Those Left Behind II

Someone rapped on the door outside Mel's tidy room, drawing the boy from his desk.

"Who is it?"

"Feng."

Mel whipped the door open to find the clean cut blond man donning emerald green robes. "You're not here as Master Feng, you're here as Feng the Knight," he said, wincing at him. "Am I under arrest already?"

"No, nothing like that," Feng said with a polite smile. "You don't have to worry about that, at least until Cillavier's trial. Anyway, I came to tell you goodbye."

"So you are here as my Master…"

"Both as your Master and a Knight," he replied. "I felt I owed you an explanation, since I'm leaving you without a mentor days before your graduation.

"I have a trial to worry about before graduation, anyway," Mel said, crossing his arms. "But this must be important. Are you and Valblin going after Cedric?"

"Not exactly," Feng said. "The mission's classified, but we're helping in our own way."

"Right, you can't go around giving secrets to traitors, can you?"

"I didn't say that," Feng replied with a grimace. "I know the situation's complicated, Mel. And I don't blame you. Do you think your father would let me see you if that wasn't the case?"

"I have no idea what my father thinks…"

"Anyways, I wanted to see how you were doing before I went," Feng said, resting his hand on Mel's shoulder."

"And what's your judgment?"

"You're as brooding as ever, but I can see you've accepted things with Cedric," he replied with a smile as he pulled his hand back. "It looks like at least a little bit of weight's been lifted off your shoulders. Keep your head up, and don't stop looking for opportunities to grow."

Mel bit his lip, and stared at his feet. "I won't…"

"Good. You have even more to protect now, don't you? So, promise me you'll stay strong and face whatever consequences come, head on. For Selmy, if no one else."

Mel slowly looked up, and let his tense facial muscles relax around the bags in his eyes. "I promise, Master. Be careful, yourself."

"You have my word as a Knight," Feng said with a wink. "Oh, one more thing. Hastor Gladius is going with us. He wanted me to tell you he looks forward to working with you in the future."

Mel cracked a weak smile, and chuckled softly as he shut the door with a wave.

**

Tess and Quentle dismounted their shared horse before it came to a full stop, and kicked dirt up before stamping across the wooden dock. Soldiers filed into the two waiting galleons, hauling boxes and weapons. The two looked around frantically, until Tess gasped, and pushed her way through the chattering crowd of soldiers.

"Hyd!" she cried, her open hand smacking into the cheek of the Knight with long blond hair.

"Tess…?" Hydrick muttered, his eyes glued to the woman who fought back tears as she gripped his robes. The chattering dulled around them as all eyes turned.

"Next time, don't send someone," Tess muttered, looking down with quivering cheeks before staring into his eyes. "Tell me yourself that you're leaving."

"Sorry," he replied, grimacing at her. "I didn't want you to think it was so serious that I might not come back."

"Even if it is… You should know that I'd have faith in you to come back."

His grimace turned to a smile as he gently took her hand, which turned her face red as soldiers cheered around them. "You're right. I'm glad you came to see me off, Tess. Thank you."

Quentle chuckled as he watched from afar, until a bespectacled man ran up to him. "Quentle! What are you doing here?"

"Master Gambell! There you are, you bastard!"

"That's no way to talk to your mentor…"

"It is when the bastard up and takes off without a word! I spent all day looking for you! What are you, my real father?"

"Now, Quentle, let's not get too carried away with the jokes, okay?" Gambell said, holding his hands up as he caught the glances of surrounding soldiers. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It was a bit rushed, but I sent a letter to…"

He stopped as Quentle's face tightened up, as if he was going to burst into tears. However, a snort crept out of his nose, and he burst out laughing instead.

"You weren't actually mad?" Gambell asked, blinking.

"I was, but I kind of realized it was dumb to be mad," he replied, grinning as he looked away. "I was freaking out because so much is changing with the war, and with everyone, but I'm still here acting like a kid."

"No, you are growing up," Gambell said, smiling. "I can see it clearly. You're going to be a fine man, Quentle. Get through your graduation, and show me I trained a bonafide warrior- no, a proud Teuton, when I get back."

"I'll be both! You have my word!" Quentle replied with a huge grin. The two parted ways, and Quentle wore his grin all the way back to their horse as Tess rejoined him with a bashful smile.

"Hey, kid, what do you say to having me as your new mentor?"

Tess and Quentle whipped their heads around to find Al leaning against a railing at the back of the crowd.

"Huh…?" Quentle muttered, sticking his neck out like he was still processing the question.

"Al, why are you acting all cool and relaxed as if you didn't just rush over here yourself?" Tess asked, pointing at the horse next to theirs. Al let out a long breath, and winked.

"Quentle, right? I like your attitude. So, what do ya say?"

"I? Me?"

"Aren't you a little busy now that you're a General?" Tess asked with a smirk.

"A General?" Quentle cried, beaming. "That's awesome! Either way, I accept!"

"Good," Al replied, flashing his teeth as he held his hand out. "I'll turn you into a proper warrior by the time I'm done with you." Quentle clapped his own palm with Al's, his grin as wide as ever.

Master Valblin smirked at Master Gambell as he stepped onto the ship. "Looks like you built a wonderful bond with your student. That fiery boy may never know just how close he was to being the Heir, himself."

"Careful, he'll somehow hear you and never let it go until you tell him why," Gambell replied, chuckling. "Oh, there's Feng."

"I see you got to say farewell to your student as well," Feng said as he hopped aboard. "I wonder if Valblin would have left Cedric in the dark if the roles were different."

"Ho ho, I most certainly would have," Valblin replied. "Anyway, it looks like we are all here. Gentleman, if you'll lend your ears for just a moment."

The crowd grew quiet as Hydrick climbed aboard, nodding at Valblin, while Quentle, Al, and Tess watched from afar.

"We are joined on this voyage by General Hydrick and 200 of his best men," he called out, drawing all eyes to Hydrick, who crossed his arms with a proud smile. "Along with me, we have Chief Allen's former strategist, Master Gambell, as well as Master Feng, Captain of the Teutonic Knights. In addition, I'd like to introduce my grandson, Hastor, and his cousins, Eyha and Reya. They're formerly known as the Blonde Bandits, so they will be joining us as prisoners."

All eyes fell on the man leaning over the ship's bow, who leisurely turned and lifted his arms to reveal shackles between his wrists. The soldiers murmured while Quentle and Tess gasped, and Al chuckled through his nose. The hooded girls on either side of him kept their arms crossed as they half-turned.

"Lastly, for those of you who do not know him, I will introduce a former warrior of the mountains, and father of the new Sword Heir, Gadric Cintog." Valblin gestured to a man sitting against a barrel, smoking a pipe with a disinterested look.

"Isn't he just a farmer now?" A soldier near Quentle muttered.

"This is the first time I've ever seen Cedric's dad," Quentle said, at which Tess raised her brow. "He always said he was overly stern, but I thought he was exaggerating…"

"Doesn't look like it," Tess replied.

"Now, the objectives of our mission will have to wait until later. So, to you soldiers who are not coming with us, please, keep Takanova safe until we return. And let us wish our Sword Heir good luck!"

"Uohh!" the crowd of soldiers cried, nearly everyone throwing their fist in the air.