The Hybrid Fateful Sorrow

The Cold Armors & Blades

The land is starting to look unfortunate and greyed. It's getting colder in the land of Masse. The people feel as if they're already dead, walking around like a ghost in fur.

The Longrider with what's left of their trained warriors are preparing for what's about to come.

Standing in the courtyard was the Longrider family and their trained warriors. Fitted with cold chainmail beneath their black tunic. A steel pauldron that has witnessed some wars accompanied by a steel rerebrace, as they grip their hands on steel gauntlets.

Their full-covered helmet with an adjustable visor. A crossing shoulder belt that holds their leather quiver and recurving bow. 

The belts on their waist hold pouches filled with oils for their arrows. A belted leather boots for their swift movement because The Grisian warriors of the Longrider family are well versed in archery.

Fahrer Longrider and his brother Hoch Longrider along with their grandson Bogen standing in the courtyard as they restlessly grip their steel swords tied up in their waist.

The Longrider family with their trained warriors fully armored and armed, The warriors carefully stand waiting for their orders.

“I thank you all for coming in here, for facing this disease with us!. Doris Midland, I need your arrow. Isabel Blanda, I need your Bow. Frank Soran and Ferdi Soran, I need both of your speed and accuracy. Zismo Galante, I need your strength,” Fahrer let out, standing in front of his warriors.

“For this day, we are ready, once again the Grisian warriors are fighting not just for themselves but for the people they meet and see every day. For the people that we share our smiles with, our problems, and answers but today! We will only share our heroics!” Fahrer let out loudly.

“I will be with you! My brother Hoch will be with you! My grandson Bogen will be with you! Fight alongside me and let's drive these low-life mercenaries back to their place,” Fahrer added.

“Master Fahrer, Master Hoch, we will be with you!” The warriors said.

“Now the enemy may come any minute, but we are ready! Magnus is back, and we will have him fighting alongside us. Most of you have probably heard of a man named Amadeus. He has shown the strength of a true warrior, and he will be fighting alongside us,” Fahrer let out as he slowly raised his arms above his head.

“Warriors! We will fight with our hearts! We may not be many but as long as we care for each other, defend one another we will be victorious! Come with me, let's light out braziers!” Fahrer said as he started to move along with his brother and grandson.

While The Longrider started to walk to prepare for their assigned post, Frank called out the attention of Hoch.

“Master Hoch, I think you should now. Two sellblades are looking for Rollo in the Inn, ” Frank uttered.

“One of his friends? Sellblades are hired killers, did you find out why they are looking for him?” Hoch asked.

“They bear the grey arm braces like the one Rollo has. I think it's one of his men. The two are equipped with a stiletto and crossbow,” Frank replied.

“I understand thanks for telling me this, Frank,” Hoch said as he continued to walk.

——

[ The Vaxia Tower. ]

The wandering grass, plants, and rubbles are surrounded by the towers of Vaxia.

The place is filled with veteran fighters fully equipped as they wait for some Lords to fill their bellies with gold. Soon the tower will become smaller for them.

Their loud chattering can be heard under the large fireplace as they enjoy a nice meal.

Inside the worn-out fort were the brothers Jerald and Roger Tigersong as they talked about their future.

“Black-cross!” Roger said as he leaned on a table with the map of midlands.

“These are great risks brother, money might be hefty, but rebelling against The Queen,” Jerald said, sitting on a chair eating an apple.

“I heard a lot of humor that if the Black-cross wishes, it will come true. Now I know this stuff is just rumors, but The Ilicid and The Greatdane are backing them… this could be the break that we need brother,” Roger replied.

“Then what about Masse? Should we continue?” Jerald said, eating a slice of apple.

“You are eating again, do you even rest your mouth? Anyway yes, Kolben is pretty mad and Thomas is broken… Now I don't know what happened to Jowan and the rest but damn if I let them kill ten of our heroes!” Roger said as he removed the eye patch revealing an empty eyeball on his right eye.

“I hate when you do that, it's disgusting! Anyway, those veterans ran away from the war. Like us we ran away brother because we wanted to live,” Jerald said as he stood.

Walking on the door as he views the fort yard. The mercenaries readying their swords, maces, axes, crossbows. Warming up their body near the fireplace as they equipped themselves with fur and leather armors resembling a bandit.

“And now you wanted to send them to their death. I mean your best ten ended up dying with their top-notch armor,” Jerald said.

“Our cousin died there, don't you even care? They were drunk and wasted how could they properly fight against a knight!” Roger said as put a fake eyeball in his eye socket.

“Don't get mad with me, alright. Let's do this, what the hell. I will raid the Masse for you,” Jerald said, throwing his apple to the crowd.

“Listen up! You have rested for a long time! Those rusty joints and bones need to be oiled with blood!” 

Jerald one of the leaders of The Vaxia Mercenary wearing the Green colors of their band. 

As he proceeded to remove his armors in front of his men. One by one. Facing them all bare naked revealing the scarred body.

“This f*cking cold! Throw me that tiger fur!” Jerald said as he ordered one of his men.

Upon receiving the tiger fur, he quickly proceeded to wear it. 

Wearing yellow and black stripe fur armor beneath a leather pauldron along with a leather belt that he tied on his head. Leather arm braces and fur pants.

“I'm not going to give any speech for you men, because I know every one of us wants this done as much as possible,” Jerald said as he walked toward the weaponry.

Grabbing himself with two axes, as he swings it on his hand, weighing it. 

“Any motivation before we go?” One of his men said.

“Boss, you look barbaric!”

“Motivation you say? Let's kill them all, eat all their food, drink all their wine, f*ck all their women!” Jerald announced loudly.

“F*ck it, if we are going to act as a bandit might as well go with it.”

“Jerald!” Roger yelled.

“We are bandits aren't we?” Jerald said, ignoring Roger.

“Stupid red-head bring three dozen of our men, I will visit Grisia with the rest of our team, I have already decided. Bring only good news brother or don't come back at all!” Roger, he yelled at Jerald.

“Come at Masse after, we'll have the wine ready for you,” Jerald replied.

“It will get dark soon alright let's go! Let's move!”

——

[ The house of Amelia & Elise. ]

While the sister sits at the dinner table after a hearty meal, as they wait for Amadeus to come out from his room.

“Amadeus! Are you okay?” Amelia yelled.

“Yes I am, just hold your horses okay this is hard to equip,” Amadeus yelled back.

Amelia and Elise giggle after hearing Amadeus struggling on armor.

“We are just excited, Amadeus! But take your time!” 

Amadeus walked heavily on his new armors, as he stepped on the creaking floorboard.

The particles of dust in the air. The crying walls and floors. The house is old. It has been standing for too long. It looks like it's about to give in and shatter any minute. 

'Ahh, the smell of cold air is why the feeling is so sentimental. It scares me, the cold… I don't want to get back on feeling those,' Amadeus thought as he reaches the dinner room facing the awed sisters.

“Wow! It really fits you well,” Amelia uttered.

“Amadeus you look so cool! And strong!” Elise said.

Amadeus stands on the floorboard with handsome flexible leather armor. With a mix of steel-plated gorgets and pauldrons, arm braces, and black leather gauntlets. 

Holding in his right hand is a long well-maintained axe as he grips the longsword sheathed on his belt, by his left hand.

A leather thigh armor and full leg leather-covered down to his boots.

“Where is the skull helmet?” Amelia asked.

“I don't wear helmets, Amelia but don't worry my head will remain safe,” Amadeus said with confidence.

“Here is a night-blooming flower, Amadeus,” Elise let out as she gave the flower.

“What power would this give me, Elise?” Amadeus said as smiles at her.

“Nothing… I just want to give you a flower,” Elise said shyly.

Amadeus didn't get to speak after that, but it made him smile as well as Amelia hearing it.

'These two have the warmth as long as I'm with them, and they're with me, I can live anywhere. I will do this for you, Amelia and Elise, I will fight with them and protect the village if it would protect you,' Amadeus thought, gripping the axe tighter.

“I'll better go, it's starting to get dark,” Amadeus said.

“Amadeus, return to us, after,” Amelia let out with a longing in her eyes.

“Ex-knight, say your promise… be safe out there,” Elise said as she held his hand for the last time.

'I promise I will come back, and fully celebrate your birthday, Elise.'

“I will return, and we'll eat together with your favorite rabbit soup! If anything happens, call out for me,” Amadeus said.

Stepping out from their house. Seeing the grey atmosphere. He gazes back once more at the sister before he steps out, and starts to move.

'I love the two of you.'

——

Bold and Bee Skeever was at the back of the Longrider house picking the lock of their back door.

“You sure about this, Bold?” Bee quietly said.

“Yes, I saw them preparing, they're long gone now and if I'm right I think they got Rollo in here somewhere maybe against his will,” Bold replied as he quietly picked the lock of the door.

Calm and steady as he finds the key with a few smooth twists it clicks opened.

“See! No one was inside. Now I don't see Rollo anywhere, and that Lady Munzen made it clear that he's now hated in here, not sure why though,” Bold said as he wandered the house quietly.

“Well, you stayed late, and while drinking you could easily misunderstand everything,” Bee replied.

“Here! Bee come here! There's a door below for the basement,” Bold quietly called for Bee.

“Don't call me Bee! Call me Sting!” Bee retorted.

Quietly they opened the basement door seeing the darkened place below. They quietly walk down the stairs.

“This is so unnatural, it's too quiet,” Bold said.

“Here there's a door and light inside,” Bee uttered.

Opening the door they quickly saw Rollo chained to the wall, bare naked, bruised, wounded, and scarred, with a cloth that tightly shut to his mouth.

“Damn, Rollo! What happened to you?” Bold yelled.

Upon seeing and hearing them, Rollo frantically clangs his chained, as he tries to mutter under the cloth that is blocking his mouth.

The brothers quickly ran to aid Rollo in his state. Soon as Bold heard a hint sound of footsteps he quickly unsheathed his stiletto.

There he caught Fahrer hiding behind the wine barrel holding a blunt mace.

“The f*ck is this!” Bold uttered.

Hearing a loud thud from his back he looks away seeing his brother Bee fell to the ground by the hand of Hoch. 

“Damn what did you do to my brother—” He said before he received a strong blow at the back of his head.

Rollo struggles hard as he loudly clangs his chained.

“Are you going to say something, Rollo? These are trespassers you wouldn't know anything about them, do you?” Hoch said as he removed the cloth that shut Rollo's mouth.

“These are my friends! Let them go! I'll talk to them!” Rollo pleaded.

“Alright, talk to them. I'll just tie them close to you first, and you can have your talk,” Hoch said.

With the help of his brother Bee and Bold were tied close to him.

“Perfect.”

“You have changed pa! Why are you doing this!”

“BECAUSE YOU KILLED MY WIFE!”