Getting past the checkpoint went quick for their group. Having the men hired by Angela speed it up exponentially. Having done this dozens of times they had everything prepared come their turn. The group bid farewell to the guards. Everyone happily told their stories, their feats on the battlefield, their family life, their love lives, although they were mercenaries they were all quite friendly. Christopher and the others were surprised to find out that two of them had been soldiers that were discharged from the army. The thing that really stood out was they had actually been enemies. One from the empire, one from the Kingdom of Albrael. Apparently they even fought in some of the same battles. When you looked at their interactions though, you would have thought they were family or long time best friends. The fact they were able to get along so well and not hold grudges showed quite a bit about their character.
After a few hours on the road they pulled the wagons off to the sid
Everyone grabbed their weapons and began to move towards Christopher, but Thomas moved in front of them holding up his hands blocking their path."Your honor is bull shit!" A small smile began to spread over his face. " Many people called me a monster over the years but I can say this much, if I am a monster just know it was your people that set me on the path to becoming one. Do me a favor and remember one thing. I hate your people, don't give me a reason to end your life and those of your friends.""Hayden, you good?" Thomas asked over his shoulder. As if a haze was lifted from Christopher his narrowed eyes opened wide and he saw the pale terrified look on Sarah's face, his hand still around her throat which he could feel her trembling underneath his grip. He blinked his eyes a few times as they dart around in almost every direction. Slowly he began releasing his grip on her."I- I am sorry." He muttered under his breath and began to walk away into the w
Six years ago"Chris hurry and wake your ass up already. You have to go cut some wood today. After you get up see if your mother needs anything and grab your lunch." Jeff, Christopher's father called out kicking his door wide open."Yes father." Chris mumbled. He lazily rolled out of his bed standing half dead looking. Jeff honestly wasn't really sure that Christopher's shoulders and form could possibly slouch or sag more then they currently were."I'm coming.." Chris mumbled as he walked towards the door with his eyes half closed. Jeff could only shake his head as he walked out of Christopher's room. Moments after leaving a loud WOMP could be heard coming from the kitchen. Jeff didn't even bother to look back, he was already used to this. Who he called zombie Chris had just walked face first into the wall next to the doorway."Trish every day I spend around that boy I'm beginning to lean more towards you had an affair at some point. There is no way
When Christopher and Brianna arrived at the lake they continued to talk about plans for the festival as Chris began his work chopping down a tree and cutting it up into fire wood. Around noon He took a lunch break sharing the Freshly baked rolls and his lunch with Brianna."So I never asked you before, but since you have decided to court me I suppose it's something I should ask you. Are you going to be like the rest of the boys in our village and intend to join the military and become knights? The way I've seen you fight you're probably the only one who would stand a chance." She asked him with a slight smile."Hey now who said I intend to court you?" Brianna stopped and put a hand on her hip and just stared at him. " Ok so maybe that is the goal, that was supposed to be secret Honestly though I don't really have an interest in joining the military. I was thinking ill either learn more from my father and do smithing, or I guess I'm pretty good with numbers from what I
"Please sir, W- What could we have possibly done to deserve this?" A man could be heard begging."It's quite simple you were born in this useless kingdom." A man responded in an arrogant voice. 'This useless kingdom?' Chris thought to himself. He risked a quick peak and was shocked at what he saw. All of the men were armored, but what really caught his attention was many of the men were holding the banner of the Eternal Empire. 'What the hell!?' He knew The Eternal Empire and the Kingdom had been walking on egg shells for a while. But There had been no declaration of war, he also knew for a fact it wasn't like their village had been hostile or attacked anyone. What could we have possibly done to deserve this."Please please let us go and you can help yourselves to anything you want.""I'm growing tired of listening to this sniveling, go ahead and kill all the men." The leader ordered. Without hesitation the soldiers moved into position raising their weapons, the
While Christopher was extremely relieved that Brianna had escaped he could not let his guard down yet. There was multiple times he had to duck or hide somewhere as the soldiers ransacked their village. He would pass houses and could hear things being smashed, or the soldiers getting excited about something they had found. It wasn't long until he reached his home only to discover that it was empty. Filled with fear and panic he looked around the house only to discover that there was no signs of a struggle, no blood, most of all no bodies. Christopher was both happy and terrified. It is always the things we do not know that we fear the most."Well come on then you god damn cowards!" Christopher could hear his fathers voice accompanied by weapons clashing. Chris ran outside, his mother was being shielded by his father who was holding his sword out front of him. There was already the bodies of five soldiers around him, although anyone could see he was beginning to tire and had mu
'No no no no no!' He thought to himself. It Felt as if someone was stabbing him in the heart as he remembered everything that had happened."Aaah I See you're awake." A middle aged woman was sitting in a chair a couple of feet from the bed. " You have been asleep for about a week now." It took some time for Chris to grapple with those words. When his consciousness came to it felt as if it had only been hours, Even when he thought back about how long his mind was dark it sure did not feel possible for a week to have passed. As they let Brianna sleep the woman filled Christopher in on the situation. His Village had been burned to the ground, most the populace was either dead or taken as slaves. Very few had been lucky enough to make it out alive. Some lucky people had managed to escape with their families and made it to the next town and notified the military. They did not even begin to mobilize until half a day later, regardless with how close their village was. It was a
Present day.Sarah stood stunned. Her face was pale even though she had nothing to do with the story Elise just told her. she could not stop the feelings of guilt in her stomach. She had never heard of such things happening!? It was one of the nobles belonging to her country, yet she never was made aware. Although it was a very bitter pill to swallow Sarah could not bring herself to doubt the story she just heard. Elise would have no reason to lie to her about such a thing, In these circumstances Sarah and her group were almost completely dependent on Chris and Elise's help, there was nothing to gain from her lying and most of all no reason to. In the very short time she knew Elise she could feel she was an honest person.Sarah swallowed her saliva. " So that is why he hates the Empire so much?"Elise nod her head. " That is part of it. another part is what you heard earlier at the fire, but even then that is not all of the story. Before you ask, I will tell you
The next morning saying there was tension in the air was clearly an under statement. Braum could confidently say that he hate everything about Christopher. For as long as he could remember he was in charge. At a young age fresh out of the academy he was promoted to a position of command. He had everything it took to reach the position, he had established himself in both academics and combat, on top of it all he was from a long line of nobles that had a sterling reputation. To bluntly put it having a completely uncooperative and hostile entity around was eating away at him. The princess had always taken his advice to heart. She would never brush him off or scold him especially in front of others. Braum wanted Christopher gone and control of his life back."Excuse me sir, you are to continue to the City of Eternity correct ?" Braum approached the captain of the Mercenaries. Normally Braum would look down on these types of people who lacked loyalty but today he would