‘Damn, that was cold,’ Adam though, staring at the dead body before his feet, which lay still. The blood continued to seep against his boots.
“I know who and what it is,” the noble stated, cleaning his blade with a rag, before sheathing it. “Thank you once again, strangers. Without your help they would have been far too much to deal with.”
“Of course,” Adam replied, gently bowing his head.
The noble walked around, checking on those who had been injured and wounded. Adam noted the another heavily armoured knight who lay to one side, slowly panting and wheezing, having been taken out early in the fight. The silver caped noble stepped up towards him and dropped to one knee. He pulled up his own visor, so the knight could see his lord’s face. He then removed the knight’s helmet, seeing how pale the knight had become.
“Sir Ronald,” the silver caped noble said. “It is my displeasure to announce that you were bitten.”
The knight, with his pale face, his clumped ginger hair, only bowed his head lightly. “It was an honour to serve you, my lord.”
“The honour was mine, Sir Ronald.” The lord pulled down his visor and assisted the knight onto his knees. He reached for the knight’s blade and held it tightly in hand. The commoners had begun slipping out of their homes, noting the sounds of violence had died down, and though they hat chattered together, they glanced around to see the Lord and the knight, each falling silent.
“A decade ago, you swore your fealty to me, Sir Ronald,” the lord began, clutching the blade tight in hand. “You’ve served my family well. It is only your honour that you were wounded in battle, and for that your family will be cared for. To save your soul from damnation, to make sure that your soul will reach the Sun Father, I will slay you now, under the Lord’s rays.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Do you have any last words?” the Lord asked.
The knight looked over towards the terrified commoners, some of whom had been bitten by the wolves, and would no doubt be put down, just in case. He placed his hands onto his knees, slowly bowing his head as he closed his eyes, and muttered a prayer. After a short moment, he opened his eyes and looked up towards the sky. The sun may have arched from high noon, but it still provided the town day light.
“It is the sky at day which is most beautiful.”
The lord bowed his head, beginning a prayer, before, suddenly, he swung the blade, with a most practised swing, cutting the knight’s head clean off.
“N-no,” a commoner said as a guard dragged them forward towards the lord. “I wasn’t bitten by no creature of tha night, I was bitten by a proppa wolf.”
“I am not graced with the fortune of taking such a chance,” the lord said. “Speak your last words, and be sure they do not shame your family, or our Lord above, while his gaze is upon you.”
The commoner’s face trembled, but he looked up towards the sky. He prostrated himself before the sky, and wept. “Forgive me, my Lord!”
Adam watched as the lord, the noble and not the God they referenced, cut down each and every person who seemed to have bite marks from any of the wolf creatures. Adam understood it, but he wasn’t a fan of the noble going around killing everyone. The noble also killed the bandits who had raided them, and though they were given the chance to speak their last words, the noble was not quite so polite in allowing them to seem quite so faithful before the Sun Father.
The lord let out a low sigh, before he removed his helmet, revealing his handsome face.
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“Oh,” Adam said, removing his own helmet.
The pair of Half Elves stared at one another. The noble’s eyes were emerald green, his hair like liquid copper, with silver strewn throughout. His ears were leaf shaped, and though he was no doubt in his nineties or so, he was still as limber as someone in their late forties.
The noble narrowed his eyes, but only bowed his head towards Adam, who was no doubt related to him distantly. “I had not expected a distant nephew.”
“I’m not quite a distant nephew,” Adam replied, flashing a charming smile. “However, that doesn’t change the fact that we’re of a similar kin.”
The noble narrowed his eyes towards his fellow Volar, unsure of what he meant by that. He was certain he had said the same thing. “Regardless, I thank you for your assistance.” The noble glanced towards the headless lycanthrope, his eyes looking back towards the past. He recalled the memories which plagued him, but he supposed he could rest easier at night now that he had managed to take vengeance.
The noble glanced across the people, noting the mood. “We have forced back such great enemies! Let us feast while the light guides us!” The noble drew his beautiful blade and pointed it up towards the sky, and with the single action, the mood shifted. The townsfolk quickly scattered, going off to bring drinks and food which would be cooked that day.
“Lord Moonglow,” the living knight called, stepping up towards the noble. He whispered something into the silver caped noble’s ear, before waiting.
The silver caped noble looked towards the four, before stepping up towards them. “Since business is dealt with, I hope that we can exchange pleasantries. I am Baron Matteas Moonglow, and I wish to invite you for the celebrations as our guests of honour.”
Adam narrowed his eyes, before glancing to his allies. He flashed them that kind of smile and gave them that kind of look. Then his eyes went to the horses, and the silver chest, as well as the sacks which hung loosely on the horse. The others just bowed their heads, understanding what Adam was referring to.
“Sure, my lord,” Adam said, emphasising his address towards the baron. “It’s our pleasure to join you this evening.” Adam inhaled the air, glancing around between the guards and the knight who was staring at them. “It’s always a pleasure to make so much coin.”
“Stop sounding so suspicious,” Jaygak said, patting Adam’s back gently. “If you keep that up, it’ll be justified when he poisons you.”
“Last time I checked, you were the one who fell for the poison,” Adam retorted.
“Yes, and I was the one that didn’t put us into trouble.”
“Did I?”
“Yes.”
Adam shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not sure how, but I’m pretty sure it was my fault.”
“It’s always your fault, Adam.”
“I’m so handsome, smart, lucky, and humble,” Adam said, slowly nodding his head. “Me getting into so much trouble just keeps things in balance.”
“You forgot that you’re so annoying and cringe,” Jaygak grumbled.
“Warriors, please,” the knight said, stepping forward. “Allow me to lead you to the seats of honour.”
Adam was surprised to see they were going to sit at the centre of the square. He had been sure that they would have been invited into the keep, but he didn’t mind it one bit. His horse followed after him, holding most of the treasures.
“I will guide your horses to the stable,” the knight said, while the Iyrmen undid their bags to keep their items close.
“Zed stays with me,” Adam said, motioning his head to the horse beside him, which followed the young man with supernatural obedience.
“The horse may be spooked during the festivities.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“The baron’s security is my highest priority,” the knight stated, firmly.
“What’s your name?”
“Sir Gerald,” the knight replied, his eyes stern.
“Well, Sir Gerald, I think you need to slow your roll.” Adam narrowed his eyes at the knight. “If the baron’s security is your highest priority, remember who saved his town. It sure wasn’t you, struggling against the wolfman as you were, and it wasn’t your sword which incapacitated him.”
“Disarmed,” Jaygak corrected.
Adam pointed towards Jaygak, who had a point. ‘I forgot how funny she was.’
Sir Gerald’s jaws pulled taut. “I merely request you do this favour to me.”
Adam blinked. “My family’s security is my highest priority. Now, I wonder how that could be troubling for you.”
“We will guarantee their lives.”
“You can’t even guarantee your baron’s life, never mind the strangers who walked into town to save you,” Adam replied, glaring into his eyes. “So either draw your sword, or find my horse some delicious apples.”
A horn blasted from nearby, and as Adam turned to find out what was going on, he quickly tensed up, before glancing to see Sir Gerald. The knight, too, had glanced over to the sounds of the horns, though his hand was firmly wrapped around the hilt of his blade.
Five heavily armoured warriors rode into town, upon mighty horses, covered in chain. Each wielded long spears, with blades at their side, and other weapons latched onto the saddlebags.
Adam reached for Wraith, sighing. ‘Here we go again.’