Acrathiss and Tealcnarr conflict

Acrathiis and Tealcnarr conflict

Standing on the deck of the ship named Big Bass, the swordsman Percival McDorran breathed in the sweet air of the Mauervill sea as the cool winds blew through his head of black curly hair. Despite the cool temperature outside, the skinny human, who was only twenty six summers old was hot, mainly due to the thickness of his chain mail shirt and pants he wore over his body, as well as the sun's heat that came from directly above.

Scratching the patch of brown fuzz that grew on his face, Percival turned his head, seeing his friend Robyn Mock approaching him, her long blond hair that reminded him of pasta noddles was swinging wildly as a powerful gust of wind blew past her. As always, Robyn was dressed in her olive colored robes weaved from a mixture of wool and linen. The robe hid her curves and her muscular thighs and legs.

"I told you not to wear your armor when it's so hot," Robyn commented to the swordsman as sweat trickled down his face.

Percival shook his head. They had both left their home at the monastery four days ago and journeyed to Strongspear Island's port city of Acrathiis to sell goods at the Grand Merchant's Festival. Some of the goods they had brought from the monastery included weapons and armor forged by Percival, as well as Robyn's own wooden carvings.

"You never know when an enemy is going to attack," Percival said in a smug voice, forcing his monk companion to roll her own eyes.

Robyn smirked and crossed her arms. "I see you are ready to face danger my friend, even without the use of your sword."

The swordsman looked down, seeing his sheath, but no sword. "Damn it," he whispered, looking back at the monk. "Well I'm glad to have you and your lethal hands to protect me."

Robyn shook her head and crossed her arms. "Percival, for the last year you have studied and mastered all of the sword techniques the monastery has to offer, not to mention your prior experience as a city watchmen."

"I was a knight."

"I'm sure you were, but the point is, you could grab any sword, or even a long stick and use it as a formidable weapon if we were attacked. I'm sure you even have some skills in hand-to-hand combat."

Percival smiled brightly, flattered by his friend's words.

'We should be at shore soon," the monk said, walking past him. "I'm glad the Grandmaster chose us to run the booth at this year's festival."

"I am too Robyn," Percival began as he walked next to her. "But you never told me why the monastery travels all this way every year to partake in one merchant's festival when we could trade with other cities that are only a day's travel."

The monk turned to her companion and said," Legend has it that Strongspear Island is blessed by Bella herself. Since we are from a monastery that serves the War Goddess, we happen to sell a lot at the festival."

Percival's eyes wandered. "Interesting."

Robyn faced the man, seizing him gently by the shoulders. "I know that your faith in the gods is not as strong as the rest of us, but Bella does smile on the monastery. The Grandmaster suspects that she has a particular interest in you."

"So I've heard," Percival merely said before the shirtless, barrel chested helmsman passed them. "Excuse me, how long till we reach the shore?" the swordsman asked.

"Before nightfall," was all the helmsman said before he continued on his way.

Robyn patted her friend's shoulder. "I am going to meditate in my cabin for the next hour. Perhaps you could say a prayer for a save voyage from the Triton the Sea Lord."

"I thought he and Bella were rivals," Percival said as Robyn left the deck. The swordsman walked along the deck, his thoughts with Bella, a goddess whom respected to a degree where many of the weapons and armor he made were decorated with her symbols of olive branches and owls. Like him, she was a warrior, but she relied on tactics and intelligence as much as she did on her weapons.

* * * *

Acrathiis was bustling with people of all races, ages, and nationalities, all of whom came to participate in the fifty-sixth annual Great Merchant's Festival, either as sellers or as customers. Hundreds of booths of all shapes and sizes filled the streets, each offering their own products and services. Merchants would walk from street corner to street corner, declaring with pride and arrogance in their voices, that their wares were the best in the lands and were for sale for an affordable price.

Foreign merchants were not the only ones profiting from the festival. the feast halls, inns, and taverns of Acrathiis were filled with wealthy patrons spending gold for a moment's rest. The temples in the city dedicated to Bella, Triton, and Gaea the Earth Mother, were receiving extra offerings from visitors. Even the local pick pockets and law enforcement were kept busy with the traffic of newcomers.

The sun was just setting as Percival and Robyn were sitting at their large booth carved from pine wood. Percival glanced across the street, seeing other merchants lighting candles and lanterns to help customers view their items.

"The Grandmaster told me that the first day of the festival is a little slow for us," the monk said as she straightened the flutes and sashes on the left side of the booth.

"Maybe a little light would help," Percival suggested to her.

Robyn gave a nod, then snapped her fingers. "I just remembered, I forgot to see if the temple had any rooms available. It's not that far away." The monk rose from her seat and walked away.

No sooner than when the monk left, a tall, beautiful woman with long auburn hair and a white dress approached the table. She removed her steel-rimmed bifocals while her gray owl-like eyes devoured the display of swords and shields to the swordsman's right.

Percival took in a deep breath, hoping to shake the nervousness that was creeping up on him. "Can I help you?"

The woman's attention went to Percival, her thin lips parting with a smile. "Yes, I was just looking at your goods. Very beautiful." She picked up the sword with the blue handle and no cross piece. Her eyes took note of the gemstones embedded under the etchings of tree branches that extended to the lower part of the blade.

"Thank you," the swordsman responded. "I forged those myself."

The woman's eyes widened with excitement. "You did not."

"I'm afraid I did."

"That is quite impressive my boy," she said, looking at the rest of the goods. "Everyone who stays at the monastery is an expert craftsman in some way."

The woman's words sparked confusion in the swordsman, but before he could ask how she knew of the monastery, the woman grabbed a plain gray cotton shirt, then dropped a bag of coins on top of a pair of copper jewel encrusted bracelets.

"And I will take these," the woman added, grabbing a thick spool of yarn and a bronze ring.

Percival opened the bag of coins, to which the woman said," There is fifty gold in that bag."

Taking his eyes from the bag, he looked at the items the woman held in her hands. "Those items do not add up to fifty gold."

"Consider it a donation to your church," the woman said, looking into his eyes.

"Just how do you know-" Percival stopped as the woman reached out with her left hand and grabbed his sword from behind the booth.

"Then I will buy this then," the woman declared, moving the ordinary looking sword in front of his face.

Percival made a grab for his weapon. "That is not for sale. That's my sword."

"But I want to buy it," the woman said, her lips pouting. "You have plenty of swords to choose from, much better looking swords in fact. Why you could just forge yourself another."

Frustrated, the swordsman shook his head. "Fine, take it." He took one last look at the weapon that was previously his, seeing tiny runes glowing on both sides of the blade.

"Simply marvelous," the woman said as the sound of horns roared in the distance. "It's about time she showed up," she added in a casual tone. "I suggest you grab the sword I was looking at if you intend to survive this."

Percival looked down at the blue handled sword. "Survive what?" he asked as he picked it up. When he looked up, the woman was no longer there. He looked around the street, watching as a wave of people ran past him, screaming of barbarian warriors coming to attack.

"Barbarians?" Percival whispered. Looking ahead, he saw twelve men and six women, all on horseback, wearing leathers and hide, and armed with swords and axes.

The swordsman's first instinct was to look for Robyn, when he saw ten of Acrathiis' guards come together and walk towards the barbarian group.

One of the barbarian warriors, a beautiful woman with long brown hair and light blue eyes, rode past the group to meet the guards. Percival noticed she wore leather armor that showed off her curves and muscular arms. "Have the people of Acrathiis chosen to face us honorably, or shall we expect more ambushes?" the woman asked in a loud voice that caused the swordsman's heart to skip a beat.

The guard at the front, a robust man wearing the standard breastplate armor, looked up at the woman. "Princess Amberlee, the Great Merchant's Festival has started. People from all over Airway are here to trade. Surely you know the value of the festival, for your people used to participate in this event."

"We did once upon a time," said the woman addressed as Amberlee. "Yet those days are gone."

"Very well then," the guard began, looking at all of his men. "But know that you and your band are no match for the Acrathiis guardsmen and the merchants who have stayed to defend their goods."

At the guard's words, Percival looked around and saw some of the merchants had indeed stayed behind, armed with whatever weapons they carried. He then look back at Amberlee, whose lips split into a wicked grin.

"Petty merchants and feeble guards do not intimidate the finest warriors of the Tealcnarr nation." The princess let out a cry, that got a response of ferocious roars from her warriors, who charged the guards.

Gritting his teeth, Percival ran with the guards, avoiding the arrows fired by two of the merchants who hid behind their oval shaped booth for cover.

Running past a red haired guard fighting a bald barbarian warrior, the swordsman found himself face-to-face with a Tealcnarr warrior six inches taller than him, wielding a curved sword that was stained with fresh blood.

The warrior swung his sword towards Percival, but only managed to cut a few hairs from the swordsman's head.

Percival managed to sidestep the barbarian's next two attacks, then slashed his own sword in a wide arc, cutting the warrior's left pectoral muscle. Before his foe could retaliate, the swordsman kicked his left foot into the warrior's left calf, then drove the bottom of his weapon into the throat.

Turning away from the Tealcnarr, who was now gasping for air, Percival went up to a dark skinned, short haired warrior and slash his blade through her right leg. As her leg gave out, the warrior woman drove her sword though his shoulder and pulled it back out. Percival stepped back and held his bleeding shoulder, watching the woman fall to the ground the same time as her sword.

Just as he continued his way through the battle, Percival heard a familiar cry. Looking back, he saw Robyn spin kick a seven foot Tealcnarr male in the face. He watched the warrior stagger while the monk threw six quick jabs into his chest, then follow through with an uppercut that sent the large man to the ground. Just as Robyn regained her stance, two large Tealcnarr women charged at the monk. Before Percival could call out her name, Robyn rolled behind both barbarians and sprang her to feet.

Percival was about to help his friend, when a powerful weight struck his back and forced him to his stomach. After tossing his attacker off did he notice the body of the guard who had spoken to the princess, laying next to him.

"Child's play," the swordsman heard Princess Amberlee say as she jumped onto his back. Throwing her off once more caused a twitch of pain to distract him from the princess' sword as it lightly pierced his left arm.

"Another easy kill," Amberlee said as she swung her sword at his face, causing Percival to block it with his own sword.

The swordsman backed two more steps, doing his best to ignore the pain in his arm and side as he deflected Amberlee's sword. The princess attacked once more, but Percival sidestepped the attack, then swiped his blade across her shoulder.

"That is an impressive sword," Amberlee began, ignoring her wound as she swatted Percival's cheek with her blade. "It will look good on my mantle."

Percival smiled, wondering if the princess was serious, or if she was trying to provoke him into a reckless attack. "As would that armor of yours," he replied, dodging another swing. "Only that would look better on the floor next to my clothes-"

"Percival!" scolded Robyn, while the guards and Tealcnarr warriors who managed to hear the swordsman's words laughed.

Angered and embarrassed, Amberlee slashed her sword across Percival's chest, drawing a thin line of blood. "I will cut out your-" she ceased her words as another battle horn filled the air. "More guards must be coming. The princess debated whether to finish her opponent, but then she saw the monk approaching her, her fists balled and rage in her eyes.

Princess Amberlee cursed as she ran past Percival and Robyn and followed her warriors. The monk, whose eyes followed Amberlee into the distance, held her friend as she said," I would have been here sooner, but the temple was farther than I thought. The beds are comfortable though." She stopped to look at his wounds.

"I'll live," Percival said, ignoring the pain in his chest and arm. "That woman..."

"She is apart of the Tealcnarr barbarian tribe that lives in the northeast part of the island," Robyn began, putting his sword back in his sheath, then placed his right arm around her.

Percival sighed as he watched more guards arrive while two dwarven merchants helped three weary watchmen gather the fallen.

One of the guards, a stout woman whose forehead was marked with a large bruise, stepped in front of them and said," Those barbarians have slaughtered villages and towns all over the island in a matter of days."

Percival raised an eyebrow. "I was under the impression that this island was sparsely populated."

"It is now," the guard said, removing her helmet to reveal her bald head that sported a long purple scar. "The Tealcnarr used to be peaceful."

Percival looked at Robyn as she gasped at their booth that was now broken in half, with their goods scattered everywhere.

"We made some money before the fight," Percival said as Robyn let go of him and began picking up their wares. "A woman came and bought some yarn, a ring, and my sword."

The monk turned to Percival and glanced at the sword in his sheath. "She bought your sword? Interesting." She sighed and looked at the pile. "You should get to the temple, it's six blocks from here. Get your cuts looked at."

"Are you sure?" Percival asked, watching the monk as she began gathering their goods.

"The city will provide us with a new booth and I will manage," Robyn said as she looked around. "I guess it was good for me to wait until tomorrow to sell my carvings."

Percival nodded as he wiped the small trickle of blood from his chest, then began walking.

* * * *

Underneath the full auburn moon, Percival smiled as he walked across a small pool behind the inn, surrounded by flush green trees and bushes. He washed his face then took his shirt, smoothing out the bandages around his arm and shoulder, then splashing water on the thin cut on his chest.

"You should have listened to Robyn," said a voice over Percival's shoulder. The swordsman looked back to see the customer who had visited his booth from earlier.

"Have you been watching me this whole time?" demanded Percival, who was fumbling to put his shirt back on.

The woman tilted her head and replied," You could say that." She began to circle him and continued," The Tealcnarr are not attacking because of shear desire, just so you know. Amberlee's hand has been forced, much like yours in the past. You should go to the Tealcnarr lands in the Northeast and aid her."

Percival stared at the woman, realizing who woman truly was. "Bella?"

The woman smiled at him. "You and Robyn are to leave in the morning."

"But what about our booth? You must know that Robyn and I are here on business, assuming the city was able to replace our booth."

"Oh they were able to," Bella replied with a nod. "Though the new booth isn't as big as the other."

Percival rolled his eyes. "We can't forgo our duty to the monastery."

"The Grandmaster will understand," the goddess said. "He will see this as a holy mission."

"That's not the point," the swordsman said, crossing his arms. "The monastery would be losing money and a chance to acquire goods to help us better understand the world. I mean if we could find a replacement to help us sell our goods then Robyn and I could leave. But do you think we could trust the other merchants to keep their word?"

Bella shook her head. "I see what you're trying to do." the goddess stroked her chin and looked at the man. "I will run your booth while you and Robyn do this mission for me. You will not need to give me a report of what you are selling and the prices, I know them already."

Percival smiled and bowed to the goddess before going back to join Robyn at the booth.

* * * *

"I can not believe that Bella is working at our booth," Robyn said as she and Percival walked under the morning sun, their feet scuffling through the grass that was wet from last night's brief rain fall.

Percival bit his lip. After his encounter with the goddess, he went back to the temple to wait for Robyn rather than joining her. Once she arrived, he explained everything to her, saving the part of bandaging his own wounds at the inn. To his surprise, the monk was hesitant to go on this journey, because she did not believe a divine being should do a mortal's work. The swordsman won her over by explaining the importance of the mission.

"It sounds as if Bella is trying to save these people," the monk continued as they passed three trees. "Their leader was the most barbaric of all, and not to mention a tad arrogant. Although your behavior was not helping."

"Well she also happened to be adept with a blade," Percival blurted out. When he saw Robyn's confused expression, he added," You heard the guard. These Tealcnarr were not always like this."

"So quick you are to stick up for her," Robyn commented in a sly voice.

Percival stared forward, reflecting on Robyn's remark while at the same time thinking of Amberlee's smile and Bella's words.

What could she mean by Amberlee's hand being forced? he asked himself. His memory drifted back to the first encounter he ever had with a god. It was a year ago, he had made a bargain with Calillilli, a goddess of vengeance, to save the life of a little girl named Annie, in exchange for killing a former disciple of her's. Although the adventure resulted in meeting new friends and slaying a dragon, it was also the first step in the swordsman's restoration of faith.

"Could it be she is attacking villages and cities to save the life of a loved one?" he whispered as he and the monk crossed a small wooden bridge.

Percival and Robyn continued their journey through the morning until the sun was directly over them. After finding a small shaded area with two large trees, Percival sat down and ate some raisins and beans he kept in his pocket. When he noticed Robyn staring at him, he asked," Is everything all right?"

The monk sighed and sat up against the tree. "Please forgive me Percival. I should have not questioned Bella's judgement."

The swordsman raised an eyebrow. "I do not recall you questioning Bella's will. Besides you know that I believe that it's okay for someone to question their faith in the gods every once in a while."

Robyn shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps, but if she would have us journey to this village, then it must be important. I am going to meditate on this."

"You do that," Percival said as he finished his small lunch. "If you see her, ask how business has been, will you?"

"I will," Robyn said, resisting the urge to laugh. "Perhaps you should nap and rest your legs before we continue."

Percival looked at Robyn, who was now sitting cross legged, her eyes closed. Deciding to follow his friend's advice, he laid back on the cold grass and drifted to sleep while thinking of the princess.

* * * *

After securing the belt around her waist, Amberlee entered her father's quarters, immediately kneeling at his bedside.

Judaris, ruler of the Tealcnarr nation, was a large man standing just two inches below seven feet. His muscular body was decoration with scars he had received in battle. His skin was normally tan, but after contracting an illness that was affecting the inside of his body, it was pale.

Amberlee shook her head, seeing her father's ages closed. His shallow and raspy gaps for air was like an accurately applied pressure point. It was hard for her to suppress the pain she felt, and she wondered when it was going to stop.

"Father," she whispered gently taking hold of his hand. Her eyes looked at the door, seeing a familiar, black robed figure standing in the doorway.

"Aeris," the princes hissed.

Aeris removed his hood, revealing his olive colored face, clean shaved head, and hawk nose. His hazel eyes lingered in the princess as he walked over to Judariss. "The goddess is not pleased with your lack of progress in Acrathiis. You could have taken the city."

"With only eighteen warriors against guards, not to mention merchants armed with weapons" Amberlee snapped, causing the priest to jump. "We have been going nonstop on this campaign of yours and we are using what is left of our resources."

"Then let your men and women rest," Aeris purred, turning to the princess. "Once they are all ready, you will storm the city."

Amberlee crossed her arms, but Aeris continued," A pity your father is not well. He would have had the strength to continue to take the city. He would have finished that swordsman on the street."

Judging by the way the woman looked to the ground, Aeris know he struck a nerve. "Fear not dear Amberlee, you will get a second chance, for my goddess tells me the man is on his way now."

Amberlee took a deep breath and walked out of her father's room. The priest assumed she was preparing to greet the man.

"Perhaps they will kill each other in battle," Aeris whispered as he stood above the sick chieftain. "Just as the Tealcnarr and Acrathiis will perhaps kill each other when this is over my dear Calillili"

* * * *

It was nightfall when Percival and Robyn reached the Tealcnarr city. The monk was the first to observe the small houses that were scattered throughout the area. Percival took note of the women and children, and few men were working in the fields.

"It must be time for supper," Percival commented as he and Robyn walked past two children who were going inside.

"It is hard to believe this is a tribe of vicious warriors," Robyn said as he spotted two Tealcnarr sharing what she guessed was water. They continued to walk until Percival saw a tall black statue of a woman standing in the center of the city. Robyn also noticed the statue, her arms shaking as her eyes stared the site of it. "There is a dark energy pulsating from it."

Percival held his friend's shoulders, feeling a familiar presence coming from the statue. "Callallili," he whispered to the monk. "This must have been what Bella was talking about."

No sooner did the swordsman the two steps forward, Amberlee came charging at him, screaming at the top of her lungs. Before he could draw his sword, Robyn jumped and kicked the princess in her face, knocking her back several feet.

When the Tealcnarr warriors saw their princess, they ran low as a large man and a long legged woman stepped in front of her, swinging their axes, only to have Robyn avoid each attack. After dodging what she guessed was the seventh attack, she threw a left jab into the large man's face, then drove her right elbow in his stomach. The barbarian woman next to her swung her axe, but missed Robyn and ended up hitting her comrade instead.

While the barbarian fell to the ground, Robyn grabbed the shaft of the woman's weapon and flipped her into a group of three approaching Tealcnarr warriors.

Six feet away from where the monk was fighting, Percival quickly parried attacks coming from three different warriors, then made a stab with his own weapon, successfully hitting a one-eyed warrior.

Percival continued his offence by spinning in a fast circle, slicing the hand off one Tealcnarr warrior, while knocking the the weapons out of the hands of the other two.

Amberlee walked over and help her hand up, commanding her warriors to stop. "Halt, this one is mine." Drawing her sword, she smiled wickedly at Percival. "Your little friend won't be able to save you now."

The swordsman glanced at Robyn, who was surrounded by four Tealcnarr women. Two lunged at her, but the monk jumped into the air, performing a split kick that knocked down two of her opponents.

Percival held his blood stained blade forward. "I'd be more worried about the warriors fighting her."

Ignoring the man's words, Amberlee swung her sword, only for Percival to block it with his own. The princess continued to deliver slash after slash, but the swordsman easily blocked each one.

Frustrated, Amberlee lunged and stabbed at the swordsman's midsection, but Percival stepped back and brought his knee into the right side of her jaw.

Percival held the tip of her weapon at her throat a split-second before she batted it away and jumped to her feet. She attacked in a faster motion, but Percival continued to match her pace, with only her last attack piercing his armor.

The swordsman went into his own attack, first making a back handed slash that cut Amberlee's left hand.

The princess backed two more steps, allowing Percival to come forward and continue his attack. He was about to attempt a downward slash when he saw Amberlee's eyes look past him. He managed to stop and glance back, seeing a large sickly man walking to the front of the crowd that had gathered to watch the duel.

"Father!" Amberlee gasped, watching Judaris walk towards her, his large eyes looking between her and the man she was fighting.

"Two things I have taught you my daughter," the leader of the Tealcnarr nation began in a low, but powerful voice. "One being that when you give in to your rage without controlling it, you will become reckless." He stepped in front of his daughter and looked back at Percival, then turned his attention back to his daughter. "Second, you never pass judgement on an enemy before you get to know him."

Percival heard Amberlee sigh and watched her stare into her father's eyes. Silence filled the air, but it was short lived as the sound of quick and worried footsteps approached.

"Judaris," Aeris cried as he ran to the father and daughter. "You are not well. You need your rest."

As Robyn joined him, the swordsman stared at the priest, who was putting his arm around Judaris.

Sensing Percival's eyes, Aeris' face twisted into a grin that was telling the swordsman he knew exactly who he was.

"Aeris, I am well enough to stand," Judaris said before looking at the two disiciples of Bella. "You are warriors, both of you. Who sent you? Was it the Acrathiis leaders?"

"We were sent here by the goddess Bella," Percival answered in a calm voice, causing much whispering amongst the Tealcnarr."

"Bella?" Judaris asked. He turned to Aeris, then looked back at Percival and Robyn. "Our nation and warriors honor Bella, therefore you will not be harmed."

The monk arched an eyebrow. "If you honor Bella, why do you follow such a vengeful immortal such as the Mistress of Vengance.?"
Before Judaris could answer, Aeris stepped in front of Robyn. "The Lady offers power to the Tealcnarr, something which Judaris is having trouble acquiring due to his ill state. Too long have they been oppressed by the city people on the island. With Callalilli by their side, they will be given the respect they deserve."

"And that gives you the right to slaughter villages and innocent lives?" the monk asked in a harsh voice. "To take soldiers away from their families?"

"If some have to die for the greater good, then so be it," the priest answered. "Does your goddess not recommend the use of sacrificing front line soldiers to boost morale and gain the advantage, monk?"

As Robyn held back her desire to knock Aeris to the ground, the priest took Judaris by the arm and led him away.

Percival and Robyn watched the priest. After a moment of silence, the monk tapped his shoulder and added in a teasing voice," The princess couldn't seem to take her eyes off of you."

The swordsman turned to see Amberlee walking towards him, flanked by two of the tallest women he had ever seen. "If you are servants of Bella, you are welcome to stay," the princess said in a soft voice.

"Thank you," Percival responded. Before he could say anymore, a slender, black skinned man dressed in hunting leathers ran up to the princess. "Lady Amberlee, they're coming."

The young man's words caught the attentions of everyone. "Who is coming Minos?" inquired the princess.

Minos pointed back to the forest. "Guards from Acrathiis. Their leader wanted me to tell you they are prepared to meet you at dawn's first light."

Amberlee turned towards her guards and said," Get any strong individuals you can. Tell them to be ready at dawn. This may be an attempt at battle, but we will have to see."

"We have to stop this Percival," Robyn said, grabbing her companion's arm.

"I know," Percival said. "I will try and talk to Amberlee. You should-" he stopped as a group of six Tealcnarr warriors approached her. Percival recognized them as the group Robyn had successfully beaten with her own hands.

One of the men stepped forward. "Milady, could you please teach us some of your techniques before we go into battle tomorrow?"

The monk looked uneasily at Percival, before she agreed to the warrior's request.

As his friend led the six Tealcnarr to an open area, Percival went his own direction, brainstorming his ideas of how he was going to stop the upcoming battle.

* * * *

The stars burned brightly in the night sky as Percival walked slowly through the village. After passing by a group of children, he came across Amberlee, who was adjusting her armor. The swordsman began contemplating starting a conversation, when the princess greeted him by saying," I am not sure of your customs, but the Tealcnarr consider it not polite to stand behind and gawk at a woman."

Percival was taken aback by the woman's words. "I was not gawking." He stopped when he saw the dents in her armor. "Your chest piece..."

"It was no fault of yours," Amberlee said while Percival began to examine it. "I tried to fix it and ended up hammering it one time too many. My skill is a little above an apprentice, but...what are you doing?"

Her eyes stared as Percival began running his hands over the dents. "If you want, I could look at this armor for you. I may be able to make it better."

Princess Amberlee's lips twisted in a smile. "You could do that?"

"Yes," Percival said with a smile of his own. "It may take a few hours, but I can do it."

The barbarian princess brushed his shoulder with her left hand, resulting in a shock. Percival stared into the woman's eyes for a moment. "What?" she asked, her own eyes staring into his.

"Do you really have to go through with this battle?" Percival asked, watching as she sat on her porch. "Why are you putting up with that rat of a priest?"

"Because that rat is says his goddess can cure if his sickness, something Bella has chosen not to do," Amberlee said, with a bit of frustration in her voice.

"And is it true, that the city of Acrathiis has treated your people poorly?" the swordsman inquired.

"My people are allowed to come and go into Acrathiis as we please, but our people are looked down upon," the princess briefly explained though Percival had trouble believing her intention to go to war. "Why are you so insistent on preventing this?"

"You don't have to-"

"What would you know of it?" Amberlee snapped before he could finish his sentence. The swordsman expected more, but much to his surprise, Amberlee went inside of her house and slammed the door.

"More than you think princess," Percival whispered before turning his attention back to the armor.

* * * *

Three hours had passed and Percival was still outside, hammering Amberlee's chest piece.

"You should heed your own words Percival," a familiar voice said as the swordsman looked at the armor. Behind him, Bella rolled her eyes as he continued to hammer the dents away.

"If I knew you were going to hammer metal all night, I would have grabbed some supplies for you," the goddess said, circling him.

"Shouldn't you be watching the booth?" Percival asked."

The war goddess smiled proudly. "You'll be happy to know that much of your wares are gone and sold. Being that it was such a profitable day, I decided to end the day early." Bella looked around, her divine gray eyes scanning each corner of the town, seeing many soldiers going into their homes. "They are turning in for what little sleep they will get before they meet the Acrathiis forces. You know, they do not have to go to battle tomorrow."

Percival rolled his eyes. "It's hard to convince Amberlee when her father's life hangs in the balance."

"And Robyn has sure helped the Tealcnarr by teaching them hand to hand combat," Bella added with a smirk. "Now the-"

"Is there a reason you came here?" Percival snapped in an angry voice.

Bella smiled, amused by her warrior's brash words. "If I were an angry god, I would strike you down. You should be more obedient. Take Aeris for example, see how is slips off into the night, doing his goddess' bidding."

Percival raised an eyebrow, seeing the priest walk out of his small house, cloaked in black.

"Is he walking out of the village?" Percival asked, putting down the hammer.

"And towards the Acrathiis guard," the goddess added, pointing in the direction Aeris was walking.

The swordsman handed Bella the hammer and chest piece and said," See what you can do with this."

Holding the armor, the war goddess watched her swordsman follow the priest.

* * * *

In an effort to keep himself hidden, Percival walked behind a pair of tall bushes and watched as Aeris beckon someone over to him. The swordsman kept his hand on his pommel as three Acrathiis guards stepped into view.

"Have the Tealcnarr agreed to a hearing of peace talks?" asked a guard recognized from his first encounter with the barbarians.

There was no mention of Acrathiis wanting peace talks, he said to himself.

"The leader Judaris laughed at your request for peace," Aeris answered in a low voice. "His daughter declared that her hundreds of warriors will slaughter you at dawn. The best course of action is to kill the barbarians while they sleep."

The guards exchanged awkward glances with each other. Without thinking, Percival ran into the open, prompting the guards to draw their weapons. "You have it all wrong," the swordsman yelled. "The Tealcnarr are not marching to attack...I mean they are marching to attack, you but they were never informed of any peace talks."

The guards began muttering amongst themselves, but Percival pointed to Aeris. "This man has lied to you."

Aeris turned to Percival. "Do not listen to this blasphemer. He is a spy for the barbarians and has come under the charms of the princess."

The swordsman resisted the urge to put the priest in his place. He looked into the open, seeing the sun beginning to rise. Looking at the guards, he said," The Tealcnarr are coming this way. They do not want to destroy the city. Amberlee is only doing this because-" he let out a scream as he felt Aeris' dagger plunged into his side.

Percival threw the priest to the ground, then pulled the dagger from his body, staring at its black blade and the poison dripping from its tip.

"A personal message from my goddess, traitor," Aeris said, licking his lips.

The sound of Tealcnarr warriors marching filled the air as more Acrathiis guards approached. Holding his side, Percival turned to see Amberlee, wearing a shining suit of chain mail and leading a group of twenty warriors.

The princess was about to tell Percival about her encounter with the strange woman who broke her chest piece and then replaced it with a new suit of armor, when she saw his wound. Her eyes went to Aeris, who was struggling to his feet. The priest stared into Amberlee's own eyes, when he felt a pair of hands around his neck.

"I would not be so quick to move," Robyn whispered into his ear.

Percival smiled at his friend while twenty Acrathiis guards stood across from the Tealcnarr. "Now just a minute," he yelled, stepping in the middle of the two parties. "This whole war between you to is nothing but a plot created by the Lady of Vengenace. Aeris is her servant, and was playing both sides."

All eyes turned to Aeris, who growled as he struggled in the monk's grasp. "This is the will of my lady. You were to die in battle-" his words ceased as Robyn twisted his neck a little bit. "I admit, I am responsible for everything, including Judaris' illness."

"But you can end the fighting," Percvial said, walking over to Amberlee, hoping she wouldn't charge and kill the priest. Feeling a little light headed from the poison spreading through his body, Percival his hands ran over her breasts as he said," You can begin your peace talks-" he stumbled forward while the princess caught him in her arms.

The swordsman buried his face in Amberlee's sternum. The last thing he heard before losing blacking out, was the quickening of her heartbeat.

* * * *

And so it was, the guards and the monk returned to Acrathis with six Tealcnarr escorts, one of them Amberlee, who was holding a sleeping Percival on her horse.

Once they were back at the port city, the princess helped Percival to a bed, then bid Robyn farewell. Percival would wake up hours later and speak to his monk friend, who informed him that his speech was successful and that the city of Acrathis would agree to speak to the Tealcnarr. When he asked of Aeris, Robyn informed him that the priest was able to escape her, but not before he fell and impaled himself on his own dagger.

After eating breakfast, the two returned to their booth, where a gnome maiden in a green sunflower dress with long white hair was selling a young couple a pair of silver rings.

"And you told me you had Bella herself working out booth," Robyn said before relieving the gnome of her duties.

Percival shook his head as the gnome passed him, but not before she gave him a wink. "I thought you said everything was sold," he whispered.

"Goddess of not, The Grandmaster will be pleased," Robyn said, looking into the bag of gold the gnome had handed to her before leaving.

Percival nodded until he saw Amberlee speaking to a fish trader.

"Perhaps you should go and speak to her," Robyn said, patting her friend on the shoulder. "She said something about you owing an explanation of the clumsy woman breaking her chest piece."

Percival sighed and looked at Robyn, who urged him to leave.

Taking a deep breath, Percival began walking towards the Tealcnarr princess. He had a feeling their conversation would lead to more than just a piece of broken armor.