Lanky guy, whose name was actually Robert Robertson, guided me to the knight's headquarters. As soon as the other knights saw me, the kneeled down. Sir Robertson helped me explain the situation to the other knights. Their reactions were beyond horrified.
I talked with the vice captain of the guards who is now the acting captain and his war advisor privately. They took me to the top of the wall and I could see the army of the count. We went back to the tactic room and I told them my plans which they disagreed fiercely. They were actually waiting for the Knights of Noktis to arrive with my father. Since most knights are in Westreon City.
"My lady, are you sure about what you said?" the vice-captain, Sir Framgas, asked me again. He was a burly man in his thirties with braided red hair up to his shoulder and unshaven beard.
"Of course."I replied confidently. "Make sure everyone can see us when I face Count Polit."
"As you wish my lady." He said. "But if I see even a speck of danger to you, we will rush out to protect you. Understand?"
"Yes. Now get ready so I can go out and meet Count Polit's army."
I was still wearing my pretty yellow dress when I heard Sir Framgas order the knights to open the gates for me. I walked outside towards Count Polit's army. When the count saw me, he also started walking towards me with four knights escorting him and met me in the center.
"Count Polit?" I asked proudly with my chin up.
"That would be me, and who might you be?" A man who was in his fifties, who has obviously good physic under his silver armor and a head full of white hair with white short beard asked.
"I am the eldest daughter of House Castellan, Melody Castellan." I replied.
Count Polit and his knights looked surprised then mad. "What are you doing here my lady? You shouldn't be here! If your father thinks that giving you to me is enough to pay for his crimes then he is so wrong!"
"Why would my father give me to you? Why would he need to pay? He doesn't even know what the reason is for you to declare war against us." I told him.
"Your knights-"
"Our knights betrayed us and collaborated with Marquis McClare to make my father come here, using you as a bait, then eliminate him." I cut him off. "Then, Marquis McClare will attack Westreon and kill all of us."
Count Polit looked at me with his eyes and mouth wide open in shock.
"Marquis McClare planned this?" He asked doubtfully.
"It seems so." I shrugged.
"How did you know all this?" He looked at me as if searching for any signs of me lying.
"I just killed the captain of the guards who was in cahoots with him and about ten other knights who were with them." I said looking straight at him.
He didn't look convinced.
"How can I be sure that you are speaking the truth?" He asked and his forehead furrowed. "You could be lying to protect your father!"
"Come, Parsua" I summoned the goddess of life right then and there.
In front of Count Polit, his army and the Knights guarding Riverforth, the goddess appeared in her luminous spiritual body which was slightly glowing. Her hair was flowing in all directions as if she was underwater and so was her white dress. She was twice bigger than an average human and you can immediately tell she was powerful. She was also floating mid air behind me.
"A vessel of a goddess would never lie, Count." I told him as Parsua hugged me from behind while floating.
As if hit by lightning, Count Polit and his men all kneeled down. The knights up on the walls of Riverforth also kneeled down in the presence of Parsua.
"I heard that the traitors burned your barns where your grains are stored?" I asked and he nodded still kneeling. "House Castellan will reimburse the amount of grains since it was still our fault that we weren't able to discipline our knights. With it we hope that what happened will be fogotten. Will you accept Count?"
"Yes my lady," he replied, "that would be more than enough. Thank you my lady."
After ending up in agreement with the count, I ended my summon for Parsua and she slowly disappeared. I looked up to the sky and took a deep breath before looking down.
"You may all rise now."I told everyone.
They started to look up and was obviously looking for Parsua. When they realized that she was not there anymore, they all relaxed. Count Polit stood up and some of his Knights followed. Others were too overwhelmed by seeing a goddess up close that they lost strength on their legs and squatted on the ground.
"Count Polit, you should head back to your territory first." I told him as I turned my back and started to walk to the gate. "Grains will be sent by tomorrow."
I did not look back and walked straight to the gates which opened as soon as I was near. The knights lined up up on each side of the street as I walked. I went to where the vice-captain was standing and looked him straight in the eyes.
"I told you I will be able to convince him." I said proudly.
The vice-captain stared at me with wide eyes. He stared so hard before he ended up in a roar of laughter. He laughed so hard that tears were visible in his eyes.
"You did, my lady." He sighted as he kneeled in front of me. "You definitely did."
The knights who were there all kneeled down like their vice captain did. To knights, they will only bow down to people who are from the royal family, the person or members of the noble house they swore loyalty to or the people they respect. Them bowing down to me only means that they acknowledge me as their lady and House Castellan as their master.
"All of you, if you want to stay loyal to House Castellan, unsheathe your swords and swear your loyalty again." I commanded them. This gives them the option to leave the Knights of Noktis and look for a new employer.
"I swear upon House Castellan,
I shall give my loyalty to you,
I shall face thy enemies,
I shall protect thy lands
I am a Knight of Noktis,
My life is in your hands."
I was actually expecting for more than half of them to leave, but the sound of swords being unsheathed filled the air followed by the loud and clear oath spoken together. I raised my sword as a sign that I have accepted their oaths.
"Sir Framgas, please rise." I asked and he stood up puffing his chest out. "From today forward, you are promoted as the captain of the guards here in Riverforth. Use your sword to protect this land and it's people. That will be your mission, do you accept?"
"Yes, my lady."Sir Framgas looked at me and accepted his new position. "Thank you, I will not let you down."
After a little speech from Sir Framgas, we had a little get together with all the knights and ate late lunch, the time should be around two in the afternoon. The knights were all curious about Parsua and even told me that they will make her their main goddess because of how she stopped the war. They thanked me for giving them a chance to see the goddess and to know how strong the house they serve actually is.
I went back to the captain's office with him amd his advisor. We discussed other things and agreed on how to settle minor things. It was around 4 in the afternoon when I decided to head back home.
"You can choose your own men to fill the other positions. I hope you will not end up like your predecessor and let your greed take control." I told him as he escorted me to the portal. I can open the portal myself and was planning to travel alone but he insisted that I bring two of his men with me as escort. I wanted to decline but he was firm with his decision saying a lady should not be without an escort.
"Yes, my lady, I already have men in mind for it." he replied smilingly at me. He reminds me of that giant wizard in a movie in Earth, but with red hair.
"Then I shall get going. I will see you again soon." I said as I entered the portal with my horse and the other knights on their horses. I saw Sir Framgas and his men bow as I left.