Prince of Dragons

Chapter 47 - Farewell

Sid Enracio could feel it. Clearly.

There was a knight somewhere in these regions. A knight that felt very familiar.

Could it be...?

No, probably not. Although... it would be very amusing if it were him. He chuckled slightly at the thought. There weren't many knights left, of course. It was not impossible. And the knight Hadufried had described, did share the old knight's appearance...

He sat back in his chair, closed his eyes and focused. Now where was that knight?

To the northwest. The mountains? How interesting. Not on the hunt for Darfith, was he?

Was that despair he was feeling?

Enracio grinned. How pathetic. By Wainur, it really is him.

He began to laugh. It had been a while since he'd last sensed this knight's presence. Apparently, he was still alive. Had he been hiding up north? Using yet another alias?

He opened his eyes. He was sitting in his room in duke Hadufried's temporary castle, which really belonged to a vassal of his. That had to be embarrassing for him, having to depend on one of his vassals lest he ended up homeless. Enracio smiled. He'd spoken to Hadufried a couple of times now, and it continued to surprise him how weak that man really was. He was just so easy to influence.

Sweet, sweet war would break out soon enough. Sensing just how desperate that knight in the mountains was only confirmed that feeling. He knew what a pacifist that guy was. How broken he would be, how terribly broken. Enracio was very much looking forward to it.

The duke's army would march soon. Many of Hadufried's troops had apparently deserted him during the revolt – no wonder, if that knight was involved. However, his army had been replenished by his vassals and their subjects, his knights and the soldiers of Sid Enracio's expedition. He'd been lucky to have been in the north of the Middle Lands when the news of the duke's predicament had reached him: that way, he'd been able to act even before the king was informed. The king would likely be very pleased at Enracio's swiftness; Enracio himself would have the opportunity to enjoy a bloody war. It was nice.

And who knew? Maybe he would get the chance to meet that knight in the mountains. A little reunion of sorts. Just like old friends.

There was a knock on his door. "My lord?" The duke's voice.

Sid Enracio did not rise from his chair, but turned it around so as to face the door. "Yes."

The duke entered, his back slightly bent; Enracio wondered whether he did so because of his stab wound or out of involuntary humility towards the knight. He had the sense it was for the latter reason.

He remained in his seat, while the duke was forced to remain standing. Enracio knew he could get away with that, now.

"I would like to survey the troops," the duke said. "Will you join me?"

"Happily," Enracio responded. "Are you looking forward to the battle, Your Grace?"

"Very much so," Hadufried replied.

Now Sid Enracio rose from his chair to his full height. The duke was not much shorter than him, but his slightly crouched stance made Enracio appear the taller of the two. He took a step closer to the duke, looking down on him slightly. He focused.

"I am certain, Your Grace," he said, "that you will destroy every single one of those rebels. You will regain what's rightfully yours and punish them for disrespecting you. Trust me, you will."

The duke's eyes grew large. "I know," he said, nodding to himself. His voice was filled with awe. "I know."

After the duke had left his guest to prepare himself for the survey, Sid Enracio smiled, staring at the spot where Hadufried had stood. See? he thought to himself. So easily influenced!