“Hey”

Breaking through a small layer of clouds and shining on the green grass, brown-auburn leaves, and mud-brown road, the sun beamed upon a small carriage. The horse’s footsteps as it stood idle waiting for its owner to come back added to the soft melody of the rain pattering against the ground and carriage cover, each footstep added to the slowly booming chorus of the birds playing in the trees, and the hungry deer stalking around the edges of the trees.

A cool brisk air flowed through the forest and made the trees shuffle and the leave fly. Sitting on a small wooden log, Lecca hummed to herself as she looked to the grand view just beyond the cliff she sat on. Behind her she noticed Sergeant Randall doing the same. He looked at the vast greens of the canopy below clashing against the deep blue waters that were shining under the sun’s rays. His smile was soft, kind, as his uncovered brown hair momentarily shuffled under the wind.

“How are you doing?” Sergeant Randall asked turning his view back to the woman in front of him.

“I’m just enjoying the view.” Lecca responded brushing a small amount of hair behind her left ear, “What about you Mike?”

Tasting the salt from the large body of water so far away, the Sergeant shifted uncomfortably as Lecca stared at him with a curious gaze, “Just about the same.” He said clearing his throat purposely, “It reminds me of something I saw in my home state.”

“I see…” Lecca said apprehensively, “Well, as much as I want to spend the rest of my day here looking at this gorgeous view, I believe it would be best of us to depart.”

“Yeah.” Mike said a bit disappointed.

The serene view the two shared was quickly abandoned as they walked side-by-side to the carriage. Both the driver and the other Rangers waited alongside the wooden contraption, but they sorted themselves out as soon as both Mike and Lecca made themselves known, with Green attempting to make some smartass comments towards the Sergeant.

Now sitting across from each other, Lecca folded her hands over her thighs as the carriage lunged forward with the sudden pull of the horse. Just beyond the forest, the border of Bishmark waited for them to arrive. They were traversing through the older borders, yet as once beautiful as they were, several charred buildings and fauna covered ruins were spotted along the path taken.

Some many years ago during the old ages, the Kingdom of Yondel was once one of the few world powers that survived the initial attack made by the Demon Lord and his many legions of monsters. Death, ruin, sickness, and much more was precisely unleashed upon the once-united humans.

Now however, nature had once taken hold of the lands that once belong to the kingdom, and now vast fields of land and the once peaceful green forests used the layers of the dead to provide nutrients to the flora and fauna it spread to heal the scars made by the war.

Crossing a flat field once used by foreign farmers, Lecca looked upon the vast hilly fields that contained red flowers that seemingly stretched as far as the eye could see. Under the marmalade sunset and semi-clouded skies, the flowers glowed and almost bowed to her as a soft wind blew across.

Though it was a peaceful and almost comforting scene, the meaning of the flowers was much more unnerving and gloomier. Each flower represented each man killed during the dark ages; such flowers acted as a memento to heroes and villain’s past. Patriots, criminals, heroes, villains, regular people; each were ‘buried’ here as a sign to remind those in the future of what was lost.

Yet not many knew that the war was merely on “hold”. No one officially one, and the silver-haired princess would never rest until she knew her people would no longer be endangered by the looming threat of the Demon Lord and his endless army of monsters.

Everything was still as it was. Everything had yet to change since she was a child. She had no other choice but to keep moving forward to avenge those she lost, yet she would have to reach her destination to even start such a grand operation.

Luckily enough, she wouldn’t have to wait long.

The large walls of the “Crown Jewel” stood tall over the southwest entrance to the city. It’s shadow casted far enough to cover the carriage. Intrigued comments were made by the men next to her, however, Mike remained silent as his gaze strictly remained at the red fields that were a long distance away. It was almost as if he was searching for something.

Lecca unintentionally grasped her long white skirt tightly. From the few interactions she has had with the Sergeant, it was obvious that something was troubling his mind no matter where or when they spoke. Perhaps it could’ve been similar to her own troubles, yet she did want to interject her opinion on the man. Performing such an act would be un-lady-like of her, let alone un-professional as a member of the Royal Family.

Slowly entering the gate and getting passed the guards, a newfound light coated herself and the others in warmth as they entered the city. Their destination was on the other side of the city, as they needed to stop by the barracks to observe the defenses prepared by the military garrison stationed nearby.

With the carriage coming to a halt, Lecca and the others disembarked and began to walk down the one of the lightly populated streets to avoid amassing attention to the unfamiliar and abnormal gear the men had. Looking around Mike could tell that the city looked unimaginably different from the outside. The cliff he and Lecca sat on provided an entirely different perspective on viewing the large circular city. It was almost hard to believe many called this place home, as it looked like an artist’s canvas being painted with the best oils money could buy.

Lecca remained in front of him as he kept looking around the general area. On the other side of what looked to be a housing district, an endless sea of tarps, hats, and cloaks crowded the streets. Men and women talked amongst themselves, while friends shared laughs over memories not of his own.

Passing several vendors who were selling all sorts of goods, Lecca noticed that Mike and the others had stopped to look at a shop that was selling weaponry such as, swords, battle axes, and compact knives. She noticed that Mike was staring at a small, yet simple knife sitting on the covered table.

Approaching from behind, her footsteps caught the attention of the Sergeant as he noticed her reflection in the same knife that he now held in his gloved hands.

“Sergeant, are you feeling well?”

It wasn’t until he looked back in the reflection of the knife did Mike realize what face he was making. There were several small but dark circles under his eyes, and his face looked slightly pale. He straightened his frame and slightly brushed his messy hair back into something recognizable as he took a deep breath and exhaled. “I’m okay.” He said with a slightly weakened voice. “I was just checking out the merchandise.”

Shaking her head, folding her arms, and letting out a short huff, Lecca’s demeanor changed as she ridiculed the tired man, “Your face is pale, your arms a shaking slightly, your eyes look sunken in, and you look like you’re about to fall over dead if you don’t get any rest within the next hour.”

“Such is the life of a Ranger.” Mike quipped making the others chuckle in response.

“Ym, Ym. Ti kools ekil I evah srotisiv!”

Snapping to attention, the men faced an elderly woman who seemingly man the station without them noticing.

“Uh ma’am? Please repeat?” Thompson said alarmed and confused.

“Huh? I just said it looks like I have visitors?” The elderly woman said equally as confused.

Looking at the corner of his eye, Mike noticed that Lecca’s face held a worried expression as she held a clenched hand alongside the hem of her skirt.

“Is there something I can do for you gentlemen?” The woman asked.

Responding quickly, Thompson grabbed the knife in Mike’s hand and placed it on the table, “No thank you. Apologies for the misunderstanding ma’am, have a nice evening.”

All the old lady could do was nod and give her goodbyes as the men walked off.

Patterson looked at Captain Thompson sideways, “Sir…”

“I don’t want to hear it.” The captain said in a lighthearted tone, “I’m sure that we would’ve been in a similar situation no matter where we went.”

Everyone knew that Thompson was freaking out after the sudden event. His shaking hand provided that much after all.

Reaching a staircase next to the large wall, Lecca pointed out that tourists and other civilians were allowed up during daylight hours, and that they should take in the view before heading down the garrison for the evening. Agreeing, the eight collectively ascended up the stairwell until the reached the top of the 20-meter wall.

Being higher up than most of the buildings within the city, the eight felt the crisp cold fall breeze as it swept over the “Crown Jewel”. The few guards stationed on the wall waiting to get off their shift watched the men cautiously and curiously.

Taking out his binoculars, Patterson scanned the horizon spotting multiple natural landmarks such as volcanoes, mountains, islands, and forests. Stretching from one of the many vast forests, a large river extended through the fields and into the city through several small gates manned by garrison for security.

Some commotion came from one such gate nearby, where a merchant was attempting to enter the city with a boat full of goods and supplies.

“What a fucking view.” Staff Sergeant Baker said.

“Yeah, take a look at the animals over there.” Simon pointed at what looked to be a pen of animals being herded just outside one of the main gates.

“You know I really expected this city to be like what our books depicted. With shit and dirt all over the place.” Richard rudely commented gaining a shocked look from Lecca

“Shut the fuck up corporal.” Malkovich said while smacking the back of his helmet.

Laughing the eight returned to silence as the sun gently began to set in the distance. Rays of gold painted the red fields, forests, and the single river in a bright hue. Looking at the corner of her eye, Lecca watched the men truly smile at the grand view before them. She herself allowed a smile to overtake her mouth. She now had a responsibility to lead these men against the Demon Lord, and she be dammed if she let them down.

Lieutenant Patterson peered down the golden-green fields with his binoculars and peered at the large group that had just gathered outside of the city. His finger fidgeted with the magnification as he attempted to make sense of what he saw.

“Shit.” Patterson said suddenly wiping out the excitement in his brother’s voices. A surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins as he tightened his grip on the binoculars. “Boss we have unknowns at the southwestern tree line!” He said gaining the attention of the guards nearby.

“Unknowns? How many, and what are they doing.” Placing his pack on the ground, Thompson retrieved his own set of binoculars.

“Possibly twenty, maybe more.” Patterson called. “Light armor and weaponry, heading east into the forest.”

A roaring crash came from behind the Rangers making them turn around. Lecca had turned on her heels and unintentionally crashed into a small collection of boxes holding alcohol. One of the nearby guards screamed in agony as she took off and descended the stairs.

Realizing where she was going, Thompson shouted over the confusion, “Go! Go! Follow her to the barracks!”

The thunderous sounds of the boots of seven men rushing down the stairs garnered the attention of both nearby guards and civilians, yet no one stopped them as they rushed after the silver-haired woman who was cutting across main street towards the central barracks.

Publicly Available Information: City of Bishmark:

The City of Bishmark is known by both its residents and travelers as the “Crown Jewel” of Kingdom of Yondel. At the kingdoms founding, the city was initially the capital and was owned by members of the royal family, though any records regarding the first family and the location of their castle mysteriously vanished.

Bishmark is a city full of luxuries and is the economic and central trading hub for the entire kingdom. Merchants, businessmen, adventures, and many more come to the city in hopes of achieving greater fortune for themselves and their families.