Four knights, traveled the countryside on horseback, riding beside a river, that flowed to the many acres of farmland. They were sent on a quest by queen Dorothy Eliza Archaeon herself, to find any information, about the legendary, yet mysterious weapons known as Regalia. It’s been six months since they left the Capital of Edenia. Cecilia, now 17 years of age, and the captain of her own knight-squad. Set out, with her subordinates, to fulfill this quest. With new Regalia on the rise, strange things have been happening all over Agartha for the past decade. From sudden shifts to the climate, to strange disappearances of people. Rumor has it, that another Great war is about to take place. Cecilia was also tasked, with the recruitment of these new warriors of Regalia. If the worst was to happen, they would be valuable allies to not only Edenia, but the entire world of Agartha.
Joining Cecilia on this mission, the skilled markswoman and pathfinder, Lylah Faefir. The young, but brave paladin, Theresa Lighfeather. And Erik Lionheart, a retired general, acting as their guide in their travels. With their combined skillsets in archery and swordsmanship, they were well known as the Phoenix order, the queen's second most elite taskforce. The four of them are currently making their way to the city of Silves.
"Silves, a prosperous city near a beautiful cove, known for their enormous variety of birds that come during the spring, attractions for tourist, delicious foods, yada, yada, yada." Lylah read out from a map. "All I want is a decent bath!" Erik was reading a map, making sure that they were headed the right path, "I'm pretty sure most of the ins have one." Not paying attention, a strong gust of wind, blew the map out of his hands, "Uh-oh" Cecilia, who was reading a book, did not see the map flying, so it her right in the face. "Kyah!!! What the heck is this!" Theresa gently removed the map from her face, "Is it really a good time to be reading at this moment, milady?" "Huh? What was that?" Cecilia had already continued reading. Erik rode beside her, "The adventures of the steel tempest. Haven't you already read that one a dozen times?" Lylah slowed down, whispering to Erik, "I think she already passed the millionth mark last week." Cecilia looked at them, "Is that so? I lost count a couple years ago." The group laughed, admiring her dedication for reading books.
In the distance, the city of Silves could be seen. In the few months they have been traveling, they visited many cities and villages. But none of them were as big as Silves. They made their way to a hill with a big tree on top of it. Lylah hopped of her horse to rest under the tree, "Hopefully this won't be another wild goose chase." Theresa sat down beside her, "So far, every person who claimed to have a regalia was just some thief trying to make a quick buck." Erik joined them, "Well, according to the merchants we passed, one of the nobleman is rumored to be the wielder of this regalia." They all sighed, from exhaustion, and hopelessness. "Who knows how many nobleman live in such a big city." Theresa groaned. At the top of the hill, Cecilia stared at the city, lost in thought. Lylah waved to her, "Oi captain, what do you think we'll find there?" Cecilia turned around, "I just have a feeling, that we'll find something better than some ancient weapon." Lylah laid down on the ground, "And what's that?" Cecilia slowly walked over, holding her book behind her back. She bend over towards Lylah, smiling. "Hope" she optimistically said.
After they rested, they made their way to the city. At the gates, they were stopped by the guards, who asked what their business in Silves was. Erik explained to the guards, by showing them a golden badge, indicating that he was part of the merchant guild. Later, they made their way into town on foot, splitting in groups of two, to restock on supplies and to find as much information as they could. Cecilia went with Erik to the town square, while Theresa and Lylah would check out the markets. Cecilia and Erik walked through the square that was quite lively, with hundreds of people, moving around in every direction. Due to the armor they wore, the gazes of all the people were locked onto them. Their armor was made from mithril, a strong lightweight metal that can absorb magic. Cecilia's is painted a bright silver, with blue decorative highlights, whilst Theresa's and Erik only slightly differed from hers, in color and shape. With such eye catching equipment, it was hard for them to go by unnoticed.
They stopped at a traveling merchant's cart, asking if he had any information. At first the merchant acted like he knew nothing, till Erik slipped him a silver token. "Be warned for what you seek, as it may not be, as one would see." The merchant packed up his cart, and rode away. Cecilia scratched her cheek, "Hmm, well that was pretty vague." Erik sighed, "It seems that we have a lot more digging to do."
Suddenly the crowd of people became livelier. Looking over, they saw that a nobleman had entered the square. He rode on a decorated horse, donning white armor, and a silver lance. With a few dozen other knights following him, it was like a parade. As he made his way pass the crowd of people, he was greeted and praised by all of them. Catching sight of a beautiful knight with long blonde hair and in silver armor, the nobleman jumped of his horse, walking towards her. As soon as he started to walk, he was swarmed by all the young women and girls, who begged him to marry them. The blonde knight was now on the move. Trying to slip pass them, he lost sight of the blond knight. He looked all around, till he got a glimpse of her beautiful blond hair, flowing behind the waters of the fountain. She sat on the benches across the fountain, reading a book.
After he walked around the fountain, he approached her, bowing down, "Good afternoon miss. My name is Edward Bennette Silvester, first son of the Silvester family and current lord of Silves. May I ask-?" After looking back up, he noticed that she didn't pay any attention to him. She was so immersed in reading her book that she didn't respond to him. Erik walked over to them, clearing his throat, "Uhm, captain. This a friend of yours?" Cecilia confusingly looked over, "Hmm? Oh, good afternoon to you too!" she got up and bowed her head. Edward became a bit surprised, this being the first time he was ever ignored. Edward bowed down once more, "Ahem, allow to reintroduce myself, my name is-" Cecilia interrupted him, "Edward Bennette Silvester was it? First son of the Silvester family and current lord, right? Well my name is Cecilia, captain of the 21st expedition unit of Edenia." "My, my, what an attentive dame." Edward praised her, "Allow me to give you fine knights the grand tour of Silves." He gestured for one of his men, to bring over a carriage. Erik tried declining that it wasn’t necessary. But both Edward and Cecilia insisted on going. While they waited for the carriage, Erik walked next to Cecilia, whispering, "You sure this is a good idea?" She put her book, into the shoulder bag she had been carrying, "We might be able to get some information out of him. Besides, this city is beautiful, who wouldn't want a free tour of this place." Erik sighed, but trusted his leader, choosing to follow with her plan, "Beauty can sometimes only be on the outside." He knew that something sinister was happening in this city, something that Cecilia would definitely not like.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Two hours later, after being given their tour. They were now at an open plaza with a grand view of the cove, where Edward was going to treat them to lunch. The streets were lined with many vendors. Selling from the simplest of snacks, to the rarest delicacies. Edward stepped out of the carriage, "Excuse me for a moment, I have some important matters to attend to." Edward ran off, saying that he'll meet them in a few moments for lunch. Cecilia and Erik stepped out, walking into the plaza.
Cecilia rested her arms on the railing, getting a nice view of the cove. "This is a beautiful city without a doubt. But something feels strange here." Erik joined her, "Lord Edward was careful when he spoke to us. Not giving any valuable info whatsoever." "Well, for what it's worth, we can keep trying." Cecilia started to hear the gentle melody of a girl humming. She asked Erik if he could hear it too. But he said that he didn't, only hearing the voices of people around the plaza. Erik asked her what was the matter, but she was already gone.
Running blindly across the street looking for the one who was humming. She crashed into a hooded girl. The hooded girl fell flat on her butt, whilst Cecilia lost her balance, almost falling into the water. Before she could fall however, a hooded boy, grabbed her arm, stopping her from falling. As he pulled her up, his hood fell off, revealing long, jet black hair, and a white mask that covered his entire face. Cecilia franticly got up on her own two feet, apologizing for causing them trouble. The hooded boy walked over to the hooded girl, helping her up. The hooded girl dusted the dirt from her clothes, "Oen'sz comigled, accidentsz jutrey." She spoke in a strange tongue. She pulled down her cloak to get a better look at Cecilia. She also had black hair that was neatly braided, and wore the same kind of mask as the boy but with minor differences and the same cloak as him, but only in purple. Their mask are white in color, with elegant red patterns and blue highlights around the eyes. They understood what Cecilia was saying, but she could barely make out what they were trying to tell her. The hooded girl looked at Cecilia's armor, "Waoh, awnorri. Ehn edenian knight! sdid Kai, ohwey weiev unn vaey vi linm hent eh meynt!" The hooded boy sighed, grabbing the girl's arm, dragging her away. "Louwe lek daiy." "Quef sya! byvsz knight. Si dold ohwey trieve ugeth monn adasitt ehnumpit!" the girl yammered and waved as she was dragged away, disappearing into the crowd of people.
Erik scratched his head, saying that there was something very unusual about them. They seemed familiar to Cecilia, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. All they knew, is that they were most likely foreigners, traveling from a different continent. She then noticed a piece of paper on the ground. It was a letter. The girl must have dropped this when she bumped into her. Cecilia felt bad, knowing that she was probably the reason that she lost it. She looked around, trying to see if they were still nearby. Instead, she saw Lylah and Theresa, heading their way, with some supplies in hand. Lylah noticed her, "Hi! Captain!" Lylah waved. "Have you seen a girl about yay tall in a purple hood with a white mask?" Cecilia stammered. Theresa thought back, "No we haven't seen anyone like that recently." Cecilia was now sad, knowing that it was most likely her fault for the girl to lose a letter that was probably important. Edward approached them, "My apologies, it took longer than I had anticipated." He then saw Lylah and Theresa, "Ah these must be your other subordinates, please join us for déjeuner."
Some time later, they are having lunch at a restaurant with a magnificent view of the cove. As they were eating, Edward was happily conversing with one another. But Lylah didn't feel the same way, as every time Edward looked at her, she felt a chill down her spine. He looked at the others cheerfully, but for some strange reason, he looked in disgust at Lylah. There was something so malevolent about his gaze that she could not explain in words. Cecilia noticed that Lylah was acting gloomy, not having eaten as much she normally would. "Are you alright?" she worryingly asked. Lylah shook her head, saying that it was nothing. Edward promised them to show them the waters with a boat ride. So they left after they had finished their lunch.
As they were walking, an elven girl that was carrying a tall stack branches, bumped into Cecilia. This caused the little elven girl to fall down. Cecilia got down to help her, but became saddened by what she saw. A little girl, probably no older than twelve, carrying a pile of wood. In ripped clothing, that barely acted as a dress and no shoes. She was without a doubt a slave. The little elven girl sat on the ground, trembling in fear. Cecilia helped the girl, by tying down the branches with a piece of rope, and sent her on her way with a warm smile.
Edward clicked his tongue, purposefully sticking out his foot, making her fall again. Cecilia and her group didn't like the sight of this one bit. He grinned, carelessly walking over one of the logs, falling over himself. "Why you little pest!" he screamed. With his eyes filled with anger and disgust, he grabbed the elven girl by the collar, and began vigorously shaking her, "How dare you do this to a lord." Erik clenched his fist, walking forward "I knew that this city was way too perfect." "How so?" Theresa asked. "Look around you, all wealthy humans, not a single other race in sight." They finally realized, now that he's mentioned it. What was even more heartbreaking, is that the people who watched, were entertained by such a cruel act. Scared, the little elven girl began to cry. Lylah now angered, wanted to do something. She reached out for her bow and quiver. But Cecilia stopped them from acting out, instead she chose to try and reason with Edward, "Lord Edward, I think that might be enough." He looked over to her maliciously, "I'm sorry milady, but filth like this doesn't deserve your pity." He swung his arm back, wanting to hit her. But couldn't move it forward. The crowd of people watching let out an audible gasp. "Who dares to touch me!?" he looked back, seeing a hooded boy, wearing a white mask tightly holding his arm back. This was the same hooded boy that Cecilia met from earlier. "Oi, what do you think you're doing?" Edward coldly asked, viciously staring at the boy. But the masked boy gave no answer, only standing there, in complete silence.