EPISODE 139: SACRIFICE OF THREE 1
— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR 7291. SEASON: COLOR FADING.
Simra Enlar woke up as the sun’s first light showed over the cloudy horizon. She yawned, stretched, and patted the soft, but firm bed she wasn’t quite used to. Her first day and night at the castle was eventful . The Ancestral Remembrance taught her many things about the history of Lawruthian’s family she’d never known prior. It gave an in-depth analysis of these key figures and what made them great—the change they brought to Edryan.
What really excited her yesterday and today… was the opportunity to train with Royal Knights. Their swordsmanship was excellent. Although not many were on the level of her master, Sword Saint Aurora, they still forced her to be on her toes when training against them. It was fortunate the knights held various skills that allowed them to display multiple levels of power. It also helped that the training facilities here were far beyond what Imperius Academy offered.
Simra peaked her head outside of her room and jumped—partly startled, as a smiling maid greeted her.
“Good morning Ms. Simra, is there anything I can help you with,” she asked cheerfully.
“Um… good morning… I’m just looking for the bath to…,” her voice trailed off… she already knew what was going to happen the moment she mentioned the bath. It happened yesterday after all.
“Of course! Follow me, and we’ll take care of you at once,” the maid responded enthusiastically.
Before Simra could respond, the maid set off and the young woman followed obediently. The moment they arrived at the bath, Simra barely had time to process the details of the finely carved structure before she was whisked within by the maid.
“Wa-r-u,” Simra partially said—her clothes were being taken off before she could even settle as several maids surrounded her.
“Don’tcha worry, Ms. Simra, we’ll get ya settled right on in.”
“Oi, Lola, your words are slipping back to your hometown accent. Just because Ms. Simra is a commoner doesn’t mean you can speak that way.”
“Tee-hee.”
That was all she heard before she found herself rushed over to a station and every part of her body was scrubbed thoroughly. She was literally squeaky clean and Simra felt like a raw chicken ready to be seasoned and baked.
“Ooooh, Ms. Simra has a great figure, she’s so muscular,” one maid exclaimed.
“Her hair is so soft and curly… I can’t wait to style it,” another said passionately.
“Girls, I’m only readying myself for the training grounds. Please don’t do too much.”
Yesterday, these maids gave Simra ‘the royal treatment’ according to one of them. Yet, somehow, Simra couldn’t imagine Lawruthian allowing these ladies to wash him all over. She blushed as that image flashed through her thoughts.
Eventually, the maids finished and Simra escaped once they finished dressing her for her morning training. She found herself quickly escorted to the training grounds the Royal Knights of Edryan used. There weren’t many present this morning, as they prepared themselves for the event to come.
Today was the Sacrifice of Three—an event dedicated to Goddess Madris and Her Three Faces. Simra wasn’t exactly sure what would be going on, but she knew the main event didn’t start until the afternoon.
She walked over to the training rack and found a sparring sword and shield that was roughly the same type as that of her armor and weapon set. Calmly, she found a small corner for herself and sat on the floor to do some quick meditation. Once done, she rose, and before her stood an enemy no one but herself could see.
It was a dark, shadowy figure—one that opposed her, that blocked her dreams, desires, passions. It was a figure that said she couldn’t do it, she was far too weak and would never achieve her dreams.
The shadow’s blade slashed forward in a mighty overhead swing that Simra brought her shield up to block, faux-activating a skill in anticipation of a blow that never came. Simra hurried to defend, her blade clanging against the imaginary one that would have pierced her midsection. She’d managed to deflect the blow and therefore a portion of the damage she’d have taken.
Simra jumped back, she couldn’t allow her opponent to hold the initiative, or she would lose this faux battle. She charged forward, bashing her shield against the enemy and pushing them back. At such a close range, Simra wouldn’t be able to properly swing her sword, instead, she bashed the head of her opponent with the pommel. Before a kick forced them back. Swiftly, she followed forward, not allowing them any time to breathe in a display of ferocious attacks.
Her blade flowed smoothly, like crashing waves against the shoreline, rhythmic, and appearing without fail. Eventually, she wore her opponent out, their defense, and Life Points nearly exhausted as she cut their head from their body.
Simra’s shoulders began to slump in relaxation, her eyes closing as she lowered her body to sit. She found herself at peace. It was here on the training grounds, that Simra could bring her mental state into the position she needed it to be. There was a lot on her mind, specifically her divine quest from the Goddess Madr-.
Simra’s shield raised, her body instinctively acting. Her blue eyes sparked opened, surprised, a blazing light within them that not even the ocean depths could extinguish. They were filled with battle intent as she pushed the oversized blade back. The attack held no power in it and was just to get her attention.
“What’s your name,” a gruff, but feminine voice asked. “A bit young to be a Royal Guard.”
The woman attacked again, pushing Simra back without giving her the chance to properly respond, yet Simra was able to get the words out anyway. “I-I’m Simra… and you.”
Simra remained on the defensive, the large woman was recognizable, but Simra couldn’t break away from their attacks to get a proper look at them. She held a single large weapon that served both as a shield and a sword. Each time Simra attempted a counterattack, she was forced back and into increasingly harder positions of defense.
“Your sword work is exceptional for your age, I’m surprised you’ve lasted this long,” the woman said. She gripped her blade, part shield, part sword, and bashed into Simra, throwing her back.
Simra felt the wind get knocked out of her lungs, but she didn’t let up and used the blow to somersault backward.
‘I need to go on the offensive, or I… WILL… LOSE, ’ she exclaimed internally—barely catching her breath before she shot forward like an arrow in flight.
Simra’s sword pointed forward as she pierced toward her opponent, who prepared her large weapon to block the blow. Right before they connected, Simra pivoted and spun, swinging her sword low in an attempt to hit the woman’s legs.
Her opponent was much larger than her, and Master Aurora always taught Simra to fight using her opponent's weaknesses and her advantages to win any confrontation. Since Simra was much smaller than her challenger, it was best to strike low.
“Oh, good try,” the woman began, jumping back. “There is fire in you yet! Let’s take it up a notch. You are a [Spell-sword] are you not? Let’s see how your magic fares.”
Simra only just began her counterattack when the atmosphere changed. The large woman stomped… and the ground rippled like a rock dropped in a still pond. A powerful wave of spiked earth charged its way forward, which only excited the young woman who faced off against it. The spikes rippled forward over two meters in height as they rushed towards her.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“ HA! ”
She pierced her sword forward, her magic propelled through the air as a spear of wind that broke through the spikes headed for her. There were no worries on Simra’s mind as she fought, only the thrill of the battle as her opponent pushed her to her limits.
Simra’s eyes widen as the large woman came through the area of broken spikes the moment Simra’s attack broke them. Her large blade was pointed forward, and she looked like a bolt piercing its way toward her. Simra pulled the earth around her forward, reinforcing her back and shield, as her only option was to defend. Her body curling low, as she did during her fight against the [Terror Hawk]. Its talons were now gifts around the necks of her brothers.
The blow connected and that was the last thing Simra remembered before everything faded to black. Well, not before the Prime System flashed two notifications before her addled mind.
SELF CHECK
You have received {Concussed} from a tremendous blow.
You have failed to resist a powerful attack and have lost consciousness.
***
You have gained three levels from intense training. Please assign the levels to [Imperius Spell-Sword] or [Sword Initiate].
“Is she going to be ok? Aunty, why were you so hard on her,” one familiar voice questioned, worried.
“She was far better skilled than I expected… I only wanted to see what her limits were,” the gruff, feminine, voice said amused. “Since when has my little squirt become all grown up? Interested in her are ya?”
“It’s fortunate you were using a training weapon. You gave the girl a concussion from slamming into her. At least she’ll be fine by the afternoon before the Sacrifice of Three is to take place,” another voice said. This one was much closer as it came from directly above her.
Simra groggily listened to the conversation taking place near her. Her head ached, but a cool touch on her temple let her know she was being healed. She opened her eyes to gaze at the people surrounding her, which brought their attention and halted all conversations. The first face she saw was that of the woman healing her, yet her vision was blurred as she was still recovering. The older woman gave her a gentle smile and spoke to the rest, as Simra continued to gaze at those around her.
A large woman, standing like a giantess amongst men, gazed down at her by Simra’s sprawled out legs. She was leaning on a large practice blade, which dulled her attack power until it was near Simra’s level. Her eyes cleared up and Simra froze, now recognizing just who she was facing.
“Y-ya-you-you’re Lady Drumian—Captain of the Queen’s Guard,” Simra squealed in excitement. Simra began to shoot up, but a hand pressed her down gently, but firmly.
“Wait until I finish healing you, or the {Concussed} status will return. You took a nasty hit from our dear Captain, ” the woman said. She rolled her eyes as she finished speaking.
Simra listened and returned to lying down, her head sat comfortably on the woman’s lap while she counted down the seconds until the de-buff left.
“That I am young lady, you may address me as Lady Liana, there’s far too many Drumians here, your heads in the lap of one,” Liana began before her eyes turned to that of the woman healing Simra. “Sister, perhaps this dear Captain should teach you another lesson?”
She cracked her knuckles and hefted the large training blade over her broad shoulders. While the lady healing Simra only rolled her eyes before redirecting her attention back to Simra.
“How is she Mother,” a familiar voice questioned.
Simra turned her head to the side, her eyes widening in surprise as Lorde Drumian stood a few paces away.
‘Mother…?’
This time, Simra wasn’t halted as she shot up. Her expression a mix of multiple things—confusion, curiosity, wonder, and more.
The woman clapped her hands and spoke as she stood, dusting her clothes off. “Well, you are all healed up now. Be careful when practicing with my sister, she’s not the best at holding back once she gets excited.”
“Where are my manners…? Thank you for healing me Lady…,” Simra trailed off, unsure of Lorde’s mother’s name. She was familiar with Lady Liana solely due to the fact that she was Captain of the Queen’s Guard, and she’d seen her during Lawruthian’s birthday. A day that she could never forget, for it was one burned into the core of her being.
“You may address me as Lady Ariena,” the woman responded, smiling. Her features were similar to Lorde’s, but her jaw wasn’t as squared and chiseled as his. Their eyes, however, were exactly the same all for one stark difference. Lady Ariena’s eyes held more age and grace to them that Lorde had yet to grow into.
“Thank you for healing me, Lady Ariena. It is a pleasure to meet both you and Lady Liana.”
“ Oh , I like her, well-mannered and pretty! So this is the young girl you’ve been spending time with at the academy. I’ve been wondering when you planned to bring her home, Lorde,” Lady Ariena said, giving her son a stern look.
Simra blushed but didn’t say anything, and Lorde opened and closed his mouth, his appearance fish-like. He stammered several times, but eventually just closed his mouth to the giggles of his mother.
“I jest…, but you know your cousins looove to gossip. It is not my fault if I happen to overhear a conversation or two,” Ariena began. She turned to Simra as she continued. “There is a good number of Drumian children all attending the Imperius Academy, don’t mind their gossiping.”
A moment later Lady Ariena changed the topic. “Is your friend Karla, the young lady who runs the Imperius Academy Weekly available later? She is quite the storyteller and there is a gathering later we wish for her to attend. Of course, withstanding any requirements His Highness Lawruthian has for her.”
“I’ll be sure to relay your message to her, Lady Ariena,” Simra responded politely.
“Now that you’re fine, how about you and Lorde fight me together. I was here to help polish his skills for the Challenger’s Ring. It’s clear you’re serious about your swordsmanship and training by arriving at this time. I watched your faux battle, and it was good, but you could have dispatched your opponent several moves earlier. If you have no trouble learning under a teacher like me, then I would be glad to have you join our sessions,” Lady Liana said to Simra.
Simra felt her heart stop and for a moment she stood there in silence, her mouth hanging open slightly. Lorde cleared his throat and Simra returned to herself.
“Of course Lady Liana. It would be an honor to be trained by you. It’s my dream to become a member of the Queen’s Guard,” she exclaimed. Excitement was an understatement for what Simra was feeling.
“Then,” Liana began, hefting her weapon over her shoulder and jumping back to create room between the three of them. “…come—lets see what the skills at Imperius Academy have taught the two of you.”
“Liana, please do be careful this time. They are still young, perhaps talented for their age, but young nevertheless. Should an accident occur, you know where to find me,” Lady Ariena called. She then turned to Simra and Lorde and spoke once more.
“It was a pleasure to meet you Simra, your talent is exceptional for one of your origins. I hope to see you rise as a pillar of our country—should you need a sponsor, know that my Drumian House is always open to outstanding knights. Lorde,” she said sharply.
“Yes Mother,” Lorde responded, his body straightening.
“Do take care of her, don’t let your Aunt have too much fun,” she said. The mother of Lorde waved a hand and walked away, leaving the three to their fun.
Lorde turned to Simra and smiled. “My Aunt can be heavy-handed, but I trust you know that by now. Let me lead the defense, and you the attack.”
Simra nodded, and two armaments appeared in Lorde’s hands. She hefted her gear and together they approached the waiting woman.
“Let’s go!”