Chapter 8: A Letter and Blood
Imported from SF2 with no description.
A weapon you wield is a weapon you use to serve. A means to protect and a way to give hope.
This is what our teachers have taught us and now we will teach it to these young souls who would want to protect others as well.
Harry POV
It’s already noon and the sun is high up in the sky. But that does not stop our students from training as much as possible.
They are currently attacking a few puppets that the guild sorcerer “Nveil” made for the guild’s new and old looking for practice. This sight brings me back to when we trained under Captain Kazel. And he was strict but caring and fatherly, he acts as a father to both me and Rum.
Sparring with people twice to thrice your age was one of his training methods and man these soldiers know how to fight even when they are blindfolded. Rum does not seem to be able to do it, and never will but I can. He on the other hand received tracking training for his extensive ability to read through every book he is given.
Most of the royal guard is actually Lupians and Canians. As they are known for their loyalty. The training we are giving them is just simple but effective. They just have to find out how to use their weapons. And so far they are not making any significant progress.
“Hold it! Take a breather guys.” The bear beside me, who noticed this called out. Our students nodded and went to sitting together in a circle talking.
“You have noticed huh?”
“Yeah.” Rum nodded. “I have an idea.”
We discussed what was it and I am glad to agree to it.
“Umm… Rum?” Leona approaches us.
“Yes?” then the leoan asked when they are going to start becoming defenders.
See we have different kinds of adventurers:
Defenders are usually hired to defend or escort
Retrievers are these people who find, obtain or steal items. They are usually treasure hunters.
Tracers are hunters in general, finding people and creatures.
Finally where me and Rum fall in is Wanderers: They are all three rolled up in one and much more, usually to the likes of masters and royal servants.
Wanderers are the fewest. In the guild alone; only me, Rum and the guild master Alimun belong to this group. And the rest are more or less in equal shares. Not that we’re complaining but being a Wanderer means that you are the best of what you can do. Getting expectations from others that you must fulfill.
Thus the Wanderers are known to be a league above the best of any of the three groups. In fact they are said to be envied and idolized by most of the other classes. But in reality Wanderers are just people that want to keep helping people.
The other class to have a good reputation is Defenders. Most of the royal guard actually came from this class. Known to risk their lives just to help others earn them a lot of respect. And they suffer a bit of backlash for those people who need them to harm others.
As for the Tracers and Retrievers, they are known to be a mixed crowd. But most of all is the Tracers. They are known to solve and cause missing cases, as much as they have it that is unavoidable for people who has a lot to hide.
Retrievers rather are also known as for being good and bad. As long as it’s an item no problem. These are thefts from petty things like an unreturned spoon to precious things such as gold and “personal” things like other’s underwear. But for the good side is like a lost key to a sack of gold. And the grandest of all, those raiders that have gotten precious artifacts from booby trapped places
Sometimes Retrievers and Tracers are known to be sub-classes for the so called Seeker class.
And Seekers are divided into two due to the mixed reputation and functionality that the class has. Therefore they split it up in order for people to know who to ask for when they need something to get.
Heck I believe Rum even got victimized by a few retrievers. I bet he finds himself missing a towel or two every week. Hopefully they did not need to retrieve anything else or he might have grown pale of embarrassment.
But the “Golden Heart” has a few rules and one of them is to not violate anybody when you are going to accept the quest, if not then decline. That rule alone makes me join them in a heartbeat.
There are of course good and bad guilds and I am thankful that these kids have found the most respected guild in all of Falnure.
The other well-known guild is the “Steel Caliburn” This guild is known to be the largest guild in all of Falnure. Raking up at least thrice the members than of the “Golden Heart” which hits around 670 members. So at least almost 2000 members and still counting, they are the ones that have been maintaining the routes in the order of the king of Falnure.
They have a mixed reception of it as a whole in contrast to its rival. To which they would recommend the Golden Heart for services.
That guild reminds me of these jerks that have been abusing the inn keepers. They themselves are members.
The most nefarious guild is “Quicksilver Blade”.
They would do anything and everything in their power to get money. Falnure is known for its dirty politics and dark side. In contrast to its innovative introductions to magic and alchemy that to it’s known for.
And now I am starting to think that a dark time is upon us.
One that would rip Falnure apart if worse comes to worst. A civil war between guilds is something that could cause that.
And these children might have been involved with Quicksilver and their allies.
“Harry?” Rum shakes me up as I dazed out thinking of my suspicions.
“Yeah. I’m ok.” As I rub my head. “Let’s get to Alimun and ask if we can get the kids a quest.”
Then we went to the guild master’s quarters where we heard something we should have not heard.
“Uhh… Hah… Umph!” I hear the lion’s voice.
“Like that!” I hear another voice. It’s a tenor like voice and after that I heard a howl.
“Give it to me!! Gah!” the lion seems to be in ecstasy and I am starting to feel a bit aroused. And I felt something dripping out of my nose, but I don’t care.
Rum POV
Damn. Is that lion, the guild leader of the most respected guild in all of Falnure getting all submissive? And I thought I never ever would even know of this. Leave alone to know that he too is gay. That thought alone is making this all the more erotic and awkward.
If this keeps up I might pitch a tent.
Now I quickly faced my companion, who has seemed to start bleeding from his nose.
“Umm. Harry, are you alright?” I asked the hare.
“Y-yeah. We better leave the two at it for a while.” Then I started to bleed too.
We went back to the training hall to see our students asking to why we have blood dripping from our noses.
“It’s nothing. Right, Harry?” I nervously laughed
“Y-yeah.”
Then after a few minutes the lion appeared. And I tell you I smell wolf musk in the air, it’s quite faint and almost not there but I can tell. His mane is fixed but a few portions here and there were slightly messy. And beside him is a built and I mean it. Built like a sculptor’s masterpiece blue furred wolf that seems to be of the same height as Alimun.
And I tell you that they both smell of cum and sex. Not everyone can pick up the scent as much as I do, but thanks to the sounds the prince just heard earlier. He looks a bit nervous knowing about what the two were doing before they came here. Luckily I am the only one besides the Lupian who I assume is touching the guild master’s ass can smell their act in the air.
“H-hey Alimun can we ask you something?” then the hare asks if he can take the trainees to a quest and the lion approves.
I called out Alimun and we got to a corner and said “So? How’s it like to be the bottom?” then the lion that looks dignified looks like an embarrassed girl now. Exposed to what his guild member just knew, to top it off I lick my lips seductively.
“Please don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t… oh I ment WE won’t.” I replied with a sly wink.
“And besides you know who I am in love with if you can’t tell.” As we look at Harry who is teaching a human who picked out dual pistols to shoot and aim right.
“Harry knows this too huh. I am sorry if I scarred him for life. And I can’t say the same to you.” Then I noticed the wolf left. “Where’d he go?” and Alimun just smiles. “He has a few things to do.”
Then I asked Alimun a question.
“Do you think Harry likes me?” then he laughs and then his jaws dropped instantaneously. “WHAT!? I thought you were a couple.” The lion just can’t seem to ingest the info he got.
“You looked like me and Ban when you got in. Lovey dovey and stuff.” As he slings his arm to my shoulder and pulled me beside him. “You know. I think he does.” Then the lion winks as he now says his goodbyes and leaves.
“He likes me huh?” I mumbled to myself
“Rum! Can you help me over here?” I just nod with a smile.
After the training session we did on how to aim your weapons at a person’s weak points we dismissed the class.
“See you tomorrow, teachers!” the boar yelled as he left the room.
I yawned as the hare holds out a glass of water that I gladly took.
“H-hey I was wonderin’.” Then the hare looked away as he continues to gather the courage to say what he has to say.
“What?” then he asks me if we could go wander around the city together. Wait did he just ask me out on a date!?
“Umm… Ok?” then the hare suddenly launched himself to me. “Thanks.” Then after that hug he suddenly lets go of me, embarrassed and he apologized.
I said it’s ok and I am glad to receive the hug. “Shall we?” then we walked out the guild’s main entrance. Smiling and looking around our surroundings. We have been here for quite a while but we never got to look around the city.
There are lights of varying colors in every corner. I hear music in the air and the smell of freshly cooked bread at a bakery around the corner. The streets are filled with life and color that we never get to see in Eldeow.
Then we ended up in the park. The place is vibrant with lights but not too much, you can see couples in every corner and a few people who are just taking a stroll around the beautiful grounds. There are flowers in the water that stays afloat and glows faintly, from red to yellow, blue to violet and much more.
As we continue our stroll we encountered a man kneeling down with a ring in front of a Deerin as she cries and blushes in contrast to her brown fur. Then smiles, yells yes and wraps her arms around the man. Then they saw us and smiled, we smiled widely and waved at them.
“Congrats.” Then the man unexpectedly told us “Thank you, your majesties.” He is one of the citizens of our kingdom. Not only that but he seems to be surprised that we are here and not in our kingdom. Then the doe asks who are we and he introduced us as the princes of the kingdom of Eldeow.
“Oh sorry.” Then she bows down. I told them there is no need to bow down. They rose up and ask why we are here.
“We are now adventurers.” Then the man congratulates us for making it to the city. Then I requested them that if possible they do not tell anyone about us.
“I promise.” Then he smiles at the doe.
“Well we best be going. Goodbye and I hope you a great wedding.” Harry now smiles and they smiled back as we continue to stroll around the park.
“Wow I hope this will happen to us one day.” I thought to myself as we continue to walk around the parks wonderful landscape. Then I felt a hand grabbing mine for a moment, and suddenly it gets tighter. I know who’s but I don’t know why, but I gladly returned the favor.
Harry seems to be blushing as I look at my right, we are holding hands and I too can’t help but feel embarrassed. We eventually sat down on a bench at the far end of the park. Then the hare lets go leaving me with a sense of relief and loss at the same time.
“Sorry.” The hare suddenly blurted out.
“What are you sorry about?” then the hare took a deep breath and after he said I, we heard a scream.
“Help!” there was a woman who needs help, and we quickly stood up and went to the source where I see five or six figures surrounding a woman who was behind a man, spreading out his arms to avoid the figures to hurt the fox.
The male is bleeding and he is panting like crazy. If this continues he will die of blood loss. We have to help them, and this might be our only chance to do so.
“Harry, I distract them. You lead them to the guild, alright?” Then the hare replied if I’m crazy. “I have to do this. Now go!”
Then I shouted at the figures.
“Hey!” then all of them looked towards me. I ran at them as they continue to approach me. We then are now in a clash.
Harry POV
As I see the bear doing his job I did mine as quickly as possible.
The female is shaking as the male collapsed to the ground. Then I held my index finger to my lips to signal the female to keep quiet. Then I carried the man on my back then told the fox to follow me.
She nods and we quickly flee. I shed a few tears as I hear Rum wail in pain but he continues to fight the figures. I am starting to worry after a second and the next is anxious and finally I started to think that Rum, my best friend and brother might be dead.
“Have faith in me. Alright?” that thought came to my mind as I started to think of those things. That memory is something I always cherished, knowing him he’ll beat all of them to the ground and return with a few cuts and bruises. And I always end up scolding him.
Then we saw the guild building ahead of us. I told the woman to hurry and go inside the building and she nods, sprinting towards the entrance.
“Harry! What happened!?” Leona yelled out as she noticed me carrying a male at my shoulders. “No time to explain! Let’s go to the infirmary!” then we rushed to the guild’s infirmary where the healer who was nursing another patient noticed me and the man who is bleeding.
“Quick place him at the healing altar!” I nodded and placed him at the altar of wood. Then the cleric did her work. Chanting a few words and then the man’s body glowed green for a while then he started to breath softly.
“Thank goodness you have brought him here in time. Tell me what happened and who is this woman.” I explained that we found them getting attacked by a group of people, then Rum ordered me to bring them here.
“I am Valeria. And I know who you are and I thank you, Harazamn Dalsert Garcels.”
This woman knows of me. And she knows where I came from, then she grabbed my arm and we made our way outside.
“The king is looking for you, and I am telling you that he is furious. That is also why we are here.” Then she hands me a letter. “Princess Reyna ordered us to give this to you. And she hopes that you can help everyone in this land as the king plans to invade the neighboring kingdoms.”
Then my suspicions are correct. Not only do the dark guilds plan to conquer the land but they have support of a few kingdoms that are powerful. Eldeow may not look like it but their military can compare to the capital kingdom: Staright. In terms of skill our warriors can easily trample a few of their soldiers.
Then I see that the fox is starting to cry.
“I am sorry to burden you.”
Then I said what Rum would have said.
“We do not wield weapons because we want power. But because we want to defend others. Whether would it be a beggar or someone dear to us.” As I finished my statement I saw a dagger thrown at the ground.
I picked up the dagger in which it has a letter attached to it.
‘If you wish to see your friend again. Then come to the Sky’s Touch tomorrow at sundown. If you don’t then you may say the last ursan goodbye.’ I knelt to the ground and cried. I saw all of my students surrounding me.
“Teacher. Please don’t cry, Teacher Rum would not like that. We have to get him back!” the youngest student who was a twelve year old, encouraged me. I stood up and gripped the dagger with all my might.
“Thank you.” Then I saw everyone around me. My students, Loufe’s group, Alimun and the two we just rescued looked at me with courage in their eyes.
“We do not fight with our weapons, but with our hearts. Let’s get our friend back!!”
We yelled out as our fists are raised up in the air, rallying together with one goal.
To get Rum back.
Normal POV
In a dark place nearby a cliff.
“Sir! We have found intel that the prince is coming. But he will not comply so easily, what will we do?” a hooded figure with a silver emblem on his hood told a bull like creature.
“Crush him and each and every one of them. Show them that nobody can stop our true king. Then we deliver him to the king. Understood?” the deep voice replied.
“Yes sir.” Then the hooded figure vanished.
“This shall be our kingdom. This shall be the new order that we the Quicksilver Blade will reign over. And there will be nobody to stop us.”
An ursan who has a lot of cuts and bruises across his body breathes heavily. Chained on his wrist and his body raised up forcing him to kneel.
“Oh the cub want’s a fight huh? Well I have something else for you.” Then the bull punched the chained ursan across the face.
“I will break you. And you will never want to even leave me ever again.” Then the bull licked his lips and eyed Rum like some sort of prey.
‘Rook. Please find Harry and warn him.’ The bear told the ursan spirit telepathically as the other can only nod and fled.
“So be it. I like someone stubborn, all the more entertaining.” Then the bull-man left the bear.
“Sorry Harry. I might not be able to live with you after all.” Then the bear looks up to the sky. Once more thinking of all the memories he and his friends shared. He thought to himself that it was a good life. Then he closed his eyes, letting his mind wander on what will happen. Shedding tears as he accepts his fate.
And in that moment Harry was outside the guild. Looking blankly at the stars, wishing that his friend is alive.
“Hold on Rum. We are coming.”