Rise Of The Forgotten: Paths Cross

CHAPTER TEN, SOME KIND OF MONSTER

The sound of swords clashing against each other rang out, Diomede swung his great sword in a deflecting motion knocking back each of Ruffgaurd's swings of his golden longsword. The crowd watched as the two fought. Sparks flew out each time the sword connected. Diomede dashed back with his great raised pointed at Ruffgaurd. Diomede looked around and saw the other Knights coming out of the Tavern pulling something behind them. The knights exited and had Kira bound in iron shackles. She looked to Diomede with bruises and a busted nose. Diomede enraged began to snarl and his eye began to glow bright orange. Until Clayton rushed between him and Ruffgaurd. Clayton held up his hands, "STOP!" Diomede looked at Clayton, Diomede noticed Clayton was sturdy in his commands, it appeared the boy no longer feared Diomede. Clayton continued, "STOP FIGHTING AND LAY YOUR WEAPONS DOWN, YOU ARE OUTNUMBERED AND WE HAVE FOUND THE PERSON WE WERE LOOKING FOR!" Clayton calmed himself and mouth "Please" to Diomede. The Elite came stomping out from the tavern and blitzed to Diomede, no one saw him until he was already in front of Diomede. Clayton was knocked to the ground by the massive knight with an astounding force. Diomede was shocked to have seen the knight move so quickly, so much so that even he hadn't noticed. The Elite knight threw a right hook and connected with the middle of Diomede's face, Diomede's nose burst with blood and flew back into a stack of boxes clearing the full distance between the tavern and the building next to it which was a clear fifty feet. Diomede's greatsword flew into the air and landed on the ground with a great thud sound, leaving an indent to the impact around it. Diomede gasped for air before he could catch it, the Elite stood over him and began to pummel him directly into his chest. The sounds of Diomede's bone breaking and his grunts of pain could be heard throughout the surrounding area. Clayton stood up and was awe-struck, he knew the Umar Elite Knights were strong but he had no idea they were like this. Clayton looked on as the Elite continued to beat Diomede. Kira with tears in her eyes looked away and shut them tight, but the thudding sound echoing from the impact of the Elite's fists could still be heard. With each thud and grunt a sharp pain entered Kira's heart. Her Heart felt heavy and a lump was forming in her throat, guilt and grief filled her very core. Ruffgaurd smiled with approval and pride, the other knight stood firm as if this was a normal day. The others that were lined up covered their mouths in fear and shock, the Tavern keeper was frozen with fear unable to even blink. For a full five minutes the Elite beat Diomede, not in a mindless animal way but one like a miner striking against the walls of a cave, or how a builder strikes a nail, it was work and nothing more. The Elite stood straight up and wiped his hands with a rag he had tied to his belt. The elite turned and called out to the other knights, "Come and shackle this man, I will question him later." The other knights looked confused even with their helmets covering their faces. One Spoke out, "Sir permission to speak!" the elite nodded, "The man you beat is dead is he not?" The Elite walked over to the knights, and while he did so he replied, "Why are you questioning me? If I tell you the shackle of a headless body you will do so. If I tell you to bind the hands of a fish YOU.WILL.DO.SO!" The knight snapped back into attention rushed to Diomede and shackled him. As the knights picked up Diomede the sounds of his weezed breath could be heard as he passed by Clayton. Diomede's face held different shades of black, blue, and red. What little of his eyes that kind be seen were bloodshot, his face deformed and the size of a large gord from the swelling. His thick battle-scared armor was now dented and hanging off of him by the thin strands of thread and bent nails that once held it in place. Kira was led behind them with tears running down her face, she looked to Clayton and he to her with a look of slight regret. The Elite turned to Ruffgaurd, "I leave the rest to you, and be sure to correct those who need it." Ruffgaurd saluted the Elite. Ruffgaurd gestured for everyone who remained to leave, he then snapped his fingers at Clayton and pointed to the ground in front of him. Clayton rushed to attention and stood directly in front of Ruffgaurd. "What in the name of our glorious King do you think you were doing hmm?" Clayton spoke no word, Ruffgaurd stood tall as if trying to overshadow Clayton even more. "Do I need to repeat myself? Speak BOY!" Clayton relaxed his throat and spoke, " Sir, I wasn't thinking only reacting SIR." Ruffgaurd looked Clayton up and down, "So you think because you killed a Gultonk you can forget your place?" Ruffgaurd began to circle Clayton. "And when you were speaking to that man you referred to the Boarkin as a person. Why did you do that? The Bitch is barely eligible to be called an animal. And why did you feel the need to step in between that bastard and myself?" Clayton didn't say anything, he couldn't, he had no answer to give. Ruffgaurd stopped in front of Clayton and placed his hand on Clayton's shoulder. "I blame your backwater training you have been given out here, the standards we have seem to have diluted with the vast distance from the capital." Clayton made contact with Ruffgaurd's eye. "Do not fret my dear boy we will teach you the correct way to be a holy knight of the glorious empire of Umar." Ruffgaurd reassured Clayton. Ruffgaurd's hand began to glow and Clayton fell to his knees in pain. "But for you to learn you will need to learn what pain is to ensure your lessons are remembered." Clayton felt sharp sparks of fire rush through his body, with every inch of his muscles tensed up and locked. His body wanted to run from the pain but nothing would move. Ruffgaurd let go of Clayton, and he fell to the ground, arched over, and gasped for air. Clayton stood up at attention again Ruffgaurd chuckled and turned to walk in the same direction the other knights had gone, "We will make a Knight of you yet." Clayton followed behind, still feeling the pain of what Ruffgaurd had done to him. As they walked through the village, each of the citizens looked on with praise and cheer. Clayton to himself thought, "If only they knew what they had just done, would they still cheer? Would they still look upon them with admiration?" Clayton snapped himself out of it, "Of course they would, they were holy Knights of Umar led by Ruffgaurd a war hero, and an Elite Knight known for the personal protection of the king himself." Clayton's demeanor changed to a more proud strut, his chest pushed out and his chin held high. Before long The group of knights had reached the main office of the village's Knights. Two Knights stood outside of the gates at attention. Along the entry road, six Knights stood ready with spears and shields. On the roof sat four Knights armed with bows, they constantly scanned the area around the main office. Diomede was carried into the side door left of the main entrance and downstairs. Kira was taken inside through the main entrance. Ruffgaurd turned to Clayton and told him, "Head down with Elite Knight Panagiot, he will teach you the proper way of asking questions of the enemies of Umar." Clayton Saluted and headed down through the same door. Ruffgaurd turned and entered the building with a devious smile on his face.