Tue Sep 03, 2019 5:57 pm
So, guys, I encourage you to get your next parts out soon, preferably by Sunday.
I want to be able to move on with Lietni's story so as to get him out of the city soon.
Lietni presented himself to the Imperial Division armoury the very next day.
He stood proudly as the commander walked out to green him.
"Congratulations legionnaire of our glorious Empire, I have had the smithies ready your equipment."
"Thank you, sir. Yes, sir."
"At ease, let's suit you up."
His armour shone in the torch light, and he stood still as a smithy showed him how to strap on each part onto himself.
Legionnaire armour acquired [Imperial variant].
The next few hours consisted of him learning to use all pieces of his equipment, followed by introductions to those in his platoon, and the day ended with general maneuvers and combat training.
The following week consisted of a daily routine of exercising, and training.
Finally, Lietni was deemed ready for duty, and assigned his position in the Imperial Palace.
He had been standing at his post for a few hours when he heard the familiar march of a legionnaire patrol.
Then they appeared seemingly escorting something, or someone.
They stopped at the entrance to the palace, a few posts away from his, and proceeded to salute and explain their situation.
Unsurprisingly, what they were escorting was accepted, but they were waved away.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, his commander appeared and called up 10 imperial legionnaires, including Lietni to escort it.
As he approached his objective, he realised it looked like them, but its skin was as pale as the snow, and it's eyes were the strangest he had ever seen, a mixture of green, blue, hazel, and grey.
Then it became clear it was a she.
He wasn't the only intrigued Imperial legionnaire, they were all giving each other glances of confusion.
But, they were disciplined and they stayed silent, surrounding her with their shields and armoured bodies.
Then, lead by their commander, they marched forward to the Emperor's hall.
Once they arrived, they took up positions next to the veteran Imperial Legionnaires who directly guarded the emperor.
She kneeled in front of the Emperor, who lay in the shadows if his hall.
"Speak, child of the forest."
She spoke the same language as them, but her accent was silky and it seemed to them that she sang more than anything.
"I see, daughter of the trees, but we have no quarrel with the hombsapsiensis."
She seemed to think hard, but when she replied, Lietni was sure he heard the sounds of strange beasts from lands far away through her musical voice.
The emperor aquiesced, and with a click of his wrist, messengers ran out of the hall.
"Unfortunately, maiden of the plants, I have no room for you in this palace, as all hosts should. I apologise greatly for this mistake of mine."
Lietni knew not what impulsed him to say what he said next.
"My lord and glorious emperor, I have room in my abode for her to stay, if it would convenience you."
All heads turned in unison and shock to face him.
Aphyollir started to apologise to the emperor but he was cut short by a brief motion of the latter's hand.
"Legionnaire Lietni, I am humbled by your proposal, however the decision is not mine to make, but rather our guest's."
She turned to face him, and he saw now that she was indeed one of the Elfekar, the elves of the forest.
Her shy smile radiated warmth, and her eyes sparkled as invisible sunlight danced off of her.
"I too am greatly humbled by your subject's proposal, Lord of the Earterri imperium, and I feel that I have no choice but to accept, considering the current situation."
Lietni was partially becoming conscient of what he has just done, and he started to feel ever so slightly embarrassed.
The emperor dismissed them all but the veterans and the Elfekar, and as they left, Aphyollir walked next to Lietni, and the latter was sure he would be scolded.
"You took a great risk back their-"
"I'm sorry, sir, I don't know why I said what I said."
"... I see."
Aphyollir suddenly seemed much more mischievous, as if he knew something that Lietni did not.
"Just don't do it again, Legionnaire."
"Sir, yes, sir."
As he returned to his position, Lietni wondered what he had just set in motion.
He has just offered a complete stranger to reside within his stark abode.
Not to mention he had only one bed.
He shook himself clear of those thoughts, as there was another time for them, and he focused on guarding the main entrance's hallway.
When his shift ended, his commander appeared again, escorting the Elfekar.
"Legionnaire! I do hope you recall your proposal?"
He stared blankly first a few seconds before his eyes lit up and he uttered a somewhat nervous, "Yes, sir."
He got unsuited in the armoury, and back in civilian clothing, he and the Elfekar walked out of the palace together.
She opened the conversation as they walked.
"So, what's your name, my kind host?"
"Um... I'm Lietni."
She nodded.
"And what's yours?" he challenged back.
"Martunafecatiyh"
"Uh... Must be a pain to write."
"People call me Martuna for short."
Her voice seemed to lull him with a strange sense of peace.
"You know, back there, I don't know why I said I had space to be your host... I really don't."
"I'm sure we'll figure it out."
And with that, Lietni opened his door.
