What is Meant to be
Chapter 6: Truth, Feelings, and War
Lavitz shivered as he walked through the entrance to Hoax. "That's weird…It's warm…and yet, I'm shivering as if it were freezing cold." He said to himself. Shana overhears him and responds, "Maybe something happened…to cause this…or it could be some phantom spirit." Lavitz gave a small smile. Knowing where they were at, Lavitz really didn't want to think about spirits or anything involving souls of the dead yet he didn't want to think about the possibility that something may have occurred that required his attention. "Well…Let's head to HQ." Lavitz begins, "We need to meet up with Kaiser, go over the battle plans and then prepare for Sandora's attack. Shana and Lavitz began to walk, but Dart remained in the distance. Something weighed heavy on his mind. Lavitz could feel that something was wrong, but he was afraid to acknowledge Dart's unusual silence. Before they arrived at Hoax the young armor clad man was fine, he held a nice conversation with the rest of the party and he wore a smile upon his face, but now it looked as if something struck him hard. Lavitz turned around and looked at Dart. "uhm, Dart?" Dart immediately snapped out of it and ran to catch up with the group. "Is something wrong?" Dart questions. Lavitz was about to ask what was wrong, but he didn't want to stir any ill feelings that may've been running rampant within the warrior's mind. Instead Lavitz shook his head and then entered a nearby building.
A man in well decorated armor sat at a fairly large wooden table. Two nights in silver armor and blue pants were at his side. When Lavitz entered the room the two soldiers snapped to attention and rendered a salute. The man in the decorated armor looked up and found Lavitz standing before him. The man jumped out of the chair. "LAVITZ!" he said in a bold and welcoming tone. "Kaiser, how's everything going?" Lavitz responded. Kaiser's expression immediately changed for the worse. "It's bad, Lavitz. Everything has been getting tense lately . . . very tense. The enemy has obtained a dragon. I don't know how they were able to get a hold of one…" Lavitz shifted a little and then folded his arms. "Then let's get down to business…" Lavitz states in a stern voice. "I have with me my comrades, Dart and Shana. Dart is a great warrior and can handle combat very well-" Lavitz was interrupted by Kaiser who said, "Wait, sir Lavitz, I would like to ask you something…"
"What would you like to ask"
"Before you arrived here…I got wind that there was some ruckus at Indels a few days ago…His Majesty Albert was heavily involved…Do you mind explaining that?"
"I am afraid that I cannot discuss that matter. Though I was witness to it. It is His Majesty's business and I wish not to recall such an ordeal. Also, this is not the right time and or place to be discussing such matters."
"Well said."
Kaiser began to grin. "I expected no less from Sir Lavitz…One of King Albert's most trusted men." Lavitz sighed and gave a small smile. "Can we please get down to business…We have serious matters to attend to." Kaiser immediately cut his cheerful demeanor short just to change his expression to one of seriousness. "As I have previously mentioned, Imperial Sandora has obtained a dragon. If they find a way to fully use the power of the dragon, Basil could be easily dominated within a matter of days. As for the current issue at hand other than the dragon, there is a great probability that Imperial Sandora will launch their attack tonight. Hmmmmm…I guess this would be great for a warrior such as Dart." Kaiser states. Dart looks over at the knight in charge and waits for him to issue the order. "Dart…You will stand watch with Sir Lavitz… It's just a simple night watch. If Sandora decides to attack, you will be able to see them in the distance. Now, if you don't mind, how about you and Shana take a look around? Anyone who is planning to watch over the fortress should be familiar with his surroundings. Enough said." Dart gives a nod and exits the room taking Shana with him.
Outside, Dart moved far away from the entrance to HQ and stood against a wall. Shana moved in front of Dart and looked into his eyes. "You've been acting kind of strange since we left Bale. What's wrong?" Dart sighed and looked away from Shana. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing. Really! " Shana glances away. "Well, if you're not ready to tell me…then that's ok. I just hope that you share what's on your mine with me eventually. Just remember, I'm here for you. I'll listen to whatever you have to say, Dart." Shana states. Dart gives a warm smile and begins to walk towards the stairs. "Let's go. We have a lot of ground to cover." He states. Shana nods and willingly follows Dart up the stairs.
Lavitz leaned back in his chair. Kaiser's briefing wasn't the most exciting of briefs, but what could one expect? When it comes to seriousness at the time of war, Kaiser took the cake. The young knight began to think. That feeling that he felt when he first stepped foot in Hoax was unnerving. To him it felt as if it was signaling that something happened at Indels and that things may become worse by the day, regardless of the war or other outlying factors. Lavitz just couldn't shake the thought off, but something had to be placed aside and the approaching fight wasn't going to be one of them. Lavitz had decided to keep Indels Castle off of his mind and leave everything in Serafino's capable hands. Though, after thinking about Serafino and having him in charge of everything, that made Lavitz worry a little more.
"Lavitz Slambert!!!" Kaiser yelled. Lavitz snapped back into reality and looked at the head of the eighth knighthood with wide eyes. "Are you ready for this battle or are you just going to sit there and daydream?!" Lavitz scratched his head and states, " I am more than ready." Dart and Shana walk through the door and Kaiser redirects his attention to the two. "Have you two got a good look of Hoax?" The leader questions. Both Dart and Shana nod and then Kaiser continues with, "Good, now I'll need Dart and Lavitz to assume their positions at the back gate." Lavitz and Dart exit the HQ and move up the stairs. Dart rushes ahead and gives the knight standing guard the message that he has been relieved. The knight leaves his post and makes his way past Lavitz who was just arriving at the post. Once the knight that was relieved disappeared into HQ, an awkward silence fell over the two.
"I'm sorry." Dart broke the silence. Lavitz looked over at Dart. "Why?" The red clad man shifted a little. "I feel as if I have caused so much trouble for you and His Majesty. I never meant to cause him to fall ill….nor be mentally unstable." Lavitz shook his head slowly. "No…Don't say it's your fault…because it isn't. It would be most appropriate to place this burden upon my shoulders. I was the one who rejected him and I was the one who mentioned your name. Before hand I should have stopped his feelings right when they first showed their face. I should have known better. Also, most of this could be put on His Majesty…He allowed jealousy and the rejection to get the better of him. Now that I think about it he did become easier to dismay after his father passed. " Dart gives Lavitz a puzzled look. "His father?" Dart questions
"Yes, King Carlo. He passed when His Majesty was only six…Twenty years ago."
"How did he die?"
"I'm not too sure…At that time…The knights weren't allowed to disclose any information to those outside of the royal family nor to the knights of other knighthoods. It was…you know…mainly royal family affairs. I was really young at the time and I happened to overhear the occurrence that took place from my late father. He didn't give out details."
"I see."
"But after hearing what happened…I made sure to visit His Majesty Albert the next day. I made sure to help him in his time of need."
"That's probably how it all got started…His feelings for you that is."
"More than likely."
"Though, Lavitz, I do have a question for you."
"Yeah?"
"How did you come upon having feelings for me?"
"Your bravery at Hellena impressed me, your bright personality, great fighting style and so much more. I just couldn't help myself."
Dart began to notice how Lavitz was turning a light shade of red. He young warrior smiles and then looks up at the sky. Dart began to feel a little embarrassed knowing why Lavitz had such feelings for him, but he was ok with it. The young man smiles and then stand up. "Well….Nightfall will be here in about six hours, how about we make the most of this time and get some rest." Dart suggests. Lavitz nods and then leans against the nearby wall. He begins to close his eyes as Dart sits on the hard concrete. Dart watches the young knight drift off to sleep. His thoughts began to wander, but Dart quickly shook them off as he leaned against the wall and again stare at the vast blue sky. We're going to have an incredibly long night….. Dart thought as he closed his eyes.
That night at Indels Castle, Serafino walked across the green carpet holding his mouth. "Damn it!!!" he muttered. Sir Lucien was following behind him patting the injured knight on the shoulder. "You shouldn't have squirmed so much when you were getting the stitches. That's why you have more holes in your lip than you should. All you had to do was sit still and let them run the needle and thread through you. It's as easy and simple as that." Serafino groaned and then released his mouth only to have it hurt worse than before. "Gah! Dammit!" Serafino yelled but then caused himself even more pain. "AHHH!" Lucien sighed. "Buddy, let's just…hurry to dinner." Lucien grabs Serafino by the arm and drags the young knight into the dining area. The two take their seat and Serafino holds his mouth again. The other knights, nobles, and members of the castle began to take their place at the table. There was but one seat left and that would be the King's. As the food was being placed in front of each person, Serafino began to ask, uncovering his mouth, "Where's His Majesty?" The young red headed knight expected an answer but all he received was silence from the others who were staring at the injury on his mouth. "Sir Serafino, what happened to your mouth?!" Asked the lady that spent most of her time with the musical instruments. Lucien stood up and announced, "Sir Serafino had an accident with one of the pole arms that we house downstairs. It's not a serious injury so please stop asking him questions."
The sound of a moving chair was heard throughout the room. Everyone redirected their attention to the head of the table, to find His Majesty; King Albert dressed in his fine dinner attire. His lovely golden brown hair was loose and free and he wore a stern expression upon his face. The man in the hood stood behind the king as Minister Noish took his place at the table to the left of his lord. Albert looked at Serafino who was at that moment adjusting himself in his seat. The king smiled and then remarked "I'm happy to see that you got your injury treated, Sir Almeric. I hope that you never acquire a second one. " Lucien looked over at Serafino. The red head's eyes widened. Serafino was surprised that the King would say something such as that, seeing that he was the one that caused the injury in the first place. "That…was…dirty…" Serafino muttered. "What was that?" Albert asked in a kind tone of voice. Serafino gave a somewhat crooked smile and replied, "I was saying that I will make sure that another injury such as this will not happen again. As long as the naughty little spear that done it realizes that he is messing with the wrong person." Lucien dropped his spoon after he heard the words fall from Serafino's mouth. Lucien realized that his partner Serafino was about to engage in a metaphoric verbal war that everyone knew who was going to win. Albert neatly cut a slice off of his steak and consumed it. He gracefully wiped his mouth and then retaliated with. "Well you have to understand that the naughty little spear wouldn't have done it if the foolish idiot that he came across had of minded his own business and stop trying to be bigger than what he is." Lucien began chug down the drink that was before him. "Well I guess the naughty spear wouldn't have to deal with the foolish idiot if he hadn't have made decisions that only an idiot would make. I mean-" Serafino consumes a mouthful of food and then takes a sip of his drink. Finally he completes his action by wiping his mouth clean. "Really, if only he'd keep his mind off of his pity party and the pole arm that would never want him…He'd be able to see that he's probably being shafted right under his nose. What a stupid, stupid, spear." The knight chuckles. Albert looked at the knife that he held in his hand. Lucien finishes off his meal, stands, faces the king and bows. "Please excuse me, sire." The knight said before leaving the room at a fast pace. King Albert finished his plate and then reaches for his dessert. A maid refills the king's wine glass and then stands far off to the side. Minister Noish looked closely at his king. He could tell that Albert was highly displeased, bordering angry. Albert takes a bite from his cake and then wipes the crumbs from around his mouth. The king looks over at Serafino and the young red head made sure to make eye contact with the king. "Serafino…I wish to speak with you in the throne room after dinner…" King Albert states. "Yes sire." Serafino replies. For the rest of that time at the table, everyone remained silent as a heavy air of tension floated about.
Later that night, Serafino paced back and forth across the throne room. He was nervous and didn't know why. "Heck, why am I nervous? I placed this upon myself, so I have no reason to be so unnerved. Aha. Yeah, I'm ok. I think. Wait…that feeling I got from looking into His Majesty's eyes… It felt like…Neglect? What? As if he's being left out of some-" Serafino was cut off by the slamming of a door. Serafino whirled around. He didn't know what to expect. The young knight stood in a room where the only thing illuminating it was the light from the Moon that Never Sets. The mysterious light of the moon gave the room an ominous feeling to it. Serafino began to move towards a wall and continue to scan his surroundings. "Now would be a great time for my eyes to do something other than read people's minds." He tells himself. "I'm glad that you're here, Serafino…Now, let's get down to business." Albert states in a serious tone of voice. By the feeling of it, Serafino could tell that he bit off far more than he could chew when he engaged in that verbal exchange with the king. One can only hope that this all turns out well.