Knights of the Faux God

Chapter 3: Loss of Control

The Royal Saloon boomed with people.

At a corner were Icarus, Blake, Slate, and Gian, the four white knights, all blowing smoke that they had sucked from cigars. Near them was Ronald, the yellow mage, narrating a story to a brown-haired wizard, Zeb, who was carefully listening and laughing at jokes that were occasionally thrown in. The magenta knight, Cass, and Ara, a lady in a butterfly-themed dress, were also listening in, but both of them were seated at a different table, since they were too meek to come over. Close to them were Talc and Gleen, who were having their own conversation, intentionally spoken at a nearly inaudible volume, as their eyes watched an exchange happening at the saloon's counter.

Rin lifted one of her legs so she could cross it over the other. "This really isn't what I expected from you."

Dorias shot her a dark scowl.

"I thought you'd be instigating. What with your strong and domineering personality, I even half expected you to ask."

"My strong and domineering personality is what allows me to exercise absolute personal control." Dorias signalled at a bartender on the other side of the counter. "Another mug."

"What is it?" Rin collected all her hair to one side of her neck, beginning to speak with a siren's seductive tone in her voice. "Is it my hair? The manner I speak? I move? Or my clothes?" She slid her a hand onto Dorias's thigh. "Clothes shouldn't even matter. They'll be taken off."

Dorias closed his eyes, caught Rin's hand, and gave it back to her. "My answer is no."

Gleen and Talc giggled.

"Oi! Another here please!" A drunken Alder slumped on a table, raising a limping hand to call attention. "If you can make it a barrel, it'll be much appreciated!" He hiccuped.

Odess grumbled. "Didn't I tell you not to drink too much?"

"That's no problem," said Clarence, that cyan knight they met in the Assembly. "We'll just drag him to his room like we did the last time."

"The last time? We couldn't bring him inside." Mycela, in a blue and purple dress, was busy mixing chocolate into a glass of wine. "We couldn't get him to open the door so we left him at the doorstep."

"He slept there for twelve hours." Lion spun a ring on the table. He was one of the baronets who Winston couldn't really watch back at the meeting, but they got to know each other in the training exercises that they had yesterday. Lion was quite old compared to the rest of the Royal Circle. In contrast to Linus and Bling, sitting on either sides of him, Lion looked like an uncle parenting his nephew and niece.

Linus patted Alder's head. "It's a mystery how no housekeepers mistook him for trash."

Bling was gazing with glittering eyes at where Dorias was. "He's tall, dark, and handsome."

Linus and Bling. Twins about the same age as the king. They had white left eyes and black rights. The smallests amongst the baronets, but they weren't all cute and games as far as they've proven in practice.

Thomas chuckled. "I can bring him inside. Just watch over me so I don't get as drunk as he is."

Winston watched his glass as a waitress filled it with more alcohol.

He hasn't joined any of the conversations, which he actually felt bad about since everyone seemed to be having fun. He's just been drinking and drinking, his thoughts revolving around the meeting last Tuesday.

King Lux.

A lot about him has been bothering Winston.

The king's expression whilst he described Zeal Quire made him look as if he was telling a tale of a demon eating a god. Zeal will be the fourth enemy that they'll have to fight. His magic sounded so powerful that most of the baronets were even convinced that the sudden choice to deploy everyone was rightfully justified.