This, Sings War

Many years in the past, in a land far away and perhaps not of this world; there was an Empire that stood with miraculous stories and mundane ones, too. For as long as anyone could remember the four kingedoms prevailed: Root, Arbour, Steele, and Fang. The Throne of Root always was the pinnacle and wherefore the ruler of all four kingdoms, the Empore. As are learned, nothing that is earthly can last forever and things are prone to change. In this place, kinges sent their children away to rule over dukedoms. Here they would get a taste for ruling and be better prepared when it was their turn to take over a throne. Lorde Alforbus Oignon had a taste of it, and wanted more. He became the leader of the four kingedoms, and in only a few short years. 

To tell this story we can start in Birch Towne. The towneship under the gentle rule and taxation of the Arbour Kingedom was home to an interesting girl. This young girl decided one day to go against the slow country life her family had grown accustomed to so she sets out on an adventure, to leave her homestead and actually become somebody. She traveled north to the Root Dukedom with nothing but a pouch of coins, her fathers’ horse, and the leather on her back. The big city overwhelmed her at first, never having left Birch Towne and never setting foot in Arbour Kingedom. Her heart raced and beat heavier than her horses hooves when she entered through the tall gates. This was her first taste of cobblestone roads. She picked a road and followed it to a tavern. She bought some bread and a side of sweet honey that halved her coin savings and she dozed off in a dark corner. 

She awoke when the volume of chatter rose in the establishment, she looked around for the source of the rabble. All eyes pointed to two men, one about her age, the other much older. She didn’t think much of it and looked for a server to bring her some wine, or mead, whichever would be cheaper. Every helper in the place was scurrying to help the new arrivals. She stood to leave, she was sure a city as big as this had more to see, and more places to get wine. What she didn’t notice was the young man had eyes on her. She made it out to her horse before she was stopped by him. “My dear Lady, might I know your name? That is, will you share it with me?” 

She took the stranger in, curly back hair, dark skin, and dark eyes. He stood a foot taller than her with broad shoulders, essentially a wall of man. “You wouldn’t know my name, I’m not from here.” She shook her head.

He nodded, understanding. “I figured, as I make it my business to be acquainted with every face in this Dukedom, and yours is unfamiliar.” He noted her horse. “Are you just passing through? You don’t set out to ride again do you? The sun will set soon.” 

“Actually, I planned on living here for a while.” She smiled.

They talked more and the man, who knew the city like the back of his hand, set her up with lodging and work at an inn in the heart of the Dukedom. He knew the owners and they just lost a worker and were in need of help. They were an old loving couple who could barely handle any guests. In exchange for cleaning, serving, repairing, bookkeeping, and sometimes cooking, she would be paid in a room, three meals a day, and half of whatever the Inn makes from customers. It wasn’t exactly what the girl had pictured she’d be doing, but it was only the first brick in her stone road. She thanked the man by inviting him up to her room to share a bottle of wine the old innkeepers gifted. 

They drank the wine and became more familiar with one another. “Your face is as red as your hair!” The man joked, his strong laugh rang loudly.

“Oh no, it isn’t!” The girl covered her face with her hands, embarrassed, though she couldn’t help but giggle along.

“You’re right, I need a closer look.” He inched closer to her and removed her hands. He pressed his nose to hers and smiled. “Hmm, still red as a rose.”

Heart racing in her chest, she stared into the deep eyes of the man in front of her. The wine, and the devil on her shoulder, both told her to kiss him. She laughed nervously. “Is not.” She argued.

“Why don’t you just kiss me? That is, kiss me already.” The man sighed. The smell of wine dancing between them.

The lady took his face in her small hands and seized his lips. 

This kiss headed what would be a night of lovemaking. Neither of their first time, they used all their past experience just to enjoy one another. 

In the morning they awoke to a pounding at the door. “Sleep, Rose, I’ll get it.” He stroked her hair. He left the bed and the lady clutched the blankets closer to keep the warmth. She closed her eyes and was very well about to return to sleep when her ears perked up at the conversation the man was having with the person at the door.

“Duke, you didn’t inform me this would be an overnight excursion, you have a meeting with Lorde Alforbus this day.”

“That meeting was today? Forgive me, Calvin, I will ready myself at once. Meet me at the horses.” He shut the door and went to scavenge the room for his clothes. The lady feigned sleep but her mind and heart were racing. Had she just bedded a Duke? She questioned. When the man was fully dressed he leaned over her and planted a kiss on her temple. “Fare thee well, Rose.” He whispered to her before leaving.