Arthur's Point of View

Temple atop Helmsforth

One of the Priestesses started reaching for my wrapping, and I glared at her. "If you remove that wrapping, you best be ready for a fight, and not like the one last time." I said in a dark tone.

Arceana slowly lowered her hand and nodded. "I should not have pushed. Apologies."

I was not happy about this. Any of it. Someone, or something, was making a mockery of my life in this new world. A life I didn't ask for. The Star Creature, while it did send me here with a task, I get the feeling this world itself is fucking with me.

"Do you have any idea who created this book?" Perhaps it was my tone that made them uneasy.

"Well," Although, it could've also been the look on my face. "It was created by 'The Great Sage Aydan'. A master of magic, unlike anything this world has ever seen. This book was one of the few things that remained after he disappeared suddenly." Arceana told me.

"I see." Taking a deep breath, I handed the book back. "I'm sorry. That was rude. This book has put me on edge."

Elincia smirked. "Weren't expecting such an accurate depiction of the orb in your sword?" She asked knowingly.

My eyes flickered to her for a moment. "Not at all." Sighing, I looked between the two Priestesses. "So, what am I supposed to do now?" Both looked at me, confused. "Can you just Knight me in private and get it over with so we can all go about our day, or do you need to set up a really annoying and obnoxious ceremony?"

Arceana smiled at me softly. "Do not worry, Arthur. I will do my best to make sure the ceremony takes much longer than we originally planned and have it be as irritating as it possibly can be." Elincia giggled at that, and I gave a deadpanned look to the pink-haired Priestess. "It'll take a while to get the news out about there about you, our newest Knight, and I'm sure thousands will want to attend and meet you."

"Be warned," I began as I looked Arceana in the eyes. "I will murder any-"

"Arthur!" Elincia chastised, and I turned to her. "My sister was clearly joking. However, we must follow some manner of decorum. There will be a ceremony, and there will be guests to meet you. As our newest Knight, it is to be expected, so please keep a civil attitude towards the process."

"Fine, but I swear to god…" Raising a finger, I pointed between the two. "Should this be overly excruciating, I will burn this place to the ground." It was in a joking manner, but I truly felt that way.

Rolling her eyes, Arceana replied. "Such comforting words, Sir Knight." A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Elincia giggled. "It should only take a day or two to inform most of Helmsforth. Some in cities farther away will receive word in due time. Do not worry, Arthur. It will be a grand ceremony for a man who deserves it."

"Only thing I deserve is a slit throat and to be tossed in some unknown ditch left to die." I commented nonchalantly, and both Priestesses looked at me shocked. "What?"

"Do… Do you truly believe that?" Arceana asked in a worried tone while Elincia watched on just as concerned.

"Does it matter if I do?" I asked back in a dead tone.

Elincia softly put a hand on my shoulder. "Arthur… We may not have known each other for very long, but we are always willing to lend an ear if you need to talk." Concerned blue eyes studied me.

Bet you don't want me in charge of your military now, do you? "As nice as that sounds, I'd actually prefer to get some sleep. It's been a rather eventful last few days." Then I gestured to the two. "Once the ceremony is over, I would like any information you have on the Slavers, and I'll even tell you what I learned in the warehouse I cleared."

Both were hesitant, but Arceana nodded. "Very well. We are glad to see you so invested in starting your duties as soon as possible." She said evenly, but I could see the worry in her red eyes. "Cassidy will also be informed of when you are needed to arrive." Using her magic, she summoned another book of sorts. "This will aid you in knowing your role in the future."

"Ayda, Typhon, and Kine will likely help you prepare. Be ready for them. Typhon and Kine have both wished to speak with you." I nodded. "However, there are a few other military officers who have heard about our offer, and now that you have accepted, they will also wish to speak with you. Please be aware that they may not be as strong as you, but they have served far longer than you. Be respectful."

"Priestess, when am I anything but?" I asked with a small smirk.

"I am starting to think you never are." Elincia replied with a smirk of her own as she removed her hand. "Did you have any other questions you would like to ask us?"

The other High Elves came to mind, especially the one in the garden. However, if one of these two was the cloaked High Elf, then it would be for the best to ignore the one that resided in the garden. She was likely not meant to be there or be seen. If these two are that protective of her, the last thing I wanted was a confrontation here and now, now that we've come to an agreement.

With a shallow nod, I shook my head. "That'll be all for now. I'll likely have more questions to ask you later, but I will ask when the time comes."

"Very well." Tapping her scepter on the ground, guards came in the door and took up their old positions. "We shall see you soon, Arthur Pendragon." While keeping her crimson eyes focused on me, she spoke. "Have Arthur ferried back down the mountain to the Reed Farmstead. Cassidy will likely be expecting him back soon." She left the room after issuing out the order.

"Goodbye, Arthur. This has been a most… Irregular meeting." Elincia said after a moment as she tried to find the polite way of putting it. "I look forward to our next meeting in a few days' time. Be safe."

With nothing more than a lazy wave, the last Priestess left, and I was now in the room with a group of guards. "So," I began. "How many of you assholes were eavesdropping?" Frowns all around.

It didn't take long for a familiar group of Zugal to arrive. They helped me down the mountain, which I could've done, but didn't want to put them out of a job. However, I was curious why they needed to use three Zugal to carry me. Upon asking, they explained that it's more of a formality and to give smoother rides. Each Zugal who has been trained as a Town's Guard can easily lift someone into the air, but it puts a huge strain on their wings, and they can't fly for very long.

Once back at the Reed's, I let myself inside and sat down in the living room after removing Defiance from my back. "How'd it go?" Grandpa Reed asked from his spot on the couch.

Chuckling at the question, I replied as I let my head hang back, and I stared at the ceiling. "Somehow, despite doing my best to disturb them, both Priestesses agreed to my conditions, and now I need to start preparing myself to be a Lestranian Knight." Covering my face with my hands, I spoke. "How did this happen?"

My clearly annoyed question directed at nobody was answered by Augustus. "Probably should've tried harder ta come across more insane." Bringing my head up to look at the old man, he tapped his cane on the floor, amused. "Just sayin, ya could've said no, but ya didn't."

"Thank you for that amazing advice, Reed!" I emphasized his last name, which got a chuckle out of him.

"Yer welcome." In a more serious tone, he leaned forward slightly. "Ya gonna be alright?" At my look, he shrugged. "Ah'm just concerned. Ah know ya can handle yourself in a tussle, but bein a Knight ain't like takin on no manticore." Pointing the cane at me, he continued. "Ya gotta be ready for all kinds of threats."

Sighing, I put my chin on my knuckles. "That's literally all I've done since I got here. Slightly regretting it now, but it would appear I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be for the moment."

There was no point in lying. I was incredibly concerned that there were depictions of my eye and sword in a thousand something year old book. Whether magic was involved or not, the fact remains that my questions were beginning to pile up. Was there another person in this world at one point with my exact same eyes, or was the prophecy slightly off?

"Yer an odd one, Arthur, but I'm glad yer gonna be our Knight. It'll be nice knowin there's someone down here lookin after us." Grandpa Reed stated.

"I didn't actually specify that I'd like to be down here instead of the upper rungs…" Turning to the elderly man, I asked, "Do you think it'll be an issue?"

Waving a dismissive hand, he replied. "Not a bit. Ah'll send word that ya'd like to be stationed down here at the base ta overlook things."

Closing my eye, I sighed. "How do you have the ability to send word to the Priestesses?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Does everybody have a way to get in touch with them or…"

Trialing off, let Augustus answer the question. "Nope. Only a select few. Only reason Ah can is because of Cassidy. When yer granddaughter is one of their students, ya have ways of getting in touch." Opening my eye revealed him smirking. "Most of the time, even the Nobles in the upper rungs have difficulties gettin into contact with em. Irks them quite a bit." He chuckled mirthfully.

That was rather funny. "I can imagine so, but yes. Please let them know I'd like a place to stay down here. It doesn't need to be fancy and that I would prefer to stay down here compared to living up the mountain."

"Can do!" He said happily. "Glad ya decided ta stay down here, Arthur. Most would hop at the first opportunity ta move to the upper rungs."

"It'll be easier to work from down here." Was my reply. "Plus, there are a few things I need to look into away from prying eyes. One of them being the Hollow Forest." The old man looked at me, confused.

"Why would ya need ta investigate the Forest?"

"Ghouls have been appearing in there often, and one group even tracked me to your home." Rubbing my eye, I sighed. "If more are coming or even tracking me, I'd like to take care of them before they become a problem." Looking at him, I shrugged. "Or at the very least, try to convince them to leave me alone, you know?"

"Ghouls?" Augustus repeated. "Cassidy was talkin about them with Ayda."

That got my attention. "They were? What'd they say?"

Tapping his crane on the ground, the old man shrugged. "They asked what Ghouls were, but neither Priestess answered."

I rubbed my chin in thought. "That's a little odd. Why wouldn't they tell their students?"

"Did they tell you?"

Shaking my head got him to deflate. "I honestly didn't ask. Thought they were common knowledge or something. It's interesting they wouldn't answer what they were."

"Well, were they humans?" Grandpa Reed inquired.

"They were a mix of races. Humans, Elves, and maybe a few more. All of them were cloaked, so I couldn't tell if they were something else." I explained. "Maybe 'Ghouls' is an organization of some kind? I mean, all of them clearly weren't regular members of their races."

"Mmh. Sounds like ya got quite the mystery ta solve. It'll be good that yer bein Knighted with unsavory folk roamin around." The old man said.

Tapping the couch with my hand in a thoughtful manner, I tried to consider what they could be. "Maybe you're right. Only time will tell." Was my distant response.

A knock on the door knocked me out of my thought process, and the two of us looked at each other. "Who could that be?" Augustus asked as he stood slowly.

"You weren't expecting company?"

"Most company is welcome and lets themselves in." The old man replied.

Standing myself, I grabbed Defiance and spoke. "Then let's go find out who it is."