Intermission: A True Knight

I took a breath of fresh sea air on the training field.

The wind blew gently and the morning sun was occasionally obscured by some clouds.

“Take this! Take this!”

Several youths were practicing nearby, wearing dummy armor and holding wooden shields and swords. The older ones were enjoying each other’s company, joking while fighting, while the youngest were playing pretend.

Sometimes I exchanged glances with the other instructors, and they would smile back.

Training wasn’t a bad activity, but it wasn’t optional either. It was compulsory for a high-rank knight like me, but nevertheless I found some enjoyment in it.

These kids… I must've been like them too. Always eager to play along.

Had it not been for that, I wouldn’t have found my place here either.

This time, I was assigned to a pair of siblings, a young boy and girl. They were fighting joyfully next to me.

The girl skillfully dodged her brother with her shield, occasionally countering him with quick swipes. I could tell she was more on the defensive side. The boy, on the other hand, hardly used a shield at all and moved quickly.

Suddenly, at one of his swings, the girl moved in and gave him a good push. He faltered back a little, then was about to lunge again. What he wasn’t expecting then was a good foot shove from the girl.

I smiled. She was clever.

The boy stumbled, then immediately caught his balance and began to ramble.

“Come on! Feet don't count!”

“Yes, it does!”

“No! Only the weapon does!”

I’d been watching the rookies practice for half an hour now, and I always had something new to teach them.

I went up to the kids, sorted them out kindly.

“You two, no arguing! It’s true that arms and legs can technically count as weapons, but you kids are forbidden to use them. Only sword and shield.”

The girl stepped back with a small grumble.

“But that's it for today's practice. Now, please return your weapons. Your parents are waiting.”

The siblings obediently took off their armor, and went up to the staff to return their wooden weapons. They then disappeared behind the door leading behind the castle wall, waving goodbye to me.

I still remember the feeling of setting foot on this field for the first time. Not as a knight, but as a child, like the ones here now, with their instructors. It was a way of training and playing at the same time, everything a child needed to have fun.

I had many friends then who also wished to become knights when they grew up. Not many of them had the skills or the drive though, at least according to the instructors.

So after I passed every challenge to become a knight—which took eight long years to do—I felt alone. There weren’t any familiar faces here.

Everyone else had scattered to other corners of Leclaire as adults. To Selica, Karpathy, or Abdol.

Now, I knew only one person who stayed here in Tessal.

“Lupa!”

Huh?

I looked toward the gate where the voice came from.

I saw Emeric coming. He’d already passed the guards, spotting where I was.

Of course, the guards didn’t like that he ignored them, but they’d be fools to risk calling out a Senator.

Plus, I was here too, practically their direct superior.

So they followed after him carefully, asking:

“Senator Emeric… sir, are you all right?”

“All’s good, thank you. Sorry for interrupting. I’ll find who I'm looking for myself,” Emeric waved them off, crossing the field at a brisk pace.

I smiled a little, as I always do when I see him. Somehow he always managed to lift the burden off me when we talked.

But as he drew nearer, I was surprised to see that he was troubled.

And he rarely was. Almost never.

Nobody else could tell, but his eyes betrayed him.

I guess I had to be the one to lift a burden off his back this time.

“Don’t be in such a rush, take a breath at least.”

After a few steps, Emeric was already in front of me, exhaling quickly. Before he could say anything, he shuffled back a little as if afraid of something.

“Are you free to talk? It's sort of important...”

There was no point in saying no to a friend. I was more than happy to squeeze anything that wasn’t ‘expected of me’ into my daily chores.

“Of course, what’s wrong?”

We took a slow walk in the vast field, a little further away from everyone, next to the wall.

He continued more quietly. It wasn’t like Emeric to be so cautious.

“Something dangerous is happening, Lupa. We… might be in real danger.”

It would’ve been logical to think he was playing a joke. And it would be believable, if I didn’t see that he meant every single word.

Like all knights, I too had an instinct to defend others. And as soon as I knew I had to, I switched it on.

Nodding, I listened closely.

“I woke up this morning to find a letter on my desk, addressed to me. They threatened me, Lupa. Me and my family.”

“And you’re sure it’s not some kind of mockery? We’ve had a few of these before, the kids who do this are caught right on the spot.”

“It couldn’t have been mockery. At least a dozen Senators got letters like this. Overnight.”

What? Why would anyone do that?

I found myself saying that out loud.

“Intimidation, that’s why. And it worked. But that’s not all.”

He leaned closer.

“They say three Consuls were found dead a few hours ago. Right in their homes.”

That couldn’t be true. If it were, it would be a testament to the weakness of the Empire.

Who could threaten and kill so many people overnight, and fail to get caught by my men?

If I couldn’t protect the good name and well-being of the Empire with my actions as a knight, I don’t know what I’m really worth.

While everything I did depended on others, there were bad things happening that I was supposed to prevent and not rust here as a trainer or bodyguard.

Three dead Consuls…

I had to find out more.

“Who are the dead?”

“Berro and his closest friends,” Emeric replied. “Hamil and Cameron.”

That’s when I truly understood. He wasn’t only scared because he’d received a letter, but because his friend had met a worse fate. Much, much worse.

I couldn’t imagine Emeric like that. No way.

“Didn’t anything else happen to you? Was it just that strange letter, nothing else?”

He shook his head.

“Nothing else. But the dead had letters with them too.”

I could sense anger building up in his voice.

“Those ones left with the bodies weren’t just threats, Lupa. The North has sent us a declaration of war.”

◆ ◆ ◆

Emeric didn’t stay long. After our talk, he left with several warnings.

“I’ll be back when the fuss dies down! Until then, take care of yourself and find out what you can!”

He didn’t have to say that twice. I already knew what I had to do, what questions to ask, and who to ask it from.

I had to know the whole truth. Something like this shouldn’t happen in the Empire, it would call everything into question. The credibility and strength of an entire nation, one of the biggest in the world, and the competency of its leaders.

If this was a trick, I’d better find out right now.

Otherwise, I’d have to act.

Damn this ridiculous guard work, if we are in danger, that should be a perfect test for me!

The test of whether I can stand my ground as a true knight after all those hopes, dreams and training. A lifetime of desire to protect those I want by my side, not to just stand by a door and look all fancy but useless like some kind of decoration.

I was making my way through the window-lit passageways of a cloister, a garden of flowers on my left, the vast landscape of Tessal on my right.

Before me stood a huge double door, one that I opened so many times.

I hope he’d tell me the truth… If not, I’d have to decide what to believe on my own.

I rapped on the fist-sized knocker. When I heard no answer, I pushed in and entered.

A huge library room greeted me. One I’d seen many times before, yet each time I was struck by its architecture. Beneath a high ceiling and chandelier, in front of stained glass windows, stood a huge desk with shelves around it.

A tall figure sat at this desk with his back to the light. Even in shadows, I could clearly see his dark red hair.

“Ah… What brings you here from your duties, Lupa? I didn’t summon you, but I’m nonetheless glad to see you.”

Consul Magne always spoke in a strong voice. It was hard to get used to, but it was a voice that could carry a hint of kindness.

“Forgive my intrusion,” I moved a little closer to his desk. “I wanted to find out from you whether what they say is true. About murders, letters, and threats of war.”

He took a deep breath, waiting.

So something is truly wrong…

“Your worries are valid. It’s all true.”

His voice was close to monotone, measured.

“I didn't particularly like Berro and those two. However, I offer my honest condolences at their mourning and funerals, as tradition demands. It troubles me how I feel about this now. These deaths were... so sudden.”

I didn’t understand his calm. Maybe he was just trying to suppress whatever troubled him, but still…

“I don’t get it. Our nation should be the safest, most prosperous country on the continent... How could anyone get away with this?”

“Lupa, I suggest you calm down, for your own good. There’s been three murders, we’re looking into them. Do you think this is the first time we’ve had murders and threats in our circles?”

“Sir, but this is differe—”

“Either way, it's a game of who can do the most unexpected things, no doubt by the most unexpected means. A game of power and trickery.”

How could he not be afraid?

But I didn’t ask, as I already knew the answer. Consul Magne was a General, a warchief. People like me might fear, but he was different.

While I had to train myself, he was born to fight.

“You’re going to investigate this with the Senate.”

He stood up slowly.

“Why of course. The murderer can’t be far off yet. Chances are, they’re not just some wanderer who’d already be beyond our borders.”

“You suspect a local. A spy.”

He snapped his fingers with a sharp, knowing smile on his face.

“That’s right. The knights have just set out to gather a description from the city folk. I trust they’ll be lucky.”

He stepped forward, backlit by the stained glass.

“If they will—and they certainly will—the spy will be put to a trial. They’re in league with the North, who are going to do exactly what I suspected. Invasion. The spy will be executed, and after that, no matter what happens, I’ll help the Senate prepare.”

“Understood,” I bowed my head. “How can I be of assistance then?”

He laughed.

“You’ll be among the first in charge of protecting the city. But currently, your most important duty will be to attend the trial with me.”

Wait, the what now?

Why would you need me there? The court isn’t the knights’ place to be.”

“Think about your choice of words, Lupa! A dangerous criminal will be present, who has turned the peace of the Senate upside down overnight. Wouldn’t we need the highest level of security when we are in the same room with them?”

Well, I couldn't argue with that.

Consul Magne saw that I agreed with him, even if with a struggle.

He bared his teeth with a final smile before turning back.

“I’ll get things ready while I wait for further reports. Until then, you’re dismissed.”

◆ ◆ ◆

My heart leapt when I arrived at the Imperial Court hours later, and saw all the judges and jurors gathering.

Something big is about to happen here.

I didn't even know when was the last time the court had met, as it had been a long while since a major crime required such a hearing.

Whoever our murderer was—whom Magne said the knights captured--they’ll be greeted with a spectacle.

I slipped among the assembling crowds, finding a little peace near the entrance.

Peeking into the chamber, I saw some of the people already seated on one of the four large balconies providing a perfect view on the pedestal where the judges would be lined up.

I never liked this place, nor the people. I knew it was meant to serve justice in the name of the Gods of Integrity, yet this all made me feel like I was in a theater rather than a court.

A few guards passed by, going into the courtroom.

“Commander,” they bowed as they went.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I told them.

It felt good, after all, that we were the ones providing security for everyone else. It gave me a sense of belonging.

There were only a few pieces missing now.

“There you are...”

Consul Magne appeared behind me, wearing his regal clothing.

“Tell me, is everything ready for the welcoming?”

“Ready. My knights stand guard on this floor, as well as in this room. Everyone’s safety is ensured.”

“Perfect. Well then, I shall have nothing to worry about. I’ve just heard that our murderer is being escorted into the Capitol as we speak.”

I gulped hearing that. Everything was happening much faster than I expected. Yet now I hoped that coming here was a good thing and not risking turning down the invitation was worth it.

Trying to stay hopeful, I forced a half-smile.

“We’re prepared to welcome them.”

“Excellent. The Tessalian Empire must show strength.”

With that, he went inside, probably to confer with the others before he too went up to one of the balconies.

That’s when the people around me suddenly quieted down and began looking in the direction of the stairs.

Two knights emerged, escorting someone with their swords drawn.

I went cold the moment I saw who it was.

They brought a girl...

A terrified demi-human girl—someone no one in their right mind would believe was a murderer.

She shuffled forward, arms bound, silent. The only sound I heard was the knights urging her on.

This wasn’t what I expected at all. I didn’t know what I expected exactly. A master thief maybe? An assassin? Or at the very least an adult?

Instead, who was standing there was a child.

Did they seriously expect me to recruit guards against her?

Is this trembling girl seriously the North's spy? The one so dangerous she killed three people with such mastery?

For minutes I watched them come closer, and I couldn’t believe it.

No, this must be a misunderstanding, the evidence couldn’t have pointed to her.

She didn’t deserve to die, she clearly didn’t even know why she was brought here!

I looked around, hoping that the people here shared my feelings, but I was wrong. The jurors whispered among themselves, making cruel remarks about her.

As they brought the girl past me, I looked at her in dismay. Her eyes locked with mine, full of distress.

In that very moment, I made my decision.

I don’t know who she is, but I have to save her!

Even if it means becoming a traitor to the Empire.

But how could I… do it alone?