a home to house them until his father gets here?" Adelita nodded and led them through the village.
"So you're from far away? You're actually the first humans I've ever seen!" she laughed, "I'm actually not from here, but from a Sverran colony in Malynna. Alfred and Mattie's parents brought me along while they came to visit here!"
She aimlessly babbled about how often she visits the island with Alfred, about how much she dislikes Alfred and about how she grew up with Alfred. Lovino shook his head and tuned out. They were finally going home.
They bathed in the spring and were allowed to eat things that wouldn't fill Lovino's dreams with death and abandonment and finally, they were led to a small home owned by Carlos's family and were given a place to sleep. Lovino couldn't wait to finally go home.
TBC
I hope you enjoyed~
~Lady Pyrien