-The Qala'a(castle)-
"We will have to proceed on foot now."
Once we've trode past the goat I spot Reifa engaging in talks with Sara, they looked quite close to each other without a doubt the bestest of friends.
"Ya been here before Zephyr."
"Countless times met your lord more than one instance."
"tch, a real special one aren't ya hero and here I was hoping to impart some of knowledge."
"What about you Otto , what's your story and Ruen as well."
"I'm nothing special, just your average street urchin who ended up serving the lord."
"I'm a war veteran, fought in the border wars with Oraia."
"Don't ya mind him hero , that man's always cold and expressionless."
"Not that I mind, I'd prefer if you were like our friend Ruen."
"Heh, appreciate it hero." Ruen said smirking
"What were you yapping about?."
Hubert had come between cutting our banter short, he wears his sports his usual irritated expression suggesting his irritation over the Princess and not coming to terms with her favoring her best friend (the poor lad.), to be fair neither am I. The people I considered friends had backstabbed me after all.
"Something wrong?." I ask him knowingly
"You." He replied with a frown
-meanwhile-
The party entered the hallways servants scurry to accompany them surrounding them on both ends. Flin watches from a safe distance his stance remains alarmed , infront of him are the 3 ladies Sara her highness companion, Kayla the resident attendant and her highness eminating an aura of royalty(from his perspective), he coughs as he inwardly admits to his bias.
"The hallway is enourmous, is there no end to it."
"Wealth translate to power, what you see here is his lordship considers a statement."
"What do you mean Ms.Sara." asked Kayla
"The Sultan isn't just a ruler, he's our war general matter pertaining interests are put above all else. I want you to realize this princess the world of politics is unforgivable bury whatever semblance of weakness deep within you." Sara explains
"Even when you're supposed to be an enemy , you still show concern over me." Reifa smiling fondly as she recalls.
"Ofcourse, you're my friend above all else."
"Her highness, Princess Reifa of house Grünewald hath arrived."
Trumpets played as the gates to the throne room opened , we trode a final 10 steps to make it here. Face to face with the brutal Sultan of the Oasis city states Assad of R'ual.
In appearance he resembled a lion save for his face , his hulking physique and enormous biceps alludes strength the gold that surrounds and bathes his white gown flaunts his stature as the wealthiest of the wealthy. He eyes us or rather me and princess Reifa with his crimson eyes what he sees is likely prey. Compared to all the races in the game there was no doubt that he was the strongest mortal.
He does a slight hand gesture to Reifa urging her to come closer. She looks at me and Sara before noding to herself and approaching the Sultan.
"Greetings your lordship, my name is Princess .."
"Reifa of Grünewald the daughter of that wretched Ivana."
"uurgh." Reifa clicks her tongue as she barely kept herself together
"Let's make it short, for what made you sail here takes precedence over pleasantaries." The Sultan says mockingly
He doesn't think of us as a threat rather he views Reifa as an insignificant as member of the masses.
"You are right your lordship I didn't come here for pleasantries , I have come to declare upon you and your Oasis."
Reifa steeled her nerves as she declared baffling statement, war??? I thought it was a tournament. If push comes to shove I might have to intervene
"Hahahahahaha, go on little girl. Tell me how are you backing your exclamation." The Sultan roared with laughter amused by the young lady
"My champion Zephyr will represent my country in your tournament. The rules suggest I get a wish granted if my selected champion wins for that I won't be accepting concession over the Southern borders. YOU WILL BE THE ONE TO BEND THE KNEE YOUR LORDSHIP!."
"Heh, you dare? , you... dare!."
Mana accumulated around the Sultan, I attempted to shield Reifa only to be interrupted by Sara. Reifa remains steadfast as the Sultan glowered gaze fell upon her.
"ROOOOOOOOAR!."
without a warning an ear splitting roar cut through the air sending Kayla and Hubert flying , i hold Kayla's hand while Hubert holds onto a pillar the guards surrounding us have scattered long before those who remain standing were Sara, Flin(barely) , Ruen, me and Reifa confronting the roaring beast
"Well done."
The Sultan eventually ceased his roar his expression suddenly changed as his evaluation of Reifa.
"I'm waiting for an answer your lordship." Reifa says eying the hulking halfman
"I accept under one condition."
"That being?."
"I take over the entirity of South Oraia if one of my 3 champions win."
"I accept your condition."
"Well so do i."
"Guards! , invite the other champions."
"Yessir."
13 other contestants have answered the Sultan's call, a wish granted by the wealthiest man in all of Etherea is what unites the diverse characters gathered in the throne room.
Out of the 12 , 5 were human likely from Bloodhaven, 2 were beastmen, 3 were Elven , 1 halfman and finally a Dragonkin like myself.
"I-its him.." I catch Sara muttering to herself before turning back to the Sultan
"Princess of Oraia, I introduce to you the participants of the Oasis tournaments warriors from across Etherea they like you are vying for a wish from the realm's greatest ruler!."
"The tournament starts in 2 days, I hope your champion does you justice your highness." He says affording her respect befitting her position before leaving therough the throne room backdoor.
"*phew* your lord has shaved a decade off my lifespan." Reifa says to her friend
"You were majestic in every sense Reifa." She says smiling fondly. Her previous angst expression is nowhere to be seen
"The Sultan mentioned 3 champions , does that mean the sword mistress herself is participating." I cut in and ask
"If not me, then whom." She replies smiling mischievously
"The more the merrier."
"By the way Kayla, you can let go of my hand now."
"I-i'm sorry, its just that your hands are big and reassuring."
"Big and what??."
"You good for nothing gigolo."
"I'm sure this means something else Reifa besides I'm yours an't I."
"What does it mean Mr. Zephyr."
"Nothing to worry your pretty head about Kayla." I say patting her head
"Oh and Reifa You did good withstanding that attack Reifa, you were magnificent and I know for a fact that you are fit to lead."
"You really believe so?."
"I do, and I'm willing to follow you through hell and back to ease that burden a little."
Reifa clicks her tongue and looks away before dropping a big
"Thank you Zephyr." And a smile that outshines the sun in its brightest days
"A-anytime." I reply hiding my blushing face
"Young love." Sara says to no one
'Princess Reifa is beautiful as always' Kayla sighs to herself
"Is your party always this lively?." Ruen asks Hubert
"Only when this man's around." He says sighing in defeat
"A proper charmer that boy eh." Otto adds
A voice cut in belonging to our mouse beastman escort
"Excuse me esteemed guests, the rooms his lordship ordered to be prepared are ready,this way sirs and madams."
A dragonkin lockdd eyes with Reifa before clicking his tongue and moving out of the room. I don't know whats his problem, soon enough we also follow suit to our resting quarters.
-evening time-
"to leave a child in such a state."
A man says addresses a little girl a cat type halfman unconscious in the streets of R'ual. Knowing his attempt at talking is nothing short of futile he wraps her up with the cloak he was wearing and move into his house next door.
"It is cold outside , lets use some of the firewood."
It took a few hours for the girl to regain some of the consciousness , while the man busied himself by preparing dinner he's made three portions worth of stew two of those serving reserved for the young halfman.
"Oh you're awake?" Said the man
"*uungh* where am I?."
"You're in my house down the central bazaar don't feel alarmed I assure you my place is safe, may I ask what brought a young girl such as yourself out in the cold streets?."
"My mother said she would come for me and left me."
"Poor child."
Offering her some soup , he watched the little girl eat heartily. In that instance the old man contemplated the fate of that little girl and came to one conclusion.
"Do you want to live with me me?."
"b-but my mother."
"I'll look after you until she comes back."
'He knew she'd never' she thought waking up from her deep sleep, Sara had dreamt of that time she met the man who'd later become her father.
"Father , you will be avenged.... that I swear"
To be continued