Rune

Seeing all the villagers gathered together was actually rather amazing. There was about seventy or so people in the village and they were all very close.

As Amrunela sat down beside of her prince with their evening meal, a plate of potatoes and venison, she noticed that Talon was the center of attention. He chattered and laughed with the villagers as he ate. Every now and then some villagers would switch seats in order for more people to be able to talk to him. They absolutely loved the guy.

She shrugged and looked at the other member of their party. Niliah sat near to her and Jaekel as she ate. She was focusing on her food, and not talking to anyone. It was quite a contrast between her and her friend.

Mem came over and dropped beside of her, "Hello, Niliah, isn't it?"

The half-dragon looked up but said nothing. Mem smiled, "How do you like the people here? They are very nice aren't they?"

"I guess so. I like them I guess. Just not used to being around people."

"I'm sure you'll get better." Mem then clapped her hands together, "Hey why not spend some time with me later? I would love to get to know you better! I've never met a half-breed before!"

"I guess?" The half-dragon sounded hesitant.

Rune turned away from listening to their conversation and instead looked at her prince. He had a little smile on his face as he ate and watched everyone having a good time. His lips may not have been lifted that much, but it was enough to bring his dimples out.

She had always low-key envied his dimples. They made him look so approachable. And slightly adorable as well, she thought with a snicker.

"What is it, Rune?" He glanced over at her, his dimples becoming even more prominently for a moment as he flashed her a grin.

"You look happy."

"I am happy." He placed his chin in his hands and gazed out at the mingling village. "Somehow, just seeing this place made me happy."

"They are like one big family."

"Yep." He then yawned. "Its getting late isn't it?"

Suddenly a chant began among the villagers, "Story! Story! Story!"

They were laughing as they chanted. After a moment Talon got up with a warm gentle smile on his face. "Alright, alright. Let's see. A story huh. One of the old kingdom?"

As the villagers gave their approval he fell silent as if thinking, then began, "It is said that in all of the history of the kingdom no king got along so well with his Protector and the High Priestess as did Lucien, last king of Nireal. It wasn't uncommon for the king to be friends with his protector, but having the Priest also as a friend was something practically unheard of. For the Priestess and the Protector were often at each other's throats, often just because. Of course there was always a certain level of trust between the king and the Priest. But the king could only become really close with one or the other. But Lucien was close to both. Even more remarkable is that during his reign the Protector and Priestess hardly ever butted heads. For Summit and Xeltia were also friends. In fact they were closer to each other than they were to their king.

The reason for this is in their past before Lucien was ever crowned. Before Summit become the Land's Protector, and even before Xeltia was ever anointed as High Priestess. They grew up together, not odd that Summit grew up with Lucien. But for the future High Priestess it was odd to be someone known by the prince before they were supposed to work together.

They did everything together, those three. And by the time that Lucien was crowned, something that had absolutely never happened before came to pass. The Protector and the High Priestess were in love. They were married a year after their friend's coronation.

But not everyone thought this was acceptable. For it had never happened before. But no rules stated that it could not be. And so no one could actually stop their union.

Noone but Lucien would have been able to. But the king was the last person who would ever have stopped them.

They were happy those years before the darkness came. A century of peace was over the land and then it hit. The king and protector died. And only the High Priestess, Xeltia the Weeping Widow, survived of the three.

For they had sent her away for the children she was carrying's sake. And so the cursed cycle of the Twins began." Talon paused and gave a wry smile, "A cycle that is soon to break. The crossroads is here, and the darkness returns once again."

Then he yawned, "I'm tired. 'Night ya'll. I'm heading to go rest."

Talon then left and headed off. Amrunela heard Jaekel yawn and he stood up. "Want to walk with me? I think I want to head to bed as well."

She fell into step beside of him as they headed towards the temporary housing they were borrowing for the night. Jaekel and her were silent as they walked.

He stopped beside of the houses, and looked at her, "Well, night, Rune. See you in the morning."

She hugged him before slipping into the house she and Niliah were taking, then she went to turn in. But not before writing in her journal.

"Phoendrail, 11th of the the month of Caimures, Evening,

Talon took us to a village today. The people here are nice – I never expected to find a whole village of people in Nix'Ryl who are so open and friendly. I've always heard how Nix'Ryl is a place where you can't really trust anyone. But these people aren��t like that. They are welcoming. They seem at peace with the world. It's nice and homely."