Another man had woken up in slightly damp enclose space. He was thin and lankly with any resemblance of wealth and repute torn away as he was left in his undergarment. A shiver went up his spine, but it only worked to enlarge sharp pains all over his body.
How long had he been unconscious on this stony floor?
He tried to stretch but find both of his hands and feet were chained. A growing pit of uncertainty settled deep in his stomach as he came to realize where he was. That was nowhere. A single light hang above that was barely enough to illuminate the slick texture of the rather tight room and the small ferns that grew in the cracks.
The man felt his heart dropped then quicken. Ever since he was little, he has hated clustered spaces though he found a bit of relief when witnessing others in the same fate. Carefully, as if not to bother his numb body, he tried to get up and walk around. He couldn't get far as the chains snapped a tight hold on him if he tried to walk more than ten feet in any direction.
His anxiety hit almost piercingly. There was no way out.
"Feeling cozy in there." An incoherent voice reverberated on the walls.
It was distorted with a singsong pitch. At first the man thought it was only in his head but was proven wrong when he spotted a shifting shadow in the corner. His stomach coiled.
"Who are you? What do you want?" All of the sudden there was groaning and shrieking as the walls started to grind and twist against each other; pushing closer and closer together.
"Wait, stop! Stop the walls!!" Franticly he started to grab at the walls, pushing back at the force.
"What do you want? Money?? I'm very wealthy." Try as he would but nothing stopped the grating of tiles and bricks or the dissonant laughter of the looming shadows.
~
One. Two. One.
Sword fighting was like a constant stream of conversation. A heated argument with no room for error. To leave your opponent incapable of speaking was the end goal. Jackal was practicing on beat of every breath and grunts.
He baited and strike until one clash his adversary weapon was thrown out of his hands.
"Good." His instructor said absentmindedly.
Jackal knew that deep down they didn't really care for him. All they were doing was instructed by the Emperor or the Church.
The spar was over. He sheathed his sword and left through the small open space for the all-around arch corridor. As expected, a servant soon came running to him with a cloth and towel in hand. Wordlessly he gulped down the water and took the towel before exiting the corridor and into the palace.
A soft sigh leaves him as he shook off the unknown edge off his mind.
The missing Count had returned. While the public mistook it as some pleasure trip off to nowhere, there was something wrong with his sudden disappearance. Although some nobles would mistake it as a lazy attempt of avoiding responsibilities, if they even had any, it felt too unusual.
There was also his behavior after his return. Glazed over eyes and acute paranoia. Despite this the man wouldn't disclose whatever plagued him and insisted on the fact that he took an escapade to his own private resort.
Jackal slowed down in the deserted hallway, staring at the marble and gold columns that reached up to the high ceiling. Depictions of splendor, glory and power shone on the murals above. A few were hidden by the heavy velvet curtains that rained down to the floor.
When he was younger, he was always in awe of their beauty; however, now he was ashamed of such ignorance.
A small clicked diverted his gaze down to a door not too far ahead. Swiftly he hid behind a column out of habit.
"Yes, let's talk again."
Peeking from behind, Jackal noticed the signature white veils of the members of the Church. One stood out in particular. Taller than the others, wearing the squarish ritual hat of the highest order and the only one who can wear gold and jewelry. It was the Pordigal.
Jackal managed to escape the sight of the him before they walk away.
First, the Count, now the Pordigal mysterious visit to the emperor. It was one strange occurrence after another with nothing connecting the two, if they were even connected. Though, in the end, this could all mean simply nothing.
After a while, Jackal came out of his spot to a still empty hall. Quietly he goes to the previously opened door. It was slightly cracked, and he peered through it, he saw the emperor sitting, hands desperately clutched to his chest.
~
ROAAR!!
What followed that curdling shriek was heavy footsteps running straight to them. One thing that helped a little in their predicament was the camouflage they gained from their cloaks to help shield them from the monster sight and the gentle snowfall that muffled their heavy breathing.
Nastius was tired from the constant game of cat and mouse, and he knew so were the men that followed him into the ravaging White Forest. it was called that because of how easy it was to get lost in it if you weren't familiar with its layout, even if you did grow up in the region. Also, because the longer you stay inside, the more it felt like the forest was trying to gobble you up. Tearing apart your mind with its constant winter weather that consume everything it touches, leaving behind nothingness.
RROAARR!!!
The beast was getting closer. He signaled for the men to be ready, and they shortly took formation. Soon, it came forward. Long clawed legs, torso and face of a woman and wings for arms. It sniffed the air and its head swayed in their direction.
Steady...steady
No one moved. It got nearer, cautiously drawing closer until it was close enough,
Strike.
He took lead and ambushed the monster with a swing of his sword. First hit was successful, and blood spilled, tainting the ground below. The men follow suit, each taking a hit at the monster or raining down arrows.
However, the beast grows annoyed and slash back with its winged claws and going for the closest target.
A scream is heard as a man falls. Despite this no one can go to him. They prepare for another attack, Nastius going front and center at the monste, taking in any opening and stabbing it repeatedly until the voluminous amounts of blood spill becomes too much. It wasn't long before the predator falls to the ground.
Today was a light workday and they manage to only loose one personnel.
"Check for injuries, wrap the dead and attach the giant bird to the wagon. We should hurry back." It had just become a thing to say, dulled by repetition.
A habit by no means a bad one. Soon they had gathered all they need and was well past the forest edge. A silence wafted in the air. It wasn't the clustered silence of the castle. but one that held reverberance. A reminder of the silent power that nature still had over men to render them speechless.
The feeling ended as the dreary gray castle walls appeared in the distance. Habitually, the front doors open as the party drew nearer and closed when they had settled in.
"You're dismiss." Nastius didn't want to keep the men any longer as they would not leave unless given the orders.80Please respect copyright.PENANAT640pPyNvH
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They were all rewire by the King, for the King. It was haunting what he could do with them in just a months' time.
As always, he found himself in the even more frigid walls of the dry castle. Maids were already there to take hold of his belongings. Nastius quickly made his way to his room in the far end of the castle, where he liked the view of the mountains edge and the expanse beyond.
It was empty, containing no sign of someone actually living there. His bags were already made for the journey. He would need to see the mercenaries in person to confirm a strong team for his party. A fast change to a darker, heavier look and cloak and he was prepared to depart.
"Have a good trip, your highness." A concord of servant's voice sounded their flat goodbyes in the entrance halls. Their face held down in fear. Nastius would leave them alone with the King now.
Outside, his steed was waiting for him, and he expertly maneuver on, grabbed the reins and give a small nudge to get the horse moving forward a little. Out of the side of his vision, he spotted the King, stoned faced in the window before turning away.
Nastius once again nudge the horse, harder and it started galloping from the castle and all its inhabitants.
~
"There's something off about the capital." It was the youngest of the twins, which Outis named him Sage, mostly to avoid future misconceptions.
He was the most outspoken of the two, sporting a rounder face and white haired styled, exactly like his older brother except with some slick escaping the confines and resting on either side of his face.
They were in the back of the store, a dark place ripe for alchemy and potions.
"We aren't sure what, but there's something off here. Unbalanced." Basil, the more reserved one stood near the black veil that separated the rest of the store from preying eyes. His face was more structured than his brother and kept his hair back, in a straight bun.
It wasn't very usual for both of them to voice their opinions at the same time. So, when they do, it was never a good sign.
"Alright. We will have to be careful, but we can't leave just yet." Outis finally looked away from the bubbling liquids sprawled out on an open desk in the middle of the room.
He needed the knowledge stored here. This was the capital of Einshire, heart of the Church. Nothing but pure insidious acts would be going on here, but he wouldn't give up the chance of gaining any more information.
"Watch over the shop carefully. I'll be back." He meandered his way past the draped threshold and towards the entrance before grabbing a hood on the rack near the door.
Sage and Basil had followed close by but stopped as he opened the front door, letting in the noise of the city, but he quickly shut it, knowing how sensitive their hearing is. It was one of the reasons he soundproofed the inside of the building, along with others.
Outis groan at the chirpiness of the people, who right off the bat, seemed extra chatty today.
"Count Rosendaw returned. Did you hear? Some say he left to escape his wife." A maiden whisper to her group.
They were like a flock of chickens that let out throaty laughs and snickers at the latest gossip.
"I heard he went on an escapade of pleasure." A lad joined in the musing.
So, it continued that way as Outis walked down a different path, making sure to cover up, but doubting the ability of any of the people to notice someone below their own kind with one of them pushing out a beggar just to hear more of the rumors.
"Hey, I also heard another Count has gone up in the air." More people had joined in.
"Probably another pleasure trip." Laughter erupted on the street at the musing.
Absurd.
Once he knew he had enough, Outis continued down the path he was on, gaining all he needed to know from the nosy street dwellers. The fair whether had more people and children outside. They were buying, selling and living as any other day. After a while he had blocked off the unnecessary ambience and weaved down a new pathway.
He strolled all the way downtown towards the business district where stores lined up on both sides and members of the lower aristocrat saunter around in their ruffles and silks that danced with their every movement. They spoke a fluttering elegant way that hid the venom under their tongues. How he wanted to cut them out. The women would parade around flaunting their jewels and accessories that stuck to their body, letting the sunlight hit them just right.
The most ambitious one of them pulled out a tiny carved cage, revealing little pixies trapped inside. Every now and then the cage would shimmer. Outis glower, knowing a magic restrainer when he sees one. Only a high-pitched hum signaled that the creatures were still alive. From the facial expression to the glee in their eyes, it looked to be nothing but an obnoxious dance of prestige.
Off in the distance was an outburst of mocking. A good number them had formed a semicircle around two strangers standing on a raise platform. Outis had positioned himself already to the shadows of a tree that stood on a curb.
"Haha. They're back again." One man let out a snort.
"You think they will play without breaking their instrument again?" The lady next to the man heckle.
Outis had enough of the crowd childlike demeanor and was just about to leave when the unknown regulars started to play. It was a feeling he had never felt before. The first note stopped him in his tracks, the second one baited his head to travel in their direction.
Above the crowd stood two women, a blonde and brunette, dressed in black slacks and a flowy long sleeve white shirt that would sway with every stroke of their violin. Their whole body pouring into the production of their music. They wore a strikingly beautiful marble mask, which covered an entirety of their face, leaving only their mouths and chin.
The beat rose and soon Outis couldn't help but unwittingly get closer. It was enriching, whatever it was they were playing. Like the ocean current drawing you deeper and deeper. He didn't even notice how quiet the square had gotten as everyone unconsciously leaned closer to the performers.
Suddenly, song went soft for a few seconds, and Outis could feel his breath hitched, then the duo exploded with passion, almost sending the group backwards. The women hands moved effortlessly on the strings, creating their own enchantment with their fingers. Playing with not just the strings but also his heart and mind. It felt like he wasn't in complete control of his body. Wanting and yearning to get closer to what could be the most enticing sound ever, and he continued, pushing into the crowd of admirers.
However, the snap of a string woke Outis from his delusional state.
What?
Seemingly out of nowhere a thin leafy vine reached over the instrument to reconnect the broken string and they continue playing. This did not stop many of the other strings from braking and soon some of the aristocrats were stirred awake also.
"Hah!! It's going to break yet again." A tall man teased.
Still, this did not discourage the two musicians and they continue playing. With each glide of their fingers more and more vines spurted blooming flowers and the beat steadily rose. Somehow, they were still holding together the quickly deteriorating instruments.
"Won't you look at this. Poor thing want to dance." It was the obnoxious of the bunch, a stout and short man who chuckled as hold up the trapped pixies and shaking their cages in fits of laughter.
The music picked up yet again and Outis found his focus again on the women. Now, the vines had spread outwards, bearing beautiful array of flowers that pushed out from the violins, consequently crushing them. One of them stretch out to the cage, opening it. However, the pixies inside did not immediately run away but pirouette around the vine, giving way to more flowers.
The crowd was too amaze at the spectacle to do anything as the three continue to dance around each other, growing the ever-big magical plant until it was covering the view of the stores behind it.
Finally, when it felt as the song was nearing its end as it grew soft once again and he could feel the tension lessening but then the violins finally gave out with a clank and the illusion was over. The vines burst into bits of light before going dispersing.
"They broke it again." The crowd mocked and pointed at the street performers who only took a bow in return.
It was then that Outis realized how close he gotten in his state of confusion. Swiftly, he was back in the shadows, hidden by the darkness. It was scary how easily wooed he was by the performers, by their music. One thing he definitely knew, was that was nothing short by magic.
That was the only explanation. He had never encountered any magic skill like that. If it existed at all?
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