User blog:Rexis12/Hunter and Huntresses Interlude: Knight and Elder.

Oliver marched through the woods as quickly as he could. Not a single step was wasted as he headed towards his destination, the mission he was given by Balthair still ringing in his head.

Literally, the damn Scotsman had screamed it into his ear when he wasn’t paying attention.

“Y’need tuh fin abou’ the Amazoness in the woods” and something more that he forgot halfway. Something about securing their loyalty to Kedai or something.

Oliver groaned, he missed being a captain. He could give orders and not receive them, which was really beneficial considering his lack of an attention span.

A few more minutes past and Oliver found himself following a worn dirt path to his destination. He yawned, eyes closing in boredom.

When he opened them he saw the two Amazoness standing guard in front of what appeared to them must’ve been a guard post. The two monsters had drawn their weapons and were giving looks of both suspicion, and of course, arousal.

Before they could take a step forward Oliver held out a hand “Listen, I am acting under the orders of Lord Alexander of Kedai and he wishes me to speak with your leader.” He probably butchered over hundreds of protocols about what he just said but it wasn’t like anyone was nearby.

The two shared a glance with each other, before they looked at him with suspicion. One of them stepped forward, the tip of her sword level with his throat “What proof do you have of your allegiance to the human male leader?” She asked, not hiding the rather condescending tone of her voice.

The knight dug into a pouch by his side and took out a letter with the seal of the merchant city he was currently residing in. He held it out to them but made sure to keep it from their grasp.

The one holding the sword lowered it and took a step forward, she eyed the letter for a moment. There was a small burst of Demonic energy that came from the women.

It faded when it came into contact of the letter, while it sizzled out when it touched Oliver’s armour.

Her face changed into one of annoyance as she sheathed her blade, she turned her head over her shoulder to tell the other Amazoness to do the same. Reluctantly she did, still keeping a wary eye on the knight.

Oliver smiled under his helmet and pocketed the letter and gave a small nod “Thank you ladies, I’ll be sure to tell your leader that you did an excellent. Now if you’ll excuse me.” He went to move past them, but the one that had levelled her sword at him held out her arm.

She gave him a sly grin “What you think we’re just gonna let you go off on your own?” She asked.

“Maybe?” Oliver shrugged.

“No.” She laughed slightly. Lowering her arm to her side, she turned to him “We are going to escort you to our village, where there you’re going to be escorted by the village guards. We’d be stupid if we just allowed an Order to waltz around without anyone watching them.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Aww” Oliver pouted “What’s the matter, don’t you trust us?” He asked with a mocking tone.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Not even a little” she replied without missing a beat “For all we know you could be here to slaughter the villagers.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ouch!” Oliver placed a hand over his chest with a fake grunt “You wound me so! Do you really think so lowly of us? The great Orderly Order knights?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes” she replied bluntly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“All right fine” Oliver returned into a normal standing position “I’ll follow your rules, but the moment any of you try anything funny I’m kicking your asses.” Oliver held out his hand, as if expecting her to hold it.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That won’t be necessary” the one that had been talking to him sighed, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. Then her eyes lit up “However you taking off your helmet is.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Oliver raised an eyebrow “Excuse me?”

<p class="MsoNormal">She pointed to his helmet “Your helmet, take it off” she ordered.

<p class="MsoNormal">Grinning behind it Oliver replied “Isn’t it the other way around, I thought you’d be interested in what’s down there.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Just take it off” she said simply.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oookay lady, whatever you say” Oliver conceded. He reached for his helmet and pulled it free from his head.

<p class="MsoNormal">The scream that as soon as he took it off made him drop the helmet to the floor with a metallic clang. Olvier took a step back in shock as well as to distance himself from the shouting that was coming from right next to him. The Amazoness that had been talking to him suddenly starting to scream bloody murder, her eyes were wide as her mouth continued to emit the loud screaming.

<p class="MsoNormal">Oliver had to cover his ears when the screaming actually got louder as well as the other Amazoness that had been with them.

<p class="MsoNormal">“H-hey!” He tried to get his voice to be heard, but it was drowned by the screaming the monster was making. He glared at her and took step forward, his hands pulled away from his ears to cover something else.

<p class="MsoNormal">He only took one step and the Amazoness had turned around and ran into a random direction, running into trees and tripping over roots all to get away from him. All the while she screamed her bloody lungs out.

<p class="MsoNormal">Once she was far enough the two remaining creatures stood there in silent shock. They looked at each other, before Oliver grinned “Heh, I know that I’m not good with the ladies but I didn’t I was that bad.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“You are Oliver, the Order knight that was responsible for the massacre in our village” the remaining Amazoness said with a frightened whisper.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Was I?” Oliver placed a hand under his chin, before he remembered “Oh right I was, oh man how long ago was that?” He shrugged with a small smile.

<p class="MsoNormal">“The demon knight, the shining armour of death, the village killer. So it is true, you do exist.” she said, her trembling hand went for the handle of her sword.

<p class="MsoNormal">Oliver chuckled “Sheesh what am I the Boogeyman or something in your village, of course I exist. I mean” he ran a hand through his hair “Can you imagine how sad the world would be if I was gone.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“How could it be? You’re nothing more than a human male, how could you have possibly killed any of my people?” She asked with an increasing amount of fear.

<p class="MsoNormal">Oliver gave her a look “Okay one, that was both racist and sexist. Two, that is none of your business. Three, if I’m such a terrifying figure that massacres entire villages why aren’t you running?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Her hand finally reached the handle of the sword, and the only thing stopping her from unsheathing it was the look the knight gave her at the final question. She gulped “Because I was not present during your attack on my village.”

<p class="MsoNormal">He turned his head away from her, causing her to let out a sigh of relief. He had a far off look on his face “You weren’t huh?” He paused for a few moments, and let out a sigh “That’s good, it’s better if you didn’t see what I did.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Silence stretched between the two, a fear Amazoness and an Order knight.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You wish to speak with the elder don’t you?” She asked in a quiet voice.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes I do” Oliver nodded “It’s for the sake of peace, or so Alexander says.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Do you promise not to harm anyone?” She asked again, this time raising her voice a little.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I will not harm any innocents this time” Oliver replied.

<p class="MsoNormal">There was an unspoken message, he would not harm any innocents. Anyone else that would try to harm him would be fair game.

<p class="MsoNormal">Her hand gripped the sword handle tighter, before she turned away from him “Then let us be off, the faster we accomplish this, the faster you can leave.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Very well, lead the way” Oliver nodded and followed the monster towards her village.

<p class="MsoNormal">[Scene]

<p class="MsoNormal">The stone smacked into his nose with all the force of a monster throwing it. He stumbled back and held a hand to his face. A moment later a small trail of blood flowed from behind the hand. He lifted his head to see the large mob by the entrance of the village, all of them carrying a weapon of sort. Despite that he allowed a small grin on his face “I guess I deserved that.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The one that had been escorting him gave him a small glare, before sighing again and turning to her kin that blocked their passage. She was surprised to find so many had gathered there, she even noticed a few of her sisters that she had thought to hold no emotion, but now had faces twisted with rage. But all of them had one expression behind the anger that was clear. Fear.

<p class="MsoNormal">Briefly she wondered if she was doing the right thing. She banished the thought, the faster it was done the faster he would leave. She stepped forward “Please sisters, allow us to pass. The male wishes to speak with our elder for reasons of peace.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“NO!” They all shouted at once, a few of them even throwing that they had in their hands to his direction.

<p class="MsoNormal">Oliver gave her a sideways glance “I don’t think they like me.” His voice slightly muffled under his hand.

<p class="MsoNormal">She gave him a harsher glare before turning back to the villagers who were growing more restless. Once more she pleaded “Sisters please, this man does not want to do harm to day. If we allow him to do what he needs to do then he can leave.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“We don’t care!” One of them stepped forward and threw what appeared to be a basin at the knight’s direction. Easily he stepped out of the way, only to be hit by book thrown by another one.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ouch! Whoever said that books were good for your head was totally wrong.” Oliver joked as his other hand massaged that bump the book had caused.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Amazoness by his side turned to him with a vicious glare “Will you stop making joke?!” She spat out harshly “I am trying to help you get in so you can leave!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hey lady, it’s either I made stupid jokes to pass the time or I draw my sword and clear a path to your elder if you fail.” He said those words so casually that it took a full second for them to register.

<p class="MsoNormal">The crowd, the entire crowd, all took a step back at the words. Even the one by his side leaned back.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You said you wouldn’t harm any innocents” she told him.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, but when they’re preventing me from trying to perform a little peacekeeping than it means that they’re not innocent. So fair game?” He ended with a shrug. He turned back to the villagers “Besides, I was sent to make sure the village wasn’t a threat. Even if my job is to act diplomatically, I would still be doing my job if slaughter the entire village.” He gave all of them a cold glare “No Amazoness means no threat.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“That will not be necessary” a loud authoritative voice came from behind the crowd. Immediately they parted to reveal the tall stern looking Amazoness that seemed to tower over the others.

<p class="MsoNormal">Like the other Amazoness in the village she had tan skin. Her hair was bleached white and framed her shining purple eyes. Her mouth seemed to be pulled into a permanent scowl, which only added to her imposing image. Her armour was much more concealing the ones he seen before, while at the same time still keeping that odd asymmetric style that all Amazoness seem to follow. However her chest piece did open up a bit to reveal that scar that went from her right shoulder, in between her breast, and ended at her left hip. It almost seemed like it was a reminder to her herself with how much the outfit she wore seemed to put emphasis on it. It also made her all the more imposing.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yo what’s up?” Oliver greeted casually. His hands jerked to the right and there was a slight cracking sound as he realigned his nose. “Augh that never feels good” the knight wiped away the blood that had dripped down his face.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What are you doing here?” The tall Amazoness stepped forward, making the others back away from two. Even the one that had escorted the knight moved to join the Amazoness crowd at the village entrance.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well as said by the girl that had escorted me here, I am under orders of, ugh, Captain Balthair Rasbane and Lord Alexander of Kedai to bring the elder of this village a letter as well as ensure they are not planning anything with the Demon Lord’s forces in this forest.” Oliver explained.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I see” the Amazoness said. She turned around “Then come with me, we shall discuss this thoroughly in my quarters, no reason for others to know of the more intimate details.”

<p class="MsoNormal">A grin grew on his face “What do you know the elder of this village” he joked. She said nothing and walked straight forward. Oliver shook his head “Tough crowd” and followed her.

<p class="MsoNormal">If the villagers parted for their elder to walk then they scrambled out of the way when Oliver followed behind. They watched the two  walk away.

<p class="MsoNormal">[Scene]

<p class="MsoNormal">“… And that concludes what I’m supposed to tell you, roughly at least.” Oliver finished what he was supposed to say, leaning back against the chair he was sitting on.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I understand” The elder Amazoness nodded, staring at the letter that was laid out before her. She glanced upwards at the messenger, the man who had slaughtered no less than fifty of her villagers and had given her the eternal humiliation of her scar, currently looking around with a bored expression.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So what do you say then?” he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">“The same answer I’ve given him and any other Order forces that have asked the same question” she let out a weary sigh “I will not assist the Demon Lord in her attempts and will remain neutral as we’ve been for the past generations.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Generations, how old is this village anyway?” Oliver asked curiously as he looked at the ornamental sword that hung from a wall.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Older than the current Demon Lord” she replied with a hint of pride in her voice. “She was not the reason this village was built, she was not the reason these villagers live, she was not the birth of this community” her eyes grew cold and harsh “And I’ll be damned if I let her be the end of it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“If you’re so insistent on not being with the Demon Lord” Oliver started casually, taking his eyes away from the contents of the room to focus on the elder Amazoness “Then why the hell did your villagers send me a threat to defect from Order?”

<p class="MsoNormal">She inhaled through her teeth at the question before she let it out just as sharply “My village accepts whoever comes across it as long as they pull their weight. We had some that had retired from the Demon Lord’s army and recognized your brother’s resemblance to you and figured that they might as well assist the Demon Lord in her mission, even if it’s just one soldier taken away from the frontlines.” She explained, staring directly into the eyes of the knight.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I see” Oliver nodded. He leaned back and stared at the ceiling “And you were not informed of their decision?” he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No I was not, it appears that their time on the battlefield has made them arrogant” she said through gritted teeth. She took a deep breath and calmed herself “But rest assured, they were punished for their actions and for what’s it worth I apologise for what they did.” She bowed her head slightly.

<p class="MsoNormal">Oliver blinked in surprise at the apology, slowly he lowered his head to look at the slightly bowing Amazoness. “Uhh sure” he said hesitantly. He turned his head and scratched his cheek slightly “For what’s it worth as well I’m really sorry about what I did to get my brother back” he sighed and turned his to face her again “I was way out of line and I took a lot of lives that shouldn’t have died that day, and if it makes you happy my superiors did not like my little stunt at all and I was given the proper punishment for doing so.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Action have consequences, my action to welcome those that served the Demon Lord led to the consequences of her enemies appearing at my village. Your action to save your brother has to the consequences of your punishment, whatever it may be.” She said wisely.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Nice quote, mind if I steal for future uses?” Oliver chuckled as he stood up. “Welp, it’s been… an experience coming here again. I’ll bring your message to Lord Alexander, as well as Balthai- I mean Captain Balthair.” He bowed “It was… nice, talking to you village elder.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Penethesilla is my name, I might as well give it to the warrior that defeated me.” She stated.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m gonna call you Penny because that is way too long to say in a normal conversation” Oliver replied. He pointed at himself “I guess I should give you my name as well, it’s Oliver John. And for the record I didn’t defeat you in battle.” He started to walk towards the door when he felt a blade press against his back.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Do you wish to however?” Penethesilla asked with genuinely.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No thanks, I’m afraid my actions could be taken the wrong way and lead to a consequences that I don’t want to deal with” Oliver replied “But I’ll keep it in mind Penny, maybe next time” he turned his head to give her a small smile before leaving.

<p class="MsoNormal">[Scene]

<p class="MsoNormal">After leaving the village, as well as avoiding being pelted by random household items, Oliver followed the path back to leave the forest. He had to report what Penny had said back to his ‘Captain’ and then he’d go and visit his little brother.

<p class="MsoNormal">The knight stopped and turned his head when he heard a rustle nearby, he narrowed his eye and focused what he could see at the general direction of the sound.

<p class="MsoNormal">A Mantis stood above him, her body poised to leap. Her eyes seemed wilder than the usual emotionless expression he would see from the insectoid Monsters.

<p class="MsoNormal">She stared at his with her too wide eyes for a moment, her head shaking now that he noticed when he paid attention, an crouched low.

<p class="MsoNormal">The knight placed a hand over his sword and glared at her calmly.

<p class="MsoNormal">Instead of backing away or eying him warily he saw her shiver, letting her guard drop for a scant second to run her hands over her body, before she shook her head and resumed her expressionless face. With the still too wide eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">She murmured something, her body shaking at the mention of whatever she said, before she suddenly leapt forward with enough speed it would have blinded a well-trained soldier.

<p class="MsoNormal">Oliver twisted his body out of the way and smacked the back of the Mantis as she passed by. She stumbled to the floor with a gasp, landing on her face. He heard her shiver again, murmuring something, before she stood up and spun around to face him with an absolutely menacing glare fitting for a Mantis.

<p class="MsoNormal">Meaning that her face was still as expressionless as ever with the only change being the dark shadow that hung over her eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">Grinning at the anger he felt from the Mantis Oliver shrugged his shoulders.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Mantis stared at him for a few more seconds until something washed over her. The once angry glare suddenly disappeared into a horrified look, shown by the ever slight widening of her eyes, and she took a step back.

<p class="MsoNormal">She murmured something again, this time he heard what she said.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Gerald.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The grin on his face dropped as he immediately unsheathed his sword and pointed it in her direction. Glaring with equal intensity to her hatred Oliver spoke with a growl “What business do you have with my brother?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“B-Brother?” The Mantis head twitched, before she prompted turned and bolted.

<p class="MsoNormal">“H-hey wiat!” He called out to her, but sadly she was already long gone. Oliver let out a curse and sheathed his sword “Great, another potentially dangerous woman who knows my brother. When the hell did a love life become so complicated?” Oliver turned back to his original path and continued walking out of the forest.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">A/N: IT LIVES! Wow I have not written a damn thing for almost a year. Huh who knew. So Oliver has a reason to be here and the effects of 'A Brother's Love, A Soldier's Rage' is shown.