An Afterwar Tale

[Kanon]

Arleth Dulcett walked past the ruins of a building that was once her abode. It seemed that not too long ago, she had been living there with a loving parent and an older brother. Now everything has been wiped to the ground, leaving behind only a trace of memory that Arleth has been struggling to forget. Her hatred towards the dethroned royalty deepened every time she realised how different life had been.


It has been long since Arleth decided: it was their fault that she had ended up like this. War broke out in Kingdom of Dressian because the royal family's unjust ruling and heavy taxes. People had starved when the royals had a palace for a home, large feasts for dinners, and exotic feathers to adorn their princesses' hats. A group of rebels convinced the neighbour kingdom, Luzaria, to help with their dethroning plan. After a war of five years, the rebels have finally succeed, leaving a lot of heads to the guillotine. Not only the royal family, but also the lords and ladies, the duke and duchesses, had been executed in the middle of the town hall. Kingdom of Dressian entered a new era, ruled by the rebellion captain.


The Dulcett family had lived in a village far from the town, but the war reached their place. It was past midnight when the soldiers from Luzaria came, brought torchlights and swords. They had heard a Duke has ran away and hid in that village. Failed to find the missing duke, the soldiers decided to burn the whole village down. Arleth saw with her own eyes how her family trapped in their wooden cottage, ablaze in flame. Her big brother, Fier, had saved her from the fire. Arleth remembered that Fier had carried her into the depths of a forest behind the village, but when she woke up the next day, Fier had gone. One of the village survivor said to Arleth that Fier was carried away by the soldiers.


Remembering Fier was the waking point. Arleth had to stop dwelling in the painful past. She knew that her life had resumed and she was now working in the village bar. Her life belonged to her guests. She sang when they wanted to listen. She danced when they wanted to see. She had also endured being touched when they wanted to be entertained. She heaved her sack and walked away. She made a little remainder to herself not to pass this route again tomorrow afternoon when she goes to work.

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

On the horizon stood three horses, each bearing a rider. Two began forward, galloping toward the town, whilst the other held back, before following minutes later. The three had stolen the horses from knights, and would have to let them go sooner or later, but first they had to find a home, or at least some place to stay the night, instead of the trees they had hidden in the previous night.


Tony, the rider at the back, seemed more nervous than the other two, of whom were his father and his brother, Ace. Whilst his brother and his father were more confident with simply riding into a town, Tony was more cautious, both around his family and the towns people. His family had never liked him, and he was hit more often than he slept, meaning sometimes he didn't sleep at all. He shivered slightly as he rode. His family had already disappeared into a village bar, leaving the horses tied up outside. Tony himself huffed, and silently dismounted, gently tying his horse up and stroking its neck.


The boy looked about. Half of the town seemed to be in ruins, and he growled to himself. That meant someone had already been here, and could possibly come back to check this place and its survivors. Meaning that Tony, Ace and their father couldn't stay here. However, he didn't want to voice his concerns, nor did he want to enter the bar, as both of his remaining family were likely getting drunk and laughing at people, or beating them up. Another reason he didn't want to go near them when they were drunk was that the person being beat up? Was usually him.


Instead he stood outside with the horses, watching people pass him, eyeing him warily as they hurried past. He didn't blame them, he wasn't exactly the most normal person, with his golden eyes and long black trench coat, which was torn at the ends.

 

[Kanon]

Arleth has fled from the back door to avoid the shouts from the barman, Brass. She hurriedly took the basket of unpeeled potatoes outside, washing them with water. It was still about two hours until her performance, and Brass had told her to help in the kitchen. Arleth soon regretted she had come early, she had always loathe kitchen work.


Before she left from the room, Arleth saw two men stride inside the bar. They looked foreign with their clothing and unusual eye colour. Arleth was wondering whether they were only stopping for a meal and a drink, or to stay for the night. They were talking in low voices with Brass just now, so perhaps the latter was the case. As far as Arleth knew, Brass had an empty room upstairs which he let from time to time when money was tight. The occupants had always been shady, because soldier patrols always stop by at the Inn and not here.


Arleth put the potato basket down and thought that she would start peeling them until she was required to dress up for her performance. That way she could avoid Brass. She turned and saw a man standing outside, looking almost certainly belong in the same group with the guests Arleth saw inside. However, this man seemed pretty young. Arleth was wondering whether he was older than she; she had just passed her nineteenth birthday last month.


She was curious but she knew that she was probably not fit to be seen by any guest at the moment. Her long brown hair has not been adorned with ornaments yet, and she was not wearing the dress she used to wear for dancing. Instead of her signature colour brick red, she was only wearing a humble grey --- the colour which Brass often commented 'made her brown eyes even dull'. She contemplated for a moment, before deciding that she should turn around and head inside.

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

Tony sighed softly, turning to go inside. He froze however, as his golden eyes met a young girls brown ones. She looked about his age, and Tony had to admit that, even with humble, grey clothes on, she looked beautiful. His cheeks reddened slightly, though he blamed it on the cold breeze in his head, and he quickly scampered inside the bar.


He himself was wearing a white shirt, black trousers, black boots and his long, black trench coat. His clothes were torn, and the black was slightly bloody, though that couldn't be seen because of the dark colour of the fabric. Wounds, hidden by his clothes, were covered with white bandages. Most were on his chest, including, but not stopping at a large cut, from his left hip to his right shoulder, made with some form of knife or blade. Another ran down his arm, this one's bandages being visible, as his sleeves were rolled up.


Once in the bar, he looked around for his family, noting the silver eyes of his brother staring back at him with a glare. The golden eyed younger brother instantly moved away, moving over to the corner, and sitting at a table, fiddling with the dagger he had on his belt. He took a small, wooden, half-finished carving from his pocket, and continued to carve silently. It was something he did to calm his nerves, and it worked well, keeping his mind from straying to other things


The carving itself was of a small dragon, roughly the size of a medium sized pebble. It was in beautiful detail, or at least its head and the start of its wings were. The rest hadn't yet been finished, but he continued silently

 

[Kanon]

Arleth thought the golden-eyed boy reminded her of Fier, perhaps because of his calm demeanour. There was not too much youngster left in the village because of the war, it has been quite a while since Arleth had a conversation with somebody her age. From his torn coat she could see that he was once well off. She also caught a glimpse of bandage, so perhaps he and his family was in trouble a while back. She wondered what kind of trouble it was, and whether it had something to do with the war. She pondered about this in the kitchen. Curiosity was not a new thing to her: she was once a strong-willed, even adventurous, girl. But afterwar she had always reminded herself to lay low and keep out of trouble. With this, she wiped all the questions from her head, determined to see the newcomers merely as guests.


She had come out from her changing room with her dancer attire when she saw the golden-eyed boy sitting at the corner near her. The dragon carving in his hand was clearly apparent to her, and she was in awe. It was really beautiful, and it made her stop her steps for a second. She would have stood there longer, but Brass shouted harshly to Arleth, told her to come forward.


"If I can't persuade you with such a cheap rate, then I can probably offer you another entertainment you might be interested in if you choose to stay," Brass said in a low, scratchy voice, to the eldest of the family. Arleth bowed towards the father, and the elder brother sitting beside the father, because she knew Brass wouldn't like it if she acted defiant. Brass continued, apparently still pressing the family to rent the room upstairs, "Arleth is the best dancer in the village. You should see how it is around here past midnight: even the blokes from neighbouring town come to enjoy."

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

Tony looked up, noting his brother and his father talking to the owner. He huffed, they were more than likely haggling with him for a room. The three had hardly any money, never really had and never would. Most of their clothes they had stolen recently, along with the bandages, as the older two, who didn't seem wounded at all, hadn't wanted their youngest to bleed out. Even though they hated him, it had been his fault that his mother was dead, they still wouldn't allow him the peacefulness of death. Instead they'd give him a living hell, and he huffed softly as he put detail into his dragon. He had multiple carvings in his pocket, a wolf, a bird and a lion all rested in his coat inside pocket, and they were all finished, except from the dragon he held in his hand.


He looked over at the shout from Brass, noting the girl from earlier was now dressed up. HIs eyes widened, and he blushed at his thoughts, looking away and back to his carving. She truly was beautiful, but he couldn't let his thoughts stray. The three would likely be gone soon, and in his life there was no time for things like love. Besides, he didn't want to endanger anyone with his family and the problem that rested upon their shoulders.


He silently listened to their conversation as he carved, wondering how a girl like that had got into dancing in a place like this. More than likely it probably had something to do with half the town being in ruins, but he wasn't going to ask. Hell, he wasn't even going to talk to her, she may look pretty, but he didn't know how she acted

 

[Kanon]

Soon after the brother and the father got deep into a discussion with Brass. Arleth still couldn't quite catch what their last name was, she only grasped that the older brother was Ace and the younger was Tony. She remembered her guess about the family being in trouble, but she realised that the younger brother was the only one wounded. Ace and his father were certainly not the kind, gentle man the younger brother seemed to be.


Arleth slipped away from them after Gina arrived with her violin. Gina was Arleth's companion in performance for the night. She was a soft, sweet-tempered girl, much too different with the determined Arleth. But perhaps that was because Gina still fortunate enough to have a family that dote on her. They went to the changing room together to talk about their performance. Soon after Arleth heard a lot of talking and noises from the outside. The night grew darker, and they would have to start soon.


Gina went outside and received much teasing. Arleth followed closely behind, felt a little protective of the younger girl before her. The bar was full today, Arleth was sure that Brass was smiling to himself somewhere. Gina started her music and Arleth started dancing, covering half of her face with a transparent veil. While she twirled and sang, she saw from the corner of her eyes Tony was still there. Their eyes drew contact once more, and she felt a feeling welled up inside her chest. A feeling she had been unknown to.


Arleth and Gina were granted a small break, and one of the customer quickly pulled her and made her to sit beside him. He was reeking with alcohol, but Arleth knew she couldn't refuse. Brass was eyeing them from behind the counter. The drunken man began to talk to his friends at the table, saying, "Now those blue-blooded refugees will have more heaps of trouble, with the new rules posted up! M-my pal Ian was caught by the soldiers, you see. Wouldn't mind getting a blue-blood to trade with my best pal!"


"I wouldn't want to trade a blue-blood for a good-for-nothing bloke that let himself got caught!" his friend chimed in. "I would rather trade them with sacks o' gold. Or a pretty lass!"


Arleth froze. Was there such a new rule posted?

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

Tony looked up silently, his eyes meeting Arleth's as she danced. He sighed softly, not knowing how these men could be so entertained by someone dancing and singing like that. Whilst she was beautiful, and a great dancer and singer, Tony didn't allow himself to be captivated by her movements, and only continued to carve. Looking up he noted his father and brother both watching the girl eagerly, and he winced. He shivered, some of these men were twice the girls age, and yet continued to carve, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop their hungry gazes.


Whilst he'd love to leave as soon as possible, he knew that wasn't an option. If he even mentioned it he'd likely be punched. Again. So instead he stayed curled on a chair in the corner, silently carving. The blade caught his fingers once or twice, but he didn't seem to notice, as he didn't react, except to lick the blood of said finger and go back to work. He didn't want the red to stain his work after all


(Sorry for the shortness. I'm going out soon...)

 

[Kanon]

(It's quite alright!)


Arleth was thinking of her brother by this news. She, contrary to how she should have thought, believed that Fier may be still alive in captivity. She couldn't prove this, of course. But if indeed Fier was still alive, she have gotten a way to save Fier. She only had to search for a fugitive, a blue-blood, to trade for her brother.


As the night progressed, some of the men were too drunk to realise that Arleth has slipped away. She walked to a corner where Tony sat. She watched him carve, and when a soft thud was caught in her ears, she looked down. She picked up a dragon carving from the wooden floor, and handed it back to him. Her curiosity has won over her. She said to him, wondered whether he would reply her, "Where are you from?"


He was probably the only person in this bar who had the least interest in anything that she did. She saw from the corner of her eyes Ace was eyeing her. She contemplated to get away from there, but then she had nowhere to hide anyway. Then was her work time, and no matter what happened, she was required to be inside that bar.

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

Tony looked up at her, golden eyes curious about her. He gently took his carving back, "Thanks" he said softly, his finger bleeding. He licked the cuts again, wincing at the taste, before he silently continued to carve. Every so item he'd look up at her, but the question she asked startled him, "you shouldn't be asking that" he said softly. He would of told her, if Ace hadn't been watching her with his piercing silver eyes. Tonys soft golden ones met his brothers, but he quickly looked back at the girl, a nervous look on his face, "I take it you've met my brother?" He said softly, noting how Ace was still watching them


(In the car at the moment. Can't do big posts)

 

[Kanon]

"I have," Arleth nodded, not sure that the encounter earlier had count. They have not been really introduced formally to each other. Arleth did not think much of that. She, however, wondered whether Tony didn't like talking to her. He seemed nervous, and couldn't wait for Arleth to leave. Arleth had known hoping to befriend him was futile, but she thought she could at least had a nice conversation with him. She was disappointed.


She turned her head away and caught Ace's eyes. This man was much older than she, that was for sure. She then saw him walking towards her. Slowly, she took the transparent veil and put it up so it covered her lower face. Her heart began to pound as she felt a hand grasped her wrist.

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

Tony noted his brother walk over, but when he grabbed the girls wrist he officially lost it. Tony himself was known for his temper and, whilst it didn't get out normally, it came out like thunder and lightning now. He stood, his carving back in his pocket and his knife in his hand, as he growled at his brother, "Let her go Ace" He hissed softly. To everyone but the three, they looked to be having a conversation, as Tonys knife was hidden from view by his leg, though it could be seen clearly by Ace. His golden eyes gleamed dangerously, as if daring his brother to do something, to not let the girl go. If he didn't he'd launch at Ace, no matter what the consequences were. Whilst his brother was bigger and well-built, whilst Tony was shorter and thin, Tony had the knife, which levelled out the field. That was, unless his brother got hold of the knife, then Tony was as good as dead

 

[Kanon]

Arleth was surprised seeing Tony did what he did. He had stood up to defend her, against his own brother, no less! She thought that Tony must not have hated him after all, then.


She eyed the knife Tony was holding. The last thing she wanted to do was to put Tony in some trouble. She seized Tony's arm softly with her free hand, said to him, "It's alright, I am used to it. I am an entertainer here after all."


Gina saw what happened and determined to save Arleth from the situation. She approached Ace and asked, "Master, how about having me instead, to accompany you drinking?"

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

(Whose controlling Ace?)


Tony huffed, but nodded silently to her, and sat back down. He watched his brother warningly, as he took his dragon carving out and continued. It was almost finished, he was just doing the tail and then the creature would be done, and he'd need more wood. Again. His movements seemed angrier now, and catching his fingers with the blade seemed more common now as he worked, occasionally licking the red off his fingers simply because he didn't want it staining the wood. He ignored everyone else, trying to calm his temper before his family retired for the night, before he likely got beaten to near death for defying his brothers actions

 

[Kanon]

(Would you like to do it? If you're not up to it, I can take him. How about Gina, Brass, and Tony's father?)


When Arleth had realised what happened, Gina was already leading Ace away from Arleth and Tony. Tony was back to his business, so Arleth went away from him. After quite a while, the guests inside the bar have finally started leaving. Some of them had laid down on the floor, apparently drunk and unconscious. It was not an uncommon view. Arleth drew a breath, and then sigh with relief. She could go home very soon, she wanted to find out about what she had heard earlier, about the new law.


She went into the changing room and brought her things out. She was ready to leave the bar, but before that, she had to take her pay for tonight from Brass. She reluctantly approached Brass, which was again in conversation with Ace and his father.

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

(I can perhaps take Tony's father is you take Ace?)


Tony had finished his carving, adding a few additional details to the wooden creature before placing it in his pocket and warily approaching his family, who were again talking to Brass. Tony himself seemed nervous and tense, ready for the shouting match that would no doubt begin as soon as they were out of sight and earshot of everyone else. He stood away from them slightly, shuffling his feet, hands clasped behind his back as he awaited them to finish talking. Looking up at Arleth he sighed softly, then looked back at his feet

 

[Kanon]

(Sure!)


Ace has struck a great deal. They will be spending the night here, after all. His father settled the matter with Brass, giving him the money they have nicked from a drunken guest earlier in the night. He eyed Arleth again, he hadn't stop doing that ever since he saw her dance. Moreover, he heard something interesting from another guest.


Her brother's name was Fier, or so he heard. Apparently the same Fier he knew. He and his family were saved because he had a friend in the royal army. Ace's friend let them run away in time, saving their lives. However, Ace's friend was turned into a fugitive too after a man called Fier reported him. If not for him, Ace's friend would never land in prison. Ace wanted to know more about this Arleth. Perhaps she could be useful to him.


Arleth left before he could chase after her. No matter, he will be staying in that inn, probably for a while. For now, he had a lesson to teach his younger brother. He approached Tony and barked, "Is it really your problem whether I'm messing with that girl? You've learned on how to piss me off, haven't you?"

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

After settling the fee with Brass, Tony and Ace's father, known to most as John, watched his sons silently. He wouldn't interfere, this was Ace's argument, and he could finish it. He patted his oldest on the shoulder, glaring at Tony, before he left for their room, leaving the two to settle their differences, knowing Tony would come off worse.


Tony himself took a step back at his brothers bark, and glared at him, "You should leave her alone Ace. You were hurting her" He growled at him, taking a step closer before realising he'd left his knife on the table behind Ace, and that he now had a clear disadvantage

 

[Kanon]

Ace did not wait for Tony to said anymore. He pulled him by his collar and slammed him to the nearest wall, and then proceeded to beat him. His built was much bigger, and his younger brother was defenceless without his knife. Ace has always loathed his younger brother, just for the reason that he exists. While Ace joined John upstairs in their rented room, Ace kicked Tony out of the bar, left him at the side of the road. The road was winding and rarely passed by the village people, and Ace hoped that Tony would be there for a long time, because he felt sick just looking at his brother's face.


That road, however, was frequented by a person. That person couldn't help herself to pass that road, just because it showed her former house's ruins. Arleth had promised herself not to stop by there, but she did again the next morning. She had wanted to take another look. To remember some old things. When all of a sudden, she heard a whimper.


She was surprised to see Tony laying at the side of the road with a body full of scars and bruises. She ran towards him and asked him in panic, "A-are you okay?"

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

Tony hardly noticed her approach him, his eyes closed and his breathing rough. Both his back and chest were covered with bruises beneath his shirt, and there were even cuts to go with them where his brother had broke the skin with his punching. His head was bleeding, having hit something, perhaps the floor, and his thin form was shivering, having been out there in the cold all night. As the girl spoke his eyes flickered open, revealing glassy orbs of confusion. He groaned softly, simply grateful his brother had not grabbed the knife from the table. Tony had been stabbed before, a scar on his abdomen the only reminder of his pervious pain, which he never wanted to experience again

 

[Kanon]

"C-can you stand?" Arleth became nervous as she realised that Tony's condition was really serious. She tried to support him with her arms, and slowly, she led him to walk. He needed treatment badly, but she couldn't possibly bring him back into that bar! It was highly probable that it was Ace that beat him into this state. And if that's true, then Arleth might be the cause of these bruises after all.


Arleth felt that she was responsible. Her hut was not far from there, so she brought him home. He had collapsed on her bed, the only actual furniture in the room. She pulled a blanket over him, trying to stop him from shivering.

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

Tony didn't reply to her question, instead letting her help him. He was light, too light for someone of his height and age. He wobbled as she helped him walk, coughing every so often and shivering. Coughing hurt, and he absently wondered if anything was broken before he coughed again with a wince. He realised they were walking away from the pub, but said nothing, grateful they weren't going closer to his family. He curled up as best he could on her bed, shivering under the blanket and closing his eyes

 

[Kanon]

Arleth wasn't sure of what to do. She let him sleep on her bed, though, and dressed his wounds. She thought he wouldn't mind, so she helped him change his upper shirt too. After that's done, Arleth went out to make a fire. She was cooking a porridge for him: it was the only thing she could afford right now. She knew it would not be sufficient, but it was the least she could do.


When she was back into the room, she saw Tony stir in her bed. She put the porridge bowl down on a box she has been using as a little table. "Are you feeling fine?" she asked. She looked to the side. His trench coat has been soiled very badly, Arleth didn't think he could wear them anymore. "I happen to have a set of male robe you can take."


She was reluctant to say that it was one of her guest's. He had followed her here to the hut and asked her to entertain him, so she did. The next morning when he was gone, he left his robe there. Arleth did not bother to look for him to return the garment. But of course, she wouldn't tell all this to Tony. It would only spoil her image, and she'd like Tony to think that she was indeed as pure as her looks.

 

[WolfOfProphecys]

Tony slowly sat as she walked up to him, blinking up at her with his golden eyes. He could smell food, but that only made his stomach twist. He hadn't eaten for days, but he didn't think he could eat with the amount of bruises over his body and his abdomen. Looking at her, then at his trench coat, he picked it up silently, noting the blood on it. He huffed, and brushed it off, looking in his pocket and taking out his tiny wooden statues. He silently offered her the phoenix one, as a thanks. His throat was bruised, and it hurt to swallow, let alone talk, so instead he blinked at her as he offered it. He'd keep his trench coat, find someway of fixing it. After all, it was given to him by his father, before all this had happened. That had been when John had actually liked Tony. It was the last present he had owned from his father, and he wasn't about to throw it

 

[Kanon]

Arleth saw the reluctance and understood. She would help Tony to mend the garment later, but now, her mind was filled with the small gesture Tony has offered her. She received the phoenix and observed it with shining eyes. It was exquisite, just like the dragon carving. She loved the meaning behind the creature too. A phoenix meant rebirth and hope, just what Arleth needed in her life.


"I am sorry," Arleth began. "It must have been because of me that you got into this state."