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Chapter 22
While Ezabel had not once come to the Citadel or Gracewind, she still liked to think that her ability to be wary of her surroundings was above par. It had always been something that Xavier and Bastion stressed; to be conscious of her environment and ready to move about it with purpose. But, even their training could not prepare her for the realization she made when she rounded the corner of the ward.
They had, in fact, not been left in the Citadel. The keep stood higher on a far off peak that rose above most of the walls that guarded it. If Ezabel had not known any better, she would have likely thought it another place entirely.
They stood in one of the many outer baileys that surrounded the central castle. Past Zo’s floating shape, she could follow a batch of paved roads that connected each ward as they reached closer to the peak. Among them were dozens of wide lawns and supplemental, stone structures. Common sense dictated that they were storehouses, guardhouses, or stables. Anything that was necessary for a stronghold of this caliber to function on its own.
Yet, there was nothing about them that told of a dedicated purpose. Rather, they all seemed as if they were part of a hidden city. A special borough, complete with vibrant greenery and intricate masonry.
Ezabel held tight against the strap of her bag. She had no purpose in doing so, save for the need to keep steady against the imposing presence of the Citadel. Without its outer wards, it still covered more ground than the entire village of Alm. Even Angoulet, which until now was the largest settlement Ezabel had ever visited, was not large enough to fill the space it occupied.
“This is the Citadel. Home to the Order of Attendant Knights!”, Zo stated with his small voice. He floated forward, still encompassed by a golden magic that seemed to draw Dani’s attention more than the actual castle. “As participants in this year’s selection trials, you may use its grounds as you see fit. So long as it helps you prepare.”
Prepare. Ezabel had spent too much time on the road and more time unconscious in bed. Her efforts were all focused on making it to the capital in time. Never once did she think to devise a use for her free time. In her defense, she did not think she would have much of it, if any at all. The majority of the day had yet to pass, she had to decide quickly how to use it.
“You’ll be staying in the keep with the other sponsored candidates. It’s a long walk, so make sure to keep up!”, Zo added.
“Is that different from where the other candidates stay?”, the question had a mind of its own and slipped through Ezabel’s lips. It was not at all a bad query. To her own surprise, she just spoke out without any thought. Perhaps travel fatigue was beginning to rear its ugly head.
“The other candidates are spread throughout the inner baileys. There aren’t many rooms available in the keep, so we’ve raised several camps in their stead!”
Zo answered with haste and seemed to rush them with a hurried gesture. And, while Ezabel followed, his words had gone over her head entirely. Together with Dani, she had fixed her gaze onto the floating rodent and its coat of magic. To them, Zo was more interesting than anything he had to say at the moment.
“I’ll be happy to answer any more questions you have once we’ve reached the--.”
“How did you cast that spell back there!?”, Dani asked.
“Are you really an echo spirit!?”, Ezabel added.
“Where was the spell circle!?”, Dani asked again.
“How can you be outside of the Echo!?”, Ezabel added again.
If one was able to trip in mid-air, Zo would have nearly done so. He was wholly unprepared for the onslaught of questions they had thrown onto him. Their heads loomed over him like a pair of hungry giants and their eager eyes dug deep into his being. It would be a lie to say that he was not a little scared.
“Can you teach me how you did that!?”
“Are there more like you here!?”
There was no end to their wild enthusiasm. Their questions spilled out of them and each pulled him closer to the ground like a weight. So, he clenched his paws and took in a single, great breath. A tingle came fluttering against his wide ears.
“Be patient and all of your questions will be answered on the tour!”, Zo's voice suddenly boomed with authority. The squeakiness had gone and in its place came a rumbling. It bounced prominently from wall to wall. For a moment, even the sky around them looked to turn gray. Though, a closer look would have revealed that it was just a conveniently timed cloud.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Ezabel and Dani shut their lips at once and shrunk away. There was a twitch in Zo’s eye, as if his body strained to cast such a deep voice. Nevertheless, it was effective. Even more so as his tiny silhouette began to emanate another bout of golden magic which threatened another gust of wind.
I hope that was enough to make them listen. I don’t know if I can do that again. Zo tried to smile, but it came out shaky and unconvincing. Luckily, Ezabel and Dani perked upright and began to show obedience. Perhaps he bit off more than he could chew when he asked to be a steward. He would need to find a second to slip away and catch his breath. He never used so much magic all at once. How do the others do this?
“O-okay, follow me please!”, Zo huffed. “Onto the t-tour!”
°°
From his size alone, everyone around could recognize Gilford’s raw strength. Yet, he struck Hubert as if he still had more to prove. A physical match between a human and an omon was already unfair to begin with. But, this was quickly becoming a one-sided beatdown.
There were grimaces in the crowd and subtle sounds of pity. Hubert could sense them all, even as he slid across the stone floor. The ward was large and fielded many areas in which other candidates dueled. Yet, it was their fight that managed to attract most of the attention. He groaned and rolled onto his stomach. A shaking pain ran through his wrist and up his forearm. How he managed to hold onto his sword was beyond him.
It was a doomed effort, even if he had just narrowly blocked an overhead strike from Gilford’s great axe. He was outmatched, that much was obvious before the duel had begun.
You idiot. Hubert clenched his teeth and cursed himself. He was being used. He knew it. Gilford wanted to make a show of crushing a noble. He should have never agreed to this farce, but his opponent's incessant words ate away at him.
“House Thornewell is nothing but an ugly sore on the face of our town. We’re all better off without you.”. It was all the omon needed to say to get under Hubert’s skin. It repeated in his head, over and over again. The voice simply would not stop.
He pressed his sword into the ground with flimsy arms and held his weight against it. They had only been at it for a short while, but Huberts body was already showing its frailty. He hunched over the hilt of his weapon and pried it into the air. The tip swayed with uncertainty, and behind it, his eyes welled with resentment.
“You’re a weakling, just like the rest of those sponsored cowards!”, Gilford roared when Hubert slowly took to his feet. “What are you nobles but a bunch of greedy pigs!?”
A high pitch buzz rang in Hubert’s ears. Yet, he could still sense that some of the onlookers took to Gilford’s point of view. They had all come by their own merit. They did not have the luxury of an affluent family behind him. Nor did they have their ambitions sponsored by the goodwill of a captain. They were right to nod. They were right to judge.
“What’s so special about him?”
“He’s a noble?”
“He’s only here because of his family.”
The chatter was subtle, but clear nonetheless. They’re all wrong. Hubert raised his hunched neck. He was not special. He received nothing from his family. Until now, he was rejected and ignored. No one even considered sponsoring him. Lucky or not, he had reached the Citadel with his own ability. It did not matter who else carried the Thornewell name, his parents had left him with it, and he was not about to let anyone drag it through the mud. Not his uncle, and certainly not Gilford.
His feet left the ground and sprinted in the omon’s direction. He was light and closed the distance at a surprising pace. The sword was not his first choice, but he held it firm and wound up a swing as he neared. Gilford’s chest laid square in his sights. I’m going to cut right through this piece of shit!
°°
Unlike everyone else, echo spirits did not need to employ spell circles in order to cast any sort of magic. They were also able to pass between the Echo and the material world whenever they chose. The only caveat being that their level of magic directly correlated to how long they could stay outside of the Echo. Zo was on the weaker side of the spectrum, according to his own judgment, which made it possible for him to remain in the Citadel for a very long time.
There were many others like him around the Citadel. The way Zo had described it, they were all in essence, lesser spirits who aided the Order in place of one greater. Ascalon, the First Sword. - As he said, all questions would be answered in time.
“Ascalon..”, Ezabel reflected on the name as she followed Zo through an open air corridor. Her mind immediately returned home to Alm, where a singular, blue covered book idled in their store. Written scantily in gold across its spine was the title ‘The Tale of the Seven Swords’.
“He is the guardian of the royal house of Ardyn. High King Raziel Skyward and his family are all graced with his magic.”, Zo explained.
“So you’re a servant of Ascalon?”, Dani questioned. Her glasses were pressed right against her nose, which she wrinkled out of curiosity. She was far more learned in the practical application of the Echo and its magic. While she knew of them, talk about spirits and the Echo itself was always a bit too intangible for her.
“Along with my peers, yes.”
“So, when Attendants use their Knightstones to siphon magic from the Echo..”, Dani scratched her nose. “..they’re taking it from beings like Ascalon?”
“No. The Echo is an infinite swirl of primeval magic . Anyone can tap into it. But, Ascalon’s power, like other great spirits, is special. Only those he deems worthy may call upon it.”
“What makes it so special? What’s the difference between Ascalon’s magic and --.”, were there a notebook in Dani’s hands, half of it would have already been filled with intricate entries about every word out of Zo’s snout.
Unfortunately, her curiosity was curbed by a sudden uproar. The corridor they walked had come upon the edge of a certain, buzz-filled yard. Ezabel was the first to lean through the pillars that separated them. Gathered on the other side was the most amount of people she had seen since arriving. Better yet, she could clearly see a handful of Attendant Knights spread through the crowd. They stuck out like swans among crows.
It was a scene straight out of her story books. Where young hopefuls tried their stubborn blades against one another. And, where the realms greatest talents could be seen practicing in broad daylight. Did she hope to participate? Not exactly, but she certainly wanted to take it all in. With any luck, she might even witness an Attendant in action.
Neither Zo, nor Dani were quick enough to even attempt to hold Ezabel back. By the time they had realized she hopped through the gap in the stone corridor, they were already a few lengths behind.
“W-wait, Ezabel! Don’t you want to see your room!?”, Zo shouted. “Don’t run, I don’t want you to get lost!”. Zo floated after her with outstretched arms. The anxiety had returned and sweat was on the brink of breaking on his little head.
“Hold on, Zo!”, Dani followed suit. “Could you repeat that part about the Echo!?”
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