"Bea. Bea. Bea. Bea, Bea, Bea!" A short boy with a mop of ginger hair ran down the corridor, trying to keep up with his taller and older (but not by much!) colleague. His thin whisper extended into a reedy shout as Beatrice turned a corner, in complete disregard of her frustrated servant friend. The tips of her long dark braids rose behind her like wings as she walked swiftly through the corridors of the castle. It was a warm summer night, and the castle seemed empty, were it not for the pair that was being a bit noisy. Even for servants, they normally weren't up and about this late, but they had a job to do. A more secret job from everything else.<br/><br/>They had a man's soul to acquire.<br/><br/>The boy, called Bill by his friends and 'hey you' by everyone else, finally caught up with Beatrice, whom he grabbed by the arm and stopped, a cross expression on his face. "You know I can't walk as fast as ya! Slow down, ey?" His accent was that of someone from Gale's high country, lilting and sweet, and this time a little indignant. It wasn't common to hear in the capital, so he usually kept his slang to himself or disguised his accent so people wouldn't make fun of him. "There's no need to rush. He's not going anywhurr." Even as Bill said it, his feet shuffled slightly in a sort of unconscious impatience. He wasn't as zealous about watching the memories of the dead as Beatrice was, but he liked to feel busy. Even when he had been a toddler, he fiddled and played with whatever he could get his grubby little hands on.<br/><br/>Bill stood for a moment with his hands on his hips, taking overly dramatic breaths, puffing his chest in and out. After a moment he nodded. "A'right, let's go now," he said, voice filled with imaginary authority. He liked to think he kept Bea's more wild personality at bay and taught her proper manners, but it was more likely the outgoing girl rubbed off on him. But, at least, he still didn't swear.<br/>They continued walking through the corridors before they made a sharp right into a courtyard with a big marble fountain where an statue of the King stood proud in the middle, water pouring out of his drawn broadsword. Bill pointed it out while simultaneously ridding himself of an itch under his nose. "I bet that ninny-goat hasn't wielded a sword in<span style="font-style: italic">yurrs</span>."<span style="font-style: italic">If ever,</span>he added to himself, pondering when Gale had last been at war. There were fights between the different groups within the kingdom, of course, but they hadn't had to defend their borders for a long time against human threat. The empire of Kumati to the east was peaceful, and loved to trade their spices and dyes for meats and tools. The people of Shepai, to the north and northwest, kept to themselves. Gale's territory spread to the sea in the west and south. It was safe in the kingdom for all.<br/><br/>if you excluded The Dragon, at least.<br/><br/>He was a scourge that had come to the land many years ago. Before Bill was born, at least, but after the King came to the throne. He stole and killed, burning down villages whenever he was in a bad mood. Few people had ever seen him and survived, except looking up at him in the skies. His name from stories was Karkherand, but Bill wasn't sure if Dragons really knew about names, so savage were they. They took livestock and treasure, stole from peasants, merchants, and royals in equal measure. Bill hated Karkherand. If he were able to, he would find him, and pierce a sword right through the creature's heart without remorse. But the Devil didn't let Reapers do much.<br/><br/>Bill bent down and scooped up a stick on the ground, brandishing it like a mighty weapon. He went to the edge of his balance on one foot, jabbing it fiercely at the stone dodo by the King's right foot. Dodos were very common in Gale, used in farming and as companions. Apparently everyone in the King's court had a dodo because of some strange tradition no one remembered. Apparently the creatures were supposed to be magic too, but Bill thought that was rubbish. He touched back down on two legs and began tracing the stick in the ground lightly while walking. "You got a sword, and I got a funny axe thingie. You know, they didn't even ask what I liked. You ever hurr of a knight with a funny axe?" Bill thought to the weapon on his belt, chewing his cheek out of habit.<br/><br/>A sudden mighty crashing noise came from within the corridors of the castle. Bill leaped up in self-defense, a jump surprising for one of such short stature. As he landed he realized the noise had been caused by a cheeky dodo that was very much alive and not made of marble, that had somehow knocked down a decorative suit of armour in the hall. Bill shot a glance at Bea in slight embarrassment at his response to the noise, then scampered over to the fallen equipment.<br/><br/>The dodo hadn't run from the danger, being absolutely stupid, and instead warbled at Bill in curiosity. "Well git on, dumb dodo," Bill warbled back, attempting to shoo the creature away. The dodo tilted its head, staring at Bill with friendly eyes. Bill rolled his eyes, getting on his knees to grab the helmet of the fallen soldier figure. Boy, was it heavy. Bill strained to get it back on the post, reaching on his tip-toes before finally sticking it on, just a little bit crooked. He was no perfectionist, and continued to assemble the behemoth of metal.<br/><br/>Bill couldn't imagine wearing something like what he was looking at now, with its chain undershirt and straps and heavy, heavy pieces. He was fine with his light servant's cloth. But maybe, a chest-plate and the skirty-thing that was attached to it would look mighty fine.... He stared at the armour for a few more moments before noticing that the dodo was still gazing at him. "Whatdeye want?" Bill chirped, glancing at the bird through narrow eyes. A membrane came over the dodo's eyes, like it was trying to blink seductively.<br/><br/>Bill did not want to be seduced by a dodo.<br/><br/>"Shoo," Bill flapped his arms. The dodo didn't move, but began wiggling its own wings and making a 'chuck chuck chuck' noise in the back of its throat.<span style="font-style: italic">Oh no,</span>thought Bill,<span style="font-style: italic">maybe I've initiated some sort of mating dance?</span>It was a well-bred one, with good wing composition, bill structure, and body shape. Of course, Bill was no expert, but he had helped all kinds of people in the castle, including the King's Royal Dodo Breeder. Bill could see dark blue and cream, with a little bit of white on the wings and on the neck in a little band that looked like a collar, or a choker necklace. It was kind of cute, in a birdy way.<br/><br/>Bil gave the dodo a final side glance before turning back to the courtyard. "Sorry, Bea. That stupid do-" Bill felt something headbutt his calf, almost bringing him to the ground from the force. He turned indignantly, to find that the dodo had followed him into the courtyard. Its speckled tail feathers were waggling like a dog's might.<br/><br/>"Oh my ged," Bill sighed, ruffling his hair, "it thinks I'm its mam or sumthin'." He glanced to the dodo, then to Bea, before turning his back on them both and walking several paces. Sure enough, when he turned back, the dodo was right behind him, looking pleased as pudding.<br/><br/>"Ehhhhh...." Bill let out a noise that was a mixture of distress and annoyance. He looked up to his friend. "I think this thing's going to follow us," he said, "I only hope he doesn't mind looking at ded bodies." He clapped suddenly, nodding firmly. "We've got ta get going or we'll miss 'im!"<br/><br/>He let Bea lead the way now. As much as Bill didn't like it, she was the more confident of the pair, and the leading compass.<br/><br/>Bill only hoped he could keep rank above the bloody dodo.