The Hybrid Fateful Sorrow

The Grey Hand

'There is nothing new. But cold, eternal blackness. Everything is predetermined. You don't have to do anything anymore.'

'You are wrong...'

'Everything has already been written in our lives. There is no reason to keep on struggling.'

'Would I want to struggle?'

'Why would you struggle? There is nothing for you out there, nothing, NOTHING!'

'Should I stop?'

'Yes, you should. Come with me to sweet void of space. There's a light waiting for you.'

'No, this is what I want. I like feeling pain and wanting things, becoming afraid, and being helped from time to time.'

Amadeus standing weakly as he was lost in thought. On his way to his room after a heartful dinner.

While he stands looking at his door. Doubting his every decision he has made, as he heard the sisters talking inside their room.

“The King of Grearia heard of this preordained assumption. That the Symphony of God is the symbol, and a way of our God choosing his ruler, ” said Amelia, as she tells a story to Elise.

“Trumpets and music will be heard from the skies. While the land and roots will enjoy its sound. One night of sounds will be a warning to people, and another for the time the ruler will be reborn. Although a lot can be born at the same time. The people will have to vote and let fate do its way.” she continued, while Amadeus quietly listened outside the room.

“But the current King Astorias Battlehelm didn't like this news. Around 28 years ago when it was heard. The high and mighty king Astorias has already sent out spies to inform him of anyone that is due to be pregnant. Sending out bribes to everyone that would help him with any information. Rumors have it, an unfortunate village of Ara of Grearia was raided and burned down by the king. 

“Killing men and women, pregnant or without in the process. The people weren’t happy with their Tyranny king anymore. But fighting against destiny would always bring downfall. Before the people could exert their revenge the King returned to his High Castle proceeding to his chamber and was feeling sick. He retreats to his balcony as his mind is circulating into the unknown, with his weak and weary body he fell to his death from his high castle.

“The people might have received their justice. But the kingdom remains without a King. Giving Queen Catherine more power as they wait for the return or the rebirth of their ruler, ” Amelia added.

As Amadeus absorbs the information through his head. 

“Does this mean sister, A new king has been reborn in these past few days? When the sounds from the skies were heard?” Elise’s voice can be heard. Amadeus stopped himself while he held his door.

“That is possible. A new King or anyone, maybe a queen, or a princess it could be you,” she said as she sounded playfully with Elise.

“But I’m already 10 years old, ” Elise said, soft and low.

“Don’t be so sure, you slept like a newborn baby this morning, ” Amelia said as she playfully laughs and teases Elise.

A sound of disagreement can be heard from Elise. As they continue their talk.

Amadeus retreats to his bed while he thinks about how he can repay their kindness as he falls to his slumber. 

___

[At Grisaia Kingdom.]

At the hearts of the market. There lie various mercenaries in one of the taverns.

While a stout man was looking for one. He enters with his refined look that you can easily recognize the wealth he is caring.

As he stands to look at the possible candidates, screwing his wrist as he chooses. The barkeeper already recognized him as he called out his name.

“Deyter, what can I help you with, on this fine day?” as he reaches the top drawer for his strongest ale.

Deyter approaches the empty barstool, and he proceeds to sit.

“If this is business, I can tell you are lucky, ” said the barkeeper as he poured his guest his strongest ale.

The barkeep draws his head closer as he smiles eagerly. Proceeding to speak.

“You see here, we have plenty of promising candidates, capable, smart—.” 

Deyter interrupts him with his demand.

“What I need, is someone strong, who wants gold as well as someone dumb enough not to ask stupid questions, ” he firmly said.

Resuming himself the barkeep's replies.

“That kinda contradicts of wanting a dumb to not as a stupid question, right?” he said as moves at the back opening a flat-out curtain of the backroom.

“Greed of gold? Yes. Dumb? Nah, I'm afraid the young man is a genius. A leader of a skilled mercenary who helped sack those godless barbarian's foothold, with only his team of five people, ” He described while glancing his eyes at the group of people at the corner table.

“And smart enough not to ask unnecessary concerns, ” he said as he pointed his hand.

“There the infamous Grey Hand. Their leader, that young-looking man with distinctive white-ashed hair, his name is Ibarra Mide, an ambitious one, I can say, '' the barkeep added.

Deyter looking sharply at the barkeep's eyes as he drinks his ale from his tankard. With his judging eyes, soon enough he decided to enter the room as he walked inside, lifting a bag of coins.

While Deyter approaches, overhearing the conversation.

“F*ck your left eye still red Silv? Finally, someone poke it hard enough?” the guy in the corner asked.

“Shut up Bold or I'll hunt you like a mouse, ” Silva said as he glances at him madly.

“You don't scare me dog, even Bee can make a dinner out of you, ” Bold retorted.

“F*cking Bold Skeever, for the last time don't call me Bee! Call me Sting, ” Bee annoyingly said.

“Don't you disrespect our ma, she granted you a life and that name!” Bold replied.

The white-ashed hair man in the middle looks to the stout Deyter as he approaches them. He turns to look to his left side at a big guy.

“Rollo, ” he softly said signaling to him.

“Keep it quiet, we have a guest!” The big man said with his firm and stern voice.

Deyter towered between them, judging each one of them, as they converse.

Their leader Ibarra Mide the mastermind, the white-ashed hair man sitting in the middle of the table. Although even having grey hair he retained his younger look. With a right build and his leather armor suited well enough for a mercenary. 

On his right a man who calls himself Silva, one of his trusted men, a silvered hair man with a more careless type, with his open clothing like he was inviting a dagger to his chest.

On his left was a masculine man they called Rollo Longrider, with steel armor for a big guy who could be much bigger than Deyter. Although opposite to his big proportion he’s a quiet guy and reserve.

And the last two brothers, Bee and Bold Skeever are sitting in the opposite corners.

A skinny one who doesn't like to be called his name Bee and his brother Bold the loudest in the group.

Deyter throws a purse full of coins to their table as he proceeds to speak.

“It’s gold,” he said.

Getting everyone's attention, especially Bold who look Deyter in the eye as he speaks.

“I know we just met but I think, I love you, ” Bold said as he grabs the purse that was thrown on the table.

“I don’t need your love, what I need is—” Deyter said.

“Oh no no, ” Bold said as he sways his head from side to side.

“Not you, I wasn’t talking about you Princess, not at all, ” he added.

As he checks the content of the bag, seeing the shiny golds inside.

“Lovely enough, ” Bold said as he smiled and passed the bag to his brother Bee.

Catching it.

“Lovely indeed, so what does the damsel needs from us?” Bee said as he started to count the gold.

Deyter fixes his clothes and locks his wrist by his hand as he starts to talk.

“I want you to find a man, he is called Amadeus Licand. I want you to find him as well the princess he is escorting, ” Deyter announced.

“The princess? Would not that be a guards prob—, ” Bee said as he continues to count.

“Shut your trap, Bee. The guy knows how to speak to mercenaries, don’t scare the lady now with questions like that, ” Bold said.

Observing the two.

“At least two of you are dumb, I see, ” Deyter said.

“Look here—.”

The leader moves his head closer as he softly speaks.

“Stop it Bold, ” he said as he looked him in the eye.

Changing his gaze to the stout man.

“We’ll find him, and her for you, do you need them alive?” Ibarra said calmly.

Deyter focuses himself on Ibarra.

“Alive and captured there will be more gold for your friend's holes. Dead, and we want their heads, both!” Deyter said.

“We?” Ibarra inquires.

“Lord Kristoff, ” Deyter answered.

Bee realizing what the man wants.

“Both? Even—.” 

Ibarra proceeded to speak, stopping Bee with his question.

“Understood, we’ll enjoy our drink, and we’ll get to it, ” he said as he offers Deyter a drink.

Deyter accepts the offer and the two drink their ale as an agreement.

“I don’t think, I need to remind you, failing me would be failing Lord Kristoff. That's not an option, killing yourself now would be a better choice, ” Deyter announced.

Ibarra looks at Silva as if they were speaking.

“You and your lord will get what you want, I assure you, ” he said calmly.