IF ANYONE HAS ANY COMMENTS IDEAS OR QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK. ILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY AND ALL.
ONTO THE CHAPTER ....
THE PAST -
' Hmmm...hmmm....hmm 'Arvernus hummed upon a group of rolling hills. A fire burned chaotically before him as he sat before the open flame, hands raised to heat himself as the meats he had captured from the small mammals hopping about cooked slowly.
His voice echoed throigh the thicket of dead trees he had planted himself within. His katana was played flat in his lap, ready to be used at a moments notice, along with a pair of daggers hidden on his person.
As he was sitting, at the centre of the dry land, the slowly rolling fog reaching between the trees. Arvernus froze, head snapping to the side slightly as somewhere in the distabce he heard a twig snap. ' What was that '
His hums died in his throat a quick death, as he reached up and pulled his hood over his head, rising in complete silence before slinging away from the fire, using it as a distraction to draw out whatever it was that was following him.
' Come ... You think you are the hunter... let me test your mettle '
....
He watched through squinted eyes at the light peeling through the dead trees, a soft crackle calling to him like a seductive whisper.
The fire, reflecting a yellow light upon the pupils of light blue near white, were enraptured by the soft fire at the centre of the clearing. An abandoned pack sitting next to the fire as an intoxicating smell gently prodded at his nose like a silent whisper.
He felt himself drawn, drawn to the warmth, by the calling of the fire that beckoned him closer. And he was powerless to stop himself, as if that fire was the first he had ever laid eyes upon, and found it's strange self beautiful.
And so he stepped out of the shadows, cradling spear in hand as his mismatched armor clinked, forgetting he had been following another, until he stood directly infront of the open flame. And stated it down like some form of mindless creature, mouth agape... entranced.
He didn't know how long he stood there, mind a blue as the reaching tendrils of fire crafted elusive illusory images into his palid white blue eyes.
' It's so ... beautiful ' Whatever it was, a whisper slowly began to rippled within the back of his head, one ignorant to his own eats and thoughts, one he wasn't even sure was real. He would have strained to hear it to, had a sound not alert him to the fact he wasn't alone... he'd never been alone, as a heavy footstep echoed just across the fire ... from the trees.
" Where ... " It, the man responsible appeared like a phantom from just beyond the trees shadows. Stepping out like a creature born of the dark, he didn't understand how this man could be so silent, as mismatched pieces of fabric and armor poked out from below the black hood similar to the one he himself wore.
The man wielding a Katana stepped forward, across from the fire to himself, black chin poking through the hood to he the only visible identifier he could lay eyes upon.
The sight was as eerie as the dark forest he had stalked, the man whose steps he had followed, now standing across from him like some silent monolith. The light reflecting off of the katana as both were illuminated by the fires light like some eldritch creature.
" Huh ... " A deep voice echoed as the man in black wielding black of chipped silver, tilted their head to the side slightly. " I thought it be some form of beast that hunted me... not a man "
....
" Who are you " Arvernus, pointing his katana at the man garbed similarly to himself, whose grey hair fell from within the hood. Circled as he seemed to heft and slowly rotate a spear within his grasp. A spear of no remarkable design, tipped with rust and chipped from age.
Arvernus stepped aside the pack upon the ground, circling an invisible path across the greyed ground as he and the stranger sized eachother up and down.
" Vyke ... Tarnished... you " The now revealed Vyke, dark eyes studying from under the hood he wore, lowered his gravity in preparation for the man with the katana to respond. ' Footwork ... steady ... he's careful '
" Arvernus ... Tarnished... " He rasped out, the two slowly coming to a stop across from eachother, standing in their original positions. They didn't know whether to believe eachothers claims. Didn't know whether they could trust eachother in the slightest. ' He's calm ... ready '
" Here ... " Arvernus was the first to try and diffuse the possibly hostile situation, rasing his offhand to the hem of his hood, and letting loose his hair and face for Vyke to see.
" That's... " Vyke appeared visibly startled, taking half a step back as his voice cracked and began to shake violently.
" What ... " Arvernus looked over his shoulder, thinking there may have been something behind him in the trees, relaxing only when he knew there was nothing, before turning back to Vyke. " What's the ... "
Robbed by the sight he saw, Arvernus felt his knees grow weak at the face that greeted him, With Vyke having thrown his own hood off. To reveal a face almost entirely identical to his own, save for the hair opposite of colour to the white haired man's.
It was startling if not outright creepy, standing across from eachother, similar yet so completely opposite eachother.
" What's your lineage ... " Vyke simply stabbed his spear into the ground and dropped himself to the ground, petting his knees as he studied what he immediately assumed to be a not so distant relative to himself.
" No clue ... I... dont really remember much... it's all just ... scattered memory " Seeing that this ... Vyke ... didn't seem particularly inclined to attack, Arvernus chose to lowering his weapon, move around and resettled himself next to his pack. Yet they continued to analyse eachother, guaging whether they could eh threat or ally.
" Huh ... " Vyke didn't know why, but the confusion on the man's face, the man that looked so much like himself seemed real, like he truly couldn't remember much before this. " That's... not far off from me"
" Ahh ... yea ... about ... I don't know six hours ago, I was leaning on a ... Stone table ... picked up the last thing I remember seeing though ... this thing here " Arvernus unfurled the sack of his pilfered belongings. Showing the rusted longsword within" Pretty sure I got stabbed with this before I woke up, first thing I picked up... other than that, there ... I don't recall much of anything but images and voices "
" I ... " Vyke gestured to his spear and armor," Last thing I remember was spearing through someone ... then ... nothing ... simply ... nothing. And then ... I... woke up" Vyke shifted and scratched his chin, awkwardly shifting. " Didn't find my old spear of course but I found this one nearby .. hey ... say ... you wouldn't have happened to wake up in the field just outside the forest did you ... creepy, dead ... full of fog "
" That ... sounds correct... say ... " Arvernus didn't know how to sat this without coming off as outright mental. " You wouldn't happen to see ... something ... odd do you "
Vyke paused, squinted and they stared eachother down for several seconds alone once more, their defences rising as if a deeply guarded secret was being brought to the surface.
" Gold .. light ... won't go away " Vyke whispered, Clasping his gauntlets together as he watched Arvernus nod. " Ah ... it appears we indeed do have alot of similarities then... "
" That we do " The didn't particularly know how to proceed. All they knew was that the gold thing was guiding them somewhere l, for what was beyond them. Yet in this eerily silent forest, someone going through the same was somewhat calming, knowing that they weren't infact alone.
" Hm ... " Vyke, though still weary of the man that wore his own face, allowed himself to rest slightly upon his collected spear, a slow breath escaping his lips. " Ahhh ... "
Arvernus delved into his thoughts, company not withstanding, he decided to try and organise the fractured memories and voices permeating his head.
For several minutes they simple sat, willing to trust but still somewhat guarded. Until finally ...
A pleasant smell and a small pop drew them from their awkward silence. " Hm ... well if thats the case... it seems we have much the same idea... I believe it would be prudent to travel together no... I know not how much trust we can place upon whom else we might find, I believe and trust in my gut that you are trustworthy "
Avernus allowed his proposal to echo through the clearing, to allow Vyke to ponder at it as he began to divy up the cooked meat, before passing some to vyke.
" What's this " Vyke paused at the meat suddenly thrust upon him, blinking in confusion as the smell touched upon his nose, making his stomach ache. ' I'm... hungry '
He didnt know, couldn't know how long it had been since he last ate. The pain at the sudden hunger was agony.
" Food ... I myself am quite hungry, I can imagine you yourself are quite the same " Arvernus sat back as he slowly partook in his half of the hare he had prepared.
" It's your catch " Confusedly, Vyke raised his gaze to look upon the one that may have passed for his twin.
" So , what of it ... doesn't mean I can't share it .. that's my prerogative " Arvernus gave a half smile, taking a bite of the hares meat, wiping the grime that remained off of his lips with the palm of his hand before taking another.
" Hm ... " Vyke genuinely debated simply handed back the food, the charity he thought it represented a weight upon him, yet ... the way his stomach spoke wouldn't allow him to. ' I'll pay you back for the meal later '
And so he too tore into the meat himself, the two giving out soft grunts as they gorged themselves for the first time in this new life.
' It's... so good ... ' It was almost torturous how good this measly piece of meat was to his palete, nearly biting his fingers as he and Arvernus finished at the same time. " Say ... you truly think we should travel together.. "
" I don't see why not ... " Arvernus shrugged, wiping his hands upon the misshapen fabric that he used to keep his belongings, rolling them back up before binding them in their straps. "As far as I see it, I don't know anyone else ... I don't know where we're going, but I believe I'm of sound mind when I say I don't want to make this journey alone "
" Hm ... you words may indeed have some merit to them... " Vyke paused, grunting as he used his dug in spear as leverage to pull himself from the cold ground, giving Arvernus one last studying look before making a decision himself.
Seeing the somewhat ignorant man, whose eyes weren't yet clouded with mistrust or murder, he found himself silently appreciative he wouldn't be partaking his own journey alone. " Verywell then.. I believe we are in agreement... two swords are better than one I suppose "
" Plendid.. " Arvernus smiled widely, immediately turning about amd strutting off in the direction the golden haze was pointing the two men. And as he did so l, something seemed to shift within their vision. As they both became aware of the others golden tether of grace. ' Neet '
Vyke slumped in relief as he stated at the golden thread protruding from Arvernus's chest, the same way it was leaking from his own, their paths both pointing thr same way into the dark of the forest beyond. Relief, because as much as he trusted Arvernus, one couldn't he sure one spoke the truth, only when the truth was bare before them... could one be trusted. And now, with the truth of them both guided by light before his gaze , he chose, to place his trust in Arvernus just as Arvernus him.
' Atleast he is good company ' Qith a small huff, he yanked his spear free of the mudded ground, and followed the path Arvernus was treading. And despite himself, couldn't help the small smile that made its way upon his face. ' Let us see where this light takes us ... brother '
.... THE PRESENT ...
" What is she like " Mousesack asked as he allowed the towering giant to settle comfortably upon a cushioned chair within his chambers. Brewing them both a tonic to calm their vices after the long day of sea travel they had endured.
" Cold ... aloof maybe even a little strange " Arvernus whispered as he gently took the cup handed to him by the aging druid, whose eyes were soft and smile kind. The gentle candle light illuminating them both a pleasant light in the corner of their eyes. " But that's for those who don't know her ... "
" And what about you ... " Mousesacl sat across from the man so obviously in love, the man compelled by desires not his own, the man of duty ... the man who endured.
" When I broke through the allure of cold beauty, I saw the truth of her existence" He whispered, raising a hand as if to grasp at a figure that wasn't truly there, a figment of his imagination. " She had shouldered the burden of fate upon her shoulders... the hate, the accusation... the suffering all ... seeking the betterment of the world despite how ruinous if would be unto her and those she loved "
" She sounds ... like a truly ... kind soul " Mousesack could perhaps see how this warrior of unbridled power could have fallen for such a soft and loving woman. ' To shoulder the pain of a kingdom ... and do what needs to be done ... she must have the mettle of a queen '
" Kind is an understatement... she ... had to watch everyone she ever loved die ... one by one .. the closest ... the dearest. She had to watch every one she held dear perish, snatched by the cruel clutches of the world" Tears stung his eyes as memories of comrades and brothers all flashed in his mind. From the gentle Iji the trusted counsellor, murdered with black flame. To the ever loyal Blaidd, who even though his mind turtured him and body fought for alien control, he tried to stay true ... even begging to die before laying hand on his adopted sister. " And yet, she continued ... she walked forward, so she could save them ... the people ... despite the agony she endured, despite the vow she made so she may fight to protect them... she never faltered ... in truth she expected to partake in her duty alone "
" Ah .. " Mousesack saw Arvernus curl, hang his head slightly before reaching up and placing his cup onto the table between them. " But you came along didn't you... "
" That I did ... " Arvernus stared down at the ground, assailed by memories aplenty, of his journey at her side, vying for her even though the world would try to tear them apart to continue in its twisted path." At a time when she was about to give up, when path seemed uncrossable... I cleared the path, seeing the validity in the path she chose ... and I ... gave her what she sought "
Mousesack didn't press, instead he allowed a silence to swallow his cabin, in silent understanding. ' One moves the world for the one that holds their heart '
" You know ... I believe I made an er in my judgement when I first saw you " Mousesacl sat his cup upon the table, interwove his fingers and smiled gently. " I thought you some wayward demon scheming across the lands to further some abominable goal "
" And now ... " Arvernus sat up, forcing the tears in his eyes down, it wasn't his place to cry. It was his place to stay strong in the face of uncertainty.
" I see a lost traveller. Of honor, of purpose. I apologise for my earlier accusations. If I may be so bald, I would like to assist you with you attempts to call for your lady wife " Mousesack smiled, the surprised shock on Arvernus's face the clearest sign he could recieve he was making the right choice. " I would assist by setting up barriers whilst you allow your... method of calling to her to manifest, as such you didn't affect the harmony of the world around "
" Why would you do that... for me " Arvernus couldn't understand, just earlier the aged druid of Cintra had been terrified of merely being around him, now he was vowing openly to assist him. ' Why ... '
" Because despite the long life of treachery I have lived. I still choose to place my faith in the people around me, and if I can help another person through their plight... it's effort well spent in my opinion..." Mousesack continued to have his small smile, like a fool that told a funny joke to himself.
" Trust Is a fragile thing that should not be given easily ... I... " Try as he might to steer the druids shrewd mind, the man whom looked aged by earth simply chuckled.
" Trust is a sign of our humanity " Mousesack responded in kind, disarming whatever rebuttal Arvernus was to have.
" Yes ... I do suppose you're right ... alright ... but if you start ailing while helping me ... i will stop my actions immediately" With that their pact was made, silently placing their trust in eachother. But mousesack had one more thing on his mind.
" I do have one favour to ask in payment for my assistance " Mousesack momentarily lost his eager smile, allowing a modicum of concern to paint his features.
" Oh ... and what would that be " Now he was curious, what could make this aloof wise man so worried.
" Ciri ... Calanthe's grand daughter. Should anything happen, I want you to take her ... to a man named Geralt of rivia ... fate calls them together ... as you have allowed your wife to walk hers ... I would ask you guide Ciri to her own " Perhaps it was out of place, but he was a man whom had watched nations rise and fall, all at the hands of kings who thought themselves above fate. To see a man whom seemingly believed in it as much as he, he knew that perhaps if anything untoward would happen, she would remain safe and whole under the man strong enough to churn the world itself.
" Mousesack, trust in me when I say " Arvernus's blue radiant eyes churned with promise, glowed with otherworldly power that made any promise a fact rather than mere thought. He stared at Mousesack, unblinking, the druid shivering slightly. " No force from the deepest of your hells or the thrones of your heavens, would break my defence of those under my protection. Armies would fall to my blade, legions put to death by my solemn vow. Mousesack ... should something untoward happen, and you make the request, I will shield young Ciri under my protection from the whims of the gods themselves "
" Your promise warms my heart ... I shall seek you, heavens forbid, should the time call"
....
" Again ... " The sun rose high over the heavens, the clear skies cloudless as far as the eye could see as the Cintran ship rocker back and forward along the waves.
Crew moved about as masts were drawn, the fabric billowing in the winds as sopes were tied to posts. The chatter and echo of voices rumbled across the deck as the ship master cried commands to his crew.
Standing at the centre of the ship, between the two masts where few crew moved, Arvernus stood heads taller than the nearest man, his harsh voice a cracking whip as he circled Tyr and Eyvind exchanging blows.
" Ugh ... " Eyvind rose, arms sore as he stated at the brown haired boy. ' How long has it been since I was forced into such a state '
The boy wasn't bad, far from it even, he was tireless, borderline superhuman in endurance, a ceaseless wheel of effort that refused to stop. And Eyvind found himself jealous. ' Gods I wish I was back in my hayday '
At Arvernus's cold command, Tyr rose, pointed his sword as Eyvind's face and lifted his small shield closer to his chest, ready to exchange blows once more.
" Gods you never let up " Eyvind grasped at his axe, rose and glared harshly between teacher and student. " Verywell boy .... come "
...
Calanthe stood on the second deck of the ship, With Eist and Mousesack at her sides, staring down at the training going on with her tongue toying at the side of her lips. An appreciative look mounting her eyes.
" The boy is quite strong ... how old is he again " Eist whistled as they watched Tyr clear the distabce between himself and Eyvind in a single bound, bouncing forward and swinging his longsword down directly upon the head of Eyvinds axe, which let out a loud squeal as sparks flew. The aging man himself appeared to buckle under the force of the strike, deftly diverting the downward momentum to the side, weaving through Tyr's defence and attempting to counter the boys strike.
" Eleven I believe your majesty ... he and the man Eyvind are of the same village where our friend Arvernus came across them " Calanthe raised an eyebrow at the rather stark change in Mousesacks demeanour, casting a slow glance towards the druids.
" You seem quite familiar with him now ... and here I thought you were craven ... tell me what happened " Calanthe asked, not at all unsettled by the revelation of Tyr's age, she afterall had gone to her first war at fourteen, what more was an eleven year old going to war. ' Though he does seem quite strong... '
" I ... encountered him on the deck last night your majesty, at Mt request me and him settled our differences over a tonic... I learned he is quite the honourable man... I trust him " Calanthe looked surprised at Mousesacks words, unused to him having much if any praise for someone they had known for little more than a day.
" You speak highly of him " She cast her stern yet beautiful gaze back towards the duel, studying the giant circling the two whom continued to rain down blow after blow upon eachother. Screeching steel drawing the occasion glance of the crew, sometimes falling to the deck only to spring back up, diverting and retaliating. It was a masterful dance. All thanks to the giant In silver and blue staring the duellist down as he barked commands even mid fight.
" He has earned it " Mousesack, once he chose to trust Arvernus, chose to trust in him fully, and support him with as much faith... and has found himself proven right so far.
" Hm ... we shall see ... " With that Calanthe, just like the others, could see that the duel between Eyvind and Tyr was coming to an end, after hours of gruelling exchange after exchange, their breathing had become haggard, their steps faltering.
She picked up her sword planted nearby, passing the curious Eist and past Moisesack, stepping down the stairs as she watched Tyr leap at Eyvind, his young voice letting out a cry that made her warriors fury burn, as he pushed Eyvind down onto the deck, disarming the aged man in an instant, proclaiming himself the victor after several long bouts.
" Don't let victory get to your head. In the heat of battle, should you do so, you'll find yourself headless before you can even realise another foe seeks your death " Arvernus cut Tyr's victory short as the boy had raised his blade high, smiling at the heavens as if he had just won a long winded battle.
" Sorry " Tyr whispered, sheathing his longsword before assisting Eyvind back to his feet.
" That was well fought ... I loom forward to fighting at your side " Eyvind laughed and clapped Tyrs shoulders. " They will sing ballads about us yet my dear Tyr "
Eyvind proceeded back into the bowels of the ship with Tyr, leaving Arvernus to stare at the back of the departing duo, studying them closely. That was when Calanthe took her change to make herself known.
" You truly care about them " She strode right up to his side, not even coming up to his shoulders, her tear troughs becoming more pronounced as she strained to look up at the mop of black hair that framed his face.
" Of course, one is a man whom I consider friend, the other is my student, I feel sorry for the fool who thinks himself brave enough to bring them harm " Arvernus rasped out, before turning to look down at the queen, unfurling his arms and bowing ever so slightly. " Your majesty ... is there any way I may be of assistance "
" I grow weary of this dreary sailing ... I seek a worthy opponent to sooth my itch for battle " Calanthe shrugged off her loose fitting robes, revealing a ready set of armour she wore most days when not sulking about her castle, it was better to be prepared for anything, especially as of late.
" Perhaps you would find yourself more satisfied against " Arvernus tried to offer maybe another soldier about, maybe even heal Eyvind and have him fight her. But his suggestion was moot, as he rounded in a blur and caught the already descending tip of Calanthe's sword between his thumb and index finger. " Attacking a man with his back turned is a sign of cowardice your majesty "
" It is ... only when the man isn't expecting it " Calanthe twitched, straining as she tried to remove the tip of her sword from Arvernus's grip. Only being allowed to do so when she fell back slightly when he released his grip on her weapon." Now come... mighty warrior ... let me see just what you're capable of "
She didn't see any weapons on him, yet she knew he was not powerless, having long since suspected him of being a male of sorts with her short conversations with Mousesack the previous day.
And she was proven correct, as Arvernus bent forward slightly, his hands moving to the sides of his body like a forward facing T'pose mixed with a bow. And from swirling ash, produced two finely crafted swords.
One was silver and blue,with a darling jewel at the centre with lapis lazuli embroided along its hilt... a sword fit for a ruler. So fine were the etchings long the blade and hilt along with the cross guard, it was perhaps the finest work of smithy she had ever seen ... along with the second sword that appeared in his left hand.
This one was vastly different, berefit of the blues, rather a deep crimson wrapped around the hilt of the silver weapon. And along the flat of the blade, bore gold and black etchings fine enough she didn't understand how man's fingers could have done it.
" I am Arvernus ... greatest warrior of Caria ... " Arvernus rose from his bowing position, his unhelmed face looming toward the Queen for her introduction ... as informal as their duel was.
She smirked in turn, the simmering desire for battle forcing its way to the surface as her features curled, teeth flashing eagerly amd eyes twinkling. " EIST ... "
" I'm right here dear ... you shield " Eist knew what she wanted before she even asked, the shield in his hand, Calanthes own , finding purchase in her own hand where it rightfully belonged as he gave his wife her shield.
" Thank you dear" Calanthe adjusted her grip as much of the traffic about the ships deck came to a grinding halt. Men of all ages scattered about quickly coming to form a ring around their Queen and the towering monolith she sought to duel.
" I am Calanthe, Lioness of Cintra... I challenge you... peerless warrior, to a duel ... " Calanthe felt herself shaking from the sheer exhilaration, excitement making the hairs on her body stand on end as she faced what she could already recognise to be her greatest duel of her long life... one she would he proudest of regardless of the outcome. ' Come ... SHOW ME JUST WHAT THEY SEE IN YOU '
He didn't respond verbally, rather simply stepped a single foot forward, handing his swords aloft at his sides, both tips pointed ever so slightly in the queens direction. " I accept your challenge "
The deck had gone entirely silent, as Mousesack stood on the second deck, hand on Ciri's shoulder. His heart hammering in his chest, wishing ti see if he had placed his faith in the right warrior. ' Come ... Arvernus ... do not let my faith by squandered '
" AHHHHH" Unable to contain herself, Calanthe launched forward like a loosened spring, sprinting forward as Sue raised her shield and made to thrust her sword at Arvernus's stomach. ' The taller you are ... '
She smirked slightly as she neared, using her full might to thrust forward as the intricate silver of his breastplate, seeking the fine grooves in his armour where she would stab through. Yet just as her blade would neet silver, her senses screamed. Eyes darting up to find a rather self satisfied smirk toying at Arvernus's lips.
" Your folly " He acted faster than she thought, barely able to perceive as he swung his left hand up, diverting her blade overhead with ease despite the strength she had mustered for the strike. He didn't stop there however, to stop now would be an insult to then both and the memory of the woman whose technique he now used.
' Yruely peerless Rellana ' His right hand sword struck the queens shield as he raised it, knocking the queen back several paces, her armoured boots sliding across wood.
As he stood, hands overhead , he smirked down at her, already coming forward even as her momentum had just stopped, and brought down his blades in an X- formation aimed directly at her chest plate now unguarded as her shield and sword lay knocked to the side.
' Such ... ' Calanthe closed her eyes, realising her folly the moment her sword had been knocked into their. She smiled slightly, now sure more than ever and let out a deep breath. She felt it, as the very tips of the swords struck her breasts plate, tearing through steel like butter in two shallow grooves. ' Strength ... peerless strength '
She realised as she flew back by the force she had been struck, caught by the crowd, that had Arvernus truly wished her harm, she would have died right then and there ... as well as everyone onboard soon after.
She opened her eyes to see the grooves cut into her armour, the cross pattern forever marring her steel plate. It didn't hold because it was strong, it held because the man responsible had pulled back intentionally.
Raising her gaze, she saw Arvernus to he staring down upon her, not in delight of victory or mocking or even pity. But in silent respect, respect for a fellow warrior. Waiting for her to continue.
Rising from the arms of her loyal men, she rose, as the crew broke into cheers not of Arvernus, but of her steadfastness in the face of absolute hopelessness.
" Come ... Queen Calanthe ... our duel has not yet ended " His smile wasn't mocking, but calling, a tether to draw her back so she may sate her blood-lust against a foe she could never hope to defeat.
" Come on your majesty ... show him the pride of cintra " One of the deckhands called, a chorus of agreement flowing as she looked between the men whom had just seen her humbled in a single strike, yet found them supporting her as steadfast as ever.
" You have loyal men, I've only seen such devotion a few times in life " He spoke as he weren't her opponent, rather giving her and her men the praise they so deserved.
" Call me Calanthe, and they are indeed ... MY LOYAL MEN " She rose, and rushed at Arvernus once more under the cheers of her men, ready to engage once more, smiling all the way as she raised her shield and tried another tactic to break his defences.
Even as silver glinted and thrust towards her, she didn't falter. ' YES ....'
....
" You know my love " Eist gently padded a cloth to the queens abdomen as she lay upon her bed, lips puckered and brooding at being bed ridden. " It's time like these when I think you have a death wish "
Calanthe scoffed, rolling her eyes and sitting up as the bruising on her stomach tinged with pain. " Oh come off it, it was a duel well fought "
" If by well fought, you mean throwing yourself at a brink wall repeatedly to see who wins... then yes ... well fought " Eist joked as Calanthe crossed her arms, brooding at loosing so humbly to the warrior she had challenged.
" Go castrate yourself " She bit, in truth she had enjoyed herself fighting Arvenus far more than she had suspected she would, even now forced to rest for the rest of the journey to Cintra. She felt it was well worth it. Even if she had lost.
" Oh don't be like that dear " Eist gently unfurled her arms, allowing him to apply ointment to scratches along her arms with all the love a husband could possibly convey.
" The men are singing songs about your bravery you know ... " Eist smirked slightly, chuckling at the Aghast look on his wives beautiful face. Her hair marred with sweat , her cheeks swollen yet still full of lustre.
" They're not " She cursed, her full lips and fair skin contorting as she imaged the horror of what they sung.
" Oh they are ... of the Lioness of Cintra facing down the giant of Caria... I suspect one of our men will make a ballad by the time we return to Cintra about you oh so hard fought duel ... " Eist laughed at Calanthe's embarrassment.
" Fuuuck meeee " She sagged back into the mattress, " Can't I just ordered them jailed ... "
" That's not how that works my love " Eist rose, fingers applying the last of the ointment needed, his dark eyes rising to her own as he hovered just above his lovers face. " And you need to heal dear ... much as I would right now... you need "
" Shut up" Calanthe grabbed at him, dragging him down to her as she captured her lips in his own, broken only by her next command. " All of it off ... now "
" Yes my queen "
....
" You're lucky the men recognised how kind you were to the queen even during your duel " Mousesack laughed as Arvernus sat in his chambers once more, both sitting and enjoying a tonic they had both come to like.
" Ah ... yes ... they seem quite smitten by the Queen... I can imagine what she must have done to earn such fervent loyalty " Arvernus laughed, lifting the tonic to his lips before drinking it slowly with great satisfaction.
" Ah its a thing of legend... when she was but a girl of fourteen, she lead her men into battle ... fighting alongside the men whom joked and jeered at her, and forced them to respect her prowess... when she earnt her title the Lioness of cintra " Mousesack recalled the stories, speaking as if he had been there personally.
" She will do well with such loyalty, I've seen men like that, they would fall in her place or cover her retreat ... it's a rare thing " Arvernus gave a reproachful smile, he himself was one of them when it came to Ranni, just like Blaidd ... or Iji. ' We would have all died for her ... and some of us did '
" There's a story in that tone " Mousesack leant back and interwove his fingers, always an enthusiast for a good story, he was more than happy to listen to it.
" I know a couple about such loyalty.. there's Jerren of the redmains ... an army so loyal they carried their lords name and purpose even after his ... demise ... carrying his riders long after. " He chuckled thinking of them... " Then there's Finlay, a woman so loyal that even when she was actively decaying, one of the last of her army. She carried her commander across the entire continent to safety, alone ... dying. Doing so and succeeding before she finally died at the feet of safety... they're long stories and I don't wish to bore you "
" Oh no no no ... we have plenty of time... my glyphs of concealment are ready, we cam start your... spell whenever your ready, in the meantime ... while we wait ... I'm eager to hear tale of your lands " Mousesack assured, it was always warming to hear of what men and woman who are truly loyal could do in the face of adversity.
" ... " Arvernus gave pause, humming slightly before finally slumping. " Fine ... I do suppose we have time "
....
For the next better part of two weeks, they journeyed from Skellige across sometimes sunny sometimes harsh weather towards Cintra. Everyday Tyr would train under Arvernus's tutelage until his arms were sore and body weak, healed during the night by Arvernus's visits where he would heal and give Tyr instructions and books to read to continue to learn.
The evenings were met with good natured banter between Calanthe, her enterage and Arvernus himself as they shared food story and ideals for days, along with Ciri getting along swimmingly with Tyr as she dragged him about to explore the ships crevasses and dark hiding holes.
And finally the night was filled with Mousesack setting up his barrier to safeguard Arvernus and his activities. Straining every night to shield the rest of the world as Arvernus spent little more than two hours every night under the watch of the moon, spreading his mana across the world's and dimensions in an effort to serve as a beacon for Ranni to follow and finally find him.
This continued for eight days, until they received word that they would be arriving on the nineth after a bout of harsh weather and storms stalling their progress.
" There she is, the pride of the North, Cintra " Mousesack whispered as he, Arvernus, Calanthe and Eist stood side by side to look at the city that spread outwards across a large hill , centred by a large castle that overlooked the entirety of the city. The city reached far and wide, from the harbour to the Plains in the distance. The sheer amount of life swelling within was something he could almost taste on the wind.
" It is beautiful no doubt " Arvernus complimented smoothly, his voice carrying like fine silk as the Queen preened somewhat at his praise, pride swelling.
" As assuredly as tomorrow's sunrise " Calanthe joked, looking to Eist whom seemed rather out of breath, only responding with a weak smile and a thumbs up.
' Poor man, she's run him dry ' Arvernus chuckled only to receive a jab in the stomach from Mousesack.
" Your Magesty, we shall arrive within the hour the harbour is being cleared for our arrival " A crew mate announced before hurrying off, the men moving about to prepare for docking as Crates were moved about, the pens onboard being opened and the animals guided through the bowels of the ship.
" We'll prepare a grand feast upon our return. To celebrate new friendships and a safe journey... you will attend won't you " She cast an expectant look towards the giant that seemed almost entirely out of place next to her.
" I would be dead before I missed such an event your majesty " Avrernus responded with a kindly smile before turning to gaze back at the slowly approaching city. ' It's not as beautiful as Leyndell... or Caria... but it does have its own disarming beauty to it ... I can see why Calanthe is so proud '
" It's Calanthe " She growled, yet there was no hostility in her voice, rather she was pleased infact by the news. ' It would be a good time to talk about alliances... I should speak to Mousesack to learn more about his lands ... he would know if such a thing would be fruitful '
Over the last week she had spent in close proximity with the to be lord of Caria, she found herself rather favouring the man. He was honest, harsh when needed and entirely just. He was truly honourable amd a man of his word of which there was little doubt. If he was truly such, then an alliance between Cintra and Caria was one she wasn't opposed to. She wasn't aware exactly where Caria was, but she wished to broach the subject regardless. ' It can't hurt to try '
" Welcome to Cintra... Lord of Caria "
CHAPTER COMPLETE
I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED THIS CHAPTER SO FAR. THIS CHAPTER IS LIABLE TO CHANGE AND EDITING IN THE FUTURE AS THE RESY OF THE STORY IS FLESHED OUT.
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UNTIL NEXT TIME FRIENDS.