《The Knight's Goddess and The Goddess' Knight》14
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The moons take turns peeking through the clouds as they begin to fade under the coming dawn. The knight is uncertain if he did truly see large wings swoop by above. There is the sudden movement – a fleeting sweep or a flap – yet when he looks up there is nothing but dimming stars and playful moons.
“That is a most forceful method to impose upon another for a subtle favour if I’ve ever seen one. Do you perchance know that guard?” Greufard asks in observation once they are out of earshot, the trading post now a mere speck in the distance they have created. The forest stretches onwards on both sides, deep shadows crawling out from its midst in the form of tendril-like ferns as much as they are retreating with the gradual brightening of the sky, and among them dance the shapes of galloping horses, the biggest of which is the grey stallion’s.
Iacy huffs and tilts her head, locks of gold falling over her face. “I guess you can say that. I’m actually surprised he still works there; I wonder why.” She turns briefly to the knight with a smirk to receive a knowing nod. “But yes, it is a relief that he understood. The Lady Luck watches over us. And Lady Ulsnadir, is it? We’re actually tracking down this killer everyone is riled up about. You mentioned your son, and you seem to have made some connection between them, if I may be straight to the point? Perhaps we may find some answers together, but it would be your decision to make, whether or not to follow us.”
The orc seems calmer now, her expression now more of worry rather than of irritation. The riggirun’s paces rock the greatsword hanging on her back and jingle the metal rings on her armourvest and belt. “Please, ‘Nadi’ would do, ah…I have lost all trains of thoughts in that argument; I was so preoccupied with getting back on this road that I didn’t yet think of what to do after. I could identify their scent – my husband’s and my son’s – but…” Tears form in her eyes and she faces down to hide it; her breathing becomes ragged, her finger trembles as she tightens her grip on the reins and she begins tensing up. “No, I don’t understand. Ranar might already be dead, and so are the others that were with him, but all we found were their weapons and clothes. Ranar’s clothes, blood at his chest area, my love. Lots of blood. But his wasn’t with the others; the clothes. And then my son…”
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Nadi says no more, swallowing the air rushing into her mouth in gulps as the continued rocking of her mount pushes the tears to drop from her chin. The knight looks apprehensively at Iacy, but she is busy pondering on a notion perhaps related to his thoughts. Greufard is quiet at the front, knowing not to turn around as Nadi is following right behind him; he is transfixed on a black pebble of sorts in his hand, staring grimly at it as if willing it to crack open with his mind.
“I will not hide this from you; I had a vision where I witness the orcs losing their lives to a scythe-wielding figure.” Iacy finally reveals. “We believe this is a Shade’s doing. Your husband must have tried to escape with the child, but he did not succeed. If there are no signs of your son, there is a good chance the boy got away. Your husband perhaps stayed behind to delay his foe.” She pauses to observe Nadi, who is looking back at her with a wild mix of futile disbelief, rekindled hope and compounded anxiety on her face. “It’s sorry information, and not much at that. But if you don’t have a trail of your own to follow, it’d be wise to keep with us.”
A silence falls like a sky turned gold. Streaking sunrays begin piercing through the clouds as they meet and collide, each sun announcing its arrival. A glare bursts forth onto the world as another joins in, materialising in the sky with a radiant twinkle, the third sun of the day – Asturath – expectedly later than its companions in presenting itself. The knight senses the shield on his back resonating with the warmth and light that is falling upon their shoulders, almost reaching a sensation as if he had sprouted wings.
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Nadi opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. She squints back her tears to try again. “I will follow. You might be thinking that I should’ve let my brother accompany me, that person with me before. But with Ranar dead, and with Rogs missing…I don’t mean to return if I find out I’ve lost both of them. And he knows. If they are gone, I wish to die the same way they did, and I will struggle doing so. I will go with you, my Lady, and claim what is mine.” Her eyes burn with fury and dread.
The goddess nods. “‘Nadi’ would do, yes? and so, ‘Aiva’ for me. Your pain is wholly yours to endure, yes, but I wish to share it with you until you can bear it fully on your own, if you may pardon my involvement. I only hope to relieve the suffering in your soul for a short moment.” She extends a hand out to Nadi who grasps it gratefully with a shivering hand that recomposes itself at the touch of the Lady Luck. After a sighing moment, they resume riding in silence.
“I knew it. Company ahead; soldiers.” Greufard speaks up after some twenty leagues, pointing to several plumes of smoke down the road. “It’s why the road was locked. No, not from Evaeba. The Melacunid Kingdom sent forces to investigate the recent case which a merchant prince was involved in; same as before, his body missing and only his bloodied possessions remained. It resulted in some diplomatic tension, something about the Desert Kingdoms and the Southern Isles and also the-” he stops himself in reminder of the added presence. “Anyway, therefore they even risked halting trade. Hm? But there’s no need for that.” He pulls his reins and the stallion stops and then so does the rest of the party. He tightens his grip on the pebble before pocketing it. “We’re close. Here we’ll enter the forest, then we’ll leave our mounts somewhere out of sight and continue on foot. Perhaps among the trees. We-” he spins around with a held breath, but turns back to the forest as quickly, “We’re close. Come on now. Finally.”
Whether or not the pebble might have any kind of significance to this final task of his will soon come to light, so the knight decides to keep his thoughts to himself. In any case, the goddess seems to have noticed as well, for although their present-while acquaintance is short, the knight has realised that less than nothing escapes her consciousness. Then, into the forest they go.
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Thief Lord
“What is wrong with you!?” That would be what anyone who knows me would say if they knew what I’ve done. They wouldn’t be wrong, as no sane person would ever quit his job the first chance he got when he saw an opening to follow his dream. To become rich and famous by playing video games. What? Did you think my dream wasn’t childish? The best dreams most often are. No? Well, maybe you just don’t dream big enough. Ever think about that? Dreams are never easy to follow, and neither is mine. There are millions of players who want the same as I do, but very few would actually risk their future trying. Following the path of a Villain isn’t easy, and I have a city filled with thousands of players who would love to see me fail. I will show them though. Just you wait and see... ----- This story is currently only posted here on royalroad. The only exception is an up-and-coming narrator names Agro Squerrils who I have given permission to narrate a few of my chapters on his youtube channel. Feel free to check it out if you are interested!https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcfzFNUhrNS3YUShvr3W9mKwvhpMgmyua Disclaimer: I would advise checking out the story's tags. The story contains a low to medium amount of profanity. Read at your own discretion.
8 107The Guild Core
The hero dreamed of ascending. The monk craved redemption.The dungeon only wished to keep things tidy.Kai was the least likely young man to ascend. Raised on his uncle’s potato farm, he began his career as an adventurer with empty pockets and little skill. But a foolish attempt to prove his bravery leads Kai to unlock hidden power within himself and acquire a most unlikely ally.Rhona is a battle-scarred soldier who’s as likely to toss a quip as she is to throw a punch. After setting aside a promising career in the army to pursue the Path of the Bleeding Tiger, she sets out to stop a war and seek atonement for a bloody past.When Bancroft the Earth Core awakens, he can’t wait to clean up his dungeon and begin building things anew. A recovered item from his past reminds him that more is at stake, however, putting an end to such pleasantries.Join The Guild Core, a small band of friends determined to restore the world to an age of dragons, heroes, and honor.The Guild Core is a novel by TJ Reynolds Fantasy LitRPG author of Eternal Online books 1-3. The Guild Core was inspired by the Divine Dungeon series, the Wheel of Time, and classic films like The Labyrinth and The Neverending Story.This story takes place in an Epic Fantasy world governed by gaming mechanics. It contains light to moderate LitRPG, Gamelit, Cultivation and Dungeon Core elements. Features realistic violence, 3 MC POVs, and more than a few quaint jokes. Language and adult content is appropriate for teen readers.
8 67The Mage's Crown
Power... Ultimate power....Which can destroy any who oppose it. Welcome to the world of Gordonia where those that reach the pinnacle of power, whether it be through magic or martial prowess.May take whatever they desire, Land,Women,Riches . The World is yours. Introducing: Sen born into this world with red eyes, labeled a monster since birth . Isolated and shunned with little to rely on.Decides to climb over body after body to claim title of the strongest. So that no one dares look down upon him, ever again.
8 157The Song of Swords by InsaneMoonCake
In a world where Songs are Power, Jia Yuan is a young slave with simple yet big dreams. With his goal being to join his elder slave brother in the army watch as his actual fate blows up into striving to become the strongest when he wanders upon """"The Song of Swords"""" (Synopsis is by TheLeecher very sorry for my horrible synopsis) Author is InsaneMoonCake/MoonCake I have gained his permission to post this on RoyalRoadlPower Levels:Absorption (Level 1-10), Manipulation (Level 1-10), True Disciple (Level 1-10), Demi-God of Song (Early, Middle, Late),God of Song (Early, Middle, Late), Emperor of Song (False, Adept, True)Also found on insanemooncakewrites.com and http://forum.wuxiaworld.com/discussion/575
8 184Killing Game (Rantaro X Reader)
(Completed!)A boy who can't remember his talent meets a girl who is feared for hers after being forced into a school killing game, hosted by six mechanical bears. Seventeen students, forced into this game. The only way to escape? Murder.Achievements!•100 Reads!•1K Reads!•5K Reads!•10K Reads!Highest Ranking:#1 in danganronpav3 #1 in rantaro#1 in danganronpa
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