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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pDWPVWFvJ
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?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8a3iGekLh
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."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh4DevGlic
Ressi groaned as she slouched, dragging her feet as she walked, "Okay. Where are we, then?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJjU0ZAroi
Reldin took a moment to scan the area, "Hm, it looks like Riville to me."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruuYrRqZ9Y
"You sound doubtful, is something wrong?" Kiran asked, concerned.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoKg0sNphX
"Well, generally the people are very active, even at this time of night," Reldin pointed out, "Yet no one is out right now."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1OM9NzZrc
"You say 'this time of night' as if it wasn't dusk right now," Ressi said with a laugh.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBlc8JtCVu
Reldin shot her a glare as he crossed the bridge into the village. "Oh, hasn't Archibald mentioned he has family here?" Kiran mentioned.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnkX0m3iqw
"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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ5ivOUAdq
"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!"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjn3oV7wEO
"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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2lFROUh7c
"Ooh. Okay, so why is there a statue of one here?" Ressi asked.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLEV5vrCH5
"Read the inscription."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7EkGjvcqa
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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o7DzPuUlq
Ressi frowned in confusion, "Why would a hero that required a statue in remembrance want to remain anonymous?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYREX9vuM1
"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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMIcalvAWq
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?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EbotuEc7n
"Might as well," Reldin sighed, "Follow me, I know where it is."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoYzmcQDC5
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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSr1IjnCFJ
「◐」
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8aE8CvHfx
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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z2wpINuJ1
"Who in the hell could be knocking at this hour?!" A deep, feminine voice called.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiRHg5T0bq
A softer voice groaned, "Sweety, it's barely after dusk, it's not that late."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT7j8II9cQ
The first voice continued yelling, "Well with all that's going on, I'm surprised someone's even outside!"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UjVNOHz9G
The second voice calmly shushed the first, "So will you get the door or will I have to?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy0wQGNcrc
"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?!"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5YJXf9C2N
Reldin groaned, "Please don't call me that."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEtlL589Vv
The large woman laughed and pulled the mage into a bear hug, "It's been a long time, my good friend!"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv59XmnIIkQ
"Reldin, is this Archibald's sister?" Kiran asked, completely unfazed by the scene.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDYdsf4PHv
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!"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9039Yf0xg
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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMTnL4xOqI
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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbbH4735yv
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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE70MusXiP
"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."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR2rUTc73M
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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUngehfRy8C
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?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm82t259rYk
"Ressi Victor, Official Guardian of Princess Martina Garamond!" Ressi said, loud and proud.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcpkESCQby
Kiran gave a somewhat sheepish wave, "And I'm Kiran."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0duja0d4t
"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."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA3n8WfVF0
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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWzvxO8MRt
Kiran scoffed, "That's not true, I'm at least an inch taller than you."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoA0zAWgcv
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."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA46bDqXpD
「◐」
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RedlYZmek
Ardra served the company some stew and sat down at the table herself. "Well, come on, dig in!"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKJ8ZAf0wr
The twins gladly complied but Reldin simply asked, "So, why is everything so quiet around here?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKsvkS1Yz2
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."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym0wvuBibR
"See what?" Ressi asked, face stuffed with stew. Kiran kicked her leg to subtly remind her of her manners.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHUm8O76oM
"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."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBH7jQ2F1N
Reldin seemed interested, "Different how?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN6bTi1yGQ
"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!"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV825h0n9u
"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."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6YGN7slUT
Ardra scoffed, "Yeah, whatever. Your cat eyes see everything."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVFoaiyGOo
"That's racist, honey," Ikati replied, unfazed.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJErZCyX1ah
"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!"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLBKCNahCl
"We're doing the same thing, Ardie," Ikati interjected.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyymEjw6LYC
"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."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfvYBpoLBv
"I told you there's a guy on his shoulder."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5LWYOJbOZ
"And I've told you you're crazy! If there's a guy, what does he look like?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7YruGpx3c
"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.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwRLs8lnx1
"Well that just doesn't make sense, why would he have arrows but no bow?" Ardra challenged.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkECTPv2JAS
Ikati shrugged, "I don't know maybe he just hasn't brought it yet."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCmkTjy7Fd
"And what do you propose his name to be?" Ardra demanded.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlvgZkNfjt
"That's an unfair question but I think I heard the big guy say 'oh.. sure…' oh, right! 'Oshura!'" Ikati figured.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVTczPtgwa
Ardra just shook her head, "Anyway, we got off track. That's why it's so damned quiet here."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7GIii06ty
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?"
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIkgj5ZK9B
"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."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5ksKmm3wY
Reldin simply shrugged, "It doesn't sound too difficult. The twins and I will be ready first thing tomorrow morning."
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BxiE3rG6O
Ressi gave them two thumbs up, "Yep! You can count on us!" Kiran nodded in agreement.
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQN7faHj03
"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?"
ns216.73.216.212da2
然後按「加至主畫面」