A Legend's Tale Season 2

Part 3 - The Apprentice

In the small town of the Old Settlements, the sun rises in the morning as Hardwin, Ryland and Renata prepare themselves for their journey to the fortress of queen Anthea. Ryland still needs band aids for his wound on his leg, but he insists that he can ride well enough so Renata decides not to argue with his ego. As they ready their horses, Felix tries to persuade Hardwin to stay. Ryland is a royal knight, surely he doesn't need their help, but Hardwin tries to explain that if the threat is real, then they must all get as much help as they can. If they are accepted by the queen, then they might get more protection. Felix is confused and doesn't understand how they should all need protection. Hardwin mentions that the things that attacked Ryland, if they are real, then they are coming this way. Felix still tries to convince them not to go but Renata calms him down. They will come back, but they must be ready for whatever is out there. Plenty of other villagers don't even bother believing all those things but Felix is not one of them. As the three mount their horses, Felix asks them not to stay away too long to which Renata promises that they won't. Hardwin also asks Felix to take care of Aaron and his son, they will need his help now. Aaron hasn't come to say farewell since he vowed to remain by his son's side all the time. As they ride past Aaron's house, they see Aaron waving them farewell. Hardwin, Renata and Ryland ride off towards the fortress.

Somewhere deep in the woods, Maximus and Meckhi have set up camp with their horses. Meckhi tends to the wound on Maximus' leg from the fight at the village. They have hardly said any word to each other since then. Maximus finally tells him that he was very foolish. He has said countless amounts of time that he should never follow strangers, whatever they might say. Meckhi tries to stand up for himself, telling Maximus that he saved him in the bar, if it wasn't for him, he would be dead. Maximus knows that but ignores it. He knows how eager Meckhi is to join him in the fight but if he keeps on being so hot-headed all the time, he will never be able to control himself. Meckhi almost bursts out in anger, telling Maximus that he is the one controlling him all the time and he's sick of it. He isn't a little boy anymore! Maximus snorts and says that only childish people constantly say that they are no little boy or girl anymore. Meckhi is very frustrated and stops tending to Maximus' wounds. Maximus doesn't bother since he claims that he's had worse. After some silence, Maximus eventually says that he needs to be careful. They both know that multiple persons have gone missing in these parts of the continent, they need to stick close together. Meckhi responds by saying that if that's what he wants then he should let him fight beside him. Maximus sighs and the silence returns between them.

In the small town, Felix visits Aaron in the evening. He asks how Austin is doing but nothing really new comes up. He just sits in his room all day and doesn't say a word to him. Felix mentions that he shouldn't feel so guilty about that night he left with them to go to the bar. Aaron can't help it though. He feels like he put his own personal needs before the wellbeing of his own son, the only family he has left. Felix tries to cheer him up by saying that he's also sort of family. Aaron smiles a bit but he knows that that's not what he means. After some silence, Aaron asks Felix if how he thinks the news will be received at the fortress of Anthea. Felix isn't quite sure. It's said that the last time the queen was confronted with her own knights believing in the legends of the Ancient, she send them to the Arena. Aaron knows that all too well. Felix is very fascinated by the fact Aaron used to be royal knight and asks him if it's true what they say about queen Anthea. That she rides into battle on the back of a giant winged beast. Aaron confirms this. A beast as tall as a building and wings so powerful that they could wipe away whole legions. They called it Ornithes. In the times Aaron was still a knight of the queen, it all was different. He himself was never a great knight, a good fighter, but he never had the reputation some others had. Felix says that apparently that Ryland fellow also has quite a reputation. Surely the queen will believe one of her most beloved and fiercest knights? Aaron is not so sure about that. In his time, there was one knight who was beloved by all and perhaps the greatest fighter Aaron had ever seen. A true leader and as fierce as they came. This man was only 20 years old when he stormed the cliffs of Highkeep during the uprising of the pirates and even then he was a force to be reckoned with. He was ever so loyal to the queen and would die fighting for her. Felix is greatly in awe and asks what his name was. Aaron mentions that they called him Ryker. Felix finds is curious how he has never heard of him. Aaron then tells him that Ryker once lead a mission up north. He also claimed that his whole squadron was killed by creatures of the night and that only he himself got away. They accused him of desertion and killing his own squadron, thus he was send off to the arena. So much for hoping that the queen will believe Ryland, Hardwin and Renata once they arrive there. Felix is silent as he really doesn't know what to say now.