What Once Was

Steptine: Jericho

"I'm not happy." Steptine stood on his balcony, surveying his small kingdom. Orion attempted to match his endless glare, but never could. After all, Orion was only the second in command. "Why are you unhappy Sir?" Steptine sighed. "Lisa. She's acting strange. She's acting...in love." "Why should that worry you?" Orion asked. "Because she hadn't told who he is, which means he'll be someone I don't approve of." Orion leaned against the balcony rail and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Sir, you must not assume so much. Girls don't ever tell their fathers about their love interests. You could always just ask her." "No, no. She'd never tell me then. Speaking of love, when will you choose your bride?" Orion shrugged. "I haven't taking a fancy to anyone yet." Steptine smiled, knowing that Orion wouldn't have the least bit of trouble attracting a girl. He was young and classically handsome, the exact opposite of himself. Orion was tanned skinned and dark eyed, with a ponytail in his short brown hair and a beard on his square jaw. Steptine was old, with unkept stubble and steel rimmed glasses. His gray hair flopped around his face, and the skin under his eyes sagged to his cheekbones. Marcus Steptine, however, already had a wife, the elegant Helen Steptine, so he truly didn't care much of his looks.

Steptine frowned at the figures far below the balcony. "Have you heard the rumors Orion?" Orion rubbed his beard, a gesture he executed when in thought. "About the rebellion leader, yeah. There has been talk for sure." "Funny. You haven't mentioned it." Orion flipped around, leaning on the rail. "I saw graffiti today. That's when I really recognized it." "Graffiti? What was it?" Orion stared at his elder. "It just said Jericho. Meant nothing to me, but graffiti always means something, especially if he took the risk of punishment." Steptine's eyes narrowed. "When the men gave a large shout, the wall collapsed..." He mumbled under his breath. "What was that?" Steptine leaned back on the balcony with Orion, his back to his magnificent city. "Jericho was a city in a very ancient book, that was surrounded by a giant wall. A spirit helped a group of men collapse the walls of Jericho and they took the city. This revolutionary must be a smart man. Start in the library." Orion walked to the balcony door and glanced over his shoulder. Steptine glared out of his balcony like a king, a scowl plastered on his face. Orion gave a small smirk as he snapped the door shut.