HammerFall

Chapter 0055: Pillow Talk and The Journey for the Seven Keys :


Magnus smiled as he felt Stephen's hand caress through his long black hair. His dark green eyes shimmered as he gazed into Stephen's eyes. He had missed being with his beloved so much that it hurt inside. And now he was setting off again; to leave Stephen alone. The two had argued long into the night on this point. He had more then ample protection this time. He had the Champion Knights of Stratsovara and Dargor. Even though he didn't want to leave that left arm that held him so close to his king's nude body he had a duty not only as a wizard of HammerFall and the West; but also as a Rosenbrim to reclaim the Seven Keys. He would lock them deep in the Vaults of HammerFall and have the Priests and Wizards of the West seal them all away; making it nearly impossible for anyone to use the Seven Keys further then what the Guardians had thought.

Stephen frowned, "You're still going to go aren't you? Even though I gave a royal command for you to stay at my side?"

Rosenbrim laughed, "You know this is beyond your control, Stephen." He nuzzled his face against the side of his king's.

Stephen's fingers gently caressed those long black tresses of Magnus Rosenbrim, "Then I shall go with you."

Magnus smiled at him, "You know that's impossible. You have a kingdom to run. If you abandon it now; it'll fall into civil war..."

Stephen snapped, obviously losing his patience, "Screw this kingdom, Maggie! It doesn't mean anything to me without you! I never wanted to be king! All I ever wanted was...."

The brunette mage frowned as the monarch trailed off into silence. That brooding look always touched and yet at the same time annoyed Magnus. His own slender fingers brushed up against the shoulder and neck of Stephen.

"Please understand, Stephen. I have to do this." He tried to explain. "It is the only thing I can do to make up for losing the Eye of Elgard. It is my duty to reclaim the Seven Keys before they can fall into darkness."

Stephen grumpily folded his arms across his chest and turned his back to the brown haired wizard. It was obvious that the king planned to be stubborn on this issue. He then did something he knew was wicked.

Rosenbrim gently whispered into Stephen's sweet spot, his ear, "Please forgive this selfish desire. Let me go, Stephie."

A shiver ran through Stephen's spine, that shook his back, "Damn it! Have it your way! But if you're gone longer then a few months I'm coming after you! The Horde of Iced Earth is moving about in the West and I'll be damned if I'll let them get you again! I swear on all the lives of HammerFall if you're not back in 3 months I'm coming to tear apart the land looking for you. And I'll throw you and keep you in the dungeon if you insist on not coming back with me."

The wizard gulped as he saw the seriousness in his king's eyes. Magnus only merely nodded his head that he understood.

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"A fine day for an outing." Eric remarked as he looked about at the cool gray clouds gathered all around them.

Prater mumbled, "If you like riding in mud and rain."

Eric grinned and slapped him hard to the back, "Be a man for once. A little rain and dirt won't kill us. Oh I keep forgetting, you're not a Knight of Dargor; but one of those lilies of Stratsovara."

"Are you trying to start a fight, Eric?" Prater looked in askwance at the slightly gaunt male in chainmail.

Another clap came to Prater's back that nearly knocked him over, "Not at all. Just sharing my good thoughts of what a great day it is with you, Sir Prater."

Prater sighed and mounted up onto his horse as Eric saw the Stormblade and Johan boy making their way to the courtyard. Everyone, except the wizard were now in the courtyard. He wondered if some flashy show would announce the infamous Rosenbrim wizard's arrival. He was glad that he wasn't really expecting flashy for many were disappointed to see a very normal entrance into the courtyard. The brunette wizard came in leaning a little on his black staff. The staff seemed more impressive then the wizard to Eric's eyes; but he knew better then to judge things by appearances. But especially so with wizards. After all he came from Dargor. He grinned at all the disappointed faces of the other knights that would ride out with them. But he knew it would only be the four of them headed after the Seven Keys. The others would be out gathering information on the Seven Keys for them.

Eric held himself with more regale bearing upon the wizard's mounting the same horse he rode. He had never ridden with a wizard before this moment. They were ready to be off. Eric wasn't sure; but he felt some kind of melancholy hanging over the Rosenbrim Mage. He looked to see King Stephen with a trouble brow upon one of the courtyard ramparts.

The portcullis opened from the courtyard. The horses cantered off down the cobblestone lanes and soon the bridge had of HammerFall had lowered. They rode causually across it with little worries.