~Heihou no Tae'Geuk
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A Ranger's Tale
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Frigid wind whipping the fair Elf’s golden mane, his
partner in tryst gazed at a naked back. Lukas Brun knew too well what Harbour
Fort means to Histalonia, it was absolutely mocking to see his room overlooking
a massive sea port. For one, it should be Eliador’s room deserving this bird’s
eye view, not his. Secondly, said room belonged to Eliador prior to whatever
arrangement.
The room was something of a beauty, drawings depicting
war and romance adorning its pure white walls. Then he realised Alestrial
Eliaden’s room might not be so different, mayhap even better. Then his thrice
damned lover turned towards him, storm grey eyes mocking riches owned by
fallacy.
Making no move in shunning a bedfellow, the androgynous brunette stayed quiet
as the greatest crime lord The Known World had ever seen sat down beside him. A
brief kiss ensued as Eliador de Lioncourt broke off contact just as swift. Then
he left Lukas’ hazel green sight with a plain yellow robe shrouding nudity
lithe, his last words for the night striking a haunting chord.
Once a wolf, forever a wolf, such
is the way of life. Have you ever seen one giving up its hunt? I know his
desires, who he wants dead. One does not live that long without earning many a
scar and failure.
)0(
“He
took Karen!” snarled Granad Tenias before an impassive Louthes Eliaden, the
Home Guards of House Eliaden tensing up. House Tenias was indeed minor
nobility, but its patriarch was also known to be volatile and violent at times.
“Unfortunately,
I do not know where this Ranger you speak of is,” answered back the noble with an
iron mane.
“This
Ranger you speak so highly of,”
corrected a female adviser standing behind, “For peaceful alliance’s sake, I
beseech Lord Eliaden to conduct a search.”
“Peaceful
alliance?” scoffed the lightly armoured veteran, “What peace is there between
me and him? I hanged his brother-in-law for desertion, what peace is there
between a loyal commander and a disloyal man?”
“Fine,
then,” Granad sucked in his breath as he grabbed his adviser roughly by the
hand, “My daughter shouldn’t associate herself with any dubious harlot anyway.
This woman will do for now.”
“Mi…”
protested the adviser before a stinging slap cut off her protesting words.
“You
want to address me properly, make sure you please me properly first!”
“No!
Please, I beg you…”
“Foolish
men will always beget foolish children,” sighed the Knight Lord hours after his
dastardly counterpart left, steely eyes wandering down to the bustling streets,
“Thankfully, I do not have to say ‘begone!’ to Granad Tenias, At least not this
time round.”
“So
you’re saying Granad is a fool, but his wife isn’t?” questioned an
impressionable youth armed, “Maybe that’s why…”
“Karen
Tenias should just be like her useless father,” came the snapping reply, “She’s
thankful that a busybody changed her life! Konnor Ripels, there are many things
for you to learn, for you are just a boy drafted as my Home Guard.”
“I
am sorry, Milord,” apologised young Konnor sheepishly, “I…”
“No
apologies needed,” sighed the aging noble, his gaze hard as steel resuming its
glare, “Wars happen for a reason, I know what Granad is dreaming of. My
daughter’s hand is reserved only for a worthy man, no scoundrel should soil her
chastity with his dirty seed.”
Konnor
Ripels entered silence together with his fellow Home Guards, all who were older
than him. As they followed their liege in rank and file formation, Konnor stole
one final glimpse at a wooden picture frame turned face down by his master.
)0(
“Congratulations
for warranting a manhunt,” quipped Moggray Tonn, steel grey orbs observing a smug
Aeranath, “Not only have you pissed House Tenias off, even House Eliaden
received your middle salute.”
“And
is that my problem?” shrugged the True Apostle, “I could have tested myself how
fine is that lady’s ass, I never said anything about being Louthes’ obedient
bitch.”
“Idiot!”
flared up the veteran, “You could have followed Louthes Eliaden instead of
walking all the way here! Granted you didn’t do anything to Lady Karen, but
Granad Tenias is another fish altogether.”
“All
the way here? Hah! I was merely walking no more than five miles out!”
“That’s
the problem! Only five miles apart and Lord Louthes can easily flush you out!
What are you thinking, implicating everyone in your merry little game?”
“This,”
an answering smirk accompanying a middle finger raised, the Ranger cared not
for whoever he riled.
“Fine
then,” glowered the Northern Lion, “Do not say I never warned you.”
“Bye
then!” called out the Ranger, “Remember to send my best regards to the boy!”
As
the wooden door slammed shut before his azure orbs, Aeranath adopted an irate
stance with a phantom materialising being his target.
“So
are you the one ratting me out again?”
“After
two weeks sticking around the lot?” replied a mirthless Ziron, “Get real,
please. If I wanted to stab you behind in the shadows, I would have done so
many years ago! Aeranath, do you know there’s someone keeping an eye on you?”
“If
it’s the Church, then I’ll have to kill you first.”
Ziron
smiled wanly in front of a threat easily discerned, especially if his charge
was the speaker. He had taught a young Aeranath the arts of survival, a
decision tantamount to encouraging distrust in a child. The True Apostle was a
boy once, this boy turned out to be a man of many deaths.
Do not trust any man more than
his worth, do not buy any woman’s words more than her value. Even a child
demands payment due, every person is born a sinner.
Attempts
in silencing his own words spoken to Aeranath countless years ago proved to be
futile, Ziron, Lord of the Lancers, could only forge ahead. Was everything a
mistake?
“Shit’s
a mistake,” growled the dark sellsword, a bare hand ruffling his snowy hair in
frustration, “That boy was supposed to be someone I can never be, I end up
making him a potential hero.”
“He
wants to be one,” commented the wistful mentor.
“I
only taught him how to live an upright life!” roared a lone wolf scarred, “He
could have fucking done so, but hell no he didn’t!”
“Is
Guy Cody not an upright man?” asked Ziron.
“He
will be once he decided not to kill people,” gritting his teeth in anger,
Aeranath couldn’t be sure who should be his target of ire, “Only morons will
believe heroes are not murderers.”
“Our
talk is going nowhere, Aeranath,” dissipating himself in front of apathy
personified, Ziron offered his last advice, “I believe you should know Eliador
de Lioncourt is planning his next move. The Serpent is dangerous indeed, his
wiles nobody can read. Not even me, let alone any living mortal.”
)0(
“Wait…
so you’re saying… that we have a…” spluttered Southgate Garrat, “Gemma, this
ain’t a joke!”
“Why
should I blackmail you when I could have swindle a rich man or better?”
glowered Gemma, “And to set the record straight, being rich or an elite means
you’re a born sucker.”
“So…
who’s our…”
Before
the soldier could formulate his imminent question, a massive explosion rocked
Pleasure Bode. Patrons fled and the girls were left cowering. Southgate reached
for his weapon, only for Gemma to hand him a sword.
“This
is my father’s sword. Nothing valuable, only a mercenary’s weapon.”
“That’ll
do, Gemma. Thank your father in heaven for me,” smiled the stocky brunette.
Yet, before he could act, a familiar face graced his own presence down the
stairs.
“Fucking
idiot!” exclaimed Southgate, “Do you know…”
“What
the fuck am I doing?” snarled a dark visage mired in darker rage, his finger
gloved jabbed forcefully into Southgate’s chest, “I know what the fuck I am
doing, so don’t boss me around. I’m gonna cool myself down somewhere, make sure
I have a better room once I’m back.”
)0(
“So
the conversation didn’t go so well?” asked Guy Cody as Moggray Tonn took
another sip of wine, “Gaffer, forgive me when I say you don’t really drink
wine.”
The
grizzled veteran chortled heartily, a strong hand slapping the surprised youth
on his back. The sandy blond had just taken a break from training Gemma’s girls,
Ithi was the only one staying.
“Stop!”
chided the Sudhlit, “You’ll hurt him!”
“He’s
no more a cub,” winked the Northern Lion, “He’s already a lion, a hero in the
making. Ithi, you should be honoured instead of angry.”
Guy
gave an irritated groan as he foresaw whatever implications to follow. The
bards always enjoyed singing tales of heroes saving many and earning many
beautiful women’s love. In particularly, Lannos the Thieving Knight was a
favourite amongst the boys and detested by grown-ups, for it’s been commonly
sung that Lannos accomplished many a valiant feat and had pleasured the finest of
ladies.
Way to go, Gaffer. Lannos is a legend,
Guy Cody is a living legend.
Then
a blinding flash erupted, shocking all watchers to their very core. The wary
young lion did not understand the angry man’s intent, but he knew only fools
would pursue a wrathful beast.
If I’m part of the Red Lions,
then what is he? Monster or a wolf?
“Look
out!” shrieked Ithi, “There are men coming!”
“Oh
shit, after one fucker freed, twenty more offered,” grinned Moggray viciously,
“Guy, take your girl into the main hall, I’ll hold them back. I don’t see any
bloke armed with guns or bows, this should be damned easy.”
Guy
Cody quickly ushered Ithi inside, there was no need to add a cautious voice.
Lukas was right in calling Moggray Tonn a stubborn jackass, Guy hoped he would
be right in trusting his Gaffer.
“Twenty
men, twenty shagging session? Gate got busted, so will you.”
If
the twenty had any answer to the Northern Lion’s taunt, they merely replied
through flashing steel and blood running their cutthroat veins…
)0(
“Twenty
men under my gold, twenty men dead…” growled a bestial Granad Tenias, his
previous adviser ploughed into total submission, “The Northern Lion, huh?”
)0(
“Milord,
the firstborn son of House Steele seeks your audience,” announced Konnor
Ripels, “Shall I…”
“No,
let him in,” waved off Louthes, “And leave us alone as well.”
The
young Home Guard bowed reverently, his voice clear as trumpet’s call.
“Hail young Jase, son of Brynn Steele,
unto Lord Eliaden’s grace! Blessed is the bold by the Holy Quintet!”
“So
what’s your business with House Eliaden?” questioned Louthes bluntly once the
duo was left alone.
“Firstly,
please allow this lowly boy to offer his highest family’s regards,” knelt the
ginger lad, “My lord father, Brynn Steele, sends his iron respect.”
“Rise,
young Jase,” offered Louthes his hand, “Sit in front of me and I shall hear
what your father has to say. After all, Brynn has always been my better and
superior in military affairs.”
Jase
promptly placed a right fist onto his left chest, Louthes clenched his offered
hand in return. Mutual respect sealed, Louthes poured himself a glass of wine.
Observing the surroundings, Jase noticed a simple layout. With nary a
decoration adorning timber made walls, furnishing was sparse bar a stone table
and a pair of wooden stools.
“Vintage
Bordeu?” proffered Louthes, “We, the men of war, call it ‘truce wine’ for most
obvious reason.”
“Your
offer is much appreciated, Milord,” curtsied Jase, “Yet ‘tis unfortunate to
remember my lord father’s teaching.”
“Do
not apologise, for great men will never do so for the sake of principles,”
smiled Louthes, “You have a lot to learn and many more battles to fight. Here,
sit and I will pour you some tea instead.”
“Water
please, a hundred gratitude,” sat down Jase.
“Brynn
is truly a good father,” sighed Louthes, “Fine, let’s cut the chase. Firstly, I
need a favour from you. Be known that I’m not talking to your father.”
Jase
laughed out in good humour, this was the first time he felt so much at home
since becoming a squire to House Tenias. As he relaxed further, the elder noble
made his request heard.
“I
need your help in organising a search. I have somebody waiting to be tracked
down, I believe he should be a familiar face.”
“A
familiar face? Surely…” grimaced Jase.
“Yes,
that Ranger,” affirmed Louthes.
“That
cur!” gnashing his teeth together, Jase’s hands balled themselves in fists of
ire, “Lady Karen ran away because of him, now he has created further trouble?”
“I
assume you will agree then,” curtsied a sombre Louthes, “A hundred gratitude in
advance from this unwanted soldier.”
“Why
are you hunting him down also, lord uncle?”
Eying
Jase’s emerald gaze, Louthes suddenly remember what Aeranath said to him.
“I’m under no obligation to bend
over for you, Milord. Have I made myself courteous enough?”
“Because
the Ranger insulted your lord uncle’s honour, that’s why.”
)0(
“Aera, have you ever thought
about love?”
“Love? I only understand how to
make love, people call it fucking.”
They say you can never buy
Hyo’Ah’s expression, I’m glad my tongue is the most valuable asset alive.
“Hentae! Why do you men enjoy
thinking about sex and more sex?”
Because that’s what men are born
to do, stupid girl. Thankfully, Lars spoilt my fun before I can say everything
out.
“Hey, Hyo! Heard there will be a
kei two ri ahead! Geun has already prepared our kitaka, let’s go!”
A kei? Sounds fun to me since
there will be countless pretty girls. Unfortunately, I know Hyo’Ah will bar me
from going there. Life’s a bitch…
)0(
“Wake
up, Aera Darko!”
If
daylight was incapable of waking Aeranath up, icy water splashed on his face
would surely do the trick. Reinvigorated in an instance, the True Apostle could
only stare daggers against a long-time face.
“Brook
nearby, we’re in a mountain surrounded by forest,” smiled the partial blond
sadly, “I really wish everything can be just like how everything should be.
You’ve gotten yourself dead drunk in middle of the night.”
“Spare
me your bullshit,” snarled Aeranath, “If Hyo’Ah is still here with us, she’d
say the same thing also!”
“So
he’s our ally promised,” murmured an impassive statement brimming with
volatility, “I expected better from a skilled drunkard…”
“No,
he’s much better than all, Ser Arondight. There are no men like Aeranath, only
the man himself. I, Lars Alterfate, can assure you that.”
The
Ranger surveyed his predicament, instinct tempting him to start a fight or two.
Yet, while terrain was favourable to him, he knew perfectly what a Demon Hunter
is capable of. Coupled with an unknown entity supposedly mortal…
“If
you want a deal, it’s a deal you get,” answered the True Apostle, “But after
that…”
“You’ll
get your death duel, I promise you that,” assured Lars.
“Your
promise means nothing, my statement means everything,” muttered Aeranath
darkly, his words not gone unheard by the last Demon Hunter’s ears.
)0(
Background notes:
Iron
respect: Any show of well wishes or tributes sent between military men.
Hentae:
Cinha slang for pervert.
Kei: Any
quarter-annual festival held during the middle of every season, i.e. spring,
summer, autumn, winter.
Ri:
Cinha measurement for mileage, i.e. a ri equals a mile.
Kitaka:
The Known World’s equivalent of kimono/yutaka.
)0(
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