Tlot, tlot, tlot, tlot,

NEIGH!!!

The sound of a horse braking in front of the knights who were guarding the entrance of the camp, the rider in a rush, asked of the knights on the whereabouts of Princess Amadela, the rider then added that it was an important letter, handwritten by Bishop Henri of Tournus himself that must be in her Highness nay her Holiness hands right now, the knights let through the rider where one of them pointed the large main tent where High-Priestess Amadela is resting, he then gallops as fast as he could where I stumbled upon him by accident, he stopped abruptly and yelled.

“GET OUT OF THE WAY!” he yelled.

“Rude…” I stepped away from him and he gallops again towards the main tent.

At that point I realized that he was a courier, thinking there might be a letter for me, I speed walk my ass off to the main tent, I was welcomed with the sight of the courier handing the letter to the Princess, his face when he saw me was so rich, annoyed, and probably thinking of mocking me, well… until the Princess said.

“Lord Protector! I see that you have rested…” hearing that title, the courier who recently delivered the message, changed his demeaning attitude to that of a meek and terrified person, he without any heads up suddenly bowed his head as low as he could and asked for my forgiveness. “Wha… happen?” Amadela surprised at this action, has a slight smirk in her face as she asked curiously.

“Nothing really… just another courier doing his work dutifully! Though cut back that smug attitude of yours, kay!” I said.

“Yes, my Lord…” he heeded it full heartily.

“Get out now, you did say it was a letter only for her eyes, right?” I semi-sarcastically said.

“Yes, my lord!” he then was gone like the wind.

After that Amadela open the letter, the contents which unsurprisingly but quite interestingly is about a land rights dispute between a local farmer and a brotherhood monastery, but Amadela on the other hand wasn’t that pleased because as she said it herself, ‘this is beneath me’, which wasn’t wrong because this could be solved by your local lord.

But something caught my ears when she stated that this Henri guy was and still is one of her supporters, this only raises some red flags about this particular land dispute.

As I sipped my mug full of water that was idling by on top of the table, I then said to Amadela that she should look into it, she declined at first until I mentioned the curious case about why in the first place that one of the bishops that is still supporting her send this message, this of course turned off her assumption of Bishop Henri belittling her and when the notions hits her, her suspicion and interest rose on this dispute, we talked for hours of what it could be, maybe a heretic lord? a heretic mass?

“Wait no… it’s got to be… yes! It’s them the Rider Cultist! It’s got to be them!” She said in an enthusiastic tone.

“Woah another adventure?!” Suddenly Arthur’s voice came roaring in from the tent’s entrance.

Not only that Eleanna, Kristof, Pere, and Sir Fionn, came in the fray as well with Arthur, this became quite complicated with them hearing about this, my intention with this were not to bring Arthur and Eleanna considering the shitshow fiasco that was two days ago, but Kristof being here, was coincidentally in my plan.

As I explained to them, they both were quite reluctant to accept it, they said if I was going, they’ll go too to protect me, I scoffed at what they said but it did give a nice smile to my face, but nonetheless I was going to be the stubborn one on this matter.

“I mean I get what you’re trying to do, Miss Marie won’t come if your concern, her hands are already filled with that Wolf and Roison, but come on Mar… I promise we’ll stick close!” Though what Arthur said didn’t really budge what Eleanna in the back gave do budge, she gave me that damn, puppy eyes.

Damn it… I hate it when she gave me that puppy eyes, ugh… well at least she’s not using it to make me an errand boy.

“Fine… and stick to the promise you made okay!” I said sternly at them both.

“Yes Sir!” they answered enthusiastically in unison.

After dealing with those two, I went over to the main interest when I heard about this kind of problem, before we set out in our journey to Geamradh, Kristof’s father, his majesty, King Clovis, wanted me to be his mentor, it was quite sudden and surprising coming from him, considering Kristof is already under the Margrave’s wardship and I didn’t really want to teach another person considering that teaching Pere on fencing was already tiring, but God bless that boy and thank God he is a fast learner.

I didn’t know nor want to know how it will go with Kristof so I tried to wriggle my way out by saying things like ‘I am not a good teacher’ or ‘ I am bad at giving lessons’, but it didn’t budge on him, I already know of course on why he didn’t budge, word probably spread like wild fire in the court.

I did eventually conceit when this favor became an order from his highness, but something sparked in me when he said “That boy has learned from the best of the best in this kingdom, in this world! Now with you being here, my Co-Ruler, I want him to learn from the best of the best out of this world!”

I was… speechless in the regard that this came from, though an order, a genuinely good and attentive father… remembering what he said irked my heart in the wrong and right way simultaneously, well… in the end I accept the order where it brings me here now where Kristof was about to give his answer on this trip.

“No… I rather help my fiancée with her whole spy stuff rather than hearing two old farts arguing over a goat for all I know! and I definitely don't need another mentor, whatever father offered you I can double it!” He said in an annoyed manner.

This goddamn…. Hmm… maybe… okay, let’s try this!

“Firstly, this is an order from his majesty, you're stuck with me whether you and I like or not..." I said as straightforward as I could.

"Damn..." he with an irritated tone.

"And secondly, That’s where you’re wrong! This… wait, closed that tent please Sir Fionn!” Sir Fionn then closed the tent’s curtain. “Where was I… oh yes! The rider cultist might be involved here!”

Hearing of that prospect, his heart began to race, and I could see the adrenaline of an adventuring junky rising to his eyes, he changed his no to a yes of course to see this adventure through, and I got my way to teach him on the department of handling domestic disputes.

After that brief discussion on who was going to go, which was Me, Amadela, Kristof, Arthur, Eleanna, and Pere this time!

He was bored holding down the fort and was interested in going to this ‘land dispute’, so he delegated it down to Sir Fionn to manage the camp until we all came back.

A couple hours later.

Tak…

My foot hit the gravel-covered ground as I dismounted myself from my horse to enter this small church.

Me, Arthur, Kristof, and Amadela went into the already heated argument in this community county church, Eleanna and Pere on the other hand waited outside, or more specifically waited at a local tavern, they both didn’t want to crowd the already crowded church, it was okay really, five knights on guard and the son of the defender of Albion was already a big assurance for El’s safety.

“How many times have I told you Father… THIS PART OF LAND IS PART OF THE CONTRACT THAT MY UNCLE BOUGHT FROM THOSE BLUE BLOODS!!” We were greeted with squabbling in both sides of this mess and an old man yelling with full anger steamed ahead at the parish priest and the monks.

“Pierre… this land has always been under the Church’s domain according to this document dated back 3 generations ago!” the priest retaliated with a paper document acting as evidence.

“Lies, this is clearly forgery! I mean look at that! The ink isn’t even dried yet!!” a young man beside the old man Pierre, pointed out the assumed falsified evidence.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen! Please tone it down and act more civilize, please!” The finely robed man with a bishop hat, who I already guessed must be Bishop Henri, tried to calm down both parties.

Thunk…

The large door behind us closed and made a roaring sound that waves through the room, where it notified everyone to our presences, and as they looked at us all of them bowed their head obediently.

At first guessed I thought it was for both of these royals, but thinking again and seeing how Amadela is in the front and Kristof just recently closed the door with Arthur, I knew right away that this was for Amadela, not as her royal highness, but as her holiness.

The room was silent, I mean of course their pope was here after all mediating their petty problems in this manner, but luckily for them, she is just a mediator and not an arbitrator, and more luck for them me and Kristof are their arbitrator.

“Your holiness…” Bishop Henri greeted her first. “Your royal highness! And you must be Sir Arthur and… wait… Lord Protector!! I am… no we are all humbled with your presences!” I then smirked at Amadela for stealing her spotlight, where she just rolled her eyes.

“Henri, so what did we miss? That argument seemed like it has been going on for more than an hour!” Amadela asked.

“Not much really your holiness, a couple squabble here and a couple bickering there, not much progress has been made…” he said with a disappointed tone.

“Well then! Shall we continue? That part about the church’s documents I would like to see it please!” I stepped in and went out of my way to the table where Pierre the old man, the young man beside him, and the Parish priest alongside with a couple of monks was standing near the table.

“Pleased to meet you fellas! I am your Lord Protector, Martyn Wulf, you may address me like any other nobles you’ve addressed, but I prefer for the four of you to call me Sir Martyn, for simplicity sake!” I said.

“That’s quite generous of you Sir Martyn, my name is Pierre, I am the mayor of this town, and this is my Son, Jean.” They introduced themselves quite humbly.

“Thank you, my lord, for being here, my name is Charles, I am the parish priest of this flock.” Charles and the monks beside him bowed their head towards me.

After that brief introduction chit-chat, I dived into the paper documents from both parties, on inspection from the mayor’s paper it shows that it was indeed quite legit and solid, the local lord, Count Andre d’Tournus, the previous lord of this land did sold this land to Pierre’s uncle along time ago, the paper was solid in the accounts that the seal of itself approval was stamped with the d’Tournus insignia in the bottom of the paper where it even has Andre’s sign there.

Now on to the church’s documents, it’s… really deplorable, heck this is straight up illegal back in my world!

That young man, Jean, was spot on with the paper’s ink, it was nowhere older than 20 years, heck it’s not even nowhere near a day old! It’s like they need more documents to ‘strengthen their case’ and ohh boy… is the other papers itself is a doozy, it's just a paper written with, I am paraphrasing of course, ‘I own this land, because God says so!’, it’s blatant power abuse hour here.

I then took a peek at the parish priest, trying to see what they think of this situation, he was, of course, all confident and self-assured of these clearly falsified papers, my mind was at that point was just confused and frustrated with this half-assed corruption.

But when I saw the mayor’s face and his son's though… it was that of a man who's scared shitless from being found out with some kind of horrible secret, it was a lucky peak though considering their expression has been that of an angry and livid man, maybe because we came they thought they’ll lose this case?

Well one thing for sure they don’t want the church nor the crown at this point to know what their hiding in that land… wait…

I looked back again at the papers trying to find out what this land previously was used for, a training field.

Hmm… at this point that land is just probably an untended field or maybe even a farming field, yeah… nothing’s on it, that means… something is in it!

“Gentlemen! As you can see here, this paper that Jean accused of being a falsified paper is indeed, a falsified paper, hell I bet this was made this morning!” I grabbed the falsified papers and showed around the room, mayor Pierre, his son and his companions were shocked, but not of the papers, it’s because of me showing the blatant fake evidence, the priest, the monks, ohh and of course Bishop Henri himself as well was shocked on how I took their side, Amadela though still kept that refined face of her.

“I told you the church is corrupt!!” one of the mayor’s companion’s shouted that insult.

“Well in light of this fake evidence and this abysmal papers from the church’s side I dismissed this case on the accounts that, like I said before, a falsified evidence is being used by this party!” I pointed at the priest and monk side.

The room was then filled with a roaring sound of happiness and cheeriness that came out from the common’s men party, who was delighted, and surprisingly for them if I have to say, to see that their side is being defended by a highborn.

The priest and the monks on the other hand quickly but discreetly left the room with frustrated steam oozing from their holes, and Henri… boy was he furious, Amadela on the other hand, again, was still calmed as ever.

After a brief handshaking and a thank you here and there, they left the church where I was then left with boiled headed Bishop in front of me.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS! YOU RUIN MY PLAN!!” he yelled with a might of a thousand sun.

“Hey, don’t blame me for that sorry ass excuse of a falsified document you made there! It’s shit, it’s super shit that they even called it out!” I berated him.

“Agh… grr… damn it, now what are we supposed to do huh?!? There’s something heretical there, hell that place might be a rider cultist safe house!!” Henri stated in a livid manner.

“Take it easy will ya? It’s easy now, considering that they already lowered their guard by now!” I stated.

“Huh?” he said with confusion.

“Kristof listen up! Answer me this, why did I let them win this case?” I grabbed Kristof’s attention and asked.

“I don’t know… to lower their guard?” Kristof answered boorishly.

“Yes… but your just repeating what I said, Keep going!”

“Uhh… ohh, because of justice then!” Kristof answered this time with confidence.

“No, it’s because of pragmatism! When you ascend that throne Kristof, you will find these kinds of disputes and quarrels between your subjects, it’s unavoidable, and in this situation, especially if it’s a clear and cut case like this one!” I looked at Henri and gave him a belittling look for his beyond amateur work. “You should stick with the one who speaks the truth but not for righteousness nor justice, it’s for to quickly move on to other more important things at hand or for the future, it’s only a pothole in the road, just walk over it, don’t step on it!” I took another breather and continued. “But of course! This is different, and here is another thing to remember, if you really want to step on that pothole, maybe you suspect something fishy is going on that pothole, don’t just step on it, dive deep in it! For this case example, though we still don’t know clearly what’s going on in this pothole, we do know that there’s some shady things in this pothole, that’s why I let them think that they ‘won’, they won’t suspect a thing when we go inside that land!”

“In…side?” Kristof asked confusingly.

“Hahaha… I see that my anger was just a waste of energy!” Henri laughed as his face began to brighten up. “Yes your royal highness, inside, my spy discovered that there was a hidden underground room beneath that land, a cave was found a couple of walks to the east of the land, but we still don’t know whose it belong, we thought at first it was just an abandoned safe house or commune, but the place reeks of Dubh’s magic, not only that we discovered that the land it’s located is owned by the mayor, we knew right away something was up!” Henri said.

“So… a raid at night would probably suffice this, Kristof’s knights and your monk knights would easily catch them red handed.” I suggested.

“Yes… that’s good and all gentlemen, but do you even know when they will gather there?” Amadela spoke up.

“Ahh… well… a stake out would be the most appropriate action then!” I changed the plan at the last second.

With that we agreed to wait until it’s a bit dark to stake out at that land, and to pass the time of course I suggested we hang out at the town’s tavern. As were walking down to the local tavern and about to meet up with Pere and Eleanna, I was thinking that they have ordered a beer for me, but… when I saw all of Kristof’s knight and Pere in front of the tavern, huddling and discussing on something, I felt weird sensation in my gut.

As they notice us four coming in close from their left, Pere’s face was then shown fully at me, he… was distraught, red flags already showed up, and I knew that this was another mistake on my part when he told me that Eleanna was missing.

I… could only blame myself again with this, but suddenly Sapphire appears beside us from nowhere, I was already assuming the worse but… unexpectedly and thankfully, it wasn’t bad news, but it wasn’t good news either.

Deep beneath a land bought by the distraught, the outcast, and the hateful. The golden snake slithered her way to seek the truth