Chapter 13: Voices of Glory (Part 1)

"Come weary people of the world. Travellers and adventurers abound...

Gather around me and I shall sing to you the voices of glory.

Spare me but a moment of your time,

Listen to my tales of old and yore and praises of the deeds done before us...

Come to me and hear the voices of glory; sing their names, cheers for their deeds and lest us be ever grateful, say our thanks to these heroes, nameless or not."

- Elwynn Sylmarin, the Travelling Minstrel

The morning of the eve of the Parade of Champions. The date was 4009AD the 25th Day of the Month of May.

I’d found myself inside a small hall surrounded by another 100 or so people, males and females of various races. I have no prior knowledge of the purpose of this morning assembly though I receive a letter, yet again, from Captain Rizzou which was handed to me by Leah, the maid who was responsible for my welfare during my stay here at the Elemental Circle Headquarter. The letter instructed me to attend a meeting in an assembly hall wearing my full Brotherhood tunic.

I wondered what was that for, but I decided to go along, perhaps thinking that this event might be an important one. Perhaps Sierra might come.

I smiled at the thought of presenting my best in front of her.

However, this time I was a little late arriving at the assembly hall as I was having a long conversation with Leah. Since it was the last day I’m going to spend my time here as a guest, I was thinking of thanking her personally for her effort in bringing me food without fail and helping me with my laundry.

Although I did not bring many clothes, every day without fail, I would have a new set of neatly pressed clothing in front of my room. Though she was not told by anyone to help with my laundry, she found out that I did not bring any other clothes other than my Brotherhood of the Sun Journeyman’s tunic. That tunic too was cleaned and neatly iron by Leah.

And that tunic was what I wore today proudly, for I am representing the Brotherhood’s name. Besides, I couldn’t let Leah’s goodwill gone unnoticed, right?

I barely made my way into the entrance of the assembly hall before I heard a not so loud voice coming from the front of the hall.

“Can I have your attention please?!”

This was a medium-sized hall, capable of holding about 200 people comfortably. However, the hall looked very formal and there were many decorations inside of it. Flags and banners with various crests, some of which I have seen before were adorned along the wall inside the assembly hall. In fact, from the hallway of my room towards here, all the walls have been decorated with various kinds of decorations. Most were the crest of the Elite Knights and also the official crest of the Kingdom of Elsigardia.

I wondered who put the decorations up on the wall as I remembered there was none, even last night. The people here sure work around the clock for the upcoming Parade of Champions it seems.

“I said, can I have your attention please!”

The same voice could be heard yet again from the front of the hall. The first time the voice instructed for our attention, many who were inside the hall paid no heed. In fact, nearly no one paid any heed other than idle conversations among themselves. Even I did not pay any attention as I was looking at the hall’s impressive decorations and scouting the people who assembled here.

As I peered from the back of the room, I could see a small silhouette on the stage in front of the assembly hall. A small girl figure was standing in the middle of the stage. I guess it was her that was trying to get attention. Failing twice to get our attention, she began to fluster.

“SHUT THE HELL UP THE FUCKING LOT OF YOU!!!”

Suddenly, a vicious and powerful voice vibrated throughout the whole room.

A large figure walked into the middle stage, looking menacingly to all of us. His eyes scanned the whole room and as he met everyone gazes, his eyes struck fear into every one of us, myself included. All of us stood in attention, like a bunch of small kids in the presence of a principal.

The large figure was a really imposing man indeed. Tall, about 2 meters, with dark skin and red crimson hair, wearing the uniform of a Royal Elite Knight. What made him more imposing was a scar that cut deep across his face. He looked very mean indeed.

“Where do you think all of you are, you effin cretin of the lowest lifeform? The is the esteemed Elemental Circle, not some circus or some market or even your bloody house.”

His eyes were fierce as he talked down to each and every one of us.

“I don’t care where you lot come from, or who recommended you, but I don’t give a damn. Even if you are the King himself, in here, today, I AM THE KING!!!”

He continued.

“So, all of you worthless piece of shit better pay attention, or else I’m gonna make your life a miserable existence in itself.”

All of us gulped hard. From the way he walked in and talked to us, I have no doubt that he would also walk his talk. Better not go into this guy’s bad book. He then looked towards the small girl figure. He cracked a smile if one could call it a smile, at her.

“Lieutenant Christy, they are all yours now. I think they would be well behaved for the whole day.”

“Y-Y-Yes First Captain Malek.”

Even the small girl figure stammered when talking to him.

“I-I will begin now.”

The girl straightened herself as she began the assembly.

“Good morning everyone. My name is Christalene and my ranking is Lieutenant of the Elite Knight, Administrative Bureau of the Circle of the Element. Beside me is the very esteemed First Captain of the Elite Knight, Ser Malek Hadlamark, the leader of the 3rd Gaia Unit Battalion.”

Lieutenant Christy started with the introduction of themselves.

When she mentioned the First Captain name, Ser Malek, I could hear astonished gasps among all of us who assembled in the hall.

“That is Ser Malek? He is as imposing as the story says” came one voice.

“Wow, I never thought I’d met him today” then came another.

“Gaia unit. I wish I can join and be under his tutelage” came the third one amidst a few more murmur which I couldn’t make out.

“HMMMM...”

Ser Malek voiced suddenly penetrate the whole room, yet again. His fierce eyes looked at all of us and immediately we understood its meaning. We kept quiet straight away.

“Ehemm… thank you. But, it’s not just us who are here today. But I’ll save the introduction later since it will cause more commotion and we will run off our schedule. Thus, I’ll go directly into the purpose of our assembly today.”

Lieutenant Christy continued as she walks down a podium at the centre of the stage. Ser Malek just stood still at his location earlier as his eyes were fixated on all of us. I hope this assembly would be more comfortable than having to hear talks or lectures while a more powerful presence was looking at us like a hungry lion from somewhere else. I had these sorts of instances too many times back in the Brotherhood as the old geezer would often drop by into our class unannounced and look at each of us fiercely while the class was going on.

“I have three reasons why I called all of you today. The first is the introduction of the all the nobles houses and royalty in Elsigardia whom most of us will be serving. Second, details of the Royal Elite Knights and its unit and the squadrons and last but not least, the third reason, determining which unit and squadron all of you will be joining via a test.”

Suddenly, a loud excited commotion could be heard. Everyone seemed to be excited when Lieutenant Christy mentioned the third reason why we were called here. I could hear a conversation beside me from a guy who looks like a seasoned warrior.

“At last. This is what I have been expecting all these while. I can’t wait to know which unit I would join. Hopefully, a unit that let me unleash a hell of fury to the enemies. Muahahahaha!”

His laugh gave me the shudders.

What sort of evil laugh was that? I thought knights were supposed to be, well, a little more reserved in their laughs, especially as one of the Royal Elite Knights. Perhaps there were many more people who were like him assembled here.

I looked around and saw many others who were excited with that were happening. For myself, I had actually no idea what happened as I stayed in the room the whole time in my trance state and practising my sword skills. Other than the excursion with Captain Rizzou, I did not venture anywhere else nor meet anyone.

I was looking quietly at everyone around me, instead of striking up conversations here and there needlessly. Not that I’m unsociable, but I’m far back at the hall and the commotion was more apparent in the middle and the front of the hall. In fact, I was nearer to the door where I walked in. I just stood at the side of the door, near a corner without making much sound.

However, this time the commotion was a little longer than the first one. Ser Malek was looking at us, but surprisingly this time, he did not stop us from making some noise. Perhaps he understood we were excited about the prospect of what was going to happen next, that he let us have our excitement a little longer.

After a while, the commotion died down by itself as the people in here could not wait to get on with the activities. Thus, the more and longer they make noise, the further the schedule will be delayed. This they understand.

“Good. However, I won’t be explaining the details to you. I’ll leave the explaining to Captain Rizzou of the Administrative Bureau to explain all the details to you. I’m sure all of you have met him prior coming here, so I won’t waste time introducing him again. Please, Captain Rizzou, make your way to the stage.”

As soon as Lieutenant Christy moved from the podium, Ser Malek accompanied her out. As soon as they exited the stage, the familiar looking Captain Rizzou walked to the podium. He looked like his usual self, calm and confident.

“Hello everyone. Good morning. I trust all of you would be all well and ready to be an Elite. Am I right?”

“YEAH!!”

Loud voices could be heard throughout the whole hall.

“That’s the spirit. All of you will have a long day today, so keep that energy up. And you will need that energy and more because your life, each and every one of you here, is going to change. For better or for worse, starting from now. And the glory does not wait one who hesitates. Am I right?”

“Yeah!!”

Another echo of loud voices could be heard across the hall.

“Although all of you will officially an Elite tomorrow, at the Parade of the Champions, as far as I am concerned, all of you, once your application has been passed to the Council when you first registered through me, are already an Elite. All your conducts are now of the Elites. Keep that in mind.”

“As I told all of you the first time when you are here; that we serve the royalties and the nobilities of the Kingdom of Elsigardia first and foremost. And then the rest of who’s who in the Kingdom. I had told you why, but I’ll reiterate again.”

“Elites existed as a special branch of the knights that were created to serve and protect the royalty and the nobilities. For the rest of the population, we have our normal knights and the army to serve them. In term of numbers, we are less than 1 in ten thousands of numbers of the army. Our numbers are insignificant, but our contributions are not. In fact, our roles are extremely vital to our Kingdom of Elsigardia that we only chose the best and the most worthy among those who were already the best and the most worthy. Am I right?!!

“YEAHH!!!”

An even louder noise, more than what I have heard throughout the whole time could be heard.

Captain Rizzou sure knew how to motivate people. And he did it without much effort. He could be a preacher and start a new religion if he kept this up. I smiled at the thought of him giving a religious sermon. He wouldn’t look out of place at all.

“Good. All of you came recommended by the nobles and the royalties. Though who recommended you might be different, but all of you must know one thing; we serve regardless who recommended us which means the whole noble houses of the Kingdom. Thus, it is imperative that you know whom we served.”

“You might receive missions, quests, instructions or any job related to the Elites either from the noble houses themselves or through the Administrative office. A solo mission might come to you directly. But one that involves a larger number of Elites will only come through the Administrative Bureau. Bear in mind that even though you might receive a job directly from any noble houses, your job and your report will be recorded within the Bureau. You still have to report to us one way or another. A mission of extreme secrecy, however, will be exempted. Only the Council of Knights will approve such a mission, however. Am I clear?”

All of us nodded.

In summary, no matter which nobles or royalty recommended us, we serve each and every one of them. Not that I’m bothered, but honestly, I prefer to serve Sierra alone. Other nobles and royalties might be bothersome, to say the very least. At least, with Sierra, I could be myself.

“And one more thing. Depending on your fame and status or perhaps destines and fate, some of you will be sponsored by one the noble houses.”

With this sudden words, the hall suddenly became lively yet again.

“Do you want to talk, or do you want me to continue?”

Captain Rizzou teased us. He knew he did not have the booming voice of Ser Malek, but his persuasive skills managed to get us quiet nonetheless.

“Good. You people are very well behave. This year’s Elites have some potential after all. In fact, some of you here astound even us from the Bureau. Even myself. The limitless potentials some of you had shown to us, either through your valour, your recommendation or your deeds speak highly of this year’s batch, and to each and every one of you.”

Was he talking about me? I could feel that I’m one of those who astounded him. In fact, I hope I did astound him or anyone else for that matter. The first impression counts, so I hope I did well. Even if anyone said otherwise, I would still believe that I have done well. Until otherwise stated of which Captain Rizzou never mentioned any names, I would like to think that I’m one of them.

“Thus, I won’t be surprised that some of you will be sponsored by one of the eight noble houses. Being sponsored means you are heavily favoured by your sponsor, a noble house. What it means is that, not only you will receive more exclusive jobs from them, but you will be receiving some perks and benefits that some of the noble houses enjoy.”

“For example, title and lands. Your own manor. And even marriage into the noble houses. I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but this is what being sponsored means. So, prove your worth through your actions, your valours and deeds and the rest will speak for itself!”

The whole room was excited. Most of them never knew that any one of them could be sponsored, so the news gave them a pleasant surprise.

I could see some of the guys in the room were beginning to fantasize and their mind began to wander off. And I happened to know where it would eventually land; the fantasy land where they would marry a princess. A marriage to a noble princess seems to be a fairy tale comes true to all of the guys in here, myself included. I could even see some of the girls were also fantasizing. I don’t know much about marrying into noble houses for these girls, but I’m sure the benefits and perks would turn them on.

Captain Rizzou continued to explain to us all the Main Noble houses in the Kingdom of Elsigardia of which I could summarized and memorized as follows:

Currently, there were eight Main Noble houses in the Kingdom of Elsigardia, which we Elites called the Main Nobles. The Main Nobles were then divided further into two categories, namely the Pure Nobles and Ascended Nobles. There were three Main Nobles which were considered to be the Pure Nobles, which were the Elmsdor of Elsigardia, Godfrey and Brynhildr.

There were a few main distinctions between the Pure Nobles and the Ascended Nobles. Other than more special privileges afforded to them, the Main Nobles were in the direct line to the throne of the Kingdom of Elsigardia. These three Pure Nobles were the oldest Main Noble houses which existed during the founding of Elsigardia. Because of their role in the current history and founding of the Kingdom, these three noble houses were considered to be the most powerful and significant noble house throughout Elsigardia. And thus, the main members of these Pure Nobles had the highest rankings of royalty in kingdom.

The rest, in accordance with the significance and power they wield, were Eskanien, Hagenstein, Zah’ringen, von Kissarath and von Draksen. These five Main Noble houses were called as Ascended Nobles because their titles of nobility were conferred by the Kings of Elsigardia throughout its history. They became significant after a period of time and thus their statuses were elevated accordingly. However, due to some incident, the von Kissarath Main Noble house had lost considerable power and status, thus their ranking was the lowest currently of all the Main Noble houses.

Other than the Main Noble houses, there were also a few more, numbering in dozens of minor noble houses and normal noble houses. However, we were not explained further regarding these noble houses as to do so, would derail our schedule far off. We were told that in due time we would meet and get to know them, so no point of knowing who’s who for now other than the Main Nobles.

We were then told about each of the Main Noble house rulers. I paid not much attention to it because I don’t feel I will meet them at my current status. However, two house rulers did strike my interest.

First was the noble house of Elmsdor of Elsigardia of which the Crown Princess Sierra Elmsdor was the current ruler. Since her father, the King has ascended to the throne, the leadership of the noble house, or in other words, the clan, now belonged to Sierra. The second was Ser Siegmund Godfrey, the old man whom I met a few days ago in the Strategic Headquarters. He was the current house ruler of the Godfrey. And he also happened to be our Lord General, the leader of the whole Royal Elite Knights and also the Lord General for the Kingdom’s whole army.

Sierra and Ser Siegmund. These were the two names I have etched in my mind. I have met them before and I have no doubt our path will cross again, sooner than later.