NightTime Roads

Not really much to this chapter... well, unless you count the suspense it builds. One more Chapter to go (Since the Epilogue really doesn't count too much as a 'Chapter'), and I promise you this much, it will have one last sex scene.

The reason for the lateness... I was feeling lazy. So sue me. >_< Actually, don't do that, you'd probably waste more money trying then you would actually get from me. XD


Chapter 24


After tying up Idora and knocking him out, Rekia slung him over his shoulder as he lead the way down, followed by Ayisa, Evia, and Antros bringing the rear. They all reentered the throne room and passed by the throne when a voice stopped them.

"He's dead, isn't he." Everyone turned to see a young man walk into the room from one of the back rooms. "Kilas, and my father. They are dead."

Everyone looked a bit uneasy on how this person knew. Ayisa gasped. "Wait... aren't you Raisl?"

"Yes. My father ruled this kingdom... or at least, he did anyway." Raisl said. Taking a good look at him, Antros could see the very image of his father in his stance. Although he seemed to be much more humble then the king, his clothing and looks were unmistakibly the same. Antros would not have been surprised that if in just a few more years, he couldn't tell the difference between them. "Kilas sealed my room, and kept me prisoner. He knew he couldn't take the throne, so he would have to manipulate me into doing what he wanted. I knew that he plotted to do, but when I tried to warn my father, he refused to take me seriously."

"We are sorry that about your father, but we have someone who is responisble for taking part in it," Rekia said, motioning to the unconcious Idora.

"I see. Then you are going to take him away? Surely you wouldn't have come all this way just to catch someone, unless you needed to."

"Yes," Antros began, nodding his head. "He tried to blame me for the crime in Gaia Kingdom. He is proof that I am innocent."

"Yes, I see. In any case, I don't have time to convict him of anything. The people must know, and I now have a kingdom to rule. It will be tough, but I know I must do this alone."

"What about your mother?" Evia asked. "Couldn't she-"

"She died soon after I was born. I may be alone, but I will have the support of my people. I wish we could have treated you better while you were here, but I would suggest that you get back to your own Kingdom." Raisl said. "Please come back when things are more settled. I'm sure you will enjoy your stay here much better then."


After bidding farewell, the group took a boat back to the mainland, which was reserved for them by the newly appointed king, Raisl. It took them only a few hours to reach the port town Kials and rest up. They kept Idora tied up and a constant watch over him as the night passed. Yet it seemed whether Idora was awake or not, he made no move to try and escape. Perhaps it was because he knew it was futile, or that he had somehow lost the will to try. Whatever the reason, Rekia and the others were glad for it.

The next day, they managed to get a small caravan to travel the main roads with. It would only take a few days traveling the main trade route to reach Gaia Kingdom. Rekia and Evia were content to be with each other, when one or the other wasn't watching Idora. Ayisa and Antros also spent some time together, never talking, yet thier faces spoke the words of desire and love they had for each other.

One the second day of traveling, the group had decided to retire for the night. Antros took charge of the first shift, watching Idora while the rest got some sleep. Antros watched the star sewn sky, while Idora seemed to be asleep, his chest rising and falling with each slow breath. Antros was unprepared then, for what happened next.

"You left me alone." Antros turned to his brother again. His eyes were closed, yet he could tell that Idora was far from asleep. "Maybe it was out of loneliness that drove me to find you. Despite the fact I had a new family that loved and cared for me, I... I still felt alone."

"Idora..."

"When I heard that you existed, that you were still out there, I was at first happy. I knew I had real family out there in the world. But then I heard how you abandoned our parents to travel..."

"Idora, I never abandoned them. I didn't even know they suffered an illness at the time. My heart wanted more then the life that was offered in that village, that small town that was located in the middle of nowhere. It was a miracle... my miracle that the traders even came to our home. It was my only chance to live my dream and see the world."

Both brothers said nothing for a few minutes. The night stood still as only the slight flapping of birds or other animals penetrated the silence. Finally, Antros looked again to his brother.

"I recieved a letter. I don't know who sent it or when, but it was from our parents. They told me they hid thier sickness from me, because they didn't want it to interfer with my dream. They told me how happy they were, knowing I could finally see the world. I wonder if maybe I didn't leave, things would have been different between us."

"It doesn't matter." Idora said. "You cannot change the past, and even if I could, I would have made the same choices all over again. I don't regret anything." Idora stared to Antros. "And you shouldn't either."

Antros was stunned to hear such a thing, and for a few moments, they looked at each other, not as enemies but as brothers. Idora looked away and smirked. "Heh, if you think this means I've, what's the word... 'converted' then your wrong. I still hate you. I guess at some level, I always will." Idora shifted himself to a more comfortable position and tried to sleep. Antros looked back to him once more and stared into the sky.

"Goodnight brother."


It was another two days before they reached the outskirts of the kingdom. The gates were guarded by the soldiers of the kingdom, each one holding a weapon. They stopped the group from entering. "State your business!"

"Rekia, here to report to the queen!"

"Right, enter!" The guards moved quickly out of the way, as Rekia led them all through. They passed by the towspeople, some of them stopping to wonder what lay inside the caravan. Once they reached the castle, everyone got out, Antros hooding himself. They walked through the castle into the throne room, greeting the queen.

"Your Highness, I have captured the one responsible for the attacks." He pushed Idora foward, who stumbled but didn't fall. "This man, Idora is the one who killed and ploted."

"So it's true. Big deal. I don't have to feel sorry, now do I?" One of the guards walked over and struck him hard in the stomache, causing him to double over. They took him away whie the queen eyed everyone.

"Rekia, it seems we have made an error in judgement. We must find Antros at once to apologize."

"There is no need my queen," Antros said, removing his hood. "And there is no need for apologies."

No one seemed to be surprised that Antros was indeed under the hood, although a collective sigh could be heard. "And who is this person?" The queen asked, looking to Evia.

"My name is Evia, a hunter." She said, bowing respectively.

Soon after they had been dismissed, Antros and Rekia departed down to the training area. No words were spoken; none needed to be at this point. Once there, Rekia took his position, drawing his weapon while Antros did the same, going into a stance. Both Evia and Ayisa followed and now watched intently.

"It's time Antros." Rekia said confidently.

"Yeah. Time to see which one of us is truely better." Antros agreed, shifting his stance slightly.

"Good luck Antros. You will need it."

"Thanks, but I'm more worried about you falling flat on your back once I'm through with you."

Both smiled at each other, readying. They pushed off each one with a look of determination on thier face and struck...