Chain Melody 4

“So that’s why you let her go eh, tall man?”

“Pretty much. I was debating how to make my next move when she brought the monsters to my attention.

Varen stood in a large windowed hall that overlooked the city of Aperture beyond the massive columns that kept the chasm wall from collapsing in on the hall. He was better dressed a three-day since his short lived clash with Corvina and had added a pair of leather boots and a leather jacket over a white shirt to his get up in addition to a sheathed claymore he wore from his hip like it was but a long sword. The man who joined him was not as tall as him and was less conservatively dressed as he went shirtless revealing a chiseled build that was adorned with numerous tattoos. He was handsome enough as well with his fiery mane of hair though from his brow to his chin a garish scar ran down his face through his right eye. The combat spear he had resting on his shoulders implied that that scar was won in combat but he was currently more interested in conversation even if combat was the topic of discussion. Varen had a correction for the man first however before he would let him speak.

“And it’s Varen Elcourt, not ‘tall man’. Seriously, how many times am I going to have to tell you that, Hero?”

“Maybe until you can remember that it’s Kyte Ardea, humble fisherman of the Great Kingdom of Bright Rift. But what’s our actual names matter tall man? We’ve lived through so many life and death situations together now that we’re practically blood brothers so a nickname or two is only natural.”

“Except you’re forgetting that at least two of those times you were trying to kill me.”

“Well the first time I’ll admit I couldn’t help myself and the second time was in service to my country.”

The Hero Kyte Ardea flashed Varen a smile as he brushed aside his past attempts to kill the man. The casual disregard Kyte had for his attempts on Varen’s life drew forth a heavy sigh from the taller of the two men. Varen’s reaction did naught but entertain Kyte further.

“But like I said, we’re practically blood brothers now. If not for your crazy decision to go after the princess of Highroot his majesty would have never sent a detachment of troops to investigate Beaks’ lab and I’d probably still be trapped in that seal of his. Of course if I was still sealed down there your friends probably would be too and you wouldn’t have this chance to try again against that crazy princess.”

“A fact I find most displeasurable. Have you forgotten your sworn duty to see me as well as Lady Mail safely to Raptoria?”

Turning away from the window Varen followed the sound of the irritated voice to its source somewhere near the ground. Standing there at merely the height of the average man’s knee was a Rattama, bipedal, short snouted mice people with long curved feet, cat-like prehensile tails, and round bodies. This particular specimen was garbed in red robes but went barefoot like most of his kind though his snout was adorned with a pair of spectacles that he removed and began to clean fervently.

“Of course not Master Wherks. But…”

“But what Varen? What could possibly make you dally now of all times? You are alive and Lady Mail and I have had our freedom restored. While Sir Elliot’s absence is unfavorable staying here any longer could be disastrous from what I have heard.”

“That’s why I can’t leave Master Wherks. If I knew where Lord Elliot was I could trust him to face Chain, but as it stands I’m probably the Stormroot Kingdoms’ best chance.”

“How? And what would ever make you feel so full of yourself?”

The Rattama known as Wherks returned his spectacles to his face and looked upon Varen incredulously. Varen did not match Wherks’ gaze and instead turned his attention to his left arm. Wherks’ gaze followed and the Rattama frowned as he set his eyes upon the Relic that the missing sleeve of Varen’s jacket left exposed.

“You believe your Relic will make up the difference in strength between yourself and a Hero? Surely you’ve gone mad.”

“No, I just need to not waste what I can still get out of it. If I force it I can probably recall Lord Elliot’s Equalizer one more time and if not finish that monster myself than lure her out for this Hero to finish off.”

(Besides, had I just acted when Melody found me we probably wouldn’t be in this mess right now. It’s my responsibility now to finish this and save Melody before Chain gets here.)

Varen’s thoughts turned away from the conversation at hand as he blamed himself for the situation in Aperture. He would never vocalize those thoughts though for fear of the retribution he would receive and had purposely called out Kyte in a way to hide his own failings. Kyte however was not perhaps as humble as he claimed and saw Varen’s halfhearted callout more as a compliment.

“If you don’t waste time trying to finish her off yourself and just lure her outside we could end this a lot faster tall man.”

“I can’t believe the two of you are entertaining this absurdity.”

“I can Master Rattama.”

Joining the conversation led by her relatively plain voice was an equally plain maid with short dark hair, garbed in a blue military uniform and armed with bow and arrow as well as a sword at her hip opposite her quiver. She fingered the bow thoughtfully and gazed at it with her anything but plain violet eyes. Walking up to join the others in the hall she tore her eyes from the bow and looked upon the group.

“I still need to return Chain’s bow and I feel kind of responsible for Melody. I don’t know if her injury is mending well and I can’t help but worry about her. If I can I’d like to help in any way that I can.”

“I feel it would almost be safer for me to leave this kingdom as foolishness seems infectious here.”

“Watch your mouth fur ball.”

“Fur ball?! Well I never–”

“And never will again if you know what’s good for you. You may be a master Song Smith and particularly infamous amongst your kind but Bright Rift is my home and a great kingdom that has little need for your kind and their technology hoarding ways.”

Kyte cut off Wherks and leveled the Rattama with his contempt as he defended his kingdom from slander. Wherks was not one to back down however and was more than glad to put the Hero in his place.

“We safeguard technology because of our experience with letting human’s run rampant with what they craft themselves. Do I need remind you that although the great empire of Automina who conquered the Builders was made by humans that it ultimately fell from its heavenly home devastating the world? If not for my kind it is likely you either would still be living in the dark ages brought about by the Fall of Automina and the end of the Age of Ash. That is if you didn’t destroy yourselves first trying to reclaim Automina’s glory as Lewis Sycamore did some eight springs past, bringing the whole of the Western Kingdom’s with him.”

“Don’t compare us to that fool, fur ball. Our technology doesn’t even rely on the Builders but instead the divine light of Nightyr.”

“Bringing religion into your argument only weakens your stance, especially in light of Nightyr’s history. Who is to say that the jailed god does not still desire the destruction of Yg’las and our world along with him?”

“If that’s Nightyr’s will then so be it.”

“Seriously. If you two keep talking like that we might as well do nothing and let Chain turn the Stormroot Kingdoms into another Black Mast.”

Having grown fed up with the bickering between Hero and Rattama, Varen interceded in an attempt to remind them what it is they were trying to accomplish. Neither party wanted to back down but Varen gave them little choice as he placed himself between the two.

“Look, I get that you two obviously have a difference of opinions but this isn’t the time. The whole of Aperture and the Stormroot Kingdoms are in danger if we don’t do something. Since we don’t know where Chain is the only thing we can do is try to stop the mad maid who’s holding Bright Rift hostage. And Master Wherks, we’ll need your help so that she doesn’t bring the whole city down.”

“And what do you expect me to be able to do against a Hero in a city with no Remnant of Automina? The simple Tuner I keep on my person could never influence the Builders’ on a scale great enough to cripple a hero.”

“But are you not just a Rattama Song Smith, Master Rattama, but a Master Song Smith whose knowledge of the technologies of Automina and how to make the Builders’ dance to their tunes so great as to need the escort of a Hero.”

“Well…”

Wherks could not hide his pride as he again adjusted his glasses and was reminded who he was by Mail. Varen was grateful for Mail’s efforts to convince Wherks to help and offered the maid a smile. Mail did not return the expression however and looked upon Varen almost imploringly.

“And I would again lend my aid if at all possible. I may be a Concubine Heir of the Holy Empire of Light meant to be married off to some Raptorian noble, but I didn’t know that until recently so I don’t see myself that way. I was a member of the Central Kingdom Parcel Service and routinely traveled between towns that could not be reached by airship on foot. I’m for certain there is something I can do.”

“I’d rather not put you or Master Wherks in any more danger than you already are, but…”

“It will be a difficult task regardless. If what I have heard of the situation is to be believed we are up against a foe far more dangerous to approach than to do battle with. One mistake could very well bring us unto complete and utter ruin.”

“Looks like you’ve managed to put together a rag tag group for Hero slaying, tall man. I wonder what drives you so hard to give it your all against a Hero though.”

“It doesn’t matter. All that matters right now is stopping them and not giving Chain a reason to destroy everything. Then if we live through this everything else comes after.”

“Foolishness still, but if I am to involve myself I advice we begin with clarifying the situation and putting together a plan.”

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater