Immortal Skies
Chapter Two -- Return to Knighthood

Percival had been inside the city for the past hour. He was largely surprised at the sights that awaited him, and the bustling noise that was everywhere, as soon as he entered the gates. He didn't think he had been gone that long, only a year or so, and yet...the familiar scenery of his second home overwhelmed him. The absence of such activity was alien to his much more peaceable village, and maybe he had been gone too long. He felt a little like the first time he entered the city gates of Vinay del Zexay as a 17-year old boy seeking his fortunes, and wanting to become a knight...

But it was great to be back.

He had taken the long path towards the dock so he could view the busy port avenue, and the seaside, as he walked. He had decided to save the suspense of reuniting with his fellow knights. The look on their faces, as he imagined it, had brought out the familiar and charmingly boyish grin the Swordsman of Gale was well-known for.

But his expression was devoid of any humor now. Before anything else, his first stop was at the cemetery, located south of downtown. He had entered through another gate that led to the burial site of Zexen heroes, mostly soldiers, who died in the battlefield during the past wars. Now he was standing in front of a pair of tombstones, ones that bore the names of men who had held the greatest influence over him during his early life as a knight.

During the war last year, he had taken several trips to the graveyard as well, much like this one. And for long minutes, he would talk to his late captain and vice-captain as if they were still alive. Gave them news of what was currently happening, and exasperating orders they received from the Council. Told them the progress of his comrades, and the new captain, Chris Lightfellow. He rather thought the pair of knights appreciated the gesture, silent though they were in their eternal rest. When they were still alive, he never had the much opportunity to engage them in small talk anyway.

Now, though, it was his turn to be quiet. He had no other news left to tell; he was there merely for his own purpose.

For the past few nights, he had been having recurrent dreams. And while normally he would not even waste second thoughts on meaningless dreams (for most of the time, he couldn't even remember most of those he did have), this series of dreams had been strange. Not that there was anything remarkable about the dreams themselves...just that they had been persistent. And even more strangely, it was not the first time that the dream had come to him. Once, long ago, he remembered having a similar one...it had taken him quite some time to remember, but when he finally did, he realized he had the dream the same day when both Captain Galahad and Vice Captain Pelize had died in the battlefield. That night, he had lain awake for long hours, wondering whether or not it was a bad omen. During the events that followed, however, he had forgotten all about it. Until now.

Of course, he doubted anyone giving him answers in a graveyard. And even if someone did, Percival wasn't certain he'd like to hear replies from the dead. But he could not deny the unknown forces that compelled him to visit the graves of his late seniors.

"Percival?"

At the sound of the incredulous voice speaking his name, Percival turned around. His eyes lit up into a smile as they descended upon the very form of the Silver Maiden, his captain and comrade, Chris Lightfellow.

Her violet eyes widened at the sight of him, when he finally turned to face her. It had been fourteen months since Percival's return to his native village. The Swordsman of Gale had never set foot inside the capital city during that time, not even once. So she found herself staring at him now, wondering about the changes since she had last seen him.

It really had been too long. He was not in his armor of course, but the differences went beyond that. His hair was a bit longer than she remembered, and he appeared thinner. But his skin was slightly bronzed, and he sported a healthy flush on his cheeks. And his smile...it was that smile which fitted his handsome profile perfectly, and perhaps would never change. The smile told her more than anything, that it was still the same Percival. No matter how older he got, the curve of his lips were still roguish, as if hiding a boy's secret mischief. It was the same impish one that was sorely missed over his year of absence in the Knighthood.

Chris strode quickly towards him, and he met her halfway. Her shocked expression had turned into an accusing one. "You did not tell us you were coming!"

"Ah," Percival said, his grin broadening. "I should've known that the first time you see me in a year, you greet me with a scolding. Glad to see you, too, my Captain." He opened his arms wide, his grin turning devilish. "Alas, no hug?"

She gave him a pointed look, before shaking her head. "Still the same Percy, alright." She chuckled as he made a face at the mention of his 'nickname'. "I don't think you deserve one for treating us like that."

He shot her an innocent look. "Whatever do you mean, my lady?"

"Don't jest; you know exactly what I mean. Twice I summoned for you, but the first time, you didn't answer the missive. The second time, Borus and Leo themselves went to Iksay to inquire about you, and yet you were nowhere to be seen. Louis had been dreading the worst, and feared that you had mysteriously gone off into some unknown territory, never to return." She looked at him questioningly. "Where have you been?"

"Oh...that." Percival scratched his head, and looked sheepish. "I've been busy getting supplies for the village since the past month. I didn't mean to worry any of you. I apologize."

Chris shook her head. "We know how important it was for you to leave for Iksay. We understand that, do not doubt. You don't need to apologize for anything. In fact, I might as well be the one apologizing instead, for summoning you from your work there, but..." She trailed off, uncertain with the choice of words she had in mind. She didn't want to sound as if she were pressuring him to make a decision. "We do need you, Percival, I won't be denying that. The border clashes have stirred once again, and the odds may not be as favorable as they once were."

"Which is why you can count on my help." He smiled, looking at her with dark eyes full of conviction. "Duty called, and I came." He gave a little bow of assent.

She looked at him seriously, and nodded, short of sighing in relief. "You have my gratitude. I appreciate this, Percival."

"Although I really would've preferred to hear you were mooning over the loss of your best-looking knight," he grinned at her cheekily. "In any case, you are always welcome, m'lady. I took an oath to the Zexen Federation, the Knighthood and its Captain. And I take my vows seriously, especially the latter."

Embarrased by the proclamation, she smiled at him nevertheless, conveying at least her trust in his word and her gratitude to such loyalty. "I never doubted it for a moment," she told him. She looked back at the tombstones behind them. "Can you wait for me? I'm just going to pay my respects to the Captain and the Vice Captain. Also to my father."

He nodded. "Take your time."

As she turned her back on him, he took it as an opportunity to observe her in silence. Chris had not changed much since the last time he saw her. Not in appearance, anyway. He noticed she was wearing a smart dark red suit, with an expensive-looking coat, dressed up as if she had an important call to make. Her hair was done up in a neat braid, and no jewels adorned her person except for a tiny pair of pearl-drop earrings. Really, she was the same Chris Lightfellow after all this time...except, he noticed she seemed more relaxed now. He wasn't surprised; although the past war had dealt fiercely with tragedies, the victorious tides of its aftermath gave birth to new hope. The people they had met in Budehuc Castle, who had come from all walks of life, had taught them a lot of things they would never have learned if their paths had not come across. The war had changed all of them greatly. It changed him. It changed her, and it was noticeable, too. He had looked into her eyes for mere minutes, but it was as if the young Chris of the earlier years in the Knighthood--full of dreams and ambitions, spirited--was back.

He followed her as she walked towards a more obscure corner of the grounds. As she knelt before it, he realized it was Wyatt Lightfellow's grave, her father's. He noticed fresh flowers had been placed near the tombstone, and that the grave itself had been well-kept. He could only assume that Chris visited it regularly, and tended to it.

When she finished sending her prayers to the heavens, she stood up and dusted her outfit. She looked up gratefully at Percival for waiting for her, and together they headed outside the cemetery gates and back into the city proper. Percival welcomed the sights and sounds once again, and Chris looked at him curiously. "Do you miss Iksay?" she asked him.

"This soon? No, not yet. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the simple and peaceful life back in the village, but you do get to miss out on all the action you get out here in the city. I've learned to love the capital as much as I love my hometown. I've lived almost half my life here, as a knight, anyway."

Chris recalled her memories of Iksay Village, when she had visited it over a year ago during its harvest festival. She smiled fondly as she remembered her brief, yet happily satisfying stay. "How is Iksay, by the way? I noticed you haven't called on me to join the annual festival. I assume the people have been busy with the rebuilding, though," she finished with a small shrug of her shoulders.

Percival blinked in surprise at the mention of his village's festival. A year ago, during the early stages of war, Percival had sneaked Chris away from her worries at Brass Castle, and brought her to Iksay. At that time, it had been an honest gesture on his part, as he noticed how deprived of lighter moods his Captain was with regards to the trouble brewing with the armies of Grasslands. But things had not turned out as simply as he imagined it. At the end of that fateful day, his village had lain in ruins due to the unexpected attack of Grasslanders, he had earned a punch from Borus' mighty fist for risking Chris' safety, and had received a thorough ego-bashing from the same knight that he was bound never to forget. The incident was hardly ever mentioned again after that. So Percival was rightly surprised to hear Chris sounding as if she had honestly expected him to extend the same invitation that seemed like a mistake a long time ago.

"Well, you're right about that," he replied, nonetheless. "The village skipped on the festival several months ago due to the rebuilding. And the crops were destroyed by the fire, as you well know."

Chris frowned. "Will it be impossible now because of the charred grounds?"

He shook his head. "No. Actually, the fire did the soil good, because it neutralized the acid in it. It's clean from from harmful fungi, now, so it's healthier. Of course, you don't want to hear about that," he added the latter quickly, and his face flushed as he suddenly realized how inappropriate a subject farming was, especially to a lady of nobility, such as Chris.

She laughed. "I suppose Barts is happy about that. I still remember the tomatoes."

"'Happy' is an understatement," he replied, grinning. "Barts has given up altogether on his tomatoes; he's swearing on grapes, now, and he insists he'll make them turn out better than those from Chisha."

"Then I guess I'll just have to see them next time."

His eyes widened. "You're serious?"

"Why are you so surprised?" She asked him, raising a single brow.

"Well..." he hesitated. He shook his head. "It's nothing. And anyway, I'm not so sure Borus is keen on the idea." He winced in remembrance of feeling the brunt of Borus' anger and his single-minded obsession with Chris' safety.

"Ah, well..." She trailed off, remembering the same incident as well. "I understand he worries a little too much." If he could, Percival would've rolled his eyes at the understatement of Borus' worrying over her safety in particular. But he restrained himself, limiting his reaction to a half-hidden amused smile. He wondered if Chris, after all this time, with not-so-subtle hints thrown into her general direction quite regularly when he was still around, remained oblivious to it all. He could only guess. "But I don't see any reason why he should object to such a visit now," Chris continued, "when the danger of it has long passed."

"I see your point, but...that's easy for you to say. Of course Borus wouldn't hold it against you--he'd happily hold it against me!"

Chris decided not to comment on this, and turned tail to the original topic. "Spring is just around the corner, and perhaps it would be a good time to start on the planting?"

Percival nodded in reply, effectively hiding his surprise at Chris' continued insistence to discuss the peaceful life at the humble village of Iksay. "The villagers are getting all excited about it. The festival can be pulled off this year. We can go, if you like, only..."

"Only what?"

"Only if I get a week's reprieve from returning to the capital right after. I'm not looking foward to having my arse kicked again by Borus. If I make myself scarce for a few days after such an escapade, then he might forgive me."

She laughed at the look on his face, and then sighed. "You'd think, after all this time, I've proven to him that I can take care of myself."

Percival's inner demons sniggered at that telling statement. Poor Borus; Chris was really hopeless. It wasn't a matter of Borus believing she could take care of herself, oh no. He rather believed the Swordsman of Rage would rather do the taking care of her himself. But he restrained from remarking once again, fighting the urge to gleefully announce the trials of Borus Redrum regarding the untouchable Silver Maiden. It wasn't as if he hadn't had his share of poking fun at Borus' clumsy attempts in making his feelings known...in fact, Percival always initiated the jokes. Blatantly so, that Chris merely brushed them off as childish teasing and never took them seriously. But whatever Borus decided to do to advance the relationship--or the lack of it--that was all up to him. Far be it for Percival to ruin his timing...or style...or whatever. Personally, he was curious about whether or not there had been some progress in Borus' suit after all those months. But apparently, with the way Chris was talking, Percival doubted it.

He and Chris took the path to the city center, chatting away. The physical changes in Percival were minimal, and so more than a few of the city folk seemed to recognize him instantly as he escorted his captain. They were surprised at his sudden reappearance. Surely, they were quick to pass information to all interested, and for a few days, it would be a topic of much gossip among them...how the absent knight had finally made his return after all all this time.

They were heading to the Knights' Hall where the rest of the illustrious knights of Zexen were currently staying. He was already looking foward to seeing them all again, especially after hearing of the adventures he missed out on during his absence. Of how Louis the squire seemed to be developing a little romance with the wine seller's daughter. And how Leo ate some delicacy from the Grasslands that surprisingly didn't agree with his iron stomach. And of Salome acquiring a new squire. Chris also told him how both Leo and Borus had sorely missed Percival's company during their drinking sessions; apparently, Roland didn't think much of being drunk and embarrasingly boisterous and so he seldom joined them. Salome would rather drown in tea, and Louis...well, his taste for wine had improved considerably after vain attempts to impress the girl by the wine store, but he still couldn't hold his liquor as well as the connoisseurs did. Chris was now recounting a story of Roland's mysterious visits to the town plaza, where jongleurs often performed in the afternoon, when Percival came to an abrupt halt. They were in front of the Knights' Hall. Chris looked at him questioningly, and found him staring at the grand, and well-polished building before them, proudly bearing the Zexen Crest. Six poles bore flags that were the coats-of-arms of the Six Zexen Heroes.

Percival turned to look at her, and he smiled. "It's good to be here."

She understood fully what he meant, and shared the smile of content. "Welcome back," she said softly, and together they entered the hall.

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