𝔻𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥: 𝕆𝕗 𝕄𝕚𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕤, 𝕄𝕖𝕟 𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕒𝕝 𝔾𝕠𝕕𝕤

Chapter Two: Oro

Chapter Two:

ORO

  The Mead whispered to him in a coarse and ancient tongue. Its vast ocean waters spoke of massive ships and the sails they flew, of the sailors that docked and the slaves that followed. Its snarling symphony was all he could savour atop the watchtowers, aside from the twisting hues of sunset.

"The eye and the cloak," Oro heard a voice behind him."That is what you stewards call it, no?" It belonged to a veteran of forty-eight years. "Only on days end when the skies become a battlefield for the Einherjar," the steward in him said. "do we call it so, Galleon."

Galleon was old for his work. From the look of him, it was hard to tell where his wrinkles began and the scars ended. The once blonde of his youth retreated into wisps of balding grey. Yet his beard grew wild and frivolous, reaching to his waist. Where below it hung the signature backsword of the militia with a curved blade, adorned with the head of a manticore on the pommel.

"It's a bother you stewards speak in riddles or the war would have already been won." the veteran jested. "I never chose to be a steward, you know." words the captain had repeated many times before.

"You've been sitting up here for hours," Oro was told. "It's unlike the city captain to fill in for someone else's duty." Galleon said snarkily. "I'm not filling in for anyone," Oro replied. "besides, I can ask you the same." gazing a quizzical gaze.

"We are receiving comrades from the southern cities today or did you forget?" Galleon reminded him. "I hear they are returning from a raid on the enemy coast,"

"Then how many raids, no, how many battles have you fought in your day, Galleon?" putting the veteran to the question like swordpoint. "What brought this about?" asking him instead. "Curiosity, might be?" but that was not enough to satisfy. "Have you grown weary of it?" his captain continued.

For a moment, it was silent even with gulls squawking, it was silence all the same. Staring into the sunset that twisted from red to russet as if searching for an answer in the clouds. "Are you asking as a friend or as my captain?" finally breaking the tension.

"As your captain."

"Very well," sighing, the veteran continued. "When you get to where I am, battles begin to weaken you in both mind and body." Galleon began. "all that lingers is war." The answer is no then... Good. Oro lingered on the thought. "You need not lose yourself in raids and battles, captain," the veteran advised. "manning the harbours of Lhnir is a battle in and of itself," Quiet work is what it is... He wanted to tell him but held his tongue.

"Galleon," Oro spoke out. "do you know how I came to my position without a single battle?" He asked the veteran who shook his head at the words. Gesturing for Galleon to approach, the veteran did as he was bid, leaning forward to lend his captain an ear. "My blood is worth its weight in gold,"

"My family has powerful allies within enemy walls, spies and all sorts. One might be listening to us speak at this very moment." taking the time to inspect the walls around them. "but this is nothing they do not already know." pulling away with a certain sternness to his voice.

"Captain," but Galleon seemed to be unsure of his words.

"Nevermind, forget whatever you heard today. I am sure we do not want to keep the lieutenant waiting." peering over the parapets to see a march of mounted soldiers and charioteers riding out the deck of the floating fortress. The vessel was a spectacle of Gulljoric craftsmanship. Banners dyed burgundy boasted a manticore standing on its hind legs with a scimitar in its jaws. Its oars stroked against the waves like feathery wings of timber.