The land of Eden was changing once more…

  Many times had it seen change of the likes unimaginable in scale. First the War of Heaven, the founding of Falconia, the Elven Rebellion of Faydark, the Shinobi declaring war just shortly after. How the war ended was still discussed by many and argued by many how it truly ended.

  Some say it was the Amazoness Clan who brought the war to an end, others say a rogue faction of Shinobi appeared with a truly bizarre magic that stunned and frightened all. A lesser known part of the war was the influence of Samurai, only recalling they met grizzliest of ends and thus were hardly spoken of.

  How in the early days of Postwar Eden, the Humans led by the ‘Ashen Phoenix Priestess’ along with the Elves and Dwarves and Demi-humans truly had come together for a brief period, building remarkable structures and monuments to celebrate their unity. The great Blackstar watchtowers scattered throughout the land, each gradually becoming settlements of those old and lost clans. Turning to trade and exploring the massive unknown underground caverns that were gradually discovered beneath the watchtowers.

  Guilds being sanctioned and forced to be more official with their records and not so under the table since the main branch was stationed in the very capital and already had a seat on the council. Assassination and bounty hunting work was becoming more and more scarce as well as it was considered an outdated method of collection. Though if one down far enough in the watchtower one could find the Bounty keeper brooding in the dungeons.

  But still there were those that were corrupted to the core and beyond redemption and had power, and if it were dealt with quietly and under the cover of night they’re success would be rewarded by a representative of the guild so long as you weren’t picky about how much you were getting paid. It scared most away from the line but there was one always willing to do it. Almost everyone knew her from her wanted posters and by reputation alone but they never went for her bounty because no one was that dumb and she’d yet to break any rules for cause of blacklisting her, but still everyone avoided her like the plague.

  The market of the little village and Guild watchtower was alive with trade but instantly died and parted when they saw her walking down the street with her horses reigns in hand as he followed. The fabled Red Ronin. This village was home to a branch guild that was slowly cleaning up its image with mercenary work and where she was headed. Tying her horse up she petted him as he snorted and made grumbling noises.

  “Hey.. I’ll be back. Promise.” She assured the horse as he jerked his head to the side

  With this she left her sword and only brought a small canvas satchel with her, her presence still very intimidating.

  Marching up the carved black stone stairs and passing two guild guards who stood at the entrance she passed through the usual guild goers and travelers who came here for information or trade. Everyone minding their business in these early hours, but something was seemingly abuzz.

  “No that can’t be true!” A man whispered

  “I swear it is! It’s gone! I saw it from beyond the village as it burned. I’ve never seen fire like that.“ another man confirmed

  “No way some boy could burn down the demon tree! There isn’t a fire or magical art in Eden strong enough to fell such a tree.” The first rebuffed not believing this tall tale

  “I swear by Ligeria it’s true.” The second man affirmed

  As Iris passed by she gave this little concern or thought. In all her centuries of travel she had heard many stories, and even heard of the Demon tree of Kalikori Village, how seven generations of lumberjack’s could not fell such a tree. She had seen many bizarre forms of magic and never heard of any of such fire in all her time.

  Moving deeper into the back of the tower she slipped into a darkened passage that led down into the dungeons and entrance to the underground caverns.

  Setting down the satchel on the desk with a heavy thud the bounty keeper didn’t even flinch as she sat across from him

  “That was quick. Did you get them all?” He asked more impressed but still sounded like he had better things to do

  “See for yourself. It’s all there.” She said simply leaning back some watching him as he didn’t take his eyes off her either

  “Alright… here’s your pay.” He said toss her a small pouch of coins as she merely stared at them blankly then back to him

  “Cutting me again? Or did the demand go down?” She asked not breaking her monotone nature

  “It’s all I got. Guild’s been dragging its feet with rumors of you hanging around. But now we’re being forced to comply, all I can give you is what I got in my monthly pay. Sorry… but it looks like this is it.” He explained

  “It’s alright, I helped myself to a small loan from their stash before I left, been a pleasure. Guess I’ll see myself out of town.” She said taking her pay and leaving without another word as he sighed in annoyance

  Slipping her payment in a pouch on her saddle she began to untie her horse as she spotted a boy riding in on a horse himself now, as he climbed off as he undid his saddle and reigns and patted him gently.

  “You’ve served me well, a true traveling companion. Go on. You’re free.” He said removing the saddle and everything on him

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  The horse merely snorted softly looking directly at the boy before turning and walking away out the gate they entered and disappearing from view.

  “What in the hell is wrong with you boy? Are you insane?” Iris asked him making his head snap in her direction as she looked at him with a raised eyebrow

  Cole now taking note of Iris. Her red armor damaged and worn down by time and battle. He could even faintly see the traces of darker shades of crimson in splotches on the plating. Fresh blood, still drying against her armor from a night of battle.

  “Well I could think of a few people who would agree with you. Though I tend to think otherwise.” He said truly confused

  “Follow me farmboy.” She said scoffing motioning for him to follow her to the stables “Oi! Got another saddle for you. Pay the man.” She commanded to the stable hand in charge

  “Yeah yeah I hear ya girl! Don’t go getting all uppity on me.” The man said taking the saddle from Cole and setting it aside before shoving a small but decent sized pouch of coins in his hands

  “There. Now you have enough to get some decent food. Would’ve gotten more had you given over the horse.” She said to Cole as they exited the stable

  “I’d rather him be free.” Cole said simply as he looked the pouch of coins as she looked on him with bewilderment

  “Why? It’s just a horse.” She said truly confused on his logic

  “Then answer me this.” Cole said as he looked her way now serious “What’s the difference between a king and his horse?” He asked as she was now completely lost and looked irritated “Instinct.” He clarified as she now chuckled

  “You must be quite the philosopher, farmboy.” She joked

  “Cole, of Kalikori.” He clarified

  “Iris.” She replied simply and motioned for him to follow as she finished untying her own horse and climbed on as she then pulled him on much to his confusion

  “Where are you taking me?” he asked as the horse began to move out of the guild town

  “You’ve heard the stories coming out of your little village to the north of here have you not? They say a boy burnt down the Demon tree, you wouldn’t happen to know anything?” Iris asked simply now ignoring his own inquiry

  “And what if I did..?” He asked cautiously as she merely looked at out of the corner of her eye but keeping her focus ahead

  “People talk when they like a good story. But when a good story falls on the ears of the nobles of Falconia… well then they will most definitely be skeptical, and demand answers.“ She said now more serious

  “Then I suppose I’ll just have to be careful with what I know.” Cole said now understanding her a little more, a little less tense now

  Iris merely observed this as they rode on now keeping her attention forward.

  “We’re headed out somewhere I feel much safer.” She finally answered his initial question as he was momentarily confused

  “And where would that be?” He asked leaning some to the side

  “Into the wild.” Iris replied shortly as she gave a clicked her tongue and pulled on the reigns as the horse now jerked his head some grunting a little before picking up his pace

  Cole now holding to Iris a little tighter now. He could feel the metal plating of her armor, its paint feeling thick and old, like it had gone unattended and repaired for years. Though he still had much to learn he could just faintly feel her aura, the bow on his back giving a flickering connection to his own powers.

  *Dark, shrouded, veiled, clouded, closed off, like some kind of dense immovable wall. Just barely able to see enough of glimpse of something far more menacing…*

  “Try not to strain yourself, you’ll fall off, probably break a few bones, and I’m not stopping.” Iris warned Cole now snapping him out of his haze “Trying to stretch muscles you don’t even understand will do more harm.” She added as he somewhat understood but knew better than to ask anymore questions for the time

  After some time they made it deep into the woods of the next village and watchtower to the southeast. Setting up camp near one of the massive hills and dense cluster of forest. With this they made a tent roof with a tarp she had among her supplies and laid out sleeping rolls. That was about the time the rain started coming down. With her horse under the tarp he neighed at her.

  “Oh hush you, not like I can predict the weather or change it, not that magical.” She retorted as he shook his head and turned it away from her

  Cole merely chuckled sat the exchange as he watched the gentle rain fall.

  “It’s not too bad… I always kind of liked the rain.” He said softly as Iris looked his way again with more curiosity but for now

  “So what bring a farmboy this far out?” She asked, now taking out an old book

  Cole was more than a little confused.

  “If I tell you. Will you answer a question of mine?” He asked inturn

  “Very well. I suppose an exchange is far.” She said pulling out red book from her satchels

  “To answer your question. I have a task that has been asked of me to see through.” He said as leaned against a tree now still listening to the gentle rainfall

  “And you’re going to complete it with nothing more than an elvish bow? Brave, but very foolish.” Iris retorted before retraining her eyes on the book in her hand

  “It was left to me by a good friend..” Cole said as well as this made her look away from her book again and at him now before breathing out deeply through her nose

  “What is your question for me?” She said now holding out her arm and open palm motioning for him to continue

  “What brings us this far out, into the woods I mean? Why help me?” He asked curiously inturn looking her way now as well

  ‘What brings you this far out?’

  This thought brought back so many memories of things she’d long since laid to rest. But it was all back now. The people, the places, those times…

  “Curiosity is not a sin. But you must exercise caution. Never know what it will end up costing.” Iris recited flatly and looked his way “The people find it better when I’m this far out away. And I can control a forest better. Anticipate where an assassin will hide, where a hunter will plant their traps, how to throw off a tracker, and even kill without any hesitation. Can you do that all in a crowded market street?” She explained to him before finally ask him

  He was speechless and thought long and hard about it.

  “Sometimes we have to play the hand we’re dealt. Other times walking away isn’t a option if we chose to walk on that path. All we can do is try to do better when it’s all said and done even if we do have to play the part of the enemy for a time, from a certain point of view that is.” Cole finally said looking at her now as she stared back

  She was deep in thought and went back to her book not answering.

  ‘This boy is so strange. He speaks so foreign. The way he speaks he could rival any in the court of Falconia, yet it sounds hollow. Like he’s read this somewhere… he makes no sense. He knows when to retreat and take the blame on himself for the sake of others. He just needs a little training and he could be the one she spoke of.’ She thought to herself, thinking back to her first encounter with her

  It was like a dream come to reality. Her aura radiating and so blinding, yet beautiful and powerful. Like a mortal made goddess. Iris would not dare draw her sword on someone so sacred, she could only kneel and feel fear for the second time in her life. But this woman merely wiped away her tears and told her to wait for the other like her, they would need this. And like smoke she disappeared, only leaving behind the sword and nothing else…

  As she came to, her eyes still trained on the book in her hand. Though in truth she wasn’t really reading. It was a distraction. An exercise to keep her mind busy. A means to drown out her thoughts. But soon a man in black samurai armor took a seat next her warming his hands by the fire. His hair and mustache greying while his eyes a dark color. He smiled at Iris and gave a chuckle.

  “You really think you can train him all on your own? You really think he’s your salvation? Our blood still stains your hands. And you will never be fully at peace until you come full circle.” The man explained calmly taunting her even

  But she paid no mind to him pretending he was even there. Her eyes moving across the pages.

  “You will never be free. Not while you still drag us around. You will only get him killed by your own stubbornness.” He said goading her even further

  She then felt Cole’s hand on her should snap her out of it.

  “Will you help me get stronger? Not for the sake of killing but to be something better than what is meant to be my destiny?” He asked as she merely looked at him for another long moment

  “We leave at first sign of light. If you are not up with me or before me and I’ll leave your ass behind.” She said matter of factly closing her book now “Get some rest. I’m no mentor. But I can teach you easily how to swing a sword or use a bow.” She added

  Cole nodded some to this as he laid down on one of the sleeping mats, listening to fall of the rain. Her horse merely snorted again as Iris shot the animal a look.

  “I said hush you.” She remarked as the horse merely shook his head some before looking away from her again and back out at the rain

  What do you think so far? Comment what you do and don’t like and needs work