1.2 CHAPTER NINE: THE REGALLION
The Crystal Dome in the grand capital, Athanasios(1), was as majestic as ever. Its ceiling shone like a million diamonds under the bright sun, filling the building with glittering, dancing lights. Like the past years, the energy of the people inside the dome was as lively as the glistening lights shining upon them.
If only the reason behind their joy was as mesmerizing as the crystal ceiling. It was the day Lucian reviled the most. The time of the year, he couldn't understand why it existed. The Regallion(2) happens once every three years. The day a powerful, mysterious, and undying Phoenix fire would choose one squire from the knight-in-training of each group to fight against one another.
Those chosen are considered the best in their order. The one who will emerge will receive the most praise and honor possible and be recruited into the King's official order after being knighted.
It was a killed or be-killed tournament disguised as a friendly competition: a sickening affair viewed in glorious light.
Lucian Urian was an anomaly as he walked in the sea of celebrating people. He felt sick to the core as people around him continued to cheer as if they were not going to send someone to their possible death. He could not find the joy they so clearly had.
He glanced to his left, where the squire chosen from his order was walking along with him. Lykaios was someone he had taken in when his farmer parents died during the attack of a monster that almost decimated their whole borough. He saw the potential of the young man from the very start. But—would it be wise to let him participate in the Regallion?
"I know that look, Lucian," Uli Laskaris whispered from his right. "You can't pull him out of this. The Phoenix fire had chosen him,"
Lucian steeled his expression as he stared straight ahead. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Uli,"
Uli rolled his eyes at his commander and best friend but had not made any more comments after that. The three walked side by side towards the arena, in the middle of the Crystal Dome, where the Regallion would be held.
People stared at them as they passed by. The squires from the other orders gazed at him with a mixture of high regard and apprehension. His order, the Sagma(3) knights, was small and unknown. Yet—despite the obscurity of his order, Lucian Urian was very well-known.
For winning his assemblage of Regallion.
For becoming a lord after saving a borough from absolute annihilation.
And for being the first knight who had refused to join the King's official Knight order.
He glared at anyone who made even the slightest attempt to unnerve his own squire. Uli shook his head at the childish action his commander was showing. He then glanced at the young squire, who showed obvious signs of nervousness. But he could see that Lykaios appreciated what their commander was doing.
They stopped at the doors of the arena. Lucian turned to face the young child he had escorted to his possible death. But—he shook that thought out of his mind as he stared directly at Lykaios's blue orbs. He put his hands on top of the young man's shoulder and gripped it.
"The only thing you need to think about out there is that. . . I am watching you," he declared.
Uli scrunched his face at Lucian's insensitive words. But before he could fix it, the young squire's face lit up at the words Uli thought would put pressure on him. Lykaios bright, blue orbs shone as he gazed up at the man he considered his hero.
"Yes! I will win this Regallion for you, commander! So, watch me!"
Lucian nodded at him. Lykaios raised his sword in front of him and held it with both hands as he bowed his head in salute to his commander before he turned and entered the room given for the contenders to wait in. Lucian stared at the squire's back until it vanished behind closed doors.
As the two turned to walk towards the part of the cavea(4) reserved for the commanders and vice-commanders of the orders, a knight wearing the emblem of a certain royal duke blocked their path. The knight gave Lucian a proper salutation, bowing his head and raising his sheathed sword between them with two hands.
Lucian gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, and the knight stood up straight, holding his sword to his side.
"Lord Urian," the knight greeted.
"Speak," Lucian ordered, his voice carrying the weight of his command.
And despite serving a man far greater than the commander in front of him, the knight still shivered in fear under Lucian's gaze.
"Duke de Serin has called for your audience," the knight answered.
Uli never bothered hiding the frown on his face upon hearing the words of the knight. He stepped up slightly in front of Lucian as he addressed the man in front of them.
"What would a royal duke need from a commander of a small order?" he asked, his voice and expression cold.
The knights shrunk under Uli's green orbs. Not only was he so much taller than most people, but his thin almond-shaped eyes were also exacerbated by his steel-cold gaze.
"Stand down, Uli," Lucian spoke; Uli bowed in acknowledgment as he stepped back again. "Tell the duke I will seek audience with him once the Regallion is done,"
"But! Lord Urian!" the knight protested.
His words lodged in his throat as Lucian gave him a hard stare. He stood up straighter as he audibly gulped in fear. He closed his eyes and bowed his head before turning and leaving. At the sight of the knight hurrying away from them, Uli could not stop the laugh from escaping his lips.
"For a knight serving someone of a high rank, he is a coward," Uli scoffed.
"That's enough, Uli," Lucian admonished. "Mind your words. We are at the Crystal Dome. Friends and enemies alike can hear you,"
Uli bobbed his head down. "Of course. I apologize, commander,"
Lucian's eyes squinted at the knight that left them. But he pushed the matter to the back of his mind as he led his vice-commander towards their assigned seat. Lucian and Uli greeted the other commanders and vice-commanders before they sat down.
From the other side of the cavea; where the royalties were sitting, a pair of Prussian blue orbs stared at him as the man's hand clenched in anger.
"Your Majesty, my lords, ladies, and gentlemen—as of this moment, we officially start the Regallion!" the master of ceremony announced, followed by the sound of the opening horns.