Freelands

VIII. VENGEANCE ON A COLD BODY

3. The Deer

Hardrow

The next Morning in Hardrow all flags are down on the middle of their poles. Gone are the happy playing children on the streets and the women doing the laundry on the balconies. The whole city mourns for the death of its King. It has been announced early in the dawn that Rex Serus Magister has passed away, succumbed to his disease.

In the palace Marcus, Lorenso and the entire court of Hardrow are present and the people leave gifts to Serus' vase of ash. All around the vase which stands on a marble surface are white lillies and some gold coins left by citizens. They leave their gifts to the dead and bow to their new leader.

As this happens Marcus and Lorenso are in the middle of silent, whispering argument.

"They won't like the fact that we incinerated him. We could had done the plan I told you." Marcus says.

"Steal some elder man's corpse and name him Serus Magister? Now this is something straight out from a myth with incest families and brothers killing each other." Lorenso answers.

"Our story isn't any different than those. Students killing their own teacher who happens to be a king of the most advanced city in the world..."

"Shut up idiot. You don't want to be heard!" Lorenso answers while giving a tap on his back. The people who pass to bow look a little puzzled by what's going on but they don't suspect anything and move on.

"Do you think we will see any Hail from Hierydor today?" Lorenso asks.

"Seriously I have no idea. Iudex Gere, Hails' palace royal assistant, told me that Lance Hail, their future king is in an expedition, and his brother, who is a very big fan of Serus, busy with his brother corronation. It would be no suprise of we see none of them today." Marcus says and then turns back to Lorenso to tell him something in secret.

"Contagious disease is what he caught and we had to incinerate Rex Serus. This is what we tell to his family."

"Let's hope they will eat it and not have to tell them the bitter truth." Lorenso says.

"We need brother Hails on our side, they are the closest ally we have that can help us defeat the Tyrrants. Not only that, as long as the Elder Queen is alive in the Icelands, she has the right to put or pull whoever she wishes from ruling this city. Absolutely need her by our side." Marcus says and turns back to his people who keep bowing him and then exiting the palace one by one in a huge queue.

From all the wishes they give him two words stand out the most to him.

"Hail Marcus Magister!"

"May Rex Marcus Magister bring prosperity!"

"Marcus Magister!"

Marcus Magister, that new name he is given makes him both proud of himself and a little stressed on the responsibility he holds over the city. How could you not be when you are taking control of the most populous and big city in the Freelands? The place where the conquest against the Theeran Empire will begin?

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Somewhere near Goldengate

The Boar and Vinco have been travelling all night long on their horses Vinco appears to be following him in silence whereas the Boar hasn't stopped a minute talking since leaving Hierydor.

"...And then that fucking prince comes in like he is some kind of king! How dare he! He who doesn't know from.which family I come from and the fact I've fought people he haven't seen in his worst nightmares! My feet have stepped through all the lands in the world where as his not a foot away from his rooten palace!" He monologs while taking heavy dips from a big flask of wine he has been like this all through the night and even now it is midday.

"Are we getting near, boss? We've been walking forever!" Vinco asks him clearly starting to lose his patience.

"Oh Victor. Me, you and Corax have been together since we were up north.  After all these years you start losing faith on ME? Corax is surely a man playing on both sides who claims to be on ours, you need your back safe with this man, but I have never done anything to prove you I'm not trustworthy!" The Boar answers.

"Also... I forgot to tell you, you were gone to Hardrow with your friend and afterwards that all... Situation happened. The Bastard is dead." He says.

"Vert is dead?" Vinco asks suprised.

"I'm suprised that you're suprised! Yes, he was found murdered in his brothel in Cliffside. I ordered Feidias Nemesis to pick up any girls who didn't escape in time and take them to his place in Andros. He is already sailing back home I believe!"

"We are getting less." Vinco says in frustration.

"Don't tell me you are missing The Deer! You are the kindest evil person I've ever seen! Dropping poison in Lance Hail's wine and had the guts to stay with his family for so long. Most people would call someone doing that a psycopath, but I on the other hand, understand why you couldn't leave." The Boar says.

"I don't even know why I couldn't leave that easily. I even risked being recognized by Marcus back in Hardrow. It was stupid." Vinco answers back.

"Marcus probably doesn't even remember my face, he who literally kicked me out of the city, off some carriage. Hahahaha, the bastards that rule on those lands!" Boar says and takes a sip from the flask finding out he finally emptied it. He exhales in disappointment and after cleaning his mouth he tosses the flask away.

"I don't have another one if you ask." Vinco says.

"No I'll be fine. They say too much wine and beer kills! Haven't you heard?" The Boar says and cracks on his own joke, clearly drunk.

Time passes and they are still walking on an open field, soon they reach the coastline on a high ground. Vinco recognizes the land instantly as he can see yet another land on the opposite. They are at the thieves' Sea.

"I have a suspicion where you want to go, boss. Is it surely wise?" Vinco asks guessing it is Goldengate where they go.

"You are so clever, aren't you Victor? Yet intelligence needs knowledge and without it you make stupid decisions."

"Lucio Boreallis this is the key to the city. I asked Corax to look some documents on him and found out he was a highly acclaimed general. He had some disagreements with Loreena Viriallis about marrying her young daughter, back then. His relationship with Ricardo Viriallis weren't the best either. Let's not bother you with boring Viriallis history, he will help us with the resistance against the royal family and Master Crow."

"Corax is under a lot of trouble by Cynnon Theeras and the rebels already. Now he has to worry about the anti-everyone rebels?" Vinco aks but their talk stops at a magnificent and weird sight.

It is an outpost surrounded by wooden walls just before the hill that leads to Goldengate begins. The towers are heavily guarded and some heavy siege weapons peak out of the short walls. What is more strange and suprising to Vinco is the banners have the sigil of the Boar.

They both stop and look at the improvished fort in awe. Boar steps down from his horse and they both start walking towards it.

As they are getting closer the gates suddenly open for them and Lucio Boreallis steps out to welcome them himself. Everyone claps and bows to Boar coming near the gates. The horns can also be heard spreading the good news.

"Master Boar and his respected pathner! We Welcome you two to Fort Vindicta! The foundation for the most historic day in Goldengate History!"

The Boar looks the many soilders and  the engines and knows that he will surely now make a real impact in the city. He grins in an evil smile as he enters the fort's gates.

[The Boar's Story will continue on Unit 8]

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