Chapter 9: Lord Knight

Part I: A Soldier's Trial

"Payon feels so differently this time…"

Kathris gave the cave entrance a long stare then turned around and started to walk back to the town.

The once peaceful and beautiful elven town was now s smoldering ruin. The raydrics were civil enough to bury the corpses that were littered all across the streets. Somehow, it didn't reek of death and blood like it used to a day before the elves were wiped out.

The red-haired huntress kept on walking past several ruined structures until she found herself in front of a very familiar house…

"Aren't you hungry, Kathris? You've been staring at that all this time…" an elf clad in scarlet full plate asked a younger version of Kathris with a worried look.

The elf took off his hawk-shaped helmet and placed it on the table, revealing long dark hair.

Kathris stared at the elf that she thought was her father. The young archer was a human though. Ever since she was brought to Payon, the elves had been regarding her as some treasure that was going to break at a single touch.

"Playing along with that fool's tricks was sure hard..."

After strolling through a few more blocks, more and more memories came into the huntress' mind.

"Great job, Kathris. Aren't you glad you lived long enough for this?"

Kathris nodded and looked at her huntress clothes. She had received honors because of the capture of an elven caravan carrying important files and documents. The former archer was urged to become a huntress because of that.

"I think my bow's too small, don't you think?"

Necron looked at the gakkung in the huntress' hands. It was certainly longer than the bow she was using before. Why would she think it was too small?

"This knight…"

Kathris looked at her enormous crossbow.

"Necron, please show me that you even care. I knew how you reacted some time ago…"

…………………………………..

'Kathris, what is in your mind now?'

"Hey kid!"

Necron snapped out of his deep thoughts when the blacksmith handed him his zweihander. The knight had been daydreaming all the time while the blacksmith was reforging the black blade. Despite the smell of the star crumbs being used for hardening weapon annex, thinking about Kathris and her weird behavior towards him was quite…relaxing.

The knight handed the blacksmith his payment but the old man pushed his hand back.

"I simply did that because I found a glint of determination in your eyes. Next time's full price, alright?"

Necron ran his hand up the shiny black blade. It was more magnificent than before.

"For free? After all that time you spent?"

The old blacksmith laughed.

"Hey, you can at least say "thanks". Well, we need more lord knights now since their numbers were dwindling. Not that there's any war to fight…"

"We can't be too sure! It's not the size of this…thing that counts!" Necron tapped the black blade. "I have no idea what the tests are. Some guy told me that I'm going to die if I'm not careful…"

The old blacksmith put down his oridecon hammer.

"You know, lad, you're just like that sword you use. Never broke since the first time I fixed it…"

Necron covered his zweihander and went out of the smithies. He was going to be lord knight. Even if he refused, he would end up getting pummeled, not by the tests but by everyone who heard of him as "The raydric who was going to be under the powerful Lord Knight Salendriel."

'What are your intentions, Salendriel?'

The knight looked at the castle turrets where raydric younglings were being taught the basics.

'This zweihander was your weapon before you handed it to me. That's why I make sure it's polished and ready to rend guilty flesh. Like what you are…'

………………………………..

Salendriel smiled at his reflection that shone on his broad sword's pattern. His auburn hair wasn't tied behind. Before putting it back in its sheath, the reflection of the tall figure of Osiris appeared.

"Is something amiss?"

Osiris stared at the sword in the lord knight's hands.

"Using that blade on that boy so soon? He does have his job to do, keeping an eye at his "Excellency" Abraxil Sovivor."

"Yes, Osiris. He does but despite his age, that boy has proven his worth. Not many knights have done so much like he did. I think he needs more…credit."

The champion took his seat beside the lord knight.

"You realize that he uses your old sword. Are you sure he is going to make it?"

"I…can't tell." Salendriel returned his gaze to his sword. "It's his choice…but the most determining criteria are his willingness. We shall see once it all starts."

Osiris didn't say anything.

"Something bothering you?"

The champion appeared to have been in deep thought before responding.

"It's about him. His name is…Necron Lorthiras, is it not?"

"It's unlikely for you to be worried about anything that refers to other's business, Osiris."

The champion stood up.

""Others" doesn't include you, old friend. He wields your sword. I must know if he carries your resolve as well…like an offspring would."

"He has a raydric's heart but he's somewhat…stubborn and has a knight's spirit and kindness…"

Osiris stared at his own hands.

"Just be careful. While defeating you in combat is utterly impossible, he might…scratch you."

The lord knight laughed then sheathed his sword.

(A/N): I really have to make this chapter short because if I added everything to this, it would make abrupt changes and make it too long…