Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 14: A Brief Meeting with a Wise King

[Photo from Artstation]
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A new day dawned, Aiden proceeded to the armory at the first hint of sunlight.

Brum was already there fixing the vambrace on his arm.

"Our captain is finally awake," said he with a smirk.

"I'm right on time, your early," replied Aiden. "You're not usually this early."

"I just could not go back to sleep."

"Nonsense, you're a heavy sleeper, I had to pour river water on you just to wake you up. What roused you this morning then?" He gave Brum a mocking look.

"I couldn't help it. The thought of her still lingers." He grinned foolishly.

"Ingrid?" mentioned Aiden.

"Who else? She hasn't even shown much affection towards me, and yet I can't stop thinking about her."

"Oh my, it seems you've found new inspiration. The last time was Lady Katia, and she was years older than us, a queer crush you had."

"Crush?"

"I picked it up in the Mundane World. Apparently, it means liking someone, like how you are now with Ingrid."

"That is indeed a strange word, it does not do my feelings justice."

Aiden shook his head, amused. "Alright, off to our patrols."

They marched out to the courtyard where their fellow Elite Knights stood waiting, chattering amongst themselves.

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After traveling for a day, Owen arrived at Eutkey late in the morning, he rode into the courtyard towards the castle keep. His horse's hooves scattered mud as it now galloped on stone pavement.

The great hall was quiet. At the end of it sat King Eleon, a man properly aged with a face full of wisdom.

The guards by the door let Owen in, each step resonated, his cape elegantly swayed behind him, the outer cloth was of silken linen, reflecting sunlight and the inner lining was blue, the color of the north. He knelt down, his head bowing low, and said, "Your highness, I am Owen－Dragonslayer." He looked up and continued "I've been sent to call upon the armies of Nadimos, the fight against the darkness is not over－"

King Eleon lifted his hand, stopping Owen from uttering another word. "I know the urgency when it comes to fighting the darkness. There is no need to debate on this."

The king ordered his Knight Protector to muster the armies to march towards the open fields. Owen was surprised by the quickness of the king's response. The king noticed, "You think I was going to let you give a decorated speech on the unity of man and the Elite."