Fan Fiction ❯ Six Years ❯ Chapter 14

Xylphara heard a noise in the brush and he jumped up, holding his mace ready. Lucifer pushed past him and Xylphara bared his fangs in anger. A creature, similar to the one Kana had seen the day Ryo's father had been killed, stepped into the light. Xylphara folded his arms in annoyance. Yet another attempt of the half-demon to upstage him and it made Xylphara furious.

"How did your scouting go?" Lucifer inquired and the creature grinned, showing off its irregular teeth.

"Beautiful. I laid waste to that human town that had access to the mine but I think I have some better news," the creature replied, in an almost hissing tone.

"What news?"

"News that may make our master extremely happy."

"Spit it out, then!" Xylphara cried and the beast looked at him.

"Just say it, Ironclaw. No sense in making a fullblood's blood boil," Lucifer said and Ironclaw grinned widely.

"All right, then. I saw the prince," Ironclaw said and Xylphara spun around.

"What?!" he demanded and Ironclaw shrugged his shoulders.

"At least I thought I saw him, but it wasn't. It was a human child in the company of two men. One had short dark hair and the other had long light hair."

"How is that worth anything?"

"I found it odd that three humans are out on a journey during these unsafe times."

"Do you think the prince and his soldiers are in disguise?" Lucifer asked.

"I think it's possible but I do not know whether or not the party I saw is actually who we are after. I would like to trail them more closely in hopes of finding out their true identity."

"By all means, Ironclaw. But if they are in fact General Kana and the prince, you are to do nothing to harm them," Lucifer said.

"I'm fully aware of that," Ironclaw replied.

"Good."

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"Now this is more like it," Izo said as they rode into the next human village a few days later.

"It kinda reminds me of the castle town," Ryo said and Kana glanced at him.

"Watch what you say, Ryo. You never know where the enemy might be," Kana said and Ryo nodded his head.

"All right."

"Let's go find the inn and relax with some alcohol," Izo suggested and Kana folded his hands in thought.

"I think we all should get new outfits. Preferably ones that are in style. The less conspicuous we are, the better."

"That can wait until tomorrow. Why don't we concern ourselves with some hot food, a bath, and an actual bed?" Izo asked.

"Yes, you're right. The horses definitely need their sleep. Come on, let's see if we can find a livery."

"He means stable," Izo said and Ryo looked at him.

"I know what it means," Ryo replied and Izo grinned.

"Of course you do. You've studied with Karu. You should know everything after being in class with him."

"I didn't pay that close attention sometimes."

"Don't worry about it, kid. I didn't either."

"There's the stables, but there's no one around," Kana said as he pulled Vengeance to a stop. He dismounted and walked over to a small wooden door made of oak. A peephole slid open and a pair of eyes peered out.

"Sorry," a male voice said. "We're closed."

"Please, sir, I implore you. We have been traveling for many days. Our steeds have not had proper rest. Surely you care for the animals' well-being," Kana replied and the man sighed.

"All right. Give me ten minutes."

"There is one similarity between the species. We both care for our horses."

"Not all of them do," Izo said and Kana nodded his head.

"Yes, and not every member of our kind treats horses correctly although it pains me to say that," Kana replied.

"These people don't seem to be the other kind. We can rest well tonight. I'm looking forward to a good night. Will we be able to have some fun at the inn, sir?"

"What kind of fun?" Ryo asked and Izo smiled at him.

"The kind that you like the sounds of," he replied.

"Oh. How is it fun? I mean it must be, considering my dad and Lendas did it a lot."

The wooden door opened and both officers breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't because they were reluctant to tell of their exploits, for no demon would ever shy away from talking about sex, but it was the simple fact that Ryo was a child and he wouldn't fully appreciate their description.

"These are nice, sturdy horses, the stable keeper said as he walked up to them. Izo dismounted and held out his hand.

"Thank you for taking them in. They'll be no trouble, I assure you," he said as the stable keeper opened the stable door. Ryo dismounted Nightwing and followed the general and Izo into the stable. Once inside, they relieved the horses of their luggage. Izo rummaged through his saddlebag until he pulled out a coarse oval brush. He took the bridle off of Firerain and stroked the bridge of the horse's nose. Firerain watched him with silent eyes and Izo smiled. He then moved to the side of the horse and ran the brush over Firerain's main.

"Izo..." Kana said and Izo looked at him.

"Sir?" he asked.

"Put him in his quarters for the night. We need to retire as well."

"He sleeps better if I brush him first."

"Can I brush mine too?" Ryo asked and Kana sighed.

"We don't have time for this," he replied.

"It won't take as long. He's smaller."