Lovers End

Chapter One: Part One

The Kingdom of Luminara unfolded in all its regal splendor. Perched high on the precipice of a rugged rock cliff, sitting nestled against the rocky face of Mount Elrod. Towers punctuated the skyline, adorned with resplendent tapestries and flags of regal red and gold,. On clear days, when the clouds weren't as low surrounding the mountain, the majestic sight of massive dragons patrolling the skies above could be seen-ominous silhouettes serving as a constant reminder of vigilance and protection. Below the cliff, the valley was cleaved in twain by a winding river that gracefully flowed towards the expansive lake. This valley once bore witness to the remnants of Asatus, a once-proud kingdom that dared to challenge the might of Luminara for more land. The castle, now reduced to rubble, stood as a solemn testament to the consequences of such audacity. Yet, amid the ruins, resilient souls persisted, eking out an existence in a kingdom fractured and broken for years.

Seated at the very edge of the cliff, her legs dangling over the precipice, a young girl adorned in a powdered grey dress observed the panoramic view. Stains resembling flour and mysterious marks tainted her skirt. She tossed white Jasmine petals into the breeze, watching them linger in the wind before disappearing below. Beside her, a deer luxuriously basked in the sunlight. "You know you shouldn't make such a long trek up the mountain; you always get stuck up here, and I have to help you down," she chided with a playful tone, her voice carrying a feigned annoyance.

The valley below, once a battleground between kingdoms, now hosted a thriving menagerie of life. Nature had reclaimed the overgrown ruins, and various creatures had made it their home. The Bison, however, still roamed freely in the open fields around the mountain base, unwittingly working in favor of the kingdom. Her mismatched eyes-one dark green, the other a light blue-shifted upward, mirroring the curious gaze of the deer, as a voice resonated from the kingdom walls not far off, interrupting the tranquility. "Aurora!" Her father called, beckoning her to return. The brief respite in the sun was over, and duty called. With a smile, she acknowledged her father's call. "Coming, father." Aurora gave the deer's head a pet.

"You wait till nightfall, and I'll return you to your home," she promised, standing and making her way through the wheat fields. As she walked, her fingertips grazed the tall plants, and a shimmer of light reflecting off metal pulled her attention toward another mountain perch far off in the distance. It might have been inconspicuous to someone else, but a smile hinted at her lips, knowing full well what it was. Aurora picked up her pace, eager to reach her father sooner.

 "Agh!" Theodore shouted as Emeric skillfully dodged an attempted attack. Emeric's laughter mingled with the sounds of their swords clashing, echoing through the warm breeze. They practiced in their favorite spot on top of the mountain, a place they had frequented for years, knowing the mountain and the land like the back of their hands by now. "Be more nimble, Theodore! Your movements are too rigid," Emeric advised, smoothly dodging yet another thrust with seasoned grace.

To be fair, Theodore was a formidable figure, boasting a broad chest and bulging muscles that necessitated a specially tailored suit for his armor. In contrast, Emeric, though well-built with a toned chest and muscles of his own, possessed a leaner frame, allowing him to move with more agility. Emeric pressed forward, executing a series of swift sword swings. Theodore, focused on defense, found himself off-balance when Emeric strategically knocked his leg. The result was inevitable - Theodore stumbled and hit the ground. Emeric, towering over him, blocked the sunlight as he held his sword menacingly at Theodore's neck. "Oh, piss off," Theodore grumbled, pushing the sword away.

Emeric chuckled, sheathing his weapon. As best friends who grew up within the castle walls, Theodore was the sole confidant of Emeric's true identity as a prince. It was mandatory as a knight for Theodore to follow along in case something happened in the city. Even if no one knew the face of the prince - Emeric was still a prince. As far as anyone in the village knew, Emeric was just another Knight. Extending a hand, Emeric helped Theodore up just as a familiar paternal voice wafted up from somewhere below. With a soft smile, Emeric proposed, "Shall we get a drink to soothe your sorrows?"

"You're buying," Theodore insisted with a smirk.

"Like I always do," Emeric replied, falling into step beside him as they descended the rocky steps back to the kingdom walls. The destination? Their favorite tavern that held a special place in both their hearts for more reasons than one.

Back below, Aurora made her way through the massive entrance that had been cut into the stone of the kingdom's walls. Its large, dark ebony wood doors were open for most of the day, but come sundown, they were closed and heavily guarded. The reason for such precautions remained a perpetual mystery to Aurora, as she never perceived any tangible threat. Nonetheless, this peculiar routine never deterred her from slipping out through the grates, ingeniously designed to prevent flooding during the spring thaw.

"Daydreaming with that fawn again, my girl?" Her father asked, joining her at the entrance. They meandered through bustling streets adorned with various vendors peddling their wares, intermingled with animated conversations among both nobles and commoners. "What else am I to do with my free time when I'm not serving loud, obnoxious men?" Aurora retorted, playfully bumping her father's arm. Passersby responded with warm smiles, their attention predominantly directed at her father.

"Franklin, save me a seat at the bar tonight. We want a magic show, Aurora!" a man hollered, prompting a nod from her father. Aurora, however, maintained a stoic silence, a tinge of annoyance evident. Being treated as mere entertainment was a familiar occurrence; she stood as one of the scant mystical beings remaining in the kingdom. Nineteen years earlier, the realm had been teeming with such beings, until Asatus's assault rendered them unwelcome.

Aurora's journey from being a laughingstock to gaining acceptance was a lengthy one. As an orphan taken in by a man she now called her father, she carried the added complexity of mystical blood. However, after a particular day when a group of kids left her in tears, her father decided he had had enough. The specifics of what transpired that day were unknown to Aurora, but following that incident, children no longer bothered her, and neither did their parents, nor anyone else. Her father had enough respect from the public that they wouldn't step to him, at least not to his face.

"Don't pay them any mind; they mean no harm. They just appreciate your talent. You're very adept with that light thing... whatever it's called," Franklin attempted to assuage the fiery expression in his daughter's eyes, eliciting a genuine smile from her. "I know I am," she asserted matter-of-factly.

They reached the tavern in the middle of the city in their own time, her father turning the closed sign to open. "You closed up just to find me?" Aurora queried, grabbing the apron she had left hanging at the entrance, the door propped open. "What, am I not allowed to take a break? Ah, here they come." Franklin stationed himself by the door as Aurora confidently took her place behind the bar, a mischievous smirk adorning her lips. At least she would reunite with her lovely knight soon enough.

Aurora tied her long, unruly hair into a messy low bun, a reflection of its untamable nature. The patrons flowed in like the ale from the barrels lining the taproom, where metal mugs dangled. Her father maneuvered through the familiar crowd, taking table orders, while she remained behind the bar—a precaution against the handsy tendencies that emerged after a few beers.