A shining figure in a white horse rumbled the ground, another knight. It had two companions riding from behind, an archer and a mage. The squires cheered at the sight of the arriving party but not Garvin and Matrina. Magnum saw the three speedy lights flashing from afar over the trees.

The archer loaded his long and glowing bow. It had some intricate gold lines on its side and meticulous carving at both ends. Two bright arrows flew straight to both heads of the mother demon.

Magnum's eyes darkened with disgust and shame.

“Saved by Knights?”

The demon shrieked. The arrow lit up and exploded the heads of the demon. The mage waved her shiny staff. Huge stones emerged from under the two demons, lifting them up high in the air. Then the newly arrived knight rode forward holding its glowing spear. He went faster, beaming with light, and he jumped blazing through the demon. The two mother demon’s body exploded. Splashing the scene with blue and white sprites that slowly perished in the wind. The squires cheered and they shouted the name of the hero.

“Gwyn! Gwyn! Gwyn!”

Gwyn went to the front of the squires and raised his spear. Everyone cheered in excitement and raised their own weapons; except for Garvin who--from a distance--reluctantly raised his hammer.

"O Holy Light! Bring forth thy flame and Radiate my name!"

Midandria’s God’s Pillar lit up, shaking the ground around it. Light shot up to the sky and a pillar of light fell on Gwyn’s spear and around him. His spear glowed like the sun, granting radiance to the weapons that were raised. Martina liked it that her lance was glowing again.

"Thank you for the light!" the squires said in unison as a response.

Magnum did not pay attention to the miraculous granting of powers.

"One strike! He killed it in one strike!"

He stood up and dragged his feet to his gunblade and then to Gwyn.

"Garvin!" Matrina said looking worried at what Magnum would do but Garvin waved it off.

Gwyn's companions arrived at his side, both of them adorned with the highest class of fabrics over the Cresanyan white under armor. The archer wore dark green leather armor and pants strapped by black belts. The armor offered protection up to his neck. The mage wore clothes the finest and softest Magnum had ever seen. It was deep blue, long and majestic, with gold lines and a matching tiara that had a blue stone. Lastly, both of them wore a short grey hooded shawl that covered only their right shoulder, pinned with the Golden Lamp, the symbol of Kris. An image of the stronghouses they belong to was drawn on the shawl. For the archer, it was the horned green owl, the stronghouse Tarsait. For the mage, it was the blue gemstone from the mines of Makiling, the stronghouse Mugem.

"Good shot Gwyn!" Ralvane, the archer said. He looked old. Battle-hardened and with several scars on his face, partly hidden by the hood he had on.

"Your shot was better! It gave us the extra second we needed to save them," Gwyn smiled. He looked young, younger than Magnum, and even though he wasn't a prince, he looked like one. Golden hair, perfect face and it looked like his teeth were also glowing. Everything about him was glowing; his white under armor perfectly fitted and the full white plate over it was ceremoniously decorated with swirls and gold lines. As a Great Knight, Gwyn did not opt for the self-style the Great Knights are allowed to, like what his companions were doing. He chose the look of the King’s Knights, those that sit around the King’s table. His style irked Magnum.

"But Princess Werlyn's assist was the best! Very good for your first fight!" Gwyn said.

The princess chuckled, demurely covering her sweet red lips with her fine soft hands. She also looked young, but her eyes were as fierce as a lion.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Where were you!" Magnum said.

Garvin smirked watching the events unfold, "Good question merc! They attended a banquet at Midandria! A banquet!" he whispered.

"Hrrmm, a merc," Ralvane said turning around towards Magnum.

Magnum held his gunblade ready to attack. The squires saw it causing them to panic. They ran to Gwyn angry and ready to protect their hero. Ralvane was also ready to attack, in less than a second he loaded his bow and pointed it to Magnum's head.

Gwyn and Werlyn turned around and Magnum pointed his gunblade to Gwyn. "Where were you!" he said again.

Matrina arrived faster than the squires to Magnum. She was riding on her horse and jumped to him. They rolled to the ground. Magnum heard his broken bones twist a little and broke some more, but his face did not show any pain. Not with the deafening voices of the squires surrounding them, but he surely felt it.

Matrina quickly stood and stepped on Magnum's back, pinning him hard. "I apologize, Lord Gwyn," she said bowing down.

The squires gave space to Gwyn and his companions. They surrounded the scene blocking all possible exits for Magnum.

"No need to apologize, Matrina. Thanks for taking care of the town but we have to go back to the banquet," Gwyn said.

Magnum felt insulted.

"A banquet? Food? Wine? You have time for that?" He reached for his pocket. He knew he still had some marbles, the smallest ones and it was black. The marbles rolled under Gwyn's horse.

Matrina's eyes widened. "Take cover!' she said jumping away.

Magnum smiled as smoke squirted on each of the marbles causing a commotion. Grimacing in pain, he forced himself to stand as the white smoke rose and covered all of them like a thick mist.

"Don't be afraid!" Gwyn said. He did not move, he was calm and watched the culprit with his beautiful blue eyes.

Werlyn raised her staff. "Wind!" she said, summoning a gust and pushing the smoke away but Magnum threw more of his smoke marbles around replacing the one's being pulled.

"Move out!" Ralvane commanded but it was late, the squires already moved away from the smoke. Watching it from outside.

"You didn't answer my question," Magnum said, the smoke hiding him.

"Ungrateful Imbecile! How about thanking us for saving your life!" Princess Werlyn said. She covered her mouth and nose while moving out of the smoke.

"Who cares about my life? What about the others? What about the town? You could have saved all of this if you weren't late! Useless knights!" Magnum said.

Gwyn moved forward, his horse silent as a cat. With force and with purpose, he appeared in front of Magnum, his eyes and spear glinting amidst the smoke. Gwyn swung his spear upward sending a wave of force that pulled everything up. Magnum had to strike his sword on the ground to keep himself from being pulled.

The crowd cheered after the smoke rose up. Magnum and Gwyn remained alone at the center.

"Do you cheer at everything this useless hero does!" Magnum said to the squires.

Gwyn pointed his spear to Magnum's chest. "Don't Insult the knights again!" he said.

Magnum smirked, "And if I do? Useless knight?"

Gwyn's face darkened with anger. Magnum loved it, but something hard hit the left side of his head.

"Silence merc! You have no right to speak to Gwyn!" a squire shouted after throwing a rock on him.

"Mercs! Thieves!" another squire said and another stone hit him in the back.

And another.

Magnum tried to catch one of the stones thrown at him but he was too slow. It hit his face. Werlyn laughed and some of the squires.

More stones and insults poured on Magnum. He didn't cover himself. He wanted them to see his resolve. It annoyed the Princess and just when Magnum was about to speak she cast a spell to shut his mouth so Magnum wasn’t able to speak which made the squires laughed again.

Gwyn pulled his spear from Magnum's chest, it left a small hole with some blood on it. "Mercy!" he said. "The Gods had shown mercy to its enemies many times! So that is what I shall grant you today!

The squires cheered and they shouted Gwyn's name. His full name this time.

“Gwyn Harthur Lucia! Gwyn Harthur Lucia! Gwyn Harthur Lucia!”

"Matrina please take over and where is Garvin?" Gwyn said.

Matrina appeared in front. "Yes Lord!" she said. She kicked Magnum and pushed him to his knees.

"I'm here, O Chosen One!" Garvin said. No longer on his horse, he raised his right hand as he waded through the crowd. He bowed to Gwyn and to the Princess then stood on Magnum's side.

"Apologies for this little commotion. The merc came out of nowhere and interfered with our training. I'll take care of this," he said.

“Good, the King awaits us in Midandria. Let's go!" Gwyn said turning around to his companions.

Magnum's anger swelled again. He tried to shout but his mouth wouldn’t open so it all turned into a hum. "My father had to die to defend our town! And you're going to a banquet! You should be going to the next town! Useless Knight!"

"Make sure you make a good example of this! Mercs need to be hanged! Agents of demons!" the princess said and the three raced away.

"You heard that. You'll be hanged." Garvin said. "Squires! Ring this merc!"