The Returning War (A Songs of War fanfic)

Part 1: Chapter 27

A/N: Hi, this is Zeira. If you are reading this congrats, you are over halfway done part 1, you only have 2 and a half parts left to go. If you are reading this please comment and tell me either your favorite and least favorite characters, or your favorite and least favorite part so I can see how many people are actually reading this

Ria huffed angrily as she exited the small shop

"Didn't go so well?" Asked Val

"That guy calls himself a healer!" Shouted Ria "he's nothing more then a cheep con artist! He had the audacity to try to sell me dirt!"

"So he won't help us?"

"No. And I'm almost glad of that!"

"What do we do now? Go back to the base?"

Ria sighed and scratched her head "no, there are A few more shops that may help us"

Val shrugged and followed Ria towards A large shop nearby

"Why are we here? I mean in Tartus, we might find better help in Conchord or Cydonia" questioned Val

"Yes, but it would be easier to be noticed in the other kingdoms. Magrnorites are stubborn creatures and prefer to guard their territories themselvs and not have a bunch of other people in their territory" answered Ria

Ria knocked on the door of the shop. It was opened by a blue haired Felina

"What do you want?" Grumbled Keira "you better not be selling cookies"

"Uhh...why would we be selling cookies?" Asked Val

"No clue. If you aren't selling cookies why are you here hmmm?"

"I'm Val and this is Ria; we are part of The Knights of Ardonia and heard you aren't particularly fond of how 'The New Leader' is running things..."

"And you wanted to recruit me?"

"Yes"

"No"

"Why not?"

"I can't fight, I have enough trouble running a business"

Ria sighed "is there anyone who you think might be interested in joining?"

Keira scratched her chin thoughtfully for a moment "no one who would join you without much persuasion, but I know a guy; he runs A farm in Felden, and he is fairly good with A sword. But he is odd, and some theorize he is crazy. And he probably is"

"What is his name?"

"Uhh...I think it's Xaria...but he won't take kindly to strangers trespassing in his land"

"Thanks...uh..."

"Keira, but most people just call me 'That Crazy Lunatic who won't shut up about dragons'"

"Keira is definitely easier to say"

"Yes, now good day...I really need to stop associating myself with wanted criminals"

"Can you perhaps show us where your freind is?"

~~~

I stalked through the forest of Felden towards my home; my arms were laden with new supplies. Once I reached my farm I sighed, my fence had been broken...again. I really need to throw my neighbors off A cliff. I mean I might be a little odd, but that doesn't give people right to to break into my farm...does it? I walked into my tiny but comfortable house and laid my supplies on a small table

"Alright" I growled "I know you're here, if you show yourself I may consider letting you live"

A frightened squeak erupted from a cupboard, I yanked the door open and growled at the short balding man who had crammed himself into the tiny space

"Uhh...hi...please don't kill me" whimpered the man

"Give me a reason not to, Nern" I growled

"Uhh...I... Uhh..."

"Give me one!"

Nern shrank back. I grabbed the collar of his shirt and dragged him out of the cupboard and dumped him in his nearby farm

I returned to my house and sat down at my table. I stared at the wall blankly lost in memories of...A noise from outside broke my musings. I grabbed my sword and walked outside

"Come out, I know you're there" I hissed

Two Ardoni and a Felina stepped into view

I squinted to get a better look at them, I was never really good at seeing in the light, I have always preferred the night "who are you?"

The Felina stepped forwards, she looked vaguely familiar

"Hi, I'm Keira" she said "you might remember me, we occasionaly do business together"

"That doesn't give you right to trespass"

"Well how else are we to speak to you?"

"What do you want?"

One of the Ardoni stepped forwards "I'm Ria, and I am the leader of The Knights of Ardonia. Keira says you are good with a blade"

I rolled my eyes "So?"

"We were wondering if you'd consider joining us"

"No"

"Why not"

"It is not my desire, anyways you wouldn't want me after two minutes; I'm not the friendliest person around"

"I've recruited worse"

"Really, you can't get much worse then me. Maybe The Deathsinger is worse. But then again he was pretty bad"

The second Ardoni leaned over and whispered in Ria's ear. Ria nodded

"And in why do you say you are not suited for this?" Pressed Ria

"I did help lay siege to Felden ten years ago" I half whispered

"So you're A Necromancer?"

"If you wish to think that then do so, but The Necromancers no longer exist"

"But you were one?"

The second Ardoni growled "good, then we don't have to recruit you"

"Good, then leave"

Keira ruffled her long hair thoughtfully "Xaria, I know you have a past that may deter you from wishing to be around people, but Ardonia needs help; we being forced under the rule of a tyranical monster. If you won't fight for what you believe who will? If even one person stands up for what they believe they could change the world"

"So? Many others have stood up for the right thing, why do I have to? I'm content living my mundane life"

"There is something about standing up for what you believe, it gives you a sense of purpose, A meaning for life. Ria was just a young Ardoni living an unremarkable life till The Voltaris attacked her home. She decided then to start The Knights of Ardonia. She is the only reason The Second Great War didn't end terribly. She became The Tidesinger, she rallied anyone she could and changed the outcome of the war"

"And I'm not going to start an army to protest something that hasn't effected me in the slightest"

"But it could. We need everyone"

"We? You decided to join this wild escapade? I thought you have better judgment"

"Exactly, I think I hit my head really hard. So you'll help us?"

I rolled my eyes "nope"

"If you don't I'll throw you off a cliff"

"And how are you going to do that?"

"Uhhhhhhhhh...I don't know"

"I don't care where you come from" began Ria "you have clearly changed your ways and I would be honored to have you join us"

I opened my mouth to protest but Ria stoped me

"Just think about it, I'll come back in a week and ask you again then. And if not could you at least provide us with food and herbs?"

I closed my eyes for a few seconds "I'll help you if you attempt to recruit some friends of mine, their names are Niika and Lucan"