Another story of mine. For once, I actually somewhat like this one. How odd. Not exactly sure where I'm going with it, as the plot is full of gaping holes... Comments muchly appreciated.
UPDATED
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Araro rested his arms on the broad stone parapet and leaned into the breeze, closing his eyes as the wind tousled his rough brown hair. He could feel the warmth of the spring sun on his back and the worn stone walltop under his bare feet. A smile played on his face as he rested there, listening to the slow afternoon sounds of the city Telrinia.
Below him he could hear the faint shouts and cries of the market place. Far away across the city came the ringing of the Tower bells, echoing. Araro heaved sigh and rested his head on his arms, enjoying the idilic day.
"Araro, where are you lad?" A tall lean young man jogged up the narrow stone steps onto the wall. He slowed and stopped as he neared the boy, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing up here by yourself?" he asked.
Araro threw a glance towards his tall friend and smiled insolently. "Well, Kondur, I was trying to get away from the monotonous sound of your voice." He sighed in regret. "It didn't work."
"Young imp." Kondur cuffed him playfully. "If you don't stop throwing around those big words I can't understand I'm going to make Irdan stop sending you to school." He snorted. "University education indeed. Guard of the City is a lofty enough title for me."
Araro simply smiled and yawned. "Is there any particular reason you came up here off duty or did you just want the company your favorite nuisance?"
Kondur threw his head back and laughed. "If I wanted company I wouldn't be here. The Captain wants you." Raising an eyebrow he poked Araro's bony shoulder. "What have you been into that you shouldn't have? Been pestering the Warden's dog again?"
Araro sniffed and brushed his hand off. "I'll have you know I have done nothing to be ashamed of." He blinked. "I think." Ignoring Kondur's smirk, he pushed himself away from the wall. "Is he in his office?"
"If you could call it that," Kondur nodded. He gave Araro a none to gentle shove. "Better hurry up, he's in one of his frenzies. Someone from higher up must be hounding him about paperwork again."
"Right." Araro took off down the wall, calling back over his shoulder, "Just be glad you'll never be more than a simple guard, your feeble brain couldn't handle the stress!"
Kondur's booming laughter followed him as he half-ran along the inside edge of the broad city wall.
Araro waved to the on-duty guards as he passed them, standing tall in the raised alcove. Their bright mail and white and gold tunics, the spreading tree insignia of the city on the back, crested helmets sitting proudly on their heads all declared them Guards of the City. An image city pride and duty. A better duty Araro could not imagine.
It wasn't far from here to the North-west corner tower and Captain Rothas' office. Araro took the stairs leading to the top, running through the Guard's Room and back down the stairs into the middle of the round tower. The dimness was a stark contrast to the brilliance of the spring sunshine.
"Captain? Kondur told me you wanted to see me," Araro called. He jumped the last few steps and landed noisily on the floor, facing into the room.
Captain Rothas, Northside Captain of the Wall Guard, sat with his long legs sprawled out underneath his worn desk piled high with papers. His dark hair was rumpled and his white and gold tunic was wrinkled. He heaved a sigh and motioned Araro to come closer.
"Araro," he said wearily, "Whatever your plans are, take my advice and never become a Captain. The paper work is awful." Running his fingers through his hair, he looked longingly out the narrow window to the sun outside before turning to Araro. "What was it
I wanted you for?" His gaze rested blankly on the young boy for a minute, then cleared. "Ah, message, take the message-" he began rummaging through piles of papers, muttering to himself as Araro watched delightedly.
"Here it is," Rothas crowed. He waved the paper triumphantly. "Araro, take this message to Captain Pirmar immediately." Araro took this misssive with a salute. The captain raised an eyebrow. "None of your shenanigans, now," he warned.
Araro looked offended as he tucked the paper safely away. "I would never do anything like that!" he protested, a sparkle in his eye. "Why would you think such a thing?"
Rothas mussed his hair affectionately. "Experience. Now, get on with you." Laughing, he turned back to his work. "And put your boots on."
Scowling, Araro took the boots tossed to him by Rothas and slipped his feet into them. Stomping loudly, he ran noisily up the stairs. Rothas simply grinned and shook his head as the brown-haired boy disappeared.
Out in the sun again, Araro took the liberty of slowing to a walk. Captain Pirmar's office wasn't far away, just to the next tower, and it wouldn't take him more than ten minutes to get there. Araro took the chance to enjoy the beautiful spring day.
The north-east tower neared, and Araro quickened his pace. Up the side of the tower, across the small round top, and down the spiralling stairs to a room the mirror-image of Rothas'. A grey-haired man sat slumbering at the desk. Rather than wake him, Araro tip-toed across the stone floor and laid the message carefully in front of Pirmar, grinning a bit. If he woke him he'd be delivering messages all day. A second more and then he was outside again, mission accomplished. He began whistling as he raced along the wall.
Araro paused a moment on the first step of the wide stone stairs. As far as the eye could see was tall buildings, towering houses and magnificent architecture. The University of Telrina rose far above on the far side of the city, white towers reaching for the sky. Araro thought he could even see a glimpse of the Southern Wall.
He shook his head slightly and trotted down the stairs to the ground, straight into the North-side Market. The noise surrounded him as he descended into the hustle and bustle of the teeming crowd. Letting the rhythm of the city encompass him, he dodged through the crowd with ease. He knew where he was going.
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