The Hybrid Fateful Sorrow

The dog on the leash

In the cellar basement of wine, ale, and mead. A continuous hard pounding can be heard. Hard thudding accompanied by the rattling of chains with every grunt each blow he received.

Bran was keeping quiet as he ambled down the stairs. Hearing someone striking a man's flesh, as he reaches below. 

Upon opening the wooden door that slowly creaks, there he saw Hoch Longrider with his working clothes and apron. Hoch is standing beneath a big burly man with bronze hair, chained to the wall on his bare body.

It was Rollo Longrider and his punishment for killing Jewel Longrider. He is being punished for saving them all.

Hoch standing with a bloodied metal knuckle placed on his fist. Lifting his arms high as he struck the slobbering face of Rollo. Rollo's head swayed and waved from the impact before he fell out of consciousness.

“F*cking bastard. You feed them. You take them in. You teach them how to defend themselves and still, they act like dogs, and here's how they'll repay you by biting their master,” Hoch said as he pulled Rollo's hair, lifting it to check his consciousness.

A bruised and scarred unconscious face of Rollo, drooling blood from the wound inside.

Hoch struggled to remove the metal knuckle on his right hand with a severed left arm, before placing it on the table. A bench with placed metal tools with some still covered in blood. The bloodied metal tools have already met Rollo's body except for a blunt mace, you can understand that it would be his next greeting.

“What are you doing in here, kid?” Hoch asked, wiping his hands.

“Master Hoch, the mercenary of Vaxia, is planning an attack, ” Bran said standing firmly.

“And how do you know all this?” Hoch said walking closer to him.

“My father with his continuous trade or payment with the mercenaries. He succeeded in befriending one of them and now we have an informant inside, ” Bran explained.

“How can we trust those lowest kind of mercenaries?” Hoch asked.

“We don't but the man is paid with gold in exchange for the information he gave, ” Bran replied.

“Your father is really something with his tongue and gold. When are the enemy planning to attack?” Hoch asked as he looked back at Rollo.

“Because this stupid bastard thinks he can do this himself. He said to just let him wild free on Vaxia and it will be done in less than an hour, talking with delusions, ” Hoch said with a shameful-look face. 

“I heard that you have asked for Rollo's assistance, ” Bran said.

“Biggest mistake, and we were asking for the Queen's extra town guard. What can one man do huh? Dulenveil pass failed as we were outnumbered, ” Hoch said, returning his gaze to Bran.

“The f*cking Grearian probably love having s*x a lot, so much that they have countless armies to spare, ” Hoch added.

“There is someone that could help us. Someone strong enough to handle the mercenaries. A one-man army, ” Bran let out.

“The huntsman?” Hoch asked.

“No, someone new and incredibly stronger. He bested ten men easily as I have heard, ” Bran replied.

“Who are you talking about?” Hoch said confusedly.

“Amadeus, he is known as Ex-knight now, ” Bran said.

“An Ex-knight? That is new, who is he?” Hoch continued to ask.

On their backs from the wooden door, a man quietly walks up to them. It was Fahrer with an expensive attire seeing Rollo's state he was somewhat dismayed.

“He's a very dangerous stranger or a potential savior to our lands if Bran here manages to make him fight for us, ” Fahrer said as he crosses his arms.

“He's the one you have accused of right? The carrier of disease and how could he spread it to the dead body of Jewel?” Fahrer added.

“Who is this guy? Is he the reason Jewel was disturbed?” Hoch said loudly.

“He lives in the house on the top of the hill. Living with the two sisters, Amelia and Elise,” Fahrer explained.

“God damn it! They were here all three of them two weeks ago, just before Jewel awakened. He must have infected her at that moment. I'm going to kill him!” Hoch said, removing his bloodied apron.

“Wait, brother! We don't know for sure! Like you, why are you not infected? And we need him against the Vaxia mercenary,” Fahrer said.

“If he has a disease, why do we need him?” Hoch replied.

“We aren't sure if he has a disease yet and if he is,” Fahrer said, turning his head to Bran.

“We can easily kill him, right? If he is alone, and we get him by surprise if your plan will work. Are you sure about this?” He added.

“Yes with the help of the godsbane,” Bran answered 

“Well, the silver weapons are ready, and already coated with godsbane. We'll continue with your plan,” Fahrer said.

“And Tingsfia guardian is back, we may be able to ask him for help,” Bran added.

“Magnus ?” Hoch let out.

“The Bald Kebnekaise?” Fahrer asked.

“Yes!” Bran said.

“Is he with the huntsman?” Hoch asked.

“No, he came alone this time,” Bran replied.

“Then he won't care about us anyway,” Hoch said.

“Tingsfia the mad is still in here, staying with us and if Tingsfia is in danger, he would have to help,” Bran explained.

“You got your father's tongue, Bran. Convince him for us! We need everyone we can ask for help as the Vaxia mercenaries are vast and dangerous,” Fahrer said.

Bran walked closer to the bruised and tortured Rollo.

“We should let Rollo help us. He is a skilled warrior,” Bran said.

“No, he stays here until I'm done with him!” Hoch uttered.

“But he didn't do anything wrong!” Bran announced loudly.

“We either die rather than kill our own, a Longrider is bound to follow this rule. Don't worry I won't kill him, but I'll make him wish he were,” Hoch said.

“Master!—” Bran yelled interruptedly.

“You should be thankful enough that you and your auntie aren't tied up down here,” Hoch added.

“That's enough Hoch, they didn't wish for it to happen,” Fahrer let out.

Rollo's blackened eyes are Blurred and bloodied with an impending hearing. A broken nose and a swollen mouth, drooling blood as he raises his head.

“Bring some men with you!” Ibarra said.

“You need them here, Lord Ibarra. The rich families of Grisian would still want your head after the Queen announced the wedding,” Rollo said.

“Trust me, I can't be killed, Rollo. It's my destiny to rule the world and change it for our liking. I will change it for us!” Ibarra said, extending his arms to the air.

“I know you will, that is why you mustn't fail! I'll leave you now Lord Ibarra. I will write to you from time to time,” Rollo said.

Ibarra looks below with a hint of disappointment while Rollo moves his hand for an arm shake. Ibarra instead moved to hug him as he uttered.

“Remember—”

“Remember there is no white nor black, there is only Grey, and we decided what's right for our own,” Rollo uttered with his breaking voice.

His bruised and broken body chained to a wall like a dog as he looked at his torturer.

The three Fahrer, Bran, and Hoch gaze at him. Hoch moves to the bench retrieving a blunt mace.

“You think what you did was right? Who the hell are you to decide that?” Hoch yelled.

Lifting the blunt mace high on his side.

Delivering a heavy blow to Rollo's side body. A heavy thuds breaking the bone inside his body as he quickly spewed blood. Crying out from the pain with heavy panting.

“You are nothing! Nothing but a dog! A rascal outside begging for us to let inside,” Hoch continued to yell.

'You are right,' Rollo thought.

Hoch readying another blow as he put his blunt mace high. Fahrer and Bran can only listen as they steer their eyes away.

Rollo screams loudly seeing another imminent attack.

——

Rollo let out a heavy sigh as if he was deciding. He looks to Ibarra who is eating as he sits across him.

“I decided to go to Masse. I need to do this alone,” Rollo said as he gazed at Ibarra's hazel eyes.

Ibarra remained quiet as he ate alone in the inn.

“I might not be here at your wedding ceremony. I should say it now. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Lord Ibarra,” Rollo said as he stands.

“Wait… when are you leaving?” Ibarra asked with a low tone.

“Tonight,” Rollo answered as he continued to walk.

——

Inside in one of the small quarters in the inn. Ibarra was polishing the Sword of Ara a Damascus steel sword, a mirror for men as they say. 

That's when the brothers Bold and Bee visited their boss, as they loudly spoke in front of his door.

“Boss, I am deeply sorry for what I have said and done. Is there a way for you to forgive me? I would do everything you ask!” Bold Skeever said respectably.

“I'm here with my brother, Captain. Anything you need for us to do, tell us.” Bee Skeever said across the door.

Acknowledging their presence, Ibarra stands to return his steel sword to the weapon rack. Walking close to the door to welcome them in.

“Take a seat,” Ibarra said.

“We were worried, boss, you haven't left your room since Rollo left. Where is Silv? He should be here with you,” Bold said, remaining a normal tune.

“Silv is back in Grearia, he's working to find more information about Amadeus,” Ibarra said.

Ibarra walks toward his table as he collects a letter that came from Rollo dated back two weeks ago. A hint of unhappiness can be seen on his face.

“I need you to do something for me,” Ibarra said sitting down as he stares at the letters.

“Anything Lord Ibarra!” An eager voice of Bold was heard.

“I want the two of you to travel in Masse. I want you to find Rollo and see how he is doing. Mail me as soon as you find out anything,” Ibarra said as grab a pouch filled with coins.

“Get everything you need, update me every day,” Ibarra added.

The brothers look confusingly at their boss, before realizing their chance to make up for their mistake.

“It will be done, my Lord!” Bee said.

“It would be nice to be at your wedding and celebrate it with you, but if you wish for us to check on Rollo. I and my brother will abide, my Lord! And the future King!” Bold said standing with great respect.

Ibarra remained seated and quiet without any discerning movement and emotion to display. Sitting without eagerness and life or joy, as he wanders his hazel eye on the window in front.

“Remember.”