Forgery of a Legend

Jahn got up and packed his belongings together, today was the day that he would finally be released from the infirmary. He had heard a lot of things in his time there.

Leon had slayed the Witch Princess and her Knight, that most of the skirmishes that had taken place were won by the De-Klein forces. Ultimately, The De-Klein Kingdom won again.

Jahn walked out the wooden door and looked around, everything looked normal and peaceful. He hated the sight of blood and lives being taken just for personal gain and war. He hated the monarchs and the way they tricked the innocent people. T

he cobbled streets had kids and their parents laughing as they walked together, the bars were full and lively, the people sung about their victory.

Jahn liked seeing such scenes, it was heart-warming and nice to know that he contributed to it.

He walked and walked, the sun was setting and the sky was tinged orange as the moon came to full display. He hadn't gone to receive his money for participating in the Conquest yet, but it was still nice to walk home.

The meadows green and sky; a beautiful pink now. His house came into view, it stood on it's lonesome surrounded by the vibrant green grass that swayed in the wind. He rushed up and knocked on the front door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The door slowly opened, there stood a dark haired woman, pale skin and a supple body.

Her eyes were round and her lips red. She jumped on Jahn as soon as she noticed. Jahn smiled an hugged her tightly, his three kids came running,

"Baba!"

They ran and pounced on him. Mabel laughed as she watched, Jahn hugged his kids and picked them up one by one and threw them in the air, Mabel panicked and caught them each time, she glared at Jahn.

Jahn went to his room and threw his bag on the bed and went for a shower, he hadn't been this happy since he left for the Conquest. He finished his shower and put on fresh clothes.

His house wasn't big, it was cottage, there were no stairs, there were 2 rooms, one for him and his wife and the other for the kids. There was a kitchen, a living room and a dining room.

The house was filled with love and happiness and Jahn couldn't ask for more. Jahn entered his kids room and told them stories of his time at the army, he held his wife as he told them.

They all slept in one room that night. Jahn awoke before everyone and gave them kisses on their foreheads before leaving. Before Jahn had signed up to join the Conquest, he worked as a bartender but the money wasn't great which is why he joined the army.

He walked up to the tavern, it was spacious and filled to the brim with people, they all danced and drunk in their drunken stupor. Jahn walked to the owner's room.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. Minutes passed by and he was confused, on such a profitable day, the owner was gone? Maybe asleep?

Jahn wondered and decided to enter, the room stunk, there were bottles everywhere and the curtains were drawn shut.

Jahn stumbled around and opened the curtain. Sunlight pierced the room and Jahn saw his boss sleeping on the floor.

"Hetty, get up of the floor will ya?!"

Hetty woke up in shock and rubbed her eyes as she looked around,

"So damn bright!"

Hetty angrily mumbled, she looked at Jahn in shock

"I must be dreaming.'

She fell back on the floor trying to go back to sleep,

"You are not!"

Jahn kicked her as he shouted,

"Owww!"

She rubbed her back whilst grimacing in pain,

"You didn't have to kick me ya'know."

She slowly got up as Jahn supported her, he looked her and smiled. It felt good to be back to his normal life, she looked at him,

"What you smiling for?! I'm surprised you managed to make it back in one piece but they did hit you in your head right?"

She laughed as she spoke. They both walked to the hall of the tavern and saw many people laughing, drinking and eating to their heart's content.

Jahn had never seen so many people in the tavern during his time working there and he had worked there for nearly 4 years.

There was another branch of the tavern, it was a branch of the Guild Association. Most of the Generals and Captains that Jahn had seen during his time in the army were most likely members or owners of large Guilds.

In this vast world, there were many things left unexplored, strange magic beasts and either, rogue mages or knights who were high risks.

Jahn sat at a table and ordered drinks for him and the owner, they chatted as they waited for the drinks to come.

The drinks came in wooden cups, it was a orangish-brown drink with ice atop it.

They both drank and danced like those around them and the day came to an end. Jahn walked home and entered the house absolutely drunk.

He stumbled around and saw his wife crouching near the fireplace holding something.

"H~hey burp what you g-got there?" 

As soon as Mabel heard Jahn's voice, she hid whatever she was holding behind her back and smiled at Jahn,

"Nothing, darling."

She spoke in a soft voice and walked towards him,

"You know, I've been feeling lonely lately..."

She poked his stomach and looked in his eyes, Jahn looked at her and stared at her plump red lips as she spoke,

"Me too, you don't know how much I missed you."

Jahn cupped her face in his hands and lowered his head to kiss her.

***

Leon kneeled on the floor, he was still healing from loss of his left arm; both physically and mentally.

"I hear you killed the Witch Princess of the Bonerparte Kingdom and her Knight."

Leon struggled under the immense pressure of the King, he composed himself and answered,

"Yes, Your Greatness."

Leon had taken the credit for killing the fearsome duo but only he knew the truth, it seemed Jahn didn't remember what he had done.

But Leon didn't take the credit at first, when he woke up in the infirmary, a lot of people came to congratulate him for his great feat, he liked the praise and recognition so he eventually adopted the rumours and went around speaking of his great achievement.

Here he now was, an audience with The King. It could not get any better than this. 

"Why do you lie, Leon."

The King spoke from his throne. Leon began sweating as soon as he heard the King speak, how could he know? Did he set me up?

"I-i'm not sure as to w-what you mean Your Greatness."

Leon stammered and struggled to maintain composure.

"Throw him in a cell until he speaks the truth, do what's necessary."

The King ordered as he waved his hand, the guards escorted Leon out and shut the door behind them.

The King sat down and wandered who could kill a top class mage and world famous Knight, the King knew that Leon could not even put a scratch on the knight's armour, let alone harm him.

The Witch Princess was a different situation itself. The King sighed and awaited answers but for now he was content to see him expansion grow at such a fast rate.

***

"Drea, oh Drea, where is our Queen and her knight."

Far away, in an ethereal land of green and vibrant flowers, was a group of men and women wearing white and kneeling in front of a statue, they all cried as they repeated the same phrase; but no answer came.

The people's oracle had mentioned a calamity to come in the next 10 years. They wept and wept, begging the statue for answers but to no avail.

The people continued to cry for hours and hours, all throughout the day and night. Some would even perish during the weird ritual but they continued.

***

Jahn dreamt of that green land filled with flowers and that same man and women again, it bothered him this time because the green land was slowly losing it's colour and so were the flowers but the duo seemed happy doting on their child. 

Jahn woke up and held his wife, her soft body touched his and her arms wrapped around him,

"Round 2?"

She spoke in a provocative voice and Jahn couldn't hold back, he climbed on top her and grinned,

"You're gonna regret asking!"

He spoke as he kissed her,

"Will I?"

She smiled as Jahn grabbed her.

***

Jahn left the house and went to the tavern for another day's work. This time the tavern wasn't as lively as the previous day.

Jahn looked around for the owner and she was on the second floor looking down at those who were searching for jobs on the Guild's noticeboard.

Jahn walked up the stairs and waved at her.

He noticed that she looked a bit different, more shiny since he left, the only time he had seen a woman with such a shine was his wife when she was carrying his child.

The redhaired woman with freckles and glasses waved at Jahn and smiled. That's when Jahn put two and two together. He smiled as he asked,

"Since when?"

Hetty looked at him in confusion and just kept looking,

"Stop playing, I already know."

He said, as he pointed at her stomach.

Hetty's face went red, she looked away and said,

"Is it that obvious?!"

The two laughed and headed down for a walk outside to catch up on events they had not heard from the other.