Chapter 659: "Witnessed their absurdity" (1/2)
In the heat of the moment, whilst upon the skies for Arda, a sudden thought reflected upon Julius and Igna's faces. A thought and mishap, a potentially argument worthy misunderstanding. Idle bleak stares were shut, the passengers of which were but Vanesa and Eira, slept peacefully. That said, the moment of truth hung in the balance, the numbers reluctantly dialed.
”Good afternoon, Aceline,” said he, ”-I've sort of maybe…”
”What is it?” returned she loudly, ”-Rosespire is very loud,” when spoken, the duo of Thena and Nike ambled about childishly. ”-Wait for me,” said her distant voice.
”I might have taken off for Arda, it was a spur of the moment event, everything fell into place, I didn't want to ruin the moment.”
”No worries,” said she, ”-Thena and Nike are good company. I'll be fine, take as long as you need.”
”I'll have an attendant make arrangements for your stay, deal?”
”Deal.” Julius hailed from the next seat over disruptively. The shaky gestures garnered a 'what' expression. Attention on the caller and face to the prince;
”-don't cut the phone,” he mumbled.
”Why?”
”Tell her the driver's ready to escort them to Apexi's studio. Someone important is waiting for her.”
”Someone important?” he covered the microphone, ”-who is it, Scott?”
”Spot on,” a thumbsup ended the call. '-Scott's here, I hope he makes up with Aceline. The two were inseparable until I masterminded her downfall; not only did I aggravate her narcotic consumption; I also blamed her and had her dear manager side with me. None's in the right, time will say if it's worth it.'
Council and Princess wouldn't meet just yet. Night hid their arrival. The airfield, a place of carnage and prior death, subjected to assault from magic and guns, had seen better days. One of the hangars was but a shell, a massive home on the roof, broken metal beams, and the adjacent path in disarray.
'Sad,' crossed Igna's mind. A saddened wind blew onto the dirt-filled airstrip. If it had been a day, a wave of dust crashing onto the forest's shore would be the culprit. Alas, between the meadowy moisture and the cold surrounding, a warmly heated car fitted convenience. Military, namely, the blood-kings faction closely guarded the iron fenced checkpoint. Flashlights pierced the windshield, ”-excuse me” signaled a soldier.
”Might I help you?” the windows rolled.
”May we see some identification. I didn't spot the car coming in, how were you able to get inside?” affluently spoken words begot a grin from Julius. Darkness hid the blatant disrespect.
”Viscount of Glenda.”
”First princess of Arda.”
”Second Prince of Arda.”
Three heavy titles swept the men's confidence, ”-I'm sorry,” they saluted, ”-lord of Glenda, Prince, and Princess, we must dutifully ask proper identification. Our country is in great turmoil.”
”Will this suffice?” the noble's crest hung shy of the window.
”Yes,” a quick scan, ”-may thee have a pleasant journey.” What little amber light remained dried to a starry night and no visual cues. Lampposts were a luxury at this point. One hour into the drive, they halted at a nearby village. The latter, cupped onto a gently sloped hill, was more or less vibrant. Four strangers arrived, the faintly lit village-center, empty save adventurers, gloomed.
”The atmosphere feels tense,” said Julius.
”I bet it is,” replied Igna.
”War has everyone on edge,” the shuffle to the tavern halted. A drunken half-elf stumbled to block the entrance. The livelier and better-lit interior breathed a gasp, noise faded to a morguesque silence.
”Where you hail, traveler?” *hic.*
”Over yonder,” replied Julius, ”-a place where humans have conquered the night, and said night brings pleasures onto the very same humans.”
”Wrong!” he mumbled, ”-humans are evil… the church is evil, the crown is worthless. There can never be peace in our midst, GODS HAVE FORSAKEN OUR LAND, OUR PRECIOUS MOTHER, SHE'S BEEN ASSAULTED AND VIOLATED. Does the church answer for the crimes, nooo, do the humans apologize, nooo, poor ol' Arda must suffer its fate.”
”Haul him in!”
”Let m-me finish!” a drunken struggle against a strong-armed dwarf would have never worked, ”-sorry about my companion, the first round of drinks is on me, consider it my apology.”
”Thank you.”
A humble and nervous tavern leader scurried to the entrance, bear in mind, the party had yet to step inside. Cold stood the hairs straight as did the cold-stares. ”I apologize.”
”No matter, is it possible to stay the night?”
”Stay the night?” glanced up, the eyes locked, her face paled to subtly avoid his judging glare, ”-I t-think s-so?”
”No, you can't,” said an overbearing shadow, ”-travelers aren't invited at this tavern. Get out and don't cause a mess,” armor and a heavy sword on the back, the tag had a silvery tinge.
”Who might you be?”
”Blond boy, this is no place to get laid. Take your friends and leave.” The tavern-lady looked relieved, the paleness reddened. The stare-off broke to focus on the inside, whereby, sat alcoholically flustered patrons, most of which, wore armor.
”Julius, what should we do?” wondered Igna.
”We ought to stay the night. I'm pretty tired, I don't want to rest in the car, gives me claustrophobia.”
”Can't you just create a house for us?” proposed Eira.
”Such an outlandish comment,” the eyes rolled, ”-I guess I could, but no.” (That's a genius idea, why didn't I think of it) went across the mind.
”Stop ignoring me,” grip on the handle, ”-I said,” the muscles tensed.
”Shut up,” fired Igna, ”-such an obnoxiously loathing accent and mouth. I can barely hear the words from that mess you call a talk,” a singular scan sparked their guard; 'danger.'
”Boy, I'm a silver-ranked adventurer, do you know what that entails?”
”Yes, and I could care less.”
”Igna, quit it…” whispered Julius, ”-else we may…”
”Too late,” remarked Eira, ”-we're surrounded.”
”Boy, that was a mis-” no second left, he blinked and kicked the man's head into to hardened ground.