#pokingpete

Eat, sleep, then type it up. that is always the way to go.

You should listen to this band I have their album on repeat.

Two Door Cinema Club

MSTRKRFT

"Finally peace has been established, what do you plan on doing now? With all the work that you've done you could easily become a high paid official of Estralidge in any city that you desire."

"I no longer have the desire of riches that they offered me in the past.  For I have lost my most valued treasures already.  I think I will go out and travel by myself and look at this world from a different perspective."

Eight Years Later

While he travels through the land he encounters a small group of bandits as they attempt to mug him for the few belongings that he is carrying.  The bandits immediately ask him to just give them all his belongings.  To avoid any real conflict he peacefully drops his bag to the ground and tells them that those are all his belongings. When out of the blue a young female warrior leaps into helping him.  She yells to them, "How dare you gang up on someone like this?  I demand that you retreat whilst I allow you to do so."

"Haha, what is a little girl going to do all by herself against the five of us here?  I think we just found ourselves another fun little toy here, don't you agree boys?" said the leader of their little gang.

While unsheathing her sword she replied, "This little girl is not as helpless as you may think, I have trained my entire life had I of been born a three years earlier I would have become a great officer that helped end the war years ago.  Now this is your last and final chance leave before I become truly enraged."

Interrupting both the bandits and the girl, "Now, now, can't we just get along now? Here you can take my bag just let us leave here peacefully.  I think that with the amount of gold in there you guys should be able to have fun for at least one night."

"What kind of coward are you to just let them take your hard earnings?" yelled the young warrior.

"This man is no coward he is a smart man taking the safe route out of here," as he sheathed his own sword. "What a great officer you would have been," he said sarcastically.  The bandit then picked up the bag and said, "Thanks man! We'll be sure to have lots of fun for you tonight."  They then walked away leaving the girl in silence.

"Hey don't worry about it money means nothing to me, as long as I can enjoy the simple things thats all that I need. Alright so cheer up we're both uninjured so how we just go to next city?"

"How can you remain so calm when you were just mugged by some bandits?  Or even more importantly why are you not angry to have lost all of your belongings except your clothing and that sword at your side?" she asked angrily.

Without any hesitation he anwered her, "What is there to be angry about? There was nothing in that bag worth risking my life or yours. So let us just go on with our lives. You know what I think it may be best if I just camped out here since I no longer have any money but I will not stop you from whatever it is you plan on doing."  Then he began grabbing some firewood.  

"Well it being so late there is no point in traveling any further in this darkness.  Now that I've calmed down I apologize for my rudeness, my name is Gizzelle Yaire a freelance mercenary."

He began to converse with her, "Ah, what a coincidence that we would both be mercenaries but I don't really like to work.I am the mercenary known as Azire perhaps you have heard of me?"  

She answered him, "No I've never heard of you or of any of your works.  The only Azire I have ever heard of is Maximilleum Azire the great general that led us to victory against the Palerik.  My greatest wish is to have had the chance to fight alongside him on the battlefield.  The stories of him always charging first into the battlefield and always coming out of the battle unscathed.  Perhap that is why they called him the Immortal Azire.  How unfortunate though for him to have just vanished off the face of the planet as soon as the war was over."  

"Well its getting late, I think it would be best to get some sleep now don't you agree?" he asked her.

"Yes it is most certainly. Goodnight," she replied falling asleep right after with her sword in her grasp and clearly ready for an attack at any moment like as if she were somewhere near the battlefield.

He thought to himself the Immortal Azire I haven't heard that name in such a long time. Perhaps I should have told her my full name instead of just Azire but if she knew what the battlefield was really like she wouldn't long for it so much.  I truly do wonder is she all talk or can she truly wield that sword skillfully.  Well this moonless night makes it so dark I couldn't even see her face clearly yet alone how she held her sword earlier when those bandits were here.  I guess there is nothing to do until tomorrow might as well fall asleep as well.

As the night passed, the sun rose and she was already up and ready to depart, while Maximilleum woke up lazily.  Maximilleum not really expecting for her to still be there finally go a good look at Gizzelle.  An average height, brown hair, slim, wearing a some armor, but what truly caught his attention was the sword she had.  He couldn't think of a way to bring it up so he went direct and asked her, "Why do you have that sword?  You said yesterday that you didn't partake in the war against the Palirek. So, why do you have the sword of Major Liam Irel?"

Astonished at his question she replied to him, "It was given to me years ago but how is it that you can recognized this sword?"  

Azire answered her, "Well you see I use to aspire to become a great warrior like him when I was younger but I have long given up on that dream.  Well I'd best get going if not I may not be able to get a job soon, nor any food.  I think the nearest city or village is about three to four hours away by foot perhaps you are headed there too. If you are we could travel together and perhaps even avoid any more bandits."

"I am headed to the capital city Esteriak which is also in that direction. Traveling together may possibly be more efficient in avoiding thiefs I suppose." she responded to him. She then began to suspect him, thinking that he looked like a very young warrior in a worn out armor.  Just looking at him he had worn out boots, a sheath that looked too old to hold that sword on his side, a ripped shirt, a patched up jacket, another sword without a sheath but he did have one thing that looked important or at least to him but it was wrapped up in an old torn up cloth cloth.  She couldn't imagine him capable of fighting though just by looking at him but he was carrying two swords his long sword in the scabbard and his short unsheathed one. 

As they walked towards the capital city there wasn't a single word uttered between them any more.  All there was, was just the beatiful scenery with the chilly wind as they walked ahead to their destination, when a group of soldiers came out and stopped them.  "Well hello there, we're looking for some bandits I'm Captain Theo Guvard perhaps you guys have seen a small group around these parts?"  

"We have seen them they attacked this man here and took off with his bag." answered Gizzelle immediately.

Azire whispered to her, "Do you not recognize these voices?  These are the bandits, just now they stand behind the law."

"What?! How dare you? Are you not suppose to uphold the law and protect the weak from those that break the law?" she yelled at them. 

"Well, well, now we have to get rid of you but to be honest we didn't even know you two were the ones from yesterday. I'm going to be asking if you have seen other bandits than us?  They are stirring up some real trouble for us and we just cant have that.  Dead bodies are being left near the city and to be honest unjust killing is not really our thing at least not while we are wearing our emblem." the Captain said.

"Well we haven't seen anyone else.  Now I'll ask you are we going to allowed to leave unscathed from here as we were yesterday?" asked Azire.

"Yes not like it matters whether or not you go and report us. It won't matter not even the Colonel would believe you over me." answered the Captain.  

Gizzelle furious, "Azire I wish to hire you to take care of some business.  How much money will it be?"

Azire looking around says, "Three meals a day for the next week should be fine I think."  

"If that is all draw your sword these men are going to return to you what they took with interest!" she yelled as she charged at Theo.  Theo being thrown off his horse quickly reacted and drew out his own sword and his men blew a horn calling for help then took out their own swords.  Gizzelle quickly killed three of the seven men there without any hesitation while Azire just stalled Theo with his short sword.  Gizzelle was finally being cornered by the remaining three men when Azire kicked Theo to the ground and quickly slashed through the three men in a matter of seconds.  Gizzelle astonished couldn't believe how fast Azire was.  As they both turned over to

Theo who had just gotten up the soldiers that heard the horn had surrounded them.  

Theo smirked and said, "To think that we were the ones saved last night.  Not that it matters anymore the Colonel is bound to show at any moment to end this.  Why don't both of you put down your weapons and you might live another few minutes until the Colonel judges you both guilty?"

"Well if I'm going to die now I may as well fight to the bitter end. Dont you agree Azire?" asked Gizzelle.

"I think its going to cost you at least a month worth of meals for this troublesome spot you've put me in Gizzelle." answered Azire.  

"Hahaha, You're the same as always Maximilleum but to think you would call this a troublesome spot.  Hey girly he's just trying to get some free food from you by exaggerating the situation for him here.  Aren't you Maximilleum?  But perhaps you aren't exaggerating the situation here since I'm here as well.  Ah, but it is a capital offense to attack a superior officer even if he hasn't used his rank in years isn't it?  And hey isn't that my old sword, girly?  Hey Theo how are you still alive after crossing swords with a living legend?" asked the Colonel. 

"Liam Irel I see you finally accepted a promotion." replied Azire.  "But it would be no exaggeration to say this a troublesome spot if you hadn't recognized me."  Theo in shock immediately got on his knees and begged forgiveness.  Without a single thought Azire forgave him saying that it was unimportant and Gizzelle still remained speechless.  

Then she finally broke her silence and asked, "How can you be the Immortal Azire when you look as young as me or perhaps even younger?  And why did not tell me whom you were when we met? Oh thats right Colonel this sword was given to me by my father whom you gave this sword to repair and never returned for it."  

"Well Liam seems you haven't changed all that much since before either.  You seem to always be forgetting your stuff in random places and Gizzelle I did fight in the war years ago.  Back then I was so desperate to better myself that I entered the ranks of the military at the age of sixteen right now I am only thirty-one years old.  Another thing I never said I wasn't Maximilleum Azire. I simply gave you the title that I have now and that is my title of a mercenary.  That was because I find that when people hear my name they put me on some pedestal as you did and to be honest thats very tiring and troublesome." responded Azire with a very nonchalant expression.  

"Wow maybe you did change you weren't as brutal in the past, Maximilleum.  To think that my sword which has spilt so much blood in past is still spilling more blood in the hands of this little girl.  I'm beginning to wonder if that sword is cursed or perhaps this girl has some skill.  Perhaps I should test her out.  Last I checked she did kill at least one of my soldiers laying on the ground and that is punishable by death.  Now here is the real question Maximilleum what will you do if I attack this girl?" said Liam. 

Scratching his head Azire answered Liam, "Well you see at the moment I'm a freelance mercenary thats been hired by Gizzelle Yaire and she has hired me to get her out of this troublesome situation.  So I think I will pull rank on you and pardon her myself."

Laughing crudely Liam responded, "Well it's truly terrifying to be on the opposite side of your sword.  So I have no choice but to accept that she has been pardoned by you but I wonder who would win between me and you.  You and I haven't settled our score from back then have we?"

"You are absolutely right we haven't settled it.  If you so wish we could continue right here.  I doubt that your subordinates would report you the Fiend Iral but I promise you this time you if we continue our match now you won't walk away with just a few scratches like last time.  This entire time that I have been out travelling all that I have done in my spare time is practice my swordsmanship." answered Azire.

"How my blood boils in anticipation.  Draw that sword now if you don't you might die before I get the thrill I've longed for." Liam said as he got off his horse and took out his own sword.

Gizzelle interupting both of them, "How the two war heroes hate each other so much?  I thought you said to have aspired to a warrior like him."

"I lost what I most valued because of him but that doesn't matter anymore what does matter is my current job to get you out of this alive.  I will tell you this that with this man here things have definitely gotten very complicated and possibly too difficult for either of us here if you avoid this inevitable fight. " explained Azire.  

Gizzelle watching these two great warriors clash right before her eyes, at that moment she realized how weak she really was.  For in the fight between them all of the movements made by them seemed to blurry and slowly not be there.  The soldiers were in the same aw-struck moment that she was unable to move.  Then a sudden pause by them as  it seemed that their fight was going to come to an end, when Gizzelle broke free from her daze and jumped in the middle of their fight. 

"Foolish girl move unless you wish for death.  I think that at this point you'll only get yourself killed by myself or Maximilleum.  Don't think so dangerously girl, you are still young." stated Azire.  "War is not something as pleasant as you would imagine it.  I've piled literally hundreds of dead soldiers up on the battlefield.  Faces of men and women that probably never wished to be on the battle field."

Gizzelle arrogantly asks, "Then why do you continue to fight?  If you really wanted to you would have left you're sword years ago instead of carrying it around as you memento."  The two war heroes continued a fight, all the soldiers began to flee as they began to get in the way of the two and kept getting cut down.  

Without realizing it Gizzelle ran into the center only capable to think about the glory of being able to say that she fought with and against both the greatest war heroes that Estralidge has ever seen.  As she stepped in to their battle Liam's sword was quickly drawn to neck and the fight was drawn to a standstill.  

Liam pitying her said, "I can't believe you would rush him to death.  Now I clearly have the upperhand foolish little ..."  As that happened Azire didn't even let him finish his sentence as quickly seperated them at the cost of his left arm.  "Well now this fight has truly been decided.  Thank you child I would have a great deal of difficulty without your help."  As he finished the sentence Maximilleum Azire's head rolled off his shoulders.