ISYLIAN DESERT SOUTH, 15:47, 34TH DAY OF RHO OF THE SEVENTH ERA

Soaring through the harsh desert winds, Jacques was like a speeding bullet as he passed the many dunes high above the air, their leather wings flapping occasionally to push them higher into the air, along with the assistance of magic to propel themselves through the air. ‘We shall die for our cause before they reached the settlement.’ Jacques repeatedly thought to himself, the harsh desert sun looming overhead, and soon, the image of a fortress within the sands began to reveal themselves.

‘Devotion of that calibre is respectful, but, at the same time, I can’t help but feel...anxious.’ Jacques thought to himself, turning himself upwards into the clear desert skies as he approached the fortress. Small glints of light flashed along the outside of the fortress, the knights along the ground making sure Jacques was a safe entity.

Jacques dipped down through the skies, his wings spreading afar to break his fall as he landed onto an open balcony along the stone fortresses walls. His wings soon folded in against his back as he quickly paced down the path. Four knights, adorned in highly reflective metals soon joined Jacques’s side as they made their way towards the office of Baroque.

Two knights guarding a steel door step aside as they pull the heavy door open, a rush of cool air brushing against Jacques’s leather exterior as it was breached, before he quickly paced down the darkened halls that were alit by natural light and magically lit torches. The steel doors closed shut behind Jacques, he descending down a small flight of stairs in the stone corridors, passing several arterial hallways on his way, before finally entering Baroque’s quarters rather disruptly.

“Champion Baroque!” Jacques called out, a knight adorned with a silver mask leaning over a table, circled by several other knights wearing masks looked up to the intruding leather-clad knight.

“Jacques!” The silver masked knight called back, straightening their posture as they walked around the several other knights. “Do you have any news about the situation to the north?”

“I do; the current path of the iron legion seems to collide with the small human settlement of Tiamun further to the west. Mersian and Kharos are en route to the settlement, ma’am.” Jacques quickly saluted to Baroque, with the silver masked knight soon after returning the gesture.

“I see.” Baroque paused, turning around and waving their hand to the other knights, they nodding and leaving the room, closing the door behind themselves. Baroque walked back over behind the table and sat down, facing Jacques once more. “So, what is your proposal of what we do then?”

Jacques walked up the table, leaning forward against the table, placing his hands along its surface to support himself. “Champion Baroque, I ask of your, and several other soldiers assistance in evacuating the civilians and protecting the town of Tiamun.”

A sorrowful feeling began to fill Baroque’s soul as they looked down. “I…”

“Lass is a wee bit busy with other things at the mo’m” A deep, heavily accented voice interjected. The sound of heavy armor clanking approaches Jacques from the side. Jacque turns his head over to a knight with azure blue pauldrons, adorned with a navy blue cape covered in white crosses, with armor made of silver.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“C..Commissaire Achre!” Jacque steps back from the table, surprised by the fancy knights presence.

“Aye, tis I, don’t wear the name out.” Achre slowly approaches the table and places their hand down onto its surface, in front of Baroque. “Ye’r proposal is defin’ly noble, but tis got a wee problem; Miss Baroque ‘ere an’ ‘er squaddies are already workin’ on an assignment.” The knight pulls a small cut blue gemstone, surrounded in a gold ring from their cloak, placing it on the table.

The gemstone begins to glow illustriously, a hovering image of a map appearing over the table, showing the various energy levels around Eyr, with high concentrations of energy being within a heavily forested area towards the eastern region of Eyr.

“Me soldiers n aye found a high amoun’ tof energy due east of that wee settlement, Tee-ha-mun. Me and the lads are gonna take a peek at the goods, an’ just in case tis dangerous, we’ll be bringing lil miss Baroque here-” Achre taps the table with his fingers towards the silver masked knight. “-ta assist in the effort.”

“B-but Commissaire Ach-” Jacques was quickly interrupted by the authoritative figure.

“Aye lad, call me just Achre, don’t need ye fancy titles an’ all.”

Jacques paused for a second before continuing their train of thought. “Achre, the human settlement of Tiamun is in danger, if we don’t protect it, people will become homeless, or seriously hurt!”

“Toncha think aye already know that, Jackie boyo? Aye have good reason ta think that this energy source is what those rusty iron bastards are lookin for!” Achre picks the gemstone up, the light within growing dull before disappearing entirely. Achre putting the blue gemstone back into his cloak

“Our mission is to protect the weak from powerful threats-”

Achre steps imposingly in front of Jacques, looking down to Jacques smaller figure. “Our mission is ta keep the powerful from gettin even more powerful! What if those tar-spewin hunksa scrap got more forces? What if yer lil plan ends up getting those things exactly what they want?! I’m sure they know how to flank yer pruny leather ass in six different directions!”

Baroque slams their fists down against the table, standing up from their seat. “Enough of this!” Baroques voice was filled with forlorn, looking over to Jacques. “I cannot deny the orders from my superiors without good reason, but I can at least make compromises.” Baroque slowly descends back into their seat, both Jacques and Achre focusing on Baroque now. “I, personally, will go with Jacques and meet up with their team, while my men will focus on establishing an outpost where the energy source is.”

Achre lifts their hand up to Baroque, before sighing and letting his arm relax. “Tis a difficult call to make. Aye would really appreciate your assistance within Elry-”

“My decision is final. You asked mostly for my soldiers to help you, and I’m going to give you that. What I do from here on is my business only, understand?” Baroque said firmly towards Achre, Achre unable to make a decent rebuttal before sighing.

“Aye, alright lass, tis your funeral.” Achre turns himself around, giving one last look over to the adamant knight, before leaving the room. Jacques sighs quietly before looking back over to Baroque.

“Thank you, we’ll take any help we can get at this rate.” Jacques said softly.

“Achre’s right, you know. It is our funeral.” Baroque says grimly, looking down and closing their hands together, pressing them against their head.

Jacques stepped back away from Baroque for a second. “What..what makes you say that?”

“Damn it, Jacques! Just think about it! We’ll be outmanned, outgunned, and outmatched. The most we’ll be able to do is to try to whittle down some of their numbers and evacuate the civilians. Anything else is just wishful thinking.” Baroque lowered their hands to the table, frustrated with the situation.

“If..” Jacques paused for a moment, before looking back to Baroque. “If you know that this whole situation is futile, then why are you helping us?”

“I don’t even know why, honestly.” Baroque’s voice seemed to wane, staring idly at the grains of wood along the table. “Maybe it’s just because I think It’s time for me to finally pass on, or maybe it’s just because I want to die a hero.” Baroque chuckled weakly, sighing softly.

Silence permeated within the room, the light from the desert sun very slowly dimming as time went on, the sun eventually going to set within the next few hours. “But, I can at least do something to fulfil my role as champion of the people.” Baroque stands up, picking up a very heavy greatsword from a stand next to them, resting the hilt of the blade on their shoulder. “So, let’s complete the goal we were born for.”