Book One Chapter Ten: Royals Cutscene

Book One Chapter Ten: Royals Cutscene

It was several hours later by the time theyd finished clearing the Evil out of the house. Qube stood back as she watched the fancy place burn to the ground, the flames bursting through the large windows.

Curiously, none of the houses around it seemed to be affected in any manner. Even the ones on either side didnt seem to even have their paint peeled by the heat, or their windows darkened. Their suspiciously large windows. Qube narrowed her eyes at them.

The Saviour of All Living Things, Hero of the Ages stood next to her.

Well that took longer than I thought it would. He said. Good work on the skellies, you. He said, clapping Qube on the back.

You threw me in the pit with them. Qube said flatly.

The Hero looked at her with interest.

Are you actually mad about that? He asked. There was no censure or self righteousness in his tone, more mild curiosity.

I understand why you did it. Qube answered.

Thats a yes, then. The Hero nodded to himself. Interesting. Good to know you can hold a grudge.

Qube was figuring out how to disabuse him of this strange notion that she would hold a grudge against the most important person in existence when the Sewer Bard provided a welcome distraction by strumming his lute.

A beautiful sight, The Sewer Bard sighed, watching the house crumble. I shall compose an ode to our first adventure together. I think I shall call it Fire Solves Problems.

The Hero grimaced slightly at that before turning back to the house. His expression became solemn as he watched the hungry flames.

So much loot lost He said mournfully. We didnt even have time to go through all the drawers.

Do not worry, Noble Patron, the Sewer Bard hummed, still strumming. There will be much loot on our journey. I feel it in my bones.

I know. The Hero sighed, finally looking away from the rapidly falling house. Well, time to move on, I suppose.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Should we perhaps go see what those figures wanted? Qube asked hesitantly.

The Chosen One rubbed his nose as he looked at her. He seemed to be calculating something.

Sure, He said eventually, much to her relief, Well leave the other houses for later. Its pretty clear were not supposed to be getting into them at this level. I just need a few quick stops first though.

At this level? Oh no. They were going to have to go into the sewer again, werent they? Qube thought. At least now they could finally see what those figures wanted. It had seemed really urgent.

It turned out a few quick stops meant visiting each and every shop in the town and clearing them out. As the Chosen One engaged each shopkeeper in small talk, asking the blacksmith about the basics of smithing and the exact location of various precious metals for example, Qube dutifully took everything not nailed down and put it in her backpack.

It was after shed put the tenth pickaxe in her backpack that Qube realised she couldnt move properly while carrying it. Taking the final pickaxe out and placing it next to the blacksmiths apprentice, who had been hammering a sword the entire time to no visible effect, she swung the backpack onto her shoulders. She could move easily. Picking up the pickaxe again, though, immediately made her unable to walk.

Um, Chosen One? She said, failing to interrupt the blacksmiths tirade against improper gilding of armour. The Chosen One looked at her, while the blacksmith continued their rant. This is too heavy for me.

You still have encumbrance? The Hero gave an irritated sigh. Fine. Hey, shopkeeper, Im selling pickaxes. How much?

Oh good, we have a shortage of those! The blacksmith said So Ill give you a special deal!

Qube stared at the blacksmith as they happily bought back almost everything she had just picked up. Truly, the generosity of these merchants was not to be underestimated!

As they started to leave she saw the apprentice finally finish hammering his sword and put it in the pile of swords next to him, where it promptly vanished.

On your head be it, sister. The Prince said. May your childish clinging to our familys lost honour not have doomed us all.

That means yes. The Chosen One interpreted.

Then the two figures removed their cloaks and all coherent thought fled Qubes mind.

She had thought Sewer Bard was attractive. And yes, he was, when judged by the standard of regular people. But the Lost Prince and Lost Princess standing in front of her literally glowed with beauty. It was the raw concept of beauty taken form and placed in front of her unworthy gaze. It was - they were - she couldnt -

She wasnt supposed to be here. She wasnt supposed to see this.

She stumbled backwards out of the room, muttering something that might have been an apology. The two royals didnt even spare her a glance. They hadnt even looked at her once, for which she was profoundly grateful. She didnt think her constitution could have withstood such a thing. She shut the door and leaned against it, her legs shaking too much for her to even attempt to walk down the stairs.

She could still hear them though. By the Words, even that was enough to make her head spin. She sat down on the top of the stairs with a thump, and covered her ears.

She knew she should listen. The Chosen One was so concerned with his Heroic duties that he had little to spare for civil matters. Yes, that explained him. She should be paying attention so she could best guide him. It was her duty as his childhood Companion.

But she simply couldnt. In much the same way she couldnt leave the woods of her youth without permission, she couldnt stand in the same room as those two powerful figures. It was too much. It felt different from the iron grip of the Golden Prophecy forcibly keeping her in the correct place, and more as if it had simply swept her off the board.

Naturally, it must have had a reason for removing her from the room. Perhaps something in there was about to happen that would stop her from being a good Companion. But then why had it left Sewer Bard in there? Qube suddenly sprung to her feet.

There was no way, no way, that she was going to let Sewer Bard become the Chosen Ones Prophecy Approved Companion! She had spent her entire life training for this, and she wasnt going to let some mind crushingly powerful dread stop her now!

She threw open the door to the private room and marched in.

Sorry about that, I just had to get some fresh air. She said, then stopped.

The Sewer Bard, Lost Prince and Lost Princess were in the same places, but the Chosen One was currently standing on the table, removing the candles from the chandelier.

Oh hey, welcome back. He said, looking down at her.

The other rooms occupants looked at him in confusion, then looked vaguely around the area Qube was standing in. Even the general gaze of the royals threatened to undo Qubes sanity, but she grit her teeth and braced herself.

Chosen One, She said, her best Understanding But Bemused Smile painted on her face, why are you doing that?

Theyre worth a copper each. He said, as if that explained everything. And, to her dawning horror, she realised it did.

Of course, She said, silently mourning her deeper understanding of just how far the Hero was willing to go to help fund his saving of the world. Generous as the shopkeepers had been, it seemed their group still needed more than even they could provide. But perhaps we should listen to their Majesties? She looked at the Prince and Princess, secretly relieved that they had gone back to looking at the Chosen One. The fact that only their heads moved was slightly unnerving, but it was probably a royalty thing.

Already did, The Chosen One said, jumping off the table. She noticed that everything that had been on there earlier was now gone. He pointed at the Princess. Order Faction, then pointed at the Prince Chaos Faction.

I scarcely think you can boil down our different ideologies to such a - The Princess started.

Chaos is a very limited way to view-

But now I know where the forest is and they gave me this epic shield, so were ready to go. The Chosen One said, totally ignoring the rightful heirs to the kingdom.

So come on! Time to go steal a forests heart! Whatever that means.

On that could have been slightly more heroic catchcry, the Chosen One set off on the next leg of his journey, followed by his faithful Companion.

And Sewer Bard.