Unrest

"Did you find the show enjoyable?"

"It was certainly a sight, I must admit."

The prince and I push back through the castle doors as the sun begins making its way down towards the horizon. His eyes drift down to the shortsword now fastened at my right hip.

"Are you sure you wish to carry a thief's weapon?"

"You need not be concerned. A tool is a tool. All that matters is who wields it."

I disturb the metal resting within the sheath procured from the castle barracks. Light bounces off of its partially visible surface.

"I certainly will not refuse the opportunity to use such a brilliant weapon."

"It is truly curious how a thief obtained such a blade. To withstand the breath of a magma toad, that is no steel."

Whatever it is, I expect it to protect my life much better than the long and bulky sword that Clement favoured. It will take some time to become accustomed to using this weapon on the level of a knight.

"Are you certain, Your Majesty?"

As the two of us push into the grand hall, we overhear the words of caution meant for a king.

"Father, is there an issue?"

"Ah, my son. It is but a simple matter, but one requiring attention nonetheless."

Standing at the centre of the hall is the king in his purple robes. At his side is a concerned face belonging to a man without armour. While not a knight, the intricate blue robes around his body speak of his status. He nervously scratches his dark hair and turns towards the prince.

"Your king is planning a raid of the beastfolk settlement tomorrow morning. We are still in the process of welcoming Melior's Blessed Knight and preparations for the Peace Festival are taking much of our time. This decision feels much too hasty!"

"It is because there are many important events that we should handle this threat once and for all!"

My ears ring at the king's roar. The man whom the monarch seeks counsel still appears unconvinced, prompting King Aufrey to continue.

"The beasts are raiding our roads and deterring merchants. Our civilians are on edge, fearful to leave our walls. This cannot be allowed to continue any longer!"

The king waves one arm to the side with the intensity to displace the air.

"We have an important meeting among the Peacekeepers in the coming days! Do you intend to bring kings from other nations into an unsafe Melior!?"

"But Your Majesty, our forces are not prepared! Defending a beastfolk attack may be trivial, but taking the conflict to their home territory will be much more difficult!"

"Recall the extra patrols from the roads and forests! They march to defend our lands from beastfolk, let them finish their task! I will have Sir Thorsten lead them and complete the invasion before the sun sets tomorrow! Any complaints?"

His advisor does not seem entirely convinced, but he likely knows better than to push back against his king any further. Like most of his fellow citizens, he is likely very aware of his fiery end should the king discard him.

"I will find Sir Thorsten and make preparations…"

"Did you perhaps call?"

Coming from the side of the hall is a figure decorated in detailed metal plates. A blue cape drapes down his powerful shoulders, contrasting with his short ginger hair. His pride and confidence are palpable as he places a hand over his chest.

"It would be my pleasure to wipe those beasts from this land forever!"

"Well met! I was not mistaken in selecting you as my leading general!"

The king places an energetic hand on the man's shoulder. His advisor looks troubled for a moment, but eventually lightens up at the man's arrival.

"I will trust our fate into your hands, General."

"You would be a fool not to trust Melior's greatest knight, Prudence!"

The uncertainty in the air seems to dissipate as I stand in silence. The knight known as Thorsten doesn't even pay mind to my existence and the king himself seems to almost forget about me.

"You will be sent with one hundred men. I expect favourable results!"

"Absolutely not, Your Majesty!"

Once again, Prudence provides advice that hampers the king's excitement.

"You require far more if you intend for any of them to return!"

"Fine! Make it two hundred! Take whatever you need, just remove the pests from our lands!"

At the end of his patience, the king notices me standing off to the side.

"Take Clement with you as well! I do not deny his strength, but I wish to witness his strength for myself!"

"The Blessed Knight, huh?"

Thorsten looks at me and my leather armour up and down. During my landing in this world, he had a front row seat at the king's side. He surely witnessed my 'magic', but he still appears unaccepting.

"If that is your wish, I can escort your 'symbol'."

The venom behind those words threatens to strike at my veins. He sounded cheerful until now, but something changed when my name was brought up. The mood continues to sour until Duncan jumps in with his own helping of excitement.

"You all missed Clement's impressive display a few hours before! He chased down and killed a group of bandits that no other knight came close to defeating!"

"Is this true!?"

The King's eyes widen and move between his son and me. Even Thorsten is taken aback by the prince's passionate tale.

"He very well may be unrivaled in speed and mobility! His skills with a dagger are also far above most of our knights' ability to use a sword!"

"Is that so…"

The general takes another moment to examine my form. Nothing about me has changed, yet his curiosity is piqued. I can predict exactly what he will say next, but that doesn't make me particularly eager to deal with what comes after.

"Clement, was it? Forgive me if this sounds rude, but may I test your abilities myself?"

"Testing through combat, I assume?"

"It will be only a light trial. My ability to lead an army rests on my knowledge of what my men are capable of. Consider this a favour to me."

Anticipation drifts in and starts hanging around the grand hall like an unsettling fog. The most desirable course of action would be to turn him down. I spent a great deal of energy fighting the bandits, a fight that pushed me to my limits. Even if his clout is self-proclaimed, this man was selected by the king to lead his armies. I haven't had the time to properly prepare myself against such a foe.

Unfortunately, the decision was never mine to make. To turn away from this simple challenge will brand me a coward amongst the highest powers in this nation. All I can do is put on a show that the king finds satisfying.

"Very well. However, I must warn you."

A flash of red glows at my palm.

"My weapon of choice has no restraint. If it strikes you, you will die."

"That shouldn't be an issue!"

Thorsten waves my warning aside and begins marching further into the castle. All I can do is follow and hope that his confidence is just for show.