Chereads / The Dark Knight’s Secret / Chapter 8 - Eques Relicus

Chapter 8 - Eques Relicus

"Peace Frater Eques. I am Eques Relicus, the knight of the future. I happened to foresee your journey towards the Valley of Death thus, by which I am glad to have chanced upon you.", he said

Eques Lux was sceptical as he raised his head and an eyebrow and scrutinised the knight from head to toe. It did not make sense to him. Eques Lux could feel the energy radiate from Eques Relicus. It was different and yet familiar to what he felt from the Eques Tempus. A sudden realisation dawned upon Eques Lux when he thought of his companion who had four solis capite initium. His eyes widened as he raised his sword to the young knight's chest. With a fierce expression on his face he asked,

"If you saw us through your vision, why have you only made yourself known at this point. The Princess and our frater may have reached and faced the Valley of Death. Why did you not show yourself sooner?", he said with his teeth clenched. It did not make sense as to why he had to wait for the Young Knight and leave his post only for their frater to make himself known without a trial.

'Trial', Eques Lux' eyes widened as he realised what this was. Eques Relicus was the Knight of the Future, which meant the Princess had to set her future in stone. The futures visualised by the Eques Relicus were probable futures. In order to set them in stone our own choices come into play and that is what the Eques was trying to uncover. The future which the Princess would set in stone would play out the next journey she was waiting for the "Trials of Knights". No one knew much about the "Trials of Knights" other than Eques Noctis.

"Frater, you have already faced your trial of unconditional loyalty as you stayed here for four solis for Eques Noctis. He too had succeeded in his first trial. I have no knowledge regarding the 'Trials' but as and when they are completed my visions become clearer. Now it is time for Eques Tempus and the Princess to pass their Trials in the Valley. Eques Lux finally understood the reason he had to stay behind for the Young Knight. He had already set his future in stone, but what concerned him was the Princess' safety through her Trial.

"The Trials are for Knight belonging to the Order under the Princess' rule so why does the Princess need to complete them?", he asked as he lowered down his sword to his side.

"The Princess indeeded needn't go through the Trials, but what is a Warrior without any Trials. She must set her future in stone as soon as possible. Now shall we wait for Eques Noctis. I am sure he shall return by hac nocte."

Although Eques Lux wanted to follow the Princess to the Valley he refrained and sat with Eques Relicus waiting for their actions to determine their next destination while the Princess and Eques Tempus had made their way into the Valley.

As time passed Eques Lux noticed with scrunched eyebrows that Eques Relicus kept closing his eyes. At first he thought he was not used to burning the night oil but soon he realised that his frater' eyes always glazed over when he did so. He tilted his head to understand the situation when Eques Relicus said with a smile,

"My eyes are glazing over for when they do I see a certain future. It doesn't matter if I have a relationship with the person. As long as they are part of out united future I have the ability to see theirs."

Eques Relicus noticed the relaxed self of Eques Lux and felt his smile widen for he too had been observing his frater knight. He understood the alertness in the knight's eyes as he observed his surroundings with a piercing gaze unlike a certain Eques Noctis who had only recently learnt the lesson. As both the knights kept within themselves a rustle of leaves was heard. They stood up and stanced themselves against each other's back with raised swords and sharp eyes as adrenaline rushed through their veins. They were about to attack when Eques Lux noticed the glaive which Eques Noctis held at all times. Both pair of eyes widened as the Young Eques Noctis came into their line of sight panting for breath and similar adrenaline rushed but defensive stance. As his eyes made contact with Eques Lux, they shared a knowing look, but what both knight did not observe was the shocked appearance of Eques Relicus as he watched the Young Knight converse with Eques Lux.

Eques Relicus could not believe his eyes for he has seen the future of many but as far as he knew "Damon" was not the "Eques Noctis".