The Hybrid Fateful Sorrow

The lines of truth and deceit

A young muscled body of a man, not too big or small, it's the perfect size. One of those you would freeze in time for everyone to see, by being sculpted into a large stone, displaying his greatness over his people.

He gazes out with his unemotional hazel eyes above the ceiling. His body is resting on an elegant bed covered by its silky colorful blanket. 

Along with him is the bare body of a maiden-like skin. Every edge, corners are perfect, she's the very nature of beauty.

Embracing his naked body with her silk and smooth skin. Entangling her long blonde hair to the white-ashed hair of her lover. Her stunning blue eyes watch over him while he gazes above, as she caresses his broad body with her womanly hands.

The sunlight shining its peak onto their physique through a window. Exposing their desire from one another. Ibarra proceeded to get up sitting on the side of their bed.

The Queen of the two kingdoms crawled towards him, enjoying as she embraced his burnt scar displayed on his back.

Holding her body tight as she presses her cheeks to Ibarra's back. Giving it a sad peck in between.

“I want you, Ibarra. I love you! I want to be together with you, ” Queen Catherine said as she tightly clasped Ibarra's body, not letting him go.

Ibarra slowly moves his head as he peeks to his back following the sweet sense of The Queen.

“I want the same thing, My Queen, ” Ibarra replied.

After a long embrace, The Queen leaned on her back to the front end of the bed, while Ibarra proceeded to put on his clothes.

The Queen spies at his well-built body, before she speaks.

“You wanted me to marry you?” The Queen asked with a calm voice.

“I would like that to happen, as well as to help you, ” Ibarra said.

“I'm 43 years old, Ibarra and you are what? 28? ” The Queen let out.

Ibarra slowly wears his tight brown pants while he faces The Queen. Giving her a soft smile as if telling her it's not something she should be worried about.

Ibarra grabs his leather armor as it pushes a ball-like pouch. Clacking to the ground as it rolled over to The Queen's side.

Seeing the rolled pouch over her. She proceeded to pick it up.

At that moment Ibarra felt a sudden gash of fear. With his warrior eyes that grew bigger, as he felt a fright to his body from the unexpected cold air. Raising his hand like he was reaching for the pouch through the air.

“Do you have a black powder? This ball-like pouch holds for that right?” The Queen asked while she inspected the pouch.

Ibarra walks closer to The Queen. He then tries to hide the sudden dread he recently felt. A feeling of tension, a harsh memory in his mind. He sits down on the side of the bed, while The Queen has begun to open its content.

Slowly removing its knot from the ball-like pouch, revealing its content to The Queen. A red ruggedly shaped heart cut unevenly with its vein-like tie covered on it.

“What is this?” The Queen said with a bit of a surprised tone.

A more calm Ibarra is now sitting close to The Queen before he speaks.

“It's a beating stone or a heart stone. It has lots of names,” Ibarra said calmly.

“I have heard of this before from an old book. Although I have never seen one in my life. This is supposed to be a relic from the northern lands?” The Queen said as she held the ruby heart-shaped stone.

“Clasp it fully. Cover it with both of your hands and gently hold on to it for a few minutes,” Ibarra said as he guided The Queen's hand.

Following Ibarra instructions, The Queen with the help of Ibarra uses both of her hands to gently clutch the heart stone. Ibarra covered The Queen's hands with his.

A few moments, as their warmth travels into the stone it started to beat. Startling The Queen by its sudden movement. She tries to retreat her hands only to be held back by Ibarra's clutch.

“It's okay, this is why it was called the beating stone. You are right that this is a relic from the northlander,” Ibarra said.

The Queen returns her clutch to the stone while she asks.

“How do you know all this?”

“I am a northlander, My Queen. My father, before he was killed, gave the stone to me. It's originally called, The Stenen of Evigt Liv och Styrka or The Stone of Eternal Life and Strength, ” Ibarra explained.

With an astounding look, the Queen continued to ask.

“You aren't a Grearian or a Midlander? What about the Ara?” Queen Catherine asked.

“Not originally My Queen. My family fled from the north and found our way to the middle land, and the village of Ara, ” Ibarra explained.

While the heart stone continues to beat calmly. Ibarra slowly opened The Queen's hands to free the beating stone. Plucking it from The Queen, as he returns it to the ball-like pouch.

“I feel like there is so much I don't know about you, ” The Queen said as she gazed at her lover.

“I'm connected to the heart stone. The heartbeat you felt from the stone, was from my very own heart, My Queen, ” Ibarra replied as he kept the pouch safe.

“It was your heartbeat? I felt your heartbeats?” The Queen asked as she longs for the feeling that it gave her.

“Yes the beating stone, was my heart rate, ” Ibarra answered.

“Would you wait for me, Ibarra? My daughter is still missing, ” The Queen let out.

“I would help you with that, ” Ibarra said.

The Queen's hands slide on his hand and arm, as she grabs it, pulling it close to her bosom. Pressing it tightly for Ibarra to let him feel her own heartbeat.

“This is what I feel, it's beating quickly because of you! I have been longing for you, Ibarra!” The Queen let out.

Ibarra's hazel eyes gaze at her intimately as he cups a feel on her chest, grabbing her soft maiden-like skin.

“I accept! I will remarry and have you. I need to focus my energy on finding my daughter. But let's have our wedding on the 3rd night of October, ” The Queen said as she moved closer to embrace Ibarra once more.

“My Queen, ” Ibarra uttered quietly, as he moved closer to embrace her.

Embracing their body along with the heat from the sunlight as they share a warmth.

——

From the chatter of people nearby and the pleasant songs of the bard that is singing. Another day indeed for the life of the Grey Hand mercenaries.

A big tall burly man waking up from his short old bed. Sitting on the side of his bed as he pushed the empty bottles of ale and mead with his feet from the floor.

“Why did I drink so much!?” Rollo uttered as he scratched his head.

Hearing a knocking sound by his door.

“Lieutenant Roll, A message for you from Masse,” 

“Masse?” Rollo asked.

“Yes, it's where it came from,” The courier said.

Standing as he heavily sighed. He proceeded to open his door.

“Good day! Lieutenant Rollo, you look tired,” The courier said as he passed the letter.

“The team and I had a bit of a celebration last night,” Rollo said as soon as he accepted the letter.

“Come downstairs, would you? My ma is cooking some food in the inn,” The courier said.

“Thanks for the offer. I'll get myself ready, ” he said as he retreated to his table, leaving the door open.

Cutting the wax on the paper, gently by his knife, before he proceeded to read its contents.

“Dear Rollo I hope this letter finds you safely. We may not have the same blood, but we are all proud of what you have achieved. I'm afraid the Masse Village, your hometown, is in a bit of a predicament, ” Rollo said as he quietly read the letters.

Hearing another knock, he stopped to look at the door. Leaning on his door equipped with leather armor. A white-ashed hair man, the leader of the grey hand.

The two gaze with respect to one another. Ibarra smiling with his warmest smile seeing his friend Rollo safe and sound.

“You got a letter?” Ibarra asked.

“Lord Ibarra, ” bowing with great respect.

“Yes, it came from my hometown, ” Rollo said.

“They need you again, huh? Let them go, they don't respect you, ” Ibarra said.

“They are still my family, and they are in trouble, ” Rollo replied.

“From mercenaries? There is Vaxia in there who remained quiet for some time, was it them?” Ibarra asked.

“I believe it is, ” he answered as he stood.

“Then we'll go there, ” Ibarra said confidently.

Walking closer to Ibarra as he smiles gently.

“You came back for the Queen, ” Rollo said.

“Yes, for us, ” Ibarra said.

“Did it go well? The meeting?” Rollo said as he raised his arm readying for an arm shake.

“Yes, ” Ibarra answered receiving his arms shake.

“I believe in you Lord Ibarra, I know you'll eventually get what you wanted. Now how about we get some food? I had a lot of drinks last night and stomach aches, ” Rollo said as he tapped him on the back.

“Let's fix that ache Then, and meet with the team, ” Ibarra said smiling.

Walking down the stairs, they can already hear his men merrying around, instigated by the loudmouth of Bold Skeever.

“A short man, with a big mouth, ” Rollo uttered as he walked with Ibarra side by side.

“Hey, boss! I'm so excited and delighted to see you!” Bold said as he grabs himself an ale.

“Isn't it too early for a drink? Brother?” Bee uttered as he sits and eats his food.

“Shut up bee!”

“You know what boss we been doubting your masculinity but damn if I was mistaken, ” Bold said loudly.

“What is it now?” Ibarra said as he walked closer to bold.

“Well, I have found out with my little eye on your meeting, hehe. Let's just say you gave a new meaning to the word Queensblade, he? Haha!” Bold said as he stands by his chair moving his hips back and forth imitating s*x.

Upon hearing and seeing that Ibarra increases his walking pace leaving Rollo behind, as he slightly gritted his teeth.

“Good morning! Sharp and long—” Bold said before he was interrupted.

Standing in front of Bold Skeever was their leader, Ibarra Mide gazing at him fiercely.

Before Bold could even finish his greeting, Ibarra delivers a hard-knocking punch to his jaw. Sending Bold Skeever and the ale in his hand rapidly to the floor. Thudding on the ground, breaking some of the floorboards with his unconscious body.

Everyone who was fortunate to be in the inn drinking that time has witnessed the event. All of his men muttered quietly, shocked by their boss's actions. 

Rollo, on the other hand, stands shut behind Ibarra. Breathing deeply through his nose as he remained quiet standing motionless.