The Brave Knight: The Beginning of the End
By J. C. Onyx
Seventeen years ago, the old kingdom of Ivalice began to experience a prolonged period of turmoil after the death of the king and queen. As hope seemed to become lost in the depressed thoughts of the people of Ivalice, some civilians decided to avoid the chaos all together. Through the leadings of the Valiance family, citizens who were through with the life of their old kingdom fled to the western seas in search of free land. In the breezy country below the kingdom of Dismallia, they took their refuge. Four years later King Allaistar and Queen Christiana have built yet another grand kingdom next to Ivalice, Romanda, Ordalia, and Dismallia. It's name… Belvilance.
Three years after the Valliance family and its followers settled down in the new land, the King and Queen had their first child. A young daughter named Topaz. After Topaz reached the age of seventeen, her parents had fallen ill under a mysterious sickness, and she had begun to receive threats from Dismallian nobles warning of a war.
Due to the royal families' constant struggle to protect and support the citizens of Belvilance, many people volunteered to help develop a stronger military. With the heads of both Dismallia and Belvilance looking at each other, with forces of military might at their sides, it seems like god would have to watch over the people of the world as they go into yet another decisive crusade, one of which neither sides will probably come out of alive.
Chapter One: The Blade
It was a cold autumn night as the moonlight showered my back as I was rushing towards the castle monastery where Princess Topaz was said to be. My cape bellowed behind me as the wind bit against my skin, sending chills throughout my body. I raised my hand to wipe off the sweat that clouded my vision so I could focus on the predicament that has plagued my mind. Word from the northern wall was that group of 200 men are marching towards Delmeroy, my hometown, dressed in black and purple…
The color of Dismallians.
When I first heard news of the upcoming attack, I realized I had to contact Topaz as soon as possible. If I was to reach her and make the trip back to Delmeroy, I'd have to do it in the course of two hours. That left me with twelve miles to run to the capital, Bellivance, in about forty five minutes. Report the situation to the princess and hope that she thinks of it as much of a threat as I do to her kingdom, have her group her men in less than thirty minutes and make the trip back to Delmeroy in less than fifty minutes. The last five would be for organizing her men into attack teams and giving out simple orders.
On the run I reached into my back pocket to take out my water pouch and toss down some to quench my thirst. After pouring some over my face to cool me down, I looked up to see the walls of Bellivance in front of me. Staring into the sky to measure how far the sun has traveled, I realized I might not have much time.
"Who goes there?" asked a guard decorated in the kingdoms customary armor, blue, gold, and white.
"It is Blade from Delmeroy. I am here to discuss a future attack on our town to the princess."
"Yes, I understand. I have also heard of the news of Dismallians making their way through Belvilance," he said turning his direction towards the squire to his right. "I want you to transport this man to the castle monastery and make it as quick as possible."
"Yes sir. Please Blade, follow me."
The gate doors slowly opened and as soon as there was enough room to make it through, the squire urged me forward. I had only made a trip to Bellivance once in my time, but its beauty had not faded since then. As you enter the city, you are greeted by a row of buildings that sell goods needed for outside travel surrounding you from both sides. After you get past the crowded shops, the road opens up and in-circles a beautiful garden with a breathtaking water fountain in the center that gives the city a cool feeling even in the most desiccated summer days. Running by it in the jade grass of the garden, I could feel the mist from the fountain shower me, giving me a much needed cool-down to make the rest of the trip.
"So you come from the town of Delmeroy," asked the squire still looking in front of him so he would not run into any of the citizens that were strolling through the streets.
"Yes. It may be a small town, but it means a lot to me and many since most people started out their lives in Belvilance there."
"I know what you mean," said the squire turning his head slightly to get a better look at me. "My parents have lived there since the settling years. I too was born there, that small town means a lot to me as well."
"Really, what is your name young squire?"
"The name is Jahnon, it is a pleasure to meet you Blade."
We both slowed down to a jogging pace as we neared the castle gates. I pulled out my pouch for one last drink and with just enough left for another, I handed the rest over to Jahnon so he could satisfy his tremendous thirst. Thanking me, he chucked down the rest of the water.
I had never been up close to the Castle of Bellivancef, and I have to say it was much more stunning from up close. It was built from marble stone and the woodwork on the roof and trim was a dark yet warm color, like cherry except finer. The stone tiles in front of the entrance way created the Valiance family symbol and the stones were ranged from the colors blue, to white, to gold. But what really stood out was the gorgeous yard. Finely cut grass felt like clouds to the touch, a man-made stream flew through the center of the yardf, and where it cut into the pathway leading into the house, a beautiful bridge made out of the same wood as the roof of the castle spread its way out in front of us. I looked down to see that some raulines had made a nest near the edge of the water underneath the bridge.
"Here we are," muttered Jahnon looking over at the castle guard that blocked our way.
"Please state why you are here?" requested the guard.
"We are here to see Princess Topaz for the account of the future attack that is to befall upon Delmeroy," I explained, raising my voice to sound more assertive. "It's urgent."
"Yes, I heard the story from a passing civilian. Princess Topaz should still be the monastery, I will lead you to her," the guard said turning to open up the door and motioned with his hand for us to follow.
The entrance room was still made out of the marble from the outside, but when the guard led us to the right, the hallways were made out of the rich wood like the bridge and roof. They were dimly lit by firelight from sconce candles sprouting out of the walls, and in some instances it was almost difficult for me to see. But after a small double turn I saw the familiar sunshine coming through some windows at the end of the hall way. We took one more left before going out into an open garden in the middle of the castle where the monastery stood in the center of.
Two knights familiar to my eye were standing in front of the monastery. On the left was Avilouce, the family's holy knight and has been one of their sworn protectors for fourteen years. She has always had a way with words, and always seems to manage to stop a fight before it has even started.
Although it looks like she could not stop this one.
Next to Avilouce on the right side of the monastery doorway, was Fredrick, and he was going off on her. A sworn protector for the Valiance family for only seven years, he has mastered the ways of the dark knight. With his famous blade, the Vicious, at his side and his blinding blond hair, his appearance is only one that usually leads to fright in the enemies' eyes.
"She has been in there long enough Avilouce! She may need to pray to the gods for help but we won't be able to do anything if it takes too long. We need to plan a strategic action for the battle that is to come ahead."
"You dare insult the princess' ways, Fredrick. You know that she is highly religious and that her first action is to always try to receive help from god. Your actions of this moment are rude and incomprehensible! You should be ashamed of yourself, insulting the princess like that!" countered Avilouce in Topaz's defense.
"I'd hate to break up the creative discussion you two are having your Excellency, but we have too men who need to discuss an attack on the town of Delmeroy," said the guard who lead us to the monastery.
"You! You are as naïve as he is. Does everyone want to disrupt the princess' prayer!" exclaimed Avilouce, raising her voice even louder making all of us rear back as our ears rang.
"It's okay Avilouce… I am done."
Thank you for reading the first chapter of my first book in the three part series The Brave Knight. Please review and post comments about what you've read and what you liked, as well as what you disliked. I can't wait to hear from you a I'll try to get the next chapter up soon. (sorry for the abrupt ending, but I couldn't seem to make it flow any smoother)
J. C. Onyx