"Was that the package you received this morning?" Willow asked.
Hunter nodded his head.
"How did you know we will be needing it?" Willow asked again.
"Saphira was the one who told me about it yeserday," he answered.
"How did you know that we will be needing it?" Stormie walked up to Saphira who was walking ahead and asked.
Saphira was looking around while she answered, "Heard it from the guard in the gates while we are writing on the logbook."
They looked at one another.
They were looking at the surrounding yesterday, preoccupied with the surrounding that they didn't hear it at all.
"There's the camp," she pointed with her chin.
"With the badge that we used, it is obvious that they will look down at us. Be prepared to be mistreated at the same time, you can use this for more training. We will get the chance to meet more people and we could gain experience through them," Hunter faced them and said.
They nodded their heads.
"Very well, let's go."
*****
Murmurs could be heard outside the commander's tent.
Seven eighteen year old knights were sent by Qillian Empire and even though Qillian Empire was strong, sending only seven teenagers were too much.
"I don't know why they sent you for training when we clearly asked for help. But don't expect to have a baby sitter around here. Since you were already sent, then you are expected to contribute as much as you can," the commander, Fenril, glared at them.
"We understand sir," they acknowledged with a respectful tone.
"Hamlet, please guide these knights to the tent that they will be using," Fenril called out.
A knight with white hair and blue gray eyes entered. He looks like he was in his twenties but his aura tells them that he is strong.
"Follow me," he spoke to them.
Just as they stepped out they heard Fenril complaining inside.
"Do they expect us to treat such brats with generosity? They weren't even generous enough in sending help."
Saphira, Stormie and Nixon suppressed their laughter while Willow and Ridge pursed their lips.
Qillian Empire not generous enough in sending help?
What will happen to that Fenril's face once he finds out that the Qillian Empire sent the platinum knights?
Hamlet looked back at them and they tried their best to remain serious.
After they arrived to the tent that they will be using, they found that it is at the edge most part and was obviously among the most common ones.
"You will surely receive unfair treatment because most of the ones in here are expecting great help. Your Empire sent you despite your young age, then that must mean that you are capable enough."
He was looking at them seriously while speaking seriously as well.
Unlike Fenril who showed them such dismissive attitude, Hamlet showed them the respect a knight should have.
"Just try to learn as much as you can while being here," he added.
"Uhmmm, sir Hamlet I have some questions," Saphira speak up when he was about to step out.
"Speak your mind."
"What is the current condition of the shore?"
Hamlet's eyes went to hers and he could see the maturity a seasoned knight will have.
He nodded his head, "Just as the report have said. The number exceeded expectation and most knights of the Empire were injured that we had asked for help."
"Then, I have heard from the town that there is something else lurking within the water and land. Do you have any idea of what it could be? Are there two of them or only one and the same?" she continued asking.
He stared at her, even the other six are seriously listening and waiting for his answer.
Hamlet could tell, these aren't normal teenagers.
They might even be better than the other knights who are older than them in this kingdom.
"It was still unknown but we are sure that it was only one. It could move in land and could move in water. It is far bigger than an ape or an elephant. It could be known as a giant demonic beast," he replied.
Saphira fell into deep thought, seeing this Hunter took over.
"Can we ask you more questions once we thought of other matters?" he respectfully asked.
A slight smile appeared on Hamlet's face, "The tent I stay in is just three tents away from here, feel free to come and ask me questions when you have some."
Hunter smiled and gave him a salute together with the rest and even Saphira who was out of her thoughts.
"We thank you sir."
Hamlet was stunned because these teenagers just bowed at Fenril but they showed such high respect towards him.
He is but a captain of one of the units, but the respect they showed exceeded than what they showed towards the commander.
Seeing the look in his face Saphira smiled.
"Those who deserve respect shall be given such respect, those who don't shall not be given. You gave us the respect that knights deserve, then we shall give you the respect a leader should receive."
The slight smile turned into a full one after listening to her words.
He was a commoner that entered the knighthood.
He was leading the unit of the commoners who became knight because of perseverance.
Some of them have stronger abilities than those who are nobles but even so, they couldn't raise their voices just because they are commoners.
This is the first time that he had encountered such people.
"I shall inform the rest of my unit regarding the matter of you asking questions, all of us are wearing yellow badges."
In this Empire the rankings are Yellow, Red, Blue, Brown and Black.
Yellow being the lowest which are comprised of the commoners while Black which is the highest, comprising of those who are from the dukedom and such.
Saphira and the rest obviously knew of this due to the information they received about Alquira Empire.
"We shall keep that in mind sir. Thank you for your assistance," Hunter replied.
*****
"What did you think?" Hunter asked Saphira as the seven of them rested since the patrolling will start late in the afternoon the very next day.
"I have heard last night that a giant tail was what swept the other knights, throwing them away causing major injuries," she replied.
"Last night?" Willow asked.
"Yes, the townspeople near the hot spring were talking about it," she answered.
Somehow Nixon, Ridge, Willow and even Stormie, who have heard of it already, felt ashamed.
Drake turned away as well.
Nixon, Ridge and Stormie all thought of relaxation.
Willow and Drake thought it was unnecessary closing their ears from the rest.
But Saphira who seemed to be relaxing and carefree had gathered information far more than Hunter.
Hunter was able to gather the information about the condition of the place being dire with a lot of knights being heavily injured.
But Saphira was able to get the information regarding the bigger problem that they are facing.
"What's wrong?" Saphira asked the five of them seeing their reactions.
"Nothing, let's continue discussing," Willow shakes her head and urged her to continue instead.
How will they tell her?
That they thought too highly of themselves that they didn't look at the bigger picture of her words when she suggested that they stay for a bit in town to see the situation and relax?
They thought that they grew up after eight years of separation but the first mission instantly slapped them with the truth.
They still think childishly.
Indeed they may be still at eighteen but looking at Saphira, they felt like they are just ten while she was eighteen.
"A tail and the fact that it could move on land and on water, what do you all think?" she asked them.
"A crocodile is an option," Hunter suggested.
"It could be a tentacle, since it's a giant it could move even though the main body is in the water," Willow followed.
"It could be a land beast that could move in water for a short period of time," Drake followed.
"It could be a snake as well, Basilisk could move in the water and land," Ridge followed.
"It is still a wide range, try asking around for more information. Ask if they can think of more specific characteristics," Hunter instructed.
"As you do, try asking about the rest of the beasts as well. It is better that we are prepared to what we will be facing rather than being surprised that there are more than we don't know of," he added.
After a day of rest and questions asked, they are about to go out for some patrolling.
And it just so happens that the yellow squad are the ones on duty on that day.
As they started walking towards the periphery of the water and the surrounding forest, the seven of them continued asking questions.
The knights were at ease towards them because they spoke with them as knights and not as commoners.