“That went well,” said Faileuba cheerily, as she and her partners rushed to the West Gate of White Pine.
Gwyd glared at the Erl. “In what way does that qualify as going well?”
“We got a job offer!” replied Faileuba as she darted out of the way of the carriage.
“From the husband of the woman you offended so badly that you’ve been hiding from her this entire time!” snapped Gwyd. “In fact, that’s why we’re fleeing!”
“Fleeing is a bit strong,” said Meliadus, jumping across a puddle. “This is more of a strategic retreat.”
“Right. Fleeing suggests pursuit!” noted Faileuba. “We are leaving, as quickly as possible, just to make sure pursuing never crosses anybody’s mind.”
Gwyd stopped for a moment, and then stared at her. “You know--sometimes, I just pity you Fai.”
Faileuba snorted. “Yeah. When you enter a state of utter denial of how awesome I am.”
Gwyd glanced at Meliadus. “Back me up on this. For once.”
Meliadus shook his head. “Sorry, Gwyd. I’m with Fai on this. Encountering your past has merely confirmed my longstanding belief that you are a badly discontented individual who has always fit in badly with those who surround you--further, you secretly enjoy being with a couple of people as dashing and chivalrous as Fai and myself.”
Gwyd frowned. “Why is it you can never be this insightful on anything important?”
Meliadus scratched his disheveled hair. “Just goes against my ethos.”
“You don’t even know what that means, do you?” said Gwyd placing his hands on his hips.
“I might,” replied Meliadus with a shrug.
Gwyd was about to reply to that when a tumult behind the trio caught their attention.
“Out of my way, you ignorant wretch!” shouted a loud voice.
“Out of your way? HA!” shouted another loud voice in reply. “You are clearly in my way!”
The three chivalrous warriors stepped to the side as the Vanir and the Aesir contingents headed down the road. “Miserable toad of an Aesir!” shouted Manodante at the Margrave who rode next to him.
“Crawling worm of a Vanir!” replied Dolistone. As the Count-Palatine and the Margrave, their embarrassed relatives quietly rode beside them.
Gwyd shook his head as they passed. “You know, those guys are lucky they are Dark Lords…” Meliadus nodded, and then glanced at Faileuba, who was staring at the Mountain Lords.
“Fai…?” he asked.
“Who’s that guy?” she said, pointing to a young Erl riding behind Manodante.
“That’s Brandomarte,” said Gwyd, “Manodante’s son and heir.”
Faileuba blinked. “How do you know that?”
“Unlike you two, I actually asked around when it looked like we were going to get a JOB out of this, instead of having to run out of town broke--ONCE AGAIN!” snapped the Goblin.
“Ahh. Okay.” She pointed to a young female Erl following Dolistone. “And who’s that?”
“Fiordelisa,” said Gwyd. “Dolistone’s daughter.”
Faileuba nodded to herself. “Right. They were behind a pillar making out before the wedding.” She smiled. “I sort of interrupted them.”
Meliadus smiled back at her. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Yep! A clear call to adventure FROM THE CODE!” announced Faileuba. “Clearly, the feud between the Aesir and Vanir is about to take a very dramatic turn--and we must be there when it does! As Chivalrous Warriors, it is DEMANDED of us!”
“Then let’s AWAY!” declared Meliadus, running after the Mountain Lords.
Gwyd blinked. “Guys--wait…” He sighed, and then took off after them. “I am getting too old for this crap…”
I liked this chapter.
ReplyDeleteWasn't quite the ending I was expecting -
Given that Manodante and Dolistone seem to almost hang around together, I was expecting them to be putting on a show for everybody else.
Well, thank you. Thanks to Thanksgiving, I'll be posting the next chapter today.
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