The road was much longer than anticipated for the twins. They were used to short distances to and from Stornval but the more they walked the less dense the population became. They were expecting a new place to stop every hour or so, but the path they tread on just kept winding through the forest. Twigs cracked beneath their boots as a birds song rang endlessly.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYApae7u4jx
As the sound of a river grew louder and louder, a view of a town grew near. Despite having been walking all day, Ressi perked up and sped toward the town, "Is that it? Are we finally at Donatagun?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAu88gX83Y
A sigh escaped Reldin as he shook his head, "No. This place is way smaller than Donatagun. We've only been walking for a day, anyway. We're only a third of the way there."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNJcpPDXV3
Ressi groaned as she slouched, dragging her feet as she walked, "Okay. Where are we, then?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMWlI5I1m9
Reldin took a moment to scan the area, "Hm, it looks like Riville to me."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5DbnLqsFJ
"You sound doubtful, is something wrong?" Kiran asked, concerned.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkGcadmddj
"Well, generally the people are very active, even at this time of night," Reldin pointed out, "Yet no one is out right now."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk3WfkJOJU
"You say 'this time of night' as if it wasn't dusk right now," Ressi said with a laugh.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmroauOg9Or
Reldin shot her a glare as he crossed the bridge into the village. "Oh, hasn't Archibald mentioned he has family here?" Kiran mentioned.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13n5snls7P
"Yes, his sister lives here with her family," Reldin affirmed, looking around. Riville was not a very large town. It reminded the twins of their hometown of Storn Falls with how quaint it was. The houses were small but nice looking and they stood alongside the path to the center of town, which had a dirty statue of a hooded figure with wings protruding out the back.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6xzukcgb6
"Hey, Reldin, what is that?" Ressi asked, pointing at the statue, "It looks like a laguelle but instead of animal ears and tail it has wings!"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoz9WLrN4k
"Technically, that is a laguelle. The laguelle you're used to are beast laguelle, but the statue is that of a bird laguelle, or volnte. Volntes always have wings, though some are more bird-like with beaks, tails, or even have feathers all over their body," Reldin explained.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt95AgOwkoS
"Ooh. Okay, so why is there a statue of one here?" Ressi asked.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL71c62jWf5
"Read the inscription."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOsGPolys8
Ressi obeyed and squinted at the iron plate. The hero of our town. The volnte who held back the Dynis menace. The hero requested to remain anonymous.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlgYxoWfxM
Ressi frowned in confusion, "Why would a hero that required a statue in remembrance want to remain anonymous?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyFPAwsuzB
"There could be many reasons. Perhaps they did not become a hero on purpose, they could have been passing by. It could be they did not want to be known for this action, they could have been on the run and wanted in another kingdom. They probably didn't even know the villagers built this statue in the first place," Reldin answered, not quite succinctly.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMrk3dIihJ
Ressi raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to ask yet another question before Kiran interrupted. "So, will we be staying at Archibald's sister's house for the night?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZuGF3NSxg
"Might as well," Reldin sighed, "Follow me, I know where it is."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0CIFMMGoQ
The twins gave each other an excited look. Neither of them had met Archibald's sister, they've only heard stories of his dear little sis. They were very eager to finally see the unknown Ardra Egros.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHDP5qjUeu
「◐」
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgLBUlaq4U
Reldin lead the twins up a short, cobbled path up to the door of a small home. Not too small, it was actually a bit larger than the other houses around it, but it was much smaller than any house in Stornval. The mage knocked on the door and some shouts were heard within.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7CT17s1k2
"Who in the hell could be knocking at this hour?!" A deep, feminine voice called.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfblh99nJXY
A softer voice groaned, "Sweety, it's barely after dusk, it's not that late."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCikKj4zg2
The first voice continued yelling, "Well with all that's going on, I'm surprised someone's even outside!"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DgYbUIKGy
The second voice calmly shushed the first, "So will you get the door or will I have to?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvjURnFigh
"I'll do it, I'll do it!" There was some muffled shuffling before the owner of the first voice shouted, "What is it?!" It took her a moment. She blinked, her eyes widened, "Rel-Rel is that you?!"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo2g0NXsys
Reldin groaned, "Please don't call me that."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsp5YREvFf
The large woman laughed and pulled the mage into a bear hug, "It's been a long time, my good friend!"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4WWJzVTT4
"Reldin, is this Archibald's sister?" Kiran asked, completely unfazed by the scene.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rXFDGz1jW
The woman dropped Reldin, who was used to such affection due to being so close to Archibald, and turned her attention to Kiran. "Sure am! Ardra Egros, at your service," she gave a mock bow before pulling the owner of the second voice out the doorway, "And this is my hubby, Ikati!"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCEO8jXCTG
The pale laguelle grimaced at the sudden exposure to people, "Please keep it down honey, you're going to disturb the whole town at this rate." He swished his jet black tail back and forth angrily, his cat ears pointed.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKImCxxG0ju
Ardra just laughed, "That's the grumpy love of my life for ya! Come on in, you three, I have some leftovers you can have!" She turned around and walked in her home, leading her husband with an arm around his waist.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWWjcT0eGl
The company followed Ardra in, Kiran closing the door behind them. The inside was quaint, to their left was the dining room and kitchen area that had a simple set up; some cabinets, a counter, an open hearth, and a set of a table and five chairs. To their right was a bedroom area with a bed for two and three roll-up beds. On those beds were three children that looked around Martina's age.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSTGp8s1Eg
"Hey, kids, we got visitors!" Ardra announced. The three stood up curiously. "Alright I got three of these little snots, tallest one's Haylei, she's fourteen. Next to her is her brother Bailey, he's twelve. And the small one is Arale, who is nine."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h539HGqif
Ressi took a moment to process the information given. Haylei, clad in pink, was pale and had dark cat ears and a tail that matched her father's. Bailey, who was wearing blue pajamas, had fair skin and had blonde cat ears and a tail. The smallest, Arale, wore green and looked the most like their mother, with dark skin and blonde hair and the only child that didn't seem to be a laguelle. Ressi let out a small chuckle as she realized all of their names rhymed.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu66CfdkNxh
Ardra continued the introductions, "Kids, this is your uncle Reldin, as I'm sure you remember, and… oh dear, how rude of me! What are your names?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZPeG7TqjM
"Ressi Victor, Official Guardian of Princess Martina Garamond!" Ressi said, loud and proud.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeFkZM0L5Q
Kiran gave a somewhat sheepish wave, "And I'm Kiran."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7QhX7kfoc
"Ooh! So you're the twins! Archie has told me so much about you!" Ardra gushed, "Though I've gotta say, I thought you two would look more alike, being twins and all."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyc9u1z00H
They had never really thought about it. They really didn't look alike. Ressi, on one hand, had long blonde hair, light blue eyes, freckles, and her wardrobe was composed almost entirely of red. Kiran, on the other hand, had green hair and matching green eyes and wore almost entirely green. They looked complete opposite despite their builds being similar. "Well, I mean, we're the same height!" Ressi mentioned.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGcEJhVrLd
Kiran scoffed, "That's not true, I'm at least an inch taller than you."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2atakOqMfA
Ressi was about to bark back before Ardra simply laughed, "Well, you two certainly act like twins. C'mon, let's get you guys some dinner."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktalEQ2Adg
「◐」
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHOUjFmVlj
Ardra served the company some stew and sat down at the table herself. "Well, come on, dig in!"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZEDuut28E
The twins gladly complied but Reldin simply asked, "So, why is everything so quiet around here?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2Zry8UVi7
Ardra dropped her smile and sighed, "You really know how to get straight to the point." She looked over at her children. Arale was fast asleep already and Bailey was on the verge of sleep as well. Haylei, however, was silently curious of the guests and stared at them from the comfort of her bedroll. Ardra looked back at Reldin, "Well, you wouldn't believe it if you didn't see it."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwfW0O2LMr
"See what?" Ressi asked, face stuffed with stew. Kiran kicked her leg to subtly remind her of her manners.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIW9CEPrey
"The robot," Ardra said. "Usually they're friendly folk, scary, though, all armed to the teeth but they're friendly. This guy, this guy's different."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmgH0ACfku
Reldin seemed interested, "Different how?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd6RYYz88Y
"Well, this guy is huge, for one thing. Bigger than the centurions that guard Fort Dynis, y'know?" Ardra looked astonished as if she was just looking at it, "I couldn't even see the top of him!"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzECv3zZ4H
"That's hyperbole," Ikati said, face resting in his palm. He's clearly heard this before and was bored of it, "I could see his head clearly."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKBwbpIZkQ
Ardra scoffed, "Yeah, whatever. Your cat eyes see everything."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFxH20O1rb
"That's racist, honey," Ikati replied, unfazed.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX0o6FmJcq
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Anyway," Ardra continued, "The guy was massive and he used that height to his advantage! He was all yelling and such like, 'Submit to the rule of Korzion or else!' or whatever. That, of course, got everyone all freaked out. They stay all locked up in their homes and whenever the big guy comes back they cower in fear as he causes a ruckus!"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuHnJz14Gr
"We're doing the same thing, Ardie," Ikati interjected.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOjD33sdaV
"It's for the children, 'Kati! We've gotta keep the children safe!" Ardra shouted, "Besides, it's not like he has many weaknesses, y'know, being a robot and all."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrdpc1k8bH
"I told you there's a guy on his shoulder."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR1rk32XkF
"And I've told you you're crazy! If there's a guy, what does he look like?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwVjypHbrm
"Well, he has light blue skin and long, dark blue hair and wears a hunter outfit. He looks vaguely robotic. He also has a quiver full of arrows but I haven't seen his bow yet," Ikati described.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70DkFsv7q3
"Well that just doesn't make sense, why would he have arrows but no bow?" Ardra challenged.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqBdr7HUon
Ikati shrugged, "I don't know maybe he just hasn't brought it yet."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8m0dT6Er9
"And what do you propose his name to be?" Ardra demanded.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n6dtXR7tV
"That's an unfair question but I think I heard the big guy say 'oh.. sure…' oh, right! 'Oshura!'" Ikati figured.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzLM4dS2nS
Ardra just shook her head, "Anyway, we got off track. That's why it's so damned quiet here."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXfHj22Eve
Reldin processed all the information just given to him, "Well, the three of us have plenty of battle experience. Why don't we just take down this robot guy, or guys, when they come back?"
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12p9KgBRD8
"Oh could you?" Ardra looked delightfully surprised, "That would be great! We couldn't get the knights yet from Stornval since it's such a recent problem but if you three could deal with it, we would really appreciate it."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F7zKvhfrV
Reldin simply shrugged, "It doesn't sound too difficult. The twins and I will be ready first thing tomorrow morning."
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNzJWm7MI1
Ressi gave them two thumbs up, "Yep! You can count on us!" Kiran nodded in agreement.
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwWpyC4zTh
"Then it's settled!" Ardra stood up from her seat, "Here, let me find you some bedrolls, you'll need your beauty sleep now, y'hear?"
ns216.73.217.1da2
然後按「加至主畫面」