SAO:PoA - Chapter Twelve

Floor 34, August 2nd, 2023

Thollbrad and Hagen arrived to Cerdic’s camp, a fortress, located at the east of Ayres, and the south of the goblin fortress that was taken by the players, just few hours ago. Upon entrance, Cynric received them.

Cynric: “What happened?”

Thollbrad: “Galant. The Royal Knights entered the fortress somehow, liberated the players and took it over.”

Cynric: “My father would have words with you two then, follow me.”

Cynric guided them across the camp, which was a large circular wall, covering lots of tents where large quantities of monsters had refugee, most of them goblins and some Orcs. On the middle of the large wall, there was a large tent, Cerdic’s tent. They entered, Cerdic was near a table were the map of the floor was placed. Next to him was his second in command Boewolt, and the human, Velron, both of them spoke to him about the movement of the troops. Cynric raged upon sight of his rival, yet he lowered to his knees in respect of his father, as did his companions.

Cynric: “My King, I bring company, your commanders Hagen and Thollbrad.”

Cerdic looked them; he stopped Boewolt, and got near his two other commanders.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “Get up Cynric, and move aside.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The King of Monsters started a circular walk around them.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “You enter my fortress absent horn sound…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Thollbrad: “My King….”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “Meaning something had happened to your monsters…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hagen: “My King…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic left his back to them two.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “so may I ask, what has happened?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hagen swallowed the saliva on his mouth and spoke.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hagen: “The Royal Knights. They somehow entered the fortress, liberated the players and took it. Thollbrad and I tried to fight them, yet the bridge was destroyed before we could. Galant himself told me to tell him that they were back.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic, turned and smiled.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “So the weak human is back for more.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Thollbrad: “He is much stronger than before My King. I even fought him, But he didn not use his full power on the battle. He managed to get me out of battle alongside four other Orcs.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “I already imagined that, soldier. That’s the only way he could have survived five months since our battle. Yet I shall gaze his proudness in battle. Thollbrad, you will not command the goblin forces to Ayres tomorrow.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Thollbrad: “but, My King…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “DISMISSED! Remove yourselves from sight.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Thollbrad: “Yes, My King.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hagen: “Yes, My King.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They left, while Cynric and Boewolt remain.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cynric: “what lay your thoughts, Majesty.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “They have proven fearsome opponent, as five months ago. The attack of tomorrow will concentrate all our strength, yet, we shall not command it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Boewolt: “Then who shall have such lofty position.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “Zerzohg.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cynric: “The Orc? Do you trust him so much??”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “He is the one that captured the players of that village, and others deeds at his hand.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Boewolt: “What are your intentions?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Cerdic: “See Galant’s new true strength, and see what he is capable of. If he proves himself at the task, I shall face him once again, and in that moment, I will take his life.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Floor 35, August 2nd, 2023

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Have you told him?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Not yet.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Why?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Preparing the army and the men is now at his mind, I do not think we should interrupt with such thing.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You are saying this is minor?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Of course not Cia, is just that he is focused on other things. Let us postpone it a bit.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Lance, our life’s can end, this day, tomorrow, on a weak, a month, a year... We never now. All we can do is embrace living moment.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I know that better than anyone, but I am asking some time, until the end of the battle.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Elicia looked at him disappointed with her emerald eyes. She grabbed her Katana and placed it on her waist.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I have to speak to Guinevere.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Wait!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She left the tent. About to enter was Galant.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Uh. Good morning.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Good morning Elicia. Lance is awake? I would have words.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“He is. He also wants to speak to you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Upon what subject?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“He shall tell you. Where is Guinevere?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Helping the ones wounded by battle. She was there all night. On the security office.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Thanks.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant entered the tent. Lance was sitting on the floor, looking at his katana, seeming thoughtful. He immediately turned to his friend.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Elicia just went outside, she seemed pissed.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“She is.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I will not ask why. Whatever the cause of disagreement, it shall pass. But she told me you wanted to say me something. What is it?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance widened his eyes and was surprised for what had just happened. Elicia probably had told Galant to force him to say it.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Nothing of note.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Alright.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“How is the organization doing?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Well. I already sent Percival and Tristan to track Thollbrad and Hagen.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant moves his index finger and goes directly to friends. He finds the recognition team moving south.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“They are heading south. When they arrive, we should receive message, it should be easy with their tracking skill.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“In the meantime, we should prepare all others.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance placed his Katana on his belt. <p class="MsoNormal" style="border-style:none;padding:0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif";mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yeah.” <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Shoot 60 meters: bull’s-eye

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Shoot 70 Meters: bull’s-eye

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Shoot 80 Meters:  almost at the middle

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Shoot 90 Meters:   almost out

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Shoot 100 Meters:  missed

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Dammit.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Relax sis, you cannot always shot a bull’s eye.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I should, learn.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“There is just one way to learn this: practicing.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They looked back. It was Gawn, walking to then, with his hands at his pockets.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “You speak as an archer would.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “I am sort of.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He looked towards the bull’s-eye and the two arrows stick at it. He smiled and asked.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“From how many distance you shoot that arrow?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“70 meters.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Understood.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn grabbed one of his tomahawks, and walked to a distance of 80 meters from the bull’s eye and threw it, dividing in half the arrow and stick on the bull’s eye.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “Whoa.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “See nothing is impossible. If mind and heart are put to task, no mountain is so high, neither ocean so deep.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana: “Ok mister Ego, can you at least tell us your name, instead of showing of or throwing axe skill?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “Gawn, forth at Command from the Royal Knights.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn offered his had to both of them, receiving atypical handshake from both of them.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Still, you are a great archer, maybe if Tristan would teach you some things…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “Tristan?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn realized they did not know anyone of the people of the guild, except maybe him, Elicia, Bors, Galant, and Lance.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “Tristan is our archer; the one was on the battle with his arch, right beside you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “True. Totally forgot of him. Where is him?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “On a mission, tracking the two sub-bosses from yesterday.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Walking to them was Galant and Lance. Diana looked down immediately when she looked at him. She blushed a bit as he got near them.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“We should receive word of them in some hours.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn looked back and saw his friends

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Morning. I was speaking to the girls about the guild and teaching them some bow shooting.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “You bow shooting..?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “Yeah, what?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Enough. I would hold conversation with them two. In the meantime, you two prepare everyone for battle, count up soldiers, form them up dive them into squadrons. The usual.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Ok.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “We shall see it done.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">As they two left, Galant looked into his menu. He did not find a message from the recognition team; neither was he searching for it. Continuing to move to items, and took out three items; three plastic water bottles. He gave one to each girl and the last one, to himself.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “After training, the best is to drink water, even if it is not real.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana & Kana: “Thanks.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant then found some large branches of trees on the floor, he asked the girls to sit down, since he did sat down.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “You are welcome. Now, that we have broken the ice let me present myself, I am Galant, leader of the Royal Knights. ”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “Diana, archer she is my sister, Kana, close-quarters knife warrior.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana: “Greetings.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “Both of us Pendragon Court.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “You reach matter I wished to discuss with you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He drank a bit of water and continued.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Your guild is by far one of the most famous, besides KoB, Divine Dragon Alliance, Golden Lions, the X-faces and the Dark Emperors. Yet five months have passed since I, no, since we created the Royal Knights Grand Army. We have not received great quantity of number to fight Cerdic, and his army grows and becomes larger day by day second by second, as festering disease. The only possibility is to us to join forces.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana finished her bottle of water.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana: “You put us on a tight spot my friend.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “I truly do not mean it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana: “I guessed. But, it does not depend on us. Our guild is taken with other concerns.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “I do not mean to get into your guilds internal matters, but I revealed what our guild is doing, may I ask, what is yours doing?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “Fair enough. Your guild is searching for, Skeith.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana looked to her sister a bit disappointed. She had just revealed a secret to a person unconnected neither known by the guild.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Skeith?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “A powerful weapon, dangerous. That is why we are searching it. I do not know more of it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant looked upon the sky, and then forced his sight down to the earth. He was thinking.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “You are telling me someone is searching for this weapon. Then, someone has bad intentions about it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “You move one step forward it seems.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “It’s logic; I would do the same if I had time for it and if I was not one the leader of player’s army against Cerdic.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “The Guardians of Darkness, want to find the weapon if bring us all, to ruin, blood and death.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Who would say this could be even more than the real one.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant got up and stretched his fingers.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “I would be grateful if you send that message to Knight himself. If he requests meeting, I would held so. In the meantime, I would request help from both of you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana: “What would be?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “We find ourselves with few members at the moment. Counting the approximately 75 of us here, and the others in Ayres, we are 100 against the monsters. So I would ask you two to accompany us to battle.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana: “We shall think about it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Well. Gratitude for your time, and manners. Hope we can count you among our men.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant walked to search for his sub-commanders. When he was several meters from them, Kana changed her seat in front of her sister, looking her seriously, like piercing thought her eye wither sight, until her brain, as if she was reading her thoughts. She maintained that stare for several seconds. Diana looked at her at the same time with her violet eyes; se rapidly became tired of her annoying sister until she spoke.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What are you looking now!?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“…you like him. Don’t you?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana blushed immediately and looked down. Kana started laughing and almost gathers the attention of many curious players, if Diana had not put her bottle of  water on her mouth, avoiding what would had been one of the most awkward moments in her life. Her sister finished, laughing few seconds later after the water had caused her some awful cough.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Thanks for almost exposing me to the most unconfutable moment in my life.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Thanks for almost killing me, Sis.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Do not be such a jerk. Yeah, he saved me yesterday from some goblins, and he… is handsome.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“ahahah. My sister is such a damsel in distress.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What of you with Gawn, eh?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana eyes widened. She changed her sight to her left. She tried to speak as serious as she had never done.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You mistake intent. He is just a friend.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“The blush upon your check says different.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana was almost to repeat her sisters’ scandal, if she had not interrupted her first.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“We shall stay.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I want so. I will try to make knight to help them, if not I will remain here until Cerdic is no longer our concern.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Kana, as my place is forever by your side, sis.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana got up.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Well, let us put talk behind us, we should give a hand to those around.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yeah.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">18:00hs

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “From the 60 players, a third are below level 30, the lowest being level 25. Other third in between Level 30 and 35. And the last one, from 35 to 40.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “From the 60 players, half of them wield sword in battle, and half of it, with shield. Then 10 players with spears, and rest with Axes, maces, etc.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Among those are our two members of Pendragon Court?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “yeah.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “60 players, plus us RK and Fuurinkazan, makes 74. And the other 27 players.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bors: “Silica will not take part.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “True. Makes then 100 players.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant looked at the players surrounding him. His right hand men, and Fuurinkazan.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “what do you think?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein: “Let us pray for an equal number of monsters.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “So I think. Yet, we have this time proven the impossible, possible. If what you stated is true Klein, if we are victorious, we shall become a true army.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “True, but what of our strategy?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “I am still thinking. We hold advent of city walls. Archers and lancers can hold position there, raining the enemy with them. Yet someone shall lead them. Our biggest preoccupation, a battering ram, if they are successful entering the city, a storm of blood shall fall upon us.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “you speak mostly of defensive maneuvers.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “we do not held time to move our entire army to the city.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “True, we do not.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A female voice entered thought everybody’s ear.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“GALANT!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">It was Guinevere running up the stairs of the wall, where the reunion was being held.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I have received message from Percival.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant’s eyes brightened.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Call Elicia, and the two girls of Pendragon Court, here.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yes!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Guinevere ran to find them, while Galant took out the Holographic Communicator and pushed the button, placing it on the edge of the wall. Percival’s face image appeared.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Good to see you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “I wish I could say the same. Bad news.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lance: “Break them so.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “He have followed Hagen and Thollbrad to a large circular fortress from distance. We can look at it from a distance, up a tree.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “what you lay eyes at?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “The bad news: 200 Monsters preparing for battle. Most of them Goblins, some Orcs among them. Yet commanding them there is no sub-boss we know.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “Makes no sense. Who is leading that force?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “there is a large black orc, mounting a sort of combination of a bear and wolf.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Bors: “AWarg.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Percival: “That, but I have not seen this monster ever before. It seems like a field boss, but I have not seen it before nor herd of it. I will send you and image.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Seconds later an image arrived to Galant’s messages. He opened it, and saw a large orc, the largest he had seen: 2, 20 meters tall, totally black, with his skin black. His torso was not covered, and just worn a sort of pants, but the most grotesque sight, was multiple scars, edged deep upon flesh.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant: “Does someone know him?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant showed the image to his friends.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Who gave you that image?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The players looked back it was Diana the one who spoke, accompanied by her sister, Guinevere and Elicia.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Gawn: “Do you know him?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Diana: “the one that attack the village, and slaughtered everything in their path, capturing us.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Hevaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kana: “Zerzohg, the Lord Orc. A field boss, the most powerful Orc in the whole level.”