It was getting dark out, and the setting sun's diluted colors peeked just inside the dome's western wall. Most of the town's vendors were shutting down for the day, and the remaining occupants of the cobblestone street consisted of citizens returning to their homes in the slums.
Passing through all the vendor stands and shops, they took a back alley till they arrived at a series of hole-in-the-wall brick shacks. These were the slums of Market Town. Though slums they were, Cedric thought they weren't all that bad. The living was indeed cheap, which allowed its inhabitants financial and professional freedom. However, the conditions of living were not particularly of concern, as the people were all in some way involved in the market economy, which allowed them access to the minimum medicines the university had to offer.
Though, it remained a fact that this was the Teuton people's lowest standard of living, and therefore its inhabitants were the most likely to fall to disease, even if it didn't happen often.
As much was evident when the boys passed several shacks that carried a somber silence and fewer lit torches, one person tending to another seemingly unconscious bedridden citizen.
The sight delivered a morose expression to Cedric's face, his troubling memories rising to the surface like hot nausea.
As the two got farther into the alley, the shacks grew livelier, and rough looking men from various shacks began shouting casual greetings at Quentle, occasionally including Cedric. However, as he did not know any of them, his responses were limited to shy bows or waves, a conditioned behavior.
Finally, they arrived at Quentle's shack, a particularly colorful landing decorated with wall art and various hangings, including a circular knife throwing board and hooked shelves full of accessories ranging from sheaths and utility belts, to high grade chain mail vests and plating.
The shack's owner, a large coarse looking thirty-something man, was in the middle of a sale when the two staggered into the shack. The other three inhabitants were too busy drinking ale and taking turns throwing knives at the hanging board to notice them enter.
"Ah, thank you as always Dagan, the service you do for us commoners here is so wonderful, I sincerely hope we can repay you someday."
"Oh git on, us ruffians gotta stick t'gether! If anything, I overcharge villagers and nobles at the shop all day, so this is only right, gehahaha-ehhe!"
Despite letting a rough cough out in the middle of his laugh, Dagan took another deep puff from his long pipe.
"It's more import'nt fer us to stay safe, aft'r all, there bein' no guards out 'ere at night!"
"Yes, you are most correct. These streets have been especially frequented by those bandits recently, so it's scarier than ever. It's the last thing we need at a time like this, with the Wolverines cutting off our trade routes and fishing activities more every day. Those despicable people have no shred of Teuton Will in them..though I suppose it's this long war itself that is driving people to commit such acts.. "
"Well those damned bandits be'er 'ope they don't come 'cross my guys, 'cause at'll be the end of'm! So keep yer eye out an lemme know if ya see anyth'n funny!"
After shaking hands with Dagan, the man left, and the haggard shopkeeper turned to see Cedric standing next to Quentle, who had collapsed onto a table.
"Hoyy, Quentle's home! An Cedr'c too?! What a treat, boys!"
"haha, hey there, Dagan. How is everyone?"
"We're all hang'n tough, ain't we boys?"
The three young men, all in their mid-twenties, gave Cedric casual greetings before returning their focus to their game.
"Hey Elem, Thom, Graham, who's winning today?"
"Thom's getting some lucky throws in so far, but I'm on my way to catching him."
"Oy Graham, we all know those ten pointers weren't lucky throws as much as my dagger totals today weren't lucky sales."
"hahaha he's got us both there, Graham. So, what's up with our boy Quentle today, Cedric?"The oldest of the group, Elem, swept his long, half-tied hair back to give Quentle a concerned look.
"Hmm, well, today was actually not entirely his fault. It was about half his, half mine, so I decided to pay my debt by bringing him back," Cedric replied with a grimace.
"Hahh? Just where are you pulling those numbers from, Cedric? It was at least ninety percent your fault!"
"Oh, you were conscious?"
Quentle turned his head, still planked on top of the table, and frowned at Cedric's smirk.
"Hoyoyy Quentle, getcher ass steady, boy!"
With one hand, Dagan lifted Quentle off the table by his collar, and tossed him onto a sofa while he whined in protest.
"Ahh, Master please, I've had a long-"
"What a 'andful the brat is, eh Cedr'c?"
"Quite so, Dagan sir. Though, I really was partially-"
"Gehahahah! You boys'r just like these three when they grew up!"
"Huh? No way, Master, none of us were as dumb as Quentle." The dirt-matted Graham disputed.
"Yeah..." The raggedy-haired Thom nodded in agreement.
"Not even close..." Elem followed, turning his attention back to the game.
"Alright, you guys suck, I'm going to my room. Cedric, I'll get you back tonight! Don't be late!" Quentle pointed at Cedric as he drudged through a rather worn, but colorful, tapestry, wearing some sort of half-grin, half-frown.
Cedric gave him a facetious nod in return, and turned to face Dagan once more.
"Hey, Dagan, has the crime around here really been that bad lately?"
"Mmm, it 'as. I s'pose it's been a while since you last been by, huh?"
"Yeah..so what's this about bandits?"
"Ah, there's other good fer nothin's round 'ere than just 'em, but this'n bandit group been makin' a name fer 'emselves, lately."
"The Blonde Bandits."
"Blonde…Bandits.." Cedric repeated Elem's words as he turned back toward him.
"Sounds cute, doesn't it? Especially strange considering the nobility are primarily blonde headed. But these thugs have been kidnapping people for ransom for over a month now. From what I've heard, they investigate their targets so thoroughly they know their schedule to the tee, picking them up whenever and wherever is most convenient for them to disappear with the victim. Then a day or two later, the victim's family gets a letter threatening them for ransom, always signed 'The Blonde Bandits'. They choose a safe place for exchange, execute, rinse and repeat."
"…wow. I never would have imagined something like that..."
"The worst part is that other criminal groups have begun popping up, copying the Blonde Bandits and using their name. Problem is, they're sloppy with their jobs, and people have died because of it. The castle is very aware of the problem, but they've tried hard to keep it hushed up, since public opinion on the government would go south if everyone knew the amount of intra-city guards are dwindling due to the Wolverines' constant night assaults that are forcing us to spread sentry forces across the entire border wall. The tensions caused by this is limiting our commerce and causing these criminals to rise up the way they are."
"...What the hell? So, we're being stretched all over the island with the night assaults, and stretched from within trying to protect citizens from our own people? What the hell is that...Ralin and Galgi said it was bad, but I didn't realize the night attacks were causing so much trouble..."
"Indeed. From what we've heard from a client connected to the army, each and every night assault is flawlessly executed, with top tier siege equipment to boot. We're having to send troops running from battlefield to battlefield, in large numbers. It seems like the Wolverines finally decided to stop dragging this thing out and brought out their big guns."
"Their big guns, huh.."
"Mm. It seems likely their commander in chief himself is involved, as well as his top generals. These attacks seem to be very calculated, so it makes sense."
"I see…I wonder if we have the power to withstand their best…"
"Geha! Don't seem 'at way right now," Dagan lamented, shaking his head. "'xactly why this state needs one thing and one thing only- fer one o' you two brats to go grab 'at red sword and b'come the Heir! Or 'ell, if I'd my pick it'd be both o' ya! Jus' not 'at spoilt rich brat!"
"The red sword?"
"Oh, Gambell ain't tol' ya 'at part yet, 'uh? Long story short, either one o' ya might be able to pull the red sword an' use it as the Heir, some'n bout it bein' a Takanova relic 'at we can use since it's been 'ere on our side so long."
"...ohh. Ralin mentioned that too, but I didn't really take it seriously. So that's why Quentle was so excited about the forest earlier. I just assumed since Gambell said it was sealed that that was it. And after that story, I never would have thought of a Teuton using that sword anyway..." Cedric muttered, looking down.
"Eh? Yeah...-Gehem! - nothin' on you, Cedric, but I think 'at's some'n 'at makes our Quentle more suited, be'n 'onest."
Cedric's eyes burst wide with shock, though his gaze remained downward.
"But, like I said, it could be either o' ya brats… might jus' come down to who gets to it first, gehahahaha!"
Cedric stayed fixed and silent for a moment, before finally composing himself and looking up with a grimace.
"Hah, well, lucky for me I know a few ways to slow Quentle down!"
After their conversation ended, Cedric decided to take advantage of being here before heading out, and bought several things: A utility belt with several sheaths strapped to it, one of Thom's finely made daggers, and a very thin chainmail vest. Buying combat accessories had become a hobby of his, so when going through Market Town at night while equipped, he'd always dawdle around in the hopes that some trouble would come his way, for the sake of testing his skills.
Upon leaving the sketchier part of town, Cedric decided to take it easy and do some last-minute shopping, finally catching a street vendor in the middle of packing up.
Satisfied with his haul of meats and fruits, he made his way back to the village. It was getting dark out, but he wasn't concerned with being in a part of town he considered to be potentially dangerous, so he carelessly maneuvered the winding Market Town roads.
Passing by a dark alleyway that would generally not catch his attention, he noticed three figures standing within the old beaten brick.
One of them, with the build of a tall boy around his age, leaned against the wall, a grey hood covering the top half of his clean-shaven face. He could just see light colored curls seeping out from the hood, matching the brown and gray robes draped loosely around him, winding diagonally down to his feet.
The man's appearance made him come across lax, but his mien was intimidating enough to make Cedric stop walking momentarily, as if he'd actually been standing in his way rather than to his side. It almost felt as if he'd walked into some thick fog that kept him from moving further.
"Huuuh, what's this? A little deer fallen into the lion's den? How fun~"
Speechless, Cedric redirected his glance toward the other two silhouettes, two much smaller hooded figures leaning against the opposite wall, too deep into the shadows to even make out much of an appearance, though they were clearly slender enough to be female. The two stood menacingly still, not even bothering to uncross their arms.
"Umm, hello? Buddy? What's a good natured little student like you doing out this late?"
Sensing that any further hesitation he showed would bring him danger, Cedric put on a loose, smug face.
"It's only just gotten dark recently, if anything I'd say it's far too early to be so obviously evil seeming in an alleyway..."
"Aaha-ha! How interesting, huh girls? You see, deer boy, it's exactly that frame of mind that brings us to scout out the carefree Market Town night-goers who would never expect to be eaten up~"
"Geh…deer boy... really..."
"And look how beat up you are! Aren't you aware, these days there are vultures eyeing this area for little wounded animals, waiting hastily for a nice meal?"
"That so? Well, it's a good thing my little school teaches me how to hunt weak things like a bird that waits till its prey is injured."
"Aaaha-ha-ha! You're a seriously interesting little rabbit, aren't you?"
"How did I suddenly change species so drastically?"
"Mm interesting indeed, I think we might be able to get along. What'ya think girls? Think we can add one more to the gang?"
"Uh, if it's okay for me to have a say here, then you should know, I'm gonna pass for now."
"Ahhh? Really? I thought for sure you'd fit right in with us..maybe another time?"
"Yeah, not likely."
"Hmmm, I'll take that as a solid maybe. Looking forward to it, partner~"
Frustrated, Cedric finally walked away without replying. He began walking briskly, gripping his new knife while staying wary of any sudden movement behind him.
After some time, nothing came, so he let his tensed arms relax.
Could that have been…
Coming to a fork in the road, Cedric wearily thought about which route to take before remembering the left-hand route was a quicker way home, though it required turning down a steep alley before coming back out to the shopping center buildings.
Not thinking anything of it, Cedric started down the curved path, when it happened.
Just as he turned the corner, he saw it.
Something was in front of him, just meters away.
It wasn't a person, nor was it standing on solid ground.
The figure, appearing as a gray and black shadow, swiveled around like a flickering flame, blending meticulously with the darkness. What floated before him was certainly not human, even if it had the general appearance of one. Its large frame, its distorted arms and legs, its neck and shoulder line, its flowing hair-
When Cedric noticed its wavy hair, flowing gently out from a blurred, shadowy face, he understood he had seen this thing before.
That…. specter…from then….
He did not hesitate for more than a second.
In that split second, something told him he could not hesitate, nor could he be near this thing for another second if he wanted to live.
His legs sprang into action almost like gears, and he took off running in the opposite direction. Not daring to look back, he sprinted down the right-hand path, accelerating with every step.
He thought the villainous man in the alleyway would laugh if he saw him, thinking he was running away from him, but that didn't matter. As prideful as he might be, whatever that specter was shook him to his core, and his body and mind instinctively knew to flee.
He sprinted on, until he had passed through Castle Town, finally entering the village before he slowed down to catch his breath.
He realized he had, in his shaking hands, held onto everything he'd just bought.
What in the world..is that thing?
What in the world..is happening on this island?
He returned home, where he was forced to put those thoughts aside while he helped his father prepare dinner in silence.
Then, after eating (also in silence), he attempted to take a nap. However, with what he'd just witnessed, there was no way he could fall asleep. Despite that, he eventually found himself quite relaxed due to exhaustion.
"You should fix that sleeping schedule of yours. It's a bother for those living with you to tiptoe around your abnormal routine."
His father said this as he walked by his open door.
Cedric's eyes widened once he comprehended what he'd said, realizing he hadn't thought about that. He would often take naps after evening sessions before going out for several hours of the night. However, he would always return in time to get a few hours of real sleep in, before routinely waking up before dawn.
Even though I've been diligent in waking up for years…sleeping a bit early creates a burden?
So…I guess I either stop going out…or I stay awake until I go out…then I get hardly any sleep, but that's better than being a bu-
-Wait…tip toe around me? Why would he even do that for me? What does that even mean?
Thinking about this kept him occupied until it was time to head out for the ruins.
Naturally, he'd decided to keep this routine, and sacrifice sleep going forward.
He crept quietly out the door and through the village, and proceeded to sneak through Castle Town, strategically avoiding the patterned patrol of the sparsely stationed guards.
He could avoid this trouble by taking the streets of Market Town around the outside of Castle Town and into the outskirts leading to the ruins, but doing this had become part of the nightly game for him, continuously improving on his elusiveness. On top of that, he had a certain other reason for not wanting to go back into Market Town.
Well…I'm sure Quentle will be fine though...
Silently praying for his clumsy friend, he continued sneaking by the buildings of Castle Town.
_______
In the middle of a forest, a small lake reflected the distorted moonlight into a thin mist. On the tiny slab of land laying at the center of the lake, a lanky boy with blond hair struggled with all his might, attempting to pull a sword up from where it lodged deep into the earth. The boy's hands were as red as the blade of the sword that shined a bright scarlet in the moonlight, as he threw every bit of his strength into his attempt to thrust the hilt of the sword skyward.
Finally, he gave up, and fell back into the small patch of grass the slab of land had to offer, breathing deep, frustrated breaths with a face wrought in anguish.
"DammIIITT…"
*pant*
*pant*
"Cedric…."
*pant*
"Quentle…."
*pant*
"…I must beat…both of you…soon…"
"…for all our sakes….
"….if not…I'll have…no other choice..."
___________
In the silent, shadowed backstreets of Market Town, a dark-haired boy scurried past a certain alleyway, whistling as he went without a care. From within the alleyway, a hooded figure stood up, and stepped out into the road, turning toward the passerby.
A thin mist emerged from the figure like steam, surrounding him. As he looked up, showing his youthful face full of freckles, sharp green eyes, and dirty blonde locks, a cunning smile slowly formed.
"And, found the second~"
___________
Several miles out to sea, a fleet of warships rowed swiftly toward Takanova Island. Its flagship, a large warship adorned with red and gold flags and exquisite golden archways, traveled at its center. Within the inner compartments of the ship, two men engaged in hand to hand sparring in a dark room. Their hands opened flat, they struck each other's forearms at varying angles, trying to open the other's defenses and land a body strike.
At first, the two seemed to be even in their skill, their build even close to the same. However, not long into the match did one man gain the upper hand, luring his opponent into overextending, and proceeding to twist his body, grabbing the man's wrist and slinging him over his torso and into the fine wood floor.
Having half-jumped to allow for the throw, the man untwisted his body and landed with perfect balance.
"Pursia, it seems your sense of balance remains your weak point, even now."
The man, shrouded in darkness, bore a voice as stern and daunting as his stature.
"Yes, General…"
"After all these years, even though it's what cost you defeat at the hands of a sapling Teutonic Knight."
"This is so… General."
The man sat up, gripping his shoulder. What little bit of torchlight there was in the room flickered over his face, revealing a ghastly scar across his jawbone, just above a bitter grimace.
"You should know…night battles are won and lost by the general's sense of balance. His ability to perceive the flow of battle when his sight is at its most vulnerable, and knack for adjusting to the enemy's tactics with a calculated defense and his own plan to take advantage of the enemy's vulnerabilities, are what make a general dangerous at night."
The man had turned his back to his downed opponent, basking himself even further in shadow.
"Yes, sir. I understand, and you will see this applied to this very battle. This will be the night, the first time since six years ago…"
"Yes, I have faith you'll see to it, while I play the decoy. We only need the siege to be successful enough to get one Wolf in, but if you have the chance to do further damage, take it. Either way, our contact will be ready to receive the Wolf, and then…
"…the Red Sword will finally be in our hands."
"Indeed it will, General Shuant."
_________
On the northwestern shores of Takanova Island, a garrison unit of five hundred men rested carelessly after setting up their siege defense equipment.
"Ah, all that hard work and we don't even know if we'll get hit tonight!"
"Well, we've had our number called every night in the last week, so I wouldn't be all that surprised to see it happen again."
"Guess that's true! But it doesn't matter, because the brick wall squad is here!"
"UuwoooHHH!!!"
"Oy you dunderheads, keep it down will ya? I'm trying to listen to the sea's voice!"
"Ahh, sorry Commander, just trying to stay energized, ehe."
The tall, scraggly man walked by their small campfire, ignoring Ralin.
As he looked out to sea, his eyes slowly grew wide.
"Ah? Commander? Something wrong?"
"You can't hear it?"
"Hear what?"
"Something…. big…is headed this way."