Kingdom of Zuland, The South Border, Present day.
The sun remained in the western sky, only a few hours until darkness would cover the open field. The heavy steps of his horse filled the void of the otherwise silent valley.
Roy squinted and focused on an upcoming line of trees. There was something large blocking the view further into the forest. "Whoa, boy," he muttered. His words fell on deaf ears as the horse remained in a gallop. "Whoa, Fero—whoa boy.
Fero snorted loudly before finally slowing his pace to a light trot.
"I'm worried about Xeto," said Anaria suddenly as she wrapped her arms tighter around his waist. She had remained quiet for most of the ride.
A needle of guilt pierced his mind. Why had he allowed her to join him? Bringing her along would only put her in more danger. He closed his eyes as her past pleas to join him replayed themselves in his mind. He could never say no to her, especially when she gave him the look of an injured animal. Puffed cheeks and glossy eyes joined with a slight quiver of the lip. "I'm sure he's fine. You didn't see what I saw, little sis. Xeto wields a sword better than any other knight I know."
She chuckled lightly as she rested her head on his back. "You don't know any other knights."
"Then there's no competition to be had then, huh?"
They were now in the shadow of the trees, and wind of the forest was much colder and damp.
A cold droplet fell on Roy's cheek. "Looks like we have some more rain coming. I think we should continue on foot from here, the trees are too close together up ahead for Fero to make it through." The water beneath him plopped loudly as his boots sunk slightly into the wet soil. "C'mon." He took hold of Anaria's hand as she dismounted. He hitched Fero to a nearby fallen tree before continuing deeper. The land was different than what he was accustom to. The trees here were much taller and their roots protruded out of the ground like snakes. Also, unlike the forests of Hansel; the sward here reached his ankles. It had needle-like bristles that poked right through his trousers, causing an inch like that of a flea bite.
The large structure came into view. It was a large stone castle surrounded by trees a fraction of its size. The forest threatened to overtake the structure with its large vines that were draped over the walls.
Roy craned his head over the edge of the dark chasm that cut the land in two. The pit below them had no visible bottom and there was nothing nearby that they could use to cross.
"Roy, look!" Anaria gasped as she pointed at a silhouette in the distance.
Roy squinted to better see though the rising fog. "Kalec?" he said.
The silhouette neighed, revealing itself as Kalec, one of the horses from Hansel.
"Hey boy," said Anaria as she rubbed his snout. "Where's your rider? Where's Xeto?"
Kalec snorted and shook his head.
Roy eyed the large structure before him. "He's in there, isn't he? Well, it looks like we're headed that way too."
Kalec backed away from the edge uneasily and with loud grunts.
Anaria leaned into the large stallion. "Whoa. It's ok, boy, you're safe now."
Roy looked above. His hunter instincts lined a path over the gap in the form of large branches that stretched across. "Those should be thick enough to walk across on." He smiled. "Never a dull moment now that Xeto's back. I do enjoy an adventure."
"Wait, I'm coming with you," said Anaria.
"Think you can reach those arms up there?"
"With a bit of help, of course," she replied with a grin.
Roy locked his fingers together. "Alright, sylph, up you go."
Anaria stepped into his hands.
Roy felt a warm of confidence wash over him as he lifted her with ease. "Must be stronger than I thought." He groaned lightly. "Let's show Xeto that we're just as reliable as his lieutenant. He came to our aid, now were coming to his."
Anaria squealed ever so lightly as she caught herself from slipping off the wet wood.
"Careful, sylph." With as small running start Roy kicked off the tree and took hold of a high branch. "That's it…" He slowly balanced atop it. "Come now, follow my lead." Foot over foot, he treaded slowly across the branch. Yet to another surprise, there wasn't an ounce of fear in Anaria's eyes. She was always the optimistic sort. But this was different, something even new to him— solid determination. "This is a bit too eas—" His voice croaked as his words stuck to his throat. The large chasm below him was much wider than it seemed. Shiver went down his spine and it felt as if the darkness would reach out and pluck him from the canopy. "Oh, solitude take me…" He took a second to find his balance.
"Roy? Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," he assured. He focused his sight forward and tried not to think of the black jaws of death that waited just below him. The stiffness of his shoulders eased as he reached the end of the bough. He allowed gravity to pull him back into the sweet embrace of solid ground as he landed with a heavy thump. "Phew…"
Anaria had her arms spread far apart, keeping herself balanced as she neared the end.
"Jump down, I'll ca—"
Without warning she quickly slid of the side and landed beside him, kicking up a splash of water and mud. "I don't want to be a burden," she said with a somewhat stale face.
There was a large flash that turned dusk into day for half a second followed by a thunderous rumble.
"You're not a burden. Anything but." He patted her shoulder. "Now, come on, let's get out of this storm."
She pushed aside wet strands of hair, better revealing the enthusiasm in her eyes before nodding in agreement.
"Good." Roy looked eyed the large stone steps that led to the entrance archway of the castle. Not much longer, Xeto.
~0~
The storm's howl sent a chill down Roy's spine. The cramped tunnelways of the castle were lit with dying light. He blessed the gods that they hadn't yet run into any guards.
Anaria had her hands clasped together as she followed in slow stiff steps. Together they went up a spiral staircase that seemed to last forever.
He froze on a thought that he hadn't considered until now; what would he do if they did get caught? He would get Anaria to safety first and foremost, but would that mean killing another? He should have never let her come with him. The thought sparked a sensation of inner turmoil.
Anaria gasped as she leaned behind him.
Roy broke away from his thoughts. "What is it?" Before she could answer, Roy's eyes landed on the ghastly scene.
A guard lay dead on the floor before them, his final moments of fear still locked in his lifeless eyes. Saliva dripped out of his mouth, but there were no signs of injury. Did you do this, Xeto? He tried to come to peace with the thought that maybe this had to be done. But would more death really make things better? It seemed like the killings had done nothing but provoke more bloodshed on both sides. He held Anaria close and stood between her and the body. "It's best if you don't see this."
"It's ok, I was simply caught off guard." Her eyes veered away from him.
Roy shook his head. "Come now, let's keep moving." Suddenly his ear twitched as an echo of a voice traveled up from the spiral stairwell. "Anaria, hurry we have to move." He urged her forward as he kept an eye at their flank.
"Hey you! Hold there!" yelled a voice from down the hall.
He turned to see two armored men blocking their path, their faces hidden behind their helmets.
"Who are you?!" said one, as he pointed his spear at the duo.
Roy pulled his sister behind him. "Quick, this way—" His evasion was cut off by the two guards from the stairwell. He took no second for granted as he pulled his bow and quickly knocked an arrow.
"Don't be stupid, boy," said one. "Wait…" The guard's gaze jumped from Roy to the body on the ground. "That's Gwendal! Is this your doing?"
"Stay back!" commanded Roy as he pulled his arrow farther back. "This wasn't us."
"Put that bow down or we'll just kill the both of ye'" said one at his flank. "Hey Jiro, you suppose these two are with that Loradel knight?"
Roy switched from one target to another as they slowly inched closer. "I said stay back! We just want our friend and that's it."
Anaria clutched onto his arm tightly.
"Ah, so you are with that Loridian," said another with satisfaction in voice.
Roy breathed harder. They were getting closer; he would have to kill… I can't… He quickly aimed for the nearest man's leg and let loose the arrow.
The man yelled aloud as the arrow ripped through flesh and dug into his leg.
Roy reached for another arrow but was quickly thrown to the ground from behind. Before he could react, he had the weight of the guard atop of him.
"Oh, you're really going to regret that, violet-eye," growled the man.
Anaria yelped allowed as another man pushed her against the wall.
"Leave her be!" yelled Roy.
"Shut it, boy!" said the guard atop of him as he pushed Roy's head down to the floor. "The time for talking is over."
The guard holding Anaria ran one hand up her thigh. "C'mon, darling. Fight back a bit. There's no sport otherwise."
Anaria whimpered she closed her eyes.
"Let her go, dammit!" echoed Roy as heart felt like it thumped against the floor.
All the men laughed aloud as heavy footsteps came from behind them.
"Grab that one," said a voice.
Suddenly, the man holding Anaria was thrown aside by a large figure.
Roy craned his head in attempt to see the newcomer.
It was the monster from Hansel, the cobalt knight. The men's laughter was stifled as large menace seem to glare at them through the visor.
"More Loridians, I presume?" said a man that stood beside the behemoth.
The man who was thrown slowly got to his feet. "General Giase, sir. W-we found these two trespassers just now. They killed Gwendal, sir."
"Doubtful," said Giase with an unfazed look. He eyed Anaria who was now quivering with her arms across her chest. "No, these two are not killers. Get that boy to his feet."
"Uh, yes sir."
Roy inhaled heavily as the man got off him. He was quickly pulled to feet; his captor's hand was now trembling.
"What now, sir?" he said with a shaky breath.
"Bring those two to the study, they can still be of use to me," ordered Giase.
The men's frightened eyes bounced from the cobalt knight to their commander. "What of Gwendal, sir?"
"Get rid of his body."
"Yes, we'll bury him immediately, sir."
"No, throw him into the ravine. We don't want him turning."
The men eyed one another. "Turning, sir?"
Giase gritted his teeth. "Did I stutter? Throw that fool's body into the ravine."
All of the men bobbed their heads. "Yes, sir."
Roy winced as the cobalt knight took a tight hold of his arm.
"Take the girl, too," said Giase as he turned his back.
The knight pulled both of them along as it kept its cold stare forward.
"Where are you taking us? Let us go!" Roy's demands fell on deaf ears as they continued into the unknown.