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Chapter 13 - An long day and a new friend.
Leech smiled at Alice as he hastily and happily filled his pack with clothes, a map. and a few small knives, "This is awesome! Our first assignment! Aren't you excited?", he said cheerfully. Alice lay on her cot with her eyes closed, "I am, but it's not like it's a huge deal. I mean we're just going to handle some little thug and maybe some little gang of punks.", she said yawning. Leech tossed his now filled pack to the floor before plopping down on his cot as well and look over at her, "That true, but everyone here stated out doin' small things. One day we'll be the best ones here ya know!", he said boastfully. She rolled her eyes at him, "That's not something I'd be goin around sayin to everyone, even though it's probably true. You've seen how ambitious people are here, i say we just take it slow, and quiet, and we'll sneak up the ranks without any unwanted attention.".
Leech nodded, "good point. Well, ya ready to go?", leech asked standing up again. "Sure. let's get going.", she replied sitting up and standing slowly, "So where did Liam say he was to meet this guy at in Ungar?", she said pulling her pack, bow, and quiver from under her cot. Leech slung his pack onto his back then pulled his scabbard, with his sword Firebrand, from under his cot and put it on. The two left the bunk house while it was still dark and the others slept and made their way into the forest toward the east. "I can't remember the last time we were able to make it over to Ungar. It seems like forever ago.", Alice commented as the two walked side by side down the rough path that led to the main road. "Oh? Well I certainly do. It was last year, we were up in the market district and you got knocked out when ya ran into a wall while runnin from a guard. That's still the funniest thing I've seen in my life.", Leech said laughing.
Alice knocked him gently on the back of his head, "It wasn't too funny at the time though. I had to give up a hundred gold gold pieces! And hittin that wall hurt!", "Eh, it coulda been worse. They were gonna toss you in jail, where you'da spent the next two months. That's why i tell you not to get greedy.", Leech said still laughing. Alice sighed, "I know, I know. Oh! I hope the guards don't remember either of us.". "I'm sure they won't, it been more than a year and we were only caught once.", he said reassuringly, Alice smiled, "True.". The two walked in silence for the next twenty minutes until they reached the highway, "So, ya think we'll run into that traveling merchant, Andy, again?" Alice asked looking down the road as they walked. Leech shrugged, "I don't know, but i hope so. Maybe he'd give us a ride on his trade cart, It would be a hell of a lot easier than walking all the way to the city.", "I know. That brings up a question I have been wondering for a while. Why do we have to walk everywhere? I mean there are five extra horses down at the stable, so you'd think we'd be able to borrow two for the trip.", Alice said.
Leech look up and stared at the sky, "Well, think about it, how many trainees are there in the organization now?". Alice thought for a moment, "Well, i count five. There's you and me, then the twins Kevin and Zeal, and that creepy guy Malik. Damn, he gives me the creeps", she answered with an exaggerated shiver. Leech nodded yeah, me too. He's really a dark person, i was thinking we should start keeping an eye on him.". Alice then turned to him with a smirk and raised eyebrow, "So, you've been doin' some mind spying i take it.", "Only a little, he creeped me out, so I thought I'd just take a peak and I'm glad i did, he's had a hard life.", Leech said with a bit of sadness. "Really? What happened to him?", Alice asked sounding slightly concerned, Leech shook his head, "I don't really feel i should say, it's really his business. Maybe I'll tell ya later. Right now I think it best we got back to our original topic. There's five of us trainees, and five new horses, so it stands to reason they're there for us to earn, right?". Alice nodded, "Yeah, i kinda hadn't thought of that. Well, you think we'll get ours when we take care of these punks and get back?", Alice asked. "I hope so, and maybe some pay too.", Leech laughed.
Just then four dirty, shabbily dressed men lept from the trees; two on either side of the road. Alice and Leech paused, looked at one another, then back to the men before casually walking past them. The two had just past the last of the highwaymen, who were standing there looking dumbfounded by the pair's calmness, when a voice called from above as another man landed right infront of them. "Where do you think you're going?", the man asked, standing from the fall. Leech eyed the man for a moment, he wore a fancy vest with a lose red shirt and tan pants and black boots. His hair was black and slicked back and he was much cleaner than his accomplices, The man had continued speaking as Leech stared at him, "This is my road and i demand you pay a toll.", he said with a smile. Leech laughed, "Out of our way fool.", as he and Alice started to walk around him.
The man glared and shoved them back, "I am not a fool, now pay the toll, or we'll take it from you ourselves. "We have no gold, nothing of value, we're not going to pay your 'toll', and if you ever touch either of us again i promise you will regret it.", Leech said to the man in a low voice and looking at him with narrowed eyes. The bandit stepped closer to the two, "Ah, no gold eh?", he then looked at Alice and grinned, "Then maybe we can think of another way for you to pay.", he said as he reach out and groped Alice's breast. Leech's anger flared at the man's brazen action and his black wings erupted from his back and fanned out as he bore his fangs and hissed at the bandit. He was about to pull is sword and slay the pervert, but before he could the man screamed as Alice stabbed an arrow into each one of his hands. The highwayman stumbled backwards and Alice kicked him in the crotch, causing him to double over allowing her to deliver a devastating uppercut to his unprotected face, sending him onto his back writhing in pain. Leech's wings fell back down as his mood calmed and he looked at he and whistled. "Wow, that was..", Leech started to say before Alice spun on her heels, unslinged her bow, used it to knock him back as an arrow flew dangerously close to him.
Before she had stopped spinning Alice had already pulled an arrow from her quiver, knocked it, and fired into the lower branch of a three several yards away. A few seconds later another highwayman tumbled from the tree dead with the arrow through his heart. Leech stood and looked at her in amazement, he was about to speak but the other four bandits had started to move closer but Leech could tell they were scared and had no intention of fighting. One with grimy brown hair pointed at their leader in the fancy vest, and said nervously, "C..Can we take him?", Leech looked at Alice, she nodded, and Leech turned back to the dirty man and shrugged, "Sure. Just don't let us catch you guys pulling this stuff again.". The men hurried to their leader and and to lifted him up and carried him away leaving a trail of blood as they did. Once the group was gone Leech and Alice continued along the road in silence, for a few minutes before Leech burst out laughing suddenly, causing Alice to jump, "What's so funny!?". "I just thought of what you make me think of.", Leech said with a chuckle, Alice looked at him with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, "Oh really? Do tell.". Just then the two walked upon a part of the road where no trees stood and they could see the ocean clearly.
Leech stopped, put his arm around her and they turned toward the water. He look her in the eyes and smiled as he lifted his other hand, gesturing to the sea, "You remind me of that large ocean out there.". "Really? How's that?", she asked as they both looked out at the waves, Leech smiled, "Well, like the sea you are beautiful to look at, deadly to underestimate, and easily to get swept up in. As well as I don't think i could be away from either of you for too long.", he said looking back at her, still smiling. Suddenly, without warning, she reached up and kissed his lips, he jumped a little from the surprise but quickly found him self lost in the blissful feeling that seemed to last forever, even though it was only a few seconds. Alice stepped back from him, ending the kiss, brushing her hair behind her ears. Leech smiled again and noticed she was blushing, "What was that for?", he asked. "Well, besides the fact that, that was a very sweet thing you said, I love you.", she said looking him in the eyes. "I love you too", he said stepping to her, while keeping his eyes staring into hers Leech wrapped his arms around Alice and pulled her to him gently.
The two stood in the embrace for several minutes before they heard the sound of a horse coming up behind them. Leech turned to face the sound, when he did he found himself looking at a large, horse with silver armor covering all of it's face but the eyes, it had similar silver armor around it's legs, and even most of it's torso was armored. The man atop the stead was also fairly large, and wore a full suit of silver armor. He also carried a long lance in his hands along with a sword hanging from the horse side in it's scabbard. Leech looked at the knight for a few seconds before turning to Alice and nodding in the direction they had been headed, indicating to her that they should move on. Just as they started to leave the silver clad man called to them, "Halt! Stay where you are.". "Damn!", Leech said quiet enough for only he and Alice to hear. The two of them turned slowly, and unhappily to see the armored rider nearing them. Leech squinted as he was blinded by the sun's reflecting from the metal suit, "Yeah, what do you want?".
The knight removed his helmet, to Leech's surprise, the man was no older than himself with short cut red hair, a scar over his top lip, and an angry look. "How dare you address a knight of the Order of the Stone in that manner!", the young solider exclaimed before quickly and expertly dismounting his stead. Leech was unphased as the large man as he walked briskly to face him leading the horse behind him, in fact Leech found the knight to be slightly amusing. As the young knight approached them his horse reared back with a frightened sound, pulling the rains from it's riders hands and retreated back in the direction it came from. Leech and Alice couldn't help but burst out laughing at the man's dumbfounded face as he tried to think about what just happened. The armor clad man turned a malicious eye to Leech, who froze and returned the look, "What did you do to my horse?", "I didn't DO anything. Perhaps he just realized that it had a better chance if he fled rather than fight, maybe for should do the same, before I'm forced to put you back in your place.". "You? Put me in my place? oh, I'd love to see you try.", the knight said with an arrogant laugh.
Leech's anger flared as the man continued to laugh, in a flash he drew Firebrand, cut an are from the ground toward the sky along the center to the knight's armored suit, then before the action had registered in the man's head the sword was back in it scabbard under Leech's cloak. His laugh stopped as he sheared metal sound rang in his ears, and he looked around confused looking for the source of it. His gaze quickly fell back upon Leech, who was now smirking at the man's confused and scornful face as he spoke, "What did you do?". Alice had backed several feet away and was also smirking from seeing the warning that Leech had given the knight; across his armor, even if he had yet to notice it himself.
The warrior turned toward Alice, "You! You throw a stone at me didn't you! Admit it or your both going to be put into prison for attacking a knight.". "I throw nothing at you, you fool! And as far as putting either of us into a prison, you'll die first. Corrupt b*****d.", Alice yelled angrily at the man, who stormed toward her with violent intent in his face. She quickly readied her bow and had an arrow knocked and aimed at his chest, he froze momentarily before remembering his armor and continuing, stopping again just in front of the opposing arrow, with a smile. "You call me a fool, and yet you challenge my armor with your arrows. I think you are the fool.", he said laughing in her face. Alice smiled deviously as she spoke, "Oh, I'm no fool, i know this arrow would not harm you if you were protected by your armor. But luckily for me you're not.", she then eased her arrow forward while still on the string.
A scared and confused look took over the man's face as he felt the arrow head poke his chest. "H-How did you...?", he stuttered with fear, in response Alice just shook her head, "Not me, him.", she then nodded over the knight shoulder. As if on cue Leech drew his sword and and held it lightly in front of the man's throat. "Now you can no longer move forward nor back, so maybe you should listen to what i have to say. First of all, I'd suggest not making any sudden movements.", Leech said in a low voice near the knight ear. The trapped man nodded and spoke slowly, "Y-Yes, I'll listen, just don't kill me.", Leech smiled at Alice, "Ya know, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly most peoples' attitudes change when faced with death.". The girl returned the smile and nodded, "Yeah, It's interesting to see people realize when they've put themselves into such a bad situation.".
Leech turned his attention back to the frighted knight, "Now, would you like to tell us what great reason you had to stop us in the first place?", he asked in a low malicious voice. "W-Well, I, I just thought the two of you looked like..well, troublemakers. I just wanted to talk. I was just a little angered by the way you addressed me, i mean you could be a little more respectful.". Alice looked at Leech and sighed, "Ya know, he is right. You didn't have to be such an a**. I mean first impressions mean everything", she gave a little smile. The realization stuck him and Leech felt his face heat up, "Yeah, I suppose i could have been nicer. But then again, if you hadn't have been so damn high and mighty about it then maybe none of us would be in this position.". "Yes, I guess i did overreact. I am sorry.", the knight said in a low, almost shameful voice. Leech nodded to Alice as he slowly removed his sword away from the man's neck, and she relaxed her bow. The released man relaxed his posture with a sigh and Leech walked around in front of him and asked, "What is you name anyway, sir knight?".
The man stood there with a bit of a surprised look as he answered, "Well, you can just call me Alex. But who are you two, and how are you so fast? What kinda blade is that?", he looked down and felt the slit that was now in his chest plate. Leech looked hesitantly at Alice, as if asking if they should reveal their names, "Well, if you're worried maybe you should, you know...", she said as she tapped her head and nodded to Alex that was still distracted by his armor. Leech shrugged, "It couldn't hurt, I'll try.", he said before focusing on the man, after clearing his mind he began to get images of the knight and is life.
He was conscripted from an orphanage, as most guards and knights are. His life in the soldier academy and in the training camp was very hard, but he somehow managed to stay optimistic and somewhat happy, as well as honest. After a few years his hard work and training lead him to be considered on of the best from his class, and just a week ago he was made a junior knight. Leech was pulled from the man's head by feeling someone pulling on him, he looked to his right to see Alice tugging on his cloak and gesturing toward the knight. He looked up to see Alex staring at him expectantly, "Huh? Sorry, did i miss something?", Leech asked. "I asked your names, then the next thing i know your eyes look kinda strange.", the man said. "Oh, that, sorry i was just thinking. Well, you can call me Red, this is Alice, and a believe she owes you an apology.", Leech said glancing at the girl beside him. She looked back at him, "Oh, I do? For what might i ask?", she asked with a hint of irritants in her voice, "For calling him a "Corrupt b*****d". It would seem he's actually one of the good ones.", he responded.
Alice looked at the knight cautiously, "Are you sure?", "Of course I'm sure! Why would I say so if I wasn't!", Leech said, "Right, good point.", she then turned to the man, "I am sorry, I suppose not all of you are bad people.". Alex nodded, "It's true many of the knights are just power hungry bastards that want nothing more than to kill something, but there are still some of us the know what we're really here for; to help and defend the kingdom and it's people.". Leech smiled, "I'm glad to hear that. Now i think you had two other questions right? Well, we're this fast because to survive in the wild we have to be, and as for the blade, it's best you don't know about that, trust me.". The knight shrugged, "If you say so. Well, now if you don't mind, what were you two doing all alone out here?", he asked casually. "We were, well are, on our way to Ungar.", Alice answered, Leech nodded and asked, "What about you? The Order of the Stone doesn't usually send patrols this far from Vault, not to mention lone, junior knights.".
The young man looked a bit shocked, "How do you know what the Order does or doesn't do?". Leech shrugged, "After years of traveling, begging, and workin odd jobs for food, among other things, ya can't help but learn things. But you know that, don't you?", he said with a slight smile. "I suppose i do. Well, to answer you question, I'm here on my own business. There's this gang in Ungar I have a score to settle with. They're called 'The Blighters'.", Alex said, his voice bore subtle signs of anger. "What's the 'Score' you mentioned?", Alice asked curiously, "I'm wondering the same thing actually. It must be something very important for you to come to handle it alone. Maybe you could use some help?", Leech said, he found himself feeling quite worried for the young man. "Ya know, I might just take you up on that. You two seem able to handle yourselves and are already going there, so hell, why not!", Alex said happily.
"Oh! wait, before we go I have something to do.", Leech said as if he had forgoten something, Alex and Alice looked at him a little confused, "What do you mean?", Alice asked. "Just wait a minute and you'll both see.", Leech smiled before he let out a loud whistle, causing Alex and Alice to quickly cover their ears. "What the hell!", Alice shouted before knocking Leech in the side of his head. "Ow! Hey! I was just doin' Alex a favor!", he said rubbing his hear where she had struck him, "A favor my a**, you just wanted to annoy us.", Alice huffed as she crossed her arms in front of her. "But i really did do him a favor, look!", Leech said pointing at the road. The two others looked to see a cloud of dust with spots of silver shining through, within several seconds Alex's horse stood before him neighing and shaking his head, happy to see his rider again. "Thank you! I actually thought he had ran off for good.", Alex said rubbing the horse's snout. "You welcome, I'm sorry i scared him off earlier.", Leech said with a smile, Alice stood next to Leech, her face showed her mild embarrassment. Leech turned to her and laughed, "It's ok. I deserved it for not warning you.", "Damn right you did.", Alice mumbled as she watched Alex re-mount his horse. Leech stepped behind Alice and hugged her, rested his head on her shoulder, and kissed her lightly on her cheek, and she smiled. "So, whattcha say we get goin, Ally.", Alice blushed a little and let out a small laugh, "Ok, but don't call me Ally.".
Leech laughed as the two slowly walked, with Leech still holding Alice, toward Alex, who was now atop his horse. "So, ya'll ready to get a move on?", Alex said as he turned to face them, "Sure are.", Leech said happily. Alex's face took on a mild confused look as he stared at the two of them, "So you two are a couple then?", he asked. "Yeah. What, you didn't catch on to that already?", Alice answered. Alex smiled awkwardly, "Nope. Actually, i had thought about askin' you out, but never mind.", he said with a laugh. Alice laughed, "Well, now that, that cleared up for ya how about we get goin' before the sun goes down.", "Good idea. Ya know i actually know if a place where we can borrow a horse for each of you along the way.", Alex said as Leech and Alice walked up beside him. "That'd be a great help, thank you.", Leech said with a smile, Alex laughed, "Well, don't thank me yet, I'm not sure if they'll even be willing or able to spare them.". The three then continued on their way, getting more acquainted as the walked along.
 randomizor301 · Tue Feb 22, 2011 @ 06:16am · 0 Comments |
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