Chapter 11: The Surprise Visit (Part 4)

“Captain Rizzou, Ser! Is that you, Ser Rizzou?”

We saw a young boy, no more than 10 years old came running to us at full speed.

“Captain Rizzou, Ser. Please wait for me! I have something for you!!”

The boy stopped right in front of us, holding his breath as if his life was depending on it.

“Huh…Huh…. At last, I found you Ser. I have been huhh… huhh… trying to find you since morning. I went to your office but huhhh… huhhh… you were not there. The people there were kind enough to tell me that I could find you here… Huh… Huhh”

The young boy seemed to be having trouble breathing. Perhaps he ran all day long, looking for the Captain. It must be urgent for him to be all out of breath like that.

“Take it easy, young squire. Catch your breath first. Only then you talk.”

The young squire took his breath and began to calm down. He then took an envelope with a red wax seal stamped on it, with yet another crest. I think I have counted 6 types of different crests while I’m in Elsivier in these past 3-4 days. Back in the Brotherhood, I only saw one type during the whole 12 years I was there. And that crest belonged to the old geezer.

As soon as Captain Rizzou received the letter, his cheerful expression suddenly turned serious. Even without looking at the content of the envelope, I could feel that he was feeling a little tense. He opened the envelope and read the letter inside. After a while, he turned to me.

“Claude, looks like both of us has been summoned to the Council of Knights, immediately.”

“Council of Knights?”

“Judging by this letter, I believed that the Council had received your application and documents that I sent to for approval. But, I’m curious...” Captain Rizzou paused for a moment while stroking his chin.

“Normally they would approve all the applications and documents I had sent so far without having me or the new recruit summoned. This is a first, for both me and you.”

I gulped. I wondered if it was a serious matter.

“I don’t really get the gist of it but I don’t think it’s not a serious matter or else they would not send this young squire in such haste.” Captain Rizzou thanked the young squire and gave him a gold coin.

“Though you are not supposed to receive any payment, nonetheless I praised your effort in bringing this letter to me at such haste and urgency. I thank you, young squire.”

The young squire beamed with happiness from both the Captain’s praise and also his newly acquired one gold coin.

“Thank…Thank you, Ser Rizzou, Captain Ser!”

He then took off, looking very proud of himself. Mission completed.

“Come, Claude. We better make haste too or else we would keep the Council waiting”

I followed Captain Rizzou from behind as he led me to the Council of Knights. The Council would often hold their meetings at the Strategic Headquarters of Elsigardia located within Palace itself. This was the first time I set my foot inside the palace.

The palace, as I would be told by Captain Rizzou was divided into five main areas, namely Strategic Headquarters, Grand Chambers of the State, Royal Archive and Library, Royal Palace and the Twin Towers. Scattered around the palaces were buildings of various functions and also courtyards and gardens.

The Royal Palace was separated by the other four areas. Located on a man-made island, the only way we could enter the Royal Palace were through a drawbridge. Located to both east and west of The Royal Palace was Elsivier’s major landmark; The Twin Towers. Both the towers were also located on a man-made island, separated to all area except a small bridge that came from both the side of The Royal Palace.

The public was normally restricted from entering all the main areas except the courtyards and gardens and some buildings which were manned by no more than two guards at any one time. If there were two guards or more, it meant that the place was beyond entry for the public.

Royal Elite Knights had the permission to enter all the five main areas, though there were certain specific areas within the main areas that were rank and class restricted.

As I looked around, suddenly Captain Rizzou stopped. I nearly hit him from behind, though I managed to duck underneath him. As I peered in front of him from his underarm, Captain Rizzou quickly notified me about where we were at right now.

“We are here, Claude. The Strategic Headquarters.”

I nodded.

“Well, one more thing I need to remind yourself before we proceed anywhere else further inside. Whatever happens, keep your manners with you. We might not know who might we come across later. Unless we would raise the ire of those nameless nobles and royalties, I suggest that we keep our manners close to us.”

“I understand, Captain.”

Though I have no idea what was considered to be the right or correct manners, nonetheless I would not embarrass myself nor the Captain needlessly.

The Strategic Headquarters design was nearly identical to Elemental Circle but it was fenced instead. The entrance gate was guarded by yet another four guards. On the entrance gate was a sign:

“Strategic Headquarters of Elsigardia”

and below the sign was yet another sign stated

“No entry to those rank Lieutenant and below”

I looked at Captain Rizzou. He assured that I would be alright since I’m with him. As we approached the gate, all the four guards saluted Captain Rizzou.

“Good day, Ser Rizzou. The Council was expecting you. They would be waiting at Audience Hall!”

“Audience Hall? But why? They would normally meet in the Strategic Room.”

“Yes, Ser Rizzou. I was told that you are supposed to head to the Audience Hall, instead of the usual place, Ser. I was not given the reason as why to, Ser!”

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“Hmm… I wonder what is going on? Nevermind, we will soon find out.”

Captain Rizzou returned the salute back to them.

One of the guards took notice of me and asked the Captain.

“Ser Rizzou, this young man here, was he the one summoned together with you?”

“Aye. Please open the gate for us.” Captain Rizzou patted my back and he held my shoulder.

“Right away, Ser Rizzou!” The guard did as was ordered.

“Alright, Claude. From this point onwards, please follow me from behind very closely. Understand? The moment you stay far away from me, you would be arrested by any guards who will see you here. Please bear in mind that you are yet to be inducted into the Elites. In other words, you are still a member of the public, officially. Alright?”

“Yes, Captain Rizzou, ser!!” I copied the way how the guards at the gate talked to the Captain earlier.

Captain Rizzou smiled at me as he led me yet again into the vicinity of the Strategic Headquarters. As we entered the building, I noticed that the layout was again quite similar to Elemental Circle. However, the building we were at right now was just one of the buildings that located here. Captain Rizzou told me there were 15 different buildings, with various functions, that were built close to each other and form a massive building complex. And our destination was to be the Audience Hall, located in the middle of the complex.

We met a few more Elites and other normal knights around in the complex. All of them were looking at me, like a child following his father to work. Every now and then, we were stopped by the Elites who took notice of Captain Rizzou and I. Though they never questioned us much, I can see them quite pleased with the exchange of words with Captain Rizzou. I paid no attention as to what was being discussed about since it was not my business to butt into official duties of others.

We arrived into a small courtyard in the middle of the complex. There was a big statue in the middle of the courtyard. A woman’s statue wearing a robe, with wings and a crown. She was in a battle pose, with swords and shield to her side.

“That’s Goddess Athenea, our patron Goddess of Elsigardia.”

Captain Rizzou paid respect by bowing slightly as he walked passed by the statue. I too did the same.

“My, my… Who is that boy who knows the basic courtesy paying respect to our patron Goddess? A rare breed indeed!!”

A voice greeted us from the other side of the complex.

“Ser Godfrey!” Captain Rizzou corrected his posture and gave a salute to a full-bearded old man, wearing a normal robe but full with beautiful adornments around it. I did not know what to do, but I tried to follow suit though I end up messing the salute and all.

“Hahaha. Please feel at ease, Rizzou. We have yet to convene.” The bearded old man looked friendly enough as I looked at him and then turned back to Captain Rizzou.

“Yes, Ser Godfrey!”

Captain Rizzou relaxed his posture. I still don’t know what was happening, but somehow this old man, who emerged in front of us now seems highly ranked. Even Captain Rizzou who was normally calm and composed seemed a little nervous.

“And that young boy who is following you, is he the one being summoned together with you?”

“Yes, Ser!”Captain Rizzou answered in short but firm words.

“Good. Tell him to go to the Crystal room first before entering the Audience Hall. Let him finishes his business there first before we convene. Once he is done, only then we will start. And by the way, we have a special guest with us today. So, please don’t take too long, alright.”

Captain Rizzou nodded. “Yes, Ser! As you wish.”

Captain Rizzou saluted the old man again. The old man just laughed and turned his back and walked away. His style reminds me of the old geezer back in the Brotherhood’s guild-city.

“Claude. Let’s do as we were told. We are going to the Crystal Room first.”

I followed Captain Rizzou. However, the journey was short this time around. As soon as we entered the second half of the complex, Captain Rizzou turned to the left and proceed for few yards before he beckoned me to enter a room. He opened the door and I was told to enter the first. There were no signs, so I was quite curious with what was happening. Was this the so-called Crystal room? It seemed so dark. I’m starting to get all tingly.

I took another three steps inside the room before the door behind me was suddenly closed. And not to my surprise, Captain Rizzou was the one who closed the door. Before I could say anything else, I could hear his words from outside.

“Good luck, Claude!” And that’s all. Nothing else I could hear from outside.

What was the hell happening? Why was I locked inside this dark room, all by myself? And what was this place? Hey someone? Captain Rizzou!!!

And what with the ‘good luck’ anyway? Why do I need a good luck? Was something about to happen? I started to panic. I hate small and dark places. What’s more, if it was an unknown, small and dark places. Like the one I am currently in right now.

I shouted for the Captain’s name, but it seemed that my voice was echoed back to me.

It’s hopeless.

I tried to find my way in the darkness for a while. The air in the room was very heavy and I could barely breathe. There was nothing that I could touch nor hold and I couldn’t seem to trace the wall structure. Even that, I could barely even walk. My steps were getting heavier and heavier as my breath was getting more shallow. I could feel that my consciousness was starting to fade.

At that moment, I could hear a soft voice in my brain.

“Welcome to the Crystal room, young one.”

A female voice. A very subtle and soft voice which comfort me a little. Little by little, my consciousness suddenly returned but I have yet to stabilize myself.

“Breath and open your mind’s eyes.”

Huh? I know the breathing part, but what was with the mind’s eyes?

My mind has its own set of eyes? Was it a riddle of some sort that I need to answer before I could escape my predicament?

As I pondered along, suddenly a big crystal formed in front of me. A translucent crystal with the size of a normal adult human.

“Touch the crystal, young one and your fate shall be revealed.”

Huh? Another riddle? What fate?

I looked around confused. But sensing that I could do nothing else, I followed the voice’s order.

Come what may, as they said.

I extended my hand to touch the crystal. As soon as my fingers touched it, the crystal suddenly turned bright. A yellow light started to form within the crystal. I was surprised to see what was happening. The yellow light began to brighten up. And before long, all around me, I was surrounded by the same bright yellow light. The translucent crystal was bursting with the yellow light.

I closed my eyes from the intense brightness. I could feel the intensity even with my eyes closed. After what seems to be an eternity, the intensity started to diminish and I could now open my eyes. However, this time, the room was no longer dark. I could see that I was in a room full of various kinds of seals, circles of magic and runic inscription. A shiver came through my spine. I broke in a cold sweat.

I wondered what happened. Suddenly, the door behind me was opened. It was Captain Rizzou. Finally, a familiar face I’m sure glad to see. He then smiled at me as he stood outside the door.

“Looks like you made it. You can come out now.”

I nodded. It looked like the ordeal or whatever situation that I needed a good luck for, was over. I breathed a sigh of relief. And a rather loud one too.

The faster I get out of the room, the better. As I exited the room, I gave a nudge to Captain Rizzou.

“What was that for? You locked me inside that room, all by myself. I was barely able to breathe and walk. It was all dark and heavy and yet you tell me nothing. You are cruel, Captain.”

“Hahaha. Sorry, but I had to. You have to enter the room by yourself.”

“At least you could tell me before I enter, not after.”

“Hahaha, my bad. Sorry about that. Next time, I’ll tell you, alright!”

“Hummphh. What’s with the next time? I already know what will happen, so no more surprises there.”

Captain Rizzou just smiled at me apologetically.

Ah well, since I’d made it out alive and well despite having a weird experience, I don’t need to make a fuss.

“So, tell me, Claude, did you see a crystal?”

I nodded.

“So, anything about the crystal you just saw?”

“Well, it came out of nowhere. Though there was a female voice that told me that I need to touch the crystal.”

“And?”

“It was translucent crystal at first. But it turned to yellow after I had touched it. And the yellow gets brighter until I have to close my eyes. The light filled up the whole room with such intensity that even with my eyes closed, I could feel that it penetrated my whole being. And that’s about. Of what I think and feel, anyway.”

“I see. So, you are a ‘yellow’ huh?”

Captain Rizzou smiled at me.

“Not many would get yellow. Most are either red, green, blue or just translucent.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that, Captain?”

“You will soon know.” Captain Rizzou put his arm around me.

“You know, for someone so young, you sure full of surprises.”

“Is that a compliment? Or you are teasing me?”

“Hahahaha. Who knows? Let’s go, Claude. We can’t keep the Council and our special guest waiting any longer.”

“Ahh… yah. I nearly forgot. Let’s go then.”

I followed captain Rizzou as he led me to our next destination, the Audience Hall. I wonder what awaits me at my next destination. Another room with another crystal? Or perhaps this time a normal room instead?