One week later:
Under the night sky illuminated by the stars and the full moon, the capital was drawn on the horizon, bathed in the dim light of the moon.
The huge ramparts of Grinrelis stretched into the distance, rigorously defending the royal city.
"We have finally arrived," said Draven, sighing slightly after seeing the ramparts of the capital.
"We spent six days riding instead of directly taking an airship or using a teleportation machine," he said with a mixed air.
After his words, Arya brought his horse closer to Draven's and elbowed him to the abdomen.
"Come on, don't be stingy, admit that we saw a lot of beautiful scenery while riding. In addition, we arrived ahead of what we had planned." she said in a calm voice with a relaxed air.
Then she added:
"In addition, admire in front of you, we are entitled to a magnificent show in front of us," she said in a soft voice.
As their mounts approached the large South door, Arya and Draven slowed down, contemplating the silent spectacle that was offered to them.
Magic torches floated in the air, suspended above the main arteries, illuminating the cobbled streets with a soft, bluish glow. The dark slate roofs sparkled under the night dew. In the distance, dominating the entire city from the center, stood the Royal Palace. Its architecture, a mixture of ancient elegance and modern power, imposed respect. The high immaculate walls of the building, polished like marble, seemed to capture the light of the moon to send it back like a white and majestic halo.
Then she added
"Look ahead, we can better see the royal palace light up from here. "
Draven, who was also captivated by her beauty, breathed softly, a discreet smile on his lips.
"You are generally right, the capital is still impressive," he said in a calm tone.
"Well let's go, they have to wait for our return to the headquarters." Arya resumed in a calm tone with a slight smile on her lips.
"You're right, we have to hurry, it's certain that Nesha must wait impatiently for your return because she must surely be overwhelmed." Draven said in a calm tone while letting out a little laugh.
They crossed the large doors guarded by the sentinels of the royal guard, who greeted them with respect as soon as they recognized the coat of arms on their military outfits.
All the roads of the capital were covered with cobblestones, and when they had just crossed the gates of the city, they found it lively, and this gave another beauty to the city.
So they decided to go to the military quarters.
The military quarters are not far west of the Royal Palace. It is a vast secure complex, organized like a city within the city. Each order of knights had its own headquarters, with facilities, training grounds, command rooms and dormitories.
Even the headquarters of the royal mages and the royal airfield were within this enclosure.
The order of the royal knights led by Arya, had the most imposing headquarters. Located at the northern end of the military complex, it rose like a black and scarlet fortress, a symbol of the direct power of the crown.
Upon their arrival, the heavy carved obsidian doors slowly opened, revealing a large inner courtyard paved with finely polished black slabs. Glowing magic torches illuminated the massive walls.
When they crossed the arch of the HQ door, several knights in black uniform with red borders formed an alley to welcome them because they were warned of their arrival by the royal guards.
At the end of this alley, was the main building which rose on three floors. A central tower, surmounted by a flag in the colors of the kingdom, dominating the rest of the HQ.
Statues of knights in guard positions adorned the stairs leading to the main entrance.
And a young woman with brown hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in an impeccable black uniform, stood right at the foot of the stairs of the main entrance.
"Welcome back among us, general," she said in a respectful tone while tilting her head slightly.
Arya got off his horse with a light jump.
"Hi Nesha, how did everything go during my absence? She said in a calm tone with a smile on her lips, while making a gesture of her hand.
"Everything is currently going well in general, you just have to go to your office to take a look at the situation," she said, straightening up in a calm and respectful tone.
While Arya and Nesha were talking, Draven got off his horse in turn and approached them slightly:
"Hey Nesha... and I'm not entitled to your greetings? He said in a calm and relaxed tone.
Following his words, Nesha gave Draven a black look.
"Ok... I got it..." said Draven, swallowing his saliva because he was intimidated by Nesha's look.
Arya sighed slightly and touched his forehead.
"You two, stop your childishness. Let's go to my offices so that you can give me a debrief on the current situation Nesha," she said in a calm tone
"To your general orders," Nesha replied in a calm tone.
Going up the stairs, Arya stopped for a moment and suddenly turned around.
She saw some knights training, others going to their occupation and some
Patrolled silently.
By staring at them, she used the aura to amplify her voice.
"The Ardéal of Swords is fast approaching, we only have 3 weeks left. During my time with "the Wolves of Death" I could see that they have greatly improved. "
"Should it worry us the order of the royal knights? I don't think so, since we too have improved, and not just a little. We are the most powerful order in the kingdom so... I hope for you that you will bring us victory again." she said in a calm and imposing voice while releasing a small smile from the corner of her lips.
Then all the knights who watched him said together:
"At your command captain!! "
So Arya raised her head slightly, letting her hair cover her left eye and spoke again, this time with an icy air.
"If one of you dares to be humiliated by a knight of another order... I hope you will all be ready to bear the consequences." she said in a more threatening and intimidating tone while releasing a threatening and also light red flame aura from her right eye.
Following his words his knights were frozen intimidated by his aura.
After her speech, she turned around and left the knights between them, to go inside the main building closely by Nesha and Draven, and they then went to Arya's offices.
As Arya sank into the corridors of the headquarters followed by Nesha and Draven, she stopped in front of the door of her office and wanted to enter.
But just before entering, Nesha stepmed forward and said:
"General, we received information during your absence that I think you absolutely must be aware of. "
Arya raised an eyebrow.
"Any information? Which one? "
"This is information about Prince Dayvon. Under the king's orders, he will go north for a royal control and we have been ordered to commission some knights. "
As she held the wrist of her desk door she said:
"Who was commissioned to escort him? She asked in a calm tone.
"Captain Matthew and fifteen other knights of the order were assigned to this mission. But in addition to that, thirty other knights of the order of the ebony rose and three mages including a sixth circle mage and two fifth circle magicians were also assigned to be part of his procession. Not to mention his five personal knights. "
Having heard the number of troops that his brother Raphael had entrusted to Dayvon for his trip, he thought:
"Trust as many troops to Dayvon. Either Raphaël is just worried about his safety or something is happening that I don't know. "
Arya remained silent for a moment and then entered her office.
"Thank you for the information, if Matthew is with them, we won't have much to worry about. Now report to me on everything that happened during my absence," she said in a calm tone.
The following day:
The sun was slowly rising over the capital and the morning fog floated above it, enveloping the roofs and towers in almost sacred silence. In the heart of the royal airfield, the airships were waiting, motionless, gigantic steel beasts ready to roar towards the sky.
The Atherion, the flagship that shone under the morning light, was enthroned in the center of the main platform, long, imposing, and majestic, it was covered with black and gold plates, proudly sporting the Ingrissia emblem on its bow. And two other escort ships were not far away, smaller but heavily armed.
The squads of the royal knights and the ebony rose, were busy in silence, adjusting the last details of the departure.
Then he arrived.
A hoof noise broke the silence that reigned at the airfield, Dayvon escorted by his knights, slowly descended from his carriage framed by two personal knights dressed in dark armor.
His thin but straight figure gave off an icy authority. His military uniform, adorned with a black coat with white feather borders.
His red eyes, calm and piercing, scanned the horizon without apparent emotion.
In front of him, royal knights and knights of the ebony rose were lined up on both sides of the main walkway, waiting in silence, their red and white capes dancing slightly to the wind.
Before saying anything Dayvon remembered the discussion he had with his father.
Flashback — A week earlier, Throne Room:
In the imposing throne room, bathed in light filtered through the stained glass windows, the king sat, imposing on his seat. Dayvon, kneeling, with his back straight, listened in silence.
"Currently the North seems unstable. The movements of Duke Turner and some nobles reveal a desire for rebellion or independence... You are my eldest son, Dayvon. And I am confident that you will be able to solve this case without much difficulty. "
The king got up slowly, his piercing gaze fixed on him.
"You will go with knights in the North. Officially, you will be there for a royal control and spend an indefinite stay with your uncle. Unofficially... I want to know what the northerners are preparing. Observe, infiltrate and above all have fun.
"Use the northerners as you see fit, and don't let them escape your control. "
Dayvon looked up, an icy glow crossing his blood-red gaze.
"Don't worry father, I will accomplish this mission and make sure that these northerners remember who holds the power in this kingdom. "
The king sketched an almost proud smile.
"I expected no less from you my son. Be careful, Dayvon. We don't know what their reaction might be. They can welcome you with smiles... but will hide blades that will wait patiently in the shadows. "
The prince bowed with respect.
"Don't worry, I'll be able to accommodate it. "
Hallway of the palace, after the audience:
The large doors of the throne had closed behind him. Dayvon walked slowly, alone in the corridor adorned with red carpets and ancestral statues. His face remained impassive... until a sneer was born on his lips.
He stopped in front of a high window overlooking the city and whispered to himself:
"The North, huh? I feel like I'm going to be able to have fun..."
His red eyes sparkled in the darkness, and a low, icy and narcissistic laugh escaped from his lips.
Back to the present — Royal Aerodrome
While Dayvon was carried away by his memories, a knight approached him, lowered his head and said in a low and respectful voice:
"Your Highness, the preparations are over. The troops are just waiting for your orders. "
Dayvon nodded without a word. He advanced a few steps forward, the wind making the sides of his coat fly. He went to the Altherion and stopped at the foot of the footbridge, observing the ash-colored skies for a moment.
Then he declared in a low but clear voice:
"The North is an icy and unknown land for some. We suspect the nobles that his plot some shady things. It is time to remind them that the look of the crown never falters and that we are always ready to act. "
He turned slightly to his men.
"No word, no gesture should be left to chance. There, we must stay on our guard and remain vigilant at all times. "
After his words, all the knights present bowed their heads in a single movement.
Before Dayvon could embark, suddenly a sound of hooves was heard in the distance. Arya Ingriss, the general of the Order of the Royal Knights, appeared on an imposing black steed, followed by her companion Draven.
The wind waved the general's black and scarlet cape as she descended from her horse, her pace assured, her eyes fixed on the admiral airship. His presence instantly imposed silence on the airfield. All eyes turned to her.
"You're leaf without informing your aunt?" She said in a calm tone while sighing slightly.
Dayvon, who was preparing to board, stopped sharply when he heard the hooves, he slowly turned his head. His gaze met that of Arya who was approaching him.
Dayvon who was in front of Arya tilted his head slightly.
"You know I would never dare to do it aunt. I didn't know that you were already back in the capital, if I knew this information I would have already informed you a long time ago." he said in a calm and respectful voice.
Then Arya sighed slightly and crossed her arms.
"No matter, I learned that you will have to go to the north for a mission. "
"The north is not an easy territory, but since your father decided to send you there, I can only trust his judgments and believe in you," she said in a calm and warm tone.
Then she put a hand on her shoulder
"I know you're smarter than your father and you can make a quick and effective judgment in any situation. "
"As this is your first outing as a representative of the crown you must feel a weight on not making a mistake. "
"But never forget that your family will always be there to support you, so go ahead and do what you have to do in the north," she said in a calm tone with a slight warm smile.
The prince was touched by his aunt's sincere words.
"Thank you dear aunt." he said in a calm tone with a slight smile on the corner of his lips.
After his words, Dayvon turned around and boarded the Atherion. As soon as his foot stepped on the metal floor of the ship, the engines began to hum gently, in a noble and contained vibration. His magical heart pulsed a blue energy.
From the heights, the sails of the ship unfolded gracefully, capturing the first golden glows of the morning. In a breath, the Atherion rose slowly, followed by its two escorts.
From the platform, Arya and Draven watched the imposing ship rise slowly, cutting the clouds with sovereign grace.
Draven let out a small breath.
"Despite the fact that he does not exude a fighting aura. He still gives off a special aura that I can't explain. It looked like he could devour me at any time. "
Arya simply replied:
"He's an Ingriss. And each Ingriss has an aura that is special to him, quite simply. "
Then she turned to her steed and said:
"Let's not hang out, let's go back to headquarters for now before going to the royal palace " she said in a calm tone while riding her horse.
"At your command." Draven replied instantly.
TO FOLLOW...