"?many times I have to tell you, Peredhil, that it?s unsafe for you to go out alone,? the petite elf said fiercely, her blond ponytail bobbing as she turned in the saddle to face him. Peredhil met her blue-eyed stare patiently as she went on. ?If you won?t let us accompany you when you go out at night, then I?ll expect you to submit to a curfew of 8 o?clock.? Her lecture received three vigorous nods of support from Alyssa, Tara, and Bekah, the other members of Peredhil?s security detail.
?Lord Peredhil does not take orders from you, Ana,? Falco sniffed, emphasizing the word ?Lord? while bringing his own steed up next to hers so that he could glare at her. Wes, the only human in the group, nudged Peredhil and rolled his eyes, causing Peredhil to stifle a grin. Falco meant well, but he idolized Peredhil and took offense at what he always perceived as the lack of proper respect accorded to him by the Malonas, his elite bodyguard unit. Peredhil himself would get irritated at times over the women?s tendency to treat him as their younger brother ? even those who were younger than him! ? but they were rock-solid in combat and quick at following orders in times of distress. He had, however, only allowed four to accompany today, since he did not need twenty ?older sisters? on this particular outing.
Falco continued, ?Besides, how is Peredhil to find a wife with a group of twenty beautiful women armed to the teeth and turning back anyone who gets within ten meters of him??
Peredhil groaned inwardly at the reference to marriage, but Ana looked somewhat chastened. He was on the verge of trying to soften the blow when Alyssa, a dark-skinned beauty whose looks fooled many an enemy whose last mistake had been to take her too lightly, interceded.
?Did you hear that, ladies? Falco called us beautiful,? she remarked. Falco blushed furiously and pulled on his top-knot, while the four bodyguards laughed uproariously. Wes and Elgin, a tall elf with graying hair, joined in, and even the prim Miranda allowed herself a small smile.
?I didn?t mean?? Falco stammered, but Wes cut him off. ?Let it go, man,? he urged. ?There?s no getting yourself out of this hole.?
They were riding slowly through the woods outside of Rhydin?s city limits, taking advantage of the warm sun and gentle breeze to enjoy a day outdoors. To pass the time, they had set out to hunt zombies, although the light-hearted banter would have given an outsider the impression that they did not have a care in the world. Truth be told, they didn?t. Well, maybe Miranda, his Minister of State, who seemed distinctly uncomfortable on her small mare. Though she looked like a burnt-out schoolteacher, with her hair pulled up in a tight bun and a constant look of disapproval on her face, her razor-sharp intellect and keen diplomatic skills had recovered many of the allies that Elessar lost during Celior?s (Peredhil?s predecessor) disastrous rule.
Peredhil felt completely at ease, surrounded by trusted advisors and friends. In addition to the four Malonas and Miranda, there was Wes, a close friend who was serving in official capacity as King Caillat?s envoy and unofficially as Peredhil?s military advisor. Elgin, Peredhil?s blademaster and chief advisor, had served his father in the same capacity and knew the kingdom of Elessar better than he himself did. Even Falco, his Minister of Social Affairs, was a loyal friend whose concern for the poor and marginalized had helped spur Elessar?s economic recovery and earned Peredhil friends and admirers among the kingdom?s neighbors for its generosity in their times of crisis.
Elessar?s recovery ? political, economic, social, and even moral - had been nothing short of miraculous. Three decades of misrule had followed his father?s untimely death, when Peredhil was still in his mother?s womb. Yet within a year of Peredhil?s ascension after overthrowing the corrupt Celior, Elessar had undergone a complete about-face, although he knew that was due in large part to his talented and hard-working staff and advisors.
A movement at the edge of his line of sight pulled him out of his reverie. It was followed within seconds by an unmistakable stench, a sure sign of zombies even at 500 meters. He drew his bow in a fluid motion, resting the taut line next to his face, locking in on his target, and then releasing. The distant sound of something falling told him that he had scored a hit.
?It?s no fun hunting zombies without proper hand-to-hand combat,? Wes growled. Peredhil glanced at his bearded friend and laughed.
?It?s not my fault you?re such a poor shot with the bow,? he told him, but he spurred his horse towards the zombie pack and the others followed suit. Let Wes have his fun, he thought to himself. Nothing is going to spoil such a beautiful day.
?Lord Peredhil does not take orders from you, Ana,? Falco sniffed, emphasizing the word ?Lord? while bringing his own steed up next to hers so that he could glare at her. Wes, the only human in the group, nudged Peredhil and rolled his eyes, causing Peredhil to stifle a grin. Falco meant well, but he idolized Peredhil and took offense at what he always perceived as the lack of proper respect accorded to him by the Malonas, his elite bodyguard unit. Peredhil himself would get irritated at times over the women?s tendency to treat him as their younger brother ? even those who were younger than him! ? but they were rock-solid in combat and quick at following orders in times of distress. He had, however, only allowed four to accompany today, since he did not need twenty ?older sisters? on this particular outing.
Falco continued, ?Besides, how is Peredhil to find a wife with a group of twenty beautiful women armed to the teeth and turning back anyone who gets within ten meters of him??
Peredhil groaned inwardly at the reference to marriage, but Ana looked somewhat chastened. He was on the verge of trying to soften the blow when Alyssa, a dark-skinned beauty whose looks fooled many an enemy whose last mistake had been to take her too lightly, interceded.
?Did you hear that, ladies? Falco called us beautiful,? she remarked. Falco blushed furiously and pulled on his top-knot, while the four bodyguards laughed uproariously. Wes and Elgin, a tall elf with graying hair, joined in, and even the prim Miranda allowed herself a small smile.
?I didn?t mean?? Falco stammered, but Wes cut him off. ?Let it go, man,? he urged. ?There?s no getting yourself out of this hole.?
They were riding slowly through the woods outside of Rhydin?s city limits, taking advantage of the warm sun and gentle breeze to enjoy a day outdoors. To pass the time, they had set out to hunt zombies, although the light-hearted banter would have given an outsider the impression that they did not have a care in the world. Truth be told, they didn?t. Well, maybe Miranda, his Minister of State, who seemed distinctly uncomfortable on her small mare. Though she looked like a burnt-out schoolteacher, with her hair pulled up in a tight bun and a constant look of disapproval on her face, her razor-sharp intellect and keen diplomatic skills had recovered many of the allies that Elessar lost during Celior?s (Peredhil?s predecessor) disastrous rule.
Peredhil felt completely at ease, surrounded by trusted advisors and friends. In addition to the four Malonas and Miranda, there was Wes, a close friend who was serving in official capacity as King Caillat?s envoy and unofficially as Peredhil?s military advisor. Elgin, Peredhil?s blademaster and chief advisor, had served his father in the same capacity and knew the kingdom of Elessar better than he himself did. Even Falco, his Minister of Social Affairs, was a loyal friend whose concern for the poor and marginalized had helped spur Elessar?s economic recovery and earned Peredhil friends and admirers among the kingdom?s neighbors for its generosity in their times of crisis.
Elessar?s recovery ? political, economic, social, and even moral - had been nothing short of miraculous. Three decades of misrule had followed his father?s untimely death, when Peredhil was still in his mother?s womb. Yet within a year of Peredhil?s ascension after overthrowing the corrupt Celior, Elessar had undergone a complete about-face, although he knew that was due in large part to his talented and hard-working staff and advisors.
A movement at the edge of his line of sight pulled him out of his reverie. It was followed within seconds by an unmistakable stench, a sure sign of zombies even at 500 meters. He drew his bow in a fluid motion, resting the taut line next to his face, locking in on his target, and then releasing. The distant sound of something falling told him that he had scored a hit.
?It?s no fun hunting zombies without proper hand-to-hand combat,? Wes growled. Peredhil glanced at his bearded friend and laughed.
?It?s not my fault you?re such a poor shot with the bow,? he told him, but he spurred his horse towards the zombie pack and the others followed suit. Let Wes have his fun, he thought to himself. Nothing is going to spoil such a beautiful day.