Justice
A story I started writing up within the last year I intended to have made into a comic. Alternating from the time that is current of Juan and that of her father in the past.
The story revolves Juan and her father and their journeys threw life. How Aldorian became one of the royal guard and helped Juan's mother escape her face as a princess and future wife to an abusive lord. Up to the time of Juan becoming part of the royal court once again after the truth be told to her.
Justice
(cover a red dragonkin looking at a sword. On one side his reflection and on the other a white dragonkin with an egg in her lap while she is in a dress. Splitting them apart is a streak of blood running down the blade. Do not show the red dragonkin.)
The day was like any other spring day. The birds were chirping and the flowers were budding after the short rain the day before. The sun was bright and the village became alive. On the outskirts of the dragonkin empire lays the village of Jon. In an area that boarders the hills and a large river it rarely gets visitors but on this day that would change.
Aldorian awoke to the new day before many others to begin what needed done. He must gather wood for the coming winter and prepare his forge for the needs of a remote area. Aldorian was not from this area of the empire but from the deep mountain range where the mines lay. He came here near two decades ago to fill a role a passing merchant told of. With him he brought his daughter who was happy to spend her days watching and learning from his skill. To her this was her destiny but that changed that day. Despite the fact it started like any other. Aldorian shook her awake to begin the days work. She took the ax and began with the wood while her father did the chores she normally did. On his arm a bandage to cover the long cut up his arm he received when a scythe fell from it's hold. He was keeping the edge sharp at the time and was reckless. So it was to her the chores his to do and his hers normally done. She did not mind this. While a woman she possessed a mans strength. While beautiful she was not delicate. Often times the village boys would have came for her but when they displeased her they are the ones punished. She was not afraid of anything but on this day that would change.
" Juan come here and rest for a time." Juan looked at her father and wiped her brow before setting the ax down. " What is it father?" Aldorian looked hesitant as she saw a box he keeps locked away from her. Many a time she tried to break the lock and hinges to no result but punishment. Now the box was unlocked and she sat at the table. She takes a drink as he opens it to find a beautiful white dress on top. He takes it out and sets it gently to the side showing a painting of another white dragonkin. She had a sweet smile on her face. " Is this?" Aldorian nods as he picks it up and the rest was revealed to be jewels and gold. A fortune none would believe he would have. " It is time I told you of your mother. But first undress your top." Juan was unsure why of this but obeyed her father as she took off her shirt to find a chain put around her back. She was going to tug on it but was caught bound in her shirt as he forced her to the ground. " What have I taught you about being wary?" Juan looked away ashamed. " Never let your guard down and never expose weakness." He lets her arms go and she finishes removing her shirt. Aldorian straitens the chain before going back in the box. " This rings is your mothers. Never let it leave your possession." Juan looked at it as the gem blazed in the morning sun. He puts the ring in the chains bind and secures the two ends together before hiding the ends and the ring under her breast. " Father, who was my mother? Why are we out here if you have such wealth?" He closed his eyes. " Yes, it is time you know all." He sets the picture back into the chest gently before the dress. He then locks it back before going to the worktable. He grabs a sword there and brings it back. " I have taught you how to use this and now. It is time I taught you how not to." She became puzzled as he looked away. " Something is not right."
Aldorian was an adventurous child. Much preferring to run around with his friends than learn his fathers trade. Worse for his father he was strong and capable. The day his father passed was the day that he sold all he got but a single chest of belongings and left to join the army. At the age of sixteen he was preforming as well as those five or more years older than him. He was skilled with the sword and cocky with youth. He was often with a new woman every night and still among the first to rise for drills. His potential got him noticed and his arrogance got him in trouble. At the age of twenty he became a captain in the army and was in many battles. Fighting enemies and beasts alike for the empire. At the age of twenty two his record was impressive. With most of his youthful ploys behind him he was approached one day to become one of the capitol guards. It was a rare honor he could not pass up.
Aldorian raised to his feet and moved aside a stand and pulled away a wall to reveal a secret armory. He puts on some chain link armor and readies a kite shield as he grabs a sword. This was something Juan did not know about her father. He seemed a simple blacksmith. " Take the sword and chest and run into the woods. Go!" Juan did not hesitate as she knew that would lead to death. She took the items and ran. But not far. After getting to a point she could hide and still watch she saw as marauders surround the few defenders of the town. On a table in the middle of the band her father. She saw him strike one after another after another down with grace and speed. Till his arm failed him. The kite shield had opened up his wounded arm and it's back was painted red with his blood. With all her heart Juan wanted to scream but knew emotion would lead to giving her position away. So she watched quietly as the shaft in his chest becomes two then three then five before the last defender falls to his knees. Still he fought as they came closer to him and he puts his sword in another chest and letting it go as another's sword came for him. He took that blade and forced it to go into it's wielder before the final strike lands as it goes threw his chest. Aldorian was not done as he grabs the marauders leg calf and digs deep into the leg before life finally left him.
The big city was much more different than the outlaying towns and villages he was use to. Aldorian arrived a day early from his travel and decided to simple get a drink and rest. It was not hard to mistake him for an officer on leave and he was not bothered by those at the bar except those after his money. It was something he had never had to pay for before and he was not about to start. So he left with it still early in the night. Unknown to the worries of the day ahead of him he decided to get to the inn room he rented for the night and on his way he found himself lost. In his buzzed state he made a wrong turn and tried to backtrack to the bar getting even more lost. As he was about to give up and go to the nearest barracks he heard a scream of a woman. It was nearby and he rushed to find a man had a woman on the ground. Her clothing ripped off of her and blood coming from the back of her head. His pants were down and Aldorian ran to the man before he could rape her and pushed him away. The man took one look at Aldorian and knew there was no way he would win that fight and flew away. Aldorian was unsure what to do but it was obvious to him that he could not leave her there so he rolled her gently on her back and picked her up. He found it irony that the inn he got his room from was right on the other side of the alley.
Juan watched as the marauders stole, pillaged and then burned everything in their wake. The boys that courted her and the families of them that hid instead of ran were dragged out and raped before being killed or dragged away. Keeping the young and able and leaving all others to die. Then she watched as they started to leave. Juan closed her eyes sorry to being so helpless as she waited to be sure they were gone. Threw the day and night she watched as the fires burned the last hope of the village away as the new crops were consumed. There was no call to doing that but what done was done. At dawn she awoke with the rising sun to find a few of the survivors coming out as well. Less than a dozen of them remained as they start to search the remains. Juan was no exception as she does to her father. He was covered in blood and mud even after being stripped bare and stabbed several more times. She picked up his body and brought it to an empty plot of land barren of growth under a rock formation. This is where he told her when she was young where he wished to lay. It is where he had put her mother to rest and the soil moved away easy after she finds a piece of lumber to work with. She spent all day there digging. Morning her father.
Aldorian was not sure of the looks he got when he brought her inside the inn but none raised word to him. He then set her in his bed and took to a stool and leaned against the wall. It was not the worst night of sleep he has ever got but it was the worst wake up. He found the entire room filling with soldiers of the empire and he raised his arms to show friend but they still grab him and take him to the ground hard. After that he was knocked out cold. He was not sure how long had passed when he opened his eyes again to pain as a hot sticker slams on his side. " Awake are we? Tell us about the woman." Aldorian was not sure what his questioner meant. " What?" The answer to his question was more pain. " The woman. How do you know here?" Aldorian jogged his memory. " From last night? I heard her scream and found her injured and knocked out with another over here ready to screw here." For the truth he gets hit with the poker again. This time it was held against his flesh for a few seconds. " You are Dragonkin are you not? Why are you doing this? I am Captain Aldorian." He could not finish as the poker hits him again. " We know of you captain. You have a reputation as a womanizer." Aldorian paused. They thought he was the one that assaulted her. " If I attacked her why would I bring her to my room and bandage." He could not continue again as the sticker hits his side yet again. He then hears it get stuck in something moments later. He was starting to smell his own cooked flesh. Strangely it made him hungry.
It was three days after burying her father and the rebuilding began with those left. With so few and only one good ax left it took time to build a shelter. Every night Joan was tempted to expose the fortune she has, but does not in fear what they will think. It was dark and dreary and she was cold and afraid. All she wanted was her father back. He would know what to do. Instead the survivors looked to her. She was the only one of them with any real experience of survival. She hunted for food and scavenged the foliage. She cooked the meals and directed the others in the tasks at hand. Her father taught her well and when the next rain came after a week they had at least one structure built ready for use. As she got up the day after to cut more wood for more shelter she came out to a military convoy. She became hopeful that they were there to help but instead found they took whatever was left of the crops. What little left of anything else for the taxes. That was the end of the village. The others decided to move on. Decided to live somewhere easier. Finally Juan too moved on. Only taking the sword her father left to her and a few coins from the chest she kept before burying it with her father.
Aldorian was unsure how long he was tortured. Unsure when he became numb to the pain that was killing him. The questions kept looping around trying to make him confess. Long after he lost the will to talk he was finally left alone. As he hung from the chains on his wrists he heard gentle footsteps coming toward him. Another pair that almost hid the first came behind them. They were accompanied by heavy armor movement. " Is this the man you say attacked me?" One asked by a woman and the man with her had a broad voice. " Yes, milady. He is the man that was in the same room as yourself." She puts a gentle hand on his stomach. " Have him released. He is not the one that attacked me." Aldorian lifted his head as he opened his eyes. " No!" She stepped back surprised. " But why? You saved me." Aldorian looked at her barely able to speak. " Capture the real offender. Green skin, about as tall as my shoulders. Look for a scar under the right eye. Then there will be no doubt of my innocence."
Juan had never ventured far from the village. More than ever her fathers lessons came in use. She traveled alone and quickly. Foraging for her food and buying little. She survived off the land as she sought those that wronged her. A month had passed and there was no trace but the bodies of the dead after they were used up. She could not help but weep in the rain when she learned of their fate. Everyone she had ever knew was now dead. And the words of her father stuck with her. Especially when she thought of him and what he said about her mother when she was much younger. " After her death I had to move on. Find a new purpose in my life. Even if I could not find one I had to make one." Juan continued on searching. Looking for her own cause.
Aldorian was released from the chains and treated but he was a broken man. He was unsure how long he was in his cell but it gave him time to look back on his life. He felt forgotten and worthless till he heard the soft steps again of the woman. Again the heavier ones of her escort followed. " Tell me why you saved me!" Aldorian looked at the ground in front of him. " I serve the empire and her people." Aldorian notices a pause before a rattle occurred. Then it hitting his cell door. " Do not release me out of mercy!" His plea went ignored as the door opened. He remained still. " He was caught and executed two months ago." Aldorian paused not making a sound before straining to raise to his feet. He uneasily moved forward and she moved to the side as he moved past her. " Where are you going?" Aldorian stumbles and is caught by the guard. " To my post. I am overdue." She giggled amused. " You been reassigned." He looks back at her. " Oh, then can you tell me of my post?" She smiled happy to him. " As my personal guard of course."
The days of count passed Juan by. It was near winter now and she was starting to plan for it. There are a few things a traveling woman could do for money but she had more dignity than to sell her body. Instead she found employment in a tavern as a bouncer. She was more than capable of throwing drunks out. As the weather went to snow more and more people began to drink more and more. Quite a few times she had to injure a patron in order to protect herself and that was frowned upon. She would have lost the job if she made the injured permanent. Still she was careful and cautious. As the weather was starting to break to another year she was getting ready to move on with the money she had earned. That is when the army found her.
Aldorian laid in the lap of the woman he saved several months before. His body scared from the torture and malnutrition. She was feeding him a porridge full of healing herbs. He did not question this as he was enjoying the view. She let him do so till the bowl was empty and she lifts his head and sets it on a pillow. " Who are you?" Aldorian asks and she looked at him amused. " Have you not figured that out?" Aldorian looked to the sky. " You are important, and spoiled in attitude." She slaps him and he quinces in pain. " I'm so sorry." Aldorian smiles as it passes him by. " I am to your service I am told. You do with me whatever you wish." She became surprised. " And if I am to do this?" Without warning her balled fist lands on his groin. He reflexes to the jolt to his system and grabs her arm. " What are you?" He pulled her as he came back to the ground and she fell on him. Their faces came very close. " Do keep in mind I am not helpless." She was let go and backed away. Never has another touched her like that. The pain in her wrist was strange to her but even more was the way her heart was beating. The heavy armored guard comes to her. " Princess, he is dangerous. You should throw him back in that cell and forget about him." Aldorian looked to the sky. " I am in her service. She may do with me as she wishes." He then closes his eyes.
Juan was cautious of the army. They were trained and they outnumbered her. It was also obvious that they were there to get drunk. This was her last night of work or she would forfeit her earnings for the month before. She weighed the choices and decided to try to bare the annoyance. For the start of the night was easy. Most of the locals avoided the place like a plague house. She was on the wall with her arms crossed content to do nothing for the night. As time wore on she had to keep on the move as horny men were catching the server girls and tearing into them like animals. This is why they were there she knew and not the regular girls. As it became apparent the drunks were dozing she got to work and picked them up one at a time and endured the grabs to her body to have them pay their bills before being cast out. She got the room well over half empty before two came up behind her in an ambush and got her on the table. " Come on sweet thing." Juan cursed to herself being caught. She squirmed as another pair grabs her arms as they start to work off her gear.
Two months after his release Aldorian was already training his body to regain his strength. He kept to the garden and the room he was granted most days. Every day she would come and watch him. Every day she had lunch with her and he enjoyed it. She was playful but quiet. Every day he noticed her come closer to him as they ate. He had seen this affection in women before. When he would court women for the night he would see couples do this. He did not understand then but now. He was more mature and wiser. He was not sure if he should pursue this or not but he was hers to command. Now not just his loyalty to the empire but to her heart. He had heard the stories by now that she would sneak out on her own and explore the outside world. It came to an end with him coming into her life. She had found what she was looking for. On the day their hands were beside one another and a simple nudge by either one would make their hands be held he took it away. She was unsure if this was ignorance or rejection as he drew his sword and set it in front of her. " I am yours to command but I will not always be there to protect you." She looked at him puzzled. " You know as well as I it is forbidden. I a common man can never be with a princess." She looked at him sad knowing it is true. The next day he had left the palace. Only leaving his sword behind.
Juan squirmed as they ripped off her top finally and her hands were forced to grip things as they were pulled apart. She had enough of holding back and gripped harder till she was let go and grabs the top of the table she was on to pull the ones holding her legs onto the table as well. That made the tables collapse from the weight and those around her stumbled as she stood upright again. Now it was not about having some fun. They were out to punish her for resisting. She hit the first in the neck before taking the next to go for her and shove him head first into three others. She avoids the punch from the next and pushes him into two more before hitting the next in the neck as well. Those knocked over already were reluctant to get back up in pain and drunk at the same time and those left standing were just aware enough to not try their luck. " Pay your bills and get out. You tell anyone about this just remember it was a woman that defeated you." Juan took her ripped top and went to her room where she was already ready to leave. She made sure the ring was still there and it was hanging exposed between her breasts. She tucks it back under them before getting on a new shirt and a traveling cloak before leaving before dawns light.
Aldorian resigned and took his due pay and stayed in the capital. He bought a small place for forging and started practicing his fathers trade. With his belongings returned to him he opened his families tome of smiting secrets and started to learn. He was quite good and business picked up quickly. Namely from those of the army. Sense his swords were always sharp and stout and his armors strong and snug he kept busy. It was not long before he started getting unexpected visits. A familiar woman would come from her cage to sit with him. His eyes could not ignore the eyes that watched the bird sitting on his branch. Yet while outside those high walls she was free. Nothing more than a normal woman. Every day at lunch she would bring a basket for lunch and after he would walk her back to make his delivery. That is till one day.
Juan was barely aware of the presence behind her before her clothing was on but whoever they were stopped what she considered an attack to admire the strip tease. She grabs her knife and starts to bring it to bare but her wrist was caught and that surprised her as she drops it and catches it with her free hand. Which was in turn caught as well. She drops her knife and grips him in return to grip him and jump. Causing all her weight to be held by him and her knees land on his chest. The move was meant to wind the man but her legs met steel and she falls on the bed with him over her. " I see you were taught well."
Aldorian looked at the black eye surprised. Rage was in his heart. She looked away ashamed. " My parents are looking for me to bare an heir." Aldorian moves his hand to beside her face and she grips his arm and pulls it for him to touch her. His stiff hand moves along her soft jaw. He then pulls away and turns his back to her. " I left for this exact thing not to happen. I care for you but we may never be. I can not be with a princess." She moves to him and lays her head on his back and wraps her arms around him. " What if, what if I was no longer a princess?"
Juan looked at the man angry. She realized in that moment there was nothing she can do to stop him from having his way with her. To her surprise he let her go and backed away and she rolls away and grabs her sword to be ready as some timbers were caught for fire. She remembers him being in the bar drinking and eating as well. Unlike the lower officers he was actually behaving. " It has been years of searching but I finally found you!" Juan backed away cautious. " I will never forget that ring!"
Aldorian knew such a plan as kidnapping a princess could not be done on a whim. He did not even agree to it but she left him little choice. He may no longer serve her as an imperial guard but his heart was still hers. He would have to leave all he knows. All he is behind for her. He would have to prepare and plan carefully. At best they would escape for a few years before being noticed. By then he hoped she be ready to return.
The officer took a knee to Juan and bows his head. " Do you not even know who you are?" Juan kept her cautious pose toward him. She really did not want to be on the run for killing a military officer. " I am the daughter of a blacksmith, from the village of Jon." The officer smiled humored. " So that is where they went. There was no word of a blacksmith with a wife and daughter there." Juan shook her head slightly. " He did not live there with my mother. She passed before my first words or memories. It has always been me and my father." Juan relaxes a little and lowers the sword. " And now there is no blacksmith or village."
Aldorian just got past the cities checkpoint with a load of arms to be sent out. It is something he did on occasion and he went down the road and turned off a direction he normally did not go to a wooded area. He barely had the horses for the wagon unhooked and saddled when a cloaked figure appeared. Aldorian had his sword ready when she showed her face. He smiled and went back to work.
Juan backed away surprised hearing the officer call her such a thing. " I am not!" The officer points to the ring hanging exposed. " Then who's ring is that?" Juan grabs it with her free hand and turns away defensively. " It was my mothers. My father said it was her most prized possession." The officer nods. " Her mother gave it to her before her own passing. It is the ring of the royal line. It is a magic gem that will turn red to all but those of a certain bloodline." Juan shook her head not believing it.
Aldorian had her strip and change to something less obvious and she thought it wise to take along a good portion of her jewels. Aldorian knew better as every item she brought could trace another to them. What he knew would happen is hide the treasure and live off simple means. For three days they ran with little rest. By the time they reached the boarder cross he could tell the guard were on alert for her. So they were left with no option but to stay in the country. Aldorian knew of only one place they could rest.
Juan sat down unsure of the story. Unsure if he was telling the truth. " What benefit would I have lying? If I wanted to hurt you I would have already. All I ask is you come back with me." Juan noticed herself hesitate. She then shook her head. " No, if my father wanted me to be a princess." He almost laughed. " It is for you to decide. What is it you want?" She hesitated again but this time she had no answer.
Aldorian arrived at the abandoned mining town and broke open a door for them before replacing it. They had been on foot for the better part of a week after selling the horses and Aldorian found a candle where he left it. " Where are we?" He looks back toward her with a smile. " Home, or it was. Till the mines died. It will serve for now. She moves to a stool and tests it before sitting on it and rubbing her sore feet. Aldorian turns over an old iron pot and looks in it seeing it still good to use. " I will get some water then start a fire. Then we can prepare food."
Juan decided to go with him back to the capital and learn of her heritage and lineage. She agreed to give it a chance and if she did not like it then she would leave. Search for her cause elsewhere. It quickly became apparent she was annoyed of how they did not let her interact with any and had doubts she would make it a week of travel before she left on her own again. Only the senior officers promises that it is worth it made her stay. When she gazed upon the capitol for the first time she admitted to herself it was almost worth it.
Aldorian set the empty bowl down and moves to the mat tired. He had to think of what they will do for the winter when he felt soft flesh against his arm. " Maybe I should go back. I am sure if I explain to them." Aldorian gave her a look that told her to stop. " I am branded a traitor. No matter what said or done that will not change. Tomorrow we will go to the nearby town to buy provisions for the winter. I need to have this place built enough to last by the first snow." Aldorian pauses seeing her sad look. He sighs and puts his free hand on the hand that had his arm held. " It will not be easy but it will be easier for you as time passes. First let us pick you a new name. Mine is common enough and not even my real name." She blinks surprised. " I joined the army under aged." She smiles as she leans in on him for a kiss. Aldorian was slightly surprised by this as she looked at him shy. That did not prevent them from kissing again as she let her simple dress fall off of her shoulders.