Beginning a Journey

[trueanddestined]

It was perhaps an hour and a half later that Albert came walking down the cobbled street that led out of the city of bale. He was wrapped in a worn, green traveler's cloak and a set of armour that was clearly not ornamental if the nicks and dents were any indicator. His hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, his crown was gone as were any other trappings of his royal station. There was a lance strapped to his back and a pouch secured to his hip. It would appear the years of peace had not effected Albert's sensibilities as to what constituted important on long trips. All in all the man looked very much like the Albert that had traveled with the Dragoons around the world some years ago and not at all like the regent that had met with Lloyd earlier.

It was growing late now, and the sun was setting in the west. An excellent time for a king to sneak out of his kingdom, no one was in the streets to witness it.

Comments

[platinum_shadow]

At least he still knew how to prepare to travel. Unlike Dart and crew, Lloyd was not concerned that Albert would try to bring an unnecessary amount of useless things. He knew the King better than that, he was reasonable. And certainly the long trip across Endiness taught him that packing light was for the best. Lloyd had restocked his own supplies and was already waiting by the time Albert reached him. He paused, looking around.

"I am surprised, no red dragoon?" Good, he didn't want to deal with Dart's noise and temper.

[trueanddestined]

Albert's expression was one of annoyance for a moment before he shook his head, "Unfortunately no. Perhaps it is because I neglected to list details, I felt it was best that I did not in case the letter was read by the wrong parties. In any case, it would appear Dart is far too busy being the mayor of Seles."

Albert's expression would clue Lloyd in to how good an excuse he thinks that is, considering.

[platinum_shadow]

Lloyd couldn't help but smirk slightly, shaking his head. Mayor... right. And yet here was the King out on this mission alone. Disappointing. "I would have expected better of him. Perhaps he did not wish to admit he has misplaced his Dragoon spirit." Another smirk. Lloyd didn't know that for certain, but a Dragoon shirking their duty was highly disappointing.

Would the Divine Dragon's spirit even respond to someone like that? He didn't know. You've gone soft, Dart. "Perhaps it is for the best, his skill in subtlety leaves much to be desired." With that flashy red armor and all the noise.

[trueanddestined]

"Yes I never did quite understand why he insisted on wearing that red armour. It made him far too memorable, and us a huge moving target," Albert paused and gave Lloyd a side long look. Had that been...a moment of camaraderie? And at the expense of his friend no less! Albert did not sigh, but that did not mean he didn't want to.

"I apologize my lack of flight will slow us down. However, I have arranged passage to Furni from Tiberoa once we make it that far. We will travel under false identities of course and I doubt anyone in Furni will recognize me, I do not know about you."

[platinum_shadow]

Yes, it really did make them a target, but Lloyd was tactful enough not to harp on it. He'll just be privately amused remembering how much fun it was shooting fireballs at him. They totally just had a moment, but again Lloyd would not point it out.

"We will make due with what we must," Lloyd said turning away to begin heading down the path. He nodded approvingly at the news of travel arrangements and aliases. Albert was good at thinking ahead. "I do not spend much time in human cities, I doubt my identity will prove to be a problem."

[trueanddestined]

Albert nodded as he punted a small bird that had attacked his ankles from out of no where. Really the wildlife out here was ridiculously aggressive.

"Yes you always were good at keeping your identity well hidden. Bit dramatic that. If we keep moving south along this route we should reach Hoax by dawn. We can rest there on the outskirts of town before beginning again."

[platinum_shadow]

Another reason Lloyd preferred flight, the wildlife really was annoying. Rats and spastic birds galore. He didn't have time to deal with these annoyances.

"Perhaps, but necessary regardless. Besides being a little dramatic can be entertaining, don't you think?" Don't you try to convince him otherwise, Albert. A man who wears a cape definitely has a love for the dramatic.

[trueanddestined]

Albert would have rolled his eyes if it were at all dignified. "I suppose a little dramatics could stave off the boredom one sometimes feels. A very little. I would not invite such displays to become a part of daily life."

[platinum_shadow]

Lloyd would have snickered, but again not dignified. Funny that someone as stoic as himself even enjoyed theatrics at all, but then again he did make a few grand speeches, didn't he? "For the most part I avoid human cities more for the noise than anything else." He admitted after a time. He kept his identity hidden more for safety. Winglies preferred being considered extinct, truth be told. Most, anyway. He still dreamed for a day when they no longer had to hide what they were from the world but...

That was something for another time. For now he would continue playing the part of a human.

[trueanddestined]

Albert nodded, in agreement or understanding was not apparent. The man did not attempt to break the tenuously comfortable silence that had fallen between them as they continued down the road toward Hoax. Night drew on and Albert lit a lamp when the time came that they left the populated outskirts of Bale where the road was lit at night and entered the open farmland beyond. The moons rose in the sky and floated luminous in the darkness but providing little light for travelers. Endiness at night was a much darker place after the fall of the Moon that Never Sets, not that Albert complained, but he had heard others lament the fact.

[platinum_shadow]

Lloyd was not one to fill silence with mindless banter, and was more than comfortable to continue their trip in it. It allowed him time to think, and to pay more attention to their surroundings. Endiness at night was much different than what Lloyd had long been accustomed to, but really... it was largely his doing that the moon had fallen at all. He wouldn't complain, wouldn't even bring it up unless Albert did. Eventually they would need to consider resting, but traveling for long distances without rest was something he was still very used to. Lloyd had a hard time staying in one place long.

[trueanddestined]

Albert was not one for complaining either and kept the pace up with ease. There were some points where he stopped to rest, but never for long. He had also, at one point, pulled dry rations from his pack to much on. Offering some to Lloyd as well. It seemed Albert was quite intent on making his own mental timetable. It was perhaps seven hours from the time they had started that Albert finally stopped and placed his hands on his hips. He looked up at the stars and counted under his breath before looking at Lloyd.

"It's nearly two in the morning. I think we've gone far enough for tonight."

[platinum_shadow]

If Lloyd ever tired, he never displayed it. Simply waited patiently during the brief times Albert paused to rest, occasionally scouting around through the air to ensure they weren't being followed or tracked. He was dreadfully paranoid, Lloyd. When offered rations at first the man was hesitant, a gesture of kindness? Strange... all things considered especially, but eventually accepted with his thanks.

When Albert stopped he also glanced at the sky, frowning slightly. Hm, it was late, and they hadn't gone nearly far enough yet. On foot was so time consuming. "Indeed, an acceptable time to rest." Which for Lloyd really just meant finding the nearest tree and slumping under it. Okay he was a little tired, but he'd not admit it or ever make a fuss.

[trueanddestined]

Fortunately they had entered the forests of North Serdio already and there were no lack of trees here. Albert sighed and dropped down by the nearest tree, still within sight of the road, but far enough to be out of sight of brigands in the dark. Albert leaned back against the tree and pulled one knee to his chest.

"Lloyd, I hope you will not find my question obtuse, but it has been nagging me and I have to know..."

[platinum_shadow]

Normally Lloyd would have selected higher ground, but... given his present company, that might have been rude. He didn't drag Albert out here to feed him to the wolves, so to speak, even if he knew the King more than capable of defending himself. No one would be very pleased if he went and got the man killed after all.

"Hm?" He'd appeared to be nearly about to fall asleep, but then it was hard to tell with that hood pulled so low.

[trueanddestined]

Albert gave Lloyd a sidelong glance, he couldn't read the man with the hood pulled down over his face like that so he didn't try. He looked back toward the road.

"You needn't feel obligated to answer, but I must at least ask. How did you survive? We all thought you died."

[platinum_shadow]

Lloyd was silent for a while, by the time he finally did speak up, Albert might have assumed he simply wasn't going to answer. Though in truth, he saw no harm in it. It was evident he was alive, might as well share the story.

"I nearly did, my wounds were grave. I had managed to teleport a short distance from the battleground but could make it no further. Sister Miranda found me some time later, she brought me back to Deningrad. I am uncertain of the details beyond that, I had used what little strength remained to teleport, and blacked out." He shrugged, honestly he owed the Sacred Sisters much. Of course he would seek to help restore their kingdom.

[trueanddestined]

Albert was silent and did not push Lloyd to answer, though yes for a moment he assumed the man would not. He was pleasantly surprised, therefore, when Lloyd did speak up. He listened thoughtfully and nodded after a moment,

"So you have been there for some time...and this," he gestured with his hand to the intangible journey they were on, "is in part gratitude for what Miranda has done for you and for the forgiveness of Mille Seseau."

[platinum_shadow]

"Their capacity for forgiveness is... immense," It wasn't much of an answer, he was a master at being elusive when he wanted to be. Of course his being allowed to stay was probably largely because of Wink. Still...

"You are sharp as ever, Highness." That might be a better clue.

[trueanddestined]

Albert gave Lloyd a sidelong look and considered pressing the man. He was certain that the other part to Lloyd's reasoning had to do with Mille Seseau's third Sacred Sister, the woman who had given him her ring. Wink had once thrown herself in front of a sword to protect Lloyd's life. Albert had seen the look on Lloyd's face when she had taken the blow meant for him.

The king closed his eyes instead. There would be time later to ask about Wink. If he pressed Lloyd to much too fast he was sure the Wingly would completely shut down. He always had been reticent when it came to information.

"Let us rest while we can. We must start early for Hoax."

[platinum_shadow]

Pressing would get him nowhere, Lloyd wasn't very open with personal things. Hell he wasn't very open with things that were't personal.

But, rest sounded good. Both a good excuse to end the conversation, and because all this walking was exhausting. He nodded simply with a grunt, folding his arms over his chest and settling in for the night. No more words, you got all the personal information out of him that you're likely to for a while, Albert.