Round Robin Story Debate - RD. 1, Logic vs. isallannoyyo

Memories. To view them again, to rekindle a past life, to reminisce... “Ito, are you going to answer the question? Are you coming to Delmar?” The reminiscing stopped, a flood dammed. How long had he been standing idly for when he should have been thinking? He turned and looked at the man, as if hoping for some sort of guidance or sign. There was none there. “Ito, Delmar...” came the man again. “I will come to Delmar, at least for a time. I... I don’t know what or where I want to go, but Delmar is a start. I don’t promise that I’ll stay at Delmar, nor even do I promise that something won’t appear on our trip that changes my mind, but what can I do? Now what was your name?” The man looked solemnly at Ito. “Is it not a sign of the times that men do not greet each other? Another loss to the traditional ways some might say. I’m Khotar, a messenger from Frodac.” “A northerner eh? Well, this will make for a good conversation on our trip. Come, let us be off.” Ito began a walking stride, as Khotar seemed to sway. “You don’t wish to gather anything before we leave?” “What is there to gather Khotar? My house is burnt to cinders, my friends dead. Would you have me pillage the dead?” Khotar slightly lowered his head; Ito’s force of voice was strong. “I did not mean it that way. Besides, would you not even take a sword in these dangerous times?” Anguish strained Ito’s features. To be without one’s sword or to pillage a dead man? “I will take a sword, but no more. Let us be off.” “As you wish.” Ito looked at the scene around him – it was not a fond scene to have burned into his mind as his last time at his home. The buildings, bodies... yes, Alfray, lying on the ground among other bodies. Alfray had died saving him, and there was no way he could repay the debt owed, nor could he even ask how to repay it. Khotar and Ito mounted up and rode on away from the coast to Delmar. Through the forest, with it’s many trees, still standing despite the great tracks of the Hevellian army, to the road to Delmar on a plain, Khotar and Ito were travelling quite a distance, talking all the while. “So Khotar, you said you were a northerner.” “That’s right.” “Well then, it should be fascinating to hear your perspective on what the Hevellians will do with our king,” came Ito sardonically. Khotar slowed. “You... I suppose you wouldn’t.” “Wouldn’t what? Answer Khotar,” beckoned Ito. “The King... is dead.” A wave of emotions flooded through Ito. It was the end of a part of his life. The King had not been a just man, unlike his predecessor Lars. He had forced Ito on horrible missions, compelled him to take the lives of innocents. Still though, to discard memories of a past time and have them end; it was a complicated matter. Unsure of what to think, Ito simply inquired. “How did he die?” said a solemn Ito. “Well, it’s actually a death quite befitting him. When the Hevellians overcame our forces at Delmar, our generals surrendered. The Hevellians clearly wanted to assume power and take over government, and His Majesty was not willing to comply. The King ordered a defence of his castle. But, as you might be aware, the King’s Castle is not one for sieges – it is more about the ornaments and appearing royal. The Hevellians raided the castle and slew the king. It was not even a bloody skirmish The King left this life as he’d lived – with no friend by his side.” Ito smirked, ever so briefly. The King’s death most certainly was of the life he’d lived. Finally, they came to a bend in the trail through a patch of forest – the road returned. Ito glanced at the dimming sun, then at the nearby stream. It was time to decide whether to press onto a nearby town or camp the night. “Do we press on, or shall we watch the sun set?” “We shall watch the sun set. We must never forget the world’s beauty, even at those times of crisis like the present.” Dismounting, Khotar grabbed a bunch of cloth from the saddle, and set to work. Ito also began to toil, and prepare for a long night. Quietly, he searched for kindling, letting the peace of daybreak flow over him. Then came Khotar’s voice. “Ito, I just realised... how are you going to sleep? You have no cloth, no gear for a camp, you have nothing. How will you survive the night?” The slightest trace of a smile came to the fore of Ito’s face. “I will sit by a fire, and I will somehow pass away the hours of the night. Maybe I’ll find somewhere comfortable to lie down. I’ve had many nights without any comfortable gear, but I’ve survived. Besides, should not one of us keep watch?” “I suppose.” Khotar returned to setting up his camp. Ito returned to gathering kindling, the cold chill of the air becoming more noticeable. It would be a long night, a night for reflection. ---------------------------------------- A majestic site rose above Ito and Khotar. Delmar. With it’s seeming radiance in the morning sun, and the bustle of side alleys, it seemed a world away from the usual town. But then, it wasn’t a normal town. A burgeoning city, Delmar had expanded past the city walls out into the blossoming countryside, and close to the country’s water supply, the wonderfully flowing River Dandea. Delmar, also doubled as the centre for all government activities, a flourishing centre of the arts, a place of the sciences. Delmar was a great city, changing as the modern world came to it. Of course, the Hevellians were now in Delmar, and could be seen in many streets. Their presence, seemingly inescapable. A group of Hevellian guards stopped their approach, just in front of the city gates. Khotar and Ito stopped and watched as 5 guards approached. “Steady there friends,” came the reassuring, if pointed voice of a Hevellian guard. “Just show us your weapons, tell us your names and you can go.” Khotar said his name, and revealed nothing; he had no weapon. Ito stopped. “Well?” said the guard. Finally, Ito gave. “My weapon, a sword. And you may call me Ito.” The guard’s gaze came close, as if his scrutiny was being redoubled. He jotted Ito’s name down on a piece of paper. “Ito, I will give you a cautionary warning. Don’t use your sword in Delmar. Those with a sword, such as yourself, will be known to all Hevellian watchmen, and they will not tolerate the use of your sword. Are we clear?” Ito stood still. The guard went for his scabbard. “Are we clear Ito?” “No need to fear, Ito understands, right Ito?” Khotar stated. Ito nodded his head slightly. They walked into the city of Delmar. ------------------------------------------------ Khotar and Ito stood near a towering statue of King Lars. “Well Ito, we are here. I don’t know what you will do, but I wish you the best.” Ito glanced up at the statue. “You know, I don’t know either! I suppose a hired blade might be worth something. I’ll have to see if I can implore the kindess of some friends in the meantime. Good luck to you as well.” “Thanks Ito. I’ll be in Delmar awhile, so if you need a contact from the north...” “I know where to go.” Khotar smiled. “Be seeing you then Ito.” Khotar walked off into the distance. Ito glanced around, his gaze wandering. Hevellians scattered the streets, walking with an unbridled arrogance in their step. The government house to his left was a pit of activity, Hevellian and his people, the Pireha, mingling, likely in a diplomatic wrangle over the arrangements of power. And then, to the south was a Hevellian restaurant, new and enterprising, and over the top of a demolished Pireha building. Nevertheless, Pireha lined up to sample the cuisine they’d only heard of from the tales of traders. Where were the traditional values disappearing to? Were people so eager to abandon the ways of the past? Ito stood and pondered. He did not know where he was going, nor what he was going to do, nor why he’d do anything. Did he have any resolve or purpose?