The Crownless King of the West.ch 8

8. The World at Large


From the East Tower towards the sister cities, Saldamede and Peppniville, there is one of the larger farming villages by the name of Elmeress. While in common appearance it seems little different from any other village, Elmeress for some time remained the only farm village that housed a genuine East trader. The establishment that once boasted a name much more genuine to the West Realm now stands as The Capital.
Certain things on the interior wall had Farsight's attention, not just from the contrast there was between the farmland and exotic as well as perhaps endangered decor that surrounded observers of The Capital from within and without. Even at first glance one could hardly describe in a short amount of time what wonders bizarre and elegant there were on display.
"They call this sort of place a museum, don't they?" asked Farsight. Dungeoncrawler winced at the word as another voice boomed from beyond the hall.
"I'll show you a museum, brigands!" shouted the man who came into the hall thrashing about with a strange looking weapon. Shimmering bronze hid the full vision of the man until he stopped to recognize the female White Knight. The man could be seen with fuller detail of one with medium build and a lighter bronze cloak about him.
"It's been some time, DC." said the man, adjusting the spectacles over his eyes. His thick curled eyebrows settled and shoulders slumped after the man retracted the mechanical sword.
"More than a season." said Dungeoncrawler. She turned to the others. "This is Aldís. An old friend."
"And a Gold Knight." remarked Pigeonchaser. "The name sounds Far Eastern."
"With correction to your West Realm standard, I and the origin of my name is from the Near East, as you would call it." said Aldís.
"Near East." repeated Farsight. "And what does the name mean?"
"I'm far more interested in telling you whether I can help you at all." said Aldís. He shot a look to Dungeoncrawler, then walked toward the end of the hall where he came from. "Whatever has brought you here, I hope it's entertaining."
Dungeoncrawler held back looking to Farsight.
"It means death." she explained before following after the Gold Knight. Farsight and Pigeonchaser followed as well, and they discovered a parlor within where two other men were already sitting. Food was on the table, and only one plate was full.
"I didn't mean any offense." said Farsight.
"Most upon learning my name's meaning either mistrust me thereafter, or pity me beyond reason." said Aldís. "As if anyone in the West Realm believes in anything greater than death that they would understand a Near East name and who it is given to."
Pigeoncrawler frowned at this comment and made to give his own opinion until one of the strangers at the table moved.
"Are they escorts, or friends?" said the man with the empty plate before him at the table.
"This is Cho." said Dungeoncrawler.
"How are you acquainted with these men?" asked Pigeonchaser.
"It's a long story. I'll get to it eventually." said Dungeoncrawler. She turned her eyes back on Cho. "We're on mission from the Duke."
"Since when does the Duke call on prison guards for quests?" said Cho, his face unmoving beside a sarcastic smile.
"There's a war on." said Pigeonchaser. The face on Cho remained as it was, and Pigeonchaser could not stay silent. "You're lucky we came in here before the Black Army has!"
The other sitting next to Cho suddenly looked worried to the point of tragedy.
"We'll eat first before anything else happens. Relax." said Cho.
"I hope your friend is good with the sword." said Pigeonchaser.
"His name is Kaidan," said Cho, his voice now intentional. "And though he is the best smelter in the West Realm, our best experience is getting swords in the hands of real knights who can defend us."
"You're Silver Knights. From the Far East?" remarked Farsight.
"We were, before we took commission by the Duke." said Cho. He looked to Kaidan. "How many season ago was that?"
Kaidan shrugged and poked at the food on his plate.
"Ten, possibly." said Aldís. "If we may, let's continue introductions while we eat."
The Gold Knight nodded to Kaidan, who then looked to Cho. He let out a sigh when Cho shook his head, then Kaidan busied about setting other plates down for the guests.



In the opposite direction of Meridian from Elmeress, nearly the same distance, Shelterstorm's detail had finally come to where the cult of Red had remained. Just as the glider had reported, there were signs of struggle written on all of Red's followers by the gashes and bruises left on several of them. All the clubs and daggers were hidden as soon as they all heard the hooves approaching. None of the Yellow Knight detail were the wiser on what was hidden as Shelterstorm gathered what information she could. Red himself only seemed the most hurt from the crack to his chest and face. The pain left him in humbled silence.
"See what your Doomthief is capable of?" asked Shelterstorm to Tinrim as he came near. He kept his peace as hard as he could with no more than a dispassionate glare towards no one in particular. There was not enough Tinrim saw at first glance to denounce any further the implications that were there. Still, his eyes tried to spy here and there for something worthy to qualify the wounded as deserving of their thrashing. Finding nothing, but an equally scanning expression from Red, Tinrim led his horse away and gazed out to the east.
"You know her the best out of any of us," said Shelterstorm, nearing Tinrim. "You should lead the way."
"Meridian." said Tinrim.
"Would she truly go where you most expect?" asked Shelterstorm.
"Either we go to Meridian, or I'll lead you straight to Backlash himself. If we live to face him." said Tinrim.
"Backlash is no more." said Red. His gaze was still intent on Tinrim. "He and anyone geared for war will fall before the new King."
"A new King?" asked Shelterstorm with a laugh. "Who would dare raise himself a King in the West Realm? And not be recognized by the Army of the Rising Sun?"
"You will recognize the King soon enough." said Red. Shelterstorm laughed all the more.
"I'm almost beginning to think you're right of certain things, Tinrim." she said, nearing beside him. "To Meridian then."
As soon as she said such, Tinrim clapped his reigns leading a steady gallop on his horse toward the East.


"State your-" said the watchman standing guard of the Meridian walls. He stopped short of the usual challenge when he recognized the face before him. "You? Are you on your own?"
A shaky nod is all that could be given in reply that moment.
"Why-Shouldn't you be off with the rest of them? The Rally March?" asked the watchman, still eye to eye. Again, only a nod was given. Looking over the other knight even at first glance flattened the watchman's expression. "Do you know where you are?"
Whether by anything between the question or the realization, the other knight buckled forward only to catch her step with a splintered spear. The horse she led shuddered, and another watchman tried to take the reigns from the knight's hand. Her grip was like iron, and effort was needed to release the fingers from around the leather strap. In closer sight, an aura of steam rose from the surface of the knight's skin and clothing.
"Stop gawking and get Forestnett, right away." said the first watchman. "Try and sit down over here."
After being led aside, Love sat upon a stone bench. Her gaze was set upon a cloth banner on the wall opposite the gate, though Love's mind seemed elsewhere. Not long after she sat down, a large group of Purple Knights were making their way toward the gate. They surrounded one person dressed in more than elegance and pride. Removing from a winter fur hand covering, the lady held a letter that a knight geared for riding took. The rider gave a bow then immediately left Meridian.
"Thank you again for the advice, Hadrick." said the lady.
"It was nothing, my lady." said the addressed Purple Captain.
"Though, I'm still afraid my Duke may just throw it away and fight like he's always wanted to." said the lady.
"He wouldn't be considered a fool if he still does." said Hadrick.
"Oh, he certainly would. Just one who happened to be brave." said the Lady. She then noticed the lone yellow knight sitting upon the bench. "Frontline! Is she who I think she is?"
The watchman startled at hearing his name, then bowed before the Duchess.
"Begging your pardon, my lady." said Frontline, simply.
"Is she injured?" asked the Duchess.
"My lady. From the looks, she must have ridden hard from as far as the West Heights." said Frontline. "I sent for Forestnett."
"Very well. Carry on then." replied the Duchess. She gazed out toward the rider that was dispatched, then the Duchess turned around to where she came from.
"Is it true, what she's carrying?" asked Hadrick. To this, the Duchess put her hand to the Purple Captain's throat.
"Until I have decided what to do with it, we will not speak of it." she said, eye to eye with Hadrick. The Purple Captain gave a nod, and was released. One more look toward Love. then the Duchess turned toward her lodging saying no more