The once estate was now filled with a high-experienced feeling that had been dormant for much time. The last of the Nobles attending the banquet had already arrived not long ago and the roads leading up to the city of Arx, and subsequently the Idicium Estate, were filled with prestigious carriages and even more so Knights. Among these Nobles there were Counts, Viscounts, Barons, and even an Earl that came directly from the center of the Empire where the Emperor resides.
But what also had arrived alongside the Nobles were the heirs to their respective Households.
In an enclosed part of the estate stood a makeshift gladiatorial pit. Around the arena there sat numerous Coat of Arms of the many Nobles that attended the banquet, with a brightly colored tent that covered the attendants from the harsh sun. Surrounding the makeshift arena were numerous shiny-faced youths cheering on the clashing of two lightly armed contestants within the arena. Both of the men looked to be around the same age and contrary to the deathly aura they emanated, they both seemed to be enjoying the fight in all of its worth.
With a quick thrust an ornamental sword the taller opponent strikes first, catching his opponent severely off guard. A gasp could be heard from the crowd followed by fervent cheering as the blow was quickly dodged by his opponent. Quickly the taller opponent sprints forward as well striking his sword down but is met with fierce resistance from his opponents glistening silver saber.
He puts more pressure onto his feet, leaning his body into the blade. Slowly the ornamental sword begins to fall; closer the man becomes to being skewered. A grin begins to grow onto the taller man’s face as a flicker of despair reaches his opponents face.
Seconds pass until suddenly the taller man’s blade relieves the pressure exerted onto his blade and he steps back a long length of the way. A triumphant visage was printed onto him as he spoke.
“Come on. You can fight better than that.” His eyes narrow. “Or do you really want to lose this bet?”
Answering the provocation his opponent runs forward and begins an even faster barrage of attacks. As sparks continue to fly, the taller man begins to distance himself once more. With a deep sigh, he launches himself forward donning his ornamental sword. Just as his opponent is about to blow his strike, he stops his sword just inches away from the blade and he whips the sword directly into the left side of the blade pinning it to the ground. Then with a large step he knocks his head into his opponent, making him stagger back. As he staggers back the taller man attempts to punch the saber out of his grasp, yet that only serves to give his opponent time to set himself back up.
In fury the shorter man’s arm throws up the saber in an attempt to put a deep slash into his opponents chest. The tall man dodges and during the furious slash launches his sword deep through his opponents defences. Just as the sword is about to pierce directly into his thigh, a bright blue light flashes that destroys the entire tip of the ornamental blade.
The bright light that had broken the sword was a spell created by a Mage specializing in a support-defense role. The mock duels were precisely meant to not harm either side, so having a mage handily available to prevent any accidents was a given.
“Tch.” A click of the tongue is heard from the tall man as he stares at the destroyed blade.
A round of applause begins to sound off around the arena. Most of the viewers there were the Noble heirs under the wings of House Idicium, and most of them were comparable in age to Viran.
The two men that had fought themselves were also two heirs to their respective families, except they looked to have already been in their twenties at this point. Looking back the taller man sees the shorter man being berated by an old Noble with a cane, no one there would be surprised if he started to beat his own son then and now.
The Nobleman yelling at his son for his loss was notorious as being on the weaker side of the Nobles under House Idicium, and especially known for his own bad qualities. He was a miser and was particularly known for dragging nearby Nobles into his own problems. The head of House Ohrid was not a well liked man; yelling at his son in public in such a manner only reinforced the distrust the Nobles had for him.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“Sorry about the sword Embren, I’ll make sure my Father pays you back for it.” A voice behind Embren says.
Looking back at the voice he sees a small boy with coal black hair and a fair complexion. Embren figured that getting on the good side of the next Lord of House Idicium would always be beneficial. Thickening the skin on his face, Embren's gears started to turn as he decided what to say.
“Oh please Lord Gregory that is not needed at all. The fight itself was an award in itself.” A soft clank is heard behind Embren and he reaches his hand out, catching a sack filled with the Imperial Currency. “This, of course, is plenty enough of a reward as well.”
Witnessing this Gregory laughs softly to himself as he sees Baron Ohrid walk away with his son behind him. Before the fight had begun a bet was made between Baron Ohrid and Embren about who would win, and Embren here was simply reaping the rewards. Gregory’s eyes glanced towards a lanky pale man off to the left of him, and seeing a nod Gregory speaks once more to Embren.
“Yes well there is also the reward you had gotten from being the one to find the evidence towards Viran’s… Wrongdoings.” Gregory spoke.
“But I simply cannot let you leave without a replacement sword. The sword you had broken was only ornamental, yes, but it was still expensive nonetheless.” Gregory said in a soft tone.
Gregory then turned around and pointed at a servant to walk forward and within the servant's hand held a scabbard made with a leather interwoven in a pattern, and still shining brightly. Held within the scabbard sat a large ornamental sword with a large gem glistening in the center of the crossguard. Seeing this Embren’s eyes practically fell out as he stammered.
“No-no my Lord! This sword can only be befitting of someone of your status!” Embren said while rubbing his hands. He was quite tempting in accepting the sword straight away, even the gem embedded in the crossguard was worth more than the sword he had broken just moments ago, yet he remained steadfast and repeatedly refused.
“Hm? Are you sure about this Embren? This is a very expensive sword, and I would hate it if people thought I wasn’t hospitable enough.” Gregory sighed.
“O-oh in that case my Lord, I will graciously accept it!” Embren grabs the sword with great care, and just as he is about to excuse himself Gregory’s next words stop him.
“You will be attending the Noble Affairs meeting in two days, correct?” Gregory asks in a low voice to Embren.
Embren lifts his head up and wordlessly nods. In truth he hadn’t been expecting this and was only hoping to be seen in a better light by Gregory through his severe flattery, but it would seem he found himself in a position where he could not refuse Gregory.
“I want you to tell me everything that happens during that meeting.” Gregory taps onto Embren’s shoulder before turning away. “I hope you can do good by me… That would be the smart thing you could do.”
As Gregory walks away Embren stares at his back, and then his eyes lay upon the sword in his arms. Embren had already been a Knight serving House Idicium for quite a few years now, yet he was still invited to the meeting usually reserved for the Nobility due being a Noble himself, though that was in name only. Embren Gen inherited his Baron title from his Father, though Embren himself will be the last one to inherit the Baron title. Due to having their House’s lands seized three generations ago Embren’s son would eventually go on to inherit only a Baronet title, where that itself would also run out in only two generations. When time runs out for his family line the House of Gen will be no more, but instead they will be normal commoners.
Embren himself knew this clearly, he remembered his childhood clearly. Being the son of a dying House was not a good thing to experience when you have Noble Heirs surrounding you, the stigma towards him and the persecution put forth towards him was something that happened even now despite his great martial ability.
But most of all Embren was still a Noble with a Noble’s education. From a very young age Embren had been instilled with the idea of increasing the House’s power at all costs, and to not let it fall into ruin. Due to this Embren feels an obligation and a duty to gain the power needed, Gregory and House Idicium was the key to this. Even if Embren was given a fief with only some destitute villages that would be enough to preserve their Baron title.
“Perhaps… I really can give my children better futures, and their children beyond.” Thinking this Embren closely whispers to himself.
Embren lived a life not befitting of the blood that ran through him, and now he could change his future. He lived a life of pain and persecution from the Nobles around him, he was the son of a fallen Household so it was only natural for the stigma to follow him wherever he went. Yet through all of the suffering he remained true to the Knightly ideals he held, ideals that would allow him to wholeheartedly focus on tempering his own abilities. Now he could change his world through the actions he makes here on out. Embren had lived his past few years as a simple Knight guarding the estate of House Idicium, yet some simple actions could change his future and allow him the sovereignty needed to create a better future for himself and his descendents.
With an iron-like clasp on his sword Embren swears to himself to do what must be done. Though Gregory was Lord Idicium’s own son, the information shared at the meeting must be held with confidentiality. Embren had finally steeled his determination, to break the taboo.
In a confident manner Embren strode with large steps towards the audience and firmly sits down. As he held his head in his hands the next bout between two Noble Heirs began. Focusing his mind onto the mock duel, trying to ignore the worries plaguing his heart.