Forging a pact with one's inner demons

The location is the border patrol base, and currently the base has become a battlefield of sorts. The battle is between two factions, the Gray Scabbards and their supporters against the other border patrol knights. Some of the border patrol treat the Goltas squad with respect, partly out of awe for his past exploits and secondly due to the losses they suffered. However, the superiors of the border patrol base are starting to grow impatient and their men are following suit. They took in Goltas and his men out of obligation and difference in rank; However, seeing their recent failure has the border patrolmen testing the waters. That is until someone came forward to break the stalemate. That person being the leader of the Gray Scabbards, Theodore Goltas himself.

****

I still feel as though I’m going to regret this, but a promise is a promise. I met with the superiors of the border patrol base, the plan was to convince them to lend us some men. After that, we’ll lead a joint effort to take back Fort Lenora and send each one of those bandits to hell. However, our status has plummeted in the eyes of our partners and me asking for aid caused the room to break into a frenzy. They all pounced on me, telling me I had some nerve giving them orders when we couldn’t even wipe out some bandits. However, I had an ace in the hole. I told them that if they had problems with my demands or my drive to complete the mission, they may take it up with the king. The one who tasked me with this quest in the first place.

Upon hearing that they became silent, the word of the king is absolute after all. One of them tried to fire back that the king would find out about my failure if I contacted him. I countered that our losses, despite being heavy, were few in number and that the mission wasn’t over until the fort was reclaimed. Not only that, but this all stemmed from their failure to guard this area properly. In other words the deaths of my men were also due to their negligence with their duty, they were outraged upon hearing this but I didn’t budge. Looking at my eyes, which probably seemed cold, scared those weak men and yet they weren’t done yet. They asked for a duel, if they were to follow me into battle, then they wanted to know my side was superior. I already could sense the outcome, and obliged them.

****

Two hours later, the duel was held and the training ground was packed with people from both our factions. Fighting for the border patrol side was the superior that seemed to be the ring leader for our hazing. He looked at me with a smirk, I could tell he was taunting me. I could also tell the club he carried was weighted, and his boots had a rune of speed carved into them. To afford those boots, he must’ve raised the people’s taxes and abused the funds for his liking. So that’s why they were upset about us staying here, they're no different from those thieves!

The referee stood nervously in the center, but had no choice except to speak.

“Captain Goltas of the Gray Scabbards, please enter the-”

“I won’t be fighting.”

“What!?!”

The referee couldn’t help but stammer, the ring leader was puzzled for a moment too. My side on the other hand began smirking and chuckling to themselves. The ring leader was furious, but I wasn’t done yet. I already know what he was planning, he would try to land some hits on me to ruin my reputation. It’s bad enough that my squad seems to have suffered a defeat against bandits, however if I were to take a beating of any kind from someone ranking below me. Whether I won or lost, no one would listen to me. In order to show this bastard who he was messing with, I chose the perfect opponent from our young blood.

“Allow me to demonstrate the difference between us, your opponent shall be him!”

The border patrol side turned to where I pointed and had faces of shock, my men who were once laughing did the same. The person I sent out was Conrad, who just began recovery. His right eye has barely started to heal, yet I sent him out. Trust me you’re about to see why.

“You’re insane Goltas, you’re lucky this isn’t a death match otherwise this would be an execution ground. What are you trying to punish your soldier for his failure? Spiteful, aren’t we?”

The patrolmen began laughing, and my side begged me to bring him back. Their camaraderie had returned, and they didn’t want to see their friend get hurt further. The lady squire closed her eyes to show she trusted my decision. I must apologize to that poor girl for my ill-will towards her. As for the prince, I could tell his face was panicked even with his helmet on. However, that young man in the ring had other ideas.

“I guess you have a point, luckily this isn’t a duel to the death. Your head would roll in no time at all, OH MY! It appears my blade is a bit to sharp, I’ll do you a favor and keep it sheathed. Seems like a fair handicap right?”

The crowd went silent, the ring leader’s face turned crimson. He began mumbling under his breath, probably cursing. He then told the Referee to start, and the match began. The ring leader smashed the ground with his club, creating a camouflage from the dirt cloud. Despite this development, Conrad simply held his sword sheathed in front of him and closed his left eye. The ring leader being a coward immediately dashed towards Conrad’s blindspot, his bandaged right eye. The patrolmen cheered for their captain’s distasteful performance, meanwhile my side was infuriated. However, I kept them quiet, because I knew what was about to happen.

The ring leader got to Conrad’s right side, and prepared to swing down on him. However, before the fool could even respond, Conrad immediately swung his sword into his neck. In the next moment, the fool was gasping for air, However, Conrad wasn’t done and I forgot to mention something important. Conrad hates being looked down on.

****

Two minutes and thirty seconds, it took Conrad thirty seconds to beat the enemy’s fighter. You may be wondering what he’s spent the past two minutes doing, well-

“YOU PIECE OF S***, COCKY MOTHER F***ER! YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD EMBARASS ME AND MY CAPTAIN! DON’T MAKE ME LAUGH!”

“Gowtch! BRease, Po door!(Owch! Please, no more!)”

Conrad beat that poor man till his own right eye swelled, his face was so swollen you couldn’t tell who he was prior. The patrolmen side was mortified, meanwhile my side sat silently. How could anyone respond, the so-called cripple managed to beat an opponent who was supposed to outrank him. Well let it be known, I don’t hold back with training my men. I’m not surprised if half of them had strength that didn’t match their rank, then there’s Conrad’s potential. He might’ve been a braggart before, but when he focuses, his strength is the real deal. Then there’s his trump card, his perception, the man has the innate ability to sense presences. You could hide behind a tree without him noticing and he’d still be able to find you. It appears that in the short time since our chat, maybe even before that, his perception has reached a different level. Add the fact that his punching bag clearly hasn’t trained in years, and it’s obvious who was gonna win this battle. After venting his frustration, and leaving his opponent broken and missing teeth, Conrad spoke for the opposing side to hear.

“Do you see this! This is the difference between you boonies and us! We are warriors hardened in battles, even that squirrel sized squire over there could beat you within an inch of your life!”

As if on cue, Raine opened her eyes and stared daggers at the border patrol. Conrad then made the plans known and no one could refute him.

“BASTARDS OF THE LENORE BORDER TROOP! YOU FOLLOW ME NOW! YOU WILL FIGHT FOR ME! YOU WILL DIE FOR ME! AND IF ANY OF YOU REFUSE, YOU’LL SEE WORSE THAN THE MAN ON THAT FLOOR DOWN THERE! UNDERSTAND!”

****

I expected things to go this way, but I still can’t help but feel guilty. The opposing faction at this base is broken, no one dares to speak to us let alone look at us. One of the patrolmen bumped into one of our guys and he began crying. Conrad truly did put the fear of god in them, that said I gave him what he asked for. He proved our power to those hooligans, so I’ll trust him whole heartedly with this mission. He also asked me to keep our men here, he doesn’t want to risk losing anyone else apparently. He truly is a good lad, I can only hope things start looking up for him.

Apart from that perhaps our team should prepare to depart soon to the capital, especially since we have a greater mission to complete. I’ll send a messenger pigeon to his majesty about the current state of affairs here. Something tells me a great upheaval is about to begin soon, the strange part is I can’t tell for which side.

****

Yes! Everything is going according to plan, and now I think it’s time for me to grab my secret weapon. Captain Goltas had to fight tooth and nail to let our group have access to the border patrol storage room and place our luggage inside. The purpose wasn’t to take any of their items, but because of the relic we acquired from our previous mission. To think some cultist got ahold of such an item, I was shocked when I overheard the captain talking to the king about it. Of course if they knew I heard them, I would’ve been executed. That’s how important this thing is, and considering its power all the more reason to grab it.

After making my way inside, I found the captain’s personal trunk. I managed to snag the key from his office the last time I was in there, luckily my voice blocked out the sound of me fidgeting with the keys. To think I would be committing treason this grand, all for the sake of my revenge. That bastard, he treated me like an after thought and left me for dead. I can still remember his words.

I’ll let the fire finish you off! Oh and Conrad if you live, make sure to thank me for your new look!

Acting as if he knew me! I don’t even know the bastard’s name! I swear in these coming days, he better not die before I can kill him! Especially since to do just that, I’m saying goodbye to my knighthood and my life. After opening the trunk, I quickly made my way through the contents and then I found it. The relic wrapped in the same cloth it had, I removed it from the cloth and put it in the sac I brought. I then placed a decoy in its cloth and resealed the captain’s chest.

“With this I’ve won!”

I couldn’t help but say that as I made my way to the door, but before I could open it someone beat me to the punch.

“Hey, is someone-Oh! Hey Conrad, great match today!”

It was the member of our band that was stationed by the door as a guard, dammit he heard me. I’ll have to make small talk.

“Thanks, I barely broke a sweat.”

“I could tell, also what’s in the bag?”

“Oh just got some supplies from storage, I needed an extra sword since mine is broken.”

“I see...Wait! Everyone has their swords on them remember! We didn’t want to mix them up with the guys here!”

“Oh, is that right?”

“Yeah, that and the swords those guys have were moved to their own personal storage while you were out cold. The only sword in there would be-”

I knocked him out before he could finish his statement, I’m so close to my revenge. I won’t let anyone ruin it. I tied him up and left him in the storage room, that should buy me some time. I should kill him, but I don’t want to cause any more trouble than I already have. Dammit to eliminate a criminal I’ve become one myself, no this isn’t my fault. All of this is that guy’s fault, and it will all be forgiven when I kill him. Yes this hero can make a comeback! People will worship me and my exploits! Just you wait nameless thief, Conrad Bu’Cannon will eliminate you from his story.