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Why me? Out of all those gathered here, why did this elder knight think I would be the voice of reason between a disgruntled soldier of fortune and a veritable stranger? “Sir…”
“Armand,” he wheezed. “Though my name matters not. Please, you’re the only one Captain Garvith might listen to!”
“I seriously doubt that!” I retorted somewhat anxiously.
“Corwin has resorted to single combat?” Relias frowned, crossing his arms. “His initial strategy was divisions from a distance, isolating the core from its ranks until they were compelled to capitulate.” He locked his arms behind his back and began to pace. “The diversions were meant to provide Nora and I with an opportunity to execute our rescue mission, the outcome of which Corwin remains unaware. To shift tactics at this juncture implies a significant loss of control…”
“Wait!” I shouted in sudden realization. “Vernie, Tetora, and Aleph are with him too, aren’t they?!” There was no way they’d sit idly by, and Garvith had no problem targeting the others for collateral damage!
“While I have nothing but pure faith in them,” Relias began, his voice tinged with concern. “They were indeed among the many in Captain Corwin’s entourage.”
Nora, Relias, and I exchanged glances, a mutual understanding passing between us as we moved toward the door. “Wait,” I said, “What about him?” Armand perched himself against the wall, but pain was clear on his face.
“Just go…” he exhaled. “I’ll be fine. I can tend to these wounds myself. I’ve taken far worse before.”
I looked at Relias for some kind of confirmation. Relias observed him for a moment, then said, “His injuries are grave but not life-threatening. I suggest we consider triage and tend to the more urgent matter at hand. Many more may die while we linger here.”
I looked uncertainly between the door and Armand, then reassured him, “We’ll be back with help. I promise!”
With that, we sprinted to a nearby stable, where we promptly secured a trio of wild-eyed war horses. It only took a few moments to get them under control before riding off towards the sound of thundering clashes. I focused on my breathing, willing my amity to infuse me and my armor with the best it could offer. Relias’s nimble fingers conjured a golden canopy over our heads as we rode. Some kind of protection spell, I assumed.
“Do you think Garvith called for reinforcements?” Nora shouted as our horses galloped across the field towards the convulsing armies.
“Perhaps,” Relias answered. “However, Corwin is rather… passionate about his beliefs and has denounced Captain Garvith several times in recent seasons…”
“So, it was likely a personal loss of control then, not a strategic one…” Nora noted with grunt. I knew what that was like, and Garvith was precisely the type to set off a proverbial powder keg.
“Most likely,” Relias exhaled, shaking his head. “Corwin is young and stubborn. Life has not yet tamed him.”
I referenced my inner vision to guide us and led the way towards a large group of Silver. We soon approached, with Relias bellowing, “Clear the way! Let us through!” After several startled looks, the entourage melted away to either side, revealing the two Captains already in mid-duel. Our horses halted in unison, granting us the perfect dramatic dismount. A cursory glance across the battlefield revealed my other lost companions weren’t immediately present.
Turning to Nora, I started to ask, “Where do you think—”
“Pay attention!” she barked, pointing at Relias.
“Cease this battle at once!” he proclaimed thunderously, conjuring a gold staff out of thin air as more eyes turned to him. While there were still a few skirmishes among the iron-clad crowd, most had stopped to stare in awe at the two legendary Captains trading glowing blows with near-identical halberds. Captain Garvith, fully armored with a surcoat and cape of brilliant blue, showed no signs of stopping. The other captain, garbed in a black surcoat embellished with silver threads depicting her Holiness’s celestial star, grudgingly gave up ground.
“Euphridia’s Herald beckons you to stop, old man!” Captain Corwin rebuked, his voice an octave higher than I imagined it would be. “Or have your wits left you entirely?”
“All know he no longer hears her voice nor speaks her will!” Garvith roared. “Only the truly ignorant would put faith in such a powerless incompetent!”
I glanced nervously at Relias, but he simply settled his staff on the ground before him, his face serene yet resolute. “Captain Corwin, do all that is necessary to swiftly conclude this conflict for those bound to witness its inevitable outcome.”
Was Corwin that good?
With newly found determination, Captain Corwin’s aura shifted from mere sparkles of glitter to that of holy lightning crackling along the edges of his form. He surged forward with inhuman speed, swinging the halberd faster than I could follow initially, streaking the air with a silver sheen.
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Could I get my aura to do something like that?
Despite Corwin’s swift, aggressive movements, Captain Garvith skillfully intercepted and disengaged each blow with his azure aura of flames, which flared anew as it unleashed a resounding boom with each successful counter. The deafening impact of their attacks drowned out all other sights and sounds, forcing the onlookers to watch helplessly.
Anxiously, I pulled my arms around myself. He’ll give up eventually, right? It might take a few blows, but he’ll realize this isn’t how he can get what he wants! I briefly tore my gaze away from the two, looking at the other soldiers scattered before us. Captain Garvith… might have had a point about resources. The Order of the Blue’s equipment was severely lacking. Several of the soldier’s ensembles were ill-fitting and slapdash, with substandard patching. In contrast, the Order of the Silver appeared as if each knight had been measured and fitted with the best a master blacksmith could offer.
A sharp cry from Captain Corwin caught my attention. Garvith’s blazing blue halberd had penetrated his aura, catching him just above his navel. Corwin stumbled back even as he deflected a second blow before righting himself, the ground cracking slightly underneath his sabatons. Though his armor was dented from the assault, nothing was showing through. “Enough, old man!” he bellowed in pain. “This is your last chance for surrender!”
"Surrender?” Garvith slammed his halberd with both hands into Corwin’s weapon to try and knock him back further. “To endure what little life I have left in derision and destitution? I'd sooner perish now, upholding my convictions!"
Why did I care so much about what would happen to this senile old fool? “Captain Garvith!” I found myself screaming. “Why must you always go to such extremes!?”
As was typical, he did not even acknowledge me. Not once had he ever listened to what I had to say. Students can’t teach the teacher. You are only a vessel to impart knowledge to. Don’t question. Absorb, retain, demonstrate, and survive, all to do it again.
Captain Garvith's flames began to flicker, almost imperceptibly at first, as his endurance evaporated. Corwin's calculated strikes slowed somewhat, now focusing on more vulnerable spots like Garvith’s head, neck, and other briefly exposed gaps in his defenses. Garvith seemed unaware of his dwindling fire, still trying to hook Corwin in close for a lethal embrace. His efforts were eventually rewarded as he yanked his halberd back after lodging into the back of Corwin's left pauldron. Instead of resisting, however, Corwin discarded his own halberd, swiftly grabbing Garvith's polearm midshaft while drawing his short sword sidearm.
Captain Garvith’s left underarm came exposed in the grapple—an opening Corwin seized with deadly precision. Both orders let out a collective gasp as the short sword disappeared halfway into his side. Captain Garvith stumbled back, momentarily glancing at the wound before falling. Even as he hit the ground, neither side of the conflict celebrated, the air suddenly heavy with a solemn silence. Corwin took a step back, his expression a mix of triumph and regret as he sheathed his blade.
Captain Garvith coughed, then gritted his teeth, even now steeling himself with resolve. He raised his arm weakly and beckoned to his adversary. “Remove my helmet, Captain Corwin, and set me upright.”
Captain Corwin knelt, respectfully helping him into a kneeling position before pulling off his helm, exposing Garvith’s sickly grey face as bright red blood gushed down through the openings of his chest plate. His eyes searched, unfocused, as he grabbed Corwin’s hand. “Take my final lesson to heart, Brother. Ensure you're justly rewarded for all your loyal efforts.” He closed his eyes then, turning his face directly toward me. “And you, daughter. See now that self-sacrifice is truly worthless! This is my last lesson to you. Learn it well before you fall for it again yourself!” It was the last thing I ever expected to hear him say, further disrupting my confusion about what relationship we ever had.
I would have pushed Relias forward had he not already sprinted to the fallen knight, his hands glowing pure white.
“No,” Captain Garvith croaked as he slumped to the side, drawing upon the last embers of his aura to repel Relias. “I refuse your aid. It is too little, too late, as always.” It seemed like he let out a single laugh, although, in hindsight, it could have been his final death rattle as Knight Captain Garvith, Holy Order of the Blue.
The last thing I could do at that moment was cry. He would have hated that, showing such a weakness in public. Besides, many others had also died. If I shed a tear for him, I would have to do it for each of those who lost their lives that day.
“Captain Garvith’s helmet, Captain Lightbringer,” Captain Corwin presented it to me in a solemn ritual. Without any other choice, I took it with shaking hands.
“It’s heavier than it looks,” I murmured, not knowing what else to say.
“Forgive me, Captain Lightbringer.” Relias knelt before me. “I was unable to save him.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” I said in a low voice, clutching the helmet to my chest, its broken blue and white plume cascading down my arm. What point was he trying to make with this obvious suicide by cop? Get paid for your efforts? Don’t sacrifice yourself? But he did just that only to teach me a lesson?
“Please command your troops to stand down, Chosen One,” Captain Corwin begged in a whisper. “I do not wish any more blood of my brothers to be shed.”
I glanced at him in surprise, taking a moment to register his words. “These soldiers don’t see me as…” But as I looked, every member of the Blue who remained standing had removed their helmet to lock their joyless, fearful eyes on me, waiting for my command. Shouldn’t they be looking to Lieutenant Balor? Where is he, anyway?
With a tremulous inhale, I turned toward the largest group of blue and shouted, “Order of the Blue! I, Raelynn Lightbringer, Knight Captain of the Holy Order of Gold, Chosen One of the Goddess, and 7th Appointed Hero of Legend, hereby order you to stand down!” I paused, fist clenched at my side. In a lower voice, I solemnly repeated the order. “…Stand down.”
As I stood there, knees weak and heart heavy, I could see the soldiers begin to lower their weapons, the armor-clad bodies slowly returning to their neutral positions. Some wept openly, some remained stoic and silent, and a few even sat down on the battlefield, unable to process all that had happened.
Against my own will, I had just announced a questionable hero’s return at the end of the battle, not only unable to prevent its inevitable tragic outcome, but serving as the catalyst that had ignited the bloody violence in the first place.
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Here ends 'A Reluctant Return', Book 1 of The Last Rae of Hope. Please join us in Book 2, entitled 'Order of Gold', where Rae and her companions finally arrive in the Holy City of Chairo, where more than just one adversary awaits them.
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