[762] – Y03.062 – Path To South Port I

[762] – Y03.062 – Path To South Port I

The fort of the Order of the Floral Sun watched over the sprawling village around it, the group arriving at the fields still at least an hour away from the fort. As they trekked along the road, they noted the villagers glancing their way, which was not out of the ordinary, but they noted the large number of soldiers around, something which was new.

A half dozen riders trotted their way up to the large group made up of Iyrmen, Aswadians, and large wolves. The riders were heavily armoured, carrying blades at their sides, revealing their true nature as foot combatants rather than mounted warriors. The horses were armoured too, wearing thick scaled barding which added to their already imposing stature.

“Halt,” called a voice full of authority from the central knight who rode upfront. She wore a breastplate which was heavily engraved with all manner of flowers across the front, carrying a banner with a hand, resting up against her shoulder, while her free hand held a rein of her horse. The banner was quite simple, white background with seven pink petals spiralling to form a circular flower.

Adam glanced towards his companions, realising quickly he shouldn’t open his stupid mouth, feeling the intense pressure of the knights before them.

The knight pulled up her visor, revealing an older, wizened face, her green eyes glaring down at the group of newcomers who were all so heavily armed and armoured. “I am Commander Elizabeth Grovepetal by authority of King Harold Merryweather. State your business at once!”

Upon hearing her name, Jurot placed a hand on Adam’s shoulder, before nodding to Sir Vonda to step forward.

The young woman removed her helmet, smiling politely at the Commander, before bowing her head lightly. “I am Sir Vonda Eastlake of Life’s Rose.”

The Commander dismounted from her mount, stepping forward to meet with the young noblewoman, who just so happened to be a member of Life’s Rose?

“May we speak to one side?” Sir Vonda asked, still smiling politely.

Taking the hint, the pair of women stepped aside so Sir Vonda could explain the situation in a way which would end the matter cleanly. Meanwhile, Adam glanced at the five heavily armoured mounted knights, before glancing across to the minor fort which had been created near the village’s edge, full of soldiers of the new kingdom. He guessed there to be at least two hundred soldiers, each of whom were heavily armoured.

“Adam,” Jurot called, breaking him out of his thoughts. “We must be careful.”

“Yeah,” Adam replied. It was rare even Jurot would warn him so overtly. ‘What’s going on?’

The Commander returned with Sir Vonda, before the group were allowed to make their way to the minor fort, where they were watched with a keen eye, but left be.

Commander Elizabeth understood the awkward spot she was put in thanks to their arrival, especially considering the fact they walked around with two demons, which wasn’t going to help the rumours of the King consorting with demons. However, since Sir Vonda promised to keep them within her sights, as well as the rest of the group, she relented to allow them to stay nearby, under the condition they would be overtly watched.

Adam noted the way the Iyrmen were keeping an eye on some of the older soldiers, each holding the rank of captain, but were not like the captains of the other minor fort. Each soldier was heavily armoured, while many wore full plate, even those who did not hold a higher rank.

“Commander Grovepetal holds a high rank within Petal Grove,” Jurot said.

“Any relation to the Petalgrove family?” Adam joked.

“I know it’s rude to make a request, especially considering our circumstances, but would you be willing to draw my blade?” Jaygak asked. “I would like to pass the story to my younger siblings.”

“Very well,” the woman replied, standing and taking the weapon from the young Iyrman. However, upon clasping the blade, she paused. She could feel the magic tingling through her fingers. She drew the blade, noting it was well made, the blade dark, like the shadows within an alley. “Does this blade have a name?”

“Great Moon,” Jaygak replied.

“It is a good blade,” the older woman said.

“It is.”

“How did you come across this weapon?”

“I work for a business by the name of United Kindom, which works alongside the Enchanter, who enchanted such a blade for me,” Jaygak said.

“You are blessed with great fortune.” Gladys held the blade within her hand for a long moment, feeling its weight. “Is it a Greater Enhanced blade?”

“Yes.”

“...” Gladys held it tight in hand for a long moment, before returning it back to the young woman, who held the blade by clasping her fingers along the blade rather than the hilt. Gladys undid her sword belt, and held her sheath up, offering the hilt of her blade to the young woman. “You may draw the blade.”

Jaygak smiled. “It is my honour.” The Iyrman reached out for the blade, feeling the intense stares from the nearby soldiers, but she drew the blade calmly, feeling the great magic within the blade. She could feel it was a Greater Enhanced Blade too.

“How does it feel?”

“Light,” Jaygak admitted, daring not to swing the blade.

“It was a blade enchanted by a brass dragon centuries ago for a now dead Aswadian family,” Gladys explained. “It was won in conquest by the first Blazing Petal Knight, Lord Oscar.”

“The Nadar family fell into irrelevance after losing the blade and the brass dragon in such quick succession,” Jaygak said. “The family held so much sway in the Red Desert, but no more.”

Gladys raised her brows. “You know of the tale of this blade?”

“Lord Oscar killed my ancestor, Rogak, with this blade,” Jaygak said, her eyes glued to the blade. “It was a good fight.”

I almost forgot how weird the Iyrmen were...