“What took you so long, slowpoke?” A loud scold jabbed at the young trainee when he ran to the group of knights and Maeists with his sack on his back. “I could have more time if not some old ball called me over to talk nonsense...” “...Hahahaha, getting into the bite, I see...” Turning behind the group, Floki swung his strong arm around his young trainee and looked at him with narrow eyes. Catching his mentor’s serious gaze, Lucious averted his eyes and sighed slightly. Floki smiled a little and released his arm from Lucious’s shoulder. “Where is Kibo?” Noticing Floki’s missing partner, Lucious decided to steer away from his worry. “Who would bring his helpless sweetheart to the dead cave, you moron.” Floki knocked the head of his charge and looked around. “Well then, everything’s good...except...” “Err...Floki...what is that thing over there...?” “...That is the problem...” Floki clasped his eyes shut with his palm as a makeshift platform cladding with the banner of the city was assembled in a hurry in front of the small fountain. “...So...Is this...” “Yes.” “...And the Baron...” “Yes, smart boy.”
A line of horse carriages brilliantly designed and built with polished mahogany with decorations of wheat and heather sculptured with iron arrived at the main square. Even before the arrival of the carriages, large crowds were gathered around the streets which faced the main square. When the Baron and the Tress family came out from their carriages, throngs of people from all walks of life even the riches came to gather in front of the platform although they stood apart from the Principle party for a fling. The Tress immediately ascended the platform and turned to address the crowd.
“Dear citizens and peasants of Tressmoor, did you enjoy the feast last night? For more than a month Tressmoor had suffered from the encroaching peril posted by the accursed Abyss...” The Baron immediately started the speech before his uncles as his chamberlain nodded in satisfaction. “But no more. Responding to my call, the Principle of Jercflosey has sent these brave warriors to end the threat of the Abyss once and for all. People, an applause for our saviours!” A huge wave of hand-clapping and cheering erupted from the jubilant crowd with some of the people tearing up in relief and hope. “As the Baron of the city, I will recover Tressmoor from its current predicament and restored the liveliness and prosperity it once possessed. Thus, I am counting on you, my dear citizens and peasants, to support me...” The crowd heating up at the Baron’s speech and started to chant the name of the Baron as the Baron’s uncles bit their mouths in frustration and anger.
During the speech, Lucious could taste the sourness and bitterness on his tongue as his stomach tightened in disgust and euphoria that it almost expel its precious breakfast. Although he was not sitting well with the Baron’s act of currying citizens’ and peasants’ favour, the development excited Lucious as his smouldering romance for an adventure rekindled and churned his heart to a quickening pace. Turning to look around the commotion, Lucious realised that none of the members of the Principle was giving the impression of excitement. In fact, most of them look bored. Incredibly, the large man with the ponytail was almost snoring when Merridian walked him up with a step on his foot while Cassia was yawning in dismissal. Cassian was the sole member who seemed to be standing straight and focusing on the speech.
“...Now then, it would be a pleasure to welcome the leader of the expedition, Sir Cassian Maell Clypeus, to share his thought with the people of Tressmoor.” The applause was deafening as the young leader of the Centalion squad climbed to the platform on the cheer and whistle of the city. “Dear beloved citizens and peasants of Tressmoor, I am Cassian Maell Clypeus, the leader of the Centalion squad from Lesser Seers Order and the expedition to seal the entrance of the Abyss.” The applause stopped almost instantly as people held their breath in anticipation even Lucious found himself focusing wholeheartedly on the platform. “First of all, I would like to have a moment of silence for the deceased who had sacrificed their lives to protect Tressmoor and their loved ones a month ago...” With his right arm held on the chest over his heart, the blond knight closed his eyes in silence. With the sunlight rose over his back, the blond knight was a sacred paragon that glowing with solace. Captured by Cassian’s silhouette, the festive atmosphere became solemn as everyone on the main square even the Principle party said their silent prayers to those who had passed away. Some trembling in sadness. Some with tears. Finding himself heavy with the memory of his brother, Lucious closed his eyes firmly with his arm on the chest over where his heart was. “I am going, brother. Please be with me until the end.”
“People of Tressmoor, our role as the Principle reinforcement in the recovery of Tressmoor and its livelihood is brief and simple. It will be completed within several days and I can ensure you the success of sealing the entrance of the Abyss...” Opening his eyes, Cassian continued as the crowd roused from the solemnness of the silence and focused on this incredible young figure. “However, you, the people of Tressmoor, hold the key of the journey. Your decisions will heavily change the course of the fate of Tressmoor. I trust you will be able to make the right and the best choice for this beloved city which you made your home. As the vanguard of this journey, we will give everything, for the people of Tressmoor...” Ignoring the silent scrutinising gaze from the Tresses, Cassian bowed to the ovation as Lucious was standing still, struck in awe. “...TO THE PRINCIPLE...!!” A firm and loud shout came from the blond knight, jolting Lucious from his trance. The rest of the crowd was struck by the commanding presence and ceased their cheering, even the Baron and his uncles jumped slightly at the powerful roar. Among the gathered, the members of Centalion and Ex-Gale became stiffed with attention and focused, waiting for the order to march to their mission. “...LET’S MOVE OUT!” Both squads gathered their rucksacks and equipment and started to move towards the gate as their mission’s leader descended from the platform with thundering claps and cheers.
“What are you spacing out for, kiddo? Let’s move.” A loud smack on the back staggered Lucious from his stunned awe and he turned to follow his Maeist instructor. “...Floki...?” “Hmm?” “Cassian is something...how do you put it...” Floki laughed at the lack of words of the young boy. “Can’t blame you, kiddo. He was born under a glorious family who is proud of their role as the protector of the Principle and Slamaeldonia. Perhaps, too proud nowadays. But Cassian lad grew up finely, he will be the successor of such responsibility...” Lucious was gawking with respect at the blond knight who waving casually to the crowd while making his way back to the team. “Cassian is so cool...” The excited young man failed to notice the helpless sigh of his mentor who focused more on the immediate peril installed for his young apprentice.
Lucious was still at it when a slight commotion erupted at Cassian’s direction. Following the stare of his instructor, Lucious saw the strong-looking Jasse standing on Cassian’s way while Einard and Geran were trying to pull him away. It seemed like they were arguing although Cassian looked more composed than the impatient Jasse. “Geez, that young slob, what did he think he is doing...?” Floki was starting to walk toward the commotion when Lucious saw the larger man with a ponytail appeared behind Jasse. Cladding in elaborated plate mail shining in crimson menace, the towering man grabbed on Jasse’s shoulder. Jasse turned back in annoyance, but his face suddenly turned sour in recognition. However, the man gave no room for Jasse to retaliate as he punched Jasse in his stomach. The force of the strike alone heaved Jasse, who was also broad and tall, slightly off the ground and landed on the ground kneeling as his face twisted in gutted pain before subsiding to unconsciousness.
“...Argh...of all people...” With his mouth opened, Lucious looked at his mentor scrapped his scalp in annoyance as the crowd became restless. Whispers and gossips wading around the impulsive man in red who was arguing with Cassian when Merridian came and flashed her chilling smile at the duo. Lucious could only pity the two when Cassian and Quingon apologised profusely to the people nearby, but it seemed more like they apologised to the scary swordswoman of Harpe while asking Einard and Geran to carry their unconscious friend away. “...Well, Jasse is kind of deserving it...” “Hey there, kiddo. Don’t be so hard on Jasse. He has his burden...not that it has any concern to you...” “You can bet!” Lucious walked cheerfully to join the subjugation force with Floki shaking his head followed behind.
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