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

[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.