InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ Preparations ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter Three:

Preparations

 

 

Once again, Sesshomaru sat stoically before his peers in a last minute meeting. It seemed Lord Sarinji had talked over their course of action with one of his advisors and was no longer sure that going to the Northern lands unannounced was best way to handle their situation.

“Thank you all for meeting once more. I will make this meeting quick,” Sarinji assured the males before him.

“What the hell is this all about? We're supposed to be leaving for the Northern lands today,” Yamiko demanded, leaning back in his chair.

“I think that showing up in the Northern lands unannounced and uninvited could be seen as an act of invasion, and could incite a war,” Sarinji informed the two.

“Oh come on! There ain't no way he would think that!” Yamiko protested, “We all agreed to leave for the Northern lands today and that's that,”

“This Sesshomaru intends to leave, whether you stay or leave is no concern of mine,” Sesshomaru said.

“But, my Lord! Such an action could be taken as an act of invasion. If we were to show up in the Northern lands uninvited, it could start a war!” cried Ryoto, “I think a measure of caution is in order. This is a delicate situation that could quickly spiral out of control,”

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at Sarinji's advisor.

The impudent ookami shrank back in his seat next to Sarinji. Sesshomaru inwardly smirked, enjoying the man's unease.

The advisor looked ready to soil his hakama.

No challenge was to be had there.

Pity.

It'd been a while since he'd torn someone apart with his bare claws. He wasn't surprised; his life had grown rather dull over the last few years. Having established himself as the most powerful demon since his father's death, he was rarely if ever challenged, and there in lied the trouble.

The thrill of a challenge, the intoxicating victory of subduing his prey, it called to his inner beast, it was call he indulged in as often as the opportunity arose.

Inwardly he chuckled; he truly was more primitive than anyone knew.

“Forgive me, my Lord. I-I meant you no offense. I'm merely concerned,” Ryoto stammered.

Turing his attention back to the advisor, he let the youkai bear the full weight of his stare, watching him squirm, before responding in a cold and detached voice that left both Lords nervous and the advisor visibly trembling.

“You seem to think I am unaware of what such an action could entail. Are you insinuating that I do not think things through before acting?”

“N-no, my Lord! Never! Forgive me, my Lord,” he choked, terrified he'd lose his head this eve.

Amber eyes shifted over to Yamiko, dismissing the advisor, who breathed a shaky sigh of relief.

“Then you will go no matter what I have to say?” Sarinji inquired.

“Indeed,”

Sarinji sighed, turning his attention to Yamiko.

“It seems you shall receive your wish, Lord Yamiko,” he said.

Yamiko blinked, then grinned, eyes blazing in excitement at the prospect of getting back at the Northern Lord. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Kagome sat in bed, still recovering from her recent vision. She'd been abed for about an hour now, her headache had disappeared and her limbs were no longer achy, just a bit stiff.

Miroku had left some time ago to do more research on the Aman du Rai, and promised to return with more information.

Sighing, Kagome sat up gingerly, and slowly eased out of the bed, testing her legs.

She held onto the bed as the room spun around her. She closed her eyes and willed the vertigo to end. Once the room ceased its rapid swirling, she breathed a sigh of relief. Pausing a moment later to allow her tummy to settle, Kagome stretched her body lightly.

Once she felt like she could move without pain or nausea, walked over to a bureau at the far side of her modest bedroom, grabbed a green kimono with red roses and red obi, and headed for the bathing area in the adjourning room.

She pulled the chain and clawed tub filled with steaming water. The room grew humid from the heat of the water, but not unpleasantly so. Setting her cloths down on a near by bench. A small box sat near the circular edge of the tub which contained her favorite soaps. It was a mixture of lavender and jasmine; her own creation. Letting her kimono drop to her feet, she dipped a toe in to test the heat of the water, groaning at the welcoming heat that would sooth her achy limbs.

Grabbing a bucket, she collected water, grabbed a bar of soap and quickly began to clean herself, rinsing off with the bucket of water. Once done, she head over to the tub.

 Submerging herself in the water, she sighed, feeling her muscles loosen and finally relax.

Her visions always took a toll on her. She was thankful to have the visions, they often saved her and her people but she always disliked the pain that came with it and after.

But if this was the price to pay for the gift, so be it.

She wondered briefly if she had inherited the gift from her mother, or maybe her father. Kagome didn't know. Although she knew she had inherited her miko abilities from her mother, her visions were a mystery. Kagome never really indulged in thoughts of her parents for the simple fact that she didn't remember her parents. Around the age of six most of her memory was gone except for a few stray fragments of what she assumed to be memories.

A loving smile from a beautiful woman, strong arms of a handsome man picking her up and placing her on broad shoulders.

They were fleeting, and often left her with a warm feeling of being protected and cherished.

Lying back to relax Kagome dozed off a bit.

She awoke moments later, dried off, adorned her cloths and headed to the infirmary. She made daily trips to the infirmary, healing and lending a helping hand when needed.

Usually a Lord of his land would never indulge in such a thing, as it was beneath his station, but Kagome didn't feel that way. She walked down the rows of beds; checking each patient, using her healing miko abilities on those that needed it. Once that was done she headed down to the training grounds

Watching the soldiers go through their daily drills, Kagome let her thoughts drift to her vision once more. The men down there could very well lose their lives in the most horrific of ways if they didn't act fast enough.

Her fist clenched and her brow furrowed with worry.

They had to find that sword.

She couldn't let them down.

She knew that as strong as those soldiers below were, they would be no match for those creatures in her vision. If they were, there would have been no point in having had the vision in the first place.

Turning away, she headed to the stables and secured a horse; being sure to inform a soldier of where she was going and when she would return before taking off. She headed for one of the many villages beyond the Northern gates. It had been a while since she had visited one of the villages, and with that killer on the loose, the people of her land had been in an uproar, acting as they had never acted before.

Killing without consequence or thought, it was not like them at all.

Maybe a visit would settle them a bit.

It would definitely settle her own mind to verify that the forewarned catastrophe had not begun.

Kagome arrived in the village of Sinjinki in less than an hour. The village was bustling with energy. Men and women alike walking briskly from one stand to the next buying various goods and tools from the energetic salesmen and women selling their merchandise.

Kagome dismounted and tied the reigns of her horse to a pole nearby. She stretched a bit, trying to ease her slightly achy muscles.

“Lady Kagome, welcome!” one of the villagers called out to her.

Kagome smiled at the woman and waved at the greeter.

This village did not seem to be as chaos stricken as some of the others she had journeyed to, and for that she was glad.

Kagome walked through the village, waving at the villagers that called out to her in greeting.

“My Lady! My Lady! Please, come and have one of these delicious rice balls!” one merchant shouted out to her.

Kagome smiled at the man.

“Alright,” she agreed walking over to the booth and sampling one of the rice balls he offered to her on a wooden platter.

Taking a bite she chewed happily. It was delicious!

“Do you like it, my Lady?” the merchant asked.

Kagome nodded as she swallowed.

“Yes, it's very good,”

“Lady Kagome!”

Kagome turned to see three children running up to her. One of the children was a little girl named Marli. No more than eight years old, she was the daughter of a peasant woman Kagome had helped out some years ago. Marli was a black haired, brown eyed little girl with a green ribbon in her hair. She was the tallest of the three, and a bit shy.

Next to her stood Kamchi, a ten year old, hot tempered little boy. He had short black hair and brown eyes. He was the son of one of the many merchants selling goods and was very good friends with Marli.

Lastly was Lyna, a six year old, brown haired, dark eyed little girl and was Kamchi's little sister.

They were village children she often played with on her visits to the village. With a big smile, Kagome ran to meet the children.

“How are you, Marli?” she asked the little girl.

“Fine my Lady, my cat just had kittens yesterday!” Marli said excitedly.

“Aww, how nice, I love kittens,” Kagome said with a smile.

“We can go to my house and look at them later,”

“If we have time I will be happy to see them,”

Kamchi crossed his arms and snorted indignantly.

“No one wants to see your stupid cats,” Kamchi said.

“There are not stupid! You take that back!” Marli said, stomping her little foot.

“I will not! Everyone hates cats! They're smelly and mean and a waste of space,”

“Kamchi,” Kagome said, “You stop that. They are not,”

Kamchi only smiled mischievously.

Kagome sighed.

Kamchi was like that around Marli. Kagome had the strong suspicion that he liked Marli more than he showed. In fact she was positive. She wondered why males went to the trouble of making a girl hate them by being mean to them instead of just telling the girl that they liked them.

Maybe it was a man thing to be irrational.

She shrugged.

“Come and play with us, my Lady,” Lyna said gently tugging on Kagome's kimono sleeve.

Kagome smiled down at the girl and nodded, giggling as the children grabbed hold of her and led her off to play.

Kagome and the children walked to an open field outside of the village. The children were already rushing off to hid, their little innocent giggles filling her ears and heart.

She loved children.

She wanted children of her own some day, but that was not for a long time.

“Come find us, my Lady!” one child giggled from their hiding place.

“Alright,” Kagome said.

“Cover your eyes, my Lady! No peaking!” said another.

“Of course,” Kagome giggled as she covered her eyes.

“Count to twenty and then come and find us,” called another from somewhere behind her.

“Alright, here I go,” Kagome said with a smile, “One, two, three, four, five, six...”

The sound of bushes rustling came from somewhere to her left.

“Seven, eight, nine, ten….”

More rustling reached her ears along with quiet footsteps.

“Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen….”

Childish giggles and hushed whispers drifted away from her ears.

“Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty. Ready or not, here I come,”

Uncovering her eyes, she began to “search” for the “well hidden” children.

“I wonder where the children are,” she pondered loudly looking over at a bush.

Two pairs of little feet were sticking out, and poorly suppressed laughter could be heard. She shook her head as she passed right by the shrub, pretending she did not see the two children in the vegetation.

“I don't see them anywhere,” she pondered aloud as she passed underneath a tree, ducking down to avoid the feet of the child sitting on one of the low branches.

“Hmm,” she said, placing a finger to her lips, “Could he be….in the tree?!” she said turning quickly and pulling Kamchi from the tree branch.

The little boy laughed as she brought him down softly onto the grass and began to tickle him mercilessly. Hearing the laughter, Marli and Lyna came out from behind the bush to join in on the fun.

Once the tickling game was over, Kagome played a few more games with children, stopping only when the sun began to set.

With frowns and groans, Kagome sent the children home back to their parents, walked to her horse and headed back to the castle, her heart light, a smile on her face.

She really did enjoy playing with the village children. They were such little darlings and were a great way to pass the time.

It was for a good cause as well. It gave their parents a break from their children. Though they were lovely children, even Kagome could admit that they were a handful at times. With so much energy, and being too young to work they often got restless and with that restlessness came childish curiosity and boredom. A bored child with nothing to do was a dangerous thing.

It wasn't their fault of course; they were only children after all.

She reached the castle just before darkness fell, tired, hungry and smiling.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“The youkai attacking the villages are those plagued with madness and rage,” Jinji informed Miroku and Sango.

“Where are these demons coming from?” Sango asked the elderly male.

“From the forest beyond the village,” he said.

Miroku stood up.

“We'll take care of these demons for you,”

Miroku bowed and stepped out of the hut. Sango stood as well.

“Don't worry, we should have these demon exterminated by sundown,” Sango assured the elderly man with a smile before bowing and following Miroku out of the hut.

Kirara stood outside the hut near the entrance, already transformed and waiting. Miroku hopped onto her furred back and scooted back to allow Sango a space to sit.

“Do you think we'll have any trouble?” Sango asked as she climbed onto Kirara's back and seated herself comfortably in front of Miroku.

“No, I don't sense anything more than those demons around this area. They don't seem to be influenced by any one. I don't think we'll have any trouble taking down ordinary demons,”

That was good to know. There were individuals that sometimes took advantage of the mad demons such as the ones in the forest. A mad demon was an easy demon to manipulate and control. Though this kind of thing didn't happen that often it was still a possibility that Sango had wanted to rule out.

With Miroku's ability to sense malevolent energies he would have easily have been able to sense someone controlling them.

“Let's go Kirara,” Sango said.

Kirara bounded upwards, and sped off, flying towards the forest bordering the village. The closer they got to the forest Sango began to feel eyes on her. There was definitely a large amount of mad Youkai in that forest and they already knew that they were coming.

“Careful,” she warned her two companions, “I think they already may know-”

A series of beams of malevolent energy fired up at them, barely missing them with its deadly burning energy. Sango and Miroku held onto Kirara as she dodged the blasts, her speed increasing. The heat coming from the blasts was incredible.

Sango placed a hand on her Hiraikotsu, gripping it tight.

As expected, the mad demons wasted no time in attacking. Shooting up from the thick, green forests a large black and silver snake youkai attacked, fangs bared, dripping green acid.

Sango tossed her giant boomerang at the red eyed beast, cutting through the serpent from mouth to tail. Once through the demon, the boomerang turned, heading back towards its owner.

Sango caught the large object with ease, her gaze already locked onto the next target.

She tossed her weapon once more, simultaneously pulling the sword at her side from its sheath as more demons attacked. Kirara descended close enough to the ground for the pair to dismount before ascending once more to take on a trio of bird demons above.

Seeing them on the ground, a sizable, brown boar youkai turned it's maddened gaze on the two, charging at them with crimson eyes and a salivating mouth. Opening its mouth wide it let out a fierce bellow, revealing rows upon rows of sharp teeth and glistening fangs.

Miroku removed the wooden staff from its place on his back and rushed to meet the beast.

Swinging the large staff, he brought it down hard onto the head of the boar, his energy pouring into the attack.

The beast disintegrated on contact.

Turning, he rushed back to Sango, guarding her back as more demons crept from the encompassing forest, surrounding the duo. As the demons attacked, Sango's Hiraikotsu came crashing back, decapitating the group of demons before returning to its master.

Sango caught the boomerang in one hand, the momentum pushing her back a bit.

With the dead demons at their feet, Sango and Miroku put away their weapons away.

“There weren't many,” Miroku observed, looking around at the bloody bodies.

“That's good , we can go back to the villagers and let them that the demons have been exterminated so they can rest easy and repair their village. Even though this doesn't seem like a lot to us, for the villagers, just one out of control demon is one too many,”

“Indeed,” he agreed with a nod.

Kirara landed next to the two with a purr like growl. Sango walked over to the gentle beast and rubbed her head gently.

“Good job, Kirara,” she praised before taking a seat on her back.

Miroku followed, taking a seat behind her, his hands placed innocently, for now, on her hips as Kirara took to the air.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Crimson eyes watched the woman walk off into the distance, blissfully unaware of his presence. He smiled as he ran his fingers along the sharp edge of the dagger in his hand.

This would be easy.

The woman softly hummed to herself.

Quietly, he followed, moving within the shadows. He could feel his heart pumping, could feel the adrenaline flowing through his body. He had not killed in over a week. He was starting to get itchy.

He needed to kill something….anything….anyone.

The woman stopped at a lake. Kneeling at its edge, she dipped in both hands, cupping the cool water. She brought the water up to her lips for a sip before standing and shaking her hands dry.

She was not anything really special, not particularly pretty or beautiful, but she would do for now.

He would have to leave this region again soon.

The villagers were starting to get suspicious of him, noticing the string of murders that had occurred since the day he had entered the quiet village. If he didn't depart soon he was sure that they would send for soldiers to investigate him. He had no intention of being caught.

He'd be executed for sure.

Death would be very problematic, especially when there was such delicious, deadly hobbies he enjoyed here among the living.

He highly doubted that dying could provide the sort of...entertainment he enjoyed.

As the woman stood and wandered off once more, he followed her silently. She walked no more than a half hour before reaching the small hut she called home. Before entering, the woman turned and scanned the tree line as if sensing his presence, her face slightly apprehensive.

It was possible that she felt the darkness of his heart, the sheer malice that was his aura. It would not be the first time one of his victims sensed him. It was an interesting phenomenon and he had to admit sometimes it gave him the chills. Though his victims always dismissed the feeling as nothing more than a trick of the mind.

Fools.

However, he was not one to take any chances especially now with the people of the villages looking out for suspicious individuals. He took care to keep himself hidden from those dark eyes, crawling deeper and deeper into the shadows.

Shaking her head, the woman turned back to the hut.

Fool.

He reached out with his senses, double checking to make sure that no one else was in the house.

Sensing no one, he bared his teeth in anticipation as she closed the door behind her.

Moving out of the shadows of the forest, he approached the hut.

Not bothering to knock, he pulled the door from its weak and uneven hinges. The woman inside gave a surprised scream as he stepped inside.

“Who are ye?! Get out!” she screamed in fear.

He approached her at leisured pace, dagger in hand. Wide terrified eyes moved from his face to the glinting piece in his hand, then back up to intense red eyes. He moved faster swiftly, placing his hand over her mouth as his dagger sought her soft belly. The woman's eyes widened in surprised horror as the blade pierced her stomach.

He kept his eyes on her face, enjoying the expression on her face, the fading light in her eyes.

Death had always fascinated him.

Watching a person die, to see their eyes dim and glaze over had always given him pleasure. It was amazing, awe inspiring.

It was the drive behind his murders. To see that look was what compelled him.

His thoughts turned back to the woman, his eyes staring into hers. Blood oozed from the wound, dripping down his blade and hand, pooling at her feet in a puddle.

It was beginning.

Her dark brown eyes began to turn dull and listless, her breaths leaving her lungs in slow shallow puffs of air, her arms coming up, clawing at him, weakly. In response to her struggles he twisted the blade. The woman grunted, whimpered, her arms falling to her sides for a moment before she reached for the dagger in his blood soaked hand.

More warm, sticky blood coated his hand and blade.

He raised a brow of interest when the woman pushed at his hand, pulling the blade slowly from her body.

 He let her, curious as to what she would do one the blade was out.

None of victims had done such a thing before.

 They fought of course, but after the blade was in them, they never tried to pull it out. His breathing increased in excitement.

It was fascinating.

Her facial expressions were changing as fast as her blood was draining from her body. Each inch the blade was pulled out, agony twisted her little face and in a heartbeat, anger chased away that agony and she seemed to draw strength from that anger.

She pulled the blade out and he allowed himself to be pushed away with a hard thrust. He stumbled back a bit, watching the woman with mounting excitement.

The woman leaned heavily against one of the walls of the hut, her breathing labored, one hand held to the gaping wound in her belly. She didn't know where she had gotten the strength to pull that knife out but she thanked the Gods she had. Maybe she had a chance to escape with her life.

She glared over at the still male.

He had to be the devil himself. She knew not who or what that beast was, she knew only that she had to get out of the hut and away from him before he killed her. She took a step and was surprised at how much effort it took to do just that. Her head began to swim, her vision blurring and to her shocked horror she felt something squishy but firm come out of the gaping hole in her belly.

She tried not to think of what that that was coming out of her, her mind instantly shying away from the protruding organ she was feeling against her blood palm.

She held herself upright with the support of the wall, her eyes glued on the door of the hut. If she could just reach it……

Pain shot through her back.

She fell to the ground, dimly aware of the fact that the male had stabbed her in the back. Tears stung her eyes as she lay on the floor. She could feel her blood pooling around her, could feel her energy draining.

She was never getting out of here alive.

A rough hand clenched around arm and she felt herself being turned over. The male leaned over her, his crimson eyes boring into her own, the gleeful, lustful look in his ruby depths sickening to behold. The deep malice in them convinced her now more than ever that she was indeed looking into the eyes of the devil himself.

She closed her eyes against the pain as the male raised his blade and stabbed her again. From far away, she heard her own scream, but inside she was detached, numb, her mind pulling away from the reality of her murder and instead rushed towards the relief and safety of death's welcoming embrace….

 ~~~~~~~~~

 

Servants hurried about the room, a green toad youkai squawked orders here and there; commanding one maid to pack his Lords clothing, while he ordered another servant to pack royal scrolls, berating the man for not carrying enough manuscripts in his overburdened arms and threatening the maid with harsh punishment should she wrinkle the master's clothes. Jaken scowled at the house workers, his frustration increasing with each of their blunders.

He was trying his best to get everything in order but with these incompetent idiots and the short amount of time he had to get everything done was making it nigh impossible.

Really, he would have liked more notice than this.

What was Lord Sesshomaru thinking, taking off for the Northern lands out of the blue?

It was enough to make a loyal retainer tear his hair out….if he'd had any to tear out that is.

Jaken sighed, there was no help for it, what his Lord wanted, his Lord got, and none could nay say him, least of all Jaken. No one that expected to keep their life.

That was alright, at least to Jaken. Over the years he had gotten used to such treatment. His Lord was a respectable male. A feared and respected male by all, Jaken included.

“Jaken”

Jumping at the sound of his name being called by none other than Lord Sesshomaru himself, Jaken hurried off to his lord, planting his nose into the ground at his noble feet.

His mind raced through his actions over the last few hours, wondering and praying he had not done something to displease his master.

The consequence of his displeasure was something lived to avoid.

His Lord's punishments were cruel and painful. Jaken did not want to face any reprimanded at the hands of Lord Sesshomaru. He still had bruises from the last beating.

“Yes, my Lord, what can this loyal servant do for you, my Lord?” Jaken screeched a bit nervously.

Slightly irritated by the tirade, Sesshomaru surveyed Jaken's work with preparing his trip, glacial amber eyes observing the hastily moving youkai in his bedroom.

Efficient as always.

Which was about the only reason he kept the loud mouth imp around, otherwise he would have met his end long ago.

Productive and trustworthy servants were so hard to find now days. Just this year he'd had the task of dismissing sloppy servants, and disposing of those foolish enough to court his disdain by proving themselves unworthy of his trust. Though his trust required years upon years of demonstrated loyalty and still those he placed a small amount of confidence in were still met with suspicion and distrust, was neither here nor there.

Thieves, liars, spies and any of the like were dealt with swiftly and in some cases, tortuously slow.

Breaches of loyalty yielded serious consequences.

Those that did not meet even the minimal standard of their assigned tasks were relieved of their position without hesitation and without question.

Jaken had been with him for years. Sesshomaru knew the little toad inside and out. Jaken did not have the balls to even think of stealing from him, and he was too afraid of punishment to do his job less than perfectly. Aside from that, he had a ardent obsession for his master, one that went beyond simple servant allegiance.

“Have you prepared everything?” Sesshomaru questioned, bring his gaze back to the amphibian.

Jaken lifted his head from the floor, seat droplets beginning to form on his green forehead.

“A-almost, my Lord,” Jaken rambled nervously,“This lowly servant asks for more time to....”

Jaken tapered off as his lords silver brows lowered slight in irritation. The servants watched the exchange from their peripherals, breaths held slight at the outward show of pique.

“I leave now, Jaken,” Sesshomaru informed the creature coolly, “You will follow when upon completion of packing, I expect my things to arrive in the Northern lands before the day's end,”

Nodding vigorously Jaken stood, bowing repeatedly. “Yes, m'lord. Right away m'Lo-.”

Walking on top of the toad and out the door, Sesshomaru headed down the hall. He walked down the winding staircase, through the complex maze of the castle and out of the double doors of the castle. Outside Sarinji and a score of soldiers awaited.

Sarinji's soldiers wore the colors of the East. Rich silver and black kimonos and hakamas, their bodies covered in armor made from bones and metals. The Eastern military was very disciplined and organized under Sarinji's rule.

Yamiko was just arriving with his score of soldiers. The Southern soldiers wore dark yellow hakamas and kimonos. Their clothing was covered with the same type of armor as the Eastern soldiers, though it was cut in a different style.

Sesshomaru's own two score soldiers stood in block formation in between the Eastern and Southern soldiers. They wore the colors of the Western lands. Their bodies were clothed in blue and sliver kimonos and hakamas, their armor the best in Japan; made of the hardest metal known to man.

“My Lord” Sarinji and Yamiko said in unison as they both bowed in respect to Sesshomaru.

Although it was meant for all the Lords to be of equal status, with the Western lands being as superior economically, militarily and agriculturally as it was, the shift in power was inevitable.

This was exactly the way Sesshomaru preferred it.

As hard as he worked he deserved nothing less.

He regally inclined his head to the greeting and strode over to his own soldiers, inspecting their grooming and posture. Every soldier was a representation, of him, and extension of the Western lands, and anything short of perfection or near perfection was unacceptable.

“General Haku”

Stepping from the line of inu youkai soldiers, and coming to immediate attention, the General's voice boomed out, “Sir!”

Satisfied with the Generals response, Sesshomaru asked, “We leave now, General. You have your orders,”

“Yes, my Lord!”

As the General gave the command to mobilize the troops, Sesshomaru pushed his energy to his feet and formed his demonic cloud, taking off in the direction of the Northern lands. Arms crossed, he let the wind blow through his hair.

He was glad to be away from the castle and endless stream of paper work.

Over the past few months he'd been pretty sedentary. Sure he went out to train the soldiers when the mood crossed him, but being out of the castle was something he enjoyed.

He blamed that solely on his canine heritage.

Whatever the cause, he was more at home outdoors than indoors and it was great to be out and about after so many months of being locked up in his study.

He had that coward of the Northern lands to thank for that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed it,

Laters

~Sessakag