Arrogant Aristocrat (Solo)

[Zelrius]

"Lord Blackfyre, Look up when I am speaking!" The old man snapped. When Zelrius, the boy being spoken to, Did look up, he only saw the angry and annoyed expression of a weathered man holding a stick. Vesuvius, which Zelrius was occasionally referred to as, only glanced up for a second and simply stated "Taking in the angles and leg sizes of the triangle, the easiest answer is Six point four three two. Now let me go back to sleep." To the old man, things like this were of nothing new. It was often that Zelrius perfectly understood what was being taught before it was taught, Yet the man still taught it. Why? Well "Lord Blackfyre" believes it is because it is all the Old man himself knows and wants to act like he is teaching so that he isn't booted into the desert with nothing.

It was on this particular day the Old man had had enough. Zelrius too often made an effort to stay up late and learn everything over the next few weeks in order to make the Old Man seem like a complete idiot infront of the true current Lord Blackfyre, or Vesuvius's father. Of course, Zelrius himself was already far more than convinced that the Old man was a moron. Beings, that the one time the Old man had said his own name, It was rather quick and clearly nervously, almost suspiciously. Not to mention years ago. This led Vesuvius (And everyone else who worked or lived at the Estate) to refer to him as "The Old Man".

Though Zelrius did give the Old man some lax. He was one of few in the area who knew how to read and write properly without being of Aristocracy himself. Still, that meant the rest of his education was limited, and Zelrius knew all too well that this man sometimes had no idea what he was talking about when he taught certain subjects.

Vesuvius had even brought up with Blackfyre Senior, but to no esteem. His father would simply say things along the lines of "You're intelligent enough then, Figure it out yourself" But that generally meant Zelrius would have to go to town and actually try to learn anything. And Hard-work, Determination, and responsibility were not on Vesuvius's list of important ideas. Which leads itself to a whole new problem regarding Blackfyre Senior.

[Zelrius]

Blackfyre Senior had had enough for a lifetime. And he expressed it, throwing things and yelling now. A serious meeting with the heads of Departments of the Servants, Zelrius, and Lord Blackfyre were all seated in the great hall. Zelrius on one end of the Table, Lord Blackfyre on the other. Infront of him a Stack of papers and some of Vesuvius's belongings, like the Small short sword he had gotten a few years back teetering around in Slums of Hinterdrought.

Lord Blackfyre called a Name, to which Zelrius was not paying attention to hear. The Old Man stood and cleared his thoart. He went on to tell of the many years Zelrius made a conscious effort to make discomfort to not only the Old Man, but also to the many servants around the building. How for these pressing years, They've only stayed loyal because it was in their nature and their loyalty to Lord Blackfyre was unfaltering. Pfft, more like your love of his money The boy in question thought to himself. As he sat down, speaking his piece, It was one by one the servants stood, and told of tales in which Vesuvius's Mischief had caused damage and destruction around the estate. There was the time he put a dead rat in the Pots cabinent and gave the head chef a scare of her life. Or the time he had tied a guard's armor to a nearby post, and when he went on patrol, walking away he was yanked back and sent down on his arse. It went on and on. When he was 15, He had attempted (And failed miserably) to seduce a Maid whom he to this day thought was a fine piece. All these things, and more, finally gave Lord Blackfyre the power to make the decision he thought was best.

The Senior Blackfyre stood, and began in the same voice he began many lectures. "There are those whom roam the land. The Land of Althanas. I tell you this because you've probably only ever seen one or two in your life, much like me. That is because they are generally arrested or sent away from Fallien. However, The few I have met are the wisest and best at what they do. So, Before getting to the Point, I would like to say: You have lost your Heir." Silence fell deep into the room.

Those words hit Vesuvius like a brick. He knew exactly what they meant. The boy was no longer entitled to riches, Fortune, The estate, or Even the Last name Blackfyre when he came of age at Twenty. The adolescent felt tears sting his eyes. Though he didn't know why. Up until now Zelrius showed no remorse or willing of change in order to keep or even get all of that. Lord Blackfyre saw the sorrow in his eyes and understood before Vesuvius did why it was there. The sadness did not come from the losing the Heir, No, It came from the fact that his own father had just disowned him.

That's when Senior Blackfyre continued "You can regain it however. Since as clearly stated by the Servants whom have in detail exposed everything you've done in the last Seventeen years, You are intelligent and resourceful. You simply lack wisdom and discipline, Zelrius. To regain everything that is rightfully yours, You will become a traveller. Cross the lands of Althanas from one end to the Other until you come of age. When you come back, you will need to prove to me that you are indeed of the Last name Blackfyre."

[Zelrius]

There was hope in Vesuvius's eyes. He could still prove to his own father that he is a great individual indeed. Blackfyre Senior had a slight smile at the fading sadness of his own son, The middle aged man always had a soft spot when it came to Zelrius. But that soft spot was small and often times hard to find. It took Zelrius seventeen years to finally expose it, even though he didn't know he had done so yet.

Blackfyre passed forward the Papers, The Iron Short Sword, and a Bag. Zelrius looked up, baffled by the bag. It was loaded with gifts from his mother. Books, Food, and most important for the Desert water. Zelrius glanced to his father "No map, Father?" To which Blackfyre Senior simply replied with "Again, You're resourceful. You can make it work." That was it, The end of Vesuvius the Aristocrat, though for some time he'd still act like he was one.

______________________________________________Hint erDrought Square____________________________________________ ________________

So here the Arrogant Aristocrat stood. In the main market square of the City he so often made a mess of. It was here that he ran up and down the square, knocking over carts, taking some pocket change from the wealthier and spending it on water or wood, Simply to spill out or burn right in the square. Going back through his bag, The boy realized there was no wood for Burning at night or extra pairs of clothes. He was stuck, for now, in the pure white and golden threaded cotton clothing that did miracles for heat, but wasn't worth a monkey's ass for cold. Sighing, he had a medicore amount of money it would seem with little to no actual resources. He realized the metaphor placed in his items. For he himself took for granted the many things the Estate offered and worried only for Books and simply pleasures along with a few other worldly things. That was what was packed for him, and quite frankly, it wasn't enough.

Time to get creative.

[Zelrius]

The boy put down his things in a small patch of shrub by an alley. This alley was chosen to serve what Zelrius now referred to as "The Cause". "The Cause" was of course his plight and what would now be able to be called an adventure, Sort of. The alley served the purpose of being right next to a watermelon stand. Now, why would Zelrius pick watermelons as a targer, might you ask? Simple: The desert doesn't grow them, they are imported, and each can sell for between 50-65 gold coins, depending on who you sell it to and what time of year it is. Turns out, from reading fianance transactions that came to and from the Estate, Zelrius knew when that time of year was. And it just so happened that today, was that time of year.



Hunched down, becoming as small as possible, Zelrius crept toward the Watermelon cart similar to what would remind some of the more exploratory locals to a crab. And to put it for those who do not understand, Sideways. Quite more of an attention getter than Vesuvius has expected. This had worked when he was younger and well prepared to cause havoc. But today, He was a nearly fully grown young man, dressed in shiny white and glittering golden colors. Practically everyone within Eyeshot was looking at him, Though the Fallieni were very good at concealing that. At this point
Zelrius had no idea what was going on until it was too late.

A man dressed in an all black shawl with turban and all, Approached Vesuvius. The boy already long had enough experience with Similar men, and knew exactly what it meant. The guard was ready to arrest Zelrius, and would be able to easily convict the Boy of several crimes throughout the years. Zelrius stood and began to casually stroll back to the alley. The man in all black shouted after him. Zelrius broke into a sprint and quickly retrieved his Items, making off with the said resources in due time.

Turning the corner, Zelrius ran and bounced right off yet another guard, dressed in his dark clothing.

[Zelrius]

Standing, Zelrius tried to play the little incident off too quickly for his own good. "Greetings and Salutations good sir," The young man stated as calmly as possible, which seemed to have work, for now. "A little warm to be wearing those dark rags all day, don't you think?" To which the guard simply replied with a gruff grunt and put his hand on his sword. Vesuvius heard the Footsteps behind him growing louder as they neared his own location. "Okay, Well no need for that weapon business, I will be on my way." Attempting to duck past the guard, he was stopped with that same guard moving right into his way. And just Zelrius's luck, The other was around the corner, rasping horridly, but still with enough energy to draw his own sword. The boy sighed, He didn't want to pull any sloppy escapes like he was just about to.

Zelrius gripped a wrapped parcel in his bag, unaware and quite uncaring of what may be in it, and tossed it up. Much to his dismay, the guard that was already standing around the corner didn't look up, only stayed locked on Zelrius. However, To his luck the first guard to begin chasing him did. Quickly drawing his short sword, The boy swung backwards cutting the right leg of the rear guard. hopping over him, Vesuvius made off like a bat out of hell down the street. Before long, The bell rung. First once. Then twice. Then thrice. Sounding an order. The order: rally at a specified location, a Location in which Zelrius was unaware of its presence, and go on a hunt of sorts. The boy took a second to deduce a few things.

Number one: The guard saw him attempting to steal the Watermelon and recognized instantly who it was in that little mistake.
Number Two: They had planned on it being Zelrius long before they knew, and set-up that little meet up with the other guard.
Number Three: Currently at the rally, Zelrius was safe from most, if not all, guards for the moment as they had to take a minute to describe who it was they were looking for. Though that would only take but a few blinks. Hardly anyone else in town was Light skinned. And even more so, the few lighter complexion people who did live in the city weren't wearing expensive clothing that glowed in the sunlight.

And last but not least, Number Four. The guards normally didn't organize active hunts for anyone. Not unless it was profitble to those involved in said hunt. And it wasn't profitable ever to arrest the son of the Local Lord. Which means they know that he is technically no longer The heir to the Estate. Someone had either slipped that information off, Or Blackfyre Senior had announced it to the Council of Departments. Either way, it was profitable for the corrupt "lawkeepers" to arrest him. How they would get something out of it, Zelrius wasn't sure.

In walking and thinking, Zelrius lost sight of his surroundings and walked right into the river he swam up quicky and onto the shore. Now covered in wet sand and drenched. A pair of guards marched right past, not even taking notice of the boy. Now a new thing was figured out: While this would work as a disguise, He didn't want to and wouldn't stay like this long. It was time to leave.

[Zelrius]

it was with haste, Zelrius gathered his things and left. He did not check for even an instant for any damage or water ruin that ma cometo the items, as the moment he did not care. He had a plan in mind, and it would take one hell of a concentrated mind to complete at all. Throgh much descision making, Zelrius decided that it was best that before he leave, he cause one hell of a ruckus. The contemplation of this great undergoing was a bit more difficult than Zelrius intially expected. But, with a forumulating diaster coming to mind, It was time for action.

The boy crouched, and waited. The guards continued to march to a nearby bridge until turning to get a better look at the boy they just passed. The expression on the guard's faces was that of suprise, and partial fear. Why fear for a Light skinned teenage boy? Because these guards had tustled with This particular Blackfyre many times before, and the speed in which he could move with minimal effort was a bit fear inducing. The guards attempted drawing their swords, but at that point it was too late. Vesuvius was already manuevering quickly to their location andwithin an instant was in the air.

A step down, and he landed on the Torso of a guard, quickly pushing off, drawing his blade cutting the second guard's hamstring. The particular watchman that had been landed on quickly rebounded from the force and swung the weapon at Zelrius. This suprised the mischeif maker as he did not expect the watch to take aggresive action in order to arrest him, atleast not to go as far as drawing weapons with the intention of chronically hurting what might be their ransom piece.

He hit the sand and it swayed under him with almost liquid ease. A familiar sensation to the Young lord, and it was this same sand under him that had bursted up as he landed. Now back in the air, Zelrius had about half a second to think to himself What in the hell... Not quite finishing his thoughts, The boy landed on his back, a driving force riding up his bones. Groaning, in pain, curious, annoyed, All these feelings and more Zelrius was experiencing as he got up and dug through the sand to find out exactly "What in the hell". THe boy met his hand with the shape of something he himself had made many times at home, and this revelation brought a devious smile to his face.