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Chapter 40
“Would it kill you to be a little more considerate?”, Leonora asked. She gave Leland a sharp scowl as she crossed her arms across her chest. He always had a knack for making a scene out of fairly normal situations. Whether it was by his ‘charm’ or his lack of care for anything other than himself, he always managed to do something detestable.
“What? I’m just speaking the truth. If Ezabel wants to make something of herself and become an Attendant, then she’s going to have to deal with all the crap that is going to be thrown her way.”, Leland shrugged lazily with his arms. He did not care much for any reaction that his words might have received from Leonora or the candidates around them. His opinion was absolute and he could spare no more energy in changing it.
“Anyways..”, he turned and smiled confidently. “..which one of you ladies would like a private lesson tonight--?”
Again, Leonora pummeled the backside of his head. It was quite the show, in all fairness. The candidates were treated to a circus of the Attendants’ personalities. Some chuckled while others looked on in utter surprise. But, above all, hovering throughout the crowd was a collective curiosity concerning their business with Ezabel. They were much too friendly, so much so that it began to feel like favoritism.
“Don’t mind him, Ezabel. There’s actually something else that we came for.”, for a moment, Leonora surveyed the main gate in the distance. What she sought was unclear but it made no difference to Ezabel as she was far more interested in the ‘something else’ mentioned.
“Are you going to be in the procession with us?”, Ezabel asked with wide eyes. It was an exciting thought, being watched by the entire city as she walked beside real Attendants. There was also the added benefit of having all of the attention pulled away from her. Objectively, both Leland and Leonora were attractive individuals to say the least. Was it an important facet of their character? Not quite. But, it was most certainly a good and helpful distraction if Ezabel needed to shrink under the crowd.
“No, we won’t be part of the parade.”, Leonora shook her head. “We will be waiting for you in the amphitheater! Attendants from many different Brigades will be there to watch you all make an entrance during the opening ceremony.”
Leonora seemed excited to share the news. But, unlike her, Ezabel was far from ecstatic to hear it. Did that mean she was scared then? Not quite. It was more so a feeling of momentous weight. The idea of parading through the magnificent streets of the city was rousing and the thought of being met with a tidal wave of applause at the amphitheater gave Ezabel more drive than not.
However, it was a sobering thought, knowing that watching her was going to be the eyes of many different Attendant Knights. She could not be imagnitative or overly hopeful. It was necessary for her to grow out of the children’s stories and become someone who was realistic. If there was anything this day in the Citadel had taught her, it was that there was far more to being an Attendant than what her books had shown.
“O-oh, is that so? Then will you be leaving soon?”, Ezabel asked, her face slightly downturned. It was a fleeting moment together, but she knew that it was not as urgent as the ceremony. It was paramount that she was not distracted from providing her best face to the city.
“Yes, but not before we give you something.”, Leonora gave a warm smile. Immediately, her hand went to the pouch secured on her belt. She undid the button and took from it a small object that disappeared into the palm of her hand. Ezabel could not see it, but Leonora brought it carefully forth. “Let me see your uniform.”
Without even stopping to think, Ezabel took a step forward. Leonora reached for the flat side of her shoulder, where a blank space of white ran flat against the arm. Under the flicker of the lanterns around, a small metal piece shone through Leonora’s fingers. It was a pin, clearly. But, it was not until Leonora fastened it onto her uniform that Ezabel realized what it was.
“During the trials, brigades may present tokens to candidates they take interest in. This token represents the brigade's intention of recruiting that candidate should they become an Attendant Knight in the end.”, with a click, Leonora parted with the pin and allowed it to hang from Ezabel’s shoulder with pride. “You asked me about this sigil back in Angoulet.”
Ezabel’s doe eyes went wide against her shoulder. It was the same sigil that adorned Leonora’s uniform; the same sigil that Xavier wore. - It was small, and subtle. But, with a careful look, the golden shape could be seen in all of its glory. It took the form of a single, budding rose. And, it was perhaps the most recognizable symbol of the most talked about brigade in all of Ardyn.
“Since Xavier could not be here..”, Leonora whispered. She then stood proud, both of Ezabel and as an Attendant. “On behalf of the Rose Brigade, it is with all the pride in the realm that I present you with the sigil of our company. Ezabel Grover, we are excited to watch your growth.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Warmth, tears, even the jitters. Ezabel felt it all that very second. Never once did she think that she would wear such an important symbol so quickly. What made it even better was that she had no expectation of it. Her feet stepped in place and her hand rose to cup the pin against her shoulder. But, that was short lived. Ezabel was engulfed by the sudden urge to throw herself onto Leonora. Which, she soon did with her arms held wide.
“Thank you, Leonora!”, Ezabel smiled so bright that her eyes were shut tight. She practically lifted herself off of the ground.
“You’re welcome! B-but, settle down!”, Leonora urged. She wanted to return the hug. Ezabel was, afterall, Xavier’s younger sister. She felt the need to be protective of her captain’s blood. However, it was also paramount that she made sure Ezabel remained level headed.
The surrounding candidates rose in a clamor. There was no yelling per se, but there was indeed an overwhelming sense of surprise. Ezabel was their competition and that did not bode well for their chances. She had received the full endorsement of a Brigade that was not even her official sponsor. On of that, the trials had yet to even begin! It was distasteful and many began to walk off in order to take their place in the procession.
The Rose Brigade represented the pinnacle of the Attendant world. It was a team filled with 1st Line Attendants that were each well beyond the capacity of a normal Brigade. To say that they took interest in your career was a massive deal in the eyes of many. It built a reputation for one in seconds and ensured that a name would live in the spotlight. However, it also brought with it enormous expectations. To be deemed worthy of a spot amongst their ranks was not taken lightly. Scrutiny would always be lurking around the corner.
Fortunately, Ezabel’s excitement had left her oblivious to much of the pin’s implications. As for Leonora, she relied solely on the fact that Ezabel was Xavier’s sister. And, that she would be able to push through any challenge that a title would bring.
Beside them, Leland stood for the crowd. He was still a sight for many to behold. His cloak billowed under the evening breeze and his smile was playful enough to keep his character under the mildest of opinion. Not that he cared. In fact, he did not care in the least. He only stood as a buffer against those that showed glares of jealousy and envy.
So, in the end, he began to make his way out of the square. He was to be present in the amphitheater for the night’s ceremony. It would be best not to be late, his brigade would surely give him an earful otherwise. His hand rose and waved at the crowd around as he departed.
“Good luck to you all and watch your step! You dont wanna trip in front of all of your adoring fans now!”, he chuckled aloud. It was a bit of a forced laugh, but it seemed to give everyone some sort of relief. His eyes then turned to Leonora and Ezabel with a far more genuine gaze. As he passed them by, his lips moved under the noise of the square, just as he placed a quick hand on Ezabel’s shoulder. “Hey. Congratulations, kid.”
°°
In time, all candidates were assembled before the main gate of the Citadel. Both Dani and Zo had caught up with Ezabel. And, together they caught up with Gilford, then Kieran. It was an awkward and silent reunion, mostly for the fact that they spent less time among themselves and more time adhering to the directions given to them by the keepers. Not to mention the fact that there was a clear rift between several of them.
However, despite the silence, all were quick to notice the pin that suddenly found itself on Ezabel’s uniform. The sigil of the Rose Brigade was unmistakable. What they assumed was a mistake though, was the fact that it was on Ezabel. Other than Dani, Group Eight had been narrowly focused on that very fact as they were organized into the procession.
“So..”, Dani muttered under her breath. “You’re a 4th Line candidate?”, she fidgeted with her arms. Zo had finally managed to ascertain the ranks of every person in Group Eight. He was relieved of course to have completed that part of his job. But, in doing so, everyone had begun to gauge their own standing relative to the rest. It was a competition in the end and it was only natural for them to start now as they were readied at the main gate.
“Y-yeah..”, Ezabel scratched the back of her neck. “..4th Line. I wasn’t expecting that, to be honest.”, it was a touchy subject and she was unsure of herself whilst mentioning it.
“Neither did I. You are so much more talented than I am; you literally saved my life. They must have made some kind of mistake with your rank. - Don’t they know what you did in Angoulet!?”, Dani boldly whispered.
“What did she do?”, Hubert asked as he peered over toward their conversation.
Group Eight had been arranged into the procession behind Group Seven. In fact, it was all in numerical order. The only caveat was that higher ranked candidates were placed further to the sides of the line, where the cityfolk could gaze upon their image with ease. To spy into the center of the parade was a difficult task as it moved relatively quickly. As such, lower ranked candidates were placed there in anticipation of the low demand for their faces.
It was, in all honesty, a hyper superficial practice. But, it was understandable nonetheless. The festival was not only a busy time for the realm, it was a profitable time. Businesses flourished and many found a surge in activity thanks to lifted spirits and heavy interest in the selection trials. What else could stir its people more than the creation of new heroes?
“N-nothing! Nevermind!”, Dani suddenly perked upright, as if the conversation had never happened.
“What do you mean? Weren’t you just-?”
“Dani? Are you okay?”, Ezabel perked a brow.
“Yup, no problem here!”, a fake smile immediately came front and center. Dani then leaned close to Ezabel in order to whisper, “Leland told me to keep the incident in Angoulet between us. We’re not supposed to talk about it right now.”
“What? Why not? - What about all the other people that were there?”, Ezabel whispered back, all while Hubert tilted his head beside them.
As Leland said several nights ago, the attack at Angoulet had already grown into rumors that circulated around the city, thanks mostly in part to the candidates that were there to witness. However, their accounts were large in number and created a fortunate discrepancy in the validity of the story. In the end, the true nature of the incident was managed and kept quiet.
“Apparently it’s involved with another issue that the Citadel is investigating at the moment. - I don’t really know what it’s about but Leland made it seem quite grave..”
The rattling of the main gate’s dense chains then sounded across the square. It was a slow and heavy grind, meshed with the steady opening of the wooden threshold. Ezabel no longer had any time to consider the conversation at hand. Not even Hubert gave it another thought as the festivities were beginning. However, even as the anticipation grew, Ezabel could not shake off the image of Angoulet’s monster from her head. She felt in her hand, an unusual but intimate heat, as if she wielded it once before.
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