The Black Knight hopped off her white steed and dusted her surcoat before giving the horse a slight slap on its backside, prompting it to follow her trusty squire to the stables. The squire, despite being sleepy, did not miss a beat and immediately rushed to welcome his Lady.
“Welcome home, Lady Iris! I trust your mission was a success?”
She glanced behind her for only a brief moment- enough to ensure that her companions had also made it inside the keep safely- and was relieved to find them following right behind her.
“We ran into some trouble on our way here, but we were successful indeed. Thank you for welcoming us first thing in the morning, Ian. It’s good to be home. Feed Valour for me and don’t forget to brush his mane, please. I gave him a bit of a hard time out there… You can rest after that. You don’t look like you’ve had enough shuteye.”
After a graceful bow, the squire swiftly turned to escort the proud steed to the stables, where it would certainly receive a most luxurious treatment.
Meanwhile, the remaining three of the Four Holy Knights were already off their mounts, making their way to their black-draped comrade.
“For God’s sake, Iris! They probably lost us halfway through the road... There was no need to speed up like that!” said Melina.
“You say that but you were the first one to get thrown off your horse. If Rania wasn't fast enough to pick you up, you would be dead now. I wasn’t going to take any more risks. We had to move.” Iris responded with fervour.
“Humph! I was fine! You just won’t stop-”
“Enough, you two!” Stella exclaimed, putting a stop to their quarrel.
“Go take a bath and get changed. We have to report back to the Royal Capital. The Grand Inquisitor is expecting us.” she said while walking up the stairs to the large tower at the centre of the keep.
“And Melina.” she paused.
“Huh?” Melina frowned.
“Iris is right. Be more careful from now on.” she said before allowing her figure to be obscured by the twilit corridor of the tower.
Iris noticed Melina still frowning, still staring at the gateway, and took this chance to give her a quick peck on her right cheek, startling her in the process.
“Wh- What was that about?!”
Iris instantly brought her close into a tight embrace, disregarding her annoyed look.
“You know I love you. I love all of you girls so much.” she said in a shaky voice while resting her chin on Melina’s shoulder, trying to hold back her tears.
“I can’t risk losing you. Not you, not Stella, not Rania… I’m just glad you are all safe.”
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Melina could not help but soften up and return the embrace, running her hand over Iris’ back.
Rania, having quietly watched the entirety of the exchange, approached with a smile on her face and wrapped both of the girls into her own big hug- one she could easily pull off, being the tallest and largest of the four. She was probably finding the whole thing more adorable than touching, basking in the cuteness her comparatively small friends were giving off, but her smile provided a much needed contrast to the serious and gloomy mood this last mission had brought upon them.
The four of them were tasked to infiltrate an enemy camp not far from Archon Keep. According to an allied spy’s report, the enemy had been stacking a large number of explosive kegs there, raising suspicion of a devastating surprise attack. Not willing to take any risks, the Grand Inquisitor ordered the immediate destruction of the camp, as well as the sabotage of the explosives. All four of them were quick to oblige, as Archon Keep was not only a strategic stronghold of the Inquisition, but also their home.
It was a beautiful castle, built on strong foundations of Hardstone and Ironwood. Its white, marble walls shimmered in the face of the sun as it stood proud and tall on a hill of green, towering over the distributaries of Archon River- the longest river in the land, its journey starting from the cold river wells of Mount Targon to the North, to span the entirety of eastern Vengrith, slicing through the Royal Capital and even leaking into the neighbouring country of Hilia Dendra, to the far East. Every generation of the Royal Family would baptise their new King in the river’s waters, granting him the title of “Archon” as the reigning Queen’s consort. The custom had been preserved for ages, in time passing the royal title to the river itself. Considering the weight of the name it carried, Archon Keep was- truly- the proud sentinel of Vengrith’s eastern region. The Four Holy Knights were not going to let anyone destroy it.
They knew their enemies as Sinners- a strange group that had mysteriously made their way to Vengrith shortly after Grand Inquisitor Nero’s reign as the new ruler of the land. Their numbers had been steadily increasing ever since, no matter how many of them the Inquisition killed. Although this phenomenon alone was most peculiar, to the Inquisition- including the Holy Knights- they were only a very resilient group of well-organised bandits. However, their true nature could not be further from that of mere bandits, and Nero was the only one aware.
The Grand Inquisitor resided in Blumen Palace, the Royal Capital’s stronghold and the Inquisition’s Headquarters. It was the Four Knights' new destination as they had to report back as soon as they were finished with their mission. They were already out of the bathhouse, all clean and dressed up, each in her signature outfit.
Iris appeared the same as always. Her decorated Holy Visor masked her blue eyes since the day she was knighted, and her golden blonde hair was neatly put together into a tight bun to her right. She wore one of her many black surcoats she kept in her wardrobe, along with her silver chestplate- always tying the entire outfit together with her favourite black cape- one bearing a majestic white cross. She let it drape over her right shoulder, covering the armour pieces protecting her right arm. In contrast, pieces identical to those were in full view on her left- beautiful, shiny silver pieces covering her shoulder, upper arm, elbow and forearm, all ornamented and engraved with a pattern fashioned after the waves of the vast ocean surrounding Vengrith. Her hands were concealed by thin, white gloves that allowed her to grasp her long silver spear without it taking a toll on her palms, while her legs were in leather, plated boots that reached up to her knees.
Stella always stuck to lighter and simpler clothing, but still kept her image intimidating and mysterious. A chestnut cloak of linen fabric covered her ornate helmet and chest area, with a small strand of her lilac hair barely fading into view. Below, a common blue tunic with a prominent golden cross almost reached down to her knees. Her upper arms, as well as her legs were clad in steel plate, similar to the upper shafts of her leather boots. She also had her hands protected in hard leather gloves, ensuring a firm grip on her battle-worn greatsword, while her signature chain weapon was bound to her left forearm, acting as a warning for anyone foolish enough to stand in her way.
Next to Stella stood Melina. As a mage of the Nimbletoe class, she always opted for the lightest equipment. She had her dichromatic hair clipped in a ponytail and her clay mask tied overhead, always ready to wear during combat. Dark blue robes framed in gold draped over the mostly bare skin of her figure, while a short skirt of the same colour covered her nether regions. Her legs, arms and chest were wrapped in white bandages which concealed the multitude of failed spellcasting experiments during her time in the Magic Academy of Vengrith. She always put her favourite pair of shoes on- a pair of turnshoes tailored with fine, golden lacework- that allowed her to remain acrobatic in the fray while still providing a degree of comfort.
The last to join them was Rania. Hers was the most impressive and beautiful outfit of them all, as one would expect of the one chosen by the Flame of Justice. Her naturally strong physique had allowed her to pass the gruelling Fire Trials in flying colours, however some complications during the final ceremony had left her mute ever since. A small price to pay in exchange for the power she needed to protect her three sisters, she thought. Even though they were only raised together, she had always viewed them as such.
Much like Iris, she also possessed a Holy Visor that masked her golden eyes, only hers had a golden cross engraved on the metal. She kept her hair short, but always made sure to let the sides grow longer so she could style them in beautiful braids. A short red poncho concealed her shoulders and upper arms, and a light blue tunic bearing a cross similar to Stella’s took care of her upper body, while a red sarong covered only her thighs, exposing her long legs. She wore leather boots that reached up to her calves, their necks ornamented with gold. The most impressive part of her outfit, however, was her Flameveil, but it was not a real article of clothing, even though it appeared so. The Flameveil was a spiritual blessing granted to her by the Flame of Justice, a protective veil that emanated a warm and gentle aura, much like an everlasting “Warmth” prayer, only way more powerful. Cementing her knightlike demeanour was her Holy Longsword, which was long enough that she could use it to lean on it and rest her body should she ever need to. Targonian steel reinforced the blade, while the guard, handle and pommel were all ornamented with gold.
The four were ready to depart for the Royal Capital and deliver their report to the Grand Inquisitor. Iris was not aware of it at the time, however her fate would unfold in extremely unexpected ways after their visit to Blumen Palace.
To be continued…