After learning the devastating news about Admaus's and Sheera's past, the two go their own way and begin working towards new goals. Adamus sets out on a dangerous mission, which reveals the answer to a mystery which had gone long unsolved.
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***a couple hours prior***
"Adamus!" I had just mounted my horse to make leave out of Temple, after attending the princesses funeral, when I heard a small woman's voice call to me. I looked around, trying to find the source until I found a girl, at the gates of the castle courtyard, waving her hand through the bars. The guards at the gate looked impatiently at her as she tried to get my attention. I squinted to try and see her better, and jumped off my horse. I looked to the captain to signal it was okay for them to leave without me. I approached the gates, quickly realizing who it was. "..Naomi?" I called out. She nodded, a big smile across her face. I smiled in return, running up to the gate. "I saw you coming into the city with all those white knights, do you not work here anymore?" I shook my head, grabbing the bars and speaking through them to her. "I joined the Holy Kings army in the Holy City, I'm a White Knight now." Her face lit up with awe and excitement, making me smile. "That's so cool!" She gushed. "I just wanted to give this to you, since I'm not sure when I'll see you again. It's a token of our friendship." I looked down into her opened hand, seeing a small silver pin with a painted red flower in the centre. "Naomi, it's beautiful, I feel like I shouldn't accept this I'm going to lose it in battle or"- "Please," she clasped my hands in hers and gave me her best puppy dog eyes. "I brought it here just for you." I caved and smiled, humbly taking the pin and attaching it near my heart, next to the flower the girl in Adrian gave me. "You have another flower there?" She continued. I nodded. "A little girl in a small town gave it to me." "That's so cute..." she muttered. "Now you'll have two flowers." I pressed my lips together and smiled towards her, reaching my hand out and placing it on her shoulder lovingly. "Thank you Naomi, I'll keep it close as long as I can." She nodded and held my arm, not wanting to say goodbye. "I guess you have to leave now." She said quietly. I looked back to see that the men had already began leaving, and nodded. "I do." "I hope you've been well at least." I recalled everything I had just been through, I was far from well, but I didn't need to burden her with all that information. "I'm alright, you?" She smiled. "Lonely," and giggled. "But I'm alright too." I looked back into her eyes and nodded again. She held my stare for a second longer, and let go of my arm. "Well, goodbye Adamus. Till next time?" I agreed with a shake of the head. "Till next time."
~~~
Once back in the Holy City I joined the rest of the men in the courtyard, where the King and our captain were addressing us. "Given the somber nature of todays endeavour I offer you the rest of the day off. Do with it what you will." The King finished. I watched him, appreciating that he was taking the time to console Sheera. I wanted to be of help but it's the idea of me that causes the upset, so I leave it up to him. And to be honest, speaking with her still fills me with a level of discomfort, it's going to be a persistent intrusive thought for the rest of our lives probably. Once the men began dispersing I noticed the King look at me, and wave me over. I began towards him, taking a knee as I got to his side. "Your majesty?" "I'm sorry that you had to endure all that back there, I know you do not aim to take the credit for the Princess." I was surprised by his kind words, not that he's usually unkind or anything. "Oh, it's alright really, I expected it to happen. Just human nature." The King nodded. "That's a good way to look at it. Anyhow, I thought I'd let you know that Sheera is doing better, but I believe it'll be a very long and slow process. I believe you must feel the same as she deep down?" I thought on this and reluctantly agreed. "... I do, that is I'm very uncomfortable when thinking about her." "That is to be expected." He added. "Perhaps this will lift your spirits, I have a gift for you." I furrowed my brow in confusion. "A gift? I'm sure I've done nothing to deserve this." The King patiently waited for me to reject the idea before continuing. "I'd like to give you some land, with a small house on it. Just within the city limits, so you're not outside the walls." "You want to gift me a whole property?" I asked shocked. "I'm perfectly fine with sleeping in a dorm here m'lord I don't need a whole"- "Adamus," he cut me off. "It is customary for me to give every man Knighted a property to live on. Do not worry, this is not special treatment." He chuckled weakly. "I just didn't have a good time to offer it to you as of late." I pressed my lips shut and looked away in embarrassment. "Oh, well then I appreciate that, thank you your majesty." I lowered my head in respect. He nodded, and continued. "I'll get my captain to tell you where you'll be located. In the meantime I want you to train up, get strong, sharpen your senses. I have a rather dangerous task I must ask of you later on." I lowered my brow in seriousness and nodded. "..of course." The King held a hand to his chest and lowered his head to me in thanks. "Come and seek me out when you feel ready and I'll let you know where you will be going, is that alright?" I nodded. "Of course!" He thanked me with a nod, and turned, heading into the castle. I stood up to my feet and watched him leave, racking my brain for any idea of what this mission could be. If the King is calling it quite dangerous then I feel I should be a bit worried. But then he must also trust in my abilities more than the other men, if he sees the potential in me then I must be capable, right?
