Chapter 14: A Hero Arises (Part 3)

6.35am, 4009AD, Day 26 of the Month of May. The Day of the Parade of the Champions

25 minutes.

That was how much time I have left for me to reach the Elemental Circle’s main courtyard from my house – which was supposed to be Chief Bannen’s guest house, but since I’m now could be considered its new master, I would rather call it my house, albeit temporarily. The distance from the house to my next destination would not be too far and if I were to run at full speed, I could reach there in approximately 20 minutes. I would have 5 minutes extra as my time cushion.

As I ran along, there was one more thing that I was worried about. And that was if I would sweat too much and would have stained my uniform. But after a minute of running and the obvious sweating on my part, I noticed that the uniform was still in pristine conditions and had no obvious stains of sweat on it.

So far so good. I’m making good timing here.

I took the main road of the capital that connected all the districts in Elsivier. As I travelled down the road, people of all walk of life and races were beginning to throng the area. The road was starting to bustle and hustle with people as the shops were starting to open. I could see the festival markets of various kinds; especially food stalls and one fortune teller hut were starting to come alive.

Normally, I would need not pay attention to the details as I was in hurry, but as soon as they saw me, all of them waved and congratulated me. Some were calling out to me and giving cheers and applause. Perhaps they knew that I was going to participate in the Parade due to my new Blitz Elite uniform. And that made me felt proud indeed. Running along the streets in the early morning never felt better than this.

And perhaps later in the morning, there would be many more activities here. I could not wait to see this place full of people. Being among the crowd was alright for me but being the centre of the attention of a crowd needed some time for me to get used to.

One more thing that I could see was the roads along the capital were adorned with various festival decorations commemorating the Parade today. Banner with various crests could be found hanging on either the wall of the buildings or were on a flag post, erected just for this special occasion. I could see flags of various colours and symbols, though I couldn’t make up any of it. Honestly, I don’t even know how Elsigardia’s flag looked like. I’m a failure at lore and history back in the Brotherhood and I’m ashamed to admit that. But it looks like I needed to learn all the crests, symbols, banners or flags if I were to actually be any of use as an Elite. I could not bear to shame my recommender, my future sponsor or even my clients with my ignorance.

As I was running and walking with the ratio of 3 minutes and 1 minute each, I could keep my composure and my breath in check. My stamina would not run out soon as well. And one more good thing about this technique of running was that not only I won’t get tired easily, the speed of my travel increased. And before long I have arrived at the main courtyard of Elemental Circle.

It took me 19 minutes to arrive here.

6.54am, 4009AD, Day 26 of the Month of May. The Day of the Parade of the Champions

There were already thousands of people assembled here, much more than yesterday. Instead of the usual clothes they wore last time around, now all of them came with their own set of uniform. Some were more elaborate than the other. And some were even totally different but in regal and more knightly way.

As I peered towards the courtyard to find where my unit was, I could hear a loud voice calling for me.

“Claude, over here!!”

I turned around and saw Mike calling up to me. Beside him were Ariel and an unknown knight wearing full-plated armour with a full-faced helmet on. I walked towards them, waving my hand. All of them, including the armoured knight, waved back at me.

“Claude, just about time.” Ariel greeted me with a hug, publicly. Her hug, like usual was a little tight and suffocating.

“Glad to be on time. And now please Ariel, can you let go of me. We are still in public, you know.” I tried to push her away but to no avail. Struggle all I could but her hug was indeed tight.

“I don’t care!” She was not going to let me go just like that, huh. Mike could not let this scene past him by and teased us. I could even hear his laugh from my back.

“Hahaha, look at those two. Aren’t they way too friendly for someone who just met yesterday.”

“Hey, he is my Lil Bro. Well… he looks like one anyway.” Did Ariel really mean that? Did I look like her 11-year-old brother? Just as I tried to wiggle myself out from her hug one more time, suddenly the armoured knight appeared, stood next to me and patted my shoulder. This time, surprisingly Ariel immediately did let me go.

“Good that you have arrived here on time.” The voice seemed familiar.

“C-C-Captain Rizzou?” The armoured knight nodded.

“Claude, don’t you tell me you can’t recognize him?” Mike asked. I shook my head in response.

“That’s hurt my feelings, Claude.” Captain Rizzou added on. I’m sure he was teasing me, but behind that full-faced helmet, I might be forgiven for my doubt.

“B-But, you look different. And with that helmet on, I could not identify you at all. Your voice was the giveaway, though.”

“You three, please stop making fun of my new recruit!” Suddenly another voice came over towards our way.

“Hello, Selina. Good morning.” Captain Rizzou warmly welcomed her as she approached us.

“Good morning, Captain Selina!” Both Mike and Ariel stood at attention.

She was wearing the same full plated like the one Captain Rizzou was wearing, albeit with a difference in decorations and engravings on the armour. However, instead of fully wearing her helmet, she was holding in at her side. And because of that, I could recognize her immediately.

“Captain Selina, good morning to you!”

“Good morning everyone. And Rizzou, you should take off your helmet first, or else you are going to suffocate before you even start.” He did as implied by Captain Selina by removing his helmet.

“Whew, I thought I was out of breath there. All these times I still couldn’t get used to this helmet and full plate armour.” A look and a sigh of relief soon followed his word.

“That’s because we only wear it once a year. At most, twice a year. The rest of the time, it’s either our First uniform or our battle gear. Like you, I hated this helmet. Would not wear it before the Parade started.” She gave out a dry smile as she looked at her helmet. If I were them, I too would be suffocated, not just wearing the helmet but that whole bulky armour.

As if Mike was reading my mind, he immediately explained it to me was happening between the two Captains.

“That’s a ceremonial armour.” And then he continued on to explain further.

“All the Higher Ranked Officers, starting from the Captain will have to wear their ceremonial armour; a full plated armour with engravings and decorations that represent their ranks and units. The higher ranked you are, the more refined your armour will be.”

“I-I see. That’s cool, I guess. I could not imagine myself wearing something heavy like that though. People might think I’m a dwarf, instead of a human.” The two of us chuckled a little.

Suddenly, Ariel nudged my side and said, “Claude, your Captain looks amazing, ain’t she?”.

I nodded at her. All of us were listening to the merry exchange between the two captains. More like eavesdropping their conversation though. But it was not for long as the three of us then started our own chat. I looked at both of my new friends and they were wearing the same uniform as I do, but Mike’s uniform has red decoration and embroidery while Ariel’s was green.

“Claude, I meant to ask you, what unit were you in? I could not find you yesterday as I had my unit briefing with Captain Ky.” He was the first to ask me.

Ughh… the dreaded name in the morning, already? And what… Was he Mike’s unit leader? Ahh well, since its him who was asking, I’m happy enough to oblige.

“I’m in the Blitz. What about you and Ariel?”

“I’m in the Magma. Look at my uniform. Doesn’t it suit me, all fiery and stuff?” He answered enthusiastically. Next was Ariel.

“I’m in the Tempest unit.”

“Tempest? The unit with the most numbers of beautiful girls in? Ohhh… how nice. I wish I could join and see you girls in actions.” As usual, Mike would always want to surround himself with girls. And to that too, he received a playful slap on his shoulder from Ariel.

“Hey, watch it. You’ll ruin my uniform!” Mike pouted a little.

“And looks who’s talking. You were talking how happy you were joining your Magma unit earlier on and now you wanted to join the Tempest. We know that you are a player, but aren’t you a little unfaithful way too early already?”

Both of them broke into a fit of laughter. I too joined in the little banter.

“Attention you three!” Suddenly Captain Rizzou diverted his attention to us. Captain Selina was nowhere to be seen now.

“Yes, Captain!!” All of us answer enthusiastically. He was pleasantly surprised with our early morning enthusiasm.

“In a while, we will be presented with our own horse. For those who were to receive their medals and ranked officers, each of them will have their own horse to ride. For the rest, either they walk on foot or on an open carriage.”

“R-R-Riding a horse??!!” I suddenly let out a shriek. It was such a loud and a high-pitched girlish scream that took the three of them by surprised.

“What’s the matter, Claude?” Captain Rizzou asked. The other two looked at me, with perplexed looks on their faces.

I looked down towards the ground.

Dammit. Riding a horse. Why could I not even think of this event that might have happened? And now, I have to come clean. I apologized to Master Blizzard Hawk and the old geezer at the back of my mind. The student of yours here has sullied our Brotherhood’s name and reputation. What a shame.

“U-Uh… I c-c-could not ride a horse…”

“What?!!!” Ariel and Mike shouted in unison. Captain Rizzou looked puzzled as he rubbed his chin. He seemed a little troubled and that did not bode me well at all.

“Hmmm… this is a grave situation indeed.”

Captain Rizzou started to talk. Cold sweats broke on my forehead.

“What do we do now Captain? We can’t have Claude walking, right?” Ariel pleaded with him for answers.

“Claude, I never knew you couldn’t ride a horse. That’s a surprise.” Mike chuckled a little. However, instead of an answer, he received yet another hit on the back instead from Ariel. But this time, it was not as playful as the first one.

“Context, Mike. Context. You are not helping with the situation!” She seemed displeased with his insensitivities towards my current condition. Mike looked apologetically at me.

“Claude, I’m sorry. I did not mean that.”

Guys, I’m sorry about that. I never ride on a horse by myself before. Most of the time, I’ll take a carriage or ride alongside someone else. However, given preferences, I would rather run or walk. I wished I could tell them out loud, but what was the use of explaining now. The fact that remained was I still could not ride a horse.

“Looks like you need to take a riding lesson. Captain Selina would be your best mentor since she is one if not the best rider in the Elites. And since you are Blitz Elite, riding a horse and mastering it is a must for you. Blitz is about haste and speed, after all.”

I slumped by shoulder.

“Although I did plan for this contingency, I never knew it could have happened. What more to you, Claude of all people.”

Ouch… that stings. It hurt my pride really bad.

“Is there something that you could do, Captain?”

“Like I said, I already planned for this. So, I have prepared a horse that suits your current condition.”

“Really? “

I looked at him, surprised. So too did Mike and Ariel.

“Although the horse is getting in years, she is gentle and understanding enough to a new rider. Besides, we are not racing. We will ride at a slow speed, more like strutting rather than galloping. So, it will suit both of you and her very well.”

Upon hearing what Captain Rizzou said, I breathed a sigh of relief. Although I could not get it over my head that I could not ride, but at least the situation has been reverted. Mike and Ariel were also showing signs of relief. However, the good Captain decided not to let me off easily.

“However, I still could not let you ride just like that. I need to make sure that you don’t suddenly speed off and disturb the whole procession, right? Hero or not, who knows what might happen later.”

The other two nodded in tandem. I gulped.

“So, because of this, I have no other choice to tie your horse to mine”

“Hahahahah… Captain, you are so mean!” Mike could not control his laughter. Even Ariel too has been laughing nonstop. I’m looked at all of them curiously.

“What do you mean by tying my horse to yours, Captain?”

“Ahh… it means I’ll have the control of the rein of your horse, not you.” Captain Rizzou explained though I still did not understand what it meant by that.

“Ahh… is that so? Well, I couldn’t care less who got my horse rein as long as I could ride one.”

“Hehehe Claude. You are indeed a simpleton.” Ariel patted my back.

“What do you mean, Ariel?”

“What she means is that you are the newbie of the newbies in riding a horse. Only if you never ride a horse before will someone else rein it for you. And as a Knight, and Elites like us, it’s funny to say at least. A knight who could not ride a horse. Hahahaha. That’s a story worthy of telling to through ages!”

Mike explained to me instead while laughing. Ariel and Captain Rizzou were smiling, trying to control their laughter.

Aww man, a knight who couldn’t ride a horse. What a joke. If Sierra was to see me in this, I’ll bet my own neck that she would laugh off at me like Mike. The image of a princess saviour has been ruined because of riding a horse.

“Speak of the devil, here comes our horses!”

Captain Rizzou‘s word jolted me back from my depressing thoughts. Five long lines of fine horses were brought towards the main courtyard. A man, who’s in his 50s was leading the group of horses.

As soon as he arrived, throngs of people surrounded the area.

“Well, I have already reserved the horses for all the Elites. But for you Claude, you need to come with me. I need to get the horse that I have in mind for you. For the rest, the horse master will distribute accordingly. So Mike and Ariel, since you are among the new recruits who were given a horse each, go and pick your choice along with others.”

“Yes, Ser!”

They looked very happy indeed. Finally, they could choose their own ride. Although it’s just for the parade, the horses they choose could later be registered to them if they so desired.

I followed Captain Rizzou as he made his way to the horse master.

“Good morning, Ser Rizzou!” The horse master bowed his head down to him.

“Good morning to you too, Horse Master Puel. Anyway, do you have the horse that I reserved from you in case of an emergency?” He was a little surprised at first by the Captain’s words, but then he smiled as he regained his composure.

“It’s for this little guy here.”

“Ahh, I see. If that was the case, then she will do him justice.” Horse Master Puel looked at me with a smile. Immediately he went to the back of one of the lines to bring us the horse that Captain Rizzou had reserved in case someone like me might appear.

After a while of waiting, the horse master came back. With him on tow was a fine looking grey horse.

“Ser, this is the horse that you have reserved.” Horse Master Puel handed the rein to Captain Rizzou. Then he looked at me, with a wide smile.

“Ser First Lieutenant, this is Bolt. She is a very fine horse, although age is getting up on her. Back in the days, she was my pride; fast and strong. But now, I have her here to help with new recruits like yourself. Hahaha.” I wondered why he was laughing though.

Well, didn’t matter now. I looked at the horse. The name’s Bolt, ehh?

Well, she looks fine indeed, although I could see she looks a little older than the rest, nonetheless, she was still a fine stead. Her eyes met mine and I could see how gentle her eyes were. I liked her immediately. And guess she did too as she neighed at me and rubbed her head on my face.

“Ohhh… looks like Bolt likes you First Lieutenant.”

Horse Master Puel continued while caressing her mane. “You will have a fine ride today. Though she was not as fast as she used to be, for today’s Parade, she is more than good enough. Now, please excuse me Ser Rizzou and First Lieutenant. I need to get back to others.”

Captain Rizzou nodded as he handed Bolt’s rein to me.

“She’s yours, Claude. Hold her rein.”

He urged me. I still had my doubts as I anxiously took the rein from him. I remembered back in the Brotherhood, every time I tried to hold a horse’s rein, all I get was a big insulting snort and then the horse start behaving wildly, kicking me off the ground. I even broke my rib when I was 12, trying to ride a horse, albeit a horse smaller than Bolt.

However, Bolt reception towards me was at least unexpected. She was all calm and docile. As I hold her rein, she rubbed her face on mine. I caressed her mane and she neighed softly. True to Captain Rizzou and Horse Master Puel, Bolt seemed to do me justice, even when I was uncomfortable holding the rein. Because of Bolt’s attitude towards me, I also become calm and collected. I looked at her and patted her neck as I led her and followed Captain Rizzou.