The Union

Henry swung his sword, angling it with precision. The edge met his opponent"s. His opponent slashed overhead and Henry crouched to avoid. The wind broke above him. His opponent was strong- a large kid for their age. But his opponent doesn"t deal speed. Henry was faster and agility was his friend. Henry sprung back up again. This time he aimed for the stomach.

His sword punched towards his opponent"s stomach. The large kid spew saliva. He was lucky they were using wooden practice swords or else his intestines would have already fallen out of his belly. Henry rammed his shoulder towards his opponent"s chest. A loud falling sound followed. He pointed his wooden sword at his opponent who was down on the ground.

"I yield Henry!" The big boy shouted, grimacing from pain and with face dirtied with mud.

Claps rang across the courtyard of the headquarters. Henry produced a smile. He turned to the left and knelt with his wooden sword struck vertically.

"Well done Henry!" Grand Master Nelson shouted. This, sadly, was followed by several raging coughs. The Grand Master staggered back to his seat. The other Knights rushed towards him but the Grand Master stopped them with a raised palm.

"See that brothers" The Grand Master continued in a wheezy voice. He demanded the attention of the several hundred who were watching the bout. "That is my squire. I trained him"

"Lying is a sin Grand Master" Master Tobias said. He fixed the hem of his white robe with a single sway of his hand "You did not train him to fight"

"You are a fool then for thinking that Henry won just because he knows how to fight. He won because he has discipline and courage and a sharp mind. I trained him to have those things"

"Can"t argue with that" Master Balian said "Henry could one day become a Prefect. I suggest you aim for the position Henry and take it for yourself"

"A Prefect? Too low of a dream. He could one day become the Grand Master. You two better watch out. A new rival is in sight" said the Grand Master. His statement was followed by laughs from the other listeners. Henry"s face flushed red. Grand Master Nelson would sometimes be like this.

"Come Henry" The Grand Master gestured with a sleight of hand "You lads better get back to your work. Entertainment is finished. I shall retreat to my quarters and ma.s.sage these bones of mine"

The Grand Master rose. This was met with bows from the other knights. He limped with his cane towards the High Tower. Henry followed from behind.

The Grand Master"s long purple robe had its end dragged. Henry bent to pick the hem.

"Don"t bother. Let it get dirty"

"But sire, you just wore it today. It is a gift from the King"

"A bribe you mean" The Grand Master said as he turned a corner "If I had just known earlier that this was from the King, I would have returned it"

They reached the High Tower. The two Knights posted on guard duty saluted and pulled the wooden door open. Then followed was the painful ascend to the top. The Grand Master was grimacing all the way. His knees must have hurt so bad.

"You shouldn"t have gone to see my bout sire"

"Nonsense. The Squire"s Championship is a prestigious event"

"The Knight"s Championship is more prestigious but you didn"t show"

"Ah that dull affair. Watching grown men play with swords and maces and lances is boring. Fighting is boring. I know Balian would win that thing anyway. The Squire"s Championship is also boring but when I heard that you"re in it I was thrilled! I wouldn"t miss seeing my own squire fighting his way to the top"

After the last step of the tower, the door to the room greeted them. Henry went ahead and opened the door. The Grand Master entered with his robe still rubbing against the floor.

The Grand Master sat on his seat then proceeded to ma.s.sage his knees. Henry saw that the Grand Master"s knees were swollen.

"I shall get you some warm water sire"

"No need. Just sit Henry. We need to finish with our lessons"

"Your knees are swollen sire"

"It"s just pain. Pain will not last forever. But knowledge?" The Grand Master raised his finger, a small smile formed on his lips "Knowledge is forever Henry. It is gift from the Omniscient"

Henry just shrugged. He went to have a seat.

"History, politics or philosophy? Your choice"

"Actually I have a question sire. It"s about Prefect Rickard"

"Ah Prefect Rickard. Such a sad tale. He lost his wife and sons. That was a tragedy the Omniscient detests. But you"ve heard what he did right?"

"He beheaded Baron Rex and dragged the thing with his horse in the streets. Barbarism sire, nothing more. I want to ask how a Knight could do that"

The Grand Master"s jaw stiffed. He caressed his long white beard. "Because he is human"

"A human wouldn"t do that"

"Trust me Henry, Prefect Rickard did that because he is human"

"But dragging a severed head in the streets of Bivon is a sin. He is evil"

"Yes, he sinned. He made a mistake. But a human is born to err Henry" The Grand Master leaned back. His wooden chair creaked "I was once a thief. During my early days I pickpocketed the food I put in my belly. n.o.bles, merchants, common people- I did not discriminate. I stole. I lied. I even held a knife against a lady"s throat once. Poor la.s.s was forced to give me all her jewelries. She cried. Now am I evil?"

"No!" Henry almost slammed his fist on the table. His hand shook nonetheless "You are the most righteous man I know sire. n.o.body should say that you"re evil. You are shining with righteousness. You are the light that guides the Order of the Knights"

"I do hope so Henry. I do hope that the Omniscient is impressed with my deeds. Listen to me child. Never forget what I will tell you" The Grand Master held his shoulder. The old wrinkly hands were cold. "You will grow up into a strong knight. You will lead. You will choose. Sometimes a righteous choice doesn"t exist. Sometimes we are forced to choose between two evils. Have the courage Henry. Have to courage to choose the lesser evil. Even if your choice makes you puke. Even if your conscience breaks apart. You must have the courage and the strength to choose. That is what it means to be a knight"

Henry nodded "I shall keep in mind your wisdom sire. Thank you"

The Grand Master tapped Henry"s cheeks with his palm "Now bring me some food. This old man is starving"

**********

"Join me Henry" Master Balian leaned back on the chair. As expected, came a creak. "You saw how the royals abandoned the citizens. The King ran away. What a shameful deed"

"A shame indeed. But you were the one who caused this mess in the first place. You were the one who barricaded and occupied the city"

"Strictly speaking, yes. I am the villain in this situation. I am the monster who devours children. I am the one lurking in the dark. But the royals have long been like this Henry. The last two invasions of Castonia were caused by the royals"

"What are you saying Master Balian? I must warn you, your tone stenches of treason. Tell me what I"m thinking is wrong"

"You are thinking it right Henry. Tulosa has long been ruled by both the King and the Grand Master. What a stupid situation. Two rulers? No. This must stop. One of them must go"

"And you want the royalty to go. You want it so that only the Knights will rule Tulosa"

"Imagine a world like that. No Kings, no princesses. Only the Grand Master"s word will be followed"

"Madness" Henry sneered.

"And who will you rather rule? Princess Emily? Just because she was born the heir, she will rule? I p.i.s.s on that. A Grand Master should rule"

"And what will happen to the believers of the Great Rider? They will not accept a knight as a ruler"

"They will have to accept Henry. In time they will. So what will it be First Spear? Will you join me? We will fight against both the King and Tobias. Those Castonians of yours look tough. Help me get their favor in exchange for whatever they want. Join me Henry. I will make you my heir. You will rule Tulosa after my death. Grand Master Nelson have always seen greatness in you. It is time to prove your greatness"

Henry closed his eyes. He shook his head in disgust "I must respectfully decline Master Balian. My allegiance is to my oath that I shall protect the people. Your vision is beautiful but I"ll be no part of it. It will alienate the worshipers of the Great Rider"

Henry rose, the chair dragging against the floor. He offered a small bow. "We are not in agreement sire. The knights that followed me here and the Castonians will provide safety to the people of this city. If you do not release them, we will attack. Fight fairly Master Balian. I will go now. May the Omniscient guide you into the light"

He stepped back and went out of the room.

********

"I suppose he rejected your offer Grand Master" said Balian"s squire. The man was already a Knight but Balian kept him as a squire.

Balian was still left in thought after Henry left. He caressed the oak desk. The table was old and dusty but it was still firm.

"He did"

"A shame. The First Spear is terrifying to face in combat. The couple hundred knights under his command are also loyal and strong. Add to that the thousands of Castonians outside our gates, then I think we need to flee from the city. What should we do?"

Balian cracked his knuckles. He c.o.c.ked his head to the side and breathed a heavy sigh. "Take a hundred citizens, women and children preferably. Take them to the top of the wall. If the Castonians advance, threaten to push them down. As for the First Spear..." Balian paused, putting his chin on top of his hands "Take a few dozen knights and hunt him down. I think he will go to the ghetto. Kill him. Make it silent and discreet. Remember, Henry is still popular even within our ranks so n.o.body must know"

"An a.s.sa.s.sination then. Fine we will make it look like he was murdered by a common thief"

The squire rose from the chair. Balian grabbed his wrist.

"Remember lad, silent and discreet"