--- Roric

A metallic, clanging noise woke Roric up.

Despite being still half asleep, his eyes quickly spotted four guards opening the door of his cell. They couldn't have come there just to free him, though.

After all these days... This might be my chance. Can I do it? I only need one arm, and then...

The boy whisked away that thought. He wasn't a murderer. Plus, it wasn't like those men were the only ones patrolling the dungeon, and there was also the matter of fleeing the city without raising any alarm. He had to wait, and see what they wanted with him.

"Don't move, or you are dead," said one of the guards, pointing a sword to his chest. "Get rid of the chains, guys. And be ready to restrain him."

"What... What's going on?" asked Roric, faintly.

"Keep your mouth shut."

"At least tell me-"

"If it were for me, beast," growled a second soldier, "I'd gut you here and now. But the King wants to hold a trial, for some reason."

"I heard he's close to the Princess. Bet he's had his way with her," another man laughed. "Maybe that spoiled girl got knocked up with his child, or something like that."

The young warrior had to hold back the need of kicking him in the guts. He was aware that the royal family wasn't held in high consideration in Norburg, but to that point? The speech of mere guards wasn't exactly supposed to be poetry, yet the fact that they were mocking Elise drove him mad.

"Have it your way," he simply replied. "I won't resist."

Pulled and dragged by the guards, the boy was slowly carried towards the surface. Before he could see the sun, however, someone put a black cape on his head. A voice he couldn't recognize, probably belonging to the fourth soldier, addressed him arrogantly.

"You've been lucky up to this point, animal. I hope His Majesty will give you what you deserve."

"Well said!"

"Call the hangman!"

Roric gulped, nervously.

Please, no. Not until I've apologized to her.

***

After what seemed an hour or so, finally, the cape obstructing Roric's sight was removed.

He was forced on his knees, with his arms bound and behind his back. The guards had brought him to what looked like a palace of some sort, and were keeping close watch over him. On the wall directly in front of the boy hanged a huge flag of Cassidia. Its blue and white colours, so reassuring just a few days before, now made him feel a bit threatened.

Is this... A trial room? It's just like Rayol, but this time... I'm going to be judged for a real crime. A serious one. And I don't know if anyone is going to protect me.

"His Lordship, Isaac of Norburg!" announced a herald.

Roric quietly observed as the nobleman made his entrance, surrounded by a dozen other soldiers and a few assistants. His expression looked satisfied, at a first glance, still the young warrior could easily spot hints of nervousness in it. Even while having the upper hand, Isaac feared him.

Come to think of it, I've never been devout in my whole life. I wonder if I should start praying for mercy right now. Heh... And who? The Makers? Or the man who wants me dead?

The Lord arrived in front of him and kept a close distance, limiting himself to glaring from where he was. For a moment the boy tried to think about something to say, but then he abandoned the idea. In his position, it was better for him to just be silent.

"So," Isaac began, "We came to the point when... This Elemental has the right to have a fair trial. After the atrocities committed in the past by people like him. I'm ashamed to have offered this monster my hospitality. Under normal circumstances-"

"These aren't normal circumstances, Isaac. Try not to forget it."

King Sebastian came in from the same door his vassal had used. His eyes strictly glanced at Roric, but only for an instant, then he resumed speaking.

"I'm well aware of what Elementals did to the world. But, as I said, this is no ordinary Elemental. He saved my daughter's life, protected her honour and ultimately served me at the best of his abilities. At the feast, last week, he was the only one to stand for our sake against a powerful enemy. We can give at least this to him."

The boy tried to reply. "Thank you, Your Highness. I-"

"Shut your mouth!" roared one of the guards, pointing a spear against his ribs. "One more word and I run you from side to side!"

Ugh. Noted.

Sebastian didn't talk for a moment or two, then he went on. "Isaac, you say you wouldn't have welcomed this young man in your city, but you are also aware that he intervened when our lives were on the line, right?"

"I... I am, my King, but... These things should just be eliminated before they can cause too much trouble."

"Not if they concern me like this. I hope he wasn't tortured, like you were telling me."

"He wasn't!" exclaimed Lord Isaac. "I'm a loyal subject, Your Highness. I would never oppose your direct order. Yet, the fact that you wanted to hold a trial for him... It's unprecedented. In this Kingdom's history, we have always fought so the Elementals could stay like they were. Legends."

"But they aren't," commented the ruler, observing Roric intently. "Tell me, just to be sure. Boy, did someone send you to my court?"

"No, Your Majesty. I simply followed Elise... The Princess," answered the young warrior. "I never meant any harm to you or your people."

"Why, then, did you keep for yourself the fact that a necromancer was roaming free? During the questioning, you mentioned that he had a pretty important role in your story."

"I... I wanted to leave that past behind. It's the truth. After meeting your daughter and leaving the Free Kingdoms, I thought it was possible to forget," explained Roric. "Or at least, that's what I believed. The Order of the Light never went after him, but I didn't expect he would just show up here like he did."

Norburg's Lord grumbled. "Lies. They knew each other and both possess dangerous powers. He can't be trusted, just like those Mages-"

"Cut it out, Isaac," the King bluntly stopped him. "The Circle is a long-time ally of ours, and I have full confidence in their loyalty. Unlike someone else's."

The young warrior caught a glimpse of a twitch on the other man's face. Sebastian was using that trial also to put him in a corner. Maybe it wasn't necessary, nonetheless the vassal took a step back and bowed respectfully.

"Now, Roric..." said the King. "I think there's no need to explain why it's better that you don't step foot in the palace again. I believe you, personally, but I can't risk putting you near my daughter or any other member of the court if I'm not sure."

What the...

The tone of those last words left little to the imagination. Elise's father was subtly giving you a way out of that situation. Sadly, Roric failed to understand the meaning behind the sentence.

"After reflecting on it for a while, I've decided to spare your life and let you go, as a free man. You can wander wherever you choose. Leave Cassidia. I suggest you to get back to the Free Kingdoms."

The boy felt the weight of the world coming down his shoulder.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will."

"Good. I'm giving you one day to depart. Until then, nobody will harm you here."

"Thanks, Your Majesty."

King Sebastian turned the other way, to his vassal who was noticeably fuming with anger, because of his inability to oppose. However, he tried one last time to change his ruler's mind.

"If I can... Are you sure it's a good idea to let him go, My Lord? This... This beast could just turn against us. I'd check the Princess, if they spent months together like you said there's the risk that-"

"I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just thought you were telling me, Isaac. My patience has a limit," the King froze him. "Talk about my daughter or her friends in these terms another time and you will lose your head. Are we clear?"

"Ah... I... Yes, Your Highness. I apologize for my rudeness."

That's what you get, pig. At least be smart enough to avoid insulting him.

Following with his sight Sebastian as he walked away, Roric almost gave in to the temptation of asking if Elise was alright. Her father would have probably answered, but for some reason he didn't feel to deserve an answer. Not when he himself had taken advantage of the girl's trust, hiding very important secrets from her.

When he was about at the door, the man stopped and faced his vassal once again.

"I expect to see you soon in Cassidia, Isaac. There's many things we have to discuss about this new enemy. Have a good day."

And with that he went his way. The city's Lord gave Roric a quick, last glare and then followed the steps of the King.

"Release him," he hissed, addressing the guards.

Well, that went better than expected. But what am I supposed to do now?

***

Once back in possession of his sword and the rest of his belongings, the young warrior didn't lose any time and left the palace as fast as he could, to avoid any risk that some nobleman would go against the will of the King.

He was grateful to that kind man, and felt also a bit guilty. Despite having had very few chances of talking with him, Roric thought he was an admirable person.

I have the feeling that he wouldn't have let me live, had he discovered my powers in a different moment. It was true that he respects bravery and loyalty, after all... But I haven't been that loyal. I should have kept in mind how dangerous Rickhart was, but instead I simply enjoyed staying at the palace like it was nothing. A mistake I don't want to repeat.

If the necromancer had really the guts to attack a powerful Kingdom like Cassidia, it meant he had the means to make it possible. And in the event of an attack, there was really no need to guess who he would have focused first.

Weak, innocent people. I'm confident that Cassidia could beat him on the field, but he'll never go that way. I know him. He'll rather appear from where they least expect, to wreak havoc. Can the Mages track him? Can I do something about him?

Truth be told, at the moment the boy couldn't. He had been formally banished from the country from its ruler in person, and anyone who wasn't completely insane would have fled back to the Free Kingdoms. Roric, however, just couldn't.

Rickhart is also my business. In some way, I'm responsible for him appearing out of the blue. Damn, I should have looked for that paladin, Kandros, who said he was going to investigate. I wonder what became of him. If only-

"Sir Roric! Roric! Wait!"

A male voice was calling for him. It belonged to a young boy who was coming from the direction of the palace, panting and stumbling.

"Yes?"

"Thank... Thank goodness I found you. I bring you a private message. From... From King Sebastian."

The messenger hesitated a bit before handing the envelope to Roric, because he was clearly aware of who he was, but in the end he accomplished his mission and simply ran away.

A... A letter from him? Now that's something I didn't expect.

After some minutes spent searching for a quiet place to read it, the young warrior opted for a shady alley and opened the paper.

Dear Roric,

First and foremost, allow me to say I'm sorry for how things turned out. Having a good boy like you imprisoned like a vulgar criminal wasn't exactly what I had in mind... But we were in Norburg, and I couldn't show any softness in the presence of its nobility.

There are a couple of things I couldn't say to you during the trial, and since summoning you in person would have raised more than one eyebrow, I had to leave this task to someone else. Know this, I expect you to return one day. If you are really an Elemental, I think you could be a nice asset in the battle to come. I can't explain the details in this letter. Since the enemy managed to get that close to me, it means he must have eyes and ears pretty much everywhere. We can't risk it.

Miss Wilmore, one of the Mages who accompanied us, will be waiting for you two days from now, in the village of Bluber, North of here. She kept asking that I gave this order to her and her alone, and seemed so enthusiast that I couldn't say no. That girl trusts you blindly, for what I can tell. Way more than my daughter does now, sadly.

"Mary..." Roric smiled, but he was immediately reminded of Elise and the grudge she was surely holding against him.

I'll try to convince Elise that you aren't a threat... Even if I'm not completely sure myself. Don't misunderstand me, Roric. It's well known that I respect brave warriors, especially if they are as loyal as you, but this relationship must be built on trust.

I hope you'll take the offer I left your friend in charge with.

Sincerely, King Sebastian Lynn Antoni of Cassidia

The boy put the message away. Before reading it, he still couldn't figure out what to do, but now his doubts had faded. Even if he didn't know what the King wanted from him, he knew it was his duty to follow his decision. Not only as a royal guard, or a subject, but as a friend and a friend of his daughter. And if it would have brought even a slim chance of earning back some trust from Elise, Roric was ready to go anywhere.

I have two days. I'd better move.