The sounds of instruments, laughter, and voices filled the air. The streets of Motostoke were overflowing with sights, sounds, smells, and people. Almost every door was thrown open and banners stretched from lamppost to lamppost. It almost felt like it was raining confetti in many areas of the city. It was one of the final days of the Victory Festival and people had come flooding into the City from all over to join in on the festivities. It was one of the few rare times a year where the City's Gates were held wide open for anyone to enter and there were few who dared risk that opportunity.
The little Kumpania that Ares called 'home' was one of those who never risked missing this 'money making' opportunity. They came every year to perform on the streets for coins, trade wares, and mingle with other travelling Kumpanias to trade members and information. That mingling mattered even more to them this year than any year previously now that their numbers had been shattered. The remaining members knew that they did not have enough members to survive out in the wilderness. They were in a percarious situation and their options were limited - try and 'hire' members from other, more overly populated, Kumpanias... or merge with a larger one. With their previous leader dead - the obvious move would've been to merge and offer their services to a different group... but none of them seemed eager to do that. Many of the remaining members of their group were young and eager - they were enjoying their newfound freedom from their Elders who had split after the old Chief died. They all found this as an opportunity to form a new group and create their own rules. After all, it was written into their laws that the word of the Chief was 'Law'... and right now they didn't have one. The position of 'Chief' always went to the strongest member - someone who had the money, power, and ruthlessness to not only keep the most unruly of them in line, but to also make the tough choices when needed. At the moment only two of their group met that bill - Jack, and Durril. However, Jack showed no interest in becoming Chief and when approached about it had said that he 'does not deserve it' and Durril was still rather young and impulsive.
During the last week that they had been there, both Jack and Durril had taken on different, important tasks. While Jack went out to gather information - Durril stayed behind in the field that they had set up camp with some other Kumpanias to mingle and to give the other Rovers directions. But they were running out of time with the end of the Festival fast approaching. For the next two days it would be 'all hands on deck' to gather as much money as possible - through whatever means possible - to support them for as long as possible.
At the moment, Durril stood up on a large wooden crate. He was wearing a bright, multi-coloured 'Jester' Costume. The costume was completed with a large, three-eared jester's cowl that covered his head and went down to a frilly jester's collar that was trimmed at every point with a brightly polished brass bells. He wore a matching shawl around his waist that covered his split-colour, bright purple and orange tights that were tucked down into his green pointed shoes. Despite his bright and cheery costume though, he had a serious expression on his painted face as he hurriedly directed people about.
Ares stood in the back of the crowd as he watched Durril bark orders about. From previous experiences he knew how easy it was for adults to miss kids in these busy mornings. So he knew if he stayed quiet and stayed out of the way that he would be completely missed. He was supposed to be 'in costume' as well but had managed to get this far without putting it on. He didn't need anyone telling him his role as it was usually the same every year - anyone too young to participate in activities such as trading, performing on the street for coin, or entertaining others from the many local bars and taverns would be assigned the less scrupulous task of 'pick pocketing'... at least that's how it always went under the old Chief. So far though - no orders like that had gone out. In fact, at this point, Ares was wondering if that order would be given out at all. As he thought about it further though, he realized that none of the 'beggar' costumes had been pulled out at all yet.
The flags were all at half-mast when Thanion finally rode into town. It had started to rain again as he rode through the quiet streets. Something was off... Motostoke was a bustling city full of commerce. Even in the fain, the fact that it was mid-afternoon, and all the shops were shuddered, and not a soul walked about was very off.
Suspiciously, he pulled his hood far over his head, and kept his mount at a steady pace towards the Castle. He finally started to see people as he reached the Castle gates... the last few stragglers that marched in towards a large crowd that had gathered outside the castle.
He cautiously dismounted from his Rapidash, and tied her to a post, before marching forward to blend into the crowd. His original intention was not to head to the castle at all. He was going to ride straight through, while Jocelyn was to go straight to the castle... but a mix between curiosity and worry got the better of him, and he decided to see what was going on.
By the time he got close enough to the castle to see though, he was glad he did.
Thanion froze in the middle of the crowd, and looked up to see Bryce standing on one of the Castle balconies... and too his right, stood Jocelyn.
Valkyrie probably should have been paying attention to where she was walking, her Dubwool following closely beside her as her eyes were trained on the newest magazine that had come out. Usually she wasn’t one for big gossip, finding her rotom phone usually kept her in touch with what was happening day to day. However, she had noticed herself on the magazine, in her gym challenge uniform, and she had quickly purchased it. Which is how she found herself engrossed in the pictures and articles as he traveled down the dirt path leading to a new wild area for her to explore.
Sometimes she forgot the whole challenge tended to be televised and broadcasted.
Of course, with her attention on the glossy magazine she promptly bumped into someone.
“Oh! I am so sorry stranger.” She immediately extends a hand towards the person she had knocked over.
Thanion stared up at the large family portrait that hung above the fire - at his Father standing proudly, his Mother looking majestic and regal as she sat beside him with Thanion on her lap, and his brother standing beside her. It had been so many years since he had last seen them... he couldn’t help but wonder what he had missed? Of course, his Father wasn’t home yet, but his Mother and Brother surely were?
The sound of approaching footsteps against the old wooden floorboards distracted him from his thoughts, and he turned around to look off towards a hallway that branched off of the Grand Room, just as the doors opened up, and a tall man ventured in.
The man grinned, and strode towards them with a meaningful stride. He larger than Thanion, both in height and girth. Where Thanion was slender-muscular, this man towered like a tank. He had long blonde hair, tied back in a low ponytail that stretched to about his mid-back, and a thin, stylized beard. His blue eyes locked with Thanion’s, and the man gave him a toothy grin.
As he approached, he raised his arms in the air, “Ah! So there you are! I was about to send someone to check up on you!” He seemed to completely overlook Thanion, and walked right up to Youta. He pressed one hand to his chest, and bowed slightly, “Your Highness,I am Theudis Postwick. As heir to this estate, I graciously welcome you to Postwick. I hope your travels went well?”
Thanion stayed quiet in the background. It didn’t surprise him that his Older Brother didn’t greet him... after all, they were in the presence of Royalty, and it was only customary to greet the Prince first. Still, a part of Thanion wanted to be defensive. He shifted his weight from foot to foot. It had been years since he had last seen his brother. Odds were high the older man had matured, right? He shouldn’t let childhood memories taint his vision now. Despite this visit being at his childhood home, this wasn’t about him after all.
