So now, since the crew is busy skilling up, Rey will now try to..."Woo" the granddaughters of Ruthven, but will he succeed? probably not, but it's still entertaining to watch anyway... with that, on to the chapter!
Chapter 32
The Virgin Knight Struggle...
At the backyard of Ruthven...
The holy knight finally arrived at the courtyard at the back of Lord Ruthven's estate, finding a short-haired knight in intense training...
'So this must be the first granddaughter of his, I have to say...her form is nearly perfect...' Reynold mused, heading towards her...
Her moves were too fast as she was piercing and slashing using a rapier. Around her, were many training dummies cut to shreds.
Reynold was astonished by how many she tore apart in seconds, "Wow...that's impressive..." he thought out loud...
"Who's there!" she snapped as she looked at the young knight, "Who are you? And why did you disturb my training?"
Rey held his hands up, "Easy...your grandfather told me to meet you all, I'm Reynold Musel, a...Knight under Niall, and I've come see if you needed help with anything," he introduced himself, 'Not sure if telling her I'm a holy knight's a good idea, let's see how she is first...'
"I doubt that he sent you to help me since he knows that I don't ask for any kind of help," she replied.
He slowly nodded, "You're right, he only wanted me to meet you, I'm the one asking if there's anything I can do..." he pointed out, rubbing the back of his neck, "And...I do wish to be trained by him, which is why I'm here...disturbing you...I can come back later if this is a bad time,"
"You're here for my approval?" she asked.
"I am, yeah, but again, if this isn't a good time, I can come back later, you were training intensely," he admitted, "And I've never seen that form before...it's...elegant..."
"Do you believe that I will give my approval just like that?" she asked with her eyes narrowed.
"Well, that's why I'm here...to earn it, I'm willing to do what it takes," He said, with a bit steel.
"What's making you worthy of it?" she crossed her arms, "Do you have any special talent that can be of help?"
Rey's eyes shadowed over, "To tell you the truth, I don't have special abilities or anything like that, outside of a bit of holy magic, but there is someone I want to protect and right now...at my current skill, I can't...all I'm asking, is for a chance, nothing more,"
"No matter what you say, it's your actions that yell your thoughts." she stated, "Three minutes. If you can touch me within three minutes, I'll accept."
The young knight blinked up this, "R-really, against you for three minutes...?" he glanced at the training dummies, silently gulping, "Very well, I'll accept this challenge, when do we start?"
"Although, if you lose your sword, you'll fail." she pointed before taking a stance.
Rey once again gulped and quickly drew his sword, taking his stance, "Good to know..." tightening the grip on his blade, "Ready when you are!"
"Now... come and show me what you got." she took a step back and focused on her opponent, "A piece of advice, I never lost a duel before..."
Rey took a deep breath, and made a dash towards her, going for a strong thrust...
"Slow." the duelist stepped to the side and used his momentum to make him fall face-first.
The young knight groaned, standing up, still holding his sword, before taking his same stance, 'Direct approach didn't work...gotta be smarter...' before closing the distance, swinging at her left side.
"Sloppy." she countered with a slash of her own before leaving him open to get kicked away.
Rey regained his balance, taking a deep breath and taking a stance, 'Okay, I could try working into a barrage, that might force her on the defense...might...' going for a rush, giving a quick blow, before going into a flurry...
"Sad." after easily blocking each attack, she thrust at the weapon before playing with the blade until the sword got in her hands, "You've lost your weapon."
Rey's eyes widened upon seeing his weapon in her hands, in shock, "How did you...?" taking a deep sigh, "Never mind, guess I should've expected that...you're really good, I concede..."
"Your form is bad, your patience is near inexistent, and there's no power behind your strikes." she pointed.
The young knight blinked and sighed, "I'm really that off...? Damn...well, that would explain...a few things..." thinking back on his past battles, before shaking it from his mind, giving her a bow, "Thank you for the opportunity, may I try this again sometime?" he asked.
"I don't care," Julia replied as she began to walk away.
Rey frowned hard, watching her leave, taking a deep breath, 'She was...rather rude...took everything in me to remain patient...anyway, today was just an introduction, let's see how the other granddaughter is...Genevieve is next,' in thought as he left the courtyard, 'only problem is, I've never been to the tavern she's goes to...I'll have to ask around...' heading into town...
Meanwhile, Yamakhroz, training academy...
Class: Unarmed/hand-to-hand...
In a class full of trainees, the instructor stood in front of them, glancing over the class...Traysek, Erik, Recorder, and Yuriana all attended this class, wearing the same training Gi as the other rookies, waiting for the instructor to speak...
"Welcome back, young ones, I hope that you've prepared yourselves for today." the instructor was an old man who was wearing a green kimono.
The Redguard stared at the instructor, feeling a sense of uneasiness coming from him, 'At first glance...he seems like just an old man...but what I'm feeling, is telling me different...something tells me this lesson is going to be worth it,' Smiling.
"Now... we'll see who can be the best in today's lesson, alright?" he looked around before adding, "We'll see some grabbing techniques, any volunteer?"
The class fell silent, unsure of who would volunteer, almost nervous in a sense...The Redguard glanced at his men, beckoning one of them to go, while Record gave a nervous chuckle and shook her head, he turned to the others who looked away, making him roll his eyes, raising his hand, "I'll volunteer, sir!"
"Well, will you look at that." the old man chuckled, "A new face. And one who isn't a Dark Elf." he then kept smiling as he said, "Well, I need to thank you for volunteering, young man. Now, come closer, if you please."
Traysek slightly gulped, walking up to him, getting as close as needed...
'Good luck sir...' Erik mentally saluted.
"Think he's going to get smashed here...?" Recorder whispered to Yuri, who nodded in response...
"It's...looking that way, we'll just have to watch and see..." She whispered back.
"Now, young man, try to attack me." the instructor said, not even in a stance.
The Redguard took a fighting stance, "At full force...? Are you certain?"
"Of course." the old man laughed, "Don't worry about me."
Traysek nodded slowly, taking a deep breath, before lunging at him with a powerful straight aimed at his head...
But before anyone could blink, the Dragonborn was face down on the ground with his attacking arm locked behind him.
The downed Redguard widened his eyes, 'Damn...I didn't have the time to...' feeling the pull on his arm, gritting his teeth at the lock.
The other four were watching with the same expression...
"I...I didn't even see what did, it was so fast...!" Erik whispered, watching the instructor lock his arm up.
'Even more, than that, the boss didn't even get the time to react or dodge... this instructor's good...' Yuriana mentally commented, impressed.
"I have to say, young man, you have quite a powerful arm." the instructor said, "But it lacks logic behind it. If you were to move your arms logically, you might become very strong... even stronger than now." he laughed before adding, "Now, everyone will choose a partner, and then the training can begin."
Recorder nodded, looking at Yuriana, "Care to be my partner in this?"
"Sure, I can toss you around~ might even like it," She agreed, winking at her.
"Not what I meant dammit!" Record replied, slightly blushing, "Come on..."
Erik frowned, looking around at who to choose, watching the class quickly pair up with one another...
Once he let him go, Traysek stood up, no trace of bitterness on his face, only amazement, "Move my arms 'logically...?' not sure if I understand, for second I thought I was..." he chuckled, giving him a respectful bow, about to rejoin the class...heading to Erik.
Back at Feoh,
Murder and Malice tavern, entrance...
Rey stood in front of the building wondering or not if he should go in, from the smashing, breaking, and shouting coming from in there...
'This seems to be the place...although...' he paused his thoughts when he saw some fly outside from the broken window, 'For once I'm glad I don't have my armor with me...' taking a deep breath, "Here goes..." opening the doors and stepping inside...
There were humans, as well as demi-humans and monsters. Each wears some sort of armor and possesses various weapons.
"The hell 're you, boy?" a woman was sitting alone, wearing some kind of steel armor beneath a cloak. The thing that was out of place with her was the feline-like blue eyes she had.
Rey waved down, "Oh me? I'm no one special, but I am looking for someone, by the name of Genevieve. Do you know her by chance?"
"Who doesn't?" she sighed, "Also... this is no place for a Holy Knight..."
The young knight raised an eyebrow, "How'd you know...? I'm not even wearing the armor..." shaking his head, "I'm off-duty for a long period, but I won't linger too long here, I assure you..."
"You reek of blood and some good soaps, which means that you're a noble and a fighter." the woman said, "And more to that, you smell like those false goddess temples."
Rey sniffed himself, finding it to be true, "I'm...impressed you could smell that, not many people I've met have strong senses like yours, you remind me of a comrade I know..." with a small smile, "But I digress, is she here?"
"Back there playing cards, preacher of a false goddess." was the reply he got.
Reynold deadpanned, "Thank you..." before making his way back there...
"He's one of them?" a human asked.
"One of those who serve a fraud of a goddess." an orc pointed.
"Seems like someone's having a death wish." an elf stated.
At a table in the corner, five people were playing cards; a young man Lycanthrop, a Minotaur, a male Dark Elf, a female Dragonewt, and a young woman.
Seeing them in the middle of the game made him reconsider just going up to her, especially with those other glares focused on him...he took a seat near them, but not close enough to disturb their game, 'They seemed into their game, I shouldn't interrupt them...I can talk to her after...'
"Dunno who you are, and I don't care to know you, so fuck off." the young woman said, still looking at her cards.
At this he narrowed his eyes, "Aren't we 'friendly'...? I wasn't interrupting you, we could've talked after," folding his arms, "Still can, your grandfather sent me to meet you..." standing up, "And since I have and don't want to get jumped, I'll be outside if you change your mind, 'Have fun' " not hiding the sardonic tone as he left...
"What're you going to do?" the Lycanthrop asked.
"Ignore him." the young woman replied, "Not going to waste my time on a crybaby."
The other simply continued to play while laughing.
Once he was back outside, he shook his head, 'Not going to lie, that was unsettling...still, I'll give it some time...' sitting on a bench.
Meanwhile...
Yamakhroz Training Academy...
Class: Archery/Arcane Archery...
Inigo was attending the class of archery, an outside area with targets with arrows in them, listening to the lecture...
"Welcome back, dear student." the instructor, a High Elf, greeted with a smile, "The first thing that we should do, is to welcome the new students."
She was wearing some sort of mail armor and had a bow made of bone. Near her was a mix of a tiger and a raptor.
Once eyes were on the khajiit, he nervously chuckled, "Hello everyone ~ I'm Inigo, it's good to be here, I hope we get along" with a sweet smile, while his wagged.
"Now, we'll begin with a simple exercise; range efficiency." the instructor took a spectral arrow, "You will each use your training bow to shoot these arrows to see how good you are. Of course, the rules are to use your skills or spells, no cheating using something else beside the training bow, nor using your own arrows, understood?"
Inigo frowned upon that, 'Guess that rules me out of using scrolls for magic shots...still doesn't mean I can't do it the arrows here or the bow...'
"Now, each of you will shoot forward and the one who'll get the farthest will receive a special reward from me." she said as she gave them a thumbs up, "Good luck."
Inigo raised an eyebrow, 'I wonder what kind of reward it is...now I have to try...' he mused, watching the class line up, getting in one.
Each one of the members of the class began to shoot at an incredible range with some going further than what the eye could see.
The khajiit watched how the arrows flew, gulping to himself, 'Um...I'm good, but I don't know if I can fire that far...I'll try though...' being the next up to fire.
He picked up the training bow and arrows, notching one and aiming...Once he drew back the shot, he took a minute to focus, taking a deep breath and releasing the shot, the arrow soaring in the air, going quite the distance...
But began fall.
"When you're done, I'll see which one got the best score." the instructor said.
Inigo watched where the arrow landed, a couple feet behind two more, making him sigh but smile, 'I should've expected that, still not bad for the distance...'
As the class continued, some began to throw the arrows so far that they disappeared on the horizon.
Back at Feoh...
Rey sat with a bit of food he bought while waiting, eating some kind of meat on a stick, hearing the doors open... watching Genevive and her posse walk out, excited about something, 'Well, look who's finally out...'
"What's the contract about?" the Dark Elf asked.
"A noble wronged someone using his position and power, so I think that we are to 'teach' him a lesson," Genevieve said with a smirk.
"This time a horse?" the Dragonewt asked.
"Maybe..." the young woman went in thought.
The young knight sighed, knowing this wouldn't end well, "So you're finally out, how was your game?" taking a bite from his meat.
"Heh, the pathetic little man is still here." the Minotaur smirked.
"And here I thought that it would be a good day..." the young woman sighed.
Rey finished chewing and sighed, "Look, all I'm asking is just a moment of your time, that's it, nothing more, I'll piss off right after," he assured.
"So piss what do you want," Genevieve demanded.
"The name is Reynold and I'm not going to lie to you...I need training from your grandfather, and the only way I can get that...is if I'm okay with you and your other sisters," Rey explained, "I've already met one, you're the second I've been to,"
"Rock, what do think? Is he a good choice?" Genevieve asked.
"A pathetic one." the Lycanthrop answered, "Besides... he's a noble."
"More reasons for him to get the fuck away from us." the Dragonewt added.
Reynold frowned, sighing, "Yes, I come from a noble bloodline, the Musel family, but we're not into the corruption the others are into...I...don't know how to explain that...if we were, lord swain wouldn't have taken me under him..."
"The Demon Crow, huh?" Genevieve chuckled before adding, "Don't even compare yourself to him. He knows who the enemy is and is ready to act no matter what."
"Heard of him." the Dark Elf stated, "My big sister served under him before integrating the Kletzkrieg."
The young knight waved her down, "I didn't say all of that, trust me, I'm far from his wisdom...and I think I'll be for quite some time, I'm just letting you know, that's all who I'm in service to, and not to some money-hungry noble..."
"So you're the useless type, huh? Great..." Genevieve sighed, " I bet that no you, nor your family, actually deserve the food that you eat, since you know nothing of the people who live in the street."
Rey was about to retort until he thought about it, "I...you know, I wouldn't know... I don't know what all my family did in the past, especially with my father, I'm trying to live up to his legacy in the army before he retired..." shaking his head, "But, since I've met you, and seem like you're going to be busy, where north would I have to go to find the third sister?"
"Before that, answer this question; do you know how the people in the streets live? Or you never left the comfort of your house?" she asked.
Reynold sighed deeply, "Unfortunately...yes, I've seen how people in the streets live...poor, desolate, starving and/or taken advantage of..." clenching his fist at a memory..."I...also know what some of my fellow soldiers have done, I can't say I agree with it...but also I'm not in the rank to change or do anything about it...and I really want to..."
Genevieve began to laugh, before saying, "So you know shit. All you did is see? Yeah, totally a noble." she sighed, then added, "When I reached the age of 14, I cut myself from any privilege of nobility. After all, I wanted to feel the truth of this world, and boy did I feel it. On my first night, I was raped by three Holy Knights. So, I thought that it would be better the next day... but I was raped by two Holy Knights and three Black Dogs. I slept in the streets, sometimes stealing to survive. After a month of being raped, I decided to see how the people lived outside the walls... and guess what, it's the same! Nobles, Holy Knights, Black Dogs! They all had a go at me! Not only that but when a monster was doing it, Holy Knights would join them."
'She really is going to that end?' the Dark Elf wondered.
"After two months, I figured that no matter what they do... they NEVER get arrested, or punished... so after living in the streets of Feoh for 5 years, I had already made sure that I wouldn't end up knocked up... by stabbing myself, the fifth night... and wouldn't you know... I had a bastard inside me! But... when I got the chance of revenge on those nobles and Holy Knights, I went with a grand finale that destroyed them." after taking a deep breath, she continued, "The first one was a noble who had three daughters and a son. By the rules of the Bounty Hunters, I didn't touch the youngest one... but the others..." She then chuckled, "I had him watch as his wife and his children were being raped by some men who really wanted him dead. They railed the wife, the two oldest daughters, and the son. His face was in despair, and begged me to stop... but I didn't. Of course, I had to be productive for the other times, by making sure to bring some furred companion to it; dogs, wolves, horses..." She then smiled gleefully "In the end, they end up destroyed, not willing to continue living."
At this, Reynold was frozen, he had heard how some of the knights would...take "relieving services", after all, the brothels were known for serving them... but to know that they targeted random people within their border, now, that was something he never knew about, but again this is also Beasely's playground..." I...I don't know what to say about that...I really don't, I've...never experienced something like that, it's fucked up, it truly is...and knowing Beasley, he swept it under the rug..." with a saddened expression, "As for the people you got back at...While I don't approve, I also can't judge or blame you for it, I don't have the right to, especially if they were in league with the dogs...they hurt you in the worst way, and they got what they deserved, I'm not shedding tears for them..." folding his arms.
"So you're trying to win me over by 'Showing sympathy', huh?" Genevieve shook her head, "Well, I'd better go for that target he's going to get special treatment, after all. You'll find Katerina in a cave north of here." she then garbed him by the shoulder and pulled him to her before whispering, "And if you hurt my little sister in any way possible, I'll find your family, and make you see them get the worst treatment. I don't care if you're Swain's bitch, harm my family, and you'll regret it."
Rey hurriedly nodded, "I got it...I got it, I won't hurt her, I promise..." he stammered out.
Genevieve let go of him before walking away with her friends.
He huffed, calming down, 'That...was intense...but she meant well...nice to meet you too, Genevieve,' giving a bow, before leaving the alleyway in a different direction, 'That couldn't have gone better, but if that...is the reason she hates them...I can't fault her for it...I'm finding myself beginning to,' Once he reached the main street, he turned North, 'So...she's further north that way...looks like I've got quite the distance to travel...I should pack for it...' heading off to grab provisions...
Yamakhroz, the Archive classroom
Lucien sat at a desk, participating in the class with several other students, watching the instructor jot something down on a large board...
She was a blond woman in a white robe, beneath an iron breastplate, all covered by a purple coat.
"Now, I would like someone to tell me what are the Leylines," she demanded.
Lucien glanced around, finding that other students were struggling to come up with the answer, although, he didn't exactly know the term either, just as confused as the rest, 'I...never heard that term before, but since no one has given an answer...might as well take a shot,' Raising his hand, "I'm not familiar with the term, but I assume it's got something to do with how the mages draw magic, correct?"
"Explain further." she looked at him.
"If I had to guess, they can resupply magic to the user, possibly drawn from an outer plane or from the same world... other than that, my knowledge is limited on it..." nervously rubbing the back of his neck, "Apologies..." bowing, feeling embarrassed.
"Well, it's right, the world can infinitely supply one with mana, which means that it's establishing a deep connection with the planet that can able beings to use magic." she explained, "Now, who can say how to separate the types of magic, or rather, the schools of magic."
Lucien sighed, sitting back down, watching another student raise their hand...
"Yes, Lilliana?" she looked at a female Salamander.
"Magic can be separated into six grand schools that are: Life, Death, Order, Chaos, Light, and Shadows." the Salamander answered, "Each of the grand schools can generate a sub-school either by itself or by associating itself with another grand school. Such as Arcanic Fire, Elemental Fire, Destruction Fire, Ice, Arcanic Frost, Death Frost, Arcane, Blood, Plague, Nature, Storm, Earth, Water, Air, Wind, Holy, Divine, Disciple, Lesser Shadow, Mind, Spectral, Demonic, Lust Magic, Blight Magic, Time Magic, and Teleportation Magic."
the instructor nodded, "A perfect answer. You basically explained things in detail. Now, we'll go forward on the basis of each sub-type of magic and the subdivision that happened."
Lucien smiled at that, taking the notes down, 'Not a bad answer...although I probably should stick to taking notes, there's a lot more to magic than I thought there was...'
Swain's manor
Swain walked to a room where Dihya was sleeping.
"Three, two, one..." Swain counted before that the Redguard opened her eyes, "Welcome back to the plane of the livings."
"Lord Swain..." Dihya looked at his direction.
"I hope that you got what you wanted," Swain said as he sat next to her.
"Yes... I've got back my ability to wield weapons, and more..." she replied, sitting up, "What happened when I was out."
"A lot of things." Swain sighed, "But everything's fine."
"I see..." Dihya sighed before noticing her fox mask.
"From now on, your real missions for me will begin." Swain stated, "And the first, is to be my escort in my travel to the west."
"I understand..." Dihya nodded.
"Good." Swain nodded, "I will take you to your house, so that you can take your scythe."
Dihya only nodded.
Somewhere near Ansur...
Owl leaped from tree to tree until he arrived at a table strangely set in the woods.
"Come out... I know that you're here." the old shinobi said as he looked at a tree.
There was a chuckle, before a figure showed up from the bushes, "Those old shinobi senses are something for sure," the shadow turning out to be Volt, walking to the table, "How've you been, Owl? You look well," with a smirk, taking a seat.
"As well as someone who must make decisions in Rad." Owl sighed before sitting, "Now, why did you call me? I doubt that you want to have a small talk with me."
Volt sighed with a nod, "Good, I'll make this simple, I need you to abduct and bring my...daughter to me...my men found out where the fox reaper went and she took her to some backwater village near Ken, a placed called Erdora,"
"So you can't do something as simple as that?" Owl scoffed, "And here I thought that your mercenaries are the strongest."
Volt narrowed his eyes, "Grave sent some of his men and I sent a few of mine that had gone to secure her before and they were caught by the Red spears, the unit trained by that old crow..." he remarked bitterly, "All of them were executed, I can't keep wasting men..."
"I see... but why do you want her?" Owl asked, "I'm sure that you can have any woman to get a child from her when you'd be done."
Volt's smirk came back, "She's my oldest Heir to my new empire, in case I fall, I need someone to keep the fire lit and besides..." grinning wider, "It's about time she met her papa, Diyha's kept us away for way too long..."
Owl took a deep breath, "Tomorrow, at the same time, you'll get her." he then narrowed his eyes, "But, what if someone would try to take her back?"
The black dog leader nodded, "Then do what you have to, I'm sure you know..." with a grin until it disappeared, "And another thing, keep your eyes out for Traysek and his Red Dragons, those pricks like to pop up from time to time, he's dangerous, Owl...more than you think..." rubbing the chest wound he got.
"Fox warned me about him." Owl stated, "She fought him in one of your hideouts."
Volt sighed deeply, "Don't remind me...we're still reeling from the loss of that hideout...had to bullshit with him the first time he brought it up..." his expression turning serious, "There's also the fact...he might be connected with that secret city, my men saw kletzkreig with them..." Volt paused, his grin coming back, "But that's another beast for another day, I just need the girl, just telling you who and what to watch out for..."
"That... I see." Owl then sighed, "So... how do we deal with that rat?"
A Lone Shadow exited some bushes with an unconscious man in leather clothing.
Volt narrowed his eyes at the unconscious man, "Looks like one of old man Gehrman's hunters," rubbing his chin, "Bring him back with us, I want to find out why he was spying on us...then after that, feel free to dispose of him, there won't be any more use for him..."
"We'd better hurry, the priestess is having some doubts," Owl stated.
Volt nodded and walked back to his hideout with the Lone shadow carrying their prisoner there, what was to happen to this mysterious hunter? no one knows, but one thing's for certain...it would not end well for the poor guy...
End of chapter...
Oh my god, it's finally done, I can't say that was my favorite chapter, the crew barely got any screentime in this, but that's understood...still, Rey's got one more sister to visit after meeting the older two, but if it didn't go well enough for him, how will he do with this third and last sister? will he rescind and change his ways? or be doomed to fall by them? That will be answered in a chapter after the next one, I need a break from writing him for a bit...to those who hate him, I've got something planned there, for some who like him...I've got a plan there too, don't worry...
No reviews to answer this time, or at least for now until a new one shows up...so until then, take care everyone, and may the gods watch over your stories ;)