War of the Land

Chapter 3

Time, 6:15 a.m. The next day.

Within a dream

IronBlade stood in a field of green, looking around to see the wavey grass blow in the breeze. IronBlade turned to look beyond a hill, only to see more green. He turned back around, brought to a scorched land. IronBlade moved forward, seeing the remnants of swords and armor. IronBlade shook his head to see if he was asleep but was stopped when an arrow pierced his chest, falling to the ground. He coughed blood, falling to his knees and turning to see who had struck him. He saw a black womanly figure, pure darkness. IronBlade tried to squint at the bust to try and figure them out, but a sword met his neck, his vision tumbling as his head was free from his body.

Dream End.

The sounds of birds and chatter fill the room as IronBlade opens one eye, peering around the room to collect his state of mind. He looked to his left to see Fluffy sleeping soundly against the bar counter and Zane sleeping at a little booth to the left of Fluffy. IronBlade rubbed his eyes and looked to his right to see Axel, also sound asleep at a table with Kylo next to him, also say asleep. He stretched and sat up, looking around the bar, seeing the barkeep walk in and laugh at his friends. "You four are a mess!" the man exclaimed as he began to wipe down the bar counter. IronBlade sat up, losing his balance momentarily but kept himself up and walked forward to the bar counter, kicking Fluffy's leg, waking him from his slumber. "Sorry about that, Mr. Heine," IronBlade said, cracking his neck. "Ah, I can't kick out my favorite customers! Besides, Kylo would have my hide if I did," he joked, handing IronBlade a mug of water. IronBlade nodded thanks as he sipped it, turning to see Fluffy stand and stretch, also taking a seat next to him. "What happened last night?" Fluffy asked, rubbing his eyes. IronBlade laughed at his friend's hangover. "Not sure entirely. You and Axel drank the place dry," IronBlade joked. Fluffy began to panic, looking between IronBlade and the bartender. "I-I-I... Did we??" Fluffy asked, digging into his pocket for some money. "I don't have much! But I'll do my best to pay you!" Fluffy said, setting only a few coins on the counter. The bartender laughed and put Fluffy's coins in front of him. Fluffy looked at the man with confusion, seeing his laughter and smile. "There's no need to pay me, Fluffy. You four would make this place dull if I had to make you pay for your every attendance!" the man said with a smile, cleaning more of the mugs on the counter. "But, it would be appreciated if you cleaned up the place a bit," the man said, motioning the mess the four left. IronBlade rubbed the back of his neck, looking around to see Zane begin to wake with a yawn. "Yeah. We'll uh, We'll help clean," IronBlade said with a nervous chuckle.

King Leonardo sits in his bedroom, sipping tea with his wife next to him and his servants, Reyl and Lysander, on each side of him. He set the teacup down and sighed grief. "Are you alright, sir?" Reyl asked melancholy. Leonardo looks to the Elf and smiles. "Just tired, Reyl, thank you for asking," he said, turning to his wife and smiling more. "Are you really alright, dear?" Thalia asked, moving towards him and putting a hand on his shoulder. Leonardo accepted the touch and grabbed her hand and kissed it, making her smile at him. "I want all this to end. I want my father's and my grandfather's mistakes to come to an end," he said as he stood, hugging her. "It will, I promise, Leo," she replied, hugging him back. Just as the two embraced, a young boy entered, dressed in rags. His red eyes met the two and walked forward to them shyly. Leonardo caught the boy's gaze and raised a brow at him. "Kyle? What're you doing here?" he asked, letting go of Thalia and kneeling. "The uh... The Magi wishes to hold a meeting to discuss further actions for today; regarding the ceremony," the boy asked. Leonardo's expression turned from curious to sad, and he let his head droop. "Granted," Leonardo said as he pulled out a small pouch of coins and gave it to the boy. "Don't spend it all in one place," he winked, and the boy's expression turned into excitement. Kyle hugged Leonardo, causing him to laugh and return the hug, and Kyle ran out of the room, leaving the four with a smile on their faces.