Jacara returned to his room slamming the door behind him. He grabbed an easel from the corner of his room, placing an empty white canvas onto it, and grabbed a filled palette. He sat in front of the empty canvas, illuminated by a lantern attached to the ceiling, holding a small fan brush. He was frozen, staring at the blank canvas. A few solid knocks on his wooden door, caught his attention. "Go away Father." Jacara said furrowing his brow at the empty canvas. "Have you ever known your father to knock?" Urkse said through the door. Jacara chuckled shaking his head. "Come on in Uncle."
Urkse entered in holding a jug of mead wearing a open cotton t-shirt and loose baggy silk pants. He took a seat on Jacara's bed, inspecting the canvas. "Haven't seen you use one of those in a while." Urkse said taking a sip from the jug. "I thought you gave up, trying to draw the last two cards." Jacara glumly nodded and lowered the palette and brush down. "I did, but I wanted to try again." He said with a tender smile, staring at the blank canvas. Urkse cocked an eyebrow at him. "I guess killing a dragon would inspire me as well." Jacara clenched his fists and jaw. "It was a feral dragon. It was just a mindless beast. If it was a human that had-" Urkse slapped Jacara hard across the back, forcing the air out of his lungs, and making him hunch. "You've always been too hard on yourself. Killing a dragon of that size is no easy feat. Regardless if it was feral or not." Urkse said with a proud smile. "I had help. That Islander. He's...different." Jacara said. "He's an asshole, is what he is." Urkse said annoyed, taking a swig from his jug. Jacara perked up looking at Urkse askance. "What did he do to you?" He asked with a wry smile. "I had a bet with your father that he wouldn't survive training with Gwyneth and want to go home. Now he's sleeping in her quarters."
Jacara's eyes widened and he leaned in closer. "Isn't Gwyneth known to sleep naked? That's why she only has handmaidens and no male servants." Urkse nodded taking a swig from the jug. "So, he's in there right now...." "Asleep next to the body of a goddess, with only a sheet of silk separating their flesh? Yes." Jacara gnashed his teeth together. "That lucky son of a bitch!" He yelled standing up. Urkse nodded along. "I've been told he hates seeing her naked." "That dumb son of a bitch!" Jacara yelled. "He's both of those things, now calm down before you wake someone." Urkse said waving him down.
Jacara sat back down with a furrowed brow. "I can't believe him. He hasn't even been in the Citadel from more than a week." He said crossing his arms. "The boy is as you said different. He's become the first forsaken knight to exist since the days of Vasha. He'll make a name for himself when he leaves." Urkse said taking another deep swig from his drink. Jacara was silent, he could tell Urkse was building towards something.
"You know that I love you like my own." He said. "Only because you didn't want the full responsibility of having your own child." Jacara remarked. "That is hurtful, yet accurate. When you depart for this mission Jacara. I want to know that you'll be strong enough to handle, whatever Jux throws at you." He said with a sincere voice, rubbing Jacara's shoulder. "I'm going to suggest something, and know that it comes from a place of love." Urkse's sentence made Jacara grimace. "Please don't suggest it." Jacara pleaded. "You should ask your father to train you, before you depart." Jacara rolled his eyes letting out a loud groan.
"Just consider it." He said patting Jacara's back, and walking off. "Can't I train with you?" Jacara asked. Urkse stopped at the door. "I wish I could, but I have my own to train." Urkse said glumly. "But, Enk magic isn't even suited for combat. It's utility magic more than anything." Jacara said. "That's why I have to work with Vexgar, to find a squire that will compliment my mages ability. I am sorry, but all the Grand Mages and Knights are busy, except for..." "Except for my father." Jacara said dolefully. "He's not as bad as you think." Urkse said with a forced smile. "I'll think about it." Jacara said packing away the easel. He turned in for the night, blowing out the lantern.
Encara stood above the Citadel under the night sky, floating in the air with his cloak flapping in the wind. He gazed in wonder at the pillars of arcane energy swirling around the Keep. "Do you see it Rin?" He said with a smile filled with melancholy. "You were right. It is beautiful." He said holding his hand over his chest. He looked to the Keep, seeing Jacara's small swirling flame of arcane energy. Encara looked to the starry night sky. "I miss you Rin." A gust of wind whipped him. Aeris appeared behind him, taking a seat on the air, resting her back on his. "Aeris, what are you doing up so late?" Encara asked.
"Cin's having a nightmare." She said solemnly. Encara snapped back. "Is Soel-" "She's buried him under the Keep to cool him off." She said turning Encara around. "Is it the same one?" He asked. "Always the same nightmare for the last twenty years." She said resting her head against his back. "I'm sorry that I can't help him. It really puts into question my title doesn't it." Encara said with a weak smile. "It's not your fault, you can't absolve him of guilt, that he won't let go of. Just as you won't forgive yourself for Rin." She said softly. "I can't let myself be forgiven, when I had the power to stop them." Encara said clenching his fists. "The war took something from everybody, and gave us titles to fill the void." She said floating in front of Encara, her cloak motionless, even with the howling winds around them.
She placed a hand across Encara's doleful face. "You should get some sleep Encara. You'll have a full day tomorrow." She said looking towards Jacara's room. "He hates me. I've been a terrible father to him." He said bowing his head in shame. Aeris bonked him over the head with her knuckles. "That's because you've been trying to be his friend. He'll make friends regardless of his...strong personality. But he only has one father." She said flying back down to the Keep. Encara pursed his lips to a line. "I feel like it's too late and try to fix that." He thought, floating back down to the Keep.
The sun crested over the horizon, with birds chirping, and the farmers of the third ring got to work on the fields. The second ring was filled with metal ringing of hammers, and scraping of shovels into coal forges. The sound of squires running in a pack, sparring with their weapons, being over seen by the Grand Knights. Mages in training practiced opening the gate with speed and precision, as they were given obstacles to avoid. Yamada found himself gazing under the Oeo again, his body felt like it was drifting under water. He spun around to see nothing but the empty abyss behind him, no frilled neck serpent. A wave of relief washed over him, until he looked at his hands, now scaled with long black claws. He shot awake, covered in a thin cold sweat, looking at his hands.
Yamada let out a sigh of relief seeing his normal fingers, and then noticed the blanket. He was inside Gwyneth's chambers, and he could feel the blanket over every part of his body. "You're finally awake." Gwyneth said from his side. He became flushed and didn't turn to face her, with his ears going red. He slowly laid back down, looking under the blanket, wincing as he saw nothing but himself under the blanket. "I saw everything, in case you're wondering." Gwyneth said resting in her bed. Yamada grimaced, scrunching his face. "I don't know why you're so embarrassed it's quite nice and-" "Please stop and give me clothes!" Yamada exclaimed under the blanket.
"Well I would, but you tore my only set of spare clothes, when you transformed. And the Handmaidens are still fixing your Kāṣāya." She said leaning onto her elbow. Yamada furrowed his brow, peeking his head out of the blanket. "Was I wearing your clothes?" Yamada hesitantly asked. Gwyneth nodded wearing a smug grin, the blanket rested over her chest. Yamada wrapped himself in the blanket into a make loin cloth, and stormed out bright red. The handmaidens all sat outside her chambers, stitching together his Kāṣāya. "What happened to it!?" He exclaimed, rushing towards them.
"We tried to wash it, and it just kind of came apart. We're trying to fix it, but there's just so much material." One of the handmaidens said. "Were you washing it with a knife?" He said frantically checking the fabric. Gwyneth emerged from her room, wearing a long flowing silk night gown. She mesmerised the handmaidens with its beauty. "I'll take you shopping for some clothes. For now let them fix it." Gwyneth said, fluffing her hair. "What am I supposed to wear outside?" Yamada asked. "Try and focus your arcane energy into coating yourself." Yamada cocked an eyebrow at her, but did what he was told. His azure scaled plate armour, manifested around him instantly, the ground beneath him cracking.
The handmaidens let out a yelp from the sudden sight, reeling back. Yamada looked at his new spike tipped gauntlets and bladed forearms. Gwyneth held a small hand mirror up to him. He gazed in awe at his new armour, slowly walking up closer to inspect it. "Keep your arcane energy out, and the armour will stay active." Gwyneth said, ducking back into her room. "This is what the forsaken knights use to wear?" Yamada said looking around his body. She quickly emerged now wearing a blue ribbon over her hair, and long silk dress, with royal blue embroidery. The handmaidens all looked at her surprised and excited. They had never seen her dress like a woman before. Yamada paid her no attention still looking at his new armour in awe.
"Come on, let's go and get your clothes, and then we'll continue your training." Gwyneth said offering out her hand. Yamada looked at her confused, and then awkwardly shook it. The handmaidens dropped their heads shame, groaning and wincing. Gwyneth giggled at him and wrapped her arm over his, pulling him in close. He looked up to her, his heart pounding out of his chest. "Um...Grand Knight Gwyneth?" He said nervously with his voice breaking. "As you can see I am dressed as a lady today. So you will address me as Lady Lockhart." She said doing a curtsy. Yamada and the Handmaidens tilted their heads confused. She sighed and dropped her head. "That's my last name." "Ahhhhh." They all nodding in sync at the information. "But why are you doing this?" Yamada asked. "You already have incredible control over arcane energy, and incredible battle intuition. Until Abaddon finishes crafting your weapon, I will teach the other things a knight must know."
"What would that be?" Yamada asked hesitant to hear the answer. "Chivalry, which entails learning many art forms." Gwyneth said. "Like the combative arts?" Yamada asked with a nervous smile. She shook her head smiling at him. "It involves learning literature, dancing and the art of making a woman swoon over you." She said pinching his cheek. Yamada desperately tried to pull his arm away, but Gwyneth held him in tight. "Normally I would let the handmaidens teach you these skills, but I foresaw this kind of reaction from you." She said struggling to hold his arm to her side. "Now escort me to the tailor." She ordered.
"But I don't even know my way around this place." Yamada said, still trying to pull his arm away. "Then it's time to show you around." She said with a warm smile. "Now remember if you lose focus, or burn through your arcane energy, you'll be naked in the streets." She said leading him on. He slid down his sharp tipped visor, covering his flushed face. The two of them walked through the Keep, capturing everyone's attention. They passed Urkse who watched on, with his jaw hanging, and gazed at her with bulging eyes. "Why is everyone staring at you? Have they never seen you in a dress before?" Yamada asked. "Haven't worn a dress since the war started."
"Why not? You're clearly gathering everyone's attention." Yamada asked looking up to her. "I like to have my weapon on me, at all times, wearing dress makes that impossible. Unless I go and re-Enk my weapon onto this dress." She said. They entered into the second ring, the shouting of drill sergeants, and hammering of labourers came to a sudden stop. All eyes had become fixated on Lady Lockhart's beauty. The girls in the second ring gazed in envy at her beauty, but Yamada could sense a different aura projected towards him. One of malevolence and envy, from all the young men in the field. "Um, could we please leave?" Yamada pleaded, tugging at her arm.
The two of them begun their descent to the tailor in the third ring. When Axilas called out to them. "Gwyneth! Wait a second!" He said jogging towards them. Yamada cursed in his visor, clenching his fist. Gywneth pulled on Yamada's arm, and he let out a sigh. "This is Lady Lockhart." He said looking at the ground. Axilas cocked an eyebrow, before bowing towards Gwyneth. "Forgive me, Lady Lockhart." She chuckled at the sight of Axilas bowing towards her. "That's not necessary Axilas. How can I help you?" She asked. "I wished to see the boy, who struck fear into my heart, after 20 long years." He said looking at Yamada in his armour.
Yamada was perplexed at the statement, but held his tongue. "And originally to ask, if you would help with a sparring demonstration. But as I see you are not dressed for the occasion, I will ask Lyn. Please excuse me Gw...Lady Lockhart." He said with a low bow, before walking off. She bowed back to him doing a small curtsy and guided Yamada down to the tailor. "What did he mean that I struck fear into his heart? That was the first time I met him." Yamada asked confused. "I suppose Yamata, would not have updated accounts of what happened during the war. Can you read?" She asked. "If they have small and simple words in it I can." She smiled at his response. "After I take you to the tailor, go and find the library, read about the war." She said. "What are you going to be doing?" He asked. "I will follow up with Abaddon, and see his progress on your weapon."
They entered into the dusty old tailor shop, filled with rolls of different fabrics and mannequins. A portly woman worked away, in the back with her hair tied in a messy bun, and several pins in her mouth. She wore frayed cotton pants and shirt, but worked on a magnificent dress. "Um...Gwyn-I mean Lady Lockhart. This place doesn't seem to have my kind of clothing." Yamada said looking around at the various dresses and corsets. "Don't worry, Miranda has never failed me." She said. "That's because you have beautiful privilege. You could wear a grain of sack and still attract the most attention." Miranda called out.
She stood up and hugged Gwyneth, before looking at Yamada up and down. She was much shorter than Yamada. Gwyneth handed her a small pouch filled with gold coins that had the arcane symbol imprinted on them. "What am I being commissioned for?" She asked jostling the coins around and going behind her counter. "Four sets of working clothes and one for events. My squire here needs a new set of clothes." Miranda perked up from behind the counter, cocking an eyebrow at her. "Squire?" She asked baffled. "I've been hearing, he's a little bit more than that." Gwyneth tittered, as Miranda raised her eyebrows suggestively.
"I'm just her squire!" Yamada exclaimed crossing his arms. "Oh the boy is adorable. I see why you enjoy teasing him so much." She said winking at Gwyneth. "Alright, turn off your armour, and listen to Miranda." Gwyneth said leaving the shop. Yamada hesitated and took a deep breath, his armour receded into his skin. He was beet red as Miranda pulled a measuring tape out, only wearing a blanket around his waist. Jacara was dressed in his magenta cloak, and paced nervously back and forth in front, of Encara's chambers. "He's your father, he'll teach you properly, if you ask properly." He muttered to himself. Jacara took a deep breath composing himself and knocked on the heavy wooden door.
"Who is it?" Encara asked through the door. "It's me, father." The doors swung open. Encara sat on his bed, reading a large tome, entitled 'the necromancer'. He slammed the tome shut, tucking it carefully under his pillow. "How can I help?" He asked standing up to stretch. Jacara took a deep breath, mustering the strength to speak the words. "I wished to be properly trained by you." Encara reeled back astonished. "You've never wanted to train with me. Why now?" He asked reading Jacara's expression. "Uncle Urkse, brought it up. He thinks that I won't be able to handle, what's outside the walls."
"He's right." Encara was lightning fast to respond. The statement made Jacara's jaw tighten and fists clench. "But he's also wrong." Encara said, walking over to him. "You have the power to fight anyone in any situation. However if you can't kill your opponent after your first four cards. You'll die. So your only issue is your lack or arcane energy. Which is a pretty easy fix." Encara said excitedly. Jacara grimaced and took a step back, before being pulled back by Encara's tight grip. "So let's get to training." Encara said clapping his hands together. The two of them disappeared from the room in a blinding light, and appeared in front of Abaddon's workshop.
Encara crept in behind Abaddon, as he hammered away at a molten ingot. He grabbed two ingots of Deiridum, tip toeing out of the workshop, Abaddon stopped hammering. "If you're going to steal from me Encara, at least tell me why." He said without turning around. Encara froze. "Um, well Jacara wants to train and..." Abaddon walked off, into the back of his workshop, rustling through heavy pieces of metal. Encara looked over to Jacara standing outside, and the two of them shrugged at each other. He emerged holding a bo staff made from Orichalcum. The shaft a burnt orange and each end adorned with a coiling golden Ryū. "Here give him this to train with instead." He said handing the staff to Encara, and taking the ingot away. "I wanted to give him something heavy, so he could-"
"He's problem is endurance AND consistency with arcane energy." Abaddon cut him off, and then threw the two ingots into his roaring furnace. "Well how will this staff help?" Jacara asked. Abaddon grabbed the staff out of Encara's hand. The staff morphed into a long sword. He swung the blade, slicing through the wooden table like butter. The long sword reverted back to a staff. "Do the same thing." Abaddon said tossing the staff to Jacara. The staff crashed into the ground. Jacara grunted as he lifted the staff, and begun moulding the staff with his arcane energy. The staff turned into a long sword, and Jacara poorly flourished the blade. "That wasn't hard at all." He scoffed.
"Keep it in that form, for an hour and I'll be impressed." Abaddon said pumping his furnace. Jacara looked at him perplexed, and lost his concentration. The long sword in his hand instantly reverted back to the ornate staff. "Orichalcum retains it shape once forged, that weapon is no different. Now leave my forge Encara, I have work to do." Encara took a second before nodding. "Alright then, this is way better than what I was going to do. Alright Jacara you know what to do then." Encara said clapping his hand and disappearing with a flash of light. "You were meant to train me!" Jacara yelled into the sky, shaking his fist angrily. "You have your answer, now leave."
Jacara angrily turned around to see Gwyneth behind him. The rhythmic hammering had gone silent, without him noticing. Everyone had turned to gawk at Gwyneth. "I remember why I don't wear a dress." She thought letting out a sigh. Jacara was at a loss for words, with his jaw hanging, as she strolled past him. "The boy's weapon is taking longer than expected." Abaddon said pausing to swing his hammer. "Come back tomorrow, and it will be done." He said striking the steel, with sparks flying out. "Very well, I'll be back tomorrow." She nodded and curtsied, walking back past Jacara. "And if you keep staring at me Jacara. I will shove that staff up your end, and create every single weapon I've ever seen." She growled. Jacara took a gulp and a step back averting his gaze.
As she left, her gaze, made the others quickly go back to work. "Wait!" Jacara called out, rushing in front of her. "Train me." He asked, looking up to her. "No." She said coldly, continuing to walk away. Jacara was frozen and taken aback. He quickly rushed in front of her again, and did a deep bow, sweat beads forming at his temples. "Please train me." He implored. "You're already sweating, from holding the weapon. You knew your weakness and how to fix it, for years. But you chose to look down on others, and take the easy way out. This is your punishment, Master of None." She said callously walking away. He dropped the staff, his grip waning and strained, clenching his jaw tightly.
Yamada had his arms out and legs spread, his face still red. Miranda precisely measured his limbs, quickly writing down his measurements. "Alright, I have your measurements. You can go boy." She said lightly spanking him. He let out a yelp, activating his armour. She laughed at his reaction. "Why are all the women here so indecent?" Yamada asked. "It's only to you. Because you're sweet and innocent." She said taking a roll of fabric off the shelf. "And you all wish to corrupt that?" Yamada asked confused. "No, we like to test men like you. Because you're rare." She said grabbing a mannequin. He cocked his head to the side at her statement. She looked back to him and chuckled. "You Islanders really are innocent. Men from Jux don't refuse advances from a woman like Gwyneth. They take what they want, regardless if they aren't offered." She said tearing the fabric off the roll. He was silent. "So, when a nice looking boy like yourself comes in, saying he only believes in loving one woman. You'll forgive us, for putting you under scrutiny." She said taking a pair of scissors out.
A blinding light appeared outside the shop, with citizens screaming out from the pain, before apologising. Encara stumbled in looking around at the dainty shop. "Miranda, it's been too long." He said with a friendly smile, opening his arms out for a hug, approaching her. She stood up, stabbing him with the pins, in the chest. He puckered his lips nodding, and took a step back, with a trickle of blood coming out of his cloak. "Get out of my shop." She growled. Yamada was confused and took a step back feeling the tension in the air. "Yamada, do you need to be here?" Encara asked meeting her stare. He shook his head and quickly left the shop.
"I told you to get out of my shop." She snarled, grabbing the scissors. Encara threw her a large pouch, it bounced off her chest and hit the ground. Gold coins poured out, and he scratched his head awkwardly. "Thought you would catch it. But not important." "I'm not taking your gold, murderer." She said kicking the gold away. He let out a sigh, dropping his head. "It's not for me. It's for Rin and Jacara." Miranda paused, before turning away. "Keep your gold. I wouldn't take it from her." She said taking a seat in front of the mannequin. He silently tittered to himself, before taking the gold pieces and resting it on her desk. "She still owes you for the silk, she tore." He said, clapping his hand and disappearing with a blinding flash of light.
Yamada attempted to find the library, by asking for directions, but the citizens wearing of the Citadel avoided him. They had heard his terrorizing roars, and wanted nothing to do with him. The sun reached its peak over the Citadel, blaring down on the stone and brick houses. Jacara held the staff over his shoulders covered in sweat, and breathing heavily. He spotted Yamada in his new armour, pacing around in circles, leaving no trail of destruction. Jacara took a second to think, before taking a deep breath. "Yamada." He called out. Yamada spun around to see Jacara covered in sweat, gesturing for him to come closer, with his finger. "I didn't think mages trained physically." Yamada said approaching him.
"I'm trying something new. Now why do you look like a lost child?" He asked. "Gwyn..." Yamada stopped himself. "Lady Lockhart, told me to read about the war, in the library, but-" "You can't find the library." Jacara finished his sentence, with Yamada nodding. "What do you need to know about the war?" Jacara asked, dropping the staff, point end down. The staff plunged halfway through, making him stumble. Yamada knelt down pulling the staff out, like a weak weed, to Jacara's annoyance. He flourished the staff, around his body with lightning fast speed, having the weapon glide and dance over his body, cutting through the air. "This weapon feels great! I wonder if this is what Lady Lockhart is getting me." He said holding the weapon out in front of Jacara, balancing the weapon only on his middle finger.
"How are you this strong?" Jacara asked irritated and snatching the staff out of his hand. "What do you mean? It's light once you put arcane energy into it." Yamada asked confused, raising an eyebrow at him. "I meant to ask how you have so much. What did you do?" Jacara asked. Yamada looked to the sky pondering. "I didn't know I had a lot." A vein bulged on Jacara's forehead, hearing Yamada's obliviousness. "But, I did run a lot around Yamata, holding heavy things." He said. "How long did you do that for? Before you came here." Jacara asked, struggling to keep the weight of the staff off his body. "I did it every day since I was six."
"I have a proposal for you." Jacara said, taking a deep breath and standing straight. "Train with me, every day till we depart, and I'll tell you everything about the war." He said waiting for Yamada's response. He was silent and Jacara could not read his expression through the armour. "Are there any pictures?" Yamada asked. Jacara looked at him askance, before responding. "Noo...." He said unsure if Yamada was being serious. "Alright, I'll train with you." He said. "Come and meet me at the third ring, I haven't done my lap yet." Yamada said sprinting off. Jacara looked at the third ring, and then to the heavy staff.
He let the staff drop, dusting his hands off, and walking away shaking his head. Yamada came running back in, rolling the staff over his sabatons, kicking the staff up and catching it. He grabbed Jacara's wrist pulling him back. "Sorry, I should have realised you were already tired. I'll carry you there." He said with a big smile. "Wait what?" Jacara said shaking his head puzzled. Yamada slung Jacara over his shoulder, and entered into a high speed sprint towards the third ring. Jacara bounced up and down on his shoulder, feeling the wind rush past him, his cloak flying past his face, like a dress blown up by the wind.