King Touk Merys
An arrow swiped through the air, cutting through the air like an eagle. A bright green wisp followed it, stopping at it's target: a light brown pheasant. Dinner with friends.
"Wonderful sir, splendid! Simply incredible! You've still got it, Your Highness!" I hope that I can be just as spry..."
Merys tried to drown out his servant's compliments. In old age, it was as if simply rising from the bed each morning was a miracle, and the neverending commendations and endorsements only grew larger and more lengthy from anyone that wasn't close to him. Except for Jopilia, his personal butler/maid/guard. Although they had known each other for decades, Jopilia seemed to think that Merys' very existence was a marvel.
Standing at just over five feet tall, Merys was just a tad shorter than the rest of his people. He was agile, sharp, and limber for being somewhat elderly, just over 50 years old. One might have even mistaken him for lanky, but they would have been quickly proved wrong by his haste. He wore simple hunting clothes, with a crown atop his head made from woven twigs and brush. He dressed practically and comfortably, as anyone should.
The green wisp examined the corpse. An arrow straight to the chest. Dead on impact. Is was quite a good shot, in fact, and the wisp flew around the body in excitement as Merys and Jopilia climbed down, examining the catch. As they approached, the wisp retreated, and flew inside of Merys through his torso.
"Not too bad." spoke Merys. "This should be enough. Let's head back."
Merys retrieved his arrow and cleaned the outside a bit before tossing it into his knapsack. Inside lay two other pheasants and some gonkri fruit, which were the soft, orange, and somewhat large spawn of the Gonkri tree itself. The nutritional value of the Gonkri fruit itself would be enough for a meal, but the pheasant would be a nice addition to a fine meal. Then the two began their journey back.
This was a dense part of the forest, just between Acrofti, a small military encampment, and Yelipi, the capital of Kuliria, and where Merys lived. The two older Lleylian men swung from tree to tree, dodging branches, thick brush, and even other animals. Their movement was almost melodic. It was as if they knew exactly where to grab the branches before even arriving. A bright green light glowed from within Merys as he made his trek alongside Jopilia. Dark greens and browns blurred in the wind past Merys' vision, ostensibly blowing back the graying fur on his body. They had arrived before ten minutes had passed, barely breaking a sweat.
Yelipi laid before them in a very dense part of the forest, with more trees and assembled wooden bridges making up the "wall" surrounding the city. The entire place was packed together, covering only roughly four square miles of territory. Most of the constructions were built upon the treetops, just below and inside of the canopies. Several buildings lay upon the forest floor, connecting to the treetops by crank elevators and climbing nets. Members of the royal guard recognized Merys immediately, letting him and his manservant through. They stopped in a poorer district of the marketplace, and Merys turned to Jopilia.
"Leave me for now." demanded Merys. "I have personal matters to attend to. Thank you for-"
Of course, Jopilia interrupted.
"No, sir, are you sure? You still have several meetings to attend to this evening! I know how you are, and you'll forget, and before... Sir?"
Before the servant had time to finish, Merys quickly departed from Jopilia, understanding that he would get nowhere with that conversation. At least the thanks had been given, as well as counsel received. Jopilia returned to the wooden castle, chores ever on his mind.
Merys made his way through the weaving bridges and stalls of the marketplace, an exceedingly unorganized mess where vendors could attempt to sell anything they could get their hands on, so long as it was within the bounds of law. It was also a very filthy place, where vagrants and the ill took residence. It was a place that Merys visited often.
He spotted a Swantiri family of three huddled together by a fire for warmth. It wasn't much; just a few limbs and sprigs circled in a pile. Merys approached them in humility, bowing and introducing himself. He asked to sit and eat with them.
That night, Merys dined on a hearty meal with an unfortunate family.
These are the people that Merys fought for.