Ralof - Tumblr Posts
ANY HADVAR AND RALOF FANS OUT THERE??. I MADE THEM FATHERS. also my dragonborn is there ig. They're not having a good time.
RALOF REILIFSON
Thirty | he/him | 182 cm | Human | Nord
The self is not so weightless, nor whole and unbroken Remember the pact of our youth Where you go, I'm going, so jump and I'm jumping Since there is no me without you — Gang of Youths
[ 1 ] [ 2 ]
Prompt from:@oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]
~ Found Family
Chirp, chirp.
Ralof was awake even before the birds had sung their first tune. The floorboards creaked as he quickly reached the end of his small room, throwing a simple shirt and trousers on. The bed groaned as he sat back down to squeeze his feet into his way too small shoes. It was a simple life, but he did not mind, because looking up, hanging on the loose nail opposite of him, was his leather armour.
Reaching for it, he drew a tentative hand over the fabric, it too wasn't much, worn and a little too small for his broad frame, but it was his and he is going to wear it with pride.
Running down the stairs, he was now fully dressed, passing by the kitchen, he already saw his father prepare some breakfast.
"Morning, dad. You're early." He noticed, as he pressed himself next to his father to steal a stale slice of bread, biting into it.
"You won't leave the house without a proper breakfast." His father chastises, making Ralof halt in his quick escape, "And you need to take something with you for lunch."
He held out a small package, the breakfast he had been preparing all wrapped up in a clean cotton cloth.
"You got up this early to make me these?" Ralof was touched, usually his dad was more than grumpy about his sleep.
"I was awake anyway. Couldn't sleep. So I made use of my time." He deflects and it draws a smile on Ralofs lips.
"I couldn't sleep either, so I thought I will get there early." He gently takes the package from his fathers outstretched hand.
"Thank you." He leans forward to give his father a kiss on the cheek. "I'll tell you everything tonight."
"May Fate favour you today."
Ralof was out of the door with a light skip to his step. The air was stuffy and it had recently rained, making the path muddy and dirty but he did not mind. It was his home and he liked it here very much.
"Good morning, Ralof." He looked up, seeing his elderly neighbour throw the night pot out the window, "You're early today."
"It's the first day at my new job!" He shouted back so she would hear him.
"A new job? I thought you would take over your father's smithy. How strange."
"As of today, I am a recruit guarding the outer Walls, so if you have any concerns regarding your safety, I can be of help." He pushes his chest forward, presenting his new leather armour.
"Oh, my door has been giving me troubles lately. I fear it will fall off its hinges soon. You father had crafted them for me when he was learning under your grandfather. If you could take a look before it falls open? I am afraid of having to life without a door in these dark times."
He could surely spare the time.
"I can take a look, no problem."
She smiles brightly. "You are a darling. Thank you, Ralof."
It turned out, the hinges were just slightly loose and he walked back home to get the right tool to fix it. Then she invited him for a small cup of tea, when she took out the baked loaves, he declined and instead took them with him as she insisted on repaying him.
Now, no longer as early as he was, he resumed his walk towards the outer walls of the fortress, his little lunch package, a little fuller.
His path had him walk straight through the daily market. He liked the market very much, so many different foods and items to look at and people that came from all around Aestricca just to sell their things here. The stories he had heard them tell, always captivated him, but at the end of the day, he was still glad to be where he was.
"Ooh, look at you all dressed up." He stopped at the sound of the familiar voice. Turning around he saw a young woman with a headband wrapped around her head, standing behind a small stall selling vegetables. She was the daughter of one of the farmers living outside the walls.
He instantly stood a little taller, showing off his new armour. "I am on my way to my very first day."
"Never thought you would be the one joining the other side. Be careful not to forget us little folk here when it gets to your head." She quips, pushing her chin out.
"It's only a trial today, but I'm sure I will be taken in as a recruit. I do it because I want to help us here afterall. If there are any concerns for your safety, you can let me know. It's my job now."
She chuckles. "Careful not to say that too loud while wearing that armour. Someme might take it you feel the fortress is not a safe place to be."
He frowns. "But thats why we have the guards, to make it safe."
"All I'm saying is, that this armour gives you authority. All kinds of people will turn to you just because of ehat you wear. Use that power wisely. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person can get you easily killed and not all take kindly to the guards."
Ralof was quiet for a moment, stunned she would think so. He had never been very good at reading situations, at least that's what he'd been told. His father always said, he better stay away from jobs that require smarts. Politics make too much troubles, and do something with his hands. He was no longer a blacksmith apprentice but is being a guard so different?
"I didn't mean to scare you. Just wanted to give you a proper warning, in case no one did. I'm sure you do fine though, you've always been enganging with the community anyway, if anyone, you will give the position a better name. You're one of the good ones, Ralof."
"I dont think there are bad guards." He shakes his head, "They follow a code, you know. I had to learn it too, the preservation of the community comes first. We need to act for the greater good. That's what I intend to do. Help people."
She gave him a weak smile. "Sure you will do great."
He nods, no doubt he will, he wasnt sure why she was so worried. Why everyone seems to want to warn him. First his dad, now her too. Then he gets it. They were afraid he'd be too busy for them. "I will still be able to help you out with setting up the stall. Don't fret, I might be more busy than usual, but I will be here if you have to carry a prized pumpkin again."
She laughs at that, "You almost dropped it last year insisting on carrying it all on your own. I'm not sure I will entrust my prized pumpkin to you again." She winks at him.
"But I will be training harder than ever now. So give me the biggest pumpkin you have and you'll see I will carry it for you with ease." He grins and she matches it easily.
"I will hold you up to that. Now I think you should be on your way. The sun is already rising above the walls." She points into the distance, where the high stone walls of the fortress loom over them all. "Dont think you want to be late to your first day."
"By the gods! I forgot the time. Let me know about the pumpkin!" He shouted the last words, already jogging down the street, dodging shoppers and merchants alike as he easily navigates through the masses of people.
A few more greet him, call him by name, but he excused himself, not having the time to stop and chat this time. He liked this city. Many speak bad about the lower district of Skaeld but he wouldn't be anywhere else. It's where he grew up, it's where everyone knew him, everyone was family to him, if blood or not. Here he would always stay and being a guard won't change that.
He had found his home, his family and choose to keep and support it as one should.
[ ~ 1.387 words ]
RALOF REILIFSON
Prompt from @oc-tober2023
[ I am not following the same order ]
[ 1 ] [ 2 ]
~ Fun
"They seem important. Are they our trainer?"
Merko, the young recruit next to him, shook his head, "That's the new Sovereign. You remember the tournament held in the city? No one expected it, but they were the one competitor that won the throne. People call them the foreign scholar."
"Don't they live in the castle?" Ralof asks, confused.
Merko laughs: "That doesn't mean they can't leave. Despite, if we become guards, we'll be under their command. I guess they just want to inspect the new recruits. Get a better picture to decide who is worth coming back."
"Oh, so they will decide who can come back?" Ralof stands straighter, trying to catch the Sovereign's attention with a wave of his hand, "I could ask them, tell them of our ambitions and maybe get a good word in for the three of us."
"Are you mad!" Merko pulls him back, making him stumble. "You don't just go and approach someone like them!"
"Why not?" Ralof frowns.
"You have to be careful with whose attention you grab. I heard they are a real snob, just look at all the jewelry. They think themselves better than us and I don't want to know what they'd do with your enthusiasm. Better to stay down, friend."
"Merko's right." It was Salek that joined them, a close friend of Merkos, all three seemingly the only ones here today coming from the lower districts, "I heard they even yelled at the merchant's guild for making their floor dirty. Made them run back out with their tails between their legs. The scholar is daring and cunning and they don't understand no fun."
Ralof frowns. "That sounds stressful."
Merko laughs, clapping Ralof on the back. "Don't break your head over it. Trust me, they don't care one bit about us either."
Ralof couldn't quite believe that. After all, they were training to become their guards, they must care about that. Otherwise, why would they be here?
He takes another look up to the walls, the Sovereign stands tall, hands clasped behind their back, speaking with the older man, their Commander, beside them. They did not smile once and maybe Salek was right. They hadn't had any fun in awhile, hadn't smiled in a long time. Ralof wondered how anyone could want to live like that. He's certain that it can't be by choice.
"Hurry, Ralof." Merko shouted, snapping Ralof out of it only to realise that everyone was gathering to line up. Damn, he was late again.
"Coming!" He ran as fast as he could, seeing Merko and Salek have saved him a spot next to them.
[ ~ 400 words ]
As a blacksmith he was used to only working with his dad and at times alone too, but he had to admit, training together was already alot of fun. If working together would be the same, he might have just found his callig. If he makes it into the recruitment that is.
He looks up one last time and noticed the Sovereign was watching them now. As if they were feeling his gaze on them, their eyes meet and with a kind smile and a little wave of his hand, Ralof greeted them. No smile from the Sovereign however. Then the Commander roared for their attention and Ralof had to look away.
(I really like where this was going and then I wanted to write their first meeting so here it is. Very long compared to the rest but it was so much fun!)
~Fun (?) 2
"Hey, you're good." Merko praised Ralof, after the training session ended, "Got me real good there for one second, if you hadn't hesitated, you'd have won."
At some point they all discarded the armour, since they only wield practice swords, they weren't too shy about a few bruises. On top of that, the armour didn't quite fit and made moving more difficult. In the end, the shirt went flying too. It was a hot day, despite the cloudy sky and a few looks from the other recruits, no one said a word.
"It didn't feel right, hitting a fellow guard. We're supposed to work together, not against each other."
"It's just training, they can't have us face off Underfolk right off the bat, we'd all be cursed at the end of the day." Merko explains.
"You think we all make it?" Salek asked for the tenth time today, "What if only one of us is being taken for recruitment?"
"Relax, Salek." Merko slung an arm around the bulkier man, "We will know by tomorrow, nothing we can do about it now. So stop asking."
"There is one thing we can do." Ralof says. "We should celebrate. We all did good no matter what the results will be tomorrow. We should have a drink together."
"Ooh, I couldn't agree more!" Merko clapped his hands together, "I know just the place, down the street is the best dwarven tavern in all of Skaeld and the prettiest ladies too." He winks.
"Ah, so is that where this Opelia of yours lives? She is the barmaid isn't she?" Salek turns to Ralof with a smile, "It's always the barmaids that gets you, you know what I mean, Ralof."
Ralof laughs. "I happen to know a few that work there. Just saying."
Salek whistles, "Merko you hear that! You got competition, you sure you can win against pretty boy when it comes to the ladies too?"
"What, you calling me unattractive?!"
Salek narrows his eyes, fingers pushed together, "Just a little ugly."
"Shut up." Merko boxed Salek and both laughed.
"Both of you are horrible friends. I won't introduce you to any of ‘em!" Merko makes a face.
Then Salek pinches his cheek, Merko pushes him off and suddenly they are all shoving and wrestling each other, laughter following their every move.
Suddenly someone clears their throat.
Seeing the old Commander suddenly stand in front of them, makes them all stand up straight right away.
"Commander." They greet in unison.
"You there." The Commander seems annoyed, pointing at Ralof with disinterest.
"Yes, sir!" Ralof answers right away.
"The Sovereign wants to see you. Right now. They're in my office." Without waiting for a reply the Commander turns around and goes back to the training fields.
"Recruits!" He shouts, "Gather up, the last one can go back home right away!"
Ralof turns to his two new friends.
"Guess drinks have to wait. You better get going." Salek says.
"They probably want to talk about me being late." Ralof bites down on his lip, nervousness spreading. Merko had said to better not raise their attention. "I'll better head there right away!"
"I doubt they noticed-"
Ralof already turned around.
"Wait! You should probably take on a shirt at least." Merko shouts after him.
"No, time! I can't be late again!" Indeed, what if they want to throw him out of the recruitment for being late! He better hurry!
"Ralof-!" He heard Merko shout after him but the Commander was already roaring over whatever he was going to say. Ralof sprinted as fast as he could to where he believed the Commander's office to be.
There was one heavy door at the outskirts of the wall. That must be it. Without further ado and without once slowing his sprint, he burst through the door, nearly taking it off its hinges as he stumbled into the room. He quickly catches the wobbly wood in his hands as it suddenly tipped to the side.
"Have your manners lost you completely, Comman-"
The Sovereign halts, turning around to find Ralof holding the door upright.
"I'm on time!" He breathes out, getting a quirked brow from the Sovereign.
"Have you lost your manners together with your shirt, recruit?"
"I- no, I just-" He wanted to move closer, but there was still a door in his hands. "Just one second, I can fix that."
With one pull he takes the door clean off to better inspect the damage done to it. On further inspection, it wasn't too bad. One hinge was only slightly off. It's an easy fix. He grabs the end of it and with a little push, has it back in place. With a triumphant smile, he heft the door back in its place.
"As good as new." He dusts off his hands, feeling the piercing gaze of the Sovereign on him.
"New?" They raise a questionable eyebrow and Ralof remembers Merko telling him they come from the east. Maybe they don’t know the saying.
"That means-"
"I know what it means." They snap and Ralof notices irritation in their voice. He might have just insulted them.
Slightly embarrassed he scratches the back of his head, showing them a nervous smile, "You wanted to speak to me? I came as quickly as possible. I thought-"
"You thought?" They interrupt, yellow eyes watching closely, "You thought breaking the door was the most sensible way to enter a conversation with me? I fear there weren't any notions behind your actions at all."
"Ah." He wasn't quite sure what the Sovereign was saying to him, but their gaze was enough to make him feel embarrassed for barging in, "I guess I was a bit too eager. Didn't want to have you waiting."
The Sovereign smacks their tongue, "Then you'd be the first."
The Sovereign looks around the room, sparse wooden furniture and wet corners are what makes out the Commander's office. They then draw a finger over the wooden table, watching it come off dirty.
They grimaced. "New is not a word I would describe this place with. It is a mess, not just visibly." They gesture towards a few scattered pages lying on the table, "No wonder the Commander even failed to tell me the number of recruits, if there even is enough space to take on new ones."
"I can go count them for you!" Ralof points out the door, already swinging around, noticing too late that he had just put the door back in place and almost ran into it for the second time this day.
"No need." The Sovereign stops his enthusiasm, "The Commander will do his job and make the recruits count in the courtyard for me right about now."
Ralof nods but then notices. "Then I won't be in the count."
The Sovereign gives him a deadpan look. "I am able to add one recruit to the list."
"Oh, good." Ralof breathed out in relief, "I can't be erased from the list already. I haven't even finished the day."
"Do you think you've done something to deserve to be erased?"
Ralof frowns confused over the odd question. "You just said the Commander is counting the possible recruits right now. And I am not there to be counted."
The Sovereign was frowning now too. Then they shake themselves out of it. Moving on:
"I've been watching the recruitment process for a few days now and it seems most of them come from the higher districts. The Commander did good work to spread the word there. Hard work just does not seem to be in their bones."
Ralof just listens, not really knowing anything to add.
"The lower district however, he seems to avoid." The Sovereign walks around the desk, now taking a seat in the squeaky wooden chair, "How did you hear of the recruitment?"
Ralof was quick to speak, happy to be of help, "The people around the market mentioned it. I heard they were recruiting down by the walls and I went there to sign up. They always like to talk about the things happening in the Fortress and the world and everything really."
The Sovereign nods, "How do you and your company like the process of the training so far? I assume you all come from the lower district."
"It's a great opportunity, I've always prefered doing something with my hands, you know." Ralof beams, so engrossed in talking that he simply took a seat opposite of them, "I've been training as a blacksmith before so I am used to long and exhausting days, but training together is more fun. Being able to share that with others."
"What would you suggest to do for someone that isnt used to this kind of physical work? How can they adjust?"
"Keep at it." He shrugs, "Getting a routine is helpful, eventually they adjust, but I'd suggest taking a few more breaks at the start to let them catch their breath. I never had the opportunity to do so, but I wish I had. It's important to notice your own progress."
The Sovereign seems to contemplate it for a moment, before they continue: "Did you hear of any other complains?"
Ralof wanted to grab is armour, realising he took it off long ago, "The armour doesn't really fit most of us. Whoever wore it before, must have been smaller." He laughs at that.
The Sovereign leans slightly forward, holding their head up with a hand dipped below their chin. Almost a smile gracing their features, as the shining jewelry around their wrist clink together, "Is that the reason why you took it off?"
Ralof shrugs, "And I was warm."
They were smirking now. "Of course."
Then they lean back again, always sitting straight as if wanting to touch the chair as little as possible.
"I've been watching you train. You're good with the sword, you have the skills to becoming a great warrior, but your compassion held you back. If you were out there, that hesitation could have cost you your life."
"Merko is not my enemy. Why would I want to hurt him?"
"He hurt you." They point out.
Ralof shakes his head, "He wanted to win, I can take it."
"And you didn't want to win?"
Ralof frowns. "No I wanted to win. I just…" he wasnt sure, it just didnt feel right in the moment.
"What if I tell you that you've impressed me today. That you can come back tomorrow. Practice as a full recruit and I promise you'll be rewarded for your hard work."
"Really?!" Ralof can barely belief it. He succeded, he had made it into the recruitment!
"All you'd have to do is tell me if there are any more complains, how the training is fairing and what you would change."
"Oh, I can do that. I like helping out and if you need someone to talk to, well, I am more than up for it." He smiles brightly, before getting off the chair, "I gotta tell the others, they'll be so happy to hear we made it."
"Not them." The Sovereign stops him, "It's not your companions I will recommend, only you."
Ralofs smile drops. "Then do they make it into the recruitment too?"
"That's up to the Commander."
Ralof was quiet for a moment trying to process that information. "So they might not make it."
"That is a possibility." They nod, "Would you decline my offer for an unlikely outcome?"
Ralof purses his lips, but there was not much to think about, "Yes."
The Sovereign seems surprised. "Don't you trust in their abilities to make it on their own?"
Ralof wasn't sure if he once again, insulted the Sovereign, he wasn't very good at reading between the lines, but even if he did, that was nothing that bothered him right now. What made him stand up straighter was the fact that the Sovereign seems to not value the guards code. Standing together or dying alone.
"Being treated differently isn't what I want. We're a team. We should support each other and have our backs. The success of one is not important when it doesn't benefit us all."
"You could make a difference on your own."
Ralof makes a disgrunted face, "The codex of the guards says to always act as a unity. It's a team effort. I wouldn't honour it if I were to accept your offer and I wouldn't be able to carry that title with pride."
"You actually read it." They muse calmly.
"Of course." Ralof pushes his shoulders back. What a silly question.
"I didn't actually write it." The Sovereign holds their chin up, "There were parts I wanted to change, but it seems many did not even take a glance at it. So you get my surprise."
"They said it's the codex everything was built upon. What do you mean, no one read it?" Ralof was confused.
"The Commander created his own codex on how to train his guards. He found it more effective."
"What? No that can't be."
"That's the truth." They look at Ralof more closely, almost studying him, but Ralof didn't know why they were telling him that. Were they messing with him?
"Then why give out the codex? If he doesn't follow it… It had reasonable points. We are a team, we are to protect the city, why would he not support that?"
"To quote him: 'No one has the nerve to read that many pages'."
"You read it." Ralof notices.
The Sovereign nods casually. "I have."
"But no one else..."
Ralof ruffles his hair, that was world shattering. The codex was solid, it was all why he had signed up to begin with. Then he remembers the warnings. His father, then at the market. They were right and he was a fool for believing otherwise.
Should he have stayed as a blacksmith? Had he made a mistake?
"You seem troubled by that."
Ralof couldn't answer the Sovereign. He let himself fall back into the wooden chair, arms and legs spreading away from him carelessly. Did he even want to know what he just signed up for?
"What does the Commander teach instead?" He dares to ask.
"Strength, skill and discipline. He sees the guards as an army. They are trained as soldiers and he picks them as such."
Ralof let out a loud groan, letting his head fall back, looking at the moldy ceiling. He suddenly felt cold, slinging his arms around himself. "Everyone warned me of that, but I didn't listen. I thought the codex meant something here. I wanted to help people. It was all I had hoped for."
There was no answer for a long moment and Ralof nearly looks up to see if the Sovereign was even still there. Then they spoke.
"I agree with the Commander. We need soldiers, not guards."
Ralof groans again, covering his eyes with his hands dramatically. He didn't want to be a soldier. He wanted comradery, he wanted to help people, support the inhabitants of the city, like he had promised, not fight where he was unable to listen to their concerns. How would he know what he's doing is even effective?
"If you want to change that, do so."
Ralof looks up surprised - not expecting encouragement from the Sovereign.
"I am giving you an opportunity here. Become a guard, hold onto your beliefs and one day take the place as Commander and then you can handle the recruitment as you see fit." They flick their wrist, "With approval from me of course."
"Is that why you became the Sovereign?" Ralof wonders, "You wanted to change the system?"
A shadow flickered over the Sovereigns face, the confidence they displayed throughout the conversation was suddenly replaced with a placid mask.
"My motivations are nothing for you to worry about." They deflect, "You have the skills on becoming a Commander in due time. You should take it. The city is not going to get saver, we need to be prepared for when the tides turn."
Ralof blinks. "What do you mean? What else could happen?"
"What is already happening, you mean." They take a deep breath, "The Underfolk are increasing, more and more people are getting invected by the Rot. It won't take long and the whole city will be down. So, I either find a cure before its too late or we get rid of those more unfortunate for the healthy ones sakes."
Ralof was stunned for a moment. Getting rid of the sick? Why is that an option. "We can't just abandon the sick ones. You swore to protect them."
"When they become a burden to the others, that is what needs doing. To prevent that from happening, you and the other guards need to be trained to counter the Underfolk increase. That too isn't a long term solution, but I am working on an alternative."
He never thought it would be that bad a situation. "There must be more that I can do. I want to help the people in the city, they are my family. We could work together in securing their safety."
"We?" The Sovereign lifts a curious eyebrow, "I have sworn myself to the people of the north when I took the throne. That is my burden to carry - not yours. All you need to do is play to your own strengths, aim for whatever ambitions you see fit. Let the safety of the city be my concern. As I said, I am working on it and you can hold me up to that promise."
"You can't possibly do all that alone. Let me help you." Ralof inches closer, "I can ask the people if they know of anything helpful, we can find out where it breaks through. We could help to inform the people on how they can protect themselves. We can all work together. Trust me, they would want to help too."
The Sovereign frowns deeply.
"I only discuss those matters with my advisors or the very least the Commander. You have no voice beyond the information I requested from you. Know your place, recruit."
Commander? Well, perhaps he did have to become the Commander then. It sounded surreal, he wanted comradery, not a rivalry, but perhaps it was necessary if he wanted to actually help the people. At least it got him talking to the Sovereign. It seems he was at the right place to achieve all he wanted.
"I accept your offer." Ralof outstretches his hand over the scattered papers on the desk between them, "Although, can you help my friends too?"
The Sovereign just looks at his hand, not in the slightest moving to take it.
"Already asking of favours. What do you offer me in return?" The Sovereign remained impassive, as they stared at Ralof.
What could he offer? There wasn't much he actually had and he doubted whatever he had on him, the Sovereign would want. Then he remembers the conversation he had with Merko and Salek. Looking back up towards the Sovereign he still barely saw them smile.
"I bet I can make you smile." Ralof grins, inching closer again.
"That is not even nearly a viable-"
"I can also offer you a hug." He stands up, arms outstretched, "I've been told I give the best."
The Sovereign tensed, but otherwise showed no reaction. "Do you not know who you're talking to?"
"Everyone needs a hug from time to time, no matter who they are." Ralof says, still standing with arms outstretched, only the desk in his way to reach the Sovereign.
The Sovereign looks at him for a moment, eyes travelling down Ralofs toned body, an approving eyebrow lifts for one second, before they meet Ralofs gaze again. A certain shimmer was in their golden eye that reminded Ralof of their jewelry.
"I decline." They say smugly. "What else you got?"
"Ah, then I have to make you smile to be even." Ralof looks at the Sovereign, "Are you ticklish?"
The Sovereign frowns, but there seems to be less vigor behind their expression than before.
"It is a very bad habit of you Nords addressing your Sovereign so casually. I am certain there is nothing about me that encourages it."
Ralof shrugs. "Can't say I ever met the former Queen, but she never invited me for a chat before." He purses his lips, "You seem very approachable."
"I do?"
"Yeah, I don't know how to say it." They gesticulate wildly towards the Sovereign, "Just easy to talk to."
They almost smile.
This is working, Ralof thought delighted.
"I won't stop until I succeed." Ralof smiles brightly himself, a playful glint in his eyes, “See. It feels nice to smile.”
"If you want to see me smile for you, you have to do better than that." The Sovereign challenges him, studying Ralof with a newfound interest.
He had noticed it before, but there was a dangerous shimmer in their golden eye. It was almost impossible to guess the Sovereign's thoughts, but their eyes dare to deceive them. They did not shy away in the least as Ralof studied them closer, leaning an arm onto the table between them. Trying to imagine how a smile would suit them. Would their eyes crinkle?
"Is that supposed to make me smile?" The Sovereign asked, though there was a hint of amusement in their voice.
"You have a nice smile, I can tell." Ralof grinned.
The Sovereign's lips quirked up slightly at the corners, almost imperceptibly.
Ralof saw it though and his grin widened. "See? I knew you could smile. It's not so bad, is it?" he said.
The Sovereign's gaze flickered back to Ralof's face and he saw the glint in their golden eye again. He felt a shiver run down his spine at the intensity of it.
"What is it that you want, Ralof?" the Sovereign asked, their voice suddenly low and husky. Ralof noticed that it had been the first time they had called him by his name. Ralof swallowed, suddenly feeling more than a little nervous. But he couldn't back down now.
"I want to help the people, like I said before. And I want to be your ally in that. But I also want my friends to join me.”
"Is that all?" They stood their ground, Ralof had the distant feeling that they wanted to hear something specific, but Ralof had never been good at guessing so he had no idea what it could be.
"I will tell you everything you want to know. And, well, I've been told before that I talk too much, if you give me a free pass, I could very well talk your ears off. So you can just remind me of that and I stop."
"You'd tell me everything? That is a dangerous promise to make." They watch Ralof unblinking.
"I'm an open book." He shrugs. "What do you say?"
"You are persistent, I'll give you that."
"So, you agree?" Ralof asks hopefully, stemming his other hand onto the table as well.
"Well, what do you say? Are we even?" Then the Sovereign smiles, a real proper smile. Ralof saw sharply pointed teeth peek through and he knew it. It was a beautiful smile.
It reached their eyes and made their stoic features so much softer. Attentive eyes never leaving Ralofs and he notices them barely ever blinking.
Ralof couldn't help but return the smile. It was infectious.
"You wanted to have a longer chat, right? I am free right now, I just need to grab my things and we can go." He turns to leave trying to remember where he had left his shirt and armour.
"I think you misunderstand our arrangement."
"You asked me to hang out with you. I got it clear as day." He opens the door, swinging it a few times to see if it will hold. "See, good as new. It will hold out a storm."
"The storm being… you." The Sovereign lifts a sceptical eyebrow.
Ralof rubs the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. "I did fix it. I am good at fixing things, you know. I wasn't a blacksmiths apprentice for nothing. Broken doors were a common occurance actually. Now that I think about it."
"You may break the Commanders door as often as you like." The Sovereigns face showed no emotion, but Ralof could hear it in their voice - they were lighter, "As long as you do not break down my door."
Ralof laughs, heartedly, seeing the onsets of a smile growing in the Sovereigns corners as well.
Salek was wrong afterall. They can smile.
"I knew you were fun." Ralof stems both hands into his side, he had been right about the Sovereign from the start.
"Of course, I am fun." They smirk widely, an elegant hand dipping below their chin, "I can be anything I want to be."
[ too many words ]
RALOF REILIFSON
Prompt from @oc-tober2023
[ I am not following the same order ]
[ 1 ] [ 2 ]
~ Fun
"They seem important. Are they our trainer?"
Merko, the young recruit next to him, shook his head, "That's the new Sovereign. You remember the tournament held in the city? No one expected it, but they were the one competitor that won the throne. People call them the foreign scholar."
"Don't they live in the castle?" Ralof asks, confused.
Merko laughs: "That doesn't mean they can't leave. Despite, if we become guards, we'll be under their command. I guess they just want to inspect the new recruits. Get a better picture to decide who is worth coming back."
"Oh, so they will decide who can come back?" Ralof stands straighter, trying to catch the Sovereign's attention with a wave of his hand, "I could ask them, tell them of our ambitions and maybe get a good word in for the three of us."
"Are you mad!" Merko pulls him back, making him stumble. "You don't just go and approach someone like them!"
"Why not?" Ralof frowns.
"You have to be careful with whose attention you grab. I heard they are a real snob, just look at all the jewelry. They think themselves better than us and I don't want to know what they'd do with your enthusiasm. Better to stay down, friend."
"Merko's right." It was Salek that joined them, a close friend of Merkos, all three seemingly the only ones here today coming from the lower districts, "I heard they even yelled at the merchant's guild for making their floor dirty. Made them run back out with their tails between their legs. The scholar is daring and cunning and they don't understand no fun."
Ralof frowns. "That sounds stressful."
Merko laughs, clapping Ralof on the back. "Don't break your head over it. Trust me, they don't care one bit about us either."
Ralof couldn't quite believe that. After all, they were training to become their guards, they must care about that. Otherwise, why would they be here?
He takes another look up to the walls, the Sovereign stands tall, hands clasped behind their back, speaking with the older man, their Commander, beside them. They did not smile once and maybe Salek was right. They hadn't had any fun in awhile, hadn't smiled in a long time. Ralof wondered how anyone could want to live like that. He's certain that it can't be by choice.
"Hurry, Ralof." Merko shouted, snapping Ralof out of it only to realise that everyone was gathering to line up. Damn, he was late again.
"Coming!" He ran as fast as he could, seeing Merko and Salek have saved him a spot next to them.
[ ~ 400 words ]
As a blacksmith he was used to only working with his dad and at times alone too, but he had to admit, training together was already alot of fun. If working together would be the same, he might have just found his callig. If he makes it into the recruitment that is.
He looks up one last time and noticed the Sovereign was watching them now. As if they were feeling his gaze on them, their eyes meet and with a kind smile and a little wave of his hand, Ralof greeted them. No smile from the Sovereign however. Then the Commander roared for their attention and Ralof had to look away.
When your Sovereign says they'll be with you in a moment... zZzZz