"What do you mean its your job? I asked you if you wanted to come, and you accepted. We're in this together. We have to trust each other to make this work. You know that very well. Sit, I'm going to keep watch. That is final." Azura got up with her sword and sat next to Farron, waiting for him to move. She took her bow off her back and looked over at him.
Reluctantly, Farron sat, fiddling with the dagger at his side as he did so, “I’d argue more but know you won’t accept it, whatever else I know say about the matter.” He mumbled, running a hand through his hair at the same time.
You're finally getting it, " she said as she gave him one of her killer smiles. He always did like her smiles. She then looked out towards the kingdom, watching. They had gotten pretty high up, so they could see the tips of the castles towers. There were trees around it, and a wall around the whole castle. It was a clear day, and the view was quite beautiful. Azura could have looked out there all day. But her attention was drawn in about an hour to a motion near the outskirts of the woods.
Nights.
"Farron, we need to move. Now." Azura picked up her bow and ran back to where Farron was sitting. She motioned for Farron to follow her.
"They're headed in this direction, and if we don't hurry, they'll cut us off where the path and the mountains meet," she said.
Farron frowned and took the lead, “There are caves that pass through to the other side of the mountains, we’ll got through there.”
"Is that really the best option? I mean, we don't know what's in there. I'll go if you think it's best, but are you sure?"
“Yes, I’m sure. I’ve gone through these tunnels before, I know my way around them. Just stay hidden and do as I say, there are… dangerous people living in here.” Truth was they were his people that lived in these tunnels but that was necessary information right now, at least he didin’t think so. Quickly lighting a torch, he lead them into the tunnels.
"Okay, if you say so." Just in case, she took unsheathed her sword and had it ready. They made their way slowly through the darkness.
They walked through the dark tunnels, careful to avoid any sharp drops or jagged edges of stone that jutted out from the rocks. The floor crumbled in some places, but Farron knew where and where not to step on the pathway. After about half an hour, Farron had to stop to re-light the torch but his ears perked up at the faint sound of movement. He motioned for Azura to be quiet.
She stopped, and they stood back to back with each other, careful not to make any noises. Then they saw a light coming closer in the cave. It was way off in the distance, but it was getting closer very quickly. Azura readied herself, with her sword in her right hand, out and ready for use.
After a few minutes, a group of about ten men came charging at them. They didn't look like palace guards but they were attacking anyway. Farron immediately attacked back, trying his best to defend Azura so she didn't have to do much fighting.
Azura whipped her sword back and forth through the air. As one of the largest men came at her, she sliced at him, but just early enough to step out of his way. He went careening into the wall of the cave.
Now he was angry.
He motioned to two other men, and they were all attacking Azura. Her adrenaline rushing, she sliced and stepped, and did the occasional flip. They got to the mouth of the cave, near the river, and Azura got an idea. She ran out of the cave at full speed, headed for a vine they had seen on the way in. She shimmied up, then put her feet against the rocks, and started to work her way across. She then picked up speed, and, while holding the vine in one hand and her sword in the other, she swung herself over and kicked the largest man in the back. He tumbled down a few feet, and stayed there in slight pain. While the two men were in shock, she took this opportunity to jump down and whip out her crossbow and an arrow. When their gaze returned to Azura, she was pointing her arrow at them.
"Don't move, or I'll shoot. And, let me warn you, I'm an excellent shot." As she said this, Farron came running out to check on her.
“You alright, Azura?” He asked, looking over her to see if he could spot any injuries. It was only then that the two men recognised Farron.
“Farron? You’re back what are you-“ One man started but Farron held up his hand to stop him.
“Not now. We need a place to rest, can you take us home?”
The guy nodded and started to walk.
"Wait, you know these people? Who are they?" Azura stood there in shock.
“I’ll explain later, just follow.” Farron gave Azura an apologetic smile and urged her along, following the two men that hadn’t been killed or injured in their fight. After what felt like an hour but was only half of that, a city came into view, the tops of a glittering castle shining in the distance.
“Azura, welcome to my home… Pryvlyn.”
(Rosgard is the name of Azura's kingdom btw)
"What? I thought Rosgard was your home?" She looked at him with bewilderment. "How could this be your home? We've been friends since we were little, and It's always been in Rosgard. I really don't understand."
“We’ve only known each other since I was seven. I lived here before then. Those random trips mother and I would take was to here. This is my true home, not Rosgard.” Farron said, continuing to walk into the city.
"Really," Azura said. She wasn't necessarily pleased by his reaction. Sometimes she hated that he seemed to be such a no-nonsense person.
Well, he didn't exactly explain this to me before, its not like I should have known this already.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" she asked, trying not to lose it. This was sort of a big deal to her.
Every time I think I know this guy, he throws me a curve ball. Why can't he just tell me stuff, like most best friends do?
“It wasn’t necessary information.” Farron sighed and walked up the golden steps to the palace, “I’m sorry I kept it from you, Azura.”
Why are you apologising? You didn’t need to.
Yes, yes I did.
The go,den double doors opened for them and they were led inside, people bustling about to complete the job they needed. Farron smiled at a few of them and said hello to a few guards in a different language.
Azura followed closely behind Farron, clutching his arm. She had never been this far away from home before, never met so many people that weren't her own. Rosgard, although larger than Pryvlyn, was not too large either, with a population of about 80,000. Azura knew all of the store owners and such, so being around so many new faces was so weird.
"Its- Its alright," Azura said, barely over a whisper.
Farron was about to day something but they had arrived at the throne room. A man who looked awfully similar to Farron, sat on the throne. Once his eyes landed on Farron, he rose and walked over, Farron gently prying his arm off of Azura so he could embrace the other.
“Brother,” The man said, pulling back to smile at Farron who once again stood beside his princess.
“Herla, it’s good to see you again.” Farron said.
“And who might this be?” The man, Herla asked, turning to Azura.
"Hello, I am Azura, Princess of Rosgard. nice to meet you." She curtsied. She looked calm and composed, but inside she was freaking out.
brother!? DID HE JUST SAY BROTHER!? Farron and I will definitely be talking about this later.
“Ah, you’re the girl Farron always mentions when he’s here. It’s nice to meet you, Princess. I am Herla, Prince of Pyvlyn. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” He bowed low and grinned at them both, “Now, I heard you needed a place to stay for the night, yes?”
Farron nodded, “Yeah that’s right.”
“Well, you know the place brother, so as you please. I’ll see you both for dinner later.”
"Thank you. And It was very nice to meet you." She turned away. As soon as they were out of earshot, she let him have it.
"A BROTHER!? You had a brother and didn't tell me? Are we even friends. Really. Honestly, Farron, do you consider me to be your best friend, like I do? Because if not, I understand, but if so, best friends are supposed to tell each other these types of things." She crossed her arms protectively over her upper body. When Farron didn't reply right away, she kept talking.
"I mean, I just feel like you don't trust me. I talk to you. I tell you how I feel. And you expect me to. So what, Is that it? Do you not trust me?"
Farron sighed and rubbed at his face with both hands, “I do trust you Azrua, believed me, I do. This place, my home. Is onto known to by a few people outside of the city. I was sworn to secrecy my my parents to never tell anyone about this place, not even you. I wanted to tell you, so many times but if I broke my vow… I couldn’t risk it.”
"Oh, Okay," Azura sighed. She was visibly upset. But, she didn't say anything else about it, and she followed Farron down the hallway to the two rooms side by side. When they got to the doors, Azura stopped and looked over at Farron. Her tone was cold.
"When do you suggest we move out? Tomorrow morning, or should we stay a bit and hope they don't come here?"
"They don't know about this place so we can stay for as long as you wish." Farron replied, running a hand through his hair slowly. He felt bad because he could tell Azura was upset but didn't know what else to say.
"Alright, well I'm tired, so I will see you later." Azura walked into her room and shut the door. She flopped onto her bed and stared at the ceiling.
Why do I care so much? she thought to herself. I mean, he is my friend, but technically it's still his business, I really dont know. . .
She resigned that she was too tired to think about it.
Farron sighed and instead of going into his room, decided to walk around for a while.
You should have told her.. He ran a hand through his hair again, Yeah, but you couldn't have broken your vow.
Dude, just shut up!
Azura looked out the window of her room, with most of her upper body on the outside, and her face to the sunset. She took a deep breath in.
It doesn't matter, she told herself. The important thing is that he cane with me. That means he cares. Whether he tells me things or not is for him to decide.
She sat for a while on the window sill, then she started to sing.
Wings of fire
Eyes of color
Tears of white and grey
Soul of stone
Heart of gold
Mind that's lead astray
Who we are
Who we'll be
no one can surely say.
“Brother!” Herla said, laughing as he walked up to Farron who just shook his head.
“Not now Herla,” He said, sighing.
“Why not? What’s the matter? Trouble with Azura?”
“You could say that… She’s mad that I didn’t tell her about this place.” He explained.
Herla frowned a little and shook his head, “She’ll be fine sooner or later, don’t worry.”