Chapter 102: The Knight of Astra

The entourage was filled with Knight’s and plate armored men. All came wearing the banner of the Saclea and the personal banner of the one leading them. The banner of the Knight of Astra, Sena Saclea made way inside the castle.

Leading them was the golden-haired ascended knight, Sena Saclea. Following her was her personal Knight and one of the great healers in the medic army. The personal Knight was named Bruno while the healer’s name is Susan.

The two followed the lady inside the castle. Their horses slowly move inside the inner courtyard of the fort. They number about a hundred. But even with that number, they are feared among the new orders for their tenacity. Not to mention that the healer that was along with them was a considered a miracle worker. As long as one is alive there is a possibility that Susan Cher could revive the soldier.

Their confidence came from their healer and their leader. Oswin has heard tales of them and he wondered why despite being a healer of the medic army. Susan Cher didn’t last long in the army. He remembered some rumors that the medic army was willing to copy her style which she didn’t want to impart. Leaving her to be dismissed and almost thrown out if not for friendship with a Saclea.

They carried on inside the castle. Oswin raise his chin up a bit and then stride down to the battlements of the fort, observing the bannermen. After a while, he nodded his head and went inside this wooden door. A guard nodded at him and he went inside, down a stair, and took a left to where a hallway filled with candle stands and racks of swords were displayed.

He walks along this hallway before arriving in front of a door. Behind the door, he could hear the hubbub of voices. He recognizes the voices inside. He pulled the knob of the door, revealing the men of the fort lazing around. He scanned the room from left to right before shouting at them.

“The bannermen of the Astra’s are here you lots move and man your stations!”

Every head turned to where the voice is. And knowing the voice they immediately grab their weapons and stood up. Their break was over and despite not being fond of Oswin. They came about and left to their stations while murmuring ‘oath breaker’ as they move on.

Oswin kept his stolid face as he watches the men leave. After the last man left, he made a sigh. He then turned his attention towards the door. He left himself out of the room and went to the main halls in order to listen to the discussion in the hall.

The hall was massive and wide. He could see the inside packing with knights. He could hear the clanging of their armor and in the center, the Princess, with her red hair and green eyes stared at the Astra Knight. Sena’s eyes gleamed gold, sparkling as she looks at the princess. Both were beauties and them being together made for quite a sight.

Oswin pressed his back on a pillar, with his arms crossed. Then, he witnessed the two giving complimentary hugs while the light from the stained glass was shining upon them. The two then walked deeper into the chamber while the others started to talk to each other.

“A simple dagger, a silver sword hung on his waist and looking pale as the moon. I presume you are the Knight I have been hearing about?”

Someone said. Oswin turned to the voice and saw a brown-haired Knight wearing armor. He recognized the man.

“Greetings Sir Bruno, do you need anything from me?”

“Nothing,” he waves his hands. “I merely wanted to talk to one of the vassals of the Princess. And you are quite famous.”

“I am?” He tilted his head. “I don’t recall being called out a lot in the streets or having my name praised, Sir.”

“Not among the folks but for normal Knights.” He explained. “Oswin the Former Levy, a man with bravery, a wielder of the silver sword and killer of fiends, the knight who survives...and an oath breaker.”

“I see.”

He ignored the last part.

“Pardon me for asking, but what did you do in order to be called as an oath breaker?”

“I am sorry Sir, but that is something I wish not talk about.” He bowed his head. “Please understand.”

“Is that?” Bruno crossed his arms. “Very well, I understand such things are kept secret.”

“Indeed.”

“By the way...”

Bruno paused and looked around the hall.

“Where are the others?”

“Excuse me?”

“The men, the knights, does anyone guard the Princess at all?”

“No Sir, I believe that no one is that stupid enough to attack the princess or face the Princess. Most of the Knights staying in the castle are out in patrols in order to help the owned district of the lady.”

“I see, no wonder I could see the banners of the Princess in the marketplace.” Bruno nodded as if understood something. “No one would be idiotic enough to mess with the princess.”

“Yes Sir, the Princess is quite strong.”

“She is. That is why she is the leader of the order of light in the first place.”

Bruno said while gazing at the pillar of the main halls. Oswin felt like that he didn’t have anything to say so he just kept silent and watched over the people. Bruno stayed idle before saying.

“It was nice talking to you Sir Oswin, may we meet again later.”

With a bow, he left Oswin and went back to the bored lady in near the stone walls. He saw Susan Cher eagerly waiting for the lady to come out. Bruno’s presence made the lady talk and the two became busy in their own world.

Oswin didn’t utter a sound after Bruno left. He merely eyed the visitors in the hall while keeping his hand ready for anything.

Sena waited for the Princess to be done talking. She watches the princess who was walking on the murals of the fort observing them with an expression of calmness.

“How was the battle, Sena?”

“Not a problem, your grace.”

“I see.”

She stepped near the murals closer than ever, her and was pressed to them. There was light coming from the murals that are built near the window of the fort. This made the murals shine in the morning when the sun’s out. And when the moon is out it would glow with silver light.

Sena heard that the princess had a fondness of the murals. Although this is only their third meeting after the crusade of ashes began.

She has been invited again by the Princess and now she was waiting for her to reveal her thoughts. And so she waited for the princess to be done.

“You are wondering why I called you here right?” said the Princes, blandly. “From the battlefield, I dragged you out in order to bring you here. Do you know why?”

Sena shook her head lightly.

“I do not, your grace.”

“Then let me tell you.”

She stopped walking. Her face turned towards Sena, filled with the same serene expression. She walks lightly towards Sena who was standing on the murals. The two were illuminated by the sun’s light. Both were wearing armor and the only difference was the scars on their armor.

Sena’s beautiful face was scarred. The wound was four years ago during her first battle with a dangerous Mage. Her golden hair was shining gold. It reached down her waist so she braided into a ponytail. She wore her sword Astra at the side of her waist. The sword never left her and has been her companion ever since then. She was now called ‘Astra Knight’ because of this particular sword which oddly shines like a star during the day.

In comparison, the Princes had a burning red hair. Her red eyes accompanier her and her beautiful chiseled face made her what exactly what anyone would call a princess. She wore armor and even though it looked pristine. There are traces of battle in her armor.

“Have you heard of the Etherwind?”

The princess spoke, her left arm holding her right elbow.

“No, your grace,” said Sena honestly. “I haven’t heard of anything such as an Etherwind. Is it something I should be worried about?”

“The Etherwind is located near the ice caps, miles away from the north.” the Princess started explaining. “The Ice caps released these harmful winds that would turn those who are afflicted into festered corpses.”

Sena widens her eyes.

“Is this true?”

“Yes, it is true. Sena, have you wondered why the overlord of the Northern Continent, the race Gray Skins, suddenly declared expansion and conquest?”

“No, I believe they are only doing it out of their own interest.”

“Yes, indeed it is primarily out of interest. The gray skins are trying to avoid the Etherwind. Their land is currently unfertile and desolate, and they have built costly shelters. I know of this after letting one of the best spies go there and investigate. I learned of this information and was quite surprised about it.”

The Princess said calmly, but her brows were slowly being knit.

“I do not worry about the battle against the elf or the Orcs. We have been doing fine with them. What I am worried about is if the Etherwind drifts into the south. Do you know what will happen if the wind that festers the skin come to us?”

“It would be terrible.”

Sena doesn’t have the full details about but she could understand. If it makes the Princess worried then there was no need to question it.

“Yes, that is why I called you here Sena,” she said. “I believe that you have a companion named Susan. She is a wonderful healer and her secrets are guarded. I can understand that, but please convince her to be part of the team that will investigate the winds.”

“That’s...I will try your grace,” she said. “And you said a team? What do you mean your grace?”

“I have assembled people from the Empire and a few people from the Bank of Brewrael who is interested in curing the disease. The threat is a serious problem and being prepared about it will benefit us.” the princess paused. “Conquering the lands that would soon be festered won’t be worth it.”

Sena nodded her head.

“That’s why I want you to convince your companion to work with the team.”

“Would she need to go alone?”

“That is for you to decided Sena.”

“Then I rather have her be accompanied by my personal Knight, Bruno. Susan is a great fighter and a healer but she might meet dangers.”

“I see. But will you really heed this request of mine?” the Princess questioned. “I am taking your best healer and letting her investigate a disease only known to the north. Not to mention that she might have to study the ice caps in order to find a way to break the ice caps producing them.”

“Do you plan to take them to the north?”

“No, that would be suicidal and losing a team of talents would hurt us more.”

“Then what do you mean?”

The Princess squeezes her eyes shut for a moment.

“I am planning to send the homunculus to the ice caps. They will be useful.”

“Homunculi’s, I never heard that word ever since the ritual test of mettle.”

“The homunculi production has been improved and sending them to the ice caps would far effective than sending hardened soldiers. We cannot afford to lose against the non-humans and at the same time. We must not let the ice caps spread Etherwind on our lands.”

“I understand.”

Sena nodded her head.

“But can the homunculi reached the ice caps?”

“They have been trained under the Empire of Light as tools. They will solely focus on finishing the task and nothing else. What we need is description and details about the ice caps and thus we put a ward on their forehead, allowing us to get the images they have seen and scribe them into a crystal ball.”

“So that’s how you plan to see the ice caps. Very well, I shall relay the message to Susan. Pardon me, your grace.”

“Yes, I hope that you convince her. With the war going well, we might need to worry about this Etherwind sooner or later.”

Sena nodded her head. The Princess acknowledged that and turned back to the murals and started pondering again. The princess was already in deep thoughts and Sena didn’t want to disturb her.