Note: Hello everyone! This chapter is based on an old suggestion by Falchion1984 (who I should just call my co-writer by this point) that I can finally put in. Again, this is sort of a setup/downtime chapter, but we'll be picking things up soon. After all, the group will need to lay out a plan before anything can be done.
That said, I hope you enjoy it!
Under the Weather
Angela was about to storm out of the room but stopped when she saw everyone had stayed put. "Well?"
"You can't be serious." Riesz said.
"I'm dead serious! We go to Altena and we-"
"And we what?" Riesz interrupted. "Get caught? Captured? Perhaps end up getting sacrificed ourselves if this report is a fabrication?"
"You do realize that, like it or not, your country is enemy territory," Hawkeye added. "Also, and I especially don't like this, there's been a lot of lies going around as of late." A certain red-haired witch came to mind.
"Victor is no liar!" Angela shot back. "And Jose handed him that letter. He saw the old man writing it for Goddess' sake!"
"Fine. Then say it IS authentic," Riesz told Angela, feeling somewhat guilty when she saw the mage's expression fall at the unspoken implication. "You do realize what this means, right?" Then the amazon paused, considering for a moment. "Faerie, what does it mean when a Stone is activated?"
Faerie emerged from Duran. "It means that one of the few things that we have in our favor is gone!" the winged woman answered, clearly unhappy with this news. "The enemy has taken a big step towards opening the Holyland!"
"And someone's wife has been taken," Charlotte said sadly, her eyelids falling shut and her lips moving quietly as she began a small prayer for the departed soul.
"All the more reason to get going!" Angela exclaimed. "We have to stop Koren and that Dark Knight before anyone else is killed! Or worse, they get anyone else as a sacrifice for the next Stone they find!"
"Which is why we cannot just rush in blindly!" Riesz retorted, raising her voice as if she were a parent arguing with a disobedient child. "They've already seen us at Laurent! Don't you think that they'd expect us to go to Altena as well? And as Hawkeye said, what if this is all a trap? We'd be walking right into the enemy's hands!" She then looked at the sharpened end of her spear, then to Angela, her tone deepening with grim portent. "Then Koren would surely get the one he truly wants."
Angela had a rejoinder on the tip of her tongue, but a booming clap of thunder was heard from outside, startling nearly everyone in the castle. Racing outside, everyone saw thick, dark clouds roiling overhead, blotting out the sun in heartbeats. Lightning was already writhing downward in dazzling hairlines to strike unseen points somewhere in the great field outside of the kingdom.
"Something is wrong," Duran noted. "I've never seen such a storm this time of year."
"These winds…" Sylphid manifested, quickly wetting a finger and holding it up in the air. "They're out of season, all right. They're growing rather violent. And I fear they won't calm any time soon."
As if to dovetail his statement, rain then began to fall, and fall heavily, pelting down upon the entirety of the kingdom until streets became small rivers at least ankle deep. "I'm no expert on predicting the weather," Hawkeye said. "But I think it's safe to say storms don't form that fast."
"It's the influence of the Benevodon," Sylphid told the thief. "The power of its prison is weakening, and thus, its influence is spreading." The blue Spirit looked glum. "Influence that I can't combat at the moment."
"Why not?" Kevin questioned, genuinely curious. "Can't you control the wind itself?"
"Yes, but…" Sylphid sighed. "As the seal on the Stone gets weaker, so too do my own abilities. Otherwise, I wouldn't need them to be channeled by another."
"Unfortunately, given the circumstances, even beings such as us are affected." Shade answered, also appearing. "The only power we do have of our own, truly, is to open the way for you to the Holyland."
"Or, in my case and Shady's," Lumina added, "tending to our appointed duties. We both serve as judges for those that have departed from this world, after all." Then Gnome came out. "Wait, what are you popping out for?" Lumina asked.
"Well, everyone else got something in. I want to contribute too!"
"Okay, well, what do you wish to say?" Sylphid asked.
Gnome cleared his throat. "I think-" he was interrupted by a reverberating clap of thunder, and before Charlotte knew it, she found the Elemental had let out a high-pitched yelp, shrunk down to doll size, and popped underneath her cap for shelter. Though the blonde girl quickly removed it, Gnome vanishing not long after.
The six youths looked up at the sky, the Elementals and Faerie watching with them. The speed at which the storm was developing was shocking. "I think that no one will be going anywhere for some time," Faerie said, frowning heavenward as the skies grew darker and darker.
Later
Perhaps it was a mistake to go out in weather like this, but Stella needed something to help her unwind. While she wasn't the one bearing the weight of the world's, apparently quite numerous, problems on her shoulders, her nephew's task had put quite a strain upon her. And she knew Wendy was deeply concerned as well. King Richard in particular was straining under the burden, even if he would never admit it. Many nights consisted of her being up and about, worrying about whether or not her Duran was all right, or whether or not he was even alive. After all, while he had been successful in escaping death so far, luck could only take someone so far.
And, this was leaving aside what events had affected her directly. She remembered, in nightmares as often as not, the occupation of Valsena during the Peddan War. If not for the efforts of that brave youth Roget, as well as Prince Richard and Loki, Valsena may have very well fallen to the Dragon Lord then and there.
She'd hoped desperately never to have to go through something like that again.
And then, one day, she'd received news that that handsome stranger who'd flirted with her while she'd been celebrating Duran's victory in the arena had nearly killed both her nephew and her king. After that, before the shock had even worn off, he'd returned with an army of mages at his back.
All of this had been weighing on her mind, and the woman needed some downtime.
A young woman with a long, auburn ponytail and green eyes heard the door open, she turned to see an older (though she'd never say it to her face) woman enter her salon "Ah, Stella!" the younger woman greeted. "It's been a while."
"Yes, it has, Grace," the older woman said. "Sorry to drop in like this, but-"
"Oh, it's no problem," Grace told Stella. "I haven't had anyone all day, and it's doubtful anyone else is going to come in this weather," she said, though she studiously forced any hint of gloom from her voice as she pulled out an apron from a small closet in the back of the salon. "So, if anything," she said, all the while securing the apron in the back. "You're doing me a huge favor."
Stella smiled. "You're just saying that to get my money." she joked.
"Of course I am," Grace responded in jest. "But you also give me the chance to test out some new techniques I've learned." she then spun one of the chairs toward Stella, the unspoken invitation obvious. "If you're willing to let me experiment." the stylist said. "And it looks like you're in need of a bit of dye."
Stella inwardly groaned. Her hair had been looking a little grayer as of late. And the sleepless nights she had to endure recently weren't doing her any favors either. "All right, then," the older woman said, going over and sitting down in the chair. "Grace, work your magic."
Grace smiled. "Will do." And with that, she got to work on the woman's hair, already having something in mind that'd make Stella look ten years younger. Minimum.
The Castle
Duran was rather surprised that Angela had insisted that she join in the discussion King Richard was having with Victor and Alma. And he was even more surprised that His Majesty actually allowed it. The soldier was also invited, and while he didn't entirely understand why Angela wanted to join, he wouldn't refuse such an invitation from his King. No one was going anywhere due to the storm. Even if the roads weren't impassable, the sea was far too rough to risk sailing on Vuscav. But, when the weather cleared, they wanted a plan of attack.
It was not lost on him that his father had likely joined the King in several such discussions, any one of which involved stakes nearly as high.
Currently, he, Angela, Alma, Victor, and King Richard were gathered around a table with a map of the world spread out for everyone to see.
"The entrance to Altena is through this bay, or, at least, it's one of the main entryways into the country," Richard said, tracing a path from Valsena to Altena with his finger. He pointed at where the harbor of Alrant was located. "But seeing as you are venturing into enemy territory, and from what I've also been told by Alma, even if the Stone has been…" he paused, studying Angela to gauge her emotional state.
"Activated," the Altenan Princess then said, her tone flat and businesslike, to Richard's surprise. "But even so, as we've seen," she then looked at Duran. "Usually whenever there's a Stone, there's a Spirit nearby, or at least in some sort of trouble."
"Unfortunately," Faerie added, manifesting from Duran. "The Stone of Water is in the Frostbite Fields, right?" Richard nodded. "If the Stone's power has been unleashed, then Undine is surely in danger."
Her host then wondered something. "Hey, wait," Duran interjected. "If a Stone's power is, well, let out, what happens to the Elemental tied to it?"
Faerie lowered her head. "It's…hard to say," she admitted. "Mana is depleting, but if there were no Mana, then the Holyland couldn't be opened at all. Any sort of Mana energy the enemy can get, they probably will. So, even if she may be weakened by the Stone's activation, Undine is still a direct connection to Mana itself. To them, she will be of use, one way or another." She then shuddered, Duran sensed the chill creeping up the winged woman's spine even without their connection.
"Then that makes this a rescue mission, right?" Angela asked. Faerie was stunned that the young mage had responded so quickly. Nevertheless, she answered with a nod. "Then we need to go." Faerie was about to speak, but Angela continued. "Once this storm passes.'' The Princess then pointed towards the harbor in Alrant. "The harbor's here," she then traced along the country's border until she stopped a short distance to the east of the harbor. "But there's a small beach here." she pointed to a small space nestled in between two hills. "We can take Vuscav and enter right through Alrant, or we go straight into the Frostbite Fields."
"Then to the Labyrinth of Ice," Victor added. The blonde mage then looked at his Princess, the two of them clearly knowing something that the others didn't. "The fields have become more dangerous of late." Victor continued. "Monsters and other unnatural creatures have been making the icy plains their home. There's barely any travel between Alrant and the Capital anymore, though that probably has to do with the fact the Queen has ordered that the borders be secured to prevent invasion by enemy forces." he then looked at Duran. "If you came by ship, you'd be caught for sure. Even if the Stone's been dealt with, you and Angela are still considered enemies of Her Highness and the country of Altena."
Angela closed her eyes, deep in thought. Duran watched her, the Princess silent for a good few moments. Then, she opened her eyes, Peridot orbs glimmering with a fiery determination. "Then it's obvious," she said. "We go by Vuscav, and then, we sneak our way in."
"And we do that, how?" Duran asked. "Even if we enter the country by a different route, we could still be recognized."
True. Angela thought. If not you, they'll definitely recognize me. She pondered this for a moment, then her eyes fell on Alma.
The sight of the amazon reminded her of the party's short stay in Laurent, particularly of their night in the bar and celebration after the citadel had been retaken. It was certainly a better time for them all, but she remembered the method they used to get around the enemy-infested Palo. Then she remembered when she had been rescued from the Frostbite Fields by that woman - Anna, she believed - and sent out by one of her daughters to get food for the addled grandmother. Or rather, she remembered how, in both of those times, they had a cover story. They had a disguise.
The Princess smirked, having finally cooked up a plan.
Library
"Then Wuneth wooked over the howizion and gazed wongingwy at the smaww viwwage of Ur befowe weaving just as the cwystaw instwucted." Charlotte read to herself, sitting at a table with the book The Gulgan Chronicles in her hands. Though what she read was as far as she got, she then closed the book in frustration. "Ugh! It's no use!"
Kevin winced and Wendy looked confused. The three of them had decided to go to the library until the meeting at the castle was concluded, and the two girls, even if one of them was technically a teenager, had picked out a book to read. Duran's sister had read one chapter, then Charlotte said she wished to read the next one.
"Are you sure?" Wendy asked the blonde half-elf. "You're not that good at talking."
The brunette meant no offense by this, she was simply stating facts. Not that Charlotte appreciated it. Her cheeks puffing indignantly, she immediately took the book to an empty table and pulled up a chair. She began going into the next chapter, though she didn't even get halfway through before she gave up, agitated that she'd ended up proving Wendy's point.
"Aw!" Wendy then took the book. "Now I gotta find where you left off!" She then flipped through the pages, trying to find which page had seen Luneth reach Ur. The half-elf hopped off the chair and went off elsewhere, leaving Wendy alone and Kevin. The beastman was torn between whether to go after her or stay with Wendy. "Why is her voice such a big deal to her?" Wendy asked, puzzled.
Kevin bit his lip. "It's…complicated."
Charlotte went to the back of the library and found a quiet corner to sulk in. True, she wasn't exactly acting her age, but she was far from caring at the moment. She just HAD to bring that up, didn't she? The half-elf thought bitterly. Stupid girl. She doesn't know anything! She lowered her head. Everything sounds fine in my head, but my mouth just won't stop fouling it up! She also looked at herself, her hands small in comparison to those of Angela and Riesz. They were beautiful, growing into womanhood, while she was stuck looking like a young child! It wasn't fair!
Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, Charlotte saw Kevin standing over her. She huffed. "You'we not gonna weave me awone untiw I tawk, wight?"
Kevin nodded, sitting down with her. "Wendy didn't mean it like that, you know. She's sorry."
"I don't cawe." Charlotte replied. "I hate being…this." she sighed. "I don't cawe about what Gwanpda says eithew."
"What does he say?" Kevin asked.
"Things wike how I'ww gain wisdom with age, and seeing as I'm gonna wive wonger than a wot of othew peopwe, I'ww get wots of wisdom." she chuckled. Ironic, considering that I just sounded like a toddler. "Or how I'ww matuwe someday. It'ww just take wongew." Even if it's been fifteen years.
"Hey." The blonde looked up and saw the much younger, but equally tall, brunette standing above her and Kevin.
Charlotte stared back at Wendy for a short while before finally responding. "Hey."
"Look, I didn't mean what I said like that." Wendy told the blonde. "If you thought I was making fun of you, I wasn't."
Charlotte sighed. "I know." she said. "And…I know I'm hawd to undewstand sometimes." she then paused. "Weww, a wot of the time actuawwy."
Wendy shifted, feeling quite guilty. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Really."
"I know." Charlotte answered. "I get it, I do," she said. She then saw a familiar book by her head, she then reached up to pull it off the shelf. "But I guess that's why I pwefew siwent weading."
Wendy then saw the title of the book. "An Esper's Tears?" she said aloud. "You've read that book?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah." the half-elf said. "It's one of my favowites."
"Really?" Wendy asked. "Auntie says that's too mature for me."
"Weww, Gwandpa weft out some of the mowe aduwt themes in the stowy the fiwst time he towd me," Charlotte answered. "But he mainwy towd me the stowy because Tewwa was hawf of a diffewent cweatuwe and hawf of a human," she explained, then she sighed. "I guess he towd me to maybe make me feew bettew," she then looked at her hand, then to Wendy's. They were practically identical. Despite her grandfather's intentions in telling her such a tale, all Charlotte could think of was how, despite all the hardships she'd been through, Terra never had to deal with being stuck in the body of a child.
Granted, the…more adult version that Charlotte had snuck a peek at did say she was sometimes jealous of Celes' more "womanly figure", but grandpa didn't need to know that.
The thought, instead of giving her a laugh, made her spirits sink. She'd happily confess going behind his back if he'd get well enough to scold her for it.
"So, you're a half-elf?" Wendy asked. Charlotte looked shocked. "Kevin told me." The blonde's gaze swung in Kevin's direction, and he quickly averted his gaze. "Actually, I think it's kinda neat."
"You do?" Charlotte didn't expect to hear that from the younger girl.
"Yeah. I mean, elves are pretty and magical and stuff." the brunette girl said. "At least, that's what I've always heard."
"Gwandpa says that they'we some of the most beautifuw beings in the wowwd." the blonde replied. "But they don't get awong weww with humans."
"Yeah, I heard that too," Wendy admitted. "Did you know any elves, or were you around humans your whole life?"
"Up until now, I've nevew weft Wendew." Charlotte said. "Gwandpa's taken cawe of me, and Heath too." she grew silent for a moment upon mentioning the young priest. But before anyone could say anything, the half-elf directed her attention to Kevin. "What about you, Kevin?" she asked. "What was it like gwoing up in Fewowia?"
Kevin shifted a bit and rubbed the back of his neck. "It was okay, I guess." he said, somewhat unconvincingly. Though up until he went to Jadd, he knew next to nothing of life outside the kingdom, let alone anything outside of the beastman way of life.
"Do beastmen do anything differently?" Wendy asked, curious about Kevin's country and people. "Like, do you go to school? Do you guys have parents?"
"Well, of course, we have parents," Kevin answered. "It's just, well, beastmen raise their young until they reach an age where they can walk and generally fend for themselves. Usually when they're around Wendy's age. After that, they're sent into the Duskmoon Forest to learn to survive."
"What? That young?" Wendy was shocked. "But how could anyone expect a kid to survive out there? They'd die for sure!"
Kevin sighed. "Sometimes that happens," he admitted soberly, seeing that Wendy and Charlotte were appalled. "Beastmen aren't endangered or anything, but those of us who live in Ferolia are those that survived the wilds of the Duskmoon Forest." He then looked at his hands. "It's how we learn to survive, how we develop sharp, hard claws and teeth to rip and tear."
"So, where are yours?" Wendy asked, belatedly remembering her earlier faux pas. "I don't mean anything by it, I'm just curious."
Kevin sighed. "Honestly, I don't know." Indeed, instead of dark, sharpened claws, the beastman lacked many of the traits that his people were known for. And his teeth, while he had canines, weren't as sharp as that of his father and especially lacking compared to Ludgar's.
"Maybe you'we just about to go thwough a gwoth spuwt." Charlotte suggested.
"Hey, I just thought of something." the brunette girl said. "Charlotte looks different than a human or an elf, and you look different than a human or a beastman," she explained. "Maybe you've got some other blood in you too."
"Wike what?" Charlotte questioned, intrigued.
"Like…maybe Kevin's got some human in him."
Kevin's eyes widened. "What? Me? Human?" Well, at least partially human? That can't be…could it? "No way!" he shook his head. "I clearly don't look human for starters."
"Eh, my brother's got more hair than you, and you're about as tan as that thief he's with," Wendy told him. "And the only thing peculiar about you is that you don't wear a shirt or shoes." She then gave the small pom-pom on Kevin's hat a small poke.
The half-elf studied the beastman, then thought back to the others that she had seen in Jadd, she had to admit that Wendy's words made sense. "Yeah, maybe," Charlotte then turned to Kevin. "You have a dad, wight?" the tan-skinned young man nodded, the half-elf not dwelling on the subject for too long. From what she had heard and seen, she wasn't fond of the Beast King at all. But she also knew that the man - or, rather, beastman - was a sore subject for the prince. She was about to ask about his mother, but paused for a moment. "You don't have a mom, do you?" she asked.
"No," Kevin admitted. "I never knew her. No one at the castle talks about her, not even the King."
"So, you don't know anything at all about her?" Wendy asked, her brow furrowing. Kevin shook his head. "Well, if that's the case, how do you know that she wasn't a human?"
"That's impossible." Kevin countered. "Humans haven't been seen in Ferolia for ages. Up until I entered Jadd, I had never even seen a human up close," he explained. "And besides, any human that would set foot in my country would probably be killed immediately."
Wendy and Charlotte went silent, the brunette getting chills at the thought of being slain because of her humanity, and the blonde girl knew that even if she wasn't entirely human, she was human enough. Suffice to say, the thought of being in the midst of a dark, dense forest full of dangerous animals and men that were even worse wasn't exactly appealing to either of them.
"Uh, hey, I found where you left off," Wendy said, pulling out the book the three had previously been reading. "And we haven't even gotten to the part with the djinn yet."
Djinn? He had never heard that before, but the image of Sylphid sprang to mind for some reason Kevin could not make sense of. As the two girls went back to the book, the beastman couldn't help but reflect on Wendy's theory. It was ridiculous and unfounded, but at the same time, the young man found that it would explain many things. While it wasn't as noticeable to the others as it was for Charlotte, Kevin too found his body lacking in comparison to his fellow beastmen. He was smaller and far less muscular, especially when compared to Ludgar. He also lacked claws, save for the weapons he used, and was "softer" overall than everyone else.
Could it have been the result of him not being a full-blooded beastman?
No, Kevin thought. That's ridiculous. Besides, I transform under the moon. No human can do that. Still, as the two girls continued to read, he found himself unable to concentrate. The, albeit slim, possibility that his blood had some human in it perplexed yet intrigued him. It would explain so much; but, if that was the case, then perhaps he too had something to worry about. For, if his theory on his people's willingness to slay humans were true, then what would that make him?
Perhaps it was too soon to jump to conclusions, but Kevin suspected that this question would be on his mind for some time. And eventually, he suspected that he'd find out, for better or for worse.
Tavern
"Hey, c'mon," Hawkeye said to the amazon as the pair entered the bar. "We have some downtime. Shouldn't we enjoy it?"
Riesz sighed. "Yes, I suppose so," she answered. "Still, poor Angela. Even if it doesn't concern us, the loss of a mentor is no small wound." Hawkeye and Riesz could empathize with the Altenan Princess all too well, yet at the moment, there was nothing anyone could do but wait out this weather. Still, that didn't make the young Queen (Goddess, it still felt strange to say that) feel any better.
Seeing this, Hawkeye looked around and his eyes spotted a rather stunning blonde sitting in the corner of the tavern, then he looked at Riesz. A plan came to him. Sure, it was risky, but it'd at least get Riesz to do something other than sulk.
"You know," the thief began. "Being in a place like this brings back some memories." At Riesz's raised eyebrow, he continued. "After a big score, a number of us would go to a tavern much like this to celebrate."
The reminder of those times, and who he wouldn't be sharing them with again, almost caused his voice to crack. But, at the last, he painted a smile on his face and watched as the amazon's curiosity got the better of her.
"And, just what did you do?" Riesz asked as she ordered a drink. "And, how did you get into a tavern at all? You were a band of thieves, after all."
"Sometimes we just got lucky and no one recognized us," Hawkeye went on. "Other times, we'd go to places run by people who…didn't like the folks we'd fleeced and looked the other way. Still, we had a grand time. Drinking, dancing, darts, dice. And, a particular favorite of mine…"
Here, he paused tactically until he saw the amazon tip back her tank.
"Making…conversation with the ladies."
He was immediately rewarded with Riesz nearly choking on her drink. "What?" she blubbered.
"Yep." Hawkeye proudly said. "Eagle wouldn't dare admit it, but I seem to have been blessed with a natural allure. Especially with women."
Riesz raised a brow. "Oh, really?" she began to stir her drink with her finger. "And how many women have you managed to charm?" she didn't know why, but she found the thought of the thief with another woman rather…infuriating.
Hawkeye shrugged. "Probably nearly everyone I took a fancy to," he said. "Though Nevarl has as many pretty girls as there are grains in the desert, I have a hard time keeping track." he noticed Riesz's face twist into an irritated scowl. Instead of finding his joke humorous, she seemed to be trying to keep her anger down. "What? You don't believe me?"
"Oh, no, I do." the amazon answered, her tone dismissive. "In fact, from the sound of it, you're very experienced." She took another drink. I know EXACTLY what you're trying to do. She thought. Do you think I'll fall for that? You're just trying to make me jealous.
"You meant none of that," Hawkeye said. "Hey, look, I'll prove it." He then looked around. The bar was nearly empty, which wasn't surprising with the storm, but there were still several women about. "And just for you, you get to pick which one I woo."
"You wish for a challenge?" Riesz answered with a chuckle. "Fine." If he wanted to play like that, she would indulge him, though only this one time. The blonde scanned the tavern, spotting, to her surprise, an ensemble of beautiful women. More than she would've expected to brave the storm for a mug of beer. All were shapely with all the right assets. Immediately, Riesz found she was comparing herself to them, as well as looking to see if Hawkeye had any particular candidate in mind.
It was then that Riesz spotted her.
When she had first seen the woman, she marveled at the sight of her hair, but upon inspecting the woman more carefully, she realized who it was. "So, any girl I choose?" she asked. Hawkeye nodded, completely confident. "Very well," she said. "I select," she pointed forward, going over each woman available until she landed on the woman she had recognized. "Her."
Hawkeye looked in the direction Riesz pointed and spotted whom she was talking about. "Heh," he chuckled. "I thought you wanted to challenge me." Then he rose from his chair. "Very well, watch and be amazed." He then went over to the woman Riesz had picked.
Oh, you have no idea. The amazon thought, smirking.
"Grace, you have really outdone yourself!" Stella muttered to herself, brushing some of her newly revitalized hair behind her ear. While there wasn't a mirror in the tavern, she could at least catch snatches of her reflection in the brief moments the window wasn't plastered from the rain. Her bangs had been trimmed and tucked behind her ears, and her hair had cut into a bob that curved around her neckline. Her hair was also a more vibrant blonde thanks to Grace's dyes. She looked as if she were a decade or two younger!
On top of that, Grace, not one to leave a job unfinished, had taken to touching up Stella's face as well. Lines engraved into her skin from the strain of raising two young people, as well as other hardships, were all but invisible. Her skin was softer, more pliant, and rosier in hue. Although not many had been out in this foul weather, those who had crossed paths with Stella had either been awestruck at her new look or had been awestruck but completely failed to recognize her.
Suddenly, she was jolted back to attention when she realized that someone had approached her table. "Well, what lucky breeze has blown a fair lady like yourself my way?" a violet-haired young man asked, his long, dark purple hair tied in a meticulously coiffed ponytail.
Isn't this one of Duran's friends? Stella wondered. If that's the case, surely he must know who I am! After a moment's perplexity, she recalled how a few of the people she'd passed on the way here had failed to recognize her. Perhaps the thief had also been fooled by her, admittedly extensive, makeover. Well, if he wants to play that way, why not? The blonde woman smiled slyly. "Oh, I'm sure you say that to everyone!" she said, giving a dismissive wave. "I've had men fawning over me ever since I came in here."
She wasn't lying either. One of Duran's former opponents, the so-called Bruiser, had made a pass on her not twenty minutes ago. Given his rather uncouth words to her nephew, he hadn't gotten very far. And, needless to say, Stella had savored the mortification on his face when he realized just whose trousers he'd been trying to get into.
"Then, these must be a people of taste." Hawkeye told her, all the while keeping Riesz in the corner of his eye while never taking his gaze off the blonde "mystery" woman. "You're one of the best-looking girls in here."
Well, he knows how to lay it on thick, I'll give him that. Stella thought. Still, the attention was nice. Though a part of her wondered how he'd react when he was on the receiving end of compliments. "Well, what surprises me is that there aren't more eyes on you!" she said. "Storm or no storm, I'd have expected a handsome young man like you to have a posse of admirers. You must drive women crazy."
Hawkeye was taken aback by this, not expecting the woman to be so forward. "I don't mean to brag, but I AM a bit popular back home." he put his hand on his chest as if in emphasis. "I've captured quite a few ladies' hearts in my time."
"That's no surprise to me." she giggled. "You know, I never noticed it before, but you remind me so much of my nephew. My sister's child."
Sister, huh? Surely you're the younger one. Hawkeye thought. "And just who is this fine lad?"
Stella had to keep her composure; otherwise, she'd ruin everything. But it didn't make it any easier to not burst out laughing. "Oh, he's a handful at times!" sure, she'd tell him about her "little" nephew. "But he's a good kid. Does his chores, eventually, and keen to grow up to be big and strong like his late father."
"That makes your vibrancy all the more impressive, my dear," Hawkeye said, momentarily focussing on Riesz, who was also watching. Although, upon noticing his scrutiny, she turned her head away with a small huff. But she wasn't jealous. No, certainly not. "I've seen people as young as me age a decade when a kid comes into their lives, but you look like you haven't aged a day!"
Stella was about to speak again, quite possibly to gush at the compliment with a bit too much sincerity, but stopped when she saw a familiar figure approaching her. "My, my, look who's here." she chuckled. "Over here, dear!"
Ah, now here was a chance to score! Even if he hadn't been around them too often, Hawkeye had no problem with kids. And if anything, they helped endear him to the ladies all the more. He turned around and dropped to one knee to look the child in the eyes. "So then, this is the handsome-" he then paused, realizing the sound of the steps he'd been hearing were being made by larger boots than that of any kid. And this "kid's" knees looked quite developed for someone he'd assumed to be half his age, if even. "Little," Hawkeye spluttered lamely as he titled his gaze upward, his eyes spotting a set of abs, well-defined and smooth. "Champ?" Once he rose to his full height, he found out quickly who this darling nephew was.
Duran stood in front of the thief, arms crossed over his chest and an unamused look on his face. "I don't mean to Interrupt," the young soldier began. "But just what the hell are you doing trying to get with my Aunt?"
Hawkeye stood wide-eyed, trying to grasp his current reality, as it had all come crashing down in that single moment. Stella was barely holding in explosive laughter while Riesz was trembling. But it was clear that she was anything but angry.
"Excuse me!" the amazon spluttered before rushing out of the building. Though even as she made her exit, and despite the rain, everyone could hear her uncontrollable guffawing outside of the wooden walls.
Later
"Wait, what?!" Charlotte exclaimed, completely shocked by what she had just heard.
"Yep! Thought she was an entirely different person!" Duran explained.
Charlotte giggled openly while Kevin snorted trying to not join in embarrassing the thief any more than he already had been. Suddenly, Hawkeye found himself being pulled to the side, Charlotte dragging him a short distance away. "Weww, it sewves you wight!" the blonde half-elf whispered. "You don't go bwaging about picking up giwls in fwont of another giwl!" she lectured. "Especiawwy the giwl you'we aftew!"
Hawkeye's eyes grew wide upon hearing the smaller (but not much younger) girl. "What makes you say that?"
"Oh pwease!" Charlotte groaned. "I may wook wike a kid, but that doesn't mean I have the bwain of one! Evewyone can see it! I've been seeing it since Kevin and I met up with you two!" she then crossed her arms. "Not to mention that you've been fwiting with hew wike you are alweddy mawwied since day one, haven't you?"
Hawkeye averted his eyes for a moment, feeling, to his surprise, heat coming to his cheeks. "Yeah, maybe." he then pondered for a moment. "You don't think she thinks that I, well, just pick people up, right?"
"Hey, that's youw pwobwem to cweaw up, not mine." Charlotte said. "But if you want my take, I don't think she thinks that. And she's pwobabwy not mad." she giggled. "It's kinda impossible to be!"
"So, I wonder what this makes you," Riesz said, approaching the thief and half-elf. "It must be rather awkward having a nephew that's right around your own age."
Everyone chuckled, yet Kevin wondered something. "So…is it official?" he asked.
"What is?" Charlotte questioned.
"That Hawkeye is now Duran's uncle." the beastman explained.
The other two young men grimaced in disgust. "What?! Hell, no!" Duran exclaimed, the very idea of his aunt with the thief made his stomach churn. "Which means that you'd best to not flirt with her again."
"Why?" Hawkeye questioned, feeling coy again. "I can't help if everybody desires me."
"Yeah, well I doubt even you would be interested in a woman that's three times your age," he retorted. "Maybe even four times older than you."
"Oh, really?" Duran froze, slowly turning to see a furious Aunt Stella staring him down with a glare that would rival even that of the Dragon Lord. Hell, he would rather face down the Dragon Lord than be in the presence of his maternal figure when she had that expression on her face. "Don't try to talk your way out of this, young man. I heard every word."
Duran heard everyone erupt in laughter again, though Hawkeye snuck behind the soldier and whispered, "Thanks for taking the bullseye off my back. I owe you one."
Yeah, you're oh-so-welcome, asshole. Duran cursed the Nevarlan, yet a sharp "ahem!" from Stella got his attention back on her. "Y-Yes, ma'am?"
"You know, in any other instance, I'd drag you right home and get out the paddle," the blonde woman snarled, rage in her eyes. "But," she paused and took in a deep breath, trying to remember what she was told to do whenever the sore subject of her age was brought up. She then sighed, releasing all of the air she had taken in. "You have that pretty lady waiting for you at the castle. And as much as I want to punish you, you're needed elsewhere."
Duran shifted his eyes. "So…does that mean I'm off the hook?"
Stella thought about this. "We'll see. Wendy's still at the library?" Duran nodded. "All right. I'll go pick her up. Until then, here's a love tap for good luck." She gave Duran a smack to the back of the head, everyone else finding humor in his humiliation. She then gave the young man and his friends silent permission to go to the castle.
"She's right," Riesz said, having finally managed to calm herself down. "While we have the opportunity, we need to make a plan of attack for wherever we must go. We will need to visit more than just Altena, and that won't be the only dangerous place our journey will take us."
The mood grew more serious among the five as they continued their way towards the castle. "Yeah. Surely our actions have been heard far and wide, if what that Malocchio figure said is true." Hawkeye then crossed his arms. "Belladonna's going to tighten up security for sure. Especially around the border."
"And the King won't need a reason to kill any of you aside from the fact you're human," Kevin said, then looked at Charlotte. "Well, mostly human."
"With Koren, Belladonna, and Goremand manipulating their rulers, the nations of Altena, Nevarl, and Ferolia have become enemies of the free world," Faerie stated, manifesting to sit on Duran's shoulder. "Thus, we need to go in and retrieve the Elemental Spirit and get out as soon as possible. We'll also need to make ourselves scarce since they'll be on the alert for us."
Charlotte observed that Duran hadn't given any input to the discussion at all. Odd, she thought. Considering he's a soldier and all. Though upon thinking more about it, it became clear to her. "How is she?"
Duran didn't respond immediately, clearly deep in thought. "She says she's all right," Faerie said for him. "But Duran here doesn't think so." She then looked downhearted. "And neither do I."
When Duran had elected to go collect everyone else, Angela had insisted that she stay behind to further discuss the plans to infiltrate her home country. While her knowledge of her homeland and perhaps elsewhere would be greatly needed, the young man couldn't help but wonder whether or not the Princess was just pushing aside her grief. And, the fact that she would be comparing notes with Victor also made him uneasy, though he wasn't sure why. Regardless, one way or another, they would have to visit these lands and conquer their respective dangers.
No matter what tragedy came their way.
Co-Writer's(?) Note: Falchion1984 here. First, I'd like to give a shoutout to RockmanGurlX-slash-DecalinetheSpaceCat-slash-okay-I-give-up-how-DO-we-come-up-with-these-nicknames. Hawkeye's little mishap was inspired by an interesting bit of dialogue you can get in Valsena if you have Hawkeye as your second or third character. When you talk to him while exploring the town, he says that a local lady named Stella has caught his eye. That stuck with me because of the myriad ways that could, and would, blow up in his face, and the idea has been bouncing around in my head ever since RockmanGurlX-slash-DecalinetheSpaceCat offered me a more active role in this fic. I think she nailed it, I got a good laugh out of it, and I hope you agree on both counts. In the meantime, please keep reading and commenting.
