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Ranzal knew that his plan was stupid. But there was no other way. If he wanted to help keep that nice village safe, he’d have to ask them for help. The empire was on its way, and in their desire to expand, they would swallow up that cozy village. It’s the least he could do, after all they patched him up after his last battle.
Besides, better him than any of the villagers. He’d never admit it, but he paid more attention to his old mans lectures than he let on. Knowing how to talk to the fair folk couldn’t be harder than talking to nobles. If what that wandering Saint said was true, the fairy King that ruled the forest was a fair ruler. In every meaning of the word.
“I wonder if they’re much different from the sea folk back home. Heh, if they’re anything like the fish faces, it’s gonna be a piece of cake.”
“You met fish people? WOW that’s cool.” hearing a voice beside him the mercenary turned around only to see a boy with blue bunny ears sitting on a stump, looking at him with wide eyes. Ranzal had met sylvans, of course, but he’d never really talked to them. They much prefered to stick their bows in his face. What did a Sylvan do in a forest that belonged to fairies. ...did Sylvans count as fairies?
“Er, you one of those fairies that live ‘round here?” asked Ranzal.
“Nah, I’m just a sylvan. The fairies are something like cousins? Anyway, I’m Luca and you are?”
Of course Ranzal wasn’t an idiot, no matter what others might say, but he knew that giving away his name was a bad idea. And yet, this sylvan did so without a care.
“You can call me Ranzal. Say, you wouldn’t happen to know where I can find the local fairy king? I’d need a favor, ya see?”
“Well, i can take you to our king, no problem. Howeveeer, you’ll have to pay me in… hm….” scratching his head, the Sylvan seemed to think hard about a fitting price for his service “You’re gonna tell me all about those fish faces you mentioned earlier! I’ve seen plenty of lakes but never the sea or the creatures that live in them. I’m curious.”
“Bwahaha, well if that’s all it’s gonna take. Alright, you better pick up your ears. Ol Ranzal is gonna tell you how he met the great queen of the azure seas.”
“... and that’s how I won the Steak eating contest.” Ranzal finished his story and noticed that they were in front of a giant stone gate.
“Wow! That’s such a cool story. You really have been around the world. Man, I wish I could go out and see the world, like you do. Live an adventurers life.” Before Ranzal could ask his new friend about what he meant, Luca ran towards the great gate
“Wait a sec. I’m gonna tell the King all about you and your problems” shouted the bunny boy over his shoulder.
Ranzal felt a little lost, looking at the big castle, shrouded in mist. Well, he just needed to wait until his new friend returned and not get in any trouble in the meantime. Just as he thought that, he felt two giant shadows soar over his head and descend behind him. Well, never say he didn’t have a talent to get into trouble.
“What brings you here, mercenary? This place is not for you, mortal.” spoke the emerald dragon.
“We should burn you to ashes for trespassing into our kings domain” declared the crimson wyrm.
Putting on his best smile, Ranzal raised his hand in the air and turned to face the two dragons.
“Is that how you treat guests in your kingdom? And here I heard that your King was welcoming to all who enter his domain. I was led here by a servant of your King and need to ask a favor of him.”
The burning dragon barred her teeth in what could graciously be described as a smile “Our King is indeed known for his heart. But I am scared that you humans will take advantage of him, if word gets out.”
“Trust me, I ain’t interested in an unfair trade. I just need his help with something.”
“Hmmm… your smell…” groweld the green dragon “... you have the blessing of the sea. I didn’t think she’d still be protecting that town. We will take our leave Brunhilda. Fare thee well, one who has aided our kind. Greet our sister when you return to the shore.”
With one last look back at the mercenary, both dragons took to the skies and flew into the center of the castle.
“Talk about first impressions. You are here not even half an hour and already you met the two strongest advisors of the King.” Ranzal let out a breath and turned to face Luca, who had returned.
“Come on, our King wants to see you” smiled the Sylvan and led Ranzal deeper into the Castle.
They entered, what Ranzal assumed to be, the throne room. And on the throne, sat a young man, who truly was, the fairest, in every sense of the word. While he seemed nice enough, there was a mysterious air around him that made him unapproachable.
“You have come to ask me a favor, I hear? I’d love to hear it, but first, my friend here told me about the stories you told him. I’d love to hear about them, if you don’t mind.”
While the face of the King was hidden by shadows that fell through the roof, from his voice, he seemed to be genuinely interested.
“Well, heck, I didn’t think I’d have to tell this many stories today” answered Ranzal with a smile of his own.
“Stories are one of the most important goods we trade. But I can’t expect you to recount them when you are tired and hungry. So please, we were about to dine. You are invited, so don’t worry about paying anything back. You are my guest after all.”
Ranzal carefully thought about the offer, and after deciding that it seemed trustworthy, followed the King. The feast was great. The food was better than anything the merc had in a long while, the drinks went down smoothly and Ranzal reccounted more than a few of his best stories.
“...so I’m face to face with this assassin girl. She leaps at me, but I manage to grab her, and throw her through the window. And that’s how I won the bar fight.” Ranzal was kinda proud of himself. His story seems to have captured the attention of nearly everyone in the room.
“As I thought. He is a brute” commented one sylvan woman with gigantic pigtails.
“My darling would never partake in something this barbaric like a bar fight” said a woman clothed in red. While she may be proud of her shapeshifting skill, Ranzal picked up the subtle signs that revealed her as the dragon that greeted him earlier.
“That sounds like some really great adventures you had. Man, I wish we could see some of them for ourselves” said a small fairy.
“WOW, that was so cool. You got some awesome stories.” Luca sat beside him and was probably the most fascinated by his stories.
“Thank you for these stories. They were very entertaining. They also gave me a bit of insight on you.” the king smiled warmly at Ranzal. It was strange, Ranzal was used to smiles that hide poison, but this smile, it hid no deceit or lies. Could a Fairy really be more human than some of the royals in his hometown.
As the night went on, the festivities slowly stopped and people went to their beds. Ranzal was promised a guest room and to be accommodated for as long as he’d like. As the mercenary went for a small midnight walk, he saw the King on one of the balcons. Realizing that this would be the perfect moment to ask about his favor he went to him.
The King looked solemnly out in the cold night air. Caught in his musings, he missed the arrival of his guest. Ranzal coughed, waking the king from his daydreams.
“Your Majesty, I hope I’m not too bold, but I wanted to ask a favor from you. Ya see, there’s this village… they were so kind to let me rest after I got a little over my head and now the Empire is on it’s way there. I wanted to ask you… could you protect it? I don’t care what you want from me, but please, protect those people.”
“Hmm, I see that you are a good man... Alright, I will grant your request, don’t concern yourself with the cost. But, if you’d like to, I have a proposal for you…”
Some time later, on the shores of Saint Lotier
“...oh, and Midgardsormr asked me to greet you.” The new ambassador of the Mistholt finished his report to the azure dragon before him. The dragon chuckled, clearly pleased with the proposal Ranzal brought to her.
“Oh my. I knew you were something special when you helped me defend the city against those void beasts, but to think that you would become part of a fairy court, my, how time flies. Tell your King that I look forward to working with him. The western seas will ally with him. I hope that you will make a worthy ambassador for me and Saint Lotier.”
“Heh, of course. As long as I can continue to get out there and help people, that’s no problem with me.”