We’re back! And by we, I mean me.
Anyway, sorry for the missing update last week. School has had me swamped, but now that everything is wrapping up updates should stay consistent. You know, assuming I don’t get lazy. Where were we?
Oh right, story. Here it is, enjoy!
“Finally! I’ve caught you!”
Life was full of surprises for little Guinness Rhodes. This had become especially true since she began her travels with the infamous spell-slinger, Alaric. In the time since her path had derailed into his, Guinness had been attacked by celestial deities, been eaten twice, and had had so many angry mobs chase after her that she could complete a mile-long run in five minutes. Guinness noted that things like that always started the same way; a loud yell, some drawn swords, and then running. On occasion there would be some large explosions tucked in between.
So, there was little wonder why Guinness developed such a natural dislike for certain phrases. Phrases like “I’ve caught you” topped her list; it ranked almost as high as “Get them” in Guinness’ things-that-are-not-good-to-hear.
Guinness turned to face what she assumed would be the start of another long chase sequence. She readied to face the usual cliché bounty hunter clad in dark leather, or some noble swordsman who had come to avenge his family. There hadn’t been many of those in awhile. Instead, Guinness laid eyes on something very new. She was blonde, tall, and hunched over as gasped for breath.
“I…,” the exasperated woman began, “finally caught up to you! You’re Guinness, right? I’m Dominique, Dominique LaChance.”
Guinness blinked.
At first glance, she could tell Dominique was a knight of Scintillia. The crescent and sword on her tabard were unmistakable, but there was something terribly amiss about her. Dominique’s armor was old and in disrepair, like it had gotten into a fight with a rust monster and lost—twice. Her cloak and tabard were in no better condition; they were torn, tattered, and might not have seen a wash since before Guinness was born. If she was sent by Scintilla, Guinness thought, then maybe they weren’t as big and powerful as everyone said. Or, at least, not as rich.
“If you’re here for Alaric, you’ll… have… to go through me first!” Guinness blurted defiantly, and then questioned why she even said that.
“You mean… he’s here? Alaric’s in this town? Right now?” Dominique screamed feverishly in reply. The beggarly knight dropped an even more tattered sack onto the ground and enthusiastically dug through its contents. All the while she muttered, “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh.”
Guinness blinked, thought of something to say, and then decided that silence implied everything that she felt.
Dominique rose to her feet with a small book in her dirt-stained gauntlets. Guinness examined the book’s cover. It was blue, or at least could have been in a former life, and had a picture of a cow-bear jumping over something. Maybe the moon, Guinness wondered.
“What,” Guinness stopped and thought a bit on how to approach the situation. There hadn’t been many times when an exchange with a new face didn’t lead to a fight or screaming. This was a bit offsetting. She decided to just wing it and continued, “do you want?”
“I’msosorryIdidn’teventellyouwhyI’mhereI’mjustexcitedthatAlaricishere,” Dominique said uninterrupted and without pausing for breath, “ohmygoshAlaricishereAlaricishereAlaricishere!”
Guinness coughed.
Dominique continued to bounce energetically, but calmed down enough to finally starting breathing again. Her wide smile beamed and her eyes sparkled in star struck awe, while Guinness just stared a bit befuddled. Dominique looked down at her book with the moon jumping cow-bear, and opened it to a well folded page.
“I know this may sound strange, but please listen to this story. My village has passed it down from grandmother to granddaughter for generations, and it will explain why I’m here…”
Guinness couldn’t help but wonder if she had any say in the matter.
Dominique plopped down onto the grass, which was followed by a cloud of dust escaping from her incredibly aged attire, then began to read aloud.
Listen now to a story old
Of time that Dread Mt’zen did lurk
When Mundo knew but dark and cold
And good would flee from evil work
Until the day a hero came
A face of angel, hair black as coal
From him, they say, justice rained
His power great from purest soul
As night arrived with blackest moon
The players came and on stage did met
Tentacled death faced wielder of boom
While hope hung in wait, air filled with fret
Dominique continued to recite the poetic reasoning behind her arrival, when there was a sudden stop. The intermission had arrived right in time for Guinness, who had nodded off somewhere around the thirtieth stanza. Dominique laid the book on the ground and cautiously rose to her feet. Her eyes widened, as she stared with her mouth hung agape. Guinness peeked behind to see what had caught the knight’s attention. There standing in all his exaggerated glory was the man Dominique had searched for her entire life, Alaric Godking.
Dominique placed her hands over her flushed cheeks and squealed. “It’s just like the story books. Mighty Alaric, the righteous protector of the weak. Defender of God’s Will, Slayer of Mt’zen, Savior of a Thousand. I can’t believe it, it’s just like the story books. As powerful as he is handsome…”
As Dominique droned on about Alaric’s many titles and qualities, Guinness waved to her mentor and travelling companion. She noticed, however, that Dominique wasn’t the only new face in their presence. A tiny brown puppy had wandered over to Alaric and yelped to gain his attention.
Alaric peered down at the miniscule fur ball licking his boot. The animal looked playfully into Alaric’s blue eyes. Its wide infant gaze begged for love and affection.
Alaric replied, at first with a scowl, and then pulled back his heavy boot with devious intent. “You’re in my way.”
The puppy flew far into the afternoon sky, as Alaric’s foot came down as a rather heavy kick. Guinness sighed and left the “Hero of Ages” to admire the distance of his punt, while his new number one fan continued to stare in complete amazement.
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