FalconCline

Lord

3 DAYS LATER; AUG. 18th

ERRISA POV

As I finish flattening the new path I made for the village a drop of sweat falls off my face. Zackery walks up to me. "Did you... did you do all of this?" He asks, I stand up and wipe off my face. "Yes! I did, uh, I'm sorry did you not want-," He shakes his head. "No-! I uh, I think it's nice, you did awesome, I actually wanted to thank you," Zackery says. "You're welcome! I like to spruce up places so, it was more of a habit than anything," Zackery nods. "You've been doing so well since you first came here, I'm glad. Mister Zein would be happy," I look at him confused. "Who?" Zachary's gaze drifts away from me. "He was..." Zackery starts.

"The old lord, and the leader of the knights on top of that," Zackery says, and give a small smile. "Apologies, I didn't know," I say, Zackery shakes his head. "It's not your fault, I wouldn't expect you to know about our lord. You didn't even know this place existed before Zayden," I nod. "Yeah, that's also true," I say, he nods. I can tell from his words the leader meant alot to him. "How did he pass?" I ask. "I uhm, I failed to protect him when the village was under attack by him, and he killed Sir Zein," Zackery says, I frown, 'Does he blame himself? I mean, it's the lords fault for not fending for himself against him. Wait, who is 'him'?' I snap out of my train of thought and look to Zackery. "Who is 'him'?" I ask, Zackery has a confused look on his face. "You don't know who he is?" I shake my head.

"He's known as the Shadow Seeker because he primarily attacks at night," I nod. "He also only kills lords, it's believed that he does this so the villages become so weak that they need a new all controlling lord, we cannot let this happen," I nod. "Oh, apologies, I meant I can't let this happen, you are only staying here for a limited time anyways," I nod. "But if this guy comes back I'll definitely help you out, I'm a pretty good swordsman thanks to my father," Zackery nods. "Well, that is greatly appreciated lady Errisa," I give a soft smile. Zackery gives a smile back and walks off. "I'll be on my way lady Errisa," I nod and head to my house.

There standing on the side is someone whom I haven't seen before, their eyes are covered by a shadow, blonde hair covering their face, tanned skin, black armor, but some things off. It's the way they look, they seem almost transparent. I walk up to them. "Hello?" Silence. "Hello there?" More silence. "Uh, excuse me, you're by my house can you tell me who you are?" I ask politely. "Take care of FalconCline for me," I shake my head. "..What?" I ask. "Take care of Zackery, he's too hard on himself," I shake my head. "Well of course but-," "Become the next lord, Errisa," I shake my head. "No, no, no. I can't be I-," "Yes you can. Do it, Errisa," I shake my head. "Who even are you!? And why are you transparent?" A smile creeps onto his face. "Zein." I shake my head. "He's dead!" 'Zein' nods. "Exactly, be a good lord, Errisa," I look down. "What do you mean!? I'm only staying here for a little longer I-," "Ahaha, Errisa, are you going crazy? Who are you talking to?" I look back to see Zayden walking up the hill. "No I'm not look-!" I look back to see the man disappeared.

"You're insane, Errisa!" A few laughs escape Zayden. "I swear someone was here. He said his name was Zein but that can't be true I-," "Ooh~! Risa was visited by a ghost? Wow sounds horrific," I glare at Zayden. "Shut up," He starts laughing. I facepalm. "What did this spirit tell you anyways?" I sigh. "He told me to become lord and take care of Zackery," Zayden snaps out of his laughing fit and looks at me plainly. "He said what? How would you even become lord in such little time?" I roll my eyes. "That's what I'm trying to figure out!" I respond. "And even if I did become lord, this place wouldn't be under much protection," Zayden nods. "Yeah! And you would have to leave your parents forever!" I shake my head at that thought. I love my mom and dad, parting with them would be horrible. "Speaking of them, have you crystal called recently?" I shake my head. "Well, I dialed but they won't pick up, I'm actually starting to get worried," Zayden sighs and rolls his eyes. "If anything bad were to happen one of your parents friends would contact you," I nod. "You're right... but what if-." Zayden cuts me off with a loud "UGH," and makes eye contact with me. "Stop saying what if unless you want those things to be true," Zayden says, I nod.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Zayden decides to leave and waves goodbye. Now I'm left here with my thoughts. I walk back inside. That whole thing with the 'spirit' of sorts is messing with my head. Why me? Why would he choose me to be lord in this case? I'm nothing but a traveler. If I were lord I'd almost never be here for the village. I haven't even stayed at home for longer than a month since I was sixteen! So staying in this place for a while just wouldn't make sense. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. I get snapped out of my thoughts. I get up and go answer the door.

It's Nage. "Look, I couldn't help but hear your little conversation with Zayden. You shouldn't mock our lord's death like that," I glare at him. "I wasn't, it actually happened! Nobody believes me," Nage rolls his eyes. "Yeah because it wouldn't. Why would the spirit of a past lord come here and tell you to be lord. Even if that did happen, why would you decline it? That would be so disrespectful," I sigh. "I'm not trying to be disrespectful, I just don't stay in one place, I move around often," I respond. "Well maybe that was your sign to stay in one place," Nage says. "If I were to stay in one place I would stay at home, Nage," Nage breaks our eye contact and looks away. "Maybe this could be your home if you tried," Nage turns and leaves. It couldn't be, my home is Phoenix Drop. It always will be.

Suddenly, my crystal appears, someone's calling. I immediately pick up. "Mom? Dad?" I ask. "Nope, Travis," I give a small laugh. "Oh, what do you need, Uncle Travis?" He sighs through the phone. "And incident has come up in a village nearby meaning your parents went to go and try to help resolve the issue, I wanted to let you know, kiddo," I laugh. "Uncle Travis! I'm 23 now, I'm not a kid," He laughs. "I know I know, so how's FalconCline?" I look up. "Well, it's been quite eventful..." I say. "How so?" Uncle Travis asks. "Well..." I start. "Do you believe in spirits Uncle Trav?" He laughs. "You'd bet I do, why? What's wrong, Errisa?" He asks. "Well, I think I came into contact with a spirit of the deceased lord here," Uncle Travis goes silent. "Was he violent?" His voice seems deeper and more concerned. "No?"

"Did he say anything to you?" Travis asks. "I..." I start. "Errisa you need to tell me, this is important," I shake my head. "Yes, he said to take care of Zackery and to become the lord," Silence again. "A past lord specifically told you to become the lord?" I sigh. "Yes," Travis sighs. "Then become the lord, Errisa," Uncle Travis said. "But-!" I start but get cut off. "No, if he told you to become lord it means you must have some sort of potential, please, listen to the spirit. Now, I need to go, love you kiddo, bye." The crystal disappears. Once again I'm left with being told to become the lord. What am I going to do?