Valence Night: Chronicle of a Lost Knight

Chapter 5: Chumming with for a Lemon

            Vergon takes a close look at Valence and Ohryea as they are being identified.  The bearded soldier couldn’t help but notice a pretty lady, but who wouldn’t?  But what captures Vergon’s attention more is Valence…

            “My, how are you two doing?”

            “Doing great actually, just arrived here for a good tour.  I have been informed to give this to the gate captain and to go from there.  You seem like a captain here.  Pray you know of this? 

            Vergon raises his brow and tilts his head towards Valence, “Apparently I do know what to do with this, but I AM a general and A former Falonsai  King Knight.”  Vergon plays his tone carefully around the man whom was informed as the suppose escort that will be taking the princess to Braigon.  He looks at Ohryea as she smiles brightly at him, while tapping her toes.  Question arise.  “Who is this lovely lady here?”

            “My name is Ohryea and we’re here to pick something up.” Ohryea lets out a big grin.

            “It is not ‘something’,” quick, but her formality is far from noble stature, let alone middle caste.  Perhaps from Braigon?  Nah, been there and they are toe to toe with Falonsai albeit the difference in dialect and usage of words… perhaps... Vergon interrupts his own thought.

            “Huh?”

            “Now come along and away from here so we can continue.  Bako, I will be taking this couple in for some arrangements requested by the throne.  This place is back to you now.” 

            “Ohryea will have a separate arrangement from me; she will be boarding in an Inn for the curiosity of her interest.  Will you please provide a service of escort for this little lady as well?”  Vergon’s opinion differs, as Ohryea is borderline as tall as he is, and Valence is standing about an inch higher!

            “Bako, find an escort for this young lady to one of our most preferred Inns.” 

            “Now, will you excuse us as we have to make an attendance elsewhere?”

            “I will be seeing you later.”

            “Aye aye captain!” Ohraya salutes Valence with a smiling tone and slowly fades from the crowd. 

            “Hey there boy, come here,” Vergon pulls out an ink pen and a sheet of papaya out of his pocket, “I’ve heard stories about you at the Balaijia Coliseum. 

            “Oh really?” Valence figures he can use that angle.

            “Yeah, I was right next door guarding Nabura so I didn’t get to see it, but I heard stories of you taking down all five in free-for-all.  If I was there, I’d so be in it, but for now I will just settle with a welcome and your signature.” 

            “The next Balaiza match is coming up in four months.”

            “What?  Those bastards are brewing the tourney early.”

            “I hear they are changing the tourney rules and setting the final as four man free-for-all.  Did you sign up?” Vergon replies with a no and Valence continues, “There’s a fifteen day prior match up so there’s still a lot of time to get there if you make haste.  You look like you’re at the top of the game so you should definitely join the game.” 

            “I’ll take your words for it.  I’d love to give you a run for your money, but orders before gratuitous fun.”  Vergon stops on his track, thinking hard, and immediately turns his head to Valence.  “Three and a half months?  I won’t be able to make it to the sign up!”, Vergon then glances at Valence. “Your Armada almost makes it worth being branded as a refugee to my kingdom.”

            Valence taps his armor. “Yes, one of the finer equipment to bear; tidbits of this gear was crafted from a deceased Aerie Wyrm, which has fine conditioning against the blasted sun to come and the moist in the air.  Hard find I must say, as it’s rare to come across a wyrm corpse lying about to loot without being taken out by their kind.  Limited edition I tell you; if I can, I will take your place right so you can collect one as well… do not mind my words, tongues of a street to a noble.” 

            “Oh, clever with the choice of words, but pay no heed to my stature as I like to get dirty in the mud from time to time.”

            “We should get around later on if possible, grab a few brew, and share some savoring victories!”

            “You seem like a nice lad and I will… if only my lady does not smug me with titles and how my eyes may wonder at times when I am about in the streets with her.”

            “Heh, I get that a lot even when I’m not in that level with her.”

            “That girl you were with?  Nothing?  You mean…?  Wow… you prefer…?
            Valence gives a hard look at Vergon, thinking, thinking, “Oh no no no!  I LOVE woman!  It’s a long story, and a bit personal, so lets just say we had it rough back then.  She’s only 17, still a bit young and a lot to learn as well”             

            “She’s only 17!?” Vergon gasps in shock. “Aren’t you breeding out a fine trophy?” finishes with a sly tone.

            “I thought I did, but I made a monster out of her; too independent even though she relies on me.  She swipes at me with the equal rights partnership nonsense, but when I tell her to do her share; she plays with her feminine prerogative.  Plus she swings like a guy.”

            “Ha ha ha, sounds like you made a pretty man out of her.”

            “Please do not say that.  Sometimes she makes a man like me want to cry at night; she is a TOTAL cockblock.”  Vergon can’t help but laugh.  “Oh, speaking of which, will you put her hostel expenses on my tab… or if possible Folansai is generous enough to…”  Valence finally plays the card, but gets interrupted.

            “Ho hoho, we are not a charity.”

            “She is with me as one.”

            “Sorry son, only thing I remember from Jeaven is look for the Core Battle Master, you, to do a job.  If anything, she should have come along with you to share a night’s boarding.  Anything else will be out of my soldier's expense.  My wife alone costs me more than you think!  I make one tael and she spends two!” Vergon pauses to hear Valence’s response, but continues afterwards, “How long you have been traveling together?”

            “Two years in counting.”

            “Wow, you’re a brave man willing to hold out that long,”

            “I am too nice.” Valence frowns, “but if it makes her day tonight, JUST maybe she’ll…” Vergon interrupts again.

            “Still a no. One day at the Mint Suite is worth a soldier’s two days wage.”

            “How much is that?”

            “Three gold and sixty seven sliver.”

            “She is staying there?!”

            “Well you did ask for the finest.”

            “I didn’t think your country will be that expensive, I wonder if she has enough…”  

            The elder chef tears off an order listing and shouts, “Table eleven!”

            “Coming,” shouted from a girl behind the kitchen door.  She bolts in with her pirate uniform.  “Oh my goodness that’s a lot!”

            “Take them to table eleven.”

            “Hai yes!”   In her head, Ohraya thinks, “Aya, I’m working for my own food.  That stupid Valence and his failure schemes!”