Unnamed RPG Adventure Chapter 1 (or maybe 0)

The peace of Sugar Rush was disturbed by a lone rider making a beeline for the castle. Children leaned out of windows trying to catch the sight of a real life knight on a horse, while men and women set to locking doors and windows as a precaution, fearing the worst. The rider noticed all of this in the back of his eye, but regardless, he merely carried on with the task at hand.

 

Sour Bill paced back and forth frantically around the throne room, holding a note in his hand.

"So, they don't want a ransom?" Bill asked.

"They claimed that nothing would sway them, Prime Minister." The knight replied, head bowed. Bill stopped pacing, and walked over to the knight.

"Get up, there is no need for formalities here. Anyway, I need you to prepare a message for the town criers."

"Yes Chancellor." The knight rushed out of the room. Bill stood still for a moment, before realisation hit him.

"Get back here! I haven't even given you the message!" Bill shouted, giving chase after the knight.

 

On the other end of town, the town was whipped yet again into life by the town crier, his bell ringing through all the alleys. Once a large crowd had gathered, the bell's ringing stopped, and the booming voice of the town crier echoed through the alleys and streets of Sugar Rush. "A great tragedy has befallen Sugar Rush! Princess Vanellope and her closest friends, the Duchesses Taffyta and Candlehead have been kidnapped!". An audible gasp was heard throughout the crowd, with murmurs of fear and confusion following soon after.

 

"The Prime Minister Sour Bill has duly requested that you not worry, for he has the best knights of Sugar Rush searching every corner of this land to find them! He also asked that you keep hope in your hearts in our darkest hour! Long live Princess Vanellope!" The town crier briskly departed, and left a confused crowd to disperse. However, two men stood in place.

 

"Hey kid, you know where the castle is?" The shorter man asked a wandering child.

"Sure thing sir, you go down the street here until you see the central tower, then keep heading for that. You can't miss it."

"Thanks kid," The man tossed a few coins to the child. "Buy yourself somethin' nice."

"Thanks mister!" The child ran in the opposite direction, straight to a candy shop; one of many in this bustling city. The taller, brown haired man turned to his shorter counterpart.

"Y'know Rancis, you're too nice sometimes." The man said. His grin showed a lack of sincerity in his comment, but Rancis still huffed and turned away.

"Whatever, Gloyd. Now come on, we've got work to do." Rancis replied in the bluntest tone he could muster.

 

Both men began walking toward the castle.Rancis and Gloyd stepped up to the grand door of the castle, and found two guards waiting for them. The guards slowly moved their hands to their swords, waiting for Rancis and Gloyd to make their move.

"Hey, relax, we ain't gonna do anything to ya." Gloyd said, showing his empty hands to the guards.

"Then what business do you have in this castle?" A guard asked. His counterpart nodded in affirmation.

"We heard that mister Bill here has a... problem. We're what you call sellswords." Rancis explained. The guards narrowed their eyes, focusing intently on the weapons carried by the two.

"Sellswords, eh? And why would Prime Minister Sour Bill wish to hire you? Do you even have experience?"

"Experience? Are you kiddin' me?" Gloyd exclaimed. "Tell me, you ever heard of the Final Fight incident?"

The guards eyes widened, and they hunched down, as if Gloyd was telling them secrets no man should know. "Final Fight? That was you?"

"Well, there were a couple other on our side, but yeah, we were there. Curien Mansion, too."

"Seriously? Man, I've only heard stories of that. Well, if you're telling the truth, I guess we can make an exception, just this once." The guards entered the mansion, and Gloyd and Rancis followed.

 

Sour Bill turned at the sound of a knock on the door. "Enter." He said. The grand doors creaked open and the sound of footsteps followed after. Sour Bill turned around, and saw two guards accompanying two men. He took a quick, cursory glance at the men; one was tall, with brown, scruffy hair. He wore an orange cap that obscured his eyes, but did nothing to hide his mischevious grin. The other was shorter, and his blond hair was neatly arranged. They both wielded swords, the taller man a claymore resting on his back, and the shorter man an estoc, resting by his hip. He couldn't put his finger on it, but they looked familiar...

 

"Guards? Who are these people?" Bill asked, looking visibly bored.

"Sellswords, sire. They wish to speak with you."

"I figured as much. Now why do you think I would speak with any old sellsword?"

"They say they have experience."

"As does every other sellsword if the price is high enough. What kind of experience?"

"Well... uh..."

"Come on then, spit it out."

"Curien Mansion, 30 confirmed kills." Gloyd interrupted. Sour Bill focused his gaze on Gloyd.

"Final Fight, 20 dead, 10 injured." Rancis added. Sour Bill turned from Gloyd to Rancis.

"... Guards. Leave me with our guests." Sour Bill said. The guards looked at each other, and walked away. When the door slammed, Sour Bill began speaking. "So, Final Fight and Curien Mansion? That's quite a track record..."

"Are you implying something?" Rancis asked.

"Not at all, " Bill replied "but some proof would be nice."

"Well, we have nothing from the events themselves, but this might be enough." Rancis said. He pulled a medal from his pouch, and tossed it to Sour Bill. Sour Bill picked up the coin, and looked at it.

"What is this meant to be?" He looked closer at the coin, and his eyes widened and his mouth turned into a grin. "So, the prodigal son returns. Trying to atone for your father's sins?"

"My father has nothing to do with this." Rancis shot back, venom in his voice.

"So, vying for the princess' affections again? I don't think she'll be as fond of you this time. What about stable buck over there? Still punching above his weight?" Sour Bill replied. In those few words, Gloyd's grin twisted into a scowl.

"Funny, the lapdog think's that he can change his tune just because Master is away." Gloyd replied. Sour Bill grimaced, then turned his back to the two.

"Either way, if you want the job, you can take it, but I doubt you two will have any luck." Rancis and Gloyd looked with disgust at Sour Bill, and walked out of the room.

 

Rancis and Gloyd stood outside the city walls, their horses and supplies ready. Rancis was pacing back and forth, scowling.

"I cannot believe the nerve of that coward! Thinking he's higher than us!" Rancis shouted.

"Well, they don't call 'im Sour Bill for nothin'" Gloyd replied. He prepared to bite into an apple, then offered it to Rancis. When Rancis carried on pacing, Gloyd shrugged his shoulders and then bit into the apple.

"He's just flaunting his power! And if he thinks a few dirty words are gonna put Rancis Fluggerbutter in place, then he's wrong." Rancis turned and looked into the distance.

"That's the spirit, Rancis! Don't let some dumb gossip get to ya!" Gloyd shouted enthusiastically. He walked over to the horses and began climbing his horse. "Now come on! We've got us some damsels to save!". Rancis grinned and climbed his horse. "So what's the first step?" Rancis asked.

"Well, the soldiers are also searching. Let's go gather some clues!" Gloyd began riding into the forest. Rancis sighed, and followed suit.