“Are we clear on the mission? Jamie and Sage will coordinate their movements with their squads and confirm the kill of the Elder Vampire. Send a raven upon arrival and another upon completion of the mission. It should not take longer than a few weeks to reach the village. Depart at sunrise. Dismissed.”

With this, Freyja returned to her abode. Sage turned toward Jamie.

“Meet at the front of the fortress. Don’t be late, boy.” The older man, whose face showed signs of previous battles and current aging, removed himself. Like an order of well-trained ducklings, his squad followed him orderly. Jamie hollered out in a taunting tone.

“Hey, hey, geezer. Don’t be mad when this ‘boy’ takes all the merit for the bloodsucker, yeah?”

No response.

“Tch.” Jamie clicked his tongue as he stood from his seat and turned his gaze toward the men behind him. He shouldn’t have- as their faces immediately fueled his frustration.

“Jamie’s still being looked down on by the other leaders, huh?” Terry shook his head with a disappointing look.

“It can’t be helped. It is Jamie after all.” Arthur, with his eyes closed and his arms crossed, spoke firmly.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!” Jamie put his foot on the chair as he raised his fist.

“Now, now.” Jalen interjected. “We should all get some rest. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

“We aren’t going to our chambers yet.”

Jamie turned to Amarok.

“I need to know what you’re capable of. I can’t form plans without that knowledge. Meet at the training grounds in 15 minutes.”

“Understood.” Amarok had figured this was coming.

.

.

.

“Sir Welles, step forward.” A man in white robes’ command.

“Yes.” Welles stepped forward from the line of knights. His silver breastplate was covered in golden markings that formed the Golden Dragon. His enormous sword, which was bigger than the man himself, hung on his back. The black iron of the sword reflected years of experience in the field.

“For acquiring the Northern Rebellion General Dolan Nichols' head, you have been granted by His Majesty 5000 gold pieces and a plot of land in the Southern Quadrant to do with as you please.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The boy that sat on the throne, elevated multiple steps above the rest of the ornate hall filled with dozens of experienced warriors and scholars, chimed with a youthful voice.

“Sir Welles, you have done this Kingdom a great service. Name any wish, and if it is in my power, I will grant it immediately!”

The boy, King Alexander, had a habit of spoiling his knights. It was a result of his idolization of the defenders and their moral code. His advisors had often told him to avoid such actions, but the boy was a King, and Kings listen to no man. That was what his father had told him before his untimely death.

“Your Majesty flatters me. There is one thing that I would request.”

“Speak, and it shall be so.”

“As you know, I am from humble birth. I was taken in while I was a child by a knight of the Kingdom, and have lived my life as such ever since.”

“Indeed, Sir Welles. It is a story that is passed on from village to village. A common man becoming the most famous knight in the kingdom is a glorious tale, indeed.”

The knight cleared his throat.

“My parents were killed by Lord Baldron. His vile acts of depravity still haunt the denizens of the realm to this day in the North. My request is to be given permission to form a unit to put an end to Lord Baldron’s abuse of power once and for all.”

The hall was silent. The other knights had varying reactions. Some looked at each in surprise while others sighed as if they had expected such an outcome. King Alexander touched his chin in thought.

“Lord Baldron… If I remember correctly, even though he is not directly participating in the rebellion, he still has not condemned it.”

The old man that had called Sir Welles forward spoke.

“Your Majesty, it is said in the court that Lord Baldron has provided financial support to known weapon manufacturers of the Rebellion.”

“Oh?” King Alexander casually responded. The man continued.

“There are also rumors of his affiliation with certain species of daemon, but this is not confirmed by the spies.”

“I see. Well, either way, having him killed will send a message to the rest of the insolent north. Sir Welles.”

“Your Majesty.”

“I, King Alexander the 2nd, son of King Alexander the Conqueror, hereby command Sir Welles of the Northern Quadrant to assemble a team of elites and take Lord Baldron’s head. This will be funded by the Kingdom’s reserves, and you will return within three months of deployment with success.”

“Understood, Your Majesty. I will take my leave and depart before sunset.”

The knight waved his red cloak as he left the hall. He had already selected his team of individuals that he would recruit. They were all carefully selected through continued observation by Welles. Ever since he had been taken in by the gloried knight of legend, Sir Ares, he had been preparing for this day. Lord Baldron was the scum of the realm, and Welles would take his head without failure.

However, with that said, Lord Baldron was a man that had much influence. He would certainly not be an easy target. He needed skilled comrades that he could trust. Over the last 10 years, there were 3 people that fit his criteria. One of these people was in the city.

KnockKnock

Welles knocked on the worn-down door of a corner house. People passed by behind him as he waited for a response. No answer.

KnockKnock Knock

After a few moments, a pale, slender woman poked her head out. Her greasy black hair was not the only unhygienic quality she had.

“Welles?”

“Luna. I’m cashing in that favor you owe me.”

Luna blinked a couple times before sighing.