The Dead King

The defeat of the match came as a shock to Oscar. As he sprinted away from the castle’s snow covered front yard, the only thing that ran through his mind was the fact that the king had let him get away.

He wasn’t sure what to expect when he first set off to meet Marin at the newly re-established Nocturne Kingdom, but being chained up in the basement was certainly not his first guess, and it almost happened.

Once he had covered a fair distance from the castle, his pace slowed to a walk. Several times he looked behind to see if he was being pursued or spied on, but detected no one. Oscar breathed a sigh of relief.

The battle was on constant replay in his mind as he thoughtlessly walked the path back to Whitewood City. When originally walking to the castle, he appreciated the fantastic scenery of snow covered pines that lined the newly paved road, but as he mentally recovered from the battle, he paid no mind to it now. He barely even noticed the carts that were still bringing items up to the castle, almost running into a few.

The fancy ice creations Marin used to defend himself with was impressive enough, but Oscar couldn’t get over how easily the gaunt robed figure snapped his gold staff in half after coating it in a layer of frost. He didn’t even think to pick up the remains of it after bolting off. Staffless, humiliated, and discouraged, Oscar knew he had to give a disappointing report.

He did everything he could to get it off his mind as he got closer to White Forest. Oscar hated losing, but had to swallow the loss and meet back up with the other person who was also on the mission he had been assigned.

It was evening by the time the crystal elemental arrived back into Whitewood. The city showed no signs of slowing down it’s rambling commerce, and Oscar appreciated that no one paid much attention to him. After navigating the city for some moments, he arrived into one of the countless inns that were established there.

Opening the front doors, he was greeted by the familiar sight of the tables and chairs. Some patrons were eating, and everyone gave him no more than a quick glance. Except for one woman, who became wide eyed at the sight of him. Oscar returned a disappointing look, and she got up from the table and headed to a door that lined the walls.

“Where’s your staff?” Was the first thing she asked after closing the door with both of them in a small room.

“Laying in two pieces on the front yard of Nocturne Castle, if no one collected it!”

She cringed at the answer, knowing that it couldn’t have gone well from his tone. She pulled back her long raven colored hair as she sat cross legged on a chair. “Tell me everything.”

Oscar’s rage and confusion peaked from her prying.

“Don’t you get it Vera?! Showing up without my prized weapon should be enough to tell you how awful it went! I almost didn’t return! I was lucky enough to arrive here with my cape still on.”

Vera knew Oscar’s pride well, and she knew having it diminished in any form would cause great demise to him. She calmed him down, which was not too difficult a task for her. Vera’s favorable appearance always swayed him.

“He was strong. Knew what he was doing. Ice element,” Oscar rambled off. “When he first revealed his element, I thought I had him hands down. Crystal is harder than ice, as you know. But he countered every one of my moves, as if he saw them coming. And then he…” Oscar nervously flipped his cape’s hood off his head, and ran his fingers through his black hair. He struggled to admit the most humiliating part of the battle, especially to someone he constantly sought to impress.

“It wasn’t enough that he outplayed me, but further sought to embarrass me by snapping my staff in half with a single hand,” Oscar explained.

Vera shook her head slowly in thought. “You didn’t taunt him before the fight, did you?” She asked, predicting Oscar’s haughtiness when first showing up.

“I…” He recalled what he had rudely said, especially to one of the king’s servants, apparently named Loid.

“...Damn it!” He slammed his fist onto the table, creating a loud bang and shaking a few items that rested there.

Vera quickly put her hand over his fist, a subtle way to stop him from causing any more ruckus.

“You did that to yourself, then. Perhaps if you had been more respectful, he would’ve let you lose with dignity. I thought you would’ve been smarter than that, getting on the bad side of a man who just might be over two hundred years old.”

Oscar quickly stood up. “I just assumed that someone who could be that old would be feeble, borderline dead, if you ask me!” He turned around to look at the wall, as the realization set in.

“But let me tell you, dude was quite alive, and moved as if he was no older than me. He had that mask on, you know. But it looked a lot nicer than the one I was described. I think he got a new one. He refused to take it off.”

Vera grinned ever so slightly behind his back. “I think despite your loss, John will still be happy with your report.”

“I just don’t know why he sent me to beat this dude in a duel. If he had any idea how strong Marin was, he would’ve sent someone else. Maybe even… Ryno.”

“Sending Ryno in to do anything is risky. You know John only uses that loose cannon for the most difficult jobs.”

Oscar stared in thought for a moment, as he played out some horror in his mind. “Yeah… I know.”

Vera gathered more information from Oscar, having him go into detail about everything he could. The skills Marin had used, what he was wearing, who this Loid character was, the condition of the castle. Oscar grew tired of answering the questions after a while, and she finally conceded.

“We will stay the night here like we planned. Based off what you told me, I don’t think anyone is following you. Tomorrow morning we head back to base,” Vera ordered.

Vera paid for dinner from the inn by the money she was allocated for this mission. They ate a hardy meal in the tavern. As he sat there eating, a few other patrons eyed Oscar’s battle gear that he wore. It was a sure sign that he was a practicing elemental.

Almost all commonfolk wore cloth based clothing. Wearing leather gear revealed that one had business in fighting – whether beast or man, and dyed leather almost certainly meant that they were not just equipped with weaponry, but the elements themselves.

It brought certain expectations. Sure, anyone could wear the gear of the elementals, but just like a man wearing the armor of a guard, yet having no authority or training, it wouldn’t bode well when a situation would demand the reasoning for your attire.

Discreet elementals didn’t bother with the gear, such as Vera, who adorned a regular black sweater and skirt, but Oscar was more than happy to strike fear and respect into anyone who approached him with his bright orange and black skins.

The National Elemental Organization, or Neo for short, issued the leather gear as well, but color coded based on what division you were in. Oscar’s set up lacked the three lettered stamp of that faction, revealing he was most likely hedged. It was forbidden to adorn the Neo emblem for those not enlisted, as impersonating a Neo official was indeed illegal.

After dinner was finished, Oscar announced that he would buy a temporary staff in the city before heading back to the room for the night.

“Would you be careful?” Vera asked with concern. “Please, don’t bring attention to yourself. Leave people alone.”

“Do you know me to beef with others?” Oscar said a little too loud in an offended tone.

“I do, actually.” She sharply responded. “Just don’t get yourself into a situation.”

Vera reminded Oscar of his hot mannerisms, and even brought examples into the conversation when he denied it. As much as he wanted to woo Vera with his elemental abilities, fabulous charm, and ironclad composure, it was apparent that his track record did just the opposite, as Vera coldly pointed out.

“Okay, okay, I’ve heard enough!” Oscar swatted his hand, as if convinced. He stood up, and grabbed the remains of his dinnerware. “And by the way, that time where he had the monkey, that wasn’t my fault!”

Vera just shook her head.

“I’ll be back by nightfall,” Oscar finalized before making for the doorway.

Back outside, the sun started to set on the bustling urban land. Whitewood City sourced much of its product from the surrounding White Forest, a large collection of trees with a pale wood color, earning its name.

One of the city’s most traded resources was lumber, naturally. The wood from the white trees wouldn’t be a first choice for aesthetic purposes. Rather, it was known for its durability and reliability. For builders, this was far more important.

Oscar watched as carts rolled out of the city with stacks of the pale lumber, and carts returning with other various goods. He walked the streets as the sunset illuminated the front faces of the houses orange. In the far distance of the pink sky, he could see the northern mountain ranges that Nocturne Castle resided in. He glanced away, trying to forget what had happened, and refocused on the shops around him.

He started to study what each shop sold. He looked to find a weaponry shop. Perhaps even a general store, since they would probably sell walking sticks. He wasn’t overly picky, seeing as this would only be a temporary one until he could get a new one forged.

“Staff… I need a staff…” He mumbled to himself as his head turned left and right. His gaze fell everywhere except the front facing direction he walked.

That was not a good practice, as he soon found out. He collided with someone walking in the opposite direction.

“Hey, watch it!” The stranger pointed out.

Oscar snapped his attention back to what was in front of him after the unpleasant run in.

“You watch it!” Oscar immediately responded. “Do you know who I am?” He asked while gesturing at his garments.

The midlife gent eyed his black and orange get up. He almost scoffed.

“Those colors don’t match at all! You look like a clown, I’d suggest reconsidering that outfit.” He bellowed out.

“Why you…” Oscar breathed. He couldn’t tell if this man was truly ignorant or was just pretending to not understand who he apparently faced. Down by his waist, Oscar curled his fingers as a crystal fabricated itself in his palm.

Then he remembered what Vera had just got done telling him. He balled his hand completely into a fist, the crystal shard disappearing. He took a deep breath.

“That matters not. Can you tell me where I could buy a staff?” He asked.

The stranger’s eyes narrowed as he stroked his chin. He debated helping him. His gaze fell to Oscar’s balled up fist.

After a silence that was longer than Oscar would’ve liked, he started to walk away. “Forget it.”

“Hold on.”

Oscar stopped and turned back.

“Two blocks that way. Take a left. Second shop in.” The stranger admitted.

Oscar nodded in appreciation.

“And make your business here brief. We don’t take too kindly to elementals.” He added before turning away and disappearing into the crowd.

Oscar couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He stood there in awe for a moment after coming to terms with that man’s phrase.

Unbelievable. The audacity of that man. I hate this city, he thought to himself.

Despite what he was told, Oscar followed the man’s directions. They proved to be right, as the store he encountered resembled an arsenal.

The larger sized store had a banner across the top of the entrance that displayed a sword and shield. Through the windows, carefully crafted merchandise used for battle flaunted their quality. Before he even entered the store, Oscar spied a row of staffs on the back wall. Perfect.

Upon entering, shoppers immediately cleared a way for the elemental who took a determined path to the back of the store, where the owner behind the counter leaned. The man was burly, and looked as if he created most of what he sold behind the store in a forge. He wore a dirty white apron that had pockets with tools in them.

The store owner gave a generic greeting to Oscar, to which he responded by inquiring about the staffs lined on the wall.

“We got them made from all kinds of materials. A variety of wood, a variety of metal,” he explained in a graveled voice. He pointed at several staffs adorned with gems or crowned with a spire.

Oscar gestured towards the staffs that resembled more of a plain pole. A stick that would perhaps have a broom at the end of it.

“Ah, melee. Now I understand,” The shopkeeper said. “Are you an elemental?”

“Yes, I use the staff to help flow my element.”

“Then you’re definitely wanting this metal one.” The muscled man was knowledgeable. He pulled a dark gray metal rod from the wall, and in a flash, threw it to Oscar. He immediately caught it.

The other shoppers, almost in fright, had stopped browsing wares to watch Oscar twirl the staff a bit.

“That’s right up my alley,” Oscar judged.

“Very good, that will be 75 silver.”

Oscar broke out a singular gold coin, to which the owner took, and traded him back 25 silver. He received a large silver coin, that was stamped 20, and a significantly smaller one, stamped 5.

After the transaction, Oscar turned around. As soon as he gazed at the other two shoppers, they stopped staring and refocused their attention to weapons and tools on the shelves.

That’s right, you better mind your own business. I’m armed again.

He exited the store briefly, paying no mind to any other merchandise. Back outside, dusk had crept in, and the seemingly constant bustling of the city was finally starting to wind down. Stands were being collapsed, doors to other stores were shutting. It was time for him to get back to the inn.

As he made the short walk back, he had more room to himself. He twirled the staff as he walked, the rod dancing between palm and fingers as he naturally manipulated its direction. A few times it swung over his shoulder for him to catch down by his waist.

Bystanders might’ve been impressed to some degree, if Whitewood didn’t have constant performers doing the same tricks for coin. Which was completely fine by Oscar, as he saw himself as calibrating the weapon rather than showing off some trivial pole skills.

When he arrived back at the inn, he entered the room to find Vera making notes. A stack of papers sat on the table, with several other sheets spread in front of her as she scribbled on one.

“Oi Vera, check it out.” Oscar stomped the pole’s end to the floor, holding it like a walking stick.

“That’s very good Oscar. Does it compare to the golden one?”

“Nah.”

“Well, that’s too bad. Maybe Jorgen can be convinced to make you another one, if you can somehow persuade him that you won’t lose the next one in another month.”

“Why must you torment me, Vera?”

“You’d still have the other one if it wasn’t for your arrogance,” she reminded him.

Defeated, Oscar took to sitting on the bed. He rested the pole along a dresser. Eager to change the subject from his shortcomings, he inquired about what Vera was restlessly writing about.

“Is that all the information you’ve gathered from me?” He asked.

“Yup. I’ve written up a full report. I do think John Reech will be pleased despite your losing. This was more about gathering intel than anything else,” she explained.

“Gathering intel…” Oscar repeated to himself, as if he was trying to buy the reason. “What does he even want with some far out king in a far out castle anyway?”

“That’s not for us to know. We just do what we’re instructed. We owe John that much, don’t we?” Vera finished her writing and stacked the papers neatly, before grabbing the entire bundle and placing them into her messenger bag.

“I’m not saying I wouldn’t do it. It would just be nice to know!”

“If what you told me is true, about Marin snapping your staff in half with one hand, that’s very scary,” Vera started. “Your staff was gold infused, along with other metals with unrivaled durability. Coating it in frost won’t cause it to snap, that’s easy.

Marin actually infused his frost into your staff, making it as brittle as old rubber. That’s a very hard skill to master. And he did it in seconds. If that’s not enough of a reason to want intel on the man, I don’t know what is.”

“I just don’t understand.”

To Vera, Oscar was still very eager minded. He showed incredible talent for his crystal element, she knew he was a league beyond most other 23 year old elementals. His skill could even double by the time he reached her age in five years.

However, his shortcomings had caused John Reech to appoint Vera as his supervisor to the mission. Had she been allowed to meet Marin and be a part of the encounter, she would’ve never let Oscar make the threats he had.

At the same time though, she began to wonder if those threats actually became the reason Marin dueled in the first place. Almost as if John knew Oscar needed to be alone just for the actual encounter. In her mind, Vera wondered if that was just a coincidence, or if her leader, John Reech, was indeed playing 4-D chess.

Oscar removed his cape and readied himself for the night. His twin sized bed didn’t exactly look the most comfortable, but he paid it no mind. On the other side of the room, Vera had her own twin bed as well. When they were settled, she blew the light out on the lamp.

In the darkness, they both laid there in silence for a while.

“Hey Oscar?” She finally asked.

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad he didn’t keep you prisoner. I’m thankful you made it back safely, even without your staff. I’ll make sure Jorgen makes you another one.”

“Thanks Vera. You’d have a much easier time convincing him than I would,” Oscar admitted.

It was silent for another moment.

“You’d miss me, eh?” Oscar started up again.

“What?”

“You’d be sad if I got captured.”

Vera became flustered. “Well, I mean. Yeah. I’d be sad that you didn’t complete the mission!”

“I sense other reasons.”

“Oscar, stop. We are associates, that’s it,” she tried saying.

There was another pause of silence.

“If you’re cold, I could help warm up your bed.”

“GOOD NIGHT, Oscar!”