Rutabaga Scrapped Book

Shining (Of Mice & Men)

Started June 2016

Aaron Pauley, Captain of King Valentino's Own. One of his highness's most powerful, and favorite, soldiers. The King's Champion. He was highly regarded throughout the nation, one of the countries favorites. Also, one of the kingdom's most eligible bachelors.

He had soft brown hair that fell below his broad shoulders. His face had a bit of facial hair, making him look older, seeing as it hid his baby face. He had changed a lot from the last time she had saw him. He was stronger, smarter, taller, and older. But what always gave him away was his carmel eyes.

They gave away his emotions, his true wants, and his intentions. They showed who he truly was. She believed he didn't even know who he was outside of being a hero. He was a hero. He was The Hero.

Sir Aaron Pauley and the First Company rode up on their horses to the king's overlook above them. There, King Valentino looked over them, keeping his expression passive as he studied the company of the King's Own. He looked down at his good friend who sat tall upon his chestnut mare.

"My king, the Fininist Army has fallen!" Aaron announced to his king and the people. The people cheered and the king smiled softly.

"Sir Aaron, won't you join me to discuss the details of your victory." The king requested, his voice mirroring his authority, before walking back inside his castle, out of view from his subjects. Aaron sighed and dismounted his horse, handing the mare off to a stable boy who would clean, water, and feed his horse for him. Aaron walked inside the large castle doors. He knew he wouldn't be discussing the battle.

It would be much worse.

Alan Ashby was the partner of the great Captain Aaron Pauley. It sucked. He was never one for sitting back and waiting for orders. He perfered to be in the action with a squad of his own. That rarely happened when he was tending to Aaron all the time. He loved Aaron as a brother, but he was clueless.

"Ashby!" He heard somebody yell. His head turned to the side to see nothing but his horse next to him. He growled. Somebody was messing with him. He shook his head, chosing to ignore it. "Ashby!" Somebody hissed again. Alan groaned and walked out of the stable, not wanting to bother with it. He walked home, deciding just to colaspe on his chair that was covered in the softest material. There were a few perks to being Aaron's partner.

Alan couldn't have been happier when he did get home. He ordered for some water to be brought so he could take a nice bath before falling asleep in his chair. He found letters from is parents waiting for him on his table where his few servants left things for him. He sighed and began to peel off his tunic.

"Ashby!" He heard the voice hiss again. He turned all around, looking for who could have said it, but he only found his orange Tabby named Ashley, lurking by the window. She meowed at her master before hopping off the ledge and going to find somewhere to curl up. He took off his pants and loin cloth and got in the hot water, sighing as his muscles relaxed. "Ashby!" The voice screamed at him. He jumped, screaming in surprise. He looked and in the door way was a tall man with long, black hair, and lightly tanned skin. The palace mage. 

"Phil!" Alan sighed, slamming his hands down into the water. "The hell was that for?" He demanded, pushing the water off his face. Phil continued to laugh at his young friend.

"Well, I figured that you'd be wanting to relax after getting home from such a rousing mission of being Aaron's dog." Phil said teasingly, knowing how Alan hated being called a dog. Mostly because it was true. "But, I kinda hope you aren't too tired. I found something I could use your help with." The older man smirked, leaning against the doorframe. Alan sighed.

"Give me twenty mintues and let's go." Alan agreed. The mage grinned triumpantly. He always won, and Alan knew it.

King Valentino was pacing as Aaron walked in the room. Worry lines crossed the monarch's face. The man would concern himself to death with the wellfare of his people and country. He was a fair ruler, trying to make sure that his people were surviving alright and that his country was safe. He rarely meddled in the lives of his court, but when it was threatening his country, then it was needed.

"So, Tino what is it that I've done now?" Aaron sighed as he walked into the throne room. Tino turned to face his Champion, wringing his hands in worry.

"Aaron, I have an issue." Tino started to explain, walking down to his friend. "Nosta wants war." Nosta was the neighboring country to their own. Tensions had been high for years due to the myth of the Ember's Sword legend. I need you to find it for me." Aaron stood gawking.

"Valentino, you're losing it." He scoffed. He removed the band that restricted his hair from flying all over the place.

"Aaron, just trust me. Go to the prophet up on the highest mountain and ask him about it." Tino begged. Aaron sighed.

"May I take a hot bath first, at least?" Aaron asked, his body posture hinting at defeat. Tino smiled in triumph.

"Of course. You may go to your quarters and ring for a bath. You may rest for two bells, then I must ask you to go to him." Tino explained, following Aaron out of the throne room.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll go, I'll go." Aaron said, waving and hand and letting the doormen shut the heavy door behind him. Tino smiled happily.

"He's such a pushover." He scoffed and turned, his long robe following him as he trekked back to his throne. He hummed as he sat down. "Perhaps I should have told him that he'll be visiting his old friend, Austin Carlile. Humph. He'll find out soon enough."

"Record time!" Phil announced as Alan tumbled out of his quarters, still trying pull on his trousers. Alan huffed, but still decided to follow the older man out, grabbing his sword and sack of essentials.

"I can't believe you're dragging me on some dumb adventure again." Alan whined, running a hand through his hair. Phil laughed lightly.

"You know you love being Sir Alan of Ashby all on your own without Aaron treating you as if you were still his squire instead of part of the King's Own. You're still just the Champion's Dog." Phil explained, using the title the court had given to Alan after his close friendship was taken as undying devotion. Alan hated it while Aaron brushed it off with arrogence. He had always done that, ever since he had shamed his own knight master- the former, Sir Austin Carlile.

Sir Austin had given up his rankings, nobility, and more for a private life as a prophet after the gods had spoken to him. He lived up on the mountains, all by himself. The court claimed that Aaron had driven him mad after the stunt he pulled wilst jousting a full knight as a squire.

"Shut up, Phil. You know I hate that title. I'm Sir Alan of Ashby, Knight in the King's Own." He declared. Phil sighed and nodded.

"And I am Philip of Manansala, mage to King Valentino the First." Phil said, slinging his arm around Alan. "Come now, Ashby. Onward we go to the sword smith!" Alan's eyes widened.

"Wait! We're going to see Shaybæ?" He demanded. Phil nodded. Alan grabbed his hands and began to drag Phil out of his quarters to see his friend.

Alan and Phil whirled into the outer part of the sword smith's small building. Phil grinned and gestured around the building.

"Oh, Shayley!" The foreigner called. Alan looked nervous, knowing that if word got back to Aaron that he was out doing this, he would certainly be reprimanded.

"Who goes?" A voice called from the back. Shayley Bourget was a short man, covered in markings he had put on him while he was training to be a blacksmith. He walked out from the curtains that separated his work from the rest of the world.

"It is I, Mage Philip and