Fantasy Farewell to Kings: Elide’s Tale

[A Play On Words]

She nodded and slowly started her descend down the giant and towards the valley. Night was approaching, so speed was the goal

 

[Jodyguru]

The horses were upset but came around back towards the people they recognized. Ladybug cried so Bart fed her a wild carrot, then pet her mane to calm her down.

Meanwhile, the giant watched the world around it for a very long time, like it lived its life at the speed of a sloth. How long ago was the noise that prompted it to wake? It may have been the battle that took place years ago, if it was indeed such a slow creature. It may take the being years before it could fall back asleep.

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide rushed to Azalea's side, murmuring soft and soothing words to the young foal, in hopes that it would soothe her worries. Elide took a few slow and steady breaths, trying to calm her heart rate, not wanting to have it breakout here.

 

[Jodyguru]

The foal stirred happily and licked Eli’s hand. Bart climbed onto his saddle and pointed her towards Dominion.
“We could press hard and get to the city before morning, unless you think we should stop to rest somewhere.”

 

[A Play On Words]

"I'm tired, but if you wish to continue, we can always sleep when we get there," She yawned with a smile as she pulled herself up onto her horse.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart nodded and headed off with her. He didn’t want to run her ragged, and the more he thought, the more he believed arriving at night to the city would draw unnecessary attention to them. It was smarter to sleep outside another night.

Riding through the night, they spotted a campfire just off the beaten path. They heard a guitar playing a nice folk song. An older man was cooking beans in an iron pot. Once they were closer Elide could smell it, and suddenly she realized she hadn’t eaten in a day.
“Ho, friends!” The man got up and sat the guitar down.
“If yer lookin for a place to camp, might I offer my company to you? My names Fred. Fred Mallard.”
The man was pudgy and dressed in dirty, Ill fitting clothes. He may have been an aimless drunk looking for someone to share his loneliness with for awhile.

 

[A Play On Words]

Her stomach growled as she slid off of her horse and approached the man. "It's a pleasure sir, I'm Elide and this it Bart." She smiled brightly. Elide tied up Azalea to a nearby tree and sat down across from the man. "We'd be more than happy to spend our evening in your company." Elide chuckled.

 

[Jodyguru]

Fred smiled and welcomed them. Bart dismounted and started pitching their tent. Fred offered a seat by the fire. “I’ve got plenty of food to eat. I’m headed to Dominion for supplies so I decided to cook all my leftovers tonight. Sausage and beans are a staple of Paladina culture... if you’re a military dog.”

Bart ignored the man and focused on putting together a bigger tent that would fit both him and Eli.

 

[A Play On Words]

"We're headed to the Dominion as well." She chuckled, "If you want, I could prepare something, we also have some leftovers, I could make something," She offered.

 

[Jodyguru]

Fred nodded and let her do as she saw fit. “Ah, grand. You haven’t been there before I take it? Nobody ever comes through Avenger’s Alley from that direction unless they’re from Emerald.” Also her use of ‘the’ in front of Dominion gave away her novelty towards the place.

“If you love the sea, then Emerald is a wonderful place. I used to be with the Army and represented Mitra through a couple skirmishes. I took a pretty bad injury from a mace that crippled me for awhile, but those wonderful Healing Maidens in Dominion helped me walk again. Not fit for service though, but thank Mitra for small miracles anyway.

 

[A Play On Words]

She listened as she prepared a small meal, nodding with his words to indicate she was listening. "I wasn't raised in Emerald, I was born in a small village called Aeravine. I was a part of a gypsy caravan, so I guess I've lived a lot of places." She chuckled brightly, stirring the small but enticing soup she had made.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart grunted. “I’ve lived in the vale most of my life, lived off the land, that kind of thing.”
“Yes, that kind of thing.” Fred said while his eyes were on the huge sword attached to Bart’s saddlebag. He turned back towards Eli.
“A Gypsy you say? Mind yourself in Dominion, then. A few of the High Priests have shown ill will towards anyone not in line with Mitra’s principles in their city. I promise not to say a word though. Caravans have treated me kindly, and you’re too sweet of a girl to let despots be aware.”

 

[A Play On Words]

She smiled at the man, "You're very kind sir, thank you" Elide grinned.
"Would you like some?" She asked, motioning to the food she had prepared. "There's enough for all of us,"

 

[Jodyguru]

The man smiled but declined, instead getting a bowl of his own cooking. Fred was the type of guy to give to all and accept nothing from others. His leg may have been healed fully if he wasn’t too stubborn to bother the healing maidens with his bum leg.

“Don’t let her sweetness fool you. My girl can rain hell on you if she’s mad enough.” Bart joked and sat next to Elide. He wanted to eat her soup as well as the sausage in the pot. He gave her a kiss on the cheek as well.

 

[A Play On Words]

She laughed and gently nudged Bart in the side with a smile. Elide chuckled and got some food for herself and began eating. Her stomach growling with each bite.

 

[Jodyguru]

“Ah yes, most agreeable women have a line that shall not be crossed. I’ve not heard of this village you speak of. Is it within Paladina’s borders?” Fred asked before they started to eat.

 

[A Play On Words]

"It's across the sea... So I'm unsure," She replied with a shrug

 

[Jodyguru]

Fred shrugged and finished eating. Once that was finished he started playing his guitar again, though slowly plucking each string. Bart was exhausted, and Elide was fading as well. Whenever they were ready they could go into their tent to sleep with full bellies.

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide yawned and rested her head against Bart's arm. She smiled softly, listening to the quiet tune.

 

[Jodyguru]

Fred started whistling a somber little tune along with his plucking. After awhile he seemed ready to fall asleep as well, and all three of them soon got up to rest in their tents.
Bart and Eli had enough room to sleep comfortably with each other. It was the first real night they had together since they went swimming with the Gypsies. That wonderful day seemed so long ago already.

 

[A Play On Words]

She let out a gentle sigh and curled up next to him, a bright but tired smile resting on her face.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart put an arm around her and nuzzled the top of her head. In the dim light of the fire through the tent she could see the outline of his snake tattoo.

 

[A Play On Words]

She smiled, leaning into his gentle touch. Elide gently traced the lines of the tattoo with her finger, a yawn escaping her mouth.

 

[Jodyguru]

Day broke, and both of them had a long, restful sleep. Elide’s hair was a tangled mess. Today was a big day, and the sun was shining through the tent flap.

The brilliant city of Dominion with its tall brass spears of towers stood as a testament against the vile forces the city was born to defeat. It stood during the rule of vampires, and was home to the valiant who defeated the dark lords.

The city was visible from their camp. It seemed much closer than it was.

 

[A Play On Words]

She yawned and pushed herself up, her body a little achy, but nothing too serious. Eli sat up and stretched with a long yawn. She glanced down at Bart with a smile.