The Neo-Hero Party Verse 1 - Rhaegar the flightless one

Lana

Soft embers danced with poise on the top of melting wax. Several candles illuminating what would’ve been a soundless darkness if not for their appearance. Lana exhaled a satisfying release. Finally concluding the host of scrolls she had piled in front of her. These scrolls either awaited her written response or signed name. She caressed the final wine skinned scroll beneath her dainty hands, her eyes felt a slight sense of foreboding trouble whilst she scanned the contents written against it. She was pledging a portion of her inheritance to the ‘Steel Hoofs Company.’ Her initial proposal stated that 40% of her newly found companies' earnings for the first 7 months would be going to the pockets of the company leader. Also, she pledged an additional 4 chests filled with silver, weighing 4 kilos each. Much to her dismay however, the offer was soundly rejected. She only received the counter offer a few moons ago, and at first, Lana was very close to considering sending an assassin to slice the company heads throat open by what was audaciously written inside.

Only she understood the ramifications of such a crime. As a result she was **** to bend the knee slightly and adhere to the outlandish request of the Steel Hoofed Company leaders request for her to personally deliver the agreement in person...alone. Lana couldn’t help massaging her temple when she thought of that sleezy looking middle aged man, who was fortunate enough to be born as one of the eldest heirs to a very wealthy merchant lord. The rumours about his debauchery were known both far and wide. He was a man who enjoyed frolicking and wasting his inheritance away.

After she finished scribbling the final words against the bottom of the scroll, Lana felt a terrible ache accumulated in the middle of her hand. The same one she had been carefully clutching hold of the feathered quill with.

“Finally...that takes care of that” she spoke faintly, leaning back against the firm headrest she found herself drifting into her thoughts again. His face appeared within her mental and not for the first time today.

“I hope he’s doing ok...” she said to herself, it had been four days since she last visited Thorjen. She knew he was out of the hospital now and miraculously had already started training with Ness and his chosen company summoned him recently. Only with her busy schedule of making sure their newly found party was legitimized enough in order to start taking on official quests. Lana held 101 things she had to see too in the last few days.

She could finally breathe again, even if it was only for a few moments. Her shoulders sunk into the firm leather of the high hair propped behind the round table. Lana was thinking perhaps she could pay Thorjen a visit soon, but her mind was fighting against itself. Wondering if it was proper for a lady to do so.

“He should be the one **** to see me no? Th-then why isn't he? Wait! Lana what are you doing.” She felt her face turn warm before she shyly buried her head into her two hands. _‘What kind of thoughts am I having these days.’ _Ever since she could now place a face with the man foretold to her by the fates, all she could think about was Thorjen.

*KNOCK-KNOCK*

The gentle knocks against the door startled her awake from her daydreams. Still feeling the heat from her cheeks she started to attempt to cool herself down by blowing hot air out from her mouth.

“I’m-I’m coming just wait a moment” she said slightly flustered,

Lana straightened out her dress before she made her way towards the closed redwood door. She opened the door aside using its black iron latch. Standing on the other side was a plain faced girl wearing silver armour, she had her helmet securely tucked underneath her armpits. She was shorter than Lana, with fiery red coloured hair braided into a ponytail. Her round face was dotted with freckles only adding to the childlike demeanor she tended to wear.

She bowed as soon as their eyes made eye contact.

“M-lady” said the armoured knight politely, Lana studied the girl for a few moments before the corners of her mouth curved into an inviting smile.

“Christina! How have are you- I must say it’s been way too long since we last saw one another. Come here give me a hug,” said Lana. She noticed the knight slightly flinch before her pale cheeks turned slightly red.

“I... Ahem forgive... me Princess...b-b-ut I...I cannot...”

Seeing the honest girl wrestling between her duty as a knight and her own desires, Lana partially covered her mouth, unable to hold in the amusement she found watching the poor girl squirming uncomfortably.

She moved towards the knight and softly wrapped her arms around her. Lana could smell the outdoors tangled within Christina’s hair. She smelt of burning iron as well, most of the knights armours smelt the same. But hidden beneath the callous scent of a warrior, she could still gather the lingering remnants of one of her childhood friends natural, womanly scent.

Once she pulled herself away, Christina was almost in awe. Her eyes glittering with wanderlust whilst her mouth slightly slacked open a little. Soft childish breaths breaking free. Lana felt her heart warm instantly, suddenly she was transported back in time when the two were still very young. Christina wanted nothing more than to become a knight. How many knights did Lana sneak out with Ness to feed the stubborn girl that would practice her sword striking skills for hours until dawn broke.

“Where has time gone” Lana exhaled.

She first captured footsteps arriving from down the corridor. Lana casually placed her gaze towards the figure appearing from around the bend. Her eyes beheld an ethereal white tunic. Then she noticed the slender built crowned with gold and amber locks. A poised chin and an unblemished face. Her heart skipped a gentle beat, even if but for a moment. There was only one man existing within this place that could do that to her.

He approached with measured steps, Lana always felt his stance was similar to that of a feline. Elegance and primal, seeing those blazing amber eyes of his again. She was starting to see why he inherited the nickname, the alpha. Adorned against his helm was a glass amber crown fashioned with long horns like antlers. This wasn't any show of pompous self crowning, but actually a part of his Holy Gear.

He was of course, the one ranked Number 1 amongst the 13 Heavenly sword wielders. Rhaegar his name was. But he coined the nickname the flightless dragon.

Halfway along his walk across the crimson-coloured rug, their eyes finally met and Lana noticed his cold expression instantly soften as though a bucket of steam had been poured over his frosty exterior.

“Princess?” he said with brows slightly arched.

Christina almost repelled out of Lana’s arms, her face was drained of all its colour whilst she looked as though she had seen a ghost. Before Lana could say anything, Christina swiftly scurried to the approaching Rhaegar’s side and fell onto a single knee.

“G-general!” She yelped to the top of her voice. Rhaegar didn’t even flinch, his surprised gaze never left Lana, who felt annoyed once she noticed how they treated one of her old companions.

“*Scoff* You were late little bug” Snarled a very tall, shrouded fellow covered in plated spiky armour which partially covered his joints. The rest of his body was covered in dark bandages. Against his hip he carried a cruelly shaped shamshir sword. Lana immediately traced his appearance to that of the well-known bandit king, who once ruled half of the mainland's just before the wars between the Elves and the demons first started.

There had been rumours about the said king finding love with the leader of a shadowy group of thieves who have operated within the dark world. Somewhere along the timeline both of those great companies had fallen, but there were always talks of a nameless prince, born between their short union. Lana’s eyes furrowed deeply whilst she regurgitated the end of that story within. Some say, well, the royals' loyal whispers mentioned that the King and Queen of those companies had been killed by someone very close to their hearts...a son.

Rhaegar arrived before her soon enough, after all these years his eyes still carried untold desires and warmth, Lana felt odd seeing those same eyes as before beholding her in that same way. ‘After so many years he still looks at me like that’ She couldn’t help being reminded of their youth. He lowered his helm and bowed cordially. “My Lady.” His voice laced with charm and earnest happiness. By now Lana understood this about him quite well. Even when they were younger, Rhaegar was known across the capital for his cold demeanour and brutality to his enemies. He earned the nickname the flightless dragon, for his sheer benevolence mixed with his unyielding rage. Often those who were his seniors were too afraid to stand beside him, and most of his life up until this point was spent alone with his spear and iron.

Lana remembered the first time she met the boy who couldn’t look her directly in the eyes, even now she could still see that caged youth within his mature face. “General Rhaegar, it’s always an honour” said Lana performing a cordial curtsy, often performed amongst the royals as a sign of respect. Rhaegar wasn’t born a noble from birth, but his prowess as a knight was noticed early on during his childhood. And as a result, the royals spent a great number of resources on him, in truth he had become almost an adopted son of the royals.

She noticed Rhaegar’s gaze lingering on her bare legs a little while longer before he lifted his eyes. “I heard you were no longer confided within the castle” said Rhaegar unable to hold eye contact between them both even now. Lana squirmed a little, feeling a little naked beneath those glowing eyes he possessed. She used to avoid meeting him for the sheer chance he might use his power against her. Thinking about that time, she did feel a little bad about how she treated him in the end.

Though inside she was unsure how to talk to him anymore, she remained poised and dignified on the outside. “Yes” she said, “I’ve decided to start adventuring again. I’m sure you’ve already heard , but since you’re here well...I plan on establishing my own company outside the net of the royals.”

Rhaegar’s face noticeably showed a changed in its expression. Like a child discovering what it believed in had suddenly been proved to be a façade. He remained quiet for a few moments, searching within himself for something.”

“But why? I thought you wanted to carve your own legend into this world? If so then why don’t you join my…”

Lana held out her hand to stop him from him continuing. She had had this same conversation with him before, many times in fact over the course of the years. Rhaegar never hid behind the fact he wanted to marry her, in fact he had promised to do just that when he was still only a squire. Both talented and ambitious in body and mind. Lana could only crease a helpless smile, ‘he hasn’t changed a single bit...how sad.’ She thought to herself.

“I have my own dreams General Rhaegar” She responded with a mechanical smile

“J-just Rhaegar is fine...Princess.”

“I could never be so curt, you’ve earned that respect, so I cant be one of those women who uses our friendly relationship to take advantage of that. But as I mentioned, General...I have things I wish to do. And unfortunately, they are things I must do alone.” She tried to be as direct but as respectful as she could possibly be. It wasn’t a first time Lana received a persistent proposal to wed. Most of the men who sought after her had either two things within their minds. Her status or her power. She had learned long ago to never allow herself to be taken advantage of.

She could see the hurt within his eyes changing into something of intrigue, Lana briefly recognized that withdrawn face he shows the rest of the world slowly appearing. After all, he was the strongest amongst the holy gear wielders, how could he allow himself to look weak amongst his subjects.

“Alone? But then why go to such lengths to start a company? How can such lofty dreams be accomplished alone Mi Lady. W-who will protect you?” Despite his withdrawn voice, there was a coldness within those glowing set of amber eyes. Lana remained quiet, for some strange reason his face appeared within her mind. A half Elf, Half human boy with a fall of knotted tow coloured locks. A warm smile unknowingly appeared across her face.

“ah, so there is someone you have chosen to place your trust in. That is...remarkable Princess. I am pleased such a titan exists-very good, very good.” An unseen fire seemed to be birth from his narrowed gaze. Lana understood completely what he was implying, but to this she merely laughed softly before placing her gaze upon Christina. Who was trying her best to go unnoticed. Lana felt her heart sadden a little by this, Chrstina used to be so outspoken when they were all younger. ‘What’s happened to you.’

But she swiftly recognized the ignorance in her own inner thoughts, she understood over the years everyone’s journey would go its own way, it would be naive of her to think these faces she knew for so long wouldn’t change. ‘Wasn’t I just admonishing Rhaegar for not changing.’ Lana placed those thoughts to one side, wearing the mechanical smile she had learned to wear whenever she was out in the court on the outside

Footsteps approached the small gathering from down the other hallway, Lana saw a short girl shuffling her feet with haste against the rich crimson carpet. One of her own personal maids it was.

The maid parted her mouth to speak when she was suddenly hit by countless eyes, Lana saw her petite frame noticeably shrinking into itself.

“Au...Pr-princess...T-th-the E-elf you asked me to look out for...Has arrived.” She spoke sheepishly, stealing glances off Rhaegar in the process.

Visible delight bloomed within Lana’s heart at a sudden, she twisted on her heels and dutifully said her goodbyes before walking away. Leaving an expressionless Rhaegar to watch on in the fading distance.

??? POV

Rhaegar tried to recap on the last time he faced such a peculiar situation. When had he, a man regarded as the strongest had failed to take hold of something he desired so dearly. Of course there were things unattainable to even someone like him, but that was besides the point. The girl still rejected him? Even now? Currently he was standing at the pinnacle of Knighthood. He understood in all things control must be his first measure, but how far must he allow disrespect to fester on.

‘Princess, you still continue to mock me...fine...I will...'

“Hehe Ay General she’s a fiery one isnt she. I see why you like here hehehe” The sadistic laughter poured free from the slenderly tall ghoul dressed in black beside him.

“Nordian...hold your tongue.” Spoke a cold Rhaegar

“Hahahaha I’ll try general, ah-you used it didn’t you? You read her mind?”

A troubled look briefly flashed across Rhaegar’s stiff features.

“Only a little...the Princess has a unique bodily constitution, a curse if you will. Her will cannot be invaded nor distorted. But I heard she is weaker than what she once was as a child, my guess is the royal doctors the Queen has employed have been weakening her gradually. As a result I was able to peek into her conscious, if but for a single moment.” He explained to the grotesque figure

“And what did you see- do tell?”

“I saw...an Elf” Rhaegar’s cold gaze shifted towards his companion.

“I suspect that he may have something to do with her distorted heart...find out who this is...and kill him.”

“hehehe gladly general...ah what about little bug? Sure ya don’t want her to prove her worth?”

Rhaegar only just remembered Christina standing idly nearby awaiting her orders.

“No, leave her with me. She fails to realise the more she wilts, the more punishment she receives. You, go and prepare yourself for me...i’ll be with you shortly.”

Christina was visibly shaken by Rhaegar’s chilling voice. She slowly bobbed her head up and down before fiddling with her iron hands.

Rhaegar placed his gaze towards the direction Lana had been walking along moments ago. A mixture of lust born from the ambitious dreams he played with ever since he was a little boy. There was no mountain he couldn’t climb, no woman he could not seize and no enemy so great he could not fell. And so he would make sure the Princess understood this truth about him, very, very soon.