[ P ] wish i may

T

he knight-in-training and the retired soldier. Somehow their respective paths were similar and yet so different. Argent’s image of knighthood was the king’s guards. Wolves of noble blood that protected the royal family. He had always respected them, admired them even. A romantic notion of joining their ranks had even floated through his mind before he realised that wolves like him didn’t become knights. It didn’t make him any less proud to be a soldier, but he couldn’t deny that meeting a real knight was quite exciting.

It didn’t escape her notice that he spoke in the past tense about his career. His ear twitched and he titled his head back to look towards the sky. ”Yeah. Retired now,” he answered. ”There’s a lot of late nights and long days patrolling, but you get to know folk. It’s nice being able to help them out,” he recalled his army days fondly. ”Knights in Rionnach spend most of their time protecting the king and queen. The soldiers do their bit to keep everyone else safe,” he explained, wondering if Rionnach knights were different to the kind of knight that she was training to be.

He shook his large fluffy head at her apology, assuring her that it was completely fine. ”It’s fine uhm.. It’s a pleasure, Lady Merrin,” he awkwardly bowed, not quite as polished as a proper gentleman would be, but he tried.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

The statement itself was curious. More so was the slightest subject-change with no explanation. Merrin bit her lip, trying as she might to keep from asking too many questions. She averted her gaze, knowing it was obvious she had quite a lot on her mind that she held back.

It was well enough that he delved into a description of his experience as part of the Imperials for it proved to be a perfect distraction. She slowly seated herself and inched closer to him as though she were a child listening to the telling of a bedtime story. The wonder that danced in her lavender orbs was an indicator of her imagination placing herself in his paws.

The only part of his explanation the caused her brow to furrow with concern was the difference between a Knight and a Soldier in Rionnach. "I only know of the Knight's code from the Zyphear family, not sure if you're familiar...my mentor, Rafiel Zyphear, you see, his family was of a neighboring kingdom once..." A frown tugged at the corners of her mouth and she lowered her head, shaking it sorrowfully. "There was...a fire...and so, that kingdom is no longer..."

"Rafiel has taught me all I know...it sounds like, what I've learned from him fits the role of a soldier in Rionnach more than a knight." Merrin hummed thoughtfully and turned her head to gaze outward across the meadow. "I want to help other wolves... be a beacon of hope for those who find themselves lost in the darkness..." There was a flicker of remembrance within her orbs that caused her to flinch, understanding all too well what it was like to be in a place like that. "That's what I strive for anyway." A hopeful smile appearing as she met his eyes again.

Now that they knew each other's names, Merrin seemed to only become more comfortable in Argent's presence. It was nice to have someone to tell her dreams to, especially when it might be possible that he shared the same sentiments and could lead her in the right direction.

@Argent

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T

he bitter truth of his condition and how it had forced him into retirement was a heavy subject. One that Argent was reluctant to dump Merrin so thoughtlessly. He didn't want her to feel sorry for him or worse pity him. He did enough of that for himself. The vague answer didn't seem to satisfy the lady knight and her gaze fell away from his. A slight worry that he might have offended her with his evasiveness caused his brow to develop an extra layer of wrinkles. Quickly he moved on to discuss the inner workings of the Imperial Army, filling any awkward silence with his own gruff voice. It seemed to do the trick. Once again Merrin was engaging enthusiastically with him, slowly shuffling closer as he detailed his experiences. There was a sparkle in her eyes that caused even a sullen grump like Argent to smile ever so slightly.

Argent was equally attentive when Merrin spoke of the knight's code, her mentor and the Zyphears. There was a gleam in his stormy gaze when she revealed that her version of a knight was more like a soldier. The more she spoke the more he wanted to ask, but he quelled his curiosity out of respect for her loss and bowed his head in commiseration. "It's been a rough year," he murmured softly, realising how lucky he was that Rionnach was on the mend from the war. Calamity had many faces.

"Did word of the war reach you?" he grunted after a thoughtful silence. "It's over for now, or at least the fighting stopped. A beacon of hope is just what Rionnach needs," he remarked, obviously approving of her passion and determination. "I joined the army as a lad because I felt the same. I still do," he admitted, lifting his large head proudly.

@Merrin

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Merrin's ears flattened lightly and she lowered her head a bit, responding by shaking it back and forth. "I had no idea of the happenings of Rionnach...and am still not privy on the subject of the war that took place..." Her eyes clouded over for a moment, her frown deepening as she recalled the assistance she'd already provided with Rafiel at her side to many in the various territories that needed it. "...though, the aftermath of this war...is evident across the land..." She voiced her observation, the sorrow within her lavender orbs revealing the pain she felt as she empathized with the poor, hungry, and ill of the region.

Argent did lift her spirits, however, his hope in a brighter future one that they clearly shared. The frown that dulled her features slowly dissipated and she sat up a bit. "It seems we share a common dream." She beamed at the retired soldier as proudly affirmed his belief that the world could be made better. Merrin nodded in agreement, realizing that they could be the change that was needed to bring peace to the land. "I wish to be of more service...how would I be of further assistance to the people of Rionnach?"

@Argent

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A

rgent was not a politician and his understanding on the origin of the war was limited to hearsay. What he knew was that the queen betrayed the crown and in turn tore the land in half again. "Things have always been tense between the mainlands and the highlands. Rionnach was divided not too long ago. Peace was made through marrying the highlander queen to the mainlander king uniting the land. Queen Aileen broke the agreement and was exiled for her treason. The war was her rebellion. Even now it's over, after all the damage it caused her son Jacob is threatening our peace," Argent revealed his simple understanding and view of the war, frown deepening enough to cause his eyes to squint under his heavy scowl. He shook his large shaggy head, obviously disapproving of the exiled queen and prince. He didn't want to dampen the mood by grumbling about politics so held himself back and nodded in agreement when Merrin explained that she had seen the toll the war had taken on the people.

His sour expression softened at the talk of their shared dream. It gave the sullen and defeated former captain hope that even if he couldn't serve as a soldier anymore and protect the people, someone else could step up, someone like Merrin who shared his dream. Her desire to help was inspiring. He could think of a few ways that she might help, but one stuck out in particular. "Hmm. Have you thought about joining the army?" he asked, grey eyes watching her curiously. He thought she would make an amazing soldier, but whether or not a knight could be a soldier was unknown to him.


@Merrin

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Discovering the history behind the recent war this region had experienced, only brought more concern to the forefront of Merrin's mind. She thought of the widows left behind by husbands and fathers that never came home. She'd even noticed a few younger faces begging for scraps upon the streets and she wondered if they were the product of both parents being enlisted. She knew the pain of loss and her heart ached for those souls of Rionnach who would not spend another day with their loved ones.

There was one word that summed up the knowledge she gained and she tried to hold it back, but ended up releasing it in a sorrowful sigh. "It seems rather selfish..." Merrin swallowed, hesitating for a moment as she tried to gather her thoughts in order to explain her reasoning behind the statement. "To break an agreement...and then wage a war...for what? How many must die...only to prove a point?" There was a deep emotion behind it all and she could not entirely describe it.

Lavender orbs connected with his silver ones for a moment as she attempted to ground herself when she was so upset by all of it. She was, however, thankful for the knowledge and she drew her gaze away to take a moment to recollect herself. When finally Argent asked her a pointed question, one about joining the army, she blinked turning back towards him. "I suppose it hadn't occurred to me..." She replied honestly and then perked up slightly. "If it is the best way that I can ensure the safety of my fellow wolfkind, then I believe I would like to enlist. How does one join?"

@Argent

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I

t was a relief for him to see the understanding in Merrin’s lilac gaze and in the concern on her face. She understood and felt for the people of Rionnach as much as someone born here. The effects of the war were far reaching and King Adamh was doing his best to help his people even with opposition from the Jacobites and the Voxi. ”It’s not just the people who are in danger. Someone tried to kill King Adamh at the Winter Ball,” he informed her, uncertain if she had heard the rumours. Argent had been at the ball, but even as a witness the chaos had made it hard to keep track of what was happening. He had tried his best to escort people from the fray to clear the room for the soldiers during the brawl. It had taken all of his self control not to join them.

Argent listened thoughtfully when she expressed an interest in the army. He felt a wave of nostalgia from memories of his own enlistment. Such a shy boy he’d been, nervously approaching a group of soldiers and asking them if they could point him in the direction of the barracks. ”Go to the barracks in Yorkshire. My friend Colonel Kvothe Immortalis might have a place for you in his regiment, but if he’s not available any ranking officer will be able to help you enlist,” he advised her, feeling an odd sense of pride and duty in advising Merrin. It was almost like being a captain again. If he had still been one he would have happily recruited Merrin himself, but knew that if she did connect with the Colonel she would make a fine soldier.

@Merrin

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Merrin inhaled a light gasp at the news that even the King's life had been threatened, and at his own ball no less. "Violence begets violence..." The older woman murmured softly as she lowered her head mournfully and shook her head. She couldn't recall where she'd heard the phrase...she only knew she'd seen enough of it to know that it was true.

She found his gaze and held it for a long moment of silence, the look she gave him meaningful and full of wisdom beneath her naivety due to inexperience. At least she felt that there was a deeper bond to form beneath their acquaintance, that they understood one another more than they even realized.

She became alert to his instruction, nodding as she attempted to memorize the name of the location and a contact she could approach in order to enlist. "Alright, I'll journey to...to the barracks of Yorkshire...request an audience with Kvothe...Colonel Kvothe...Immortalis?" She questioned, wanting to ensure she remembered everything properly.

"And I will tell them that it was the honorable Veteran Argent who guided me to their doorstep." A warm smile brightened her features and her tail began to wag happily behind her prompting her to stand.

In her excitement she approached him quickly, giving him a swift lick to the side of her muzzle before turning and beginning to bound away across the meadow due Southwest towards the region of Yorkshire. She cast a look back at the man...no, her friend...calling out to him as she departed, "Thank you, Argent! I won't let you down!"

[Exit Merrin]

@Argent

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V

iolence begets violence. It was profound and completely true. The cycle would ultimately circle back around to war and it was Rionnach that would pay the toll for the prince's greed. All of King Adamh's good work in rebuilding the kingdom after the war would come undone and chaos would reign. They could not allow that to happen. "We must do what we can to keep the peace," he nodded in firm agreement, holding her gaze meaningfully, happy to have found a kindred spirit in such an unexpected place. The silence that filled the air wasn't at all awkward or heavy. It was full of understanding and connection.

She repeated his instructions, making sure the message had been relayed correctly. Argent nodded his approval, feeling excited for her. Joining the army was a big milestone for anyone and he was honoured to share it with her. Her contagious happiness inflated him again and his thick fluffy tail began to wag without his consent. He stepped on the unruly tail, pinning it beneath a large paw. "I'll drop by the barracks soon and you can tell how it went," he promised, a warm smile curling across his lips.

Unexpectedly she drew close to him and licked him on the cheek. Caught off guard, Argent froze as the wet tongue touched his cheek and he felt the familiar rush of heat that flared through him whenever intimate contact was initiated. He held himself together until she was heading away and then finally let out a shaky breath.

"I know," he answered, having no doubt at all that she would succeed as a soldier.


- Exit Argent

@Merrin

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck