Fall of The Lost Kingdom

He never knew swinging a sword would cause this much pain. His father never complained once, even when Riley watched his training. Maybe that was just his naivety talking. His old man was a seasoned warrior, one that Riley aspired to become someday. Today is my first day out of training in the royal guard, so I have plenty of time to prove myself, he thought. Looking around the camp, he saw many recruits suffering the same fate as him. Relief washed over him at this sight, he was not the only one having trouble. The camp itself didn't have much to it. It was just outside his home village, a tiny backwater next to the Skagaran border. Even the training equipment they had to work with matched the area. With torn practice dummies, splintered wooden swords, and broken bows, this village was always neglected by the king. Not that it mattered, nothing happened here anyway. These men had no idea what they were training for. Usually, it was for a meaningless position as town guard or sheriff. Even so, Riley had to make a name for himself, his dream of living life to its fullest and having adventures was paramount. He was top of the class during his basic training and was undefeated in all but one duel. One where his opponent cheated and threw dust in his eyes. Riley put honor above everything else, so he despised the person who had bested him to his core. Honor could only be given to the best, and his goals needed him to have honor. He had always thought of the royal guard as the most honorable of men. They protected the peace and defended the just. Best of all, they protected the crown of Tersia. Too bad he was stuck here instead of in the capital. If he was there he could easily prove himself to the king, or even Crown Prince Andross, a man he looked up to very much. His thoughts were filled with images of tournaments and battles, celebrations and victories. Leaving a very dumb look on his face. Daydreaming away, he didn't notice his eyes wandering around the camp still. Riley's eyes hazed over and traveled for a bit before they met with one of the other men there. They were filled with disgust as he realized whose eyes they were. Marik, the son of the Duke of this region. Marik, like his father, exploited his power very openly. They loved kicking people who they thought were beneath them, abusing women at the taverns, throwing men in jail who stood up to them, and even the complaints against them were brushed under the rug regularly. They treated this village worst of all. It was the village the previous duke was from, Riley's father. “Lookit ere’ boys, guess the royal knights’ is so desperate that it will even allow the “help” to join.” Marik's voice bellowed. “That will definitely change with my promotion.” Marik's voice permeated with arrogance and ego as he approached with his entourage. But before Riley could retort, a voice sounded out. “You're right Mary’, Of course they had to let you in, didn't they?” the voice chided “Guess you will have to kick your own arse out the guard when that day comes.” an apple came flying out of nowhere and hit Marik over the head. Riley stifled a laugh. He knew the voice well. Marik stomped his foot and looked in the direction where the apple originated. There, standing next to a tree was a medium-built, tall teen with red hair and remarkably clear gray eyes that looked like they could cut through anyone's bullshit. “Course’ it's YOU! Rats usually stick together don't they guys?” Marik sneered and his cronies laughed halfheartedly, reluctant to show any signs of disloyalty. “What, no garbage to rummage through so you came to beg for scraps from your little buddy?” His gaze sharpened “Good luck with that, he's just as poor as you!” Marik scoffed and poorly threw the apple back, Missing completely. Marik's face turned a shade of purple and his buddies stifled their giggles. “Not worth any more breath, let's leave before we catch whatever these vermin have.” Marik's embarrassment could not be hidden any longer. He spun around and stomped off. “You sure know how to get under anybody's skin, don't you Aiden?” Face beaming, Riley approached the red-haired youth in front of him, scratching the back of his head. His oldest friend was always coming to his aid. He had a knack for showing up at the right time. Almost as if he had a magic sense for trouble. “That bastard always gets on my nerves, just like the rest of you nobles'' Aiden's sarcasm was palpable with the last word. Riley always made an effort to curb Aiden’s hatred towards the nobility and usually he didn't let it bother him too much. He understood where his friend stood and couldn't blame him. Aiden had a rough upbringing and the nobility only made matters worse in the end. Aidens whole family died from a sickness a few years back and all the doctors refused to help. Later they found out that the new duke ordered the doctors to ignore the village. However, today was different. It was his first day as a squire and the start of his new life. He couldn't have the training captains hear Aiden as he continued to bad mouth anyone in a higher position than himself. So he steered Aiden away into the wooded path back to the village. “I know you hate the nobility, but never forget, we aren't all bad you know?” Riley Reminded. “I mean, you are friends with me after all.” Riley waved his finger and stuck his nose up. “How many times have I had to convince the guards to let you keep your head and arms when you stole food?” “Wouldn't have to steal if those bastards in charge of taxes didn't bleed us common folk dry. I have to look out for my pals after all” Aiden's fiery gaze looked toward the direction of the nearest town where the duke's manor resided. If only Aiden knew, knew the struggles Riley went through to save his hide. All the kowtowing and groveling, stable work, laundry, bribery, overlooking assault, and many other things the corrupt Knights did. The list goes on for a while, of course. That's another reason he had decided to become one of them. To stop the behavior from within and keep an eye on Aiden. If Riley was gone, then Aiden would have no one to protect him. “Well, I originally dropped by to tell you that the pals and I are gonna be at the Horse's Tale and wanted me to grab ya’. Apparently, Kiva has a present for a successful first day.” Aiden said. “but you're not ‘supposed to know, so keep it to yourself!” Aiden stuck his index fingers to his lips, and a goofy smile soon appeared after. Riley shook his head and smiled as they continued down the path. They walked towards the village slowly, laughing about how dumb Marik looked when he was hit. Went over their plans for the night, talking about their goals in life. The usual stuff boys talked about together. The practice was over anyway and Riley was very sore and wanted to go rest somewhere else, but Aiden wouldn't let him. No matter how much he complained. Saying “Kiva would ave’ his head” if he came back without Riley. Kiva was the daughter of a Baronness in the village. She was a pretty girl with long blonde hair and a heart-shaped face that men swooned after. Aiden couldn't see it, of course. He always scoffed at the drool men would have while looking at her. Saying she was too short for his liking and anybody would be a fool to fall for someone with her temper the way it was. Which Riley thought was true. She had a very nasty temper. He witnessed her beat up a few girls who had stepped on her dress one time, even though it didn't dirty it. Those girls never came back to town after and Kiva always deflected when people asked about it. Kiva also always chased after Riley relentlessly. He found it annoying but was too nice to say anything about it. “Aiden, do I have to go? Obviously, I want to but I don't think I could even lift a goblet, let alone my hands.” He complained. Aiden just rolled his eyes and laughed. “I was gonna surprise you but you just had to be a little baby about it” Aiden sneered. “Sarin is also there waiting for you. She had just got back from the excavation site just north of the village and said she had some amazing news.” Aiden's impression of a noble made Riley spit out a laugh and also shot a little energy through him. Sarin was his long-time friend and also the girl he loved the most. She was not of noble blood but worked herself to the bone as an adventurer and scholar to gain a place of higher status. Only Aiden knew about Riley’s feelings for her and kept the secret. Not only because he should, but he also got a kick out of Riley's plight. Sarin was best friends with Kiva and both Aiden and Riley knew what trouble would ensue if Kiva found this out. “What news would she bring? Did her group find what they were commissioned for?” Riley asked nervously. “Shite Aiden, at least let me get cleaned up before we go, I smell like a pig's ass!” Frantically pleading, Riley picked up his pace toward town. Aiden followed behind, whistling. His manipulations were legendary. They finally reached the border of the village after about ten minutes of walking. Riley grimaced at the harsh smell coming from the boarding huts and houses. This was the poorest part of town. Refuse was strewn across the paths between houses and livestock roamed freely back here. Riley hated the state of the slums. This area used to be vibrant and full of life when his father reigned as duke. Now it was just a shell of what it once was. You could tell who benefitted from high taxes pretty clearly the closer you got to the duke's manor. It was like walking through time as the huts and houses turned from wood to brink and the smell got less pungent. Loud screams and cheers could be heard coming from the center of town as they both approached. A large force of men was approaching from the opposite end of town from Riley and Aiden. Riley recognized the flowing banners and shiny armor glaring in the distance. It was a surprise visit from the royal family themselves! “Well s**t, guess the cat is out of the bag”. Aiden looked back at Riley with a concerned look. What is that supposed to mean?” Riley wondered. Aiden's pace quickened and he began to run toward the village’s most popular attraction. The Horse's tale was the only place people went to for fun. Being a border town to the countryside of Skagaria meant that a lot of new people came in and out of the village, mostly adventurers, of course. But this was the place to go to hear tales of old and all the interesting happenings of the world. “I nearly forgot, Old man Lewen is back as well. He was with Sarin and her group when she arrived, he's just as crazy as ever.” Aiden said while not looking back. “There is something wrong with Old Lewen that just rubs me wrong. Spouting off about soulless monsters killing his cows.” He chuckled. Riley liked Lewen's stories the most. They were often the subject of scrutiny, of course. Tales of evil monsters that looked like men eating entire villages of people. Visitors from other worlds gifted commoners with magic. Things of that nature. Lewen always amazed Riley with how detailed he was when he spoke of legends. Of course, everybody else thought it was all hogwash. “I wonder if he has any new stories today,” Riley spoke with enthusiasm, causing Aiden to sigh. “Maybe a story about our lost magic? Or how about sea monsters swallowing entire ships? Oh, I love that one.” “It's all fake and you know it, we would have seen half the things he said by now, wouldn't we have? What about when he told us his cows learned how to fly and talk? Or the time he said if we went to the wasteland jungles of Skagaria that we would find a weapons vault from the lost kingdom in it”. Aiden was exasperated. He used to be as enthusiastic as Riley about the man's stories until he nearly froze to death after Lewen told them they could find snow fairies in the forest during a blizzard one year. Lewen was harmless most of the time, but if you weren't careful he would definitely lead you astray with his unwavering belief. “They are just stories, Aiden, of course, there’s no way that any of these things were true. I mean, armor that made you super strong and let you fly? Giants made of Iron? but that's what makes the stories so amazing, don't you think?” They were close to the procession of Knights now and Riley could have sworn he saw someone shoot him a look of surprise from one of them. He shook his head and brushed it off. There was no way they could have heard him. Aiden shot him a glance when he noticed Riley's glance. They looked at each other and nodded. Silently pushing past the crowd now and made their way toward the pub. Finally arriving at the Horse’s Tale, they slowed down. And soon realized something was amiss. Usually, the tavern was full to the brim, nearly exploding out onto the street. Tonight, though, things were very quiet. The door to the tavern was slightly open and firelight peeked through. From a glance, it looked empty, but when Aiden and Riley finally opened the door fully they were hit with loud roars of “surprise!” People from all over were inside and cheering. Two very pretty girls stood in front of the very loud crowd. "Congratulations Riley, we all knew you would, ma..." one man from the back started to yell but stopped as he was shot a glare from Kiva. seeing this the crowd started to dissolve as fast as it could. Leaving Aiden, Riley, Kiva, Sarin, and their friend Kit, who was the newest addition to the group. He was a tall, very handsome androgynous young man with shoulder-length brown hair tucked under a hat, tan skin, and an angular face. He also recently joined the Knights with Riley and kind of attached himself to the group. He didn't talk much and when he did it was short and to the point. The village girls all swooned after him. Aiden teased him relentlessly for it. Kit on the other hand would just ignore the sighs of adoration and just paid attention to his friends at those times. "How very rude, I have been waiting here all this time and wanted to be the first for congratulations. If my mother hears of this she wil…" Kiva started to throw her usual tantrum but a smile from Riley stopped her in her tracks. "Anyways, Congratulations, Here" she handed him a long box with jeweled edges. "A small token of our friendship and how proud I am." Riley opened the box and peered inside. In it lay the most beautifully crafted dagger he had ever seen. The hilt was a dull brown leather wrapping, but when the light hit it, it showed brightly silver. There was gold filigree across the guard and pommel. The Blade itself was surprisingly thin and bright. He could tell it was expertly crafted. "Kiva, I can't accept this, you know that," he exclaimed, handing her the box back. He didn't want to outright refuse, but he saw no other way. "It's yours, no if's and's or butts." she smiled, refusing to take it back from him. "Tis' but a small token of our “friendship" her voice had a hint of flirtation in it. He felt defeated and immediately put the dagger in his belt loop and handed the box back to her. He knew it was expensive and didn't want anything to give the Nobility any reason to accuse him of thievery. He was a disgraced noble and she was a young baroness and they would take any opportunity to get rid of him. When his father was in charge he kept corruption at an all-time low. Since his father's suicide, they have been at Riley's throat every chance they got. "How lovely Riley, the dagger suits you, and so does a guard's uniform.” A melodious voice called out from behind Kiva. Standing a little shorter than the bratty noble was a beautiful girl with wavy strawberry hair and eyes as dark as emeralds. “Well, I also have exciting news of my own! We definitely found evidence and a possible relic from ages past." Sarin, who had a face of pure joy pushed past her friend and arrived ten inches away from Riley, a little too close because Kiva glared daggers through her skull. Aiden, on the other hand, hid a laugh in his arms. "Take a look at this." Handing Riley a folded cloth, Sarin smiled with excitement. Putting away the box that Kiva gave him, Riley took the cloth into his hands. Thunder began to rumble as Riley began to unwrap it. A sterange rectangular crystal laid delicately in the cloth. A noticeable yelp sounded out from behind him and a familiar face came into view.