S:1 Ep. 1-5 (The Guild)
(A Beaten Down Road That Leads To The Castle)
General Beckley is riding towards the castle. His horse is tiring but he doesn't
care and spurs the exhausted creature. The horse jerks at the pain and Beckley does it again. The horse increases speed.
"Stupid beast." Beckley chuckled to himself. "Oh the King is going to have a
grand time dealing with those morons back there." He lost himself in the thought of a possible reward from the King for reporting the two rouge soldiers he had left behind.
Neither man nor beast saw the hole in the road about one hundred yards away. At their speed it didn't take long to reach and when the horse's foot was caught it jerked and sent Beckley flying off it's back and onto the road. It took him a couple of minutes to recover. His vision was blurry and he couldn't focus while his horse was making all kinds of racket.
When his vision cleared, Beckley stood and shook himself off then he turned to inspect the damage. He was just about to yell for his horse to "Shut the hell up!" When he saw it lying on the ground struggling frantically. It's leg was twisted at a very disturbing angle and Beckley had to keep himself from vomiting.
"Dear..Maker's children..." He shook his head and drew his sword. He knelt next to the horse and examined the leg. Bone was peeking out. He shook his head again and pointed his sword at the horse's throat. He pushed in softly and the horse whined as if begging for mercy.
"Shut up." Beckley jammed his sword through the horse's neck but it still
struggled."Damn you!" He let go of the sword and raised one foot. He rested it on the hilt. Then he used all of the strength in his leg to jam the sword even deeper. At last the horse was silent. "Much better..." Beckley put his foot back on the ground and collected himself for a moment. He looked down at the horse.
"Well, that's...inconvenient." He reached down and tugged at the sword. It didn't budge. He tried again but got the same result. He placed both hands around the hilt and one foot on the horse's side and pulled again. This time the sword came free and Beckley nearly fell to the ground. He shrugged his shoulders and looked ahead.
"Not far now...come on old man." He took a deep breath, steadied himself and started running.
(Outskirts of The Kingdom of An'me)
Hempnode and Taljic were able to commandeer a couple of draft horses from a local farm. They were riding as quickly as they could to catch up with General Beckley who had quite the head start. Taljic rode in silence while Hempnode muttered softly to himself. Although the sound of the two horse's hoof beats were rather loud, Taljuc was still able to pick up Hempnode's voice.
"Butterscotch" Said Hempnode.
"No...no...hm...Butter bean....Butterfly...Cinnamon...Apple...Cider?" He kept on.
"Don't...name it." Taljic grumbled.
"Why not....I like her...it's a her."
"One, it's not yours to begin with, and two....what if that happens to it."
"What...happens to...what?" Hempnode was confused.
Taljic, who had been leaning forward with his chest against the horse's neck, rose slightly and pointed down the road at a brown mass.
"What in the hell is that?!" Yelled Hempnode.
The two brought there horses to a stop and led them slowly towards the mass.
"Just as I thought...it's a horse and.." Taljic leaned down and lifted the horse's
saddle a bit and peeked underneath at a small scribble. "It looks like it belongs to one General Chester B. Beckley." He rose and examined the rest of the area.
"Injured horse...no others around....I'd say he can't be far off but judging by
these footprints..." He cocked his head. "I'd also say he's running...very
fast....we should move out..now."
"Buttercup..." Hempnode whispered.
"What?"
"Buttercup..that's her name...my horse." Hempnode turned and patted his horse on the mane. "Her mane is bright and yellowish like a buttercup...and...it's a cheery name."
Taljic was perplexed. His friend seemed saddened by the sight of the dead horse yes, but the way he talked sounded pitiful. This wasn't like him at all...but there was no time to ask about it. Taljic mounted his horse and Hempnode followed.
Taljic turned his head and looked at Hempnode who raised his head when he felt Taljic's gaze.
"Storm." Said Taljic.
"What?" Hempnode looked up at the sky searching for rainclouds but it was an ironically beautiful day.
"That's his name...Storm. His body is grey and his mane white...reminds me of a storm." Taljic sped off on his horse.
"Come on Buttercup." Hempnode smirked and raced to catch up with his friend.
(Castle Kitchens)
The kitchens were full of servants and cooks all rushing to make lunch. Pots and pans clattered and there was a strong smell of tomato basil soup and freshly baked bread in the air. On the far side of the kitchens at a large table sat Noretaku, a few of the King's wives including Gwen and Tabitha and a small collection of guards and servants. Noretaku sat at the head of the table and she looked rigid. She was dressed in all black clothing with gold details like the outfit she had given Chern. Her hair was tucked into a hat that nearly covered her blue eyes. The collection of people at the table had nearly forgotten that she was in fact a girl.
"Alright...my friends...listen up..." Noretaku stood and rested her hands on the table. The small assembly before her all gave her their attention. "I know..that we are small in number and...just...small...but we have big hearts and er...big brains and we will use those to ...Makers help me I am not good at this..." She covered her face with her palm and sat down. She was visibly nervous and shut down.
The others tried to relax her.
"Cheer up love, we'll do fine." Said Tabitha who had moved to stand next to the Prince. She patted Noretaku's arm with her soft, pale hand.
"Yes." Said Gwen. She was tan and much older than the rest of the wives.
"I'm sorry." Said Noretaku. "I just...I know what I want to say....and it's all in my
head...but it all just feels so hopeless."
"You will pull through at the last second...said a weak voice out of no where.
"You always do." Suddenly Pierce stepped into the room. He looked ill. His
bangs were mussed up so one of his dark blue eyes was visible. There were
specks of purple and white in it. Noretaku stood again and faced her old mentor. She crossed her arms.
"Pierce." She said, nodding in his direction.
"...Nore." He said in return. He sounded sad and it was almost as if he was
yearning for something. Noretaku sighed and dropped her arms to her side. She looked at his sad face for a few moment before rushing towards him and
wrapping her arms around his waist. He wrapped his arms weakly around her.
The two embraced for a moment before Noretaku stepped back and looked up at him.
"You are...you." Noretaku said.
"Yes...for the moment..."
"What do you..."
"We'll talk in a moment but first, let me help you..." He made his way slowly to
the table and leaned heavily on the corner of it. "What your leader was trying to say, is that yes we are few in number, but what we lack in that aspect we make for with our large and passionate hearts. Hearts that burn with passion so fierce that it doesn't matter how small we are. Avan lusts and thirsts for power....it is a thirst that will never be quenched so long as there are still free people in these lands for him to trample with his soldiers....the same soldiers I...helped him corrupt..." He hung his head. There were mutters and gasps around the table.
One of the guards jumped up from his seat and made his way toward Pierce,
blade at the ready. He held it lightly against the mage's neck. Pierce looked
unphazed.
"Explain yourself." Said the gaurd.
"Guardsman Liam drop your weapon at once or I'll-" Noretaku started but she
was interrupted by Pierce whose eye was beginning to change to full purple.
"It's alright...." He took a deep breath and his eye returned to it's deep blue. "I
have wanted to get this off of my chest for a long time..."
Noretaku nodded and the Guardsman backed away a few steps and crossed his arms ready to listen to what the mage had to say.
Pierce sat down at the head of the table. He ran a pale hand through his hair and revealed his other eye which was somewhat milky looking. There were more mutters from the group. He spoke in a low voice. "It all started many years ago....before you were born..." He turned and glanced at Noretaku who was studying the mage carefully as she did most people. "I was...orphaned...at a very young age...I do not remember my parents...all I remember is being apprenticed to a mage by the name of...actually come to think of it...I never learned his name....I always called him Messere...anyway that is...besides the point." He caught the eye of a servant girl across the room and raised his hand to signal that he wanted a drink. She brought him a cup pf water and he continued.
"For a very long time, it was just he and I living in a small house in the forest. He taught me many things about spirits..."
"The fallen." Chimed Noretaku
"Yes the...fallen." He took a sip from his cup and touched it's cold surface to his temple. "He also taught me about medicine and how to use and create runes. I would practice on injured animals that we found in the forest..."
"Get on with it!" Grumbled Guardsman Liam. Pierce shot him a look that said
"Shut up or I'll turn you to ash." Liam fell silent.
Pierce continued.
"When I came into my teenage years...Messere's age was catching up with him so he entrusted me with the task of venturing into the forest to collect ore and herbs for rune and potion making. I was to return before nightfall. I was so excited to go out by myself...I packed my satchel and told the old man I'd see him later that day. I walked through the woods for quite a while. We has already harvested most of the herbs and ore around the house so I ventured further into an area I hadn't visited before. It looked pretty much the same as the rest of the woods...perhaps a little more green." The mage looked distant.
"I saw a glint on the ground and upon further inspection I realized that's I'd come across an ore deposit. I took out my tools and began working. While I worked I thought about one day venturing outside of the woods and into town...I'd been there before with the mage but never on my own...not that I could remember anyway. Suddenly I smelled something...burning and heard a cry. I automatically rose and ran in the direction of the voice. As I ran I heard more cries....cries for help. Then I..I saw the flames...it was an orphanage...completely enveloped in flames...the cries!"
"PIERCE!" Shouted Noretaku who had been calling his name for a while now.
The mage shook his head and looked at her puzzled. "You're shaking. Compose yourself before you continue."
"Right...I'm sorry Noretaku." He rubbed his eyes and took another sip from his cup. "...It turned out that one of the troubled children in the orphanage had started the fire...he confessed after seeing how many other..children he
killed....the Mistress of the orphanage was killed too....but while the fire was
blazing...I rushed in and grabbed the first two survivors I could find...the only
survivors...the fire starter and...a young girl." Pierce glanced at Noretaku and their eyes met briefly.
"I was able to get the two of them outside...but the boy ran off into the woods.
The girl had fallen unconscious. I sat her up against a log and brushed her hair away from her face...she had beautiful, long, light brown hair that fell perfectly onto her shoulders...I was eventually able to rouse her...she opened her eyes and they were the brightest blue I had ever seen...I stared into them and it was as if I could see her soul. I loved her instantly. I went for help and after everything had calmed, I was able to bring the girl back with me to Messer's house. She was not well, she could not speak and she had horrible coughing fits."
Noretaku moved closer. "This girl...I remember you mentioning her a few
times.....Elizabeth...that was her name right?"
"Yes...I called her Liz....you remind me so much of her Nore..." Pierce's eyes
glazed over for a moment. He shook his head.
"Are you alright?" Noretaku asked. The group around the table looked
apprehensive.
"I'm...fine I haven't been feeling...well as of late."
"I'm sorry, please take your time."
"It's alright, I'm almost finished..." He finished his cup of water. "Messere and I
nursed her back to health over a period of weeks and soon she was able to tell us her name and that her parents had been murdered when she was a baby. That was why she was at the orphanage. She was my age when we took her in. I was able to convince Messere to take her under his wing and teach her the ways of magic. We studied together...hunted together...worked together and grew together and soon we became lovers..." Pierce looked down and stayed quiet for a moment. Then he continued.
"After Messere passed....we were left the house and a supply of money that he had hidden away. We sold the house to a hunter and his family and made for town. We bought another house and married...Liz was soon with child...but she grew ill and the baby didn't make it...Liz was a fighter...like you Noretaku...she fought hard all through the pregnancy but her health failed and eventually, so did her heart..." Tears stained the mage's cheeks.
"After Liz...I soon found out that Messere had recommended me to work in the castle...I was hired on almost immediately...That's where I met your mother. I was the one who delivered you....I couldn't stand the sight of you...Soon the King started forcing me to do all of these horrible things to people....when I resisted...he threatened to have me killed...I could fight...maybe...but even the most powerful mages can fall and my magic is nothing compared to Messere's...a...a few years ago...I was sent to accompany a group of soldiers during a raid...that was before I had started enchanting them...we had set up camp in the country...I wandered off to hunt like I used to..I thought maybe I could find a rabbit or two...instead...I found...Liz...she was standing next to a tree...her hair was blowing in the wind and her clothing was nearly transparent....she was beautiful...I wanted her...."
There were sighs and mutters from the women in the room. Many of the serving girl's were now neglecting their duty to listen to the mage's tale. He looked far off.
"I approached her slowly...it was so unreal...she reached out to me and touched my face...I couldn't help myself...I embraced her and she spoke to me..she said-"
"It said." Noretaku interrupted. She had her arms crossed and she was staring straight ahead.
"It...yes...it was a spirit...a fallen...they eyes weren't Liz's..they were a bright
purple...but everything else just felt so...right...she told me that we could be
together again...that everything could be back the way it was...that we could try for another baby...that she'd love to bare me a son and name it after me...she told me-"
"It." Noretaku said again.
"It told me that all I had to do was kiss her...it...and everything would be
alright..."
"Did you do it?" Tabitha asked with extreme curiosity in her voice.
"Bah...fallen lover..." Said Gwen.
"Quiet!" Fussed Noretaku. "Both of you!"
"I...I kissed her....it...I kissed it....!" Pierce seemed frantic. He stood and then
doubled over onto the ground.
"Pierce?!" Shouted Noretaku. She rushed to his aid.
"Don't...touch...me!" His eyes glowed a bright and eerie purple.
Noretaku backed away.
"No...no...." Pierce shook his entire body and his eyes returned to normal. He
got to his feet. "I apologize...I do not think that I can be of any use to you." He
stormed out of the room and Noretaku chased after him.
(Chern's room)
Chern was getting antsy and impatient. She hated feeling useless and she paced back and forth across the room waiting for Noretaku to return. The fallen inside of her were also getting restless.
"It is not healthy for a lady to stay cooped up in her chambers all day" Said the posh spirit.
"Shut up and get used to it." Snapped the angry spirit.
"Will the two of you please...please just be quiet?" Asked Chern shaking her
head.
"GET ME OUT NOW I CAN'T BREATHE IN THIS CRAMPED ROOM!"
Screamed the posh spirit. Chern quickly covered her mouth.
"Alright, alright we'll go out...but just for a few minutes alright?" Said Chern. "If
we get caught there is bound to be a lot of trouble."
(Throne Room)
King Avan sat quietly in his throne admiring the backsides of the servant girls
who were dusting and sweeping as well as tryng to avert his gaze. Suddenly he heard the large wooden doors down the hall creak open and footsteps rushing towards him. It is General Beckley who is incredibly red in the face and very sweaty.
"My Lord!" Called Beckley as he ran. "My lord Avan, forgive me your highness but it is urgent!" He came to a stop before the throne.
"What do you want Chester?" Said the King in a frustrated tone. Beckley was
blocking his view of one of the servants.
"My Lord a group of soldiers has gone rouge and they are heading this way.
They are led by two men by the names of Hempnode and Taljic."
The King's entire mood changed from slightly frustrated to nearly raving mad.
"What?! Why aren't they enchanted?! Guards! Guards! Rally my men!"
"It's no use Ser, most of the men are already dead a short distance from here...."
"I could kill you for leaving your post." The King stood and walked slowly
towards Beckley who's knees failed him. He fell to the floor and began inching away from Avan. Avan's eyes were bloodshot.
"P..please Messere...I beg of you..let me gather the reserves...there is no way they will be able to stand against us...they may even be dead already..."
"Hmm...yes...you could still be of some use to me....your shot at...redemption."
The King grinned and turned on his heel and clicked his tounge at an honor guard standing by the throne. "Damien...fetch my son...it is time he tasted real battle."
Damien signaled to two other guards. The three headed off to track down the
Prince.
(Outside of the Castle)
Hempnode and Taljic came to a stop in front of the castle. A small group of
soldiers caught up with them and awaited their commands. The two dismounted their horses and stood side by side stretching their legs.
"s**t...s**t....we're too late...they are probably already preparing defenses...."
Hempnode ran a tan hand through his long, crimson hair.
"...I guess that means...today is the day...heh." Taljic smiled. "Finally....we can
still do this Ser."
"I suppose we have no choice but to try...I hope the Princess is safe."
"Knowing her..she is probably carving her way through honor guards by now."
The men laughed in unison.
"So what's the plan?" Hempnode asked putting on his helmet and unsheathing his weapons.
"I'm going after that good-for-nothing lap dog of a mage...that enchantment...."
Taljic gritted his teeth in anger. "What about you? Will you come with me?"
"I have to ensure that the Princess is safe...then I'm going to hunt down that son of a b***h Beckley. Then I will find you."
"We can do this."
"I know we can."
Hempnode yelled to the men behind him.
"WHO DO WE FIGHT FOR?!"
"FOR NORETAKU!" They all shouted back.
They all charged toward the castle.
(A Hall in the Castle)
Chern wandered aimlessly yet carefully around the castle. She found herself back at the barracks. They were still empty and this interested the angry spirit.
"We should arm ourselves...just incase." She said.
Chern moved swiftly into the barracks and looked around. Something shiny
caught her eye. She moved towards it. It was a set of daggers lying askew on the floor. She looked around and then picked them up and examined them.
"These will do nicely..." She said.
"We'll see about that you sneaking b***h..." Said a voice behind her. She spun around to face the source.
(Another Castle Hall)
"I told you no....and you should call this whole thing off too Noretaku...it isn't
safe."
Noretaku and Pierce walk down a hall while arguing about the coming battle.
Pierce is desperate to change Noretaku's mind and keep her safe.
"You are too much of a fighter...just like Elizabeth and look where it got her."
Pierce shook his head.
"I'm not Elizabeth, Pierce please...I know you haven't been well but if you could just harness that power...we could take my father down...please." Noretaku begged.
Pierce stopped and turned around grabbing Noretaku by her arms firmly and
bringing her close to his face. One of his eyes was covered by his soft, blue
bangs.
"You...are...all...I have..." He shook her to enunciate each word. "...my best
friend...Nore...I love you....you know that...you are the only one who cares
anymore...don't take that away from me."
"I love you too Pierce...I do. You have always been more of a father to me than that b*****d Avan..." Pierce cringed and released her.
"Please...don't call me that..."
"What..?"
"Don't...call me father..."
"Oh...alright...I'm sorry...Pierce." Noretaku was confused. "I have to get back to the others...will you be alright...?"
"...I will help you in your efforts...to the best of my ability..."
"Thank you!" Noretaku cried. "Thank you so much Pierce!" She hugged him
and kissed his cheek before running off back towards the kitchens.
Pierce kept walking down the corridor which seemed strangely dark. He
mumbled under his breath, debating with himself and the fallen inside of him
about something.
"Muttering another enchantment?" Said an angry voice. Pierce spun around but saw no one.
"Whose there?" He called. There was silence....and then a faint orange glow
appeared in front of him.
"Remember me?" The voice said. "Or am I just another....mindless..zombie of a soldier to you?"
(Castle Kitchens)
Noretaku returned to her "soldiers" and reminded them of their duties. The
women were to act as medics for the wounded of the upcoming battle. The
guards were the fighters and were to be positioned at different points of the
castle. She was just about to dismiss them when Someone burst through the
back doors. It was Hempnode who looked around briefly before catching sight of Noretaku. He ran to her.
"My Prince, are you alright?"
"Hempnode...y..yes I am fine..are you?" She looked at him and then at her
gathered "soldiers" and then back at him. He glanced at them too and then
touched Noretaku's arm gently. He hadn't realized how soft she was...delicate.
"We're out of time Prince Noretaku...your father is gathering his forces...he
doesn't know abut your part in this yet though...I don't think so anyway."
"I see..." Said Noretaku. "Then we must waste no time...move out!" She shouted to her supporters who instantly rose and ran off to gather weapons and medical supplies. "Be careful and safe!" She called after them.
"I have to get Chern..." Noretaku said to herself and began to walk away but
Hempnode called to her.
"Noretaku...wait."
Noretaku stopped and turned slowly to face him. "Yes? What is it Hempnode we have to move."
"I..." He took a step towards her with his head down. "I just want you to know
that...no matter what happens...I...I will keep you safe...even if it means my
life...you are my Queen." He took a knee, removed his helmet, and kissed her hand. Noretaku didn't know what to make of it."
"Thank you..."
Hempnode rose and looked into Noretaku's eyes. She blanched. He was looking at her with so much concern in his eyes...there was something else in his eyes too but she didn't know what...looking at him like this...she noticed how handsome he was. His eyes were so fierce and piercing...his tan skin complemented them perfectly and his dark, red hair just looked so soft....before she knew it she was stroking his hair. She didn't realize this until he took the hand she was touching his hair with and brought it to his lips. It was a pleasant feeling..warm...suddenly she drew her hand back.
"I have to go...I'll find you soon!" She turned and ran out of the kitchens.
Hempnode stared longingly after her for a moment before putting his helmet back on and walking out of the room.
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