Chapter 20

It took Samaroh half the night to work on Nocturne, and since everyone was watching him nervously he was a little clumsy and had to redo the bandaging. No one wanted to sleep - they were too apprehensive about any other attacks.

By dawn Nocturne was up, but he was still too weak to walk. Both he and Samaroh rode behind Valkron and Iruna respectively. Samaroh was far too tired to walk, either. The other ten Prontera Chivalry knights also mounted their pecos and walked with the crowd, looking around uneasily. Some of the people they were escorting knew about what had happened and were passing the information about themselves in whispers. A few of them were staring to look fearful.

Valkron rode while looking stonily ahead. His expression was not one you would like to interrupt. Emeth certainly observed this and slowed down so that Valkron would go first.

Whatever Edell was he was definitely vulnerable to the portal, thought the knight. Another one who harbours pain and negative emotions. But why?

Valkron frowned. He remembered Edell as a shy person who stayed away from girls. His explanation, when Valkron had asked him, was, 'I don't know. I'm not sure about them.'

Well, of course that was excusable. Most boys stayed away from girls because they thought girls were either too weak or too different. He had felt the same before. Somehow being an adult changed your point of view, he reflected, glancing at Iruna.

But how serious could it get? If Edell was influenced so easily, what about his party? Edell's weakness was penetrated without difficulty; maybe it would be easy for the portal to attack his party's weaknesses as well.

Nocturne shifted a little behind him. Valkron looked over his shoulder.

'You all right?' he said.

'Mm. Just a bit sore.'

'Samaroh said when we get to Payon he can treat you better there. He said something about herbs before he fell asleep, so I think he's referring to the point that there are herbs that will help you out.'

'Mm.' Nocturne looked at the sleeping priest behind Iruna. 'Good fellow. Never seen someone who was so deft with his hands.'

'I agree with you. No one can be more annoying.'

'Not daft, deft.'

'Oh. Sorry.' Valkron looked at Samaroh again. 'But I wish he wasn't so self-important.'

Nocturne stifled a yawn. 'That's because he can't face things, I guess. And no one ever looks at him twice.'

The knight was taken aback by this revelation. 'What?'

'What do you mean, what? It's obvious, isn't it?' Nocturne pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Haven't you noticed? Nobody ever talks to him much. And he's more like...he can't face the truth.'

'That's because you're far too truthful, Nocturne.'

'I know. Eni said I'm so truthful it hurts.' The hunter smiled wanly at Valkron's expression. 'But don't you think listening to the truth is far better than listening to a lie?'

'It would depend on the situation,' said Valkron carefully, knowing that he was stepping over thin ice.

'I know. It depends on the situation. But it's about time Samaroh faced his situation, don't you think?'

Valkron subsided into silence. So Samaroh had something to hide. That made it two.

He glanced at Emeth. The wizard was strolling along almost nonchalantly, but there was something to his walk that Valkron recognised. He was ready for anything that came their way.

What do you hide, Emeth? thought Valkron in the privacy of his head.What do all of you hide, if you have anything to hide? I'm not a sociable person but I swear I'll find out in any way I can. For our safety.

By evening they had walked onto the path that led to Payon. The residents of the little village had opened their gates wide, and the Prontera residents were only too happy to get in. Valkron was forced to order Iruna and Anox to block the wide gateway with their pecos in order to organise the chaos that was breaking out.

Finally in the village everyone could settle down. The inn hastily made nine rooms vacant for the nine knights and the Raulus party. Even though everyone had to share a room no one was complaining. They had no other choice.

Samaroh eventually had enough sleep to get up and gather herbs from the forests around Payon. He came back and treated Nocturne, this time alone and properly. When he was done the hunter looked much better.

'There we go,' he said, wiping his hands with a rag before rinsing the said rag in a nearby basin of water. 'Nicely done. And why are you all standing behind me?'

He had not turned around. The Raulus party exchanged looks. They had snuck into the room when he had finished, since Khan had been listening to the keyhole.

'We just wanted to check on Nocturne,' said Eni indignantly. 'Is there something wrong with that? He's my brother, and we're all his friends, aren't we?'

The others murmured their argument. Samaroh made an annoyed sound with his tongue and started clearing up. 'He can walk now, I'm sure of that. Now leave me alone unless it's urgent, I want to rest.' He picked up his pack and other miscellaneous items before turning sharply on his heel and striding out of the door stiffly, slinging his pack over his shoulder. They made way for him and watched until the door closed behind him.

'A bit touchy there, our Samaroh,' remarked Iruna, who had taken off her blindfold. She approached Nocturne. 'How is it?'

'He's done a good job,' replied the hunter, slipping a hand into his jacket to feel the bandage. 'I don't even have to walk about without my sweater to let it air. For a touchy priest he sure knows his healing. I wonder what he does as a King's mercenary, he's far too good for the job.'

'Healing people, I guess,' said Khan, pulling down his mask. 'Samaroh makes a good battle priest too, but he doesn't look like he enjoys the fighting life.'

Eni looked around. 'Where's Valkron? I thought he was here a moment ago.'

'What will we do about Edell?' said Anox. 'We have no idea where he is right now.'

Valkron looked at face to apprehensive face. The nine of them were evidently worried about the crusader. He could not blame them - Edell was the youngest of all of them and he was still under training. These were senior knights - well, except for Redova, who was two years into his knighthood - and their responsibility was not just to take care of the people but the younger knights as well.

'I don't either,' he said, 'but give me time. I'll go look for him.'

'Where will you start?' said another knight - Valkron remembered his name was Devar.

'I'll know when the time comes,' replied Valkron calmly.

'We cannot wait, Valkron!' said another knight. 'We cannot be short of one while we protect the people here!'

'I'm sure Valkron has a reason,' snapped Anox, suddenly losing his usual lethargic manner. 'Don't question the orders of a commander, Kanya! You're just a lieutenant!'

'Hold it, Anox. This isn't the time to snarl at other people. She had a reason for saying that too.' Valkron turned to her. 'Worried about Edell?'

'He's my student, sir.'

That explained it. Senior knights were often assigned to the newbies as their teachers for one year. After that the teachers would let them go to build their own lives, but during that one year the teacher was strictly required to keep an eye on a student. But that wasn't what went 'ting' in Valkron's mind.

He looked around at the waiting knights. 'Could all of you go out for a while? I want to talk to Kanya alone. And if you eavesdrop Odin knows what I'm going to do to you.'

Valkron waited until they had closed the door and then turned to Kanya, who looked nervous. 'I didn't know they assigned a trainee crusader to such a difficult task.'

'That's why I'm here, sir,' she answered.

'Ah. But I thought the Chivalry wouldn't be so reckless as to do such a thing. During dangerous times trainee crusaders were sent to Juno. And that their teachers were crusaders too.'

'Short supply of them right now, sir. The Ten Guilds raid.'

Valkron rolled his eyes. Barely a few days had passed and they had already named it. It must be the knights' penchant for history making, even if they had lost.

'So how is he, really? Making good progress?'

Kanya looked thoughtful. 'He's not a bad student but he could do with a little more improvement, really. He's...a bit slow on his work and doesn't really get along with other people, but he shows promise.'

Ah, thought Valkron. I've got you there. You're trying to avoid the issue by telling me all the good things and reducing the severity of the negative side. Nocturne would be really good here...

He said, 'Really? So...um...then why did you voice this only now?'

'Um, well, everyone seemed so busy last night and we were walking today. Saying it out loud would have caused the refugees to panic.'

'I think they already know,' said Valkron casually.

Kanya looked like she wanted to run. 'Edell is fine on his own, I guess--'

'So there isn't any need to look for him or care about him anyway, right?' said Valkron. He sighed. 'Tell me everything, Kanya. It's not like I can demote you here. I need permission from the Chivalry anyway, and I don't think that looks immediately possible now, don't you think?'

Kanya looked down at her iron-clad feet. 'I don't know, he's just very...anti-female. He has absolutely no idea how to deal with some of the tasks I assign. Just recently I found out he pays a friend to talk to the receptionist at the Chivalry for him.'

'The said tasks involving females?' asked Valkron. When Kanya nodded rather despondently, he continued, 'Then have you ever found out why he behaves as such?'

'No,' said the knight. 'He doesn't talk about it. I tried persuading him once, but--'

'That actually isn't a good idea,' remarked Valkron.

'Yes, I know. He refuses complete contact with me, I guess.'

Valkron looked around. 'I know this is going to sound like I'm egoistic, but I assure you I'm not. Does he...admire me?'

'Admire you?' To Valkron's surprise Kanya lauged bitterly. 'I wish he'd admire me the way he admires you. When he's not being quiet and doing his work all he ever talks about is you, sir.'

'Believe me, Kanya, I never asked for it,' said Valkron firmly. 'So you're not going to look for him, huh?'

'I'd look if I knew where to start,' answered the knight, shaking her head. 'But I don't. No one knows. And right now we're out of--'

'Yes, yes, you don't have to repeat that.' Valkron got up from the chair he had been sitting on for the past hour. 'I'll get going, I've got to see to my party. Hopefully they aren't doing anything stupid. For the meantime I suggest you rest. Tell the others that too.'

'But aren't you going with your party?' said Kanya. 'You have something to do, don't you?'

Valkron walked towards the door. 'Yes.'

'And there's nothing I can do?'

The knight commander had put his hand on the doorhandle but he paused in turning it. Then he said, without looking back, 'You, wait. I'll be talking to him. At any rate, it'll be tonight.'

Emeth was reading when there was a knock on his door. He got up and went over without taking his eyes off his book and opened the door.

'Oh, in Odin's name. Put that bloody book down and let me pass, will you?'

Emeth hurriedly stepped aside, lowering his book. Valkron strode into the room and went straight behind the screen that hid the bathroom door from sight. The wizard blinked and then shrugged. It wasn't a very Emeth gesture, but it was certainly better than talking to Valkron when he was in that mood.

After half an hour Valkron reappeared with damp hair and very simple clothes. Emeth watched him as he dried his hair with a towel kindly provided by the inn. The knight noticed him.

'Why are you looking at me?' he said, draping the towel over the screen and spreading it out. 'I get apprehensive when people look at me while I do whatever I do after I take a shower.'

'I've never seen a knight wear that kind of clothes,' said Emeth. 'Sorry.'

Valkron looked down at himself. He was wearing a brown shirt and trousers. If anyone did not know him saw him that way they would have easily assumed he was just a merchant.

'What's so surprising about it?'

'It's not surprising. You just don't look like yourself - the knight we know.'

'This is what knights wear under their armour, get it?' Valkron crossed the room to where his armour hung from a chair or lay neatly arranged on a table and started dressing. 'You should know by now. We're not entirely naked under our armour.'

'I never said that,' said Emeth indignantly.

'Well, I get a lot of people who say that.' Valkron adjusted his armour properly and reached out for his sword. 'I'm tired of it.'

'Where are you going, incidentally?' said Emeth. 'It's late. You look like you're preparing for a fight.'

'Oh, really?' The knight fitted on his visor and accessories and made sure his sword girdle was tight. 'Whatever I'm going to do tonight, Emeth, is absolutely none of your business. Stay out of it. I have something very important to do.'

'How important is it?' said Emeth, watching him as he crossed the room to the door.

'It's related to the portal, but I'm afraid you can't deal with this.' Valkron opened the door. 'See you. I might come back late, so don't lock the door.'

Without waiting for an answer he went out and shut the door with a soft click behind him. He strode down the corridor to the staircase with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

The bar downstairs was beginning to fill up with its nightly patrons. Valkron squeezed through the crowd. No one gave him a second look at all, not even the refugees who came in to have a meal and probably drown their troubles in drink.

The night air was fresh and cool in Payon. Valkron savoured it as he walked through the lighted streets. Stalls lined the street side and had everything for everyone, from food for the hungry but poor to toys for children. There were plenty of families strolling around and taking a look at the wares being offered. Valkron noticed some refugee families also taking a walk, their children laughing instead of being subdued or crying.

As he headed towards the gates he noticed a little boy sitting outside a house. The boy was shivering and trying to keep himself warm by chafing his upper arms, but Valkron doubted it would help. The winter-like conditions were reaching Payon already. His breath was condensing in front of his face.

He stopped to watch the boy from a distance. After a few minutes the door opened to let out some light and a woman appeared at the doorway, clearly the boy's mother.

'Here. Stay outside and don't you dare ruin my flowers,' she said, and roughly plonked a metal plate on the doorstep before going in and slamming the door. The little boy cringed when the sharp sound of the plate hit the ground and then inched off the doorstep as she slammed the door. Valkron frowned.

There wasn't much on the plate. Whatever food it was resembled leftovers and it didn't look very appetizing. The knight was sure that it was vegetables, but had been left so long that it had turned brown. He walked up to the doorstep and, as the boy reached out for it, put a gentle hand on the boy's own.

The child looked up at him with large, questioning eyes. Valkron shook his head and pushed the plate away. Then he walked off to a nearby stall and bought some meat and bread. He returned with it and wordlessly offered it to the boy.

With much apprehension the boy eyed it, but did not take it. Valkron said, very quietly, 'It's for you. Go on.'

It took a few more minutes but the child eventually understood that the knight was not tricking or teasing him. He took the proffered food and ate it hungrily. Valkron straightened up and watched him blankly.

When he was done the boy looked up at him and gave him a smile. Valkronsmiled back and then quickly walked off the doorstep and out of Payon without a break in his stride. Once he was outside he sighed and walked away into the forest.

The lights of the village began to dim and the sounds fade away as he headed deeper into the forest. He had trained here before, with a spear. There was a kind of monster that was good for spear training - something called a greatest general - because since it resembled a living totem it could not move from where it stood. He had spent a happy few months training alone, away from the other swordsmen who had laughed at him and pushed him around--

Valkron stopped. In the semi-darkness he could only see the silhouettes of the trees and the small, harmless monsters that traversed the area, but he wasn't looking for anything. He had just seen, instead, an image of himself fighting with a greatest general.

There was one, standing quite still a little way from him. Valkron certainly didn't have a spear with him but he wasn't a knight for nothing. He went up to it and watched it.

The greatest general blinked at him and then swiped. Valkron took a step back so that it just barely missed him. Then he drew his sword and pointed it at the creature.

'Those swordsmen laughed at me, you know,' he said, speaking in a low voice. 'Years ago I came here to fight your kind because I couldn't face my problems. I came to fight alone. I guess I have to change that now.'

Fire blazed along the blade and then shot out in a stream towards the creature. The greatest general shrieked as it caught fire. Valkron lunged forward and swung his sword in a wide arc. There was another high-pitched shriek before the thing collapsed, burning into ashes.

The knight looked at his sword before sheathing it. Then he sat down on a nearby tree stump and looked out into the darkness that was blanketing the forest.

The little boy had stirred a thought in his mind. It wasn't about him - he knew he wasn't so unfortunate to be pushed out of his own house and treated like a dog, since he had no parents - but it was somewhat related. Most knights joined the Chivalry for the glory or the name or the reputation or simply because they were rich idiots, but there were a few who joined for an altogether different reason. They were normally very quiet and very reserved, but they fought like demons and were very strong-minded. He knew a few - he had tutored them before.

He wondered, Is Edell one of them?

Those knights had suffered something in their childhood. Be it poverty, abuse, suffering - whatever had happened to them had built a sort of resilience in them. Valkron could understand that, since he had been-- was one of them. It was most likely that Edell had gone through the same thing before.

Valkron swung his leg idly. For now there was nothing he could do for Edell. This matter was up to the crusader himself, not anyone else.

There was a rustle from a nearby bush. The knight leapt to his feet, drawing his sword. After a few minutes a baby wolf emerged from the brush, sniffing around.

Valkron relaxed and sat back down. He watched the wolf cub snuffle around before disappearing back into the brush. There was silence except for the chirping of rockers and metalers.

Suddenly there was a cold draught on the back of his neck. He swiftly threw himself off the tree stump and rolled on the ground. A thump indicated something had hit his seat just a few seconds after he had left it. He turned.

A sohee glided forward. It was flanked by a bongun and a munak, along with a tiny creature that looked just like the great beast Baphomet. Valkron swore before he leapt aside as the sohee hit out again.

There was a humming sound from his blade. He swung it forward and sent the sohee backwards, crashing into its companions. The munak and bongun dove for him. Valkron dodged the munak's attack and somersaulted over the bongun before walloping its head clean off. There was an anguished shriek from the munak as it moved forward again, but Valkron had already cut it in half before it could do anything.

The small goat-biped charged at him. Valkron dodged its scythe. He was aware that the sohee was coming for him from behind. His eyes glanced at it and back to the goat. Then he ducked.

The sohee missed him. Valkron swung his sword low and caught the goat on its edge. He whirled around. His sword buried its blade into the creature. As it cried out fire blazed once again and burned right through it.

The knight straightened, breathing hard. He had hardly got ready when a few goblins ran out, flourishing their various weapons. Valkron dodged them and swung his sword in an arc. The goblins were thrown off their feet. Their bodies landed a little way off as black blood splattered across the ground.

Something ran out from the bushes and attacked him viciously. Valkron nearly tripped over the edge of his cloak but recovered in time and leapt back. It was a goblin king, its pale mask grinning at him. It charged, swinging its sword. Valkron brought up his own, and metal clashed.

The goblin tried to hit him with the mace it held in its other hand, but Valkron fended it off with his forearm. He hit out in a series of blows almost as fast as Khan would have done. The goblin reeled back, gibbering angrily as it tried to recover.

Valkron began to whirl his sword in a circle with one hand, watching the goblin. It became a silver blur, light flashing along its blade as it went round and round in his hand. He could feel the energy building up as it began to glow white.

The goblin recovered and charged at him again. When it was just a foot away from him he hit it upwards with the sword. It flew off its feet and fell quite a long way from him. A long trail of black blood showed the direction it had flown.

Valkron had thought it was over, but it wasn't. Kobolds ran at him, along with a few metalers. The knight rolled his eyes and attacked them ferociously, sending them flying left to right. The metalers were dispatched easily enough, but the blue-grey dogs kept coming back. Valkron's sword flew through them, singing as flesh and bone were torn asunder.

Finally all that was left was a knight trying to catch his breath and animal corpses littered around him. Valkron sat back down on his tree stump and tried to relax himself and his racing heart.

'You're as good as ever, Valkron.'

If Valkron had been foolish he would have leapt up again. As he wasn't he remained on his stump and breathed deeply. 'You should know that by now. Edell knew that too.'

'Oh, I respect people's privacy. I would never dare look at people's memories and thoughts.' The sound of footsteps grew louder.

'Really? Then how did you know he was weak in mind and heart in the first place?' said the knight, turning around.

The crusader was standing there. The light from the rising moon illuminated his face. He looked more like a gaunt ghost than anything else.

'I look into people's eyes. Whatever they hide is in there, you know.' The crusader stepped forward, grinning horribly. 'And this boy was so easy...'

Valkron shook his head and bent down. He wiped his sword clean on the grass and then wiped it dry with his cloak. 'I suppose you won't tell me why you're here? So that you can directly battle with me, at this time and place?'

'Why should I do that? I've already tested you.'

The knight chuckled mirthlessly. 'I know that. I just wanted to check.'

The crusader knelt down so that his face was level with Valkron's. 'This kid really does worship you, doesn't he?' he said, in his grating voice. 'He thinks you're a self-made hero, on your way to fame and fortune and goodness knows what else.'

'I think I've already bypassed them,' replied Valkron. 'I'm more or less on my way to inner peace. None of those things you mentioned interest me. I've never wanted to live the life of a hero.'

'You behave like you do, though.' The crusader looked at him shrewdly. 'Are you lying to yourself?'

'No,' admitted Valkron. 'I lie to myself sometimes, but this isn't one of them.'

'Huh.'

'So now what do you want to talk about? You'd better make sure you free Edell or else I'll be after your neck.'

'Well, I wanted to know how hungry or desperate you were to gain some recognition,' said the crusader. 'But it looks like you're not. It's just that...I can see your heart's desire.'

'Yes. In my eyes. Like you said.'

'I can grant it.'

There was silence. Even the trees were listening.

'Really?'

'Yes.' The crusader smiled. It was not a very nice smile. 'I can give you what you want. I can see it now. It lives and breathes within you. Would you like to see it?'

'I prefer that my heart stays in my chest, thank you very much.'

'Oh, no. Not that one. This one.'

Valkron's head was flooded with images and voices. For a moment he could see a blur and when a letter full of words flashed past all he could see were the words PRONTERA printed in large. Then he heard voices talking.

'You are now a knight of the Prontera Chivalry, the King's personal bodyguard! From now on you will be known as a Guardian Knight and all of the Chivalry will be under you--'

'I brought home some good news today, dear. I'm one of the highest ranking knights. I told you our mission has been fulfilled! We've convinced the King that the kingdom really needs warriors like us--'

'Your father is a good man. Look at what he's done for us! We can hardly thank him enough for it--'

'You should be proud of yourself! Your parents are highly honoured! No one can laugh at you now for being their child--'

'Valkron, we won't have to run anymore. The world will be ours to defend, and we can call ourselves warriors of the world freely now. The King has agreed that we are needed and we are not rebels! You can walk the streets again with your head high--'

Everything disappeared from his mind a moment later. Valkron rubbed his head a little. He was thankful it had stopped - his mind felt strained.

'You still call yourself one, even though the King forbids it. I am impressed by your rebellious spirit.' The crusader was giving him an admiring look. 'But I can give you the freedom to be one, without fearing execution.'

Valkron looked at him. For quite a while. Then birds rose from the trees in panic as laughter echoed through the forest.

'That? You want to grant me that?' Valkron chuckled at the crusader's startled expression. 'Honestly, what kind of being are you? Don't you know what's the difference between a heart's desire and an old dream?'

'But it is an old dream that you wish for, don't you?'

Valkron became serious again. 'No, I don't. Not anymore.' He looked up at the moon. 'Not after I've...been with other people.'

'Your party? Oh, come on. You can't be referring to those weaklings. Besides, you even named your party after--'

'That would be none of your business,' said Valkron coolly. 'Can I not honour the dead for their deeds?'

'Honour the dead? With what you've done?' Now the crusader was angry. 'He will never forgive you for reliving his name. Not him.'

'And how would you know?' sneered Valkron, but genteelly. 'Are you one of the dead as well?'

'Because he was a modest man! You want people to recognise him so that you could draw more attention to yourself! Although you follow his footsteps and you are just as powerful, he will never regard you as his son for your pride!'

The shout echoed in the forest for a long time. Valkron was staring at the crusader, whose lips were starting to curl upwards.

'Ah. So I know now what you really wish for.' The crusader drew his sword. 'Dear me...how far a son would go to disgrace his father. I really wonder why the humans were allowed to colonise this world when they are lower than earthworms and are worth nothing for their efforts to make themselves powerful. It goes to show, doesn't it?'

Valkron stared into space. His eyes were so wide you could see the whites all around.

'Now, Valkron - let me free you from your human shell! Become the beast within you, that all humans have! Show me your true nature and discard everything you know as yourself! The time of humankind has ended now! The beasts must be aroused from their slumber so they can replace the measly humans!'

As Valkron felt his sanity being blasted away until only a raw, raging core thirsty for blood and revenge was left, a very tiny voice said, The only one who is truly weak is ME.

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The stream of fire from Valkron's sword is a much more powerful version of Magnum Break. It doesn't look it, but the skill is the only fire-oriented one knights have, so I had to...improvise it a little. And the whirling sword thing is Bowling Bash.