The man's lip twitched with a sneer that died due to lack of enthusiasm and instead the man let out a sigh. His shoulders seemed weighed down by an invisible burden, and when he lifted his arm to point it hung in the air like deadweight.
"It's in that direction. Butchyure too young to need ta know that. You ought to stay away from the arena... if you know what's good for you." He half turned and looked like he was prepared to head back to his tent, but then he shook his head almost imperceptibly. "As for me, I'm gettin' outta here... Watcher back... kid." And with that he walked off and quickly disappeared amongst the scenery.
Alaric yawned but bit his lip to hide it. “I guess you’re right. We’ve still got dinner waiting for us at the tent. Just imagine though...” He jumped off his horse and then stood to look at the stands. “Tomorrow we’ll be fighting here, on this very ground, for honor and to prove our worth! I can’t wait to show everyone what I’m made of... especially the young maidens of the court,” he smiled impishly. “I can almost hear them yelling my name and swooning as I ride by-“ he leapt up agilely on Conrad and had him strut up and down the track, practicing his wave and charming smile as he did. Finally he turned back to Abel and laughed at his foolishness. “Hahaha, it’ll be great, just you wait and see. Alright, let’s get back to the tent and chow down; we’ll need the energy for the next day’s challenge.” _________________
Alphonse nodded. "Thank you, sir." He ran for that direction he was pointed to. That guy was weird. He sounded like those 'Calm before the storm' prophets in the story's we were read as children. Meh, whatever.
Alphonse had made it halfway to his destination before he stopped to think. "It's getting late, I should go back to the tent. THe others probably did the same. It is sunset." He searched for his father's tent among the grounds. He noticed his father's favorite caravan in the distance and ran into the tent next to it.
The Alteron tent was huge. It was about the size of a normal house with velvet sheets in place of the tarp of the tent with little gold strands and such. Mack, his father’s business partner, was already sleeping in his hammock six feet above the ground. Xavier was sitting at a table drinking fine wine.
“Ah! Alphonse, join me for a drink will you?” Xavier said in a loud, proud voice and offered the seat across from him. Alphonse nodded and obeyed his father and sat down.
“Nice day today, wasn’t it?” Alphonse said to open simple conversation.
“Yes indeed, so will be tomorrow. What’s this I hear that you were going to the tournament with several contestants around your age?” Xavier asked his son as he took another sip of wine. “I met two people as I arrived here. A bit rough of an introduction though, I regret mooning one of them.” Xavier’s face turned from relaxed to stern as Alphonse finished his sentence.
“You mooned them? Where’s your fighter’s honor Mack and I taught you? You know better than that! You’re supposed to bit your thumb at them at most! Not moon them!” Xavier scolded his son and put down his glass. “Father, I said I regret my actions. Never mind this. I wish to go to bed now. Good night.” Alphonse left the main section of the tent into his hammock to rest before his father could say another word.
“That boy…” _________________ It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and I'm all outta gum
Sometimes good, sometimes bad... Always clever.
"Love" is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope.
The night went by quickly, and yet is seemed to last an eternity for those restlessly awaiting the big event that the morning would bring. When light finally began to appear on the field as the sun peeked up over the horizon, the dawn air was quickly filled with the hustle of people attending to final preparations. At about 7 o' clock in the morning servants of the court filtered through the rows of tents and rang bells to wake everyone up.
Alaric jumped out from under the covers ecstatically. His sleep had been light, at best, and now he was filled with energy. He was practically running around inside the modest von Busse tent while his father sat at the wooden table, drinking some ale and trying to wake up. "Come on, Abel, father! Let's get to the arena! We don't want to miss the tourna-"
Duessel reached out and grabbed Alaric by the collar as he made another lap. "Calm yourself, boy. The tournament isn't even today; the king has a hunt scheduled and then a banquet tonight."
Alaric looked hysterical, but then he started to calm down. "What! Why didn't you tell me that earlier?"
"You never asked," Duessel replied with a shrug. "Regardless, you still need to get over to the arena. The king will be announcing the rules for the hunt, and you won't want to miss it. Grab some breakfast real quick and then head over there. I have to catch up with some old friends while I'm here. You kids enjoy yourselves though." _________________
Abel gets up slowly. Please tell me we have tea. I'm lost in the morning without tea. He rubs his eyes, waiting for someone to answer. _________________
"He finds you when you're sleeping, and when the daylight fades..."
When morning came, Derek awoke to someone by his bed shaking him to get him up. “Sir... it’s morning and you need to get up. Prince Tredan is waiting downstairs for you. He said you need to hurry because the king of Anturon is going to be announcing the festivities for the day soon.” When Derek came to he could see that the origin of the voice was young Frederick, and he held some fine clothing arrayed for Derek to change in to.
“These are for you, sir. I hope you find them satisfactory. Would you like some assistance getting dressed? I am ready to serve.” _________________
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:36 pm Post subject: Derek
"Thank you Frederick, but that is unnesessary" said Derek, "Tell Prince Tredan I will be down shortly" After Derek put on the clothes Frederick had given him, he started to decend the stairs. He noticed a man not much older than him standing at the bottom of the marble staircase. The man was dressed in expensive robes accompanied by a long cape. _________________
Duessel looked over at Abel for a couple seconds through half-closed eyes and then nodded. "Yes, there is some, but we only have white tea, I'm afraid. Hold on, I'll get you some. I could use some too." He then got to his feet and shuffled out of the tent to the small fire pit right outside the entrance.
Alaric chuckled at both of them. "You guys are lame. I don't see why it's so hard to get up in the morning. Sheesh. I'm going to get into my armor in the meantime." He began strapping on his scuffed leather greaves and boots, tying up the laces that held the tough material together.
When Duessel came back in to the tent, he handed Abel a rather large mug of steaming liquid. It was almost clear but sweet and refined to the taste. More importantly though, it gave a nice energy kick from the caffeine.
The man at the bottom of the stairs looked up at Derek and grimaced. He squelched the expression though and spoke up. “Eh, good morning. You must be... Derek. Prince Tredan is awaiting your... presence. If you would, please follow me. And try not to... touch anything.” The man gave no hint as to his own identity, but instead briskly made his way around a corner without looking to make sure Derek followed. _________________
He takes a sip. Mmm, nothing beats tea in the morning. Call me what you will, I like tea in the morning. He takes another sip. Is the hunt mandatory? I like to keep my feet on the ground when fighting. _________________
"He finds you when you're sleeping, and when the daylight fades..."
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:56 am Post subject: Derek
Derek follow the man around the corner, trying not to make eye contact.
As they walked, Derek noticed sculptures and paintings of the royal family. He stopped at a painting of a young man the age of 22 He had short, light red hair, one blue eye and one red eye, and was sitting on a throne made of pure silver and inlaid with precious gems like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. "Is that the prince?" Derek asked _________________
Duessel shook his head and leaned back. "No, it isn't mandatory, it's mostly for you kids to prove your worth. Whoever brings back the best specimen is usually given some kind of expensive trinket. According to tradition, the 'winner' of the hunt gets to choose the fairest maiden of the court and present the prize to her. It doesn't really mean anything, but you do get recognized for valor and skill." He smirked while staring at his tea before taking a big swig of it. "Seems silly to me now how important these things use to be to us back in the day. Your father used to love a good hunt. He was so quick on his feet; he always outlasted whatever prey he spotted. Wore 'em out so he could finish them off with his sword. If you don't like riding a horse you can always just hunt boar. They're fast, but not like a fox or deer. However, boars are tough little critters, and a good-sized one can have skin like plate-mail. And you have to watch the tusks, or they'll gore you right through. You don’t need to worry much about that though, there are clerics all over the place here; they’ll get you healed up right if you get gutted.”
He sighed and stood to stretch his arms and back. A loud chorus of pops and cracks accompanied the groan he let out as he stretched. “I need to get going though. You kids have fun, whatever you do. Don’t miss the banquet tonight. It promises to be a grand one, the likes of which no one in your lifetime has ever seen.” With that he grabbed a pack and his belt and stepped out of the tent.
Alaric took his place at the table and smiled irritatingly at Abel without saying a word. He was all suited up now; his cuirass and gauntlets were attached and he held his riding helmet under his arm. "Don't tell me you can't find the energy to just wake up in the morning. What would happen if you were camped outside an enemy castle and a night sortie broke out? You'd get crushed..."
The man leading Derek didn't even slow his stride as he answered. "Yes, that's a painting of the prince at the court of Ebilana. A truly splendid nation... much better than Anturon. But while the prince is here he might as well furnish his temporary residence with reminders of his glory. If you'll hurry the prince himself is just in the next room. I think you've kept him waiting long enough, don't you?"
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