Arterius

Egon road hard down the mountain with Eva behind them. However it was a bit of a journey from the mountains to the city. The dirt path that ran along side the river is the safest traveled but soon he would pull his horse to side towards the river bank.

“We’ll camp here for the night, in the morning we shall be in the city. The horse needs a rest” he states as he hitches his horse by a tree as he got off. He would take Eva gently by the hand and help her down. “The River here is clean, if you need to wash or drink” he says to her willing to guide her if need be.

When they slowed down, Eva wondered what was happening. Did they reach the city? No, it was too quiet for the city. “Camp? Is it evening already?” Eva asked. She clearly didn’t realize how far was Arterius, and on foot she would take even longer. Getting off the horse the blind woman stretched her muscles, riding almost all day her muscles get stiff. “Thank you Egon.” Eva thanked the man for being kind to her. “I could use some water.” Eva said, making her way to the body of water.


Kneeling down she scooped some water in her palm, moving hand closer to her face she sipped some cold refreshing water. “You must travel through here a lot. You know a lot about this place.” Eva said standing up. “We should make a fire, recently nights have become much colder, and it keeps wild animals away.” she then shifted towards the general direction of Egon “Could you please pick some wood? I’m not familiar with this place.” Eva said walking further away from the water closer to where she assumed Egon was.

Egon would walk with her towards the river’s edge, just in case she falls in, he could catch. Yet when she washed her face and drink some of the water, he was glad he didn’t have to try and save her a second time. He walk back to the tree by his horse, he would shuffle within his armor before the back of it would open up as Egon stepped out from the back of it. The armor itself still standing as steam was released for a moment.

Egon wore a tight black bodysuit that left little to imagination. His muscles on his toned body can easily be seen along with the abs the man has. “Don’t worry, I got the fire” he says as he quickly scavenge around for branches and tinder. Placing them in a pile, he got a rock and flint created some sparks by grinding them against one another soon they would have a fire.

“It’s sunset, we wouldn’t have made it to the city in time and traveling at night can be dangerous” he says as he relaxes by the fire, glad to be off the horse after for so long.

Eva gave a gentle smile “I’m not worried Egon.” she replied to the male. After a while Eva heard a very familiar noise of fire. Walking up to the fire the blind woman sat down. Feeling warmth coming out from the fire Eva hovered one hand closer to the flame wanting to feel its warmth. Eva chuckled to herself for a brief moment “I guess I underestimate distance. I expected to reach Arterius today, but it looks like even by horse it's a far distance.” Eva said, pulling hand back to herself then pushed her knees closer to her chest. Resting her head on her knees while turning head towards the general direction of Egon. “Have you ever been to Arterius? I wonder if it’s big. I really need to find Ernst…” Eva spoke softly then went silent listening to fire cracking.

As he rested by the fire, he would look at Eva. She was an air of mystery and yet she wanted to see one of the most important people of all of Arterius. It was fishy as she wasn’t dressed like a dignitary or even announced herself as one. No noble or anything of the sort of being politically important. Hell for he knew, he was escorting a crazy person into the city.

“Indeed it’s a bit far and the city is quite large, encompassing both sides of the river” he would explain as his remained at her, stoic in their gaze. He heard his father’s name once more. “What so important in finding f- Ernst?” He would ask hoping she would say something different than what she said back up in the mountain.

The silence was broken by Egon speaking up. First telling about Arterius then came the same question from before. Hearing that Eva shifted her head slightly. “There are a lot of mean people in this world. People who claim to be your friends, but then betray you. I already gamble by trusting you Egon. For all I know I might not wake up tomorrow.” Eva said, shifting her head away from the general direction of Egon.


“But something deep inside me tells me that you’re different. Back on the mountains you were with your friends, right? Are you not worried about them?” Eva spoke changing the subject; she really didn’t want to tell a stranger her true intentions why she had to see Earnst. Eva went silent after a while Egon would notice that blind woman fell asleep while sitting.

Egon would listen to what she was saying. A bit cryptic to his liking but as she shifts the conversation he only got more agitated but kept a straight face. “They are fine, they are clearing the mountain pass of any other hostile beings or wildlife. They can handle themselves” he says to her and just as he was about to speak, he noticed she had fallen asleep sitting up.

Certainly an odd woman. A cold pragmatist would leave immediately or simply get rid of her so she doesn’t become a problem, but Egon was a man of honor, he knew his ancestors would not do such things. Even with her odd goal, she was an innocent woman in danger and it was only right to take her to civilization. He sat against the tree, head resting against the trunk as he looked up, his mind thinking in what to do. Soon his eyes would close and he too would rest for the night, though he kept his weapon by his side just in case.

Eva slept through the night next to the fire that slowly died. When morning came she woke up feeling morning chill. The campfire died a long time leaving only a trail of smoke behind it. Sitting up Eva carefully listened to sounds around her she could hear birds chirping, but Egon and his horse made no sound. Standing up quickly Eva shouted “Egon!?” She was worried that male left her in the middle of nowhere. Taking step forward Eva’s foot tripped on the campfire stones. Eva gasped before falling on her knees, it wasn’t one of the best mornings. She was panicking, she didn’t want to be left alone in the middle of nowhere. Pushing herself up she felt stinging pain that she knew very well. She managed to bruise her palms again “Egon?” she called his name and began to wander around trying to locate him.

Egon had gotten up early morning to wash his face by the river and have his horse drink water, but was being a bit fussy about it. Eventually he did get his horse to drink and gave him a little bit of feed.

As him and his horse came back up, he would see Eva in almost panicked state. “Eva!” He calls out as he runs towards her, getting down on his knees as he holds her shoulders “What’s wrong, Eva?! What happened?!” He asks his eyes wide as he looking over her seeing her bruised palms, seeing what was the problem, not knowing she was looking for him.

Her heart was racing and tears began to gather on the edge of her eyes. When suddenly she heard a horse. Before she could say anything Egon was in front of her questioning what happened. Eva hugged male pressing her body against his “I-I thought you left me…” Eva managed to muster a couple of words before tears rushed down her pale cheeks. “You’re not like others you won’t leave me, right Egon?”


Perhaps it was too much to ask from a complete stranger, but Eva felt a connection with a man. She couldn’t explain why, but he felt dear to her like she and Egon were of the same soul. After a while Eva calmed down “Sorry… I got really scared.” the pale woman said trying to force a weak smile on her face “Is everything okay Egon?” Eva asked.

Egon was shocked as she hugged him. Though he would return and comfort her, hugging her tightly within his strong arms. “No, I will never do such a thing, I am a man of honor, I actually live up to my family’s name of honor. I would never do something as horrid as leave someone like you behind” he says as his finger came to wipe away a tear from her face. “Even though our time is short, I’ll make sure to see this to the end, and I’ll protect you till that end” he says with a small smile on his face even if she couldn’t see it.

He too felt a connection, but couldn’t explain much of it. “I was only washing my face and getting my horse to drink…he’s too spoiled for river water” he would give a small chuckle as he continued to hug her, hoping to make her feel better. “Though I do want say something before we leave…” he says as he looks at her, hands on her shoulder.

“When it comes to the man you seek…I’ll tell you the truth. I know this man…very personally” he says to her serious as he took a moment for himself before he continued “I am actually his youngest son” he says as he puts his chest out “I am Egon Holtzen, son of Ernst Holtzen and sixth in line to the Holtzen family line” he once more greets himself to Eva. “I think it’s a bit obvious in why I’m hesitant in taking you to my father” he admits to her seeing how she will react to his declaration.

Feeling Egon’s strong hands hold her, Eva calmed down completely. Hearing him assure her he will never leave her made Eva feel safer. “I’m sorry Egon, I didn't want to make you worried. I just got scared.” Eva spoke softly, enjoying the heat and comfort Egon’s body provided. Until Egon spilled the beans. Hearing him telling his full name and who he was to Ernst. Eva’s heart skipped a couple of beats “Y-You’re his child?” she said, shocked. She was in the arms of Ernst's son. A man she was supposed to assassinate, and avenge her friend. “If you speak the truth then we mustn’t waste time. Your father is in grave danger.” Eva spoke, still holding Egon. “A man from his past wants to assassinate your father.” Eva added, pulling away from Egon then getting up on her feet. “I will answer your questions on the way to town. Let’s hurry Egon.” Eva said.

Egon’s eyes widen in what she was telling him. “Assassination?” He would repeat the words as he got up and entered his armor before mounting his horse. He would offer his hand to Eva and helping her upon on the horse behind him. With a kick, the horse would gallop towards the city. “Tell me. Who organized this assassination?” He would ask, his tone serious as not only was his father in danger but his untimely meant his ability to change the succession will not happen and he’ll be cut out of taking the family throne. “This cannot happen! My father has done a lot for the family, I’ll admit some of it isn’t good, but I can’t see this happening as this will have a horrible domino effect and I’ll be the one whose’s screwed!” He says as clearly his emotions was getting to him. All the planning was at risk of falling apart.

Eva quickly joined Egon on the horse. She felt wind dancing in her white hair as they rushed into the city while she was bombarded with questions. “I don’t know his name or how he looks. I met him a few weeks ago on the road, we both shared shelter from the storm. I guess he wanted to take it off his chest, and saw nothing bad telling a blind girl his plans. I… I just couldn’t sit and let someone die, life is too precious to throw it away. That’s why I went on this journey.” Eva told everything she could to Egon. Despite Eva’s childish behavior at the time. With new information about Egon, she came up with a new plan, and her plan was working. She was a couple hours away from her goal. Continue here