Melody of the Builders 7

“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing now Princess Corvina?”

“Why master adventurer, boarding an airship of course.”

The scene that unfolded in the golden cobbled and gothic towered city of Highroot was perhaps most peculiar to the average passerby but had become almost normal over the course of the last five-day. Arriving at the airship docks of the independent technology group the Junk Birds by steam truck was an adventurer of no small repute. Hawk Highperch, a grizzled man with graying hair and bushy mustache who was dressed as though he was both warrior and a man of no small import. This was undoubtedly true as he was the head of the company house of the Soarmont Adventurer Company within the city of Highroot. Compared to the dainty maid garbed in a black bustle dress with a matching parasol however he was inconsequential in the Kingdom of Highroot. As Highperch himself had addressed her she was a princess and daughter and heir of King Peregrine Stormflock, sovereign of Highroot.

“An airship to where I wonder.”

“Why should that be a concern of yours master adventure? Eh, he, he, he, he. Unless of course you’re worried about the safety of a maid as fair as I.”

Twirling her umbrella Corvina gazed upon Highperch with soul stealing black eyes set in a face like a porcelain doll. Smiling seductively with her dainty red painted lips the princess giggled though what the laugh implied was beyond Highperch’s comprehension. Regardless of its intent the grizzled adventurer discarded it as he attempted to straighten the princess out.

“You’re safety should be a paramount concern but I’m personally more worried about you attempting to start a war. There’s no doubt that Bright Rift will be sending their own troops to investigate the happenings in the Stormroots and so to avoid a conflict it’s better that adventurers from the Company do so for Highroot. The Company’s presence in Bright Rift and our expertise on the ruins coursing through the Stormroots should allow us to investigate without promoting hostilities.”

“Eh, he, he, he, he. You’re foresight is so straight forward master adventurer. But a conflict is what I desire. My puppets after all tell me that Bright Rift is seeking to lure the Bandit King into a trap in the Stromroots. A trap they are attempting to bait with an eastern Hero and none other than the Chainmaid herself.”

“So she really did survive that fire.”

“Of course. She had to so that way she could protect my future pet.”

“The harpy. I can’t understand your fascination with the beast.”

“Eh, he, he, he, he. Of course not master adventurer. To you that’s all she is despite obviously being so much more. But don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of belittling you for it. I myself after all do not understand why you would stop me from visiting a town within the borders of my kingdom. Nor why you would stop me in joining Bright Rift in snuffing out the usurper.”

Offering Highperch one last smile Corvina spun away from him and drifted with the crowds towards the airships that resembled a mixture of galleon and zeppelin tangle in web of catwalks. Irritated by the princess’ actions Highperch ran a hand through his hair as he dismissed the truck driver and set out after the princess.

“You do realize that your presence could complicate everything don’t you? On top of that you are the only living Hero of Highroot and the heir to the throne besides. It shouldn’t matter that Misthead is under Highroot rule; Bright Rift has made plays on that village before and whatever has prompted the Builders to sing will likely also be contested by those fools.”

“All the more reason to make myself present. But this insistence of yours is starting to bore me master adventurer. It makes me wonder why father would be willing to grant such a worrywart a noble’s title?”

Highperch’s face scrunched up as Corvina hinted at ways she could punish him for displeasing her. Not desiring to cross the princess who he also acknowledged as a Hero Highperch attempted a new strategy.”

“If you’ll forgive me for my concerns princess might I suggest a joint venture then?”

“Go on master adventurer.”

“I obviously can’t dissuade you from going, nor should I it seems…”

An amused twist came to the smile that adorned Corvina’s face at Highperch’s words but she did not interrupt him waiting to see what ploy he came up with in such short order.

“… but I believe I can achieve the best of what we both desire should I accompany you personally.”

“That is a most intriguing prospect master adventurer, but does it not go against the policy of adventurers not getting involved in politics? Though admittedly your pursuit for power has already broken that taboo. Eh, he, he, he, he.”

“That it has princess, but this is a matter where I can easily circumvent such perceptions.”

“Is that so master adventurer?”

“As long as we play politics it shouldn’t be a problem. We need simply say that since the Stormroots are rife with dangers and that Highroot does not desire to make a show of military activity that the Adventurer Company was hired to protect you. As for my presence, that can be hand waved as me simply desiring to oversee the two major operations we have been hired for in the Stormroots which is not far off from the truth either.”

“Eh, he, he, he, he. I see why you lived to be so aged master adventurer. Your quick thinking has surely served you well afield as much as it does now. But if we are to play politics there is much that we need to prepare for. I am a Hero after all master adventurer and one of Highroot after the usurper’s purge. My presence will become troublesome in such games without proper preparations. Proper preparations will also be necessary if I am to enjoy myself. But don’t worry master adventurer; I see naught but entertainment to be had from your desperate attempts to keep safe one who could kill you with a smile.”

As if to make true on that threat Corvina offered Highperch a smile only to burst into giddy laughter as the adventurer braced himself for that eventuality. Twirling away from Highperch and disappearing into the crowds as though the masses were a dense fog the princess continued to laugh. Highperch could only narrow his eyes and furrow his brow as he quickly lost sight of the capricious princess. Though she disappeared from his sight Corvina was not quite done with Highperch yet as she shared with him a few more words from the depths of the crowd. As Highperch noted a number of people speckled throughout the crowd looking at him with soulless black eyes he could not help but wonder if those words came from her mouth at all.

“Now master adventurer and soon to be lord of my father’s, I leave you to your preparations as I do the same. I look forward to seeing how you’ll react next and wonder who will surprise you more; me or the maid from the south. Eh, he, he, he, he.”

“Honestly, I’d prefer not to have too many more surprises at my age.”

Speaking under his breath Highperch bitterly voiced his opinion but was powerless to do aught else. Giving up on finding the princess in the crowds he instead turned his mind to business and made for the offices of the Junk Birds to charter passage into the Stormroot Mountains for himself and the adventurers who would join him.

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater