Knights of the Faux God

Chapter 2: The Royal Circle

"What do you think was happening to the king?" Winston asked, gazing into the glass of cider that he was holding. He had only taken two sips, yet he was already beginning to be pensive.

Thomas's cheeks were full. He seemed to have stuffed his face with a whole platter of chicken. It took him a moment to chew and swallow, and had to chug a glass of iced tea to free his throat and be able to speak. "You said it yourself, did you not? Stage fright."

"He's probably conducted knight baptisms dozens of times. Do you really believe he still gets nervous every time?" Winston let the cider swirl in the glass. As it slowed back down, the liquid waggled and reminded him of the king panicking. "Also...he seemed to be most anxious when he was saying my name."

"Why would the king be afraid of you?" Thomas chugged another mug.

"Good question."

"Winston! Thomas!" A knight in silver called. "I was just telling these ladies about how we always used to spend time together in the training field!"

Two mages in purple robes waved.

Winston's forehead crinkled as he did all he could to deduce who the person was. Was he already that drunk? He couldn't even recognize faces anymore.

"Sorry. Who are you?" Thomas asked.

Perhaps they really just didn't know who that guy was.

"Tim Taiga." The man scratched the back of his head. "Come on. Don't you remember me? We used to always spar."

Thomas's eyes slid to the corners of their sockets, peeking at Winston's reaction.

Winston wiggled his eyebrows.

"I guess we did?" Thomas faked a laugh.

"See ladies?" Tim faced the mages, fists on his hip. "Sadly I couldn't be in the Royal Circle with them. Almost! But, not really. They far are just too strong. But I'm getting there!"

Dorias had just been silently sitting on a table. Suddenly he felt a need to speak up. "I remember you. You guys did spar. You got sent to the infirmary, right?"

"Well..." Tim scratched his head again.

From another table, a man had been eyeing the three. His eyes were criticizing, like those of a judge looking upon sinners. He had light orange hair, and his cape was of the same shade, but his temper felt rather dark.

"Really?" Thomas patted Tim's head. "Sorry about that. We should spar again someday. Then you can get back at us."

Tim perked up. "Really? Yes, I would love to!"

"To be able to hurt someone enough that they need medical attention..." The light orange man crossed his arms. He was already standing, and has gotten in front of Winston, Thomas, and Dorias. "You must be damn good to be able to do that."

The lady mages stepped aside.

One of them gasped and covered her mouth.

"That's Alder Brom. A Royal Circle member!" the other said.

Alder snapped his fingers. Amber stones formed from thin air and began revolving around him. "Add the fact that you're now part of us. I'd like to see if you deserve to be."

"Trust me, son. You wouldn't wanna test us." Dorias sported another of his smirks. That one was especially menacing.

The people in the ballroom stopped whatever they were busy with. Others ogled with food in their mouths. Plenty put down their utensils so they can watch undistracted.