All Of Us - Part 1: Summer

Chapter 3 - First Fight

- Dæor -

I can't stop thinking about the Princess. With her in my hand, I have the entire world at my feet... including the King. A smile creeps its way to my lips. This day went really well. A successful battle, a priceless hostage, a throne reduced to ashes... And to top it all off, we have a little crown worth about half of Epoh. My grin spreads slyly.

Evangeline... I did not expect her to be that tall. She is my height. I guess I imagined her as a petite, delicate, nimble young lady, frail, weak and frightened like the child I saw all of those years ago. But the girl I saw today was strong and pig-headedly proud. She tried to sneer us down, back there. But that attitude of hers won't last for long. That's for certain.

I also didn't think she would be half as beautiful. I knew that she was an albino, but I thought it would be an overlookable flaw; I couldn't have been more wrong. She is as pale as snow, from head to toe, the only exception being her two bright red eyes, exacerbated by the color of the massive ruby on the top of her head. Her white dress subtly highlights her curves without making them obvious, whilst her long hair sweeps down till it caressed her lower back and curves around her hands, so bravely set on her hips in a show of defiance. I chuckle out loud. She has no idea of what  is coming for her.

I bend forwards and stroke my mount's neck. "Pretty good day, no ?" I ask the mare. She bobs her head as if in reply. "Good girl," I murmur. I rise and sigh deeply. With the success of today, I am closer than ever to reaching my goal: killing the King, tearing the monarchy apart, and climbing to power.

"So ? Ready to make the world a better place, D ?"

I huff in annoyance. "I already told you a thousand times not to call me that , Keiti." I don't bother turning my head; I know with certainty that she's grinning devilishly, her yellow clothing vibrant under the early Spring sun. She only wears this color on the battlefield, just as Gail dressed in dark green every time she goes to fight. Lino and I, on the other hand, always dress in blue and black, respectively.

"Huh ? I don't see what you're talking about, D."

"Whatever."

She snickers. "Today was awesome. Great job, D." I don't bother replying. I know it was a good day. Keiti speaks up again: "What's the plan, then ?"

"Whatta ya mean ?"

"Well, the Princess. We just took the most prized gal in all of Methron - please tell me you have a plan."

"Of course I do, Keiti. Please don't underestimate me, dear."

"Thought I asked you not to call me dear."

"An eye for an eye, dearest." She growls whilst I smirk.

"The plan is to keep her at the base for a while, even after the King signals to us that he is ready to discuss. A couple of weeks, a couple of months ? I don't know yet. But after a while, so that they start missing her and get worried. That way, they'll be ready to pay a higher price when the ransom comes."

I pause, reveling in all the future delights this Princess will bring us.

"Do you know why she was there ? I mean, isn't the big migration of the Court to the Summer Palace supposed to happen in July ?"

"Dunno. All Ian told me was that they found her in a carriage with a noblewoman and a Guard. For whatever reason, they were most likely trying to reach the Palace. We must be the luckiest bastards in Methron," I add, sardonic. She laughs and nods in reply.

We ride for a while in silence, simply enjoying the peace and birds. The crismon of the leaves is stunning. They bud and unfurl in every corner of this darned forest. Like a call for blood.