Chapter 10: The Royal Elite Knights (Part 3)

I proceeded to the main gate. The main gate was about 30 feet in height, the type you would see in noble houses, made from metal bars. In front of it was yet another crest of a shield and two swords forming a cross in front of the shield. The people of Elsigardia must surely love crest. Everywhere I went, there are so many crests around.

Before I could take another step, one of the guards stopped me.

“Halt!”

I stopped and looked at the guard who just stopped me. He wore a greenish silver knight’s armour, with some sort of a tree crest on his breastplate. In front of him, was a two-handed sword, adorned with beautiful engravings on the hilt. The tip of the blade stuck on the ground and the hilt was held with two hands. Behind him was a tower shield. And the guard was huge. He was like a mountain of a man, more than 2 metres in height and at least 3 times wider than me. If he did not talk to me earlier, I might mistake him for a statue.

“State your business, stranger!”

In awe of the size of the guard and the equipment he was carrying, I lose a little of my composure.

“I… uhh… I…”

“If you have no reason here, begone! Else, you would feel the wrath of my sword!”

He looked at me straight into the eyes. The type of stare that any grown man would even fear. However, I got reasons to be here and so, I don’t have to be afraid of him or anyone else here for that matter.

“I need to see Captain Forgante. “

I composed myself and explained my reason for being here.

“For what business do you seek the Captain?!” He continued.

Was he interrogating me in public? Well, I have no specific business to meet Captain Forgante. It was only because I was told by Chief Bannen that he could help me in my journey that I needed to meet him at all.

“I was told that he was the person I need to meet first before I could proceed towards my business of being here.”

“The state your business or else begone!”

Man, this obnoxious guard was really getting on my nerve. Didn’t he know what secrecy and confidential means? I took my stand and stared him directly into his eyes.

"And what if I don’t? What are you going to do? Slice me with that huge sword of yours or bash my head with that tower shield behind you?"

I challenged him.

“Why you little…”

I could hear the other three guards chuckling.

“I don’t plan to move away from here. And this is a public area. Either you let me in nicely, or I’m going to stand here and keep bugging you for the rest of the day until you let me enter.”

One of the guards, who could not control his chuckle, finally spoke.

“Hey, Bruno. Let him in already. Stop with your bullying. Knights District ain’t a restricted area you know. People come and go.”

“Shut up, Largo! I’m just having fun pissing off punks like him!”

“Oh really? Having fun, do you? And I thought you were the one that was pissed off. The bully, Bruno has been stared down by a punk. Hahaha. This will make a good joke later.”

“Yeah Bruno. Let him in already. Or else he would continue to stare you down the whole day.” The rest of the guards were laughing and urging at Bruno to let me enter.

Bruno snorted at me. He moved his head as to if say that I can now enter.

“There you go, kid. You can enter now. Captain Forgante is in the small building with the blue roof on your left not far from here. You can’t miss it from here.”

“Ahh, alright. Thanks.”

I thanked the guard that was called Largo that told me where to look for Captain Forgante. He was wearing the same armour as Bruno but half his size. He looked normal alright. But nonetheless, his two-handed sword and tower shield was just as big.

Without further delay, a small by-door beside the massive main gate was opened. I proceed through the small door towards the Knights District. From the little I have heard during my conversation with Jann the other day, the Knights District was where the Royal Elite Knights were based at. And I was too told by Bannen, the Chief of Quicksilver Clan to meet up with Captain Forgante, who from his letter would be able to guide me from here onwards. I’m now looking forward to meet Captain Forgante.

I was surprised when I first entered the Knights District. I thought it would be more bustling and hustling, like any other districts in Elsivier, full of all kind of people. Perhaps I could see some knights or knights-in-training or perhaps squires in training or undergoing special routines.

But the Knights District was devoid of any activities at all. It’s both peaceful and calm. No people, no horses, no drill instructors or senior knights shouting commands at poor initiates or squires. Perhaps I’m used to the Brotherhood of the Sun’s training yard, where our trainers and masters would shout into our ears during our training here. I thought Elsivier and the Knights District, in particular, would be something similar.

Well, the surprise was pleasant though. The only thing that worth my interest was the building with the blue roof where Captain Forgante was supposed to be in as I was told by the guards at the main gate earlier.

And, the blue roof building was easy to spot just like the guards said. It’s the only building down the road I’m walking, about 100 yards away from the main gate. I proceed further and I noticed that to the side of the building, there was a small courtyard with training dummies and stables for horses.

Before long, I found myself standing in front of the main door of the building. On the door, there were two signs.

The top sign says:

“Commander Post, Southern Gate.”

Directly below that sign was the second sign, a little smaller than the first sign on the door. It says:

“Post Commander and Captain on duty, Captain Forgante Romeu.”

So, this must Captain Forgante’s office or some sort.

Taking a deep breath before anything else, I knocked on the door. However, there was no response. Perhaps he did not hear the knock. I gave another knock on the door, but this time a little louder than the first.

“Come in. The doors open!”

A voice from inside the building beckoned me to enter and I duly followed.

Inside the building was a desk with loads of paper on top of it, a map of Elsivier stuck to the wall behind the desk. A duty roster was pinned to the left wall, just after the door that I entered. Opposite of the roster wall was another door not too far from where I stood, leading to another room. A meeting room maybe. And inside that room, came out an imposing figure. He was tall, tanned and handsome (not really) with a well trim moustache wearing a well-pressed uniform. He looked straight at me as he came out from the room while I stood in the doorway.

“What are you doing standing in the doorway, blocking the path?! I said come in!”

Is this Captain Forgante? I thought to myself.

“Or are your ears full of wax that I have to repeat my orders?!”

Man, this guy was strict. I’m not even here for 10 seconds and he was already being over the top with me.

I entered the building and stood in front of his desk while waiting for him to come around. It was an uncomfortable moment as he scrutinized me from behind and as he walked slowly to his desk, I could feel his eyes were peering through me. I broke in a cold sweat.

“So, what brings a miserable git like you here?! If you are looking to join the army, we are not open at the moment. And you don’t look like one who can pass the entrance test anyway!”

Was he just trying to piss me off or what? But I know better to hold my tongue than blurting out retaliation. Perhaps he was just testing my resolve.

“I’m here to report myself, sir!”

I tried to be as courteous as possible.

“Report yourself for what?! I didn’t receive anything about anybody reporting themselves to me. Certainly not one as short as you.”

The Captain was really getting on my nerve now. Was it because I’m shorter than average guy my age that he treated me like this? Or was he an ass and treated everyone the same?

Holding my feelings in, I answered,

“Mr Bannen told me in his letter that you are the person who I’m supposed to meet. You are Captain Forgante, right sir?”

“Bannen?”

Captain Forgante stroke his chin, thinking about what I had just said to him.

“Ohhh… Bannen. Yes, Alright. Bannen did tell me that someone special might be visiting me today.”

He continued to scrutinize me up and down a few times more. I got very uncomfortable as I fidgeted around. What’s with all the stare anyway. Did I suddenly grow horns or what? I hate being the object of attention, especially intense attention. I would feel that everything would go wrong if someone were to do that to me.

“But you…? Honestly, I was expecting something more… spectacular perhaps, for someone who saved our Crown Princess.”

Captain Forgante asked for my proof of identification. First, I showed him my Journeyman’s signet ring and then the letter which Princess Sierra personally wrote to me. However, he did not read the letter as the seal on the letter was enough to convince him of the authenticity of the letter itself.

“Hmmm… one can’t judge a book by its cover alright. Looks like I was mistaken. Apologies from my side, young man.”

Captain Forgante then beckoned me to follow him to the next room.

“Have a seat first and make yourself at home, though there’s not much around here anyway. I need to set the roster for today before I could handle your request.”

“Ohh… alright. Take your time sir!”

I was brought to the meeting room. It has only a large table, with a large map, probably Elsivier’s map and the area surrounding the city and some pointers and tacks placed all over the maps. Perhaps this was what they called a strategic map, where plans and strategies about deployment were discussed and placed accordingly on the map. As I took a look at it, I heard Captain Forgante from behind.

“That’s the patrol squad deployment map. We had lots of cases that require our attention that is happening in and out the city recently and our manpower currently is not enough.“

“But you said earlier that you are not enrolling any more people.”

Captain Forgante looked at me and laughed.

“Hahaha. Do you think I would welcome any miserable piece of crap walking through this door every time they said they want to join the army? Now, you listen here kid. Every time someone walks through that door, they always have a big dream of making it big in the army. But you know what happened to them after that?”

I shook my head.

“They effin’ bailed out after the sign of first trouble or hardship. Can’t take the training, ill-disciplined, misused of power and worse of all, lack of teamwork and self-beliefs that put the mission and their teammates in danger!”

He stroked his moustache as he continued speaking.

“Here, we believe in two rules. The first rules, mission always come first. The second rule, refer to the first rule. You better burn that down inside that brain of yours. If you think I’m strict with you, you haven’t got a clue what coming to you just yet, boy. The Royal Elite Knights are not some child’s play.”

Captain Forgante looked at me straight into the eyes.

“Do you have the ball to play the game, boy?!”

I gulped at his words. However, since I’m already here, I can’t just go back empty-handed or else I’ll be the biggest loser in the Brotherhood. All that heroic talk and I bailed out at the first sign of hardship. That wouldn’t do any justice to anyone and I’ll fail myself and everyone who had their hopes on me; Blizzard Hawk, old geezer, Sehanie, Jann, Mili, Nelia, Bannen, Princess and anyone else for that matter. Wow, that was a long list of people I would disappoint if I failed. Failure was then not an option anymore. I needed to make my resolve there and then.

I nodded.

“I can’t hear you, boy!!”

“I’ll do whatever it takes!”

“You better be, boy. Now, follow me. I’ll bring you to the place where you are supposed to be!”

“Huh? You mean, I’m not supposed to be here?”

“No and yes. No, because you are a bloody nobody and this place is for the soldiers of the army. And yes, because somewhere in this Knights District, is where your place is. Now, have you done asking or you would prefer to come with me and get to know what I’m talking about?”

Captain Forgante did not even wait to finish his words.

He went out through the door which I entered the building earlier. I hurriedly followed him from behind. He turned his head and looked at me following from behind while keeping his feet forward.

“Don’t fall behind, boy. I have no time to waste on finding you if you are lost.”

I nodded.

We did not talk at all during our journey. Captain Forgante’s stride was big but pacy. His one step was bigger than three steps of mine and his walking pace was like my jogging speed. If Captain Forgante really stepped up his speed or perhaps even run, he could catch Ilvean many times over. Even if Ilvean had the headstart.

We passed through many other buildings that come in many shapes and sizes. I had not the time to look properly or memorize any landmarks as I was kept busy following Captain Forgante’s lead. However, because of the speed we were walking (or in my case, I was running), we have arrived at a luxurious looking building. Well, at first I thought it was some rich folks or even a noble’s house, but I thought wrong. Captain Forgante was the one who pointed out my mistake.

“We have arrived.”

He stopped in front of the building.

“This is the Elemental Circle, home of the Royal Elite Knights. Or you can say the base headquarter of Royal Elite Knights. The building though looks pompous and unbefitting of one who pledged their swords and their life to the Kingdom, but nonetheless, this is the very building that housed and enlisted the most remarkable knights in the kingdom.”

Captain Forgante then looked at me.

“And this is where you belong, boy. Come, let’s not waste our time admiring the nonsensical beauty of this building.”

Surprisingly, there were no gates and wall of fences surrounding the luxurious building which Captain Forgante called the Elemental Circle. It’s just one block of building, albeit a massive one, surrounded by trees and flower gardens. In fact, it looks more like a noble’s castle rather than a knight’s building. House was too small of adjective to describe this building. Castle would fit it better. Well, not that I have any complaints anyway. If this was where I supposed to be and belong in, a castle would do me a world of good.

“Captain Forgante!”

Suddenly a voice can be heard coming from our side.