21 years ago

"So this is it, eh?" spoke Maurice, godslayer of death. It was a sight, seeing all of the godslayers in one place. More often than not, these seven would be split into different areas of the world, dampening the efforts of the dastardly and mischievous motives of Umerius and his legion of dark warriors. And with the recent civil war. But for now, at least, they were united under the full moons for yet another meeting. But this time, it was not for some grand quest they must embark on. No, that was made clear from the expressions on Wilbur and James' faces. They had been deliberating for the past few days within this chamber, as Celia recalls. And she was just as interested as the other godslayers to knowing what these two were planning. They all sat around the table, waiting for the proclamation. They did not, however, expect what was happening.

"Indeed," James's said. "We must return to Mount Taliburn to see our master, and complete our training. Wilbur thought it best."

"Your master?" Lizbeth asked them. "Why in the hell would you need to go back. We need to unlock more on these pendants already and take the fight to Umerius while he is on the back foot."

"That is exactly what we are proposing, Lizbeth," Wilbur told her. "By allowing the time afforded to us, we will learn all we can about this pendant. We need to train, otherwise, we will be too unequipped and be overtaken by these Makhai and Plithos."

"So we're going to be splitting up?" Celia asked. "Make ourselves's easier targets?"

"I did not say that, Celia," Wilbur said. "I and James agreed that if we can finish our training, we will become greater assets. You all must make the same choices."

"While this is all very sudden," Remmus said. He was the quietest during this entire meeting up until now. He was absorbed in his spellbook, making notes after notes amongst spells and such with his quill and ink. But he did raise his head to meet them all. "I have learned a lot, simply by being within proximity of the pendant. This goddess named Hecate, her knowledge flows through me. Not only of my own abilities with the pendant, but yours as well. I have theorized that she may have had something to do with their creation."

"So what does that mean exactly?" asked Ivana. She stood near the head of the table, shrouded in a nice grey dress. She too has been rather quiet, but more of a choice to stay out of the discussion. She never liked to speak up, rarely to voice her opinion on anything, so this was more certainly a surprise. She seemed to recoil a bit once everyone's attention was drawn to her, but she seemed to compose herself and move on. "I think it's fair to say . . . that out of all of us, I have had the most shortcomings with my own pendant. I think we are correct to take a step back, and further, understand the power given to us."

Lizbeth scoffed. "This wouldn't be an issue if we still had that book."

"We don't, however, and we must act accordingly," James' said. "Things will not fall into our laps, we have to seize them wherever they may be. Trust me that I want nothing more than to drive my blade into Umerius's heart now, but that time must wait. For now, it is the further development of the godslayers, Theurgy, we must focus on."

"I hope that does not mean I have to be this man's testing cattle," Lizbeth sighed, referring to Remmus. He suddenly lifted himself up from the table, and walked towards one of the many walls of books and scrolls, pulling forth the sources.

"Only if you want to," he said. "But these tomes, ancient documents, and even some powerful weapons. We have so much at our fingertips, so I suggest we start learning."

Maurice sighed and rubbed his temple. "I left the Assembly to get away from stuff like this."

"Well then, Sentinel, I suggest you developed those habits they taught you," Remmus said to him, dropping a full armful of large tomes before him. "these are journals from previous godslayers of death. They should be somewhat helpful to you."

"Gee thanks." Maurice passively dusted one of the covers off. the books were in remarkable condition despite their apparent ages. "So I guess this is goodbye for you two idiots?"

"Yes," James' said. "We depart this very morning."

"Won't your father notice you gone?" Celia asked James' what if he forces you to stay for protection?"

"I won't give him the opportunity," James said with a bite. "This is above him, and our throne. The fate of this empire rest upon my ability . . . our ability to protect. We must all do what we must."

"I am sorry my love," Wilbur took his wife's hands in his own. both rough and worn from vigorous use, yet with tender care to each. "I know you are with child. And I am not sure if I am able to return to see your child be birthed. But I made a promise that we will find peace in our lifetime, and I plan to keep it. I beg of you to put your trust in me, as we have done so countless times before."

"You must not beg so, my dear," she kissed him on the cheek once. "We both know the path of knighthood is one held by bonds. You will return to me, my love. And if Fate is kind, it shall be when our child will be brought into this world."

"Oh yes, you still have not settled on names have you?' James said, a little happy to lighten the mood a bit. They all found Wilbur and Celia's obvious affection a little souring. But as more time goes on, it merely became endearing. Out of all of them, they thought the two of them deserved a peaceful life together.

"We have been taking suggestions," Wilbur said. "Some in more consideration than others."

"If it is a boy, well, we asked Lizbeth and . . ."

"Lyse is a fine name," Lizbeth argued. "It's nice and noble, isn't it?"

"Sounds very Outlandish for my taste, must admit," Remmus said.

"And if it is a girl, we wish to name it after our mother, Massua," Celia said, affectionately rubbing her belly, which was beginning to show her progress."

"Damn, if your kids inherit your hair as well, they might be taken for foreigners," Maurice smirked

"Well, we will see won't we," Wilbur said. Once more, he hugged Celia, and then looked to the others. "We shall see you, soon I hope."

"When we return," James said. "We will be ten times as we are now. We promise that."

"We'll promise the same then," Celia rose. "Come back alive, you two. I'd hate to have my sister despair over your pitiful lives."

"Yes, please return," Ivana said, a sentiment echoed in the rest as well. They left the chamber, the chamber of their own oaths, a home promised to return.

(X)

Elena felt oddly refreshed when she woke up. Her awakening was sudden, but she did not throw the sheets off and climb out of bed, squat into a stance, as her instincts had determined best for her. Instead, that potential energy was used to contain such an outburst, as she observed her surroundings. She was in a rather large room, it appeared, with rows and rows of neatly crafted and comfortable-looking beds laid unoccupied. The sterile scent of cleaners mixed in with the herbal ingredients from the counter not too far from her told her all she needed to know. She sat up in bed, no doctor in sight it seemed. He didn't look busy anyway, the room was completely empty besides her.

She quickly examined herself at that moment. No cramps or aches, a slight phantom pain from her shoulder, but it might as well be brand new how well it moved about. She never felt better actually. The stress and anxiety of the road were all gone, replaced with tranquility. Her aura was as calm as a spring pond. She finally stood up. Her legs felt a little dazed not being used for however long, but she immediately fell into her stretches and stances, gauging her body even further. Still nothing. Her aura felt replenished, and she had fully recovered from the dreadful event that had occurred that night. That night . . . Where are Celia, and Massua? Gray? She had thought the worst for a moment. Her memory was a little hazy around the tail end of that night. She had been worked to exhaustion. She could have dropped Celia and Massua with Gray, and rode into the town a beaten mess. She looked around, finding her gear in a pile and the exit on the opposite side of the room. She rushed towards it, hoping to find guards or knights who may tell her what had occurred. But before she could touch the bronze nob, the door swiftly opened and slammed her in the face.

She fell in a bit of a daze on the floor. The unexpected blow left a small scratch on her forehead that was already mending itself, but still stung like a bee. In came Gray, in an apparent hurry as he was tugging on his glove with his mouth.

"That woman and her insistence-" he paused, looking down at Elena rubbing her head. "Elena . . ."

"Gray?" she looked up to see his face, full of a relief born from stress. He was also fully armored, in the standard plate armor of the local knights and his saber at his side. "What happened-"

"Bless it that you're okay," he suddenly managed to tackle her. She was already on the floor, s there was honestly very little she could do to protest. It was a warm hug, but she could not let his recklessness go unmatched. As he hugged her, she suddenly had her arms around his neck and her bracers against his throat. his graces turned quickly into pleads as they wrestled a bit on the floor "Alright alright I yield. I'm sorry."

She decided to let him go. "What happened?"

Gray brushed off his armor and clothes as he stood, exacerbated. "Apparently, since I was unconscious during it all, you carried the lot of us through the plain in the dead of night. He snuck a glance at her arm. "How's it feeling?"

"Good as new, obviously," she said, patting it. "A good night's rest is basically what I needed. I suppose the doctor is out then?"

"Said he had to hit the market while the worm hasn't yet been caught," he shook his head. "Strange Koraki sayings. Anyway, he's out for medicine. Us on the other hand-"

"Then where is Lady Celia?" she asked. "And the daughter?"

"Calm down, I was getting to that," he jutted his finger towards the exit. "How about we walk and talk. We have to meet up with Celia. Apparently, the king can see the future, because we somehow got ourselves an actual escort to the capital, direct route, Thirty men strong and two other knights from Paladin Lupurious's selection."

They left the large room into a vacant waiting hall with dozens of chairs and a few long tables in the middle. The sign on the window still was flipped closed and the shutters undrawn, but the morning still touched them from the single door being held open by two guards in the mail at the ready, holding the spears against their shoulders. Two other men, most likely the doctor's own paid guards, at one of the tables playing cards, keeping mind of them but seemingly uninterested. It's not every day that a knight has to seek medical attention, but whatever business that may be, they rather not be a part of it at all. Gray did not jest when he said professional. One might have thought that someone from the noble faction had entered the city. Dozens and dozens of horses clogged the streets in neat rows, the organization expected of the royal guard. She recognized the emblem on their chest plate. She had thought that Gray had merely meant some soldiers sent out to assist them. But they were directly from the royal guard set to protecting high-profile noble families like her own. And from the king of all people to order this? This only strengthens the connections she saw between between King James and Celia. Speaking of whom was talking to one of the knights at the head of this train. There, two carriages stocked with supplies pulled by four great mares armored and clothed sat ready for them. Their own horses were held nearby with the other supply horses.

She didn't know what to think of the looks the guards gave them. Most of a stoic curiosity. No doubt some recognized her, others were curious why two knights and two citizens were in need of a personal accompaniment by them and two more knights. Cities were captured with less. But they didn't have the time to question, only expected to obey the king's words, as his words guided them. They walked to the head of the train, Most of the men appearing he ready themselves for the expected journey ahead. The sun rose of the clear day, and they were steeled for what may occur. Celia, dressed in actual knight armor now, spoke with the knight from the passenger window, rather fondly. It took her a moment, but she believes she recognized him as a knight from Lyse's village. She caught a bit of the conversation the two were having as they arrived.

"-I'm sure your boy will be fine, Lady Opal," Gabbes said. "Though I suspect that since the king for some reason called me personally, that the days you and Wilbur yearned for are over."

"Indeed," she sighed thoughtfully, then was distracted from them when she saw the two approach. "Well, we should be on our way then. I would hate to keep the man waiting."

"Indeed then," he whistled, signaling all of the men, including his second to fall in line, and the coach prodders to ready the horses. He spotted Gray and Elena. "You two. You came to the village with Lyse, am I correct?

"Indeed," Gray said he almost saluted out of habit. "We are newly knighted, straight from the capital sir. Gray Mouser, at your service."

Elena was surprised by the gusto that Gray could summon. He seemed a bit different than before, the previous few days that is. "Yes. I am Elena Rosenwald, daughter of Atticus rosenwald, at your service."

"Well you sure are from the capital," he muttered. "Drop the formalities, we are equal brothers and sisters of these lands. Besides, you are not in my service, you're in hers."

He pointed over to Celia and Massua, who held the door to the first carriage opened for them to join. "Well, I don't know much about you two, but from what Lady Celia speaks about, you two are worthy knights. It'll be an honor to serve alongside you."

With what seemed almost like a farewell, he swiftly turned to mount his horse at the point of their formation with his second in command. They climbed inside, and Elena now noticed something wrong when she reached for her sword to adjust it. Her sheathe laid empty, and she remembered her tossing her sword to de-wing a Manticore during the night. It most likely still lies in the field, in fact. Celia noticed that sudden expression of worry and realization.

"Forgot something?" she asked.

"N-no," she said. "Just . . ."

"Your sword?" Celia told her. "You tossed it to kill the manticore that nearly killed us all."

she sighed. "My father gave me that sword to be knighted with. Shapeshifter blood is a rare commodity in the Empire or even the Umani. It'll be years before I can find another blade like it. And even still."

"Yet you did not hesitate to depart with it to save me and my daughter's life," she sat a delicate hand on Elena's knee, reassuring. "And I must thank you. Well, me, and one other person."

Elena was a bit confused, then she looked over to Massua, who clutched something long wrapped in clothing. She carefully unwrapped it, revealing the long blade into the last form she had it in. Elena's mouth held open as she carefully cradled the blade. She fought back tears as Massua bowed her head in a respectful manner.

"Thank you so much for saving us," she said. Gray seemed whiffed by her tone, sweet and humble. "We wouldn't have made it here if it wasn't for you."

"You . . . shouldn't thank me," just speaking seemed to make her throat clench in joyous relief. "You recovered this, Lady Opal?"

"A Thirian's nose," she smiled. "Took the better part of the night, but you hadn't yet recovered so we went out to grab it. An expression of our gratitude. Your father must be proud to know that he has raised quite the resilient warrior under him. And your mother. . ."

"Thank you," Elena interrupted, basically at the brink of tears at this point. Celia smiled and was conceited, as Massua raised her head from her bow. She had kept her promise. When she was knighted on that day, she did not know the road ahead of her. She expected few knights actually did. She thought she saw herself on the battlefield next to her father, spreading the Atticus name along with fame and recognition. But such a life, a life of devotion to a name, she thought life was unlike her. She was fascinated, instead, of the tales Gray would tell her of the guilds. Adventurers. Was this what it was like. Just a few days ago she was on the brink of death, her life, as well as her oath, would have turned to ash. But yet, she still lived. The bade, which she had sworn her oaths to, now sat in her sheathe. She had succeeded in her quest, and she couldn't be any happier than that.

Gabbes yelled for them all to move forward, immediately willing the horses at a relatively fast speed. As the horses kneaded the dirt, leaving the roads vacant for morning travelers. they were now bound for the capital. The worst of their journey was finally behind them. Now the only promise yet to be kept is Lyse's own promise to his mother, and his sister.

"I will come back home, I promise."