Chapter 3: The Sorrow of a Loving Father
Blaze was in a trance throughout the entirety of the day and the night. The following morning saw her sat beside the throne of the floor, gazing into the distant space, wondering what to do in a fruitless attempt to wish Silver back to her side. She regretted their argument, and the absence was already making her heart rend. She started blankly into the busy furore of the throne room.
It was when the doors slammed open that Blaze snapped out of it. A large figure walked into the room, a famous figure only known to be one man. The Primary Commander of the castle's forces. Wolfgang.
Dressed in his long cape and his heavy battle armour, he gave a short quick bow to Tinder. Elaine was elsewhere, addressing other issues.
"My king, you summoned me" he addressed.
"Wolfgang, I'm sure you're aware of the current affairs going on right now, yes?" Tinder explained.
"Indeed I am" Wolfgang replied. "I was lucky not to be hurt by the invaders as I fought"
"I have a mission for you, and for pressure's sake, I must say that there is a lot riding on this. You are one of the best fighters, if not the best fighter we have. The floating castle has kidnapped Silver. I want you to give chase to the castle and I want not only for Silver to be resuced, but a possible shut down of that castle. Is this clear?" he ordered.
"Affirmative. I shall be ready to leave tomorrow morning" Wolfgang replied.
"Very well. You are dismissed..." Tinder said. But before he could pardon Wolfgang, Blaze, who had been listening in on the short exchange, suddenly realised that this was her only chance to ever see Silver again. She stood up at once.
"Wait, father!" she blurted, Tinder turned around to Blaze, a little annoyed.
"What's gotten into you?" he exclaimed suddenly. "You can't burst out like that when I'm in the middle of important negotiations!"
"But you don't understand, you have to let me go with him!" Blaze said suddenly. Tinder fell quiet, and so did Blaze. She started to reconsider what she said but shook her head and went ahead with it; there was no going back on it.
"...I...want to go with Wolfgang to find Silver" she explained.
"Out of the question" Tinder said suddenly.
"But father!" Blaze argued back, but Tinder's eyes and nostrils flared.
"Listen to me" he said in a very angry voice. "You will not, I repeat, NOT be accompanying Wolfgang. It is far too dangerous, and we've already lost someone valuable to us, that we may never see again! I couldn't bear to think of what I would feel if you were to go missing too..." he said quite sadly, right after his little anger flush.
Blaze fell a little quiet. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea for her to go.
"...Sir, if I may object" Wolfgang said slowly. "...I believe I am in favour of the accompaniment" he voiced. Tinder looked up slowly, confused towards Wolfgang's decision.
"...Why?" he said quietly. Blaze couldn't really believe what Wolfgang was saying either.
"We haven't had a situation this bad since three years ago, when Gustav was about" he explained. "I could use with a little fire, plus if I do run into any young warriors, her company and presence will make recruiting them a lot easier. Also, should I fall, there is someone who can report the news of my defeat" he explained. "...That is all, milord"
Tinder sat in thought for a minute, before looking at Blaze. His face slowly sunk into his hands in deep thought. It was clear that he was struggling to make a decision. Blaze wasn't entirely sure if she wanted to go anymore, the moment of blurting out her demand had passed, and the reprecussions were coming.
"...Permission granted then. But if there is any danger, Blaze is to return here, do I make myself clear?" Tinder asked, his voice somewhat solemn. Wolfgang gave a salute. Blaze started to smile a little, but stopped when Tinder looked down at Blaze. Seeing her father defeated by the moral choice made her feel scared of what his wrath would incur.
"...Come with me" he said quietly, standing up and walking out of the room. Blaze had no choice but to follow, scared of what was going to unfold between the two in the coming moments.
She soon found herself in the rooms where she trained every day with her father, learning the way of the sword. She watched as Tinder walked to his sword and picked it up from the wall, turning around to Blaze. He looked sad, holding his blade in his hands. Blaze gasped as she realised why it was his sword in his hands.
"...Take this" he said quietly, placing the fine rapier in her hands. It was just as light as her own, plus it looked a lot more effective for battle, unlike her rusty, training sword.
"...Father?" she asked.
"It's going to be dangerous" Tinder said. "I know you're no stranger to adventure. I mean, you were only thirteen when you defeated Gustav, using the Sol Emeralds. You've grown up so much in the last three years..." he added, tears starting to appear in his eyes. Blaze felt a heavy lump developing in her throat as well as she tried to stave off her own tears.
"...Daddy...don't cry" she murmured sorrowfully. Tinder lowered his head, closing his eyes tightly. He then opened them and let a tear fall down his cheek, before he looked at Blaze seriously.
"You're becoming such a beautiful person Blaze" Tinder said. "Please...I'm begging you...whatever you do, don't die. No matter how bleak it gets, never give up. If it's too dangerous, come home...god, what is Elaine going to think?"
The two fell into each other's embrace, crying into each other's shoulders. Their sorrow united as one at that very moment, father and daughter. As they parted, the chnaces that they would never see each other again...was high.
The following morning, it was time. Both Wolfgang and Blaze were sat on Wolfgang's large armoured horse, with Blaze dressed in leather armour. Tinder stood at the drawbridge, giving one last wave to her daughter before the both set off in the search for Silver. Little did they know, the search was going to be arduous, long and painful. And to start it off, there was an imminent disaster about to strike...