“Oh- greetings, sir knight. Is there anything I can help you with?” A visibly malnourished man asked as Sarim and company arrived in Eslaf.

Sarim looked the man over and saw that although his clothes and shoes were relatively clean, much like the town, his eyes were yellowed and his cheeks were hollow.

“Take us to Goldcrest Manor, please.”

“Oh- this way, please.” The man said while gesturing towards the town.

Sarim and company followed the man into town and Sarim quickly noticed a peculiar and familiar smell, but he ignored it as he walked.

The many residents they came across bowed after moving aside, allowing Sarim and company to walk deeper into the town.

A town made from rather well maintain buildings and roads.

Sarim’s eyes widened slightly after seeing two sickly people drag a large black bag into one of the many street side homes.

He ignored it as the man from before led them up a hill towards a rather magnificent looking castle.

It sat on a nearby hill and was made from pale rocks that brilliantly reflected the sun.

Tall towers sat at each of the castle's four corners and long golden banners hung from almost every wall.

Sarim and company eventually arrived at the main gate where they were met by two guards who wore heavy steel armour even though it looked like they could barely walk in it.

“Who goes there?” One of the guards wheezed.

“I am-“

“We are the Tsudo and we have come to speak to the Goldcrests. Open the gate and get out of our way.” Raläe snapped, interrupting Sarim.

The two guards looked at each other for a moment making Sarim sigh.

“Send someone to inform them that we are here. We will wait in the meantime.”

The guards nodded before entering the Castel via a smaller door next to the main one.

“Ugh! Did you have to say that? We could have just gone in there and concluded our business but-“

“I know, but barging into someone’s home unannounced is rude and beneath us, no?” Sarim asked.

“Tsk.” Raläe sounded with crossed arms.

The guards eventually returned.

“The Goldcrests have permitted your entry.”

The leftmost guard said as the door was slowly opened.

Sarim nodded in thanks before leading his group into the castle.

It was a beautifully decorated space with polished wooden surfaces and countless gold embellished pieces of furniture.

Also, sitting on almost every wall was a portrait of one of the Goldcrests.

A thin servant dressed in a well made black uniform led Sarim and company to the dining room where a certain man sat on one of the many chairs by the dining table.

Sarim and company approached him and he promptly gestured that they take the seats next to his.

He was dressed in a silky golden gown and wore all manner of jewellery. From rings, to bracelets to golden necklaces.

“Hello, Sarim. It has been quite some time since you last visited-“

“We haven’t the time for pleasantries. You ignored the call to arms and for that you has been ordered to appear in the capital where you and your men will be tried.” Raläe said.

This interruption caused the man’s eyes to glow a little.

“We met her, you know. I looked into her eyes and was overcome by feelings of strange allure and palpable terror.” The man said while reaching out to grab a golden goblet.

Silence filled the room and Sarim raised a brow upon seeing that Raläe looked a little shaken.

“Mmm… I have received my summons. If that is all, I would like to kindly ask that you leave.”

“What will you do, Joha?” Sarim asked.

“I heard that Nel also turned traitor. What do you think this means for the ultimate outcome of this?” Joha asked while playfully swirling the goblet’s contents.

“Our victory is still certain.” Sarim said but Joha looked at him with narrowed eyes.

“I see. Anyway, please leave. I have much to think about.”

Sarim nodded before standing up to leave.

His group then followed the servant back to the front door and its here that Sarim noted that the servant was a Rendaro.

He ignored it as the door was opened and it wasn’t long before they were back at the teleportation platform.

Nothing was said as they teleport to their hometown of Mades.

It was a small and quiet town a few kilometres south of the border between Medelona and Aurenia.

Surrounding it were small patches of farmland and further beyond were the grazing grounds for livestock.

However, standing in the distance, like a shard of glass in the drying grass, was Blood Manor, home of the Tsudo legion.

It was a tall and shiny building thanks to its many windows.

Several guards walked up to Sarim and company as they walked into town.

They all lined the path that led into town with their steel lances by their sides.

“Tsk. My mood is ruined. If you need me I will be in my quarters.” Raläe sounded before walking ahead of Sarim and the others who stopped to speak with the guards.

“Is there anything of note I need to be informed of?” Sarim asked. His helmet in his hands.

“No, sir. Although a messenger from Medelona notified us that they’d be expecting a extra wagon of wheat when they next arrived.”

“Ha! They are getting a little too greedy. Should we burn their fields to teach them just how hard things are for everyone, captain?” Enoçia suggested with an evil grin.

“That won’t be necessary.” Sarim said as he walked past the guards.

“Aww.” Enoçia sounded as she followed Sarim further into town. They greeted the many townsfolk who went about their daily lives in the afternoon before eventually arriving at Blood Manner where several guards greeted them.

“Afternoon, sir knight. Umm… did something happen? Mr. Raläe seemed quite upset.”

One of the guards said. He wore a mixture of leather and metal armour and wielded with his muscular arms a war axe.

“Don’t worry about it too much, I’m sure he’ll be fine.” Sarim said with weak smile before walking into the grand Manor.

The interior was dark, even though every window was open.

The walls were made from dark stone and the floor was made from dark polished woods. This atmosphere was amplified by the many dark curtains and various other pieces of furniture.

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Lining parts of the floor were red carpets which were all scratched up at the centre.

Sarim followed his men into the changing room where they all removed their armour.

“Ah… freedom.” Enoçia sighed as she removed her pauldrons.

“So… what now?”

One of Sarim’s men asked.

“We wait. I may have spoken out of turn when I asked the Grandmaster if we would be participating in the war, but I simply wanted to know what our next orders were.” Sarim explained.

“I see.”

Everyone eventually slipped into some black robes before making their way into the bathroom where they all cleaned their bodies in six of the seven lathe baths.

“So… it’s about that time when the Foxpaws bloom. Wanna go see them with me?”

One of Sarim’s men asked as he walked up to Enoçia who had just finished washing her hair.

“Sure, Gauld. But you’ll have to give me your arm in exchange.” She said as she playfully raised her leg out of the bath.

“How is that a fair exchange?” Gauld asked with a pained expression.

“We are golden knights and vessels of Summus’s will, no?”

“Yes, but what does that have do to with-“

“I can see the many perverted thoughts swirling in your eyes, boy. But alas, I understand that you are a man and thus a slave to your base desires. Summus would want me to help you, but I believe that everything good I life must be earned. Are you willing to earn some time with me?” Enoçia asked with glowing eyes.

Everyone looked at Gauld who eventually clicked his tongue before walking away.

“Aww… and here I though you had more resolve than that.”

“Don’t tease him too much.” Sarim sighed as he stared at the ceiling.

Enoçia sat up before turning to face her captain.

“I’ll try. However, if you were to ask for my hand, I would give it to you in an instant.”

“OH COME ON!” Gauld cried while drying himself.

“Look, Gauld's about to cry.”

“Ugh!” Gauld sounded before storming out of the room.

This lead to everyone else bursting out into laughter.

“Watching him get all flustered will never get old.”

“You’d think he’d get used to it.”

Such things were said as Sarim closed his eyes.

He allowed himself to sit in the water with clear thoughts.

These thoughts were interrupted by the thought of a certain woman.

One he had never met but had heard so much about.

Sarim got out of the bath and promptly dried himself before getting changed into some comfortable clothes.

He then left the bathroom and made his way to his office where he documented various things, but as he worked, the thoughts of that woman occupied more and more of his mind.

“Mmm…” He droned.

“Is something the matter, sir?”

One of the manor’s many servants asked.

It was a small and joyful looking man who was dressed in a neat dark uniform.

“Tell Enoçia and the others that I’ll be gone for a few days.”

The servant bowed before exiting the room, leaving Sarim with nothing but his thoughts in the silence of the room.

This silence was eventually broken by the sound of heavy footsteps.

The door then suddenly swung open revealing Enoçia, who had also changed into more comfortable clothes.

Covering her head, was a red headband.

“Sorry, sir. She just ran up here after I-“

Enoçia ignored the servant as she walked up to Sarim who sat with crossed arms.

“Are we not at war, captain?”

“We are.”

“So don’t you think it would be best of the Tsudo were ready for deployment at any given moment?”

“I do.”

“And yet-“

“I will return in a few days. That is all I will say on this matter. Is there something else you needed?” Sarim asked but Enoçia glared at him intently before sighing deeply.

“No, sir.” She said while turning to leave.

Sarim stood up and made his way to his room where he slipped into a pair of studier shoes.

He then made his way out of the manner, but he stopped a few meters out and looked up at one of the windows to find Enoçia looking at him.

He let out a deep sigh before making his way to the teleportation platform where the guards awaited him.

He ignored then before teleporting to an unnamed patch of forest tens of kilometres east of Mades.

He let out a deep sigh before making his way further into the forest.

He eventually stopped and looked out into the bushes ahead.

He then fell into a crouch position and just as he did, a wave of distorted space shot past where his head once was.

Fortunately, he was a space magician and so he teleported to where the wave came from and grabbed the magician who made it to find that it was a small woman but instead of cowering or trembling with fear, she smiled.

“Hello, Sarim.” She greeted sweetly. Her long brown hair was tied in a ponytail and her brown eyes warmly greeted Sarim, who smiled in return.

“Hello, Penda.” He said as he held her up.

Another woman emerged from the bushes and she too wore robust leather armour.

“You can put me down now.” Penda said.

Sarim complied and Penda elegantly landed before grabbing his hand.

She then pulled Sarim further into the forest and the other woman silently followed after them.

It wasn’t long before they arrived at a large house that was seemingly a part of the forest.

Countless vines could be seen growing all around it and although it was covered in so much vegetation, it maintained its structural integrity.

The house was also built with beings like Sarim in mind with the door being tall enough for him to enter with ease.

Filling most of the house was an assortment of wooden furniture that created a warm ambience which was reinforced by the evening sunlight.

Sarim walked toward a particular door.

He reached out to open it but stopped as Penda tugged at his index finger.

She lowered her eyes as her face slowly grew red.

Sarim laughed softly before placing his hand beneath her chin, lifting her head in the process.

He then gave her a light kiss making her face grow even redder.

“Give me a moment, ok?”

Penda slowly nodded.

Sarim nodded as well before slowly opening the door to find an elderly woman sleeping on a rather large bed.

He closed the door as he entered.

He then silently sat on the appropriately sized chair by the bed’s side although this awoke the woman.

“Oh… Sarim?” She whimpered.

“Yes, Uzuri. It’s me.” He said softly.

“Ah… you visit us quite often nowadays. Is there really no work for Golden Knights anymore?” She asked. Her voice weak.

“Quite the opposite. Things aren’t looking… certain so I guess I keep coming home to ease my mind.”

“Mmm.” Uzuri sounded I acknowledgment.

Sarim gently adjusted her blankets before leaning back into his chair.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’m gonna take a nap here for a bit.” He said as he closed his eyes.

“Go right ahead.”

.

..

Sarim opened his eyes and saw that night had long since fallen.

He silently stood up and left the room to find Penda sleeping on one of the many couches in the living room. She had exchanged her leather armour for a thin silk gown.

He walked up to her and gently shook her awake.

“Mmm?” She sounded sweetly before suddenly wrapping her small arms around Sarim’s neck.

“Jerk. You said you’d only be in there for a moment.”

“I know.”

“Carry me to my room.” Penda ordered and with a light chuckle, he did as she said.

The two entered Penda’s room although, she shared it with another woman, who soundly slept on the bed next to hers.

Sarim placed Penda on her bed and placed his hands on his hips.

“What now?” He whispered with a smile.

“Sleep on the floor.” Penda said with a pout.

“Alright.” Sarim said as he did as he was instructed.

A moment passed with nothing being said and so Sarim closed his eyes in an attempt to sleep, but he opened them shortly after to find Penda crawling onto him with a blanket in hand.

She then rested her head on his chest before closing her eyes.

Sarim closes his eyes as well and it wasn’t long before they were both asleep.

.

..

“Sarim! Wake up!”

Someone yelled, forcing the knight to open his eyes.

He winced upon seeing a child standing by the open door. It was a little boy who had a had of messy brown hair.

“What?” He groaned as Penda slept.

“Breakfast is ready!”

The boy yelled.

“Alright, alright. Now get out, can’t you see people are sleeping here?”

The boy rushed out of the room before slamming the door shut.

“When will we ever get some time just for ourselves?” Penda groaned. Her eyes still closed.

“Aren’t you being a little selfish?”

Sarim looked up to see that Maua, Penda’s roommate and fellow guard, was awake.

Penda grabbed Sarim’s hands and guided them to her ass which he firmly held.

“Yes. Yes I am.”

Maua’s stuck out her tongue mockingly at Penda before lightly stretching.

“Come on. Let’s wash up.” Maua said as she stood up.

“I don’t wanna!” Penda cried only for Maua to grab her arms and drag her out of the room.

Sarim let out a deep sigh and stood up.

He then left the room and lightly stretched while softly yawning.

“Well if it isn’t Mr. Hero.”

A Short, bald man who’s face was covered in thin golden lines groaned.

He wore an old robe which, although faded, had the crest of the moon seated proudly at its centre.

“Ah, good to see you’re in good spirits, Keldün. I hope Mit isn’t giving you too much trouble.” Sarim said before making his way towards the dining room.

“Bah, I have to deal with the little traeltor every day. I’ve gotten used to it.” Keldün said as he sat next to Sarim in the dining room which was filled the bright morning sunlight.

“Part of me is dreading having to do this for another hundred years.” Keldün said with a light laugh.

Sarim remained silent as a woman approached with two large plates. One which had a freshly roasted baby pig and the other which had a freshly tossed salad.

The two plates were placed in front of Sarim.

“Soraye, this is way too much food for someone who doesn’t need to eat.”

“All you had to say was thank you, ya know? And besides, I enjoyed making that, so shut up and eat up.” Soraye said before walking away with a raised nose.

Keldün stared at Sarim.

“Boohoo. Look at all the adoration I’m getting, oh the horror!” Keldün said mockingly as he looked out of the window. Into the brightly lit forest.

“Haha! Whatever shall I do? If only there was someone else Soraye could shower with affection.” Sarim said with a bright smile.

Keldün rolled his eyes before laying his head on his crossed arms.

Sarim eventually finished eating and he joined Keldün in sitting in silence.

Providing the room it’s ambience were the forests many sounds and these lulled Sarim so effectively, he closed his eyes and almost fell asleep again but he forced his eyes open before standing up and making his way to the kitchen with Keldün in tow.

He handed in his plates before washing his hands and wrapping his arms around Soraye, who was busy cleaning the countertops.

“Oh- I heard Penda and Maua are waiting for you in their room.” She said.

“OK- oh and thanks for the meal.”

Soraye simply nodded and after letting her go, Sarim turned to face a yawning Keldün.

“Go ahead. I’ll prepare a list of things we need in the meantime.”

Sarim nodded before making his way back to Penda’s room and he let out a low drone upon seeing that Penda and Maua were lying naked on a makeshift bed on the floor.

“Come on. We have a lot of time to make up for and I know that your negligent ass is going to leave us again soon. So hurry.” Penda said as she opened her arms, further revealing her near flawless, small body.

Sarim chuckled before removing his shirt and joining the two women in bed.

As they laid, the drums of war sent out their song across the continent.

It was a low beat.

One not of glory or honour, but of pain and terror.