The Homecoming

[Swordsman]

After a long fast trek, the homecoming trio was at the Bitter End.

Steve was in his room upstairs asleep, when a knocking on the door reached up to him through his window. He was out of bed, on his feet, and at the window for several moments before his eyes even began to open. “Who’s down there, and what the hell are you pounding on my door for?”

“It’s Nækos, Angelo, and Serana. Can we come in?”

A pause.

“Who’s down there?” He wasn’t exactly awake yet.

“Just come down, please?”

Another pause.

“Okay…” Steve closed the window and went back and sat on his bed. Then he wondered why he was sitting here on his bed, instead of lying down in it. So he woke up and went to the window. “Who’s down there?”

Angelo: “Steve, can you PLEASE come down?”

“Oh, sure! Hey, Angelo, it’s you!”

“YES it’s me, Steve! Can you let us in?”

“Fine, fine, I’m coming!” What were they in such a hurry for, anyway?

Steve closed the window again, grabbed a pair of pants and a candle from the chair next to his bed, and went downstairs. Then he went back upstairs and slipped his shoes on. Finally he went back down again and opened the door. The cold air woke him up further, making him notice two important things:

First, Serana’s eyes were wide, and Nækos and Angelo both had an eyebrow raised. This made him realize his error, and he put on the pair of pants he was still holding in his hand. Actually, he tried to put the pair of pants on until he remembered that he also had a pair of shoes on. So he took the shoes off, put the pants on, and decided to just throw the shoes behind the bar and go barefoot.

The second thing he noticed was that the candlelight didn’t flicker when he opened the door. This was because the candle wasn’t lit. So one he had his pants on, he bumped around the bar until he found a match, and lit the candle. By now, he was finally fully awake. The other three had in the meantime slumped onto barstools.

Steve walked back around the bar, shook his head hard one last time, and looked at the three across from him. “Okay. Welcome back, where have you been, and what do you need so urgently?”

Nækos left his head resting on his crossed arms on the bar, as did Serana. Angelo spoke. “Thank you; it’s nice to finally be home. Sorry to wake you in the middle of the night, but we’ve been traveling pretty much constantly for the last several days, and we’re dead. The castle and Nækos’ cottage are a lot farther on, and we still need food. So we were hoping we could stop in, get something to eat – and drink – and maybe rest for a little.”

“Sure thing. I’ll help you get some stuff to eat, then you can stay for a while, if you don’t mind I just go back to bed.”

“Not at all.” Serana this time. “Could I just have a loaf of bread, some cheese, and something strong to drink?”

“Sure. You guys?”

“Same” for Angelo.

“Same here, too, but I’ll just have water, thanks.” Nækos didn’t mind drink, but his head was already fogged with weariness. While the other two could just stop and sleep here, he would have to continue on. His business with Arcon could not wait.

Steve nodded and retreated to the kitchen, returning a few moments later with a tray and the requested foods. Nækos paid him, and he went back upstairs to bed again.

The three ate in silence for a minute or two. Finally, Angelo broke it: “Well…we’re home.”

“Yeah, we’re…” Nækos hesitated. He’d never used the word like that before. He just let the sentence fade off, unfinished. “I wonder what has changed?”

“Has anything changed?” Serana wondered quietly.

“Something has to have. Think of what it was like here when we left. The night had dissolved into chaos.” Angelo.

“Yeah…and when does anything not change in Arconia? There’s hardly been a stable moment for…years? It took forever for the region to even settle down after Arcon took over and established the kingdom. Then we were almost immediately at war with fencingsucks.com, then all the problems with Muu, and – well, I won’t tell you guys all the history you already know.” Nækos stopped talking. Serana grimaced with a shot of her drink, and silence returned for a few minutes.

Finally, Nækos spoke again. “We’ve changed as well, have we not?”

“How?” Angelo wondered.

“I don’t know. I’ve a large load off of me… Things are a little clearer now, too. I see some things I hadn’t before. What about you, Serana?”

He looked straight at her past Angelo. The question was heavily loaded, and all three knew it. “I suppose I’ve changed. At least, I see now some of why you kill. I see a little better what you are.”

Nækos wanted to know what she saw, what she was thinking. But he didn’t want to ask outright in front of Angelo. So instead he stuffed the last of the bread in his mouth, helped it down with the last of the water, and rose. Neither of his companions moved or turned as he went to the door. Halfway there, however, Nækos turned back for a second. His mouth opened, a little air escaped. But just before the words were released, his mind regained control of his emotions, and he shut his mouth. He reached a hand out toward Serana’s back, as if to touch it across that distance. But then he let it drop, turned again, and left the pub. It was still night, and there was still work to do.

[Swordsman]

Nækos was back in Arconia, but had been right earlier to cut off his sentence. He wasn’t home yet.

The halfling walked the streets in the darkness and silence, enjoying the cool night air. He had to get to the castle, and go see Arcon, but was not about to take the direct route. He needed time to think, while it was still available. So instead he wandered the alleys and side streets in the darkness, letting the emotions ebb and flow. As each succeeding one passed through him, he tried his best to identify it, understand what it was, and why it was. Normally, this was easy for him, and when used with what should be, quickly showed him what he had to do. But he had no idea of should here. He wasn’t even sure what he wanted. So he wandered the darkness.


************************************************** ******


Serana stared hard at her drink, willing herself not to turn around. A minute later she heard the door open, then close. Even knowing Nækos was gone, she had to turn around and look at the door. “He wrote me a letter,” she began to explain to Angelo, “on the end –“

“I know.” He cut her off, turning red again. “I read it before I realized what it was.”

“Angelo, he killed my father.”

“I know.”

“Yet he loves me, or says he does. Is he even capable?” She finally turned back to face the Swordsman’s best friend.

Angelo considered for a moment. “Loyalty, yes. Devotion, service, yes…but love…that is another matter entirely.”

“Well, have you ever seen it in him?”

Angelo spoke slowly, thinking hard as he did so. “Well, I have not seen all that he has been through, so I cannot say for sure. What I’ve seen of him…hmm.” He paused again, thinking further, remembering. “The first real mission we went on…Craig and Moonitic were both for the good of Arconia, and under orders, so I can’s say about that. He was fond of Ledgerto, but friends are much more easily come by. Josephine he swore to protect. If he was attracted to her, it was only physically – she frustrated him so. Nova Zemblar…perhaps he loved the Talruum. But that could just has easily have been vengeance. I do know that: the halfling is a creature of vengeance.”

“What of his past? He told me his story the night he returned; he has been through a lot. What do you see in that?”

Angelo frowned and furrowed his eyebrows, dredging up Nækos’ story that he’d been told long ago. “In Nova Servaya, it was simple matters of survival. In Nova Zemblar…well now, that is interesting. He slaughtered nearly twenty men in one fight. Seven at once earlier that night. Why, if not for Kinkado and the Aiovuses? Maybe self-preservation, but he could have simply run. But then, they were trying to kill him, which simply might have made him just too mad to run. That, I do not know.” He sighed. “Vengeance, love, hatred, loneliness. I just can’t tell you.”

“Great. So what do I do?”

“If I knew, I’d tell you.” He took a final pull of his drink. I see you grow closer to him, though.”

Serana jumped up in a sudden burst of indignation. “I am NOT growing closer, and I WILL not! He is a hateful, vengeful killer, and he murdered my father!” And with that, she stormed out.

Angelo watched her go, then decided that it was far too late at night to be sober. So he finished her drink, put his face in his arms, and slept.

[ 02-07-2002: Message edited by: Swordsman ]</p>

[Swordsman]

Nækos found himself at the main entrance of the inner keep just as the edge of the sky began to turn grey. This was the time that he hated. This was when people began to emerge and move about, and when the darkness, his closest friend and most powerful ally, began to retreat. The morning, and the day, were all right. But it was the very beginning of dawn which the Swordsman loathed.

“Sir, might I accompany you somewhere?” It was a uniformed guard, armed with a pike, standing just inside the door. Nækos noticed a whistle around his neck.

“Actually, you may not. Why do you ask?”

“In light of the recent events, security around the castle has been tightened, and no one is permitted to walk around unattended.”

“I assure you that I am.”

“I assure you that nobody is. Who are you, anyway?”

“I’m a close aid to the throne, and you needn’t know more. Will you let me go on unhindered?”

“Can I see some identification?”

“No.”

“Why not? Because you haven’t any?” the annoying guard asked in an accusing tone.

“Among other reasons, yes.” Nækos’ response caught the guard off for a moment.

“Well, I’ll accompany you somewhere, or you’ll have to leave.”

“Do we really have to go through with this?” Nækos had a different meaning in mind from what the guard assumed.

“Yes, we really must.”

“Okay.” Nækos knew a blow on the whistle would bring reinforcements running. So he snatched it on the man’s chest, stepped around him, and wrapped the leather strap tightly around his hand. Yanking the cord taught against the guard’s neck, he put a foot in his back and brought him to his face on the ground. “I really didn’t want to have to go through with this, but if I must, I must.”

Nækos took a knife out and pressed it to the guard’s neck. “Okay. I’m going to let you breathe now, but you’re not going to make any noise, or I’ll cut your throat. And I can feel if you take a deep enough breath to yell, so breathe nice and shallow.” He released the whistle cord slowly, then cut it off with a second knife he drew. “Now. I’m going to go find Arcon. I’m sure you’ll yell for help. Just give me a head start. Because if I’m too close when you call, I’ll have to come back and kill you.” With that, Nækos picked the guard’s head up by the hair, then slammed it back into the stone floor. That would daze him for a while, if not hopefully knock him out. Nækos jumped up and started running.

In a few minutes, he’d traversed the familiar halls to Arcon and Zelda’s chambers. The two guards at the door, thankfully, knew him and were cooperative.

Nækos entered the large, dimly lit room somewhat uneasily. As comfortable as he was with the pair, he was still disturbing the royal couple from sleep in the early, early morning.

But, no. He saw the wide, canopied bed across the room from him in the grainy light. A light blanket covered only one form, a feminine shape curled up on one side of the bed. He turned to leave; he would seek Arcon wherever he was. But the queen’s soft voice stopped him.

“Who’s there?”

“The Swordsman, m’lady. But do return to sleep, and I shall leave you.”

Her reply still carried heavy suggestions of slumber, and a struggle to wake. “Well, you didn’t just come in to check on me, and I want to know where you have been off to. I might as well be up now anyway; this bed is cold.”

“I was just looking for Arcon, but it seems he’s not here. Could you perhaps tell me where I might find him?”

For a moment or two, he heard only silence. Then a short, sharp breath from the bed, followed by another. One more moment of silence, then: “No, I can’t. Oh, I wish I could tell you. But I can’t.” The quiet voice shook just a little. While on the surface it sounded firm, Nækos could only just hear a weak foundation beneath it.

“Well…perhaps I will bother you then, your majesty. Your comments have left me rather confused; perhaps you could clarify for me?”

“Allow me a moment, if you will.”

“But of course, my lady.” Sighting the small pile of clothes stacked beside the bed, Nækos thought it most prudent to step out, and so did.

A minute later the door opened behind him, and the queen beckoned him in. A few candles had been lit on the table beside the bed, and a chair was drawn facing the bed.

She was dressed very simply in the morning stillness. Just a green cotton shirt, and a dark pair of loose wool pants. Her hair was tied loosely back, and her eyes were a little bloodshot.

“Your grace, good morn.” He greeted formally.

“And to you, my Swordsman.” She went and sat on the edge of the bed, and motioned him to the chair. “I forgot, you left just before the rest did. Zarcon was released from the dungeon on the night of the ball, and there was a large fight. Part of the dungeon collapsed, and it took a long time to extract those trapped inside. Moonitic was kidnapped again, and a party set out after her. Long story short, Arcon and Zarcon ended up in a battle on top of a cliff, and both went over. Zarcon’s body was later recovered, with Arcon’s sword in him. Moonitic for some reason jumped over right after them. Below was a river, which we believe to have carried all three. Lochinvar, Josephine, and Rosaline moved down the river, searching. Zarcon’s body and Arcon’s sword were all that was recovered. Moonitic was found later and is back here in the castle, if acting rather strange. Arcon…remains unaccounted for.”

Her voice cracked slightly, and she stooped. Then, she seemed to crack further. She just sagged, and began to cry quietly. Nækos suddenly found himself incredibly uncomfortable. He sat across from the Queen of Arconia, in the candlelight of morning, she on the bed. She was dressed very informally. In fact, she was no longer the queen, but now just Zelda Regina. What does this mean? How to handle it? Is she still completely rational, functional? This is going to be so much harder without a king… These thoughts and a dozen others stormed his head. Then, You know what? Screw it. She’s crying, and you’re just sitting here frowning at her.

“Are you alright?” His voice, usually neutral and cold, had somehow developed a note of sympathy, and it surprised him. It was his own voice, and yet he hadn’t heard it before.

“Yes, I’ll be fine.” She took a deep breath, looked up, tried to lock her heart back down.

“You sure?”

“…yes.”

“How long have you been pushing it all back?”

“Too long.”

“Then let it go. It’s not good to hold it down.”

“I’m tempted to…”

“Then why not?”

“Because…” Her voice seemed on the edge of breaking again. “I need…I can’t – I’m the – the only – there’s no –“

“Yeah, it’s probably embarrassing. But don’t just keeping eating yourself away.”

And so she broke completely.

Nækos moved across to sit beside her on the bed, and put an arm around her shoulders. She leaned against him, and truly cried, right from her soul. He just sat there, amazed at how not uncomfortable he was, serving as the queen’s crying shoulder. “…fulfill any post or service that may at any time be required by kind or country…” Nækos remembered from the oath he’d taken long ago. He had known it would apply to the queen as well, but would never have imagined in this capacity.

He reflected on the situation as the sun rose and her shoulders still shook (Like the tiny sobs of Snuffles the cat…?). It was a place he’d never been in before, and definitely not in this role.

The advice he’d given on releasing emotion he knew to be sound. He’d never done it himself – but that was how he knew. So many times loneliness had welled up within him. And each time, he’d choked it back down. But nothing keeps. Anything in nature must turn, and so the loneliness fermented in him into the bitter spirit of hatred. Nækos had turned into a creature of vengeance, and so would never willingly allow another to do the same.

At the same time, he had never been in a position like this where he could console. He’d never received comforting in his life, save for a single awkward hug from Serana. He hadn’t thought he even had the capacity to give comfort. And yet here he was, the support while this woman’s soul drained out on the floor. This was not a service to queen or country, he decided. This was for a friend, and he found himself glad that he could be of such a service.

Finally, the tears slowed and the breathing became more regular. Zelda straightened herself, stood, and turned to Nækos. He stood as well, and merely looked at her. She took several deep breaths; the first few were shaky, but they soon evened. Ina moment, her composure had returned.

“Now, are you alright?”

A strong reply. “Yes, I am now. Thank you.”

“Of course. Now, unfortunately, we must move on to matters of business.” This was going to be a lot harder, without a king.

“My lady, there is an invasion in progress.”

[Iwant2bafencer]

ooh! Wonderfull!! lol I love Arconia, not a dull moment!

------------------
Carpe Diem

[Swordsman]

This thread is completely open, by the way. Still in Arconia I believe we have Steve, Angelo, Zelda, Josephine, this crazy French guy (Pepe le peu?), Nani, and...anybody else? Anyway, feel free to jump in if you feel like it - Angelo especially.

[Fencing Angel]

As Henry walked through the castle of Muu he remembered that he was a prince and that his life would never change on it’s own. He would grow up and take the position of king over all the land. And if anyone asked him about it he told him or her, he was thrilled beyond all words, but the truth of the matter was that he really didn’t want to ever have anything to do with the kingdom. He just wanted to live a life of his own.
But he didn’t want to be exiled from the kingdom. Because he knew that if he left, or was to “die” or be killed, Meekel would take up the crown. And knowing his brother he would tare down the walls of Muu just to have some more friends. AKA rocks. And for that reason alone he wouldn’t be killed if he didn’t follow his fathers commands to the letter, he would just get a good tongue lashing. But his mother would see that it wasn’t to harsh, because she knew that it only took once to totally change Henry’s outlook about his father. And she that it wasn’t that good to begin with, so she really didn’t want him to be running away because then Felix would send the Guards out for him, and then she would only have one son.

As it was now Henry wanted to Learn intrusion skills, so that he could be of some use to the kingdoms army in the near future. But his father was totally against that idea. His son was to be a prince! Not a Spy. But he did agree to the fact that he needed to learn how to defend himself if the situation arose. So he had the master of arms start to teach him self-defense. At first Henry was ok with this fact, but he really wanted to learn intrusion. He thought that would be a little more useful then just self-defense. After talking about it with his mother he knew that he would have to just have the master of intrusion and counter-intrusion teach him the basics. He just hoped that he made himself clear to his instructor about not telling his father, because his father wouldn’t like this at all. And he knew that if his father did find out he would be thrown out of the kingdom, and then his brother would become the king. His mother was sympathetic about him wanting to do this, make a difference on his own little way, or live a life of his own for a while. She wasn’t sure that angel had picked the right thing to do this time though. Because if Felix heard she knew what would happen, and she wanted nothing more then to have a son that was happy in what he was doing. Even though his later life wouldn’t be all fun and games. It would be hard work reining over this kind of kingdom.
She knew this better then most, and tried to talk to him about it but Henry was as Stubborn as his father, and would hear nothing about it. But she knew that as a child he liked to hide from guards when they where patrolling around the castle grounds. And then he started playing tricks on his mother and Brother, just little things. Like switching things around in a room after they had left and then sneaking out again. Once he got bored with that, he went after the servants. He often had the most fun in the kitchen, putting a little pepper in the dishes to go out for the Banquet. Nothing that would ever hurt people but just enough to warm their tonsils, he rather enjoyed it, and he only ever got caught one. And it was by the Captain of the guard, and then he was never caught again. And not just because he was the kings son, but because he was one of the best.

At the Age of 16 his father started talking about a trade Route to one of the neighboring kingdoms. Or maybe an alliance should be formed, a royal alliance perhaps. Marriage of the Royal Heirs would form the kind of treaty that he was looking for. Once he started thinking Henry knew what this meant. His father was going to make him marry a princess of another kingdom, just for his stupid treaty. And there was nothing that he, or his mother could do about it.

Angel woke with a start…

“wha.. Where am I?”

Then he knew where he was. The Bitter End. He had fallen asleep on the counter and had just woken up. It was morning and he was wondering where Naekos had gone. Not seeing Steve anywhere he didn’t want to wake him up by just telling him where he was off to. But not wanting to seem ungrateful he left a note on a piece of parchment, and left it on the bar.
As he walked out he shielded his eyes from the sunlight. Looked around and then started for the castle.