This world had one rule, and that was for the strongest to be at the top. Almost anything could be done, but it took procedures to attempt to over take the king, if the person were of lower status of noble of course, but if that same person were to be a noble, they play like loose chickens.
They eliminate those they know could beat them only so they can stay at the top. The old king is just the same.
In fear of the Grand Duke, a young 22 years old man able to take the title of king as he was powerful enough to do so, he wanted to get rid of him, wanting his son to be at the top, the king sent assassin to kill the Duke without anyone knowing, which is why he was attempted to be killed when furthest from the kingdom.
Russell Kra' Tarloheart, the Grand Duke of Usuara, in truth, the title was mere accident, but he qualified every aspect of a Duke, many believed he would take the throne, as he was strong enough against the current king who was growing old. Russell was a wise boy, who cared for the people, yet he couldn't do much change as it felt as if there was a chain brought to him by the king, unable to defy him. Yet the king still feared him, to the point he sent the Duke to his fief to "visit." Only to lead him to a trap we're assassins were set to kill him, yet he survived and ran into the holy forest, where many are afraid to enter.
The sounds of horses running and huffing were loud, the white hair flowing with the breeze. There were at least 30 assassins that chased after him, no matter how good he was, to fight against skilled killers with only him by himself, he didn't even want for this to happen. To gain this title. One managed to hit his side, it was painful, it felt as if he was soon to fall, but he stayed on, running and fending them off, until he had nowhere else to run except the Holy forest. It was risky, but there were no other places to run off too, and so he did.
He got off his horse, patted the horse's arse to go back, in hopes his trusted knights could see something was clearly wrong and try to find him, but he didn't know if he could even make it. He walked further into the forest to escape, but the pain grew, more blood fell onto the ground, until he found a lake, he thought it would be his end, but luckily he was found, letting him meet a beautiful, strange, but beautiful black haired and tanned skinned girl who he would always remember as his saviour.
.
.
.
By morning, the man had already woken up and was gone from the cave, Aeras was sleepily confused but stood up and packed up her things and crawled out, only to see that Russell was still there, washing his face. "oh." she spoke, she thought the other went ahead already. "ah morning, I didn't want to wake you up, you seemed so tired." He smiled gently before wiping his face and walking towards the girl slowly, the pain on his side had subdue, but not the less, it was still a cut of a sword, it wouldn't heal so easily. "why are you walking around so much, the hurt should be resting." Her words were low and subtle, she let out a small yawn right after. She got comfortable enough to sleep peacefully, she wasn't sure how to feel about that. "Well, I can't let a lady do all the work, I can't drag you down, I wouldn't feel very, strong about it." Russell spoke with a tiny chuckle. The blue eyes that stared at her made her unable to say anything and so, she just gave in.
Seems like the boy knew what he was doing. The two erased tracks that could show they were there, and once everything was set, they continued their way to leave the forests filled with many type of beasts. Slow and steady to avoid having the wound on the white haired male's body to re-open. "Hey, I never asked, but will you tell me how exactly you got hurt? Why did you run into the forest and all-" In attempt to break the awkward silence, those were the words that left her lips, walking as she waited. Russell seemed like he didn't know what to say, but merely let out a small chuckle. "well, I was chased by trained killers, assassins." He spoke as the word's spoken by the other left the girl feeling shock. Yet she didn't want to say anything to let the male speak what he was thinking.
"They saw me as a threat, they didn't trust me, no never did, even though they knew I couldn't do anything, yet still feared me to the point they sent many to try and kill me in a way others won't see." It was silence once more, Aeras was still in slight surprise, but then cleared her throat. "We'll, you survived, other's might not know what exactly had happened, but you can show them how great you are for surviving." She huffed, then smiled sweetly. Russell merely nodded in agreement, with a small smile, he was thankful for someone who truly just wanted to help.
"Russell, once we get out of the forest, do you think you can manage on your own? Our destinations are different after all." The girl spoke as they took a small break to eat, they had another day before they'd reach the outskirt of the forest. She knew they'd have to separate at some point, but at the same time, she had gotten close to the man, the person she considered a friend, the first outside of the city of elves. Another human as her friend. "hmm.. If I said no, will you stay with me?" She was confused, stuttering a little in attempt to figure out how she'd say no, before the white haired boy began to laugh, for the first time, he was quite handsome. The laugh was enough to make the tomboy-ish Aeras to blush. "I'm just joking, the others are probably looking for me, I'll manage and they'll find me." Russell smiled gently as he patted the girl's head, before standing up. "we'll, let's hurry, it's soon to be dark soon." She also stood up and nodded, as the rest of the day was mostly the man telling stories as the girl listened carefully, clearly in awe from each story.
Before they knew it, it was the next day, and they knew they were getting closer to leaving the forest lands. "we're close, I can hear the sound's of cows." Hearing this, the girl's eyes lit up in excitement. "I'll be able to see a human city? Yes!!" She began to run, leaving the boy behind as she could see a dirt road and the outline of the bright sun. She continued to run until she was out onto the road, panting as her eyes adjusted to the light.
Caw... Caw... Caw...
A crow flew by as she stood there dumbfounded. "where's the city?" Russell had caught up and grabbed her shoulders. taking deep breaths. "This is only the countryside, the farm lands." As the boy said that, she looked to the side to see a few cows staring at her, one making a moo sound. "I got, excited for nothing." She mumbled, looking ever so defeated. "Dang it!" she fell to her knees groaning as she knew there was still a long road ahead. " pfft-" She looked back fast to see Russell trying to hold his laughter in, looking away to avoid the golden eyes of Aeras. "s-sorry." he stuttered slowly calming himself down.
After a moment of calming down, a nearby farmer looked over, first confused, before suddenly shouting. "The Duke!" The man turned over to his wife, telling her to get the knights in the town before he ran over, completely ignoring the girl who was with Russell, but Aeras was more confused on why her friend was called a Duke. "The knights have been looking for you everywhere, to the point the small towns were told as well, the fief castle is going crazy. Though whoever found you would get money." Russell looked at the farmer, already knowing the man was more concerned for the money than the duke himself. Yet he just smiled and nodded. "Thank you for the concern, I hope the knights are coming." He then walked past him, and walked over to the human girl. "It seems we part here, we'll meet again right?" Russell didn't want her to know who he was, it was nice to meet someone to talk to without them feeling scared over the title of "Grand Duke." Aeras was still slightly confused but nodded.
"Don't worry! I'll be sure to go to you if I need help as payment, and you being my friend." She teased before she was about to walk away, but the white haired male pulled her back, putting a white and blue bracelet on her wrist, then a small bag of coins. "That's for me to know it's really you, and you might need the money." He smiled, as the girl nodded. "Thank you, well, I should also give you something.." She mumbled then took off her red ribbon that kept her hair up, her long hair falling down beautifully as she wrapped the ribbon around the boy's wrist. "Well then, see you till next time!" She hummed before waving and walking away, following her original path to the main city of Usuara. Though she felt lonely once more, she looked down at her wrist and stared at the bracelet, she knew she'd meet him once again.
.
.
.
Russell stood there, watching as the girl walked away, the farmer standing beside him. "Was that your lover?" the male suddenly looked at the man, as the man flinched and moved away, bowing. "Forgive me sir! I didn't mean to pry!" The white haired male let out a small sigh, a hand on his forehead. "Don't mind it. Go ahead, tell the knights I'm here." The man ran off quickly, as the duke stood there. Remembering the small smile the woman had, he looked down at the ribbon before he heard a familiar voice shouting as the sound of horses came over. "Grand Duke! What happened to you?! You're hurt!" The man jumped down, he had short brown hair, and even tho he was 5'9, he was short compared to the 6'0 duke. "A lot to explain, let's head to the castle first, my wound needs to be checked anyways." He mumbled as the horse he had was brought over. The man who shouted seemed so worried but nodded. "As expected of the Grand Duke, being able to survive on his own." The brown haired male spoke as Russell shook his head. "You're wrong Alexander, I had a savior."
This was the first he heard his duke had help from someone, the brown haired was confused. "then where are they? Shouldn't we reward them?" Alexander asked before the white haired male merely shook his head. "There will be a day where you'll meet them, but for now, they have something they want to do first, and so do I, lets go. hup!" he made his horse begin to run as they headed down the dirt road, the knights following closely behind.
Their journey are different, but if fate truly lets them, then the two will see each other once again. For now, Aeras was too busy eating an apple and daydreaming of the capital of the humans, where she longed for ever since she learned she herself was a human. It would still be a while, but she knew it would be worth in.
To be continued..