Chapter 11 of THE KINGDOM
Saturday, August 31st, 2013 05:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nannyn posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
mindcrackloveCan you guys believe that all of this has happened in ONE DAY? And it's still gong on! (Well, I can safely say that this "feast" turned "battle against the three nations" has gone well past 12:00. So I guess we're in the next day.) Ugh, what are you guys going to think when I'm on the 50th chapter, and starting to run out of ideas?
Here's the normal: I can't link pretty (I tried again yesterday, and I was once again unsuccessful :c), read previous chapters, comment below for motivation, blah blah blah.
Ad whooey! I didn't know that this chapter was so long! Oh well, you guys get a special treat today.
Story time!
Chapter 11
-Guude-
Through the thick haze of drunkenness, he only half-heard Doc say the words.
“A fight.”
He heard the crowd explode through stuffy ears and felt the rumble of feet slamming against the ground through his unsteady feet. Despite his uneasy state, he stood up and leaned heavily against his chair, which made Doc look down at him.
“Do you approve this?” Doc asked from up in the chair.
Guude moved his blurry eyes towards the sound of Doc’s voice, knowing that he was speaking to him. He didn’t know what he said, though. “Uhh?” He grunted.
Doc sighed. “Guude. Yes or no?”
Guude understood that. He wasn’t that drunk. He could still stand, albeit with some support.
He grabbed his newly refilled glass of beer and raised it high.
“Yes!” he shouted, a big smile on his face. The crowd roared in response, and he grinned wider at the response.
Whatever he just agreed to, he hoped it was interesting enough for him to stay awake.
-Doc-
He watched the crowd go wild, silent. He knew that the fight was a good way to become friends, and that everyone would have a grand time showing off their skills.
But Doc stood on the chair and watched the crowd, silent as ever. He only had to wait a few more minutes until the people participating were finished. Once they were out on the floor, he was sure that the feeling would dissolve.
“Ladies and gentleman, you have only a few more minutes until the greatest fight you will ever witness will take place.” He called out. “Remain patient, and you will be rewarded.”
He then stepped off the chair and made his way around the table onto the open floor. He traveled across the floor and over to the doors to the hallway. He waited for the crowd to part for him, before he stepped through the door that was respectfully opened for him.
“Thank you.” He said to the man who was holding the door. The man dipped his head in a bow that was as much as the restricted space would allow.
Doc returned the head dip and walked through the door quickly so the man could have at least a bit more space. He smiled to himself as he heard the door close quickly, as if people were pushing against it to make it close more quickly.
Doc breathed in the cool, wet-smelling air that was wafting in from the open windows across the hall. Going over to the window, Doc rested his forearms on the sill and looked out at the night. The moon was hanging overhead, ripe in its almost full appearance. The light it reflected glinted beautifully off the lake surrounding the castle. In the distance, across the lake, the glow of the lights lining the Center Ring gave the distant shops a blurry appearance.
The breeze was soft in Doc’s hair and gentle on his face. He sighed, enjoying the silence that the wall behind him surprisingly held true. Doc was surprised that the stone wall could block out so much noise, even though the crowd was right behind it, making more noise than what was previously imagined as physically possible.
Whatever BDubs did when he redid the castle, he did it well. Doc thought.
BDubs.
Doc was worried about him. He hadn’t shown up for the feast, and no word of him had come back from the scouts Doc sent out when the rest were traveling to the dining hall. He hoped that BDubs was at least safe from harm, wherever he was.
Doc promised himself that he would send out more scouts when he got enough time to actually speak to someone for more than five minutes.
He reached up with his arm and lightly touched the eye patch on the right-side of his face.
He didn’t want BDubs to get permanently hurt.
He wouldn’t allow it.
“Doc?” A voice said behind him quietly, breaking him out of his thoughts. Doc sighed sadly and turned towards the voice.
Beef stood there in armor. His face was one of concern. “Doc, are you okay?”
Doc sighed again and pushed himself up off the windowsill. “Yes, I’m fine. Is everyone ready?”
Beef’s face cleared. He knew fully that it wasn’t a good idea to dwell on Doc’s emotions. It could be dangerous. “Yes, I believe so. We all have our armor on.”
Doc nodded, thankful for the change in the atmosphere. “Are you all ready?”
Beef nodded again, except his face was more serious. “Yes. We’re all ready for the fight.”
Doc nodded again. “Good.”
And with that, he walked back over to the door and pushed it open, going into the loud hall.
-Beef-
He watched Doc go into the hall. When the door had closed, he sighed, leaning his bulky body back on the windowsill behind him. He started down at his armor-covered shoes.
He was apprehensive about the whole thing. Etho was a spectacular ruler, with a spectacular personality to go along with it. But, even then, Beef wouldn’t protest if Doc said that he wouldn’t get to fight him.
“Don’t you look handsome.” Someone said, and Beef looked up from his shoes and out of his thoughts.
Kurt was walking over. Beef shuffled away from him a bit so that they both could lean against the windowsill.
Kurt made a noise of thanks and leaned on the sill beside Beef. He sighed and turned around so he could look out at the water. Beef, doing the same, ended up looking more at Kurt than the scene outside the window.
The way the moonlight—the only light source, save a few dim lamps at the end of the long hallway—hit Kurt’s face, illuminating it with a blue-white glow, made Beef stare in wonder. Kurt looked like he had drops of moonlight caught in his lush brown hair, and the moonlight made his brown eyes twinkle.
Kurt smiled, sill looking outside. “Beef, you know, when you stare at me, I can see you. I have peripheral vision like any other human.”
Beef moved closer so they were touching. “And I still do it, even though it is obvious.”
Kurt softly smiled, a little hitch in the side of his mouth. “And I don’t stop you.”
Beef and Kurt looked out at the silent night in comfortable silence.
“Are you ready to fight?” Kurt asked after a while.
Beef sighed. “I don’t want to fight Etho. I would like to have all of my limbs intact by the end of the night.”
Kurt chuckled. “Etho won’t hurt you. I thought you knew that.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m overreacting.” Beef said, pushing off the sill. The position he was in had jostled his chest piece, causing it to push uncomfortably into his neck. Beef grunted and tried to fix it, but he didn’t have the right angle.
Kurt, still chuckling, got up and reached up to fix it for him. “Here, let me do it.”
Beef let his hands drop and allowed Kurt to fix the chest plate. “Thanks, Kurt.”
Kurt smiled, but didn’t look up from the strap, which was being stubborn. “Almost got it.” He said. A few minutes later, he stepped back, wiping his hands on his trousers. “Done. Now it’s straight.”
Beef moved his shoulders and hopped up and down a bit, realizing that he had it in the wrong place in the beginning. That, or Kurt had the fingers of a god, because the chest piece was much lighter and fit perfectly now. “Wow.” He said. “What did you do? It feels so much better.”
Kurt shrugged. “I’ve had practice at the smithy, fitting people for random armor pieces.”
Beef blushed, feeling stupid that he didn’t think of that in the first place. “I completely forgot about that.”
Kurt smiled again. “Most people do, since it’s odd to have someone of such a low status courting a royal.”
Beef stepped closer to Kurt and looked at him. “Well, I believe that it’s perfectly fine.”
Kurt smiled softly and wrapped his arms around Beef’s chest, leaning his head on Beef’s shoulder.
Beef wrapped his arms around Kurt and rested his head on Kurt’s. They stood there like that, silent.
Beef heard Kurt whisper something. He didn’t hear what he said, but didn’t want disturb the peace by asking.
He didn’t know what Kurt said. And he never would.
“It’s perfect.”
-Vechs-
He moved his shoulders to test if the armor was fitted properly. Satisfied, he walked over to Nebris and Zisteau, who were talking about something-or-other.
“So…” Vechs said, gaining the attention of the two. “What’re we doing now? We’re just going in there and fighting Etho until we all collapse?”
Nebris shrugged. “I guess. It’s only the four of us right? Us three and Beef. Where did he go, anyway?”
“He went outside to talk to Doc or something.” Zisteau said to him. “Anders and Guude can’t participate because they can’t stand upright.”
“Actually, I’m surprised that they lasted this long.” Vechs said, leaning against the wall.
Nebris nodded. “Anders actually went to bed a few minutes before we left the room to gear up. Even though he’s gone, it’s still impressive that he lasted this long. He wasn’t even the first person to go to bed.”
“Who was the first?’ Zisteau asked.
“It was Pause. I feel bad for the guy, having being embarrassed like that by Guude.” Nebris said.
“Yeah, me too” Vechs agreed. “So it’s only Guude and Etho in the dining hall?” He asked.
“That sounds dangerous.” Zisteau said.
“Yeah. I think Beef and Doc are still in the hallway.” Nebris replied. “Actually, I have some questions for our fight moderator.” And with that, he pushed out his chair from the table covered in armor and walked across the room and over to the closed door.
Vechs looked down at his shoes, growing embarrassed by the sudden silence between him and Zisteau. His eyes stayed there for a couple moments, which was drawn out for forever, before Zisteau cleared his throat and said, “We make a good dancing pair.”
Vechs looked up at him, grinning. “Well, we did capture the attention of the crowd. And they seemed to like it.”
Zisteau grinned back. “We sure did. How did you know the song, anyway?”
“Um,” Vechs said. “I don’t really remember when I first heard it, but I recognized it tonight and thankfully knew the dance.”
Zisteau nodded. “I knew it because it was one of the songs that was played last time we had a Fifth-Year meeting. Baj had requested it, and I had learned the steps because I liked the tune.”
Vechs nodded. “It is very catchy. Everyone was tapping their feet, so they obviously felt the same way.”
Zisteau smiled, looking at Vechs. Even though his gaze was riveted on the wall opposite him, Vechs could still see Zisteau staring at him. He wondered if he should do anything about it.
He was about to turn his head towards Zisteau to make another attempt at small talk when Nebris came back into the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Zisteau immediately averted his gaze from Vechs and looked over at Nebris, who was walking across the room and over to the table.
“Well, we won’t be able to go the short way back to the dining hall when it’s time.” Nebris said, sitting down with a heavy-sounding thunk.
“Why not?” Vechs asked.
Nebris sighed heavily, but there was a small smile on his lips. “The lovebirds were having a cute moment in the hallway, right in front of the main doors.”
Vechs rolled his eyes, sighing jokingly. Zisteau saw his fake-annoyance and smiled.
“They seem happy.” Zisteau said, leaning back in his chair.
“Oh, yes. They definitely are.” Nebris said, doing the same. Plunking his boots on the table, he said, “Sometimes too happy. They tend to be so lovey-dovey that everyone around them feels poorly about their own relationships.”
Zisteau laughed, a cute mixture of a snort and a giggle. Vechs smiled slightly at the noise.
“If the person aforementioned is in a relationship.” Vechs said, well aware of how Zisteau’s eyes grew wide and his face very curious at the thinly-veiled sentence.
“Well, those people just feel poorly because they don’t have a relationship to feel poorly about.” Nebris said breezily, seemingly oblivious to the interaction between to two.
Vechs snickered. “Oh, those poor souls.”
Nebris looked at him out of the corner of his eye, an eyebrow raised. “Like you’re one to talk, mister I-haven’t-had-a-relationship-in-forever.”
Vechs smirked, knowing that Zisteau’s eyes would be even wider.
Thanks, Nebris.
Nebris stood up again, stretching. “Beef and Kurt have to be done with their moment. If they aren’t, I’m going out there and telling them to get a room.”
Vechs winced, saying, “Please don’t do that.”
Zisteau looked at him, then at Nebris. “What happened?”
“Anders had told them to get a room once, when they were hugging after Kurt taught Wolfie a difficult trick to learn.”
“So?” Zisteau asked.
“Pause then punched Anders hallway into next week with his good arm.” Vechs said, completing the thought.
Zisteau winced also, saying, “Ow. That even sounds like it hurt, if it came from Pause.”
Nebris nodded. “Yep. Pause can be a bit overprotective of Beef, if you couldn’t tell from that little story.”
“And the thing that amazed me about it was that he made Anders cry.” Vechs said.
Zisteau whipped his head around to face Vechs. “No.”
“Yes.” Vechs said, nodding.
Nebris rolled his eyes. “No, Anders did not cry. Pause only made Anders tear up, like when you’re in a lot of pain very suddenly.”
Zisteau nodded. “That sounds more like it.”
“But, even then, Pause made Anders tear up by punching him with his non-dominant hand.” Vechs said, shaking his finger at Nebris, who swatted it away.
“Yes, that was impressive.” He agreed.
“Well, judging from what I just heard, I don’t think it would be the smartest idea to tell them to ‘get a room’.” Zisteau said, holding up his hands and curling his middle and pointer fingers.
Nebris shrugged. “Pause has already gone off to bed, and Beef and Kurt don’t care enough to tell him about it and make a huge mess. Besides, they’re probably waiting for us in the dining hall right now.”
And with that, he started to walk towards the doors. Zisteau pushed back his chair, and with the help of his hands, pushed himself up into an upright position and started to the door. Vechs followed last, making sure to grab his sword lying on the table.
Hooking the sheath’s ring to his belt, he jogged to catch up with Nebris and Zisteau.
He went outside into the hall and made his way to the entrance doors. Rounding the corner, he saw that Beef and Kurt were no longer in the hall. Only Nebris remained.
Vechs walked up to the doors, where Nebris was waiting for him. He opened the door, but paused to clap his hand on Nebris’ shoulder.
“Thanks for earlier.” He said. “About what you said.”
Nebris looked at him, a sly smile on his face. “What are you talking about?” But he patted Vechs’ hand anyway. “No problem. Happy to help.”
Vechs smiled and turned back to the halfway open door. “Are you ready for this?”
Nebris grinned. “It’s going to be fun. Plus, my rapier hasn’t gotten any use in quite a while.”
He reached around Vechs and pushed open the door all the way. Holding out his hand, he gestured inside. “Ladies first.”
Vechs snorted. “Watch your back in there, Mister Cheaty. You may be surprised when you find my sword sticking out of your chest.”
Nebris beamed. “I’ll be awaiting the chance to slice you to ribbons.” He then walked into the room, making Vechs have to grab the door so it wouldn’t bang against him.
Vechs smiled. This is going to be fun.
He walked into the room after Nebris.
-Etho-
Doc was waiting beside him. They both weren’t talking, and neither had moved from their original positions in a reasonable amount of time.
Etho was trying to look at Doc in the most un-noticeable and stealthy way he possibly could. Even then, whenever his eyes would drift in that direction, Doc’s eyes would slowly move to look at some unseen thing in Etho’s direction.
Then Etho would have to go back to square one. And then he would have to start all over again.
He knew his stealth skills, and all other skills, to be exact, were higher than the normal ninja. At least, that’s the reason he became emperor at such a young age, and managed to keep it in his power till the present. But this guy, this… Etho didn’t even know. But how Doc could know that he was being watched, and react like he did… Etho didn’t get it.
He just knew that he would never enjoy meeting Doc in battle.
He prayed that he wouldn’t have to.
He was ripped out of his thoughts when Beef and Kurt walked back into the hall. Beef was decked out in full armor. Kurt obviously wasn’t going to participate in the fight, and immediately went around the table and sat in Beef’s chair.
“Welcome back.” Etho said to him.
Kurt looked up at him, grinning. “Try not to beat up my lover that badly. I enjoy him in one piece.”
Etho smiled. “I don’t think I’ll get close to him.”
Kurt shrugged. “I think you’re modest.” He then looked down, and Etho knew that the conversation was over, even though he wanted to protest.
A few minutes later, Zisteau came into the room, followed by Nebris, then Vechs quickly after.
They were all here. Doc knew this, and hopped back up onto Guude’s chair.
Of course he does, he’s inhuman. Etho thought immediately, then felt fairly stupid. He’s not inhuman. He’s just…
“Ladies and gentleman!” Doc called out, and the people grew silent. “I apologize for such a long wait. Someone forgot where they misplaced their sword.”
“Shut it, Doc!” Vechs yelled from across the room.
Doc rolled his eyes. “Cool it.”
Vechs grunted.
Doc sighed, then continued. “Now that everyone is ready and protected, we can now begin.”
He then looked directly at Etho. “If you would be so kind as to take your place, Slab.”
Etho was shocked by the order, but he didn’t show it. He quickly took his place in the corner of the open space, with Beef and Vechs closest to him.
He called me Slab. How—
“And now the fight is almost upon us!” Doc called out. “The rules to this fight are: no killing or seriously harming. You’re out when you’re cut. The last one wins!”
Beef drew out the ornate longsword that he had custom-made at Kurt’s family smithy. The tip of the sword was respectfully pointed towards the ground. He kept on switching it comfortably between his hands, and was glancing around at all four people, obviously nervous.
Ambidextrous. Impressive, but dangerous.
Nebris drew his rapier with a flourish, but quickly melted into deep concentration, his face shrouded in the shadow cast by his hat, which he had refused to take off all night.
Concentrated, intent on hurting me. Never a good sign.
Zisteau pulled his morning star over his head and held it in his left hand. He readied his falchion in his right.
A morning star and a falchion? Is he planning on gutting me?
Vechs unsheathed his xiphos from its scabbard and held it in his right hand. He then pulled out his parrying dagger and held it in his left hand. He kept on flipping up the dagger into the air and catching it without looking, all the time looking at Etho.
So, he likes his knives. He’s comfortable with his weapons and knows about defense. Dangerous.
Etho began to pull the katana out of its scabbard on his back, but then let go, letting it slide into its sheath again. He then pulled his shuriken out of his weapons bag at his thigh, sticking his fingers through the holes, which was what they were there for.
They’re not going to get close enough to me for me to use my katana.
“Ready your weapons.” Doc said.
They all grew concentrated, and readied their grand assortment of weapons.
I will not lose.
Beef glanced back to the table, obviously looking at Kurt. Whatever Kurt did, it calmed Beef down. When he turned back, he was as calm as the rest of them.
I will not lose.
“Are you ready?” Doc asked.
The room was silent.
The five made no attempt to answer Doc.
Doc chuckled. “Well then, don’t answer.” He took several steps back, where he was leaning on the table.
Etho shook his hands, causing his shuriken to clink against each other.
Vechs flipped his parrying dagger one last time, then held it in a vice-like grip.
Beef raised the tip of his sword so it was in the air.
Zisteau moved his hand up the grip of his falchion and twisted the morning star in his grip.
Nebris adjusted his weight so his arm was tight at his side, his sword level with his hand.
The room was still. Silent.
Doc stood up again, raising his hand above his head.
No one breathed.
I will not lose.
Doc let his hand fall.
“Fight.”
I chose their weapons, some because they sounded cool, but more because they fit the character. A rapier for the flamboyant Nebris and his hat. Heavy, powerful weapons for the tank-like Zisteau. A plain, yet very ornate sword for Beef. Something that would suit Vechs personality. Etho being a ninja. Stuff like that. I do good job, no?
Ooh, Doc is being all mysterious. Vechs and Zisteau are being adorable. so are Beef and Kurt. Guude is being hilarious while madly drunk. Hmm, will they win over the crowd, or will you all stick with your current favorites?
Previously:
Prompt: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2611
Chapter 1: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2634
Chapter 2: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2653
Chapter 3: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2688
Chapter 4: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2698
Chapter 5: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2729
Chapter 6: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2755
Chapter 7: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2781
Chapter 8: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2802
Chapter 9: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/2807
Chapter 10: http://mindcracklove.dreamwidth.org/285189.html
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Date: Saturday, August 31st, 2013 10:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Saturday, August 31st, 2013 10:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Saturday, August 31st, 2013 10:31 pm (UTC)I did miss the chapters lately, it was so boring on the train without something to read! But I'm happy you post it again!
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Date: Sunday, September 1st, 2013 01:55 am (UTC)But I'm back now, for a bit until school starts!
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Date: Sunday, September 1st, 2013 12:05 am (UTC)So, so many feels, so many...
Keep it up! ;)
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Date: Sunday, September 1st, 2013 01:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Sunday, September 1st, 2013 01:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Sunday, September 1st, 2013 01:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Sunday, September 1st, 2013 02:26 am (UTC)Beef and Kurt being so cute ;) Vechs and Zisteau! Their all so cute <3
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Date: Sunday, September 1st, 2013 05:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Monday, September 2nd, 2013 08:29 pm (UTC)KUUUUUURT! :D