CHAPTER 6: THE NEW MEMBERS

"So you’re the dual-blade wielder everyone has been speaking of …" Kael nodded, his eyes looking amused. “You have interesting skills … you have a name?”

A young man was lying on the ground, catching his breath, wiping the trace of blood on his wounded lips. They stood in an open ground of Cold Hills Village, a place used as a training ground for swordsmen as it was fenced with metal bars.

The young man winced as he stood up, holding his gut that had been hit by Kael from their fight earlier. His age seemed like in twenties … or below, judging his sharp and juvenile face. A black, leather cloak covered his fair skin, reaching down to his knees. His sharp, gray-colored eyes matched his bright, silver hair perfectly.

He picked up the two swords on the ground, then returned them to their sheaths, forming an X on his back.

"Tristan," he replied as he wiped the tracks of dirt on his cloak.

Kael nodded and then sheathed his sword. "I’m pleased to finally meet you, Tristan. I am Kael."

"You’re telling me you just came here in Cold Hills Village to beat me up and then ask for my name?" Tristan said, digging his hands on his pockets.

"Sort of," Kael cocked his head, "People have told me of a talented warrior living around here. So I came to test your skills earlier, and just found out half of the story I’ve heard speaks the truth. You are indeed a warrior with great potential … however," he met the young man’s eyes, “I never expected the one they’re speaking about is just half of my age.”

“I am a man of nineteen,” Tristan said firmly, glaring through Kael’s eyes. "What do you want from me?"

Kael showed his hand. "Join me in the kingdom capital. And in return … I'll help you and your village from all the suffering you experience every day."

"And what am I to do in there?"

"We'll hunt, Tristan,” Kael replied. “One of the many great things I’ve heard about you … is that you're also a skilled hunter, are you not?"

Tristan snorted. "Living my whole life by hunting high-danger beasts is almost like nothing to me. The rumors you’ve heard are all but understatements."

"Are they now? But we're not hunting beasts, Tristan," Kael spoke in a serious tone, "We are hunting a group of filthy rats who love to hide and kill. I will need your strength."

Tristan raised an eyebrow. "You're already strong enough. Why would you need someone like me? I haven’t even made a scratch on you earlier."

"No … however, I have to admit that you caught my full attention while we're fighting. I admire your dual-blade fighting style," Kael stepped forward, raising his chin. “You're much stronger than what the people have said you were. You’ll be very useful in my team."

"What's in it for me?"

"Like what I've said earlier, your village will be saved from poverty," Kael replied. "You'll also be compensated. You need money, am I right?"

Tristan chuckled sarcastically, shaking his head. "You think I would say yes to that damn question? A lot of nobles have tried to buy me … I turned them all down because I'm not a piece of meat," Tristan looked down to his feet, clenching his fists, "And because I’ve declined, they ruined my life... my village... they even threatened me … and in the end, they brutally killed my family. So what are you going to do if I decline? Kill me? I've lost everything already."

Silence followed, only to be filled with the cold wind, sighing on their ears.

Kael turned his back to him. "Not that I have any intentions of buying you, but it's your decision, if you want to save your village from hunger and poverty. You can't steal and hunt beasts forever just to feed them.”

“And why would I believe you? Because you’re a Divine Knight? Hell you are. You’re just the same as those greedy lords and nobles.”

Another silence filled the air between them, before Kael decided to speak. “Do you want to know why I chose you?” he turned to face Tristan once again. “You remind me of my young self. Just like you, I have once been living in poverty, suffering from hunger and cold. I know how it feels to be in your shoes, Tristan. Now if you don’t want my offer, then suit yourself feeding this entire population in your village—”

Kael suddenly stopped, his eyes trailed off. ‘Our village…’ he thought.

"Then, swear to me," Tristan said.

Kael met his silver eyes. "Very well … I swear on my honor as the Divine Knight of Crown Galacer … I swear in Glaceus’ name … and I swear on my own life … Now follow me. I still have one more place to go."

An hour had passed and the two were already riding their horses, heading south. The cold breeze blew harder against them as they picked up their pace.

"Are we heading to the capital now?" Tristan asked.

"I have a man to meet first in Hailborne City," Kael replied.

The skies had grown darker as they arrived in the huge city, surrounded by highly fortified walls.  Hailborne City was located at the western province of Glacia. And although it had only sheltered less population compared to Casterfall City, its land territory was massive. 

They stopped at the gatehouse of the city. Above them hung the banner of Hailborne; a crescent moon with a white wolf below.

"Kael Denvorn of Crown Galacer," Kael called, showing his diamond plate to the knights guarding outside the portcullis. "We're here for someone."

Their eyes widened, scurried forward, and immediately bowed their heads to show respect. "Of ... of course, Sir Kael!" Then they called for the men on the other side to raise the gates.

Kael and Tristan rode their horses down the main road of the city. They caught several people’s attentions, especially the ladies, by their attractive, handsome faces. Kael never had the time for that, so he just ignored all the eyes watching.

Nightfall came and so the road slowly became less crowded. More knights came to patrol around the streets. The city had early curfews, since many criminals lurked at night especially in the lower ring.

They rode their way ahead towards the Upper Ring of the city. Elegant mansions stood around, surrounded by gardens and trees and fountains. The street lights on the high ground were dimmer compared to the outer ring, dim enough to satisfy Kael's eyes. He had grown used to it, living inside the cold, dark citadel, as he could already see the beauty of dusk.

The Hailborne Keep rose ahead of them, coming closer, but Kael wanted to go somewhere first, so they made their turn to the left.

They reached the wide training ground of the bailey, where Kael spotted two men, sparring at the center. One man was holding a broadsword while the other one was holding a long blue spear.

"A lancer?" Tristan said in a hushed voice.

Kael cast a side grin as he watched the two warriors fight.

The lancer played with his long spear one-handedly, preparing his stance. The wind circled him as the lance spun fast, like a rolling wheel. The other warrior charged, drove the point of his broadsword, but the spear caught it, bouncing the sword away. The swordsman kept his attacks, but with the combined skill and strength of the lancer, he was untouchable.

"A master lancer," Kael corrected Tristan.

The swordsman lunged again, thrusting his sword towards his opponent’s chest, but the lancer was swift enough to rotate his body, dodging it. The next he swung his spear to swipe the swordsman's legs. The man grunted painfully as his body fell out of balance, hitting the ground.

That after, the lancer pointed his spear to the swordsman's face, owning the match as the winner.

Kael began walking towards the two, with Tristan behind him. "Cedric," he called as he took off his white hood, exposing his dark hair to the cold breeze.

The lancer turned, his face brightened up. "Kael?" Cedric said, storming his eyebrows. He and Kael stood with the exact same height, but the lancer was a bit slimmer compared to the divine knight’s muscular body.

"It’s been how long, general." Kael reached out his hand.

"Eighteen years to be exact," Cedric said as he took Kael's hand and shook it. He was one of the two generals in Hailborne City. They’d been the ones who gave commands to Grand Knights, since both Casterfall and Hailborne City had no divine knights.

They caught up with their talk as they headed towards the entrance to the Keep. Tristan kept his lips pursed, following the two high-ranking men.

"The Lord of Hailborne is on his rest now, I believe. But I shall make the arrangements so you can speak with him tomorrow," Cedric said while walking.

"I'm not here for Lord Frederick, my friend," Kael replied. "I came here for you."

Cedric paused and then looked at Kael, his face darkening. "What do you want?" Cedric asked in a monotone, with a sudden seriousness in his voice.

Kael had not made his reply until they arrived in Cedric's office. He sat on the chair in front of the general’s desk. "You see, I have this guild I’m currently hunting. I want you to join me.”

Cedric raised an eyebrow as if he had already known about it. "The Forgotten Winter, you mean?"

"The worthy opponents you've long been waiting for, general," Kael told him, lips forming a grin. "What do you say?"

Cedric tilted his head a bit. "So you're going against your older brother now?"

Kael’s eyes sharpened, then he leaned forward. "I've always been against him ever since he betrayed the capital," he said in a rough voice, "For years I’ve become busy with my duties as the divine knight, leaving the search of that guild to those foolish Grand Knights. But now that the King himself has ordered me, I will be the one to crush that traitor … and all his pesky little minions."

"Sounds like something you've been waiting for all your life," Cedric said, his eyes amused. Eventually his gaze shifted to Tristan, who was standing behind Kael. "I see you've gotten yourself a handsome squire."

Tristan sharpened his eyes at the general, folding his arms over his chest. “I’m not his squi-“

"He's a recruit of mine,” Kael interrupted. “A dual-blade wielder."

"Oh? Now this is interesting. Dual wielders are pretty rare nowadays.”

"Cedric," Kael spoke in a hard voice, looking darker than ever.

Cedric studied the divine knight for a long moment, before he finally resigned. “All right, then,” he sighed. "Do I even have a choice?"

“None,” Kael leaned back on his chair, satisfied.

"So there are only the three of us?" Tristan asked.

"No," Kael replied. "The other two members are already in the capital."