My body reacted on its own. My movements, that precise timing to counter their attack. I did not possess such knowledge that could benefit me. Needless to say that I was grateful for my own impulses.
All I knew was I had to stand there, block myself with this blade and all will be fine, yet fear struck me, forcing an action in which I am at a loss for words still.
My breathing became ragged that very instant. It was not because of the aura of a thousand soldiers in front of me, rather, it was her. She who glanced at me, petrifying me in place as I foolishly celebrated a brief victory of staying unharmed.
I remembered that sensation. My blade vibrated as I struck the swords away from my enemies, and that feeling was sent to my hands, which are now trembling in awe of both what had happened, and what could have happened if I were not successful in defending myself.
Focusing briefly, I saw how her left eye stood out, displaying a different hue as to her right. It was golden in a sense. One that seemed to lure you in for no reason, yet it feels like there’s significance to that, or that's what I think.
As my muscles ached from that quick ordeal, I let my sword pierce the ground so that I may recover the pace of my breathing, and so that I can continue standing.
I've seen lives taken before me, spilling blood as if it were second nature. Some even took the time to look at me as they lie there dying, swords lodged onto their hearts.
I felt nauseous, as if I was about to hurl in place. My eyes only saw a blur of the view in front of me, yet I knew that an army stood there, waiting for orders as to when they can continue this stalemate of an assault.
I shook my head, trying to focus through this fog that began to take form on the battlefield.
I then saw her take action, lashing the reins on her horse as she sat with her legs on the side, as if taking a leisurely picnic stroll on the transient fields.
I forcibly snapped my senses back, knowing that this maiden of beauty contains a hidden power within her, lest she feigns ignorance, displaying false courage as to make me submit through fear and uncertainty.
Her curvaceous image became clearer with each gallop. I also became anxious with each meter taken away, making my courage shrink, yet I was not passive enough to let that happen. I further strengthened my will, discarding the thought of dying and simply putting those who need help first. It is not realistic to think that, but it will suffice in this state.
Her beauty glistened in this barren landscape becoming a jewel in itself, one with a smile that hid many intentions, but revealing a few of her obvious traits.
"Who are you, and what are your intentions for being here? I assume that you have ulterior motives as to why you are simply laying down your life here in the open, free for the taking."
She spoke with a great degree of aristocracy, as if talking down to everyone here, displaying her in a royal light, an absolute one.
"It doesn't matter who I am. I came here to defend this place. I will not allow you to slaughter more of these people!"
Those were the words that came out of my mouth. It held no weight for even I knew that it was fake. It was true that it did not matter as to who I am, that's because I did not know who I was at all, and any attempt at an answer would be futile and meaningless.
I rushed here, not knowing the reason why, but simply because my body moved on its own, and I could not take the sheer horror of more lives being taken as if they were livestock. Why I had such thoughts needed no reason.
With that, I tried to regain my remaining loose composure, strengthening my grip once more as I raised the sword's hilt to level my stomach, awaiting any who would attempt to attack.
"Oh, how terrifying and at the same time interesting. However, your fear can be felt in your own words. I applaud you for the effort of sheer will, however, I shall not obey the words of someone lesser and weaker than me, let alone one who simply runs their mouths."
Her condescending tone declared a challenge, one that I tried to ignore, or think of in another light, but to no avail was I successful in doing so. It might have only encouraged her actions as she took a long steel rod from the side of her horse’s saddle, revealing a spear that she twirls around skillfully in the air, then setting it to her side.
She then jumped from her seat, smiling as she combed through her curly golden hair, then shifting her attention to me, pointing the spear horizontally, as to be in offense.
… Enough. No more. I will not stand for this. Letting them through will spell the end for the townspeople behind me, and I as well. I may escape, but the scar will live in me forever. Thus, I shall not abandon this place.
I took a deep breath in, then dispelling all doubt and fear for a moment as I exhaled. A firm resolve may be one that will lead to your demise, or turn to my favor.
I felt renewed, yet nothing drastically changing, only that I began to ignore fear and doubt, thinking that having those will simply hinder me in this moment.
Casting my gaze to the maiden in front of me, returning hers, the tense air now surrounds us.
She's nonchalant, smiling still as the clouds above began to rumble, sending a curdling sound that was reminiscent of drums. As if the sky were not already dark enough, now rain may be imminent.
There was no halting her anymore. She beckoned for a challenge, and I accepted. Now all that is left is to emerge victorious for losing means that I will lose my life, and all of my questions will remain unanswered.
I need to stay focused. I need that impulse, that very same one that aided me in deflecting the swords with ease.
Just then, she rushed towards me with the agility and ferocity of a viper baring its fangs of venom.
Caught unaware and unprepared, my stance carried no strong defense behind it, even when it stood as how it should.
She thrusts forward with great agility, the tip appearing after getting within inches of my face. Using one hand, she lets her spear zoom forward using its great length, precisely pointed at me.
Instinctively, my fear returns, acting in favor of me as my head moved to the side, dodging her attack by a hairs’ breadth.
With enough length, she then uses her right idle hand to support the spear as she sweeps to my direction, the side of the blade nearing my neck, as if it had all been planned beforehand.
Assuming my stance, I barely block her attack, shielding myself, but not without feeling the snapping recoil of her spear -- made of foreign or unknown materials -- making it quite sturdy, flailing less despite its length.
Retracting it, she takes a few steps back in the form of a playful skip. Oddly enough, she can move faster than me while wearing heels, not succumbing to the uneasiness in wearing it.
Her left eye glowed brighter, rivaling her smile. Her aura began to shift its winds.
She then took another charge, rippling forth with tenacity as she thrusts an innumerable amount of times, creating afterimages that all carry the same deadly presence as the others.
I back away, but was unfortunately chased by the lady who continued her assault with a sly and cunning grin. The only thing left is for her to burst out laughing in tyranny, then I might be convinced of her true nature.
I feel a stinging pain with each clash, her spear avoiding my blade, and instead piercing my skin in many parts. I am forced to bear it – gritting my teeth -- all the while trying my best to defend and parry every attack to the best of my abilities.
With great luck, I managed to make her spear stay in one place, holding it down with my sword desperately, budging slowly.
“Well, well. Isn’t this something else. I assumed that you had nothing in you, yet you managed to live through my attack. Not a normal feat.”
I glanced at her from the side, seeing her in surprise as she effortlessly holds the spear with one hand, enough to make my sword arm to tremble, nearly being overpowered.
Her smile then changes to a frown, turning serious as bloodlust fills the air.
She then twists her body, fluttering her frilled dress, but denying me a sight of whatever may lie inside as she sends me flying a few meters back, slamming on the ground, skipping a few times then landing with a thud.
Unable to realize what had just happened. The front of my body hurts, as if a pole had been thrust forth with great strength. The air from my lungs had also been knocked out of me, forcing me to desperately grasp for air.
Staring at the ground, I feel an empty space on my hand that should be occupied with a hilt.
Getting up with a panicked manner, I then search for my sword, feeling the ground as my eyes try to adjust back to the view.
Standing up, my body felt a strong weight, as if it wanted to simply stay on the ground, surrendering.
I regained balance, and at the same time, saw where my weapon -- my only source of defense – lying beside her.
How can she be this skilled? I know that I’m not that good myself, but she is on a whole other level.
“I will warn you. If you try to fight once more, you will be met a swift end. You must realize this as well, no?”
Her voice echoes as she speaks a long distance away from me. Stern and frank, she advices me, looking down at the obviously unskilled opponent. Her dignity almost made me look at her in a different light, one that would warrant admiration.
I stood there, looking at her as if I hadn’t heard her voice, deliberately ignoring it. I stared at her dumbfounded. I knew that she was sparing me, and ‘why’ I did not understand.
“How stubborn. I assume that you heard what I have said, ignoring it on purpose. However, it will do you no good.”
Suddenly, her slightly caring attitude changed into one of discomfort, yet she stood there without anything happening to her.
But as the silence reined, it became apparent that something began to close in on this place.
My thoughts became that of uneasiness and that of hope. It may be so that reinforcements are to come, much more that their coming will mark the end of this town, including me.
“Charge!”
A maiden’s strong willed voice blessed the battlefield, catching the attentions of the enemy army as they shift their sights to the left.
An army of sizable numbers appear from the horizon. They may be equal to the hostile army here, riding upon horseback, carrying with them their own banner, a rose embroidered with the appropriate colors, red and green, stitched upon the emerging army’s banner.
Unable to match their charge, their lines are broken from their side, ravaged by cavalry and steel clad knights that seem to have prejudice against their enemies, fiercely attacking them, leaving no quarter.
Meanwhile, the maiden that stands before me is calm, composed as her army is being torn to shreds by a calculated and effective attack to their flank.
Turning around, she takes a swift glance at me, then returns to her steed, issuing commands to her attendants, those of which I couldn’t hear because of the fervor that the attacking army exhales upon this land.
I then fall to my knees, feeling the effect of her previous roundhouse kick to my gut. My eyes close, feeling a heavy weight on my eyelids as I pass out, flat on the ground.
But before that, my sight is filled with men commencing skirmishes, voices of cheering from behind me. I couldn’t understand as much as I wanted to anymore. Everything was turning dark, and ultimately, I saw darkness.
I felt a comfortable shroud on my body, as if I’m being embraced by someone, or something rather.
In this empty space of darkness lies my inner consciousness. And of course, it’s empty. Nothing in sight other than the dark, as if there’s an end to that.
I was defeated, but alive. What exactly happened to me again?
Oh, that’s right. I tried to save the town alone, which was reckless enough to say the least.
My entire body trembled, but why did I do that exactly? What pulled me to it? I can’t find a proper conclusion. I need something to base this off of, otherwise I’d be wandering in the dark once more, as I’ve been doing these when I first woke up.
Will I find out once I open my eyes? Who knows. There’s no point in losing hope. I’ve just come to, and the chances that I will find out are slim, but not nonexistent.
I try to open my eyelids, slowly as to adjust to my surroundings.
A wooden ceiling. That is the first thing I see. One seemingly made of sturdy oak, polished to stand strong against dirt.
Fixing my posture upright, I slowly examine my surroundings while massaging the back of my head, which feels like it’s gone through a lot, those of which I can’t even begin to describe.
“Ugh, how disturbing.”
I murmur to myself, looking at an open window, showing the dark night sky, one that displayed a crescent moon along with a myriad of stars, each one glowing brightly even from a great distance.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
I seem to be in someone’s room, one fully furnished, but rather dull, in a good way.
My entire body is bandaged, ranging from my arms, torso, a roll on my forehead, and I feel some on my legs. A single piece of clothing remains on me, giving me a full feeling of the cold night as a breeze comes through the window, traveling towards the half blanketed patient that is I.
It seems that someone helped me, administering medicine and first aid quite effectively, yet I can’t help but wonder where my clothes are.
I move to the corner of the bed. It seems that there’s no real threat of pain on me, seeing as I’ve already moved as much as I can without feeling anything abnormal.
I rose from my seat, approaching the window, not minding the air coming from it.
I saw an entire province lit up by torches and lanterns. It seemed that each one held a tool, while the others aided those who are idle.
The sound of banging of hammers, cutting of wood, and people chattering could be faintly heard from here, bringing a rather warm atmosphere rather than a cold one.
“So they were able to drive the enemy away, huh?”
It seems that I stalled enough time for a passing army to fight the enemy, thus forcing them to retreat.
“It seems that I did something good.”
It might have been a selfish thought, thinking that the reason as to why this village stood was because of me. Except the credit would be meaningless.
If it were a fight for fame, then I would have never initiated it or let myself be persuaded by the thought of protecting these people for something as fleeting as fame.
I can’t really say that I saved them, given that all I did was get beaten up, then stall long enough for something to happen. Luck had been on my side that time.
From behind me, a creaking sound catches my attention, yet as I react and turn around aloofly, still too tired to be doing anything arduous.
“Ah, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”
I am met with stern, dignified lady with mature charms, one that does not seem to look older than me, rather the same age from the looks of it.
Her face was inscrutable, making her quite the mysterious person, but from her perspective, I may be that mysterious person.
She wore a brown medium sized skirt that went until her knees, and a white long sleeved frilled top that tried its best to conceal her rather large bosom. Her tall appearance gave her quite the look, one that would have a high chance of capturing a man’s heart with ease, except she does not look like the type to do such a thing.
She places what seems to be my clothes on the bed, cleaned as it is absent from any muck and grime that I had accumulated during that battle.
“Where am I?”
“You are in Ryuviel the capital town of this territory, Fortesca. We are fortunate enough to remain as a territory thanks to a certain someone, as the townspeople say.”
She shifts her glance to me, her look saying that ‘you are that certain someone’
“It seems that way, but I’m not truly sure that my actions saved the lives of many.”
“Humble and hesitant, a type of person that would not last in this world since they are rare, untainted. You should be wary of how you act about outside this territory. There are some out there who will take advantage of your generosity.”
She then bows her head without warning, surrounding us with a sudden awkward atmosphere.
“Thank you for your help, however insignificant you see your actions, it has helped us truly. I would like to extend my thanks on the behalf of my lord and the people of this town, my hometown.”
At a loss for words, I reply with as much words as I could muster, trying to make things work in my mind, which still needs explanation.
“My name is Emilia, may I ask for your name?”
Before I could even think of speaking, she follows up with one more, one that catches me off guard.
“Me? I, I don’t know who I am, unfortunately.”
I laugh wryly, thinking of it much less as a problem, but more of a gag for no reason.
She looks at me like an insane person, but one that needed no expression to say the words. Her stoic demeanor backlashed at me, so I decided to explain everything since no one will trust me it seems.
I began explaining to her what had happened prior to the battle, not excluding any crucial detail, in which she nods blankly as the story progresses.
“I may, or may not understand, but you say that you awoke under a tree and found yourself in the trail of battlefield, correct?”
“Yes, it is as you say. I have no recollection of who I am, or what I am doing here. I stumbled upon this town, then it goes as I’ve said.”
Her expression gave me a feeling that the tale made her awry of me, suspicious even. But internally, I had hoped that I could have at least one confidant that could help me ease this uncertainty.
“Very well, I shall report this to my lord, but for now, please change into your clothes, the people would like to thank you themselves.”
She leaves without further saying anything else, leaving me alone.
I look at myself on the mirror, examining my appearance as I have not really seen myself.
Dark, short hair, brown eyes. So this is what I look like. To think that it couldn’t be anymore odd. One who does not know himself must truly be lost.
I began wearing my clothing, a white tunic with brown leggings. Who knew this was what I wore.
Leaving the room after having changed, I descend a flight of wooden stairs. The sound of people starts becoming louder and louder, as if there were some of them gathering outside, waiting for someone.
Opening the door leading outside, I am greeted by masses of children and young adults, holding lanterns as they are guided by some guardians, namely their maternal or paternal figures.
Some look hesitant to see me, rather I have no idea myself as to why they want to in the first place.
If it’s about my petty attempt to guard their town, then I am honored, but it feels empty and hollow, seeing as I didn’t do anything special except to serve as cannon fodder.
One small child walks forward, looking to be the age of five or six.
“T-thank you for keeping us safe.”
He smiles as me as he says that, revealing to me his incomplete set of teeth, yet a jolly attitude.
I found my myself feeling rather happy, my lips slowly curling into a smile, one that felt the lighthearted thanks of someone. Why I feel sad at the same time, I do not know.
Giving myself up from this feeling, I knelt on one leg, ruffling the boy’s dark hair, smiling at him as feeling gush forth.
The others who spectated this seem to have thawed the doubts in their hearts as they come rushing along, thanking me.
I hear a murmur – despite the noise the children around me were making -- from a distance between the adults, making me skeptical about how I’ve come and perceived things up until now.
“Is it true that he came when we all prayed for protection from Heinrich?”
“Yes, you should have seen him rush from the horizon. It was about to rain, but it stopped with his coming.”
“Could he be the one? Is he truly a champion, or Heinrich himself?”
I couldn’t help but be curious about their conversations, but finding an opening to escape from these children has put me in a rather tight spot.
After a moment of playing awhile, the children were led to their beds for tomorrow, and because they were too exhausted to keep moving around all actively.
Without anything left to do, I wandered the town, still damaged, and under repairs as the townspeople seem to be neglecting their sleep, working fervently on rebuilding their beloved town.
I couldn’t help but feel enamored by their determination, especially when it comes to simple tasks.
The damage dealt to them was rather severe. Buildings and structures, including the ones made of stone, lay in ruins, creating many debris that block the roads used by the towns people.
One building in particular was unharmed, except with a few scratches and fallen spires, a holy place stood firmly against these odds, maybe out of respect, or maybe that it protected itself.
The doors stood open, and curiosity was bound to be the end of me. I entered the cold empty building, one that had stain glassed windows covering either sides, displaying a divine atmosphere, one that was to be revered.
In the center of that all was what seemed to be a golden idol of a man looking to be fifty years old, one that gallantly stood with a sword in front of him, held by his two hands.
I stared at it for who knows how long. It seemed to call out to me, as if I had a certain connection to this idol.
What surprised me the most was the abrupt coming of an elderly lady – whose back is hunched -- from the side of a dark corridor, holding a small tray where a candle lay. She walked up next to me, then facing the idol, the same as I.
“Many of us including I, have felt the tremors of war for many ages. Yet we stay here since there is nothing we can do but attempt to reconcile peace with one another. Fleeting, but a foolhardy thought for anyone wishing the best for the future.”
She then looked at me once more, flashing a weak smile.
“What brings you here this late at night? If it is bedding you seek, then I can provide you with that, just like all who need refuge.”
“I felt something odd here, so I came to see. But there was nothing but this golden statue of someone. Do you know who he is?”
“Ahh, but of course. Who would not know the great name of our savior, Heinrich. The man who gave the gift of peace to these lands, unifying us, holding the gift of hope.”
I began to understand what drew me here. The fascination of this place. It feels like there’s something missing, but I can’t truly point it out as to what that is.
“What happened to him, to Heinrich, I mean. If he gave peace to the land, then why are there so much lives being lost?”
“Yes, your question is exactly the same as everybody else who had been severely affected by strife. Let me tell you, no one knows where he went, he simply vanished after giving the people their warranted peace. Some say that he ascended the heavens and became a god, thus this golden statue that you refer to is here.”
“How long was that, since the peace?”
“It was a great many years ago, in my great grandmother’s time. She was lucky enough to have been blessed by such grace. To be able to know and feel what peace is like. The children here, they try to be optimistic, which is a gift in itself. But I wonder who will give them the true peace. One where they need not worry about what might happen.”
She turns her back to me, retreating into her chambers.
“You look a little bit like Heinrich if you ask me, if he was younger of course. If you need a place to stay, then you can sleep on one of those pews, given that they’re not taken by any one yet. Good night, dear.”
And her frame disappears into the darkness, reluctant to return to her slumber.
She gave me something to think of. The horrors of war. True that this is only one of the many, it is all the same grueling as the last I presume.
“Heinrich, huh? I wonder where you went.”
I exit the chapel, entering the now silent street of the town. It has all been shrouded by the dark, only the moon serving as their light.
I begin walking towards the gate, without any thought as to why, but only because of a whim.
On the way there, the houses beside of me are ransacked, some charred, while some have blood on their walls, telling of a terrible tale of death.
It seems that they have taken care of the deceased, maybe even buried them.
The stone built walls looked battered enough, but not as much as the main stone gates, whose door had been taken down, needing soldiers to guard the entrance in droves.
Deciding that I might amass their suspicion as to why one stays this late at night, I walk back to where I woke up earlier, seeing as there might not be that much to do after all.
“Maybe I’ll make more sense of what’s happening, tomorrow.”
Sadly, I couldn’t keep what the elderly woman had said to me, about the strife here, about how terrible this war is affecting people. I’ve seen it all firsthand.
Can I do something about it?
I want to do something, but what can I do?
“I guess there’s no use in worrying about it for now. I’m bound to find a reason sooner or later.”
I managed to return after a few failed attempts at figuring out where that place was.
There was someone that helped me figure out the location. That being Emilia, standing outside wearing brown cloak with a hood, her arms crossed as if ready to scold whoever kept her waiting for so long.
Her face remained vacant, still expressing no clear emotions, but her aura tells of a different tale.
I hesitated, taking a step back, hearing an illusory voice that’s telling me to back away.
She noticed as I took a step, my boot making an echo that alerts her of my presence
“So you have returned. Please come with me, there is someone who would like to meet you.”
It seems that my worries were unfounded, and merely skepticism that I feared. She opened the door and went on her way, ascending the two story wooden structure with a lit up window.
I took one last look at the sky, the moon now being shrouded by clouds as they create an opaque canvas in the sky.
“It would be nice to see something like this again.”
I followed Emilia upstairs, trying to imagine who would want to see me this late at night. Maybe an important person?
Just before I could push open the door, I could hear a loud overwhelming voice bellowing from behind this wooden door separating us.
“What do you mean no more sweets? Don’t you know that’s where I get my midnight energy from? You’re just a demon now if you do that!”
“All the more reason to keep it away from you, so that you’ll finally sleep and not disturb anyone in the palace. I’m already well accustomed as to how energetic you can be.”
“Tch, what a stingy person. You’ll never find anyone at this rate.”
Suddenly, I feel a terrible feeling, as if everything would blow up if there’s no intervention. But there is still a feeling that only meeting this person the door would mean a bit of trouble.
I hesitantly open the door, slightly praying that all might end well for me if I ever go in. I expect to get out safely.
“Finally, why were you eavesdropping there? You could have just come in.”
Dumbfounded, it seems that I was found out. I did eavesdrop, but not willingly, more out of fear than anything else.
“So, are you the fabled hero of this humble territory of mine?”
I come facing an almost pale white skinned maiden possessing not only a godly figure, slender arms and a slim waist, but also a long dark silky hair that seems to shine under the moon light.
It might be that she defines the word godly beauty, or that might only be in my opinion. Her eyes captivated me the moment I walked in, displaying a deep blue hue similar to that of the ocean.
What made me think of her in detail seems to be unknown even from myself. And the thought of having knowledge but not being able to see it makes me doubt my own unity with myself.
She stood up with a smile, putting her hands on her waist. Showing an overflowing optimism in her character.
Her brown casual gown fluttered as the wind came in, not bothering her one bit.
“I am Evelyn, Evelyn Sorelia, I am the lord of this territory. I’ve heard of your feat. I would like to thank you personally because of your valiant actions.”
Her formal way of speaking led me to believe that she possessed another persona. One that was rowdy, and the other was for political graces and manners.
I looked to Emilia, who stood on my right, catching my gaze.
“Is there something that you need from me, sir?”
She replies coldly, but not overly angry. Maybe slightly.
I shook my head, declining any other pleasantries between us, which would be dismal.
“It was nothing. I didn’t do anything special other than get hit and stall time.”
I frankly said what I thought about what I had done, still believing that though my efforts benefits many, the work put into it was disgraceful.
“So you worry about things like that, huh? Don’t worry about it, just accept the thanks, otherwise it’d be really embarrassing of me if you still convinced yourself that you’re worth nothing.”
She said the latter part of her sentence with a smile.
Sighing in disbelief, I surrender, agreeing to her terms as to end this loop of a conversation.
“Now, regarding you. I’ve heard from Emilia about your circumstance, and I’m sorry that you don’t remember anything at all. I can’t think of any other way to help you other than what I have in mind. Care to listen?”
I nodded without hesitation, seeing as I’m in need of someone that can help me at any cost.
“Since you have valor with you, minus the skill, I want you to become my page.”
Emilia’s eyes narrowed as her gaze pierced Evelyn’s back, giving a feeling that she was starting daggers at her.
“This is the first I’ve heard of you taking someone under your wing.”
“Well, I am in need of someone who can do labor and be a part time servant. He’ll do.”
After chiding the strict advisor named Emilia, she shifts her sights to me.
“I’ll teach you the necessary things to back up that courage of yours. If you learn and apply that, then you’ll be someone great in the future. So, will you accept?”
I blink twice before asking.
“Pardon me, but what exactly is a page?”
Her head tilts as I ask, her smile froze as she was unable to anticipate such a question, from what I’ve observed.
“So it’s that severe of an amnesia, huh? Well, that just means I’ll have to teach you more rigorously. Very well, a page is an attendant for short, one who serves me at my beck and call, and in return, I teach you the basic etiquettes of becoming a knight. How’s that?”
Emilia intercedes, cutting off Evelyn as to correct her.
“You’re half wrong and half right. Don’t give an amnesiac useless and wrong information. Allow me to elaborate. From what I’ve observed in these short encounters of ours, I’ve assessed that you have basic knowledge of things, but not the more in depth ones.”
She stands in front of Evelyn, her voice becoming strict like a teacher’s.
“A page is a title given to those of nobility that are to serve as attendants to knights, but the title is for those about the age of seven or so. It is to teach you about manners and the such. You serve as a page for seven years. Upon reaching fourteen, you may be eligible for a squire’s title, and possibly a knight.”
She rests her case, retreating to the back and crossing her arms once more, leaving an amazed Evelyn, who has the floor to herself.
After having heard all those details, I ask Evelyn, the one recruiting me, about something odd.
“Uhmm, isn’t it odd that you’re offering me a page’s position even though my age does not correspond to that?”
“In this case, it’s best not to worry about those. Your amnesia is terrible, so to learn such things, you’ll need to go through the order required for you to climb the ladder, that’s why I’ve created my own training system for teaching people.”
And that would be a system created just now I presume.
I took five seconds of my time, then looked deeply in her eyes sternly, ready to give my reply.
I stood straight, as much as one would give respect to a person.
“Please teach me.”
“Good, I like that kind of enthusiasm. One thing you need to know is that you must obey every command. And I don’t claim to be the best about everything, so I’ll have Emilia here teach you about manners, literacy, and other things that you need to go through as a page. I’ll be in charge of your training in combat and physical fitness.”
She then walks past me, patting my shoulder, then exits the door, saying something.
“Use this room for now. I’ll see if I can get a place for you in the palace. Be ready for tomorrow. We’ll start right away.”
The longer her speech, the softer her voice becomes, indicating that she must be moving away as she says this.
All that leaves in this room is Emilia, who stares at the door with a sigh, massaging her temple.
“She should consider consulting me about things like this.”
She then begins to walk with the same attitude.
I intercept her before she leaves, wanting to clarify things.
“Ah, Emilia. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I agreed, but I didn’t think that you wouldn’t approve of it.”
She looks at me with her usual disciplined and extremely stern voice and demeanor.
“Please don’t worry about it. I’d be more than happy to teach you. The reason for that was because of the suddenness of things. But, I assure you that I can carry out my duties without fail. Now, rest, tomorrow I shall teach you as much as I can. I will come and pick you up.”
She then bows slightly, closing the door gently, then leaving. The only thing left is silence and the singing of crickets.
“Might as well go to sleep now. I wonder what I had just brought myself into?”