Running Blind
Chapter 4: Leaving the Knights, the purple star.
Flynn felt cold as he walked beside Yuri, leaving the city he had sworn to protect behind him, his hand still clutching the small, black box which held the purple star of bravery tightly in his hand.
He hadn't wanted to go the ceremony but his highness Ioder had insisted and Lady Estellise was on the verge of tears. . . How could he possibly say no?
[Flash Back]
Puffy white clouds floated lazily across the sunlit sky, early morning dew sparkled on the lush, green, grass as Flynn walked down the garden path.
Flynn was wearing his ceremonial armor, the many medals he had earned shone brightly in the sun light.
He stopped a moment, he felt like such a fraud when he wore this outfit, most of his awards and medals, if not all of them were really Yuri's.
He wasn't the one that found the aqua blastia core for the lower quarter, Yuri had done that.
He hadn't stopped Cumore or Rague from terrorizing the public and using their positions for their own personal gain, and while he didn't agree with His methods he admitted that Yuri had accomplished what he could not.
He gently unpinned one of the less-decorated medals from his shirt and studied it for a moment.
Medal of Zeal
Given for an eager and
Go-getting attitude
Recruit Flynn Scifo
'The Imperial Crest of Zeal' Flynn gave a sad smile, probably one of the few medals he could say he earned himself, he turned over the small golden heart with his fingers, gently tracing the violet edges with his thumb, it was his first medal, and was one of only eight other knights to receive it as a recruit, he had other, more decorated medals of course, The Imperial Star of Combat being one of them, but this one was special . . . it always would be.
Flynn looked up from his reminiscing only to find himself less than 15 yards away from the ceremony.
What had carried his feet here? Perhaps a small part of him unconsciously wanted to just get it over with?
Flynn looked down the medal again, what irony, is his attempt to forget about the ceremony for a short while he had unconsciously walked right toward it.
He repined the medal to his shirt, it was time he realized sadly, he had put it off long enough, he had to face fact that he could no longer be a knight, could no longer protect those who are close to him . . . No that wasn't true he could still protect those closest to him, (At least for now) but it wasn't the same being able to protect his entire home town . . .
As Flynn approached, Ioder and Estelle met him, Estelle's eyes threatening to spill tears.
"I'm glad you came." Said Ioder, gently placing his arm around Estelle to comfort her.
"Yes . . . I'm glad as well . . ." Said Estelle as tears slipped down her cheeks.
Flynn gingerly took her hand in his own.
"I'm alive." He said, trying his best to calm her.
"That is better than nothing, I'll find a way to take care of myself and besides, Yuri won't let me just sit around and do nothing I won't be bored!"
Estelle gave him a small smile though her tears.
"Yes . . Your right, I know everything will okay. . . Eventually."
Flynn squeezed her hand.
"Why don't you sit down? I'll be there soon."
She nodded, and slowly made her way toward the platform at the front of the ceremony, leaving the two alone on the path.
Flynn looked down, unable to look his emperor in the eyes.
"Forgive me . . ." He said without looking up.
"Forgive you?" Ioder asked quizzically.
"For what?"
Flynn finally looked up, pain clear in his eyes.
"For being selfish . . . I should have told you as soon as I realized that something was wrong . . .But I didn't because I didn't want to stop being a knight, stop helping people . . . so I hide it from you – from everyone . . ."
His shoulders sagged; eyes reverted back toward the ground.
Ioder took a step forward, placing both hands on his shoulders causing Flynn to look up.
"Because of you I have gone from being a candidate for the throne to an emperor, something I could have never have reached on my own. Not only that but you also care about the people, to you this city is not simply a mass of people to watch over, every person has a story, a worry or problem that needs to be addressed, and you listen to their problems and find way to help them that suits everyone, not because you feel it's your duty but because you want to, because you care. You taught me that ruling over people is not enough; you must care about those you rule over if there is to be any progress . . . You are someone I cannot replace, I will miss you."
"I'm no one special." Said Flynn.
"Anyone with standard skills could do my job."
"Well I don't believe that, not only do you do your paperwork but the paperwork of your subordinates as well."
A slight blush came over Flynn's cheeks.
"Umm . . . You knew about that?"
Ioder nodded.
"Estellise told me some time ago."
"I see." Flynn said nodded.
"are you sure I Can't change your mind about my proposal?" Asked Ioder hopefully.
Flynn shook his head.
"It's a Generous offer, but I think I should get away from the capital for a while, besides I'm a little young to be advising the emperor on the matters of state."
"I understand . . . So are you ready?" Asked Ioder.
"No, I'm not." Said Flynn, taking in a deep breath and slowly letting it out.
"But lead the way."
The two of them walked toward the platform in the center of the garden, Estelle had worked a great deal in the gardens the last two years bringing rare plants and flowers from other continents, wild ginger from the edge of liyccia, Hyponian honeysuckle, and fringed gentian from the Tolbyccian continent, Yurzorean bluebells and Geriaos Tea flowers surrounded the entire garden, covering the ceremony with their sweet, gentle sent.
As Flynn reached the platform he realized that his entire privet brigade was present, while nowhere near as large as Alexei's Flynn had twenty to thirty men that were loyal to him, which meant they were also loyal to the emperor, he made that clear that there would be no more Alexei Conspiracy plots on his watch.
"Sir!"
The sound of Sodia's Voice snapped him from his thoughts as she quickly approached.
"Sir! Please tell me it's not true! Everyone is telling me that something is wrong with your sight and that you're leaving us! But that can't be true, because if there something wrong with your sight you would've had it fixed! There has to be some other explain-"
"Sodia!" This being the fourth of three other attempts to calm her.
Sodia looked up at him, a look of fear and uncertainty swirled uncontrolled in her rose colored eyes.
"I've been avoiding you . . ." Flynn said sadly.
"I thought it would easier for me if I stayed away from everyone, I didn't even stop and think of the effect it would have on you . . . And for that I'm sorry."
"But Commander-"
"You have to accept that I have to leave, I am of no use to you if I can't see what I'm doing, I know you're afraid . . . but I need you to trust me, I have to do this."
"B-but Commander-" Sodia started to argue again as if arguing her point well enough would make it all go away . . .
"Stand beside me during this difficult time Sodia?" Flynn asked gently.
"I . . . Yes Commander."
Sodia stood to his right while Estelle stood to his left, Flynn looked out over the small crowd someone was still missing.
"Where's Yuri?" Flynn asked Estelle.
"Yuri said he had something he had to do before the ceremony and to not wait up for him." Estelle replied sadly.
"I see . . ." He said sadly.
"But he promised . . ." Flynn whispered under his breath.
The trumpets sounded.
"Knights of the Imperial guard." Ioder started his speech causing Flynn to let go of Yuri's absence for now.
"At Flynn's request this ceremony will be as short as possible, I would just like to say that I'm glad that all of you came, each and every knight is special because you represent this city, this nation and what it stands for, and you protect it with your lives. Then there are the extraordinary, a special few that do not see being a knight as job but as a passion, a few that shine brightly but who's light go's out all to soon . . . Flynn Scifo is not simply a knight, he is a unique person and a good friend."
Ioder stepped down from the podium and took from his pocket a small, black, velvet box.
"I Emperor Ioder Sidos Heurassein the first, present you the Silver Star of Bravery, the highest honor we can give."
Ioder handed him the velvet box.
"Would you like to speak?" He asked.
"Only for a moment." Flynn answered as he walked up to the podium.
"I won't bore you with a long speech, I just want to say that I'm honored to have worked with all of you and I wish I could have worked with you longer . . . As my last order as Commandant I appoint Sodia Fane as new acting Commandant, I know she will serve well."
Sodia began to panic.
"What- me? But Commander i - I don't think that's a good idea, I mean i - I don't even have anyone to be my second since Witcher has returned to blastia research! I don't think-"
"What about Violette Lapin, you have been working with her a great deal and she's qualified."
"A female Commandant and a female Second-in-Command?, I don't think the Empire is ready for that."
"There'll have to be." He said with a genuine smile.
Sodia nodded, trying her best to smile in return.
"I'm ready to leave." Said Flynn, turning to face Ioder.
"Very well, The Imperial Guard and the Empire have lost an amazing knight." Said Ioder, shaking his hand.
"Perhaps . . ." Said Flynn, looking back at Sodia
"But they've gained an extraordinary one."
Sodia began to blush.
"I will do my best not to disappoint you Commander- I mean Flynn . . ."
"I know you will, I trust you."
Flynn stepped down from the platform; the path was now lined with knights standing on either side, still clutching their trumpets. As he walked past them he expected to hear the trumpets sound again, instead he heard a strange modern music being played.
Flynn smiled, so this was why Yuri hadn't attended, he remembered a few months ago Yuri and his friends had taken him to a place called Nam Cobanda Isle or (The Happy Place) where Yuri had shown him a funny looking creature that played many kinds of music, out of all of them Flynn had found the music Fury Sparks to be the most modern and strange but had expressed how much he liked the music.
Flynn looked around, finally spotting Yuri at the front gate leading into the royal quarter, calmly resting against the railing, far enough away to be missed from atop the platform but close enough to hear everything that was said.
'Clever' Thought Flynn, as he walked toward him.
"So, you did come."
" 'Course I did, I said I would didn't I?" Said Yuri calmly with a wave of his hand.
"So you were here this entire time and didn't bother to tell me?" looking at his friend with mild annoyance.
"Guilty as charged." Yuri replied just as calm as before.
Flynn merely sighed in annoyance.
"So, are you ready to go or what?" Yuri asked walking away.
"Go? Go where exactly?" Asked Flynn confused.
"On a trip around the world of course, Karol bought the supplies, We put Raven to work preparing the ship, Judith packed your clothes and-"
"Miss Judith did what?" Flynn asked in horror that a woman had gone through his stuff, packed his clothes, and been though his underwear . . .
Flynn shook away the thought.
"This is horrible . . ." mumbled Flynn to himself.
"Ah, come on! It'll be great fun! Besides you need a vacation."
Flynn only sighed again; he knew none of his training could possibly prepare him for the journey ahead.
A/N: Finally finished . . .(Checks work count . . .")
What? Over 2,000 words! Yay!
(Checks to see how long ago since last update . . .)
WTH! Last Updated: 07-15-11 ! It took that long?
Anyways . . . Next chapter is "The Journey Begins" were finally on our way!
Also I'm working on another story that a friend of mine has been after me FOREVER to write! I'll put that up some time next week.
R&R Please! Thanks!