It didn't take long for Seth to arrive in front of the table.
Now that he was closer he noticed there was another figure at the table. The steward of the castle.
'Uh I actually don't know his name?'
In a fluid motion, Seth knelt on one knee and bowed to the heads of each family, their spouses and the steward of the castle.
Exchanging pleasantries didn't take long, though Lady Invis didn't return his greetings the others did.
Sir Cleves and Lady Anne gave him curious looks while whispering in each other's ears
Then he greeted his house next, before kneeling in front of lord Karun and bowing his head.
'So much kneeling ,greetings and formalities.'
Then he heard his Lord's voice.
"You may raise your head now."
Seth felt a slight shiver through him. Karun wasn't wearing his fatherly face, no he put on his Lord face.
Seth did as he was told.
Lord Karun's gaze caused him to falter, but only for half a second.
There was a strange intensity that resided in the very depths of the man's eyes, Seth could never discern the emotions hidden. But today he felt like he could sense admiration from Lord Karun.
Then he spoke.
"I've been told by Vallar that you have reached the rank of Intermediary."
There was the faintest of smiles plastered on his face after he spoke.
Seth spotted Master Valar, his mentor and a knight at the rank of Master. An approving smile was etched unto his face.
Then Lord Karun stood from his chair and unsheathed his sword.
"Which is the minimum rank for a knight.
Seth Gideon do you understand what I'm saying?"
Seth plopped on both knees and gave a consenting nod.
"Good... Good. Do you Seth of house Gideon swear fealty to serving your house with your blade, to serving your Lord, your King and protecting the Empire?" Karun's voice boomed.
Seth replied with a hearty voice;
"I do my Lord, I swear to protect and serve My house, You my Lord, The empire and The Great Flame our King."
"Then it is done."
And Karun knighted Seth under the gazes of hundreds and two houses.
"Now rise Seth One of the many blades of house Gideon."
And Seth rose, feeling a surge of emotions ge couldn't understand.
"Now let the feast begin"
Seth plopped down beside Kit.
"Where were you? Meer is no fun and boring."
Then he stared at Seth with admiration filled eyes.
"So you're a knight now.. that's sooo cool. Though very soon I'll also become a knight and at the level of prime. Besides I'll have a larger inheritance than you could...."
But the young boy was interrupted when
*Creak*.... Bang!
Suddenly the huge heavy main doors of the hall swung open with a forceful push and through it hurriedly entered a lith, slim figure with swift steps, dressed in regal, party attire.
Under the moonlight's illumination he thought her hair was Raven black, but in truth they were a very dark shade of brown sectioned into three groups of bangs and tied into a thick side ponytail.
Her amethyst eyes are noticeably droopy with abundant eyelashes, and a dangerous mischievous smile was etched unto her face.
She was garbed in a red satin dress that left her shoulders exposed and a gold-laced rope tied around her waist. Her garment reached are ankles.
"Gretchen.." Seth whispered under his breath.
Her abrupt appearance instantly caused many heads to turn and curious looks to dawn, as the host's attention was momentarily whisked away with the desire who this intruder was.
Possessing a slender, nimble figure housed in a slightly tall stature, her oval face was devoid of baby fat, right around her cheeks and her body radiated a youthfulness aroma.
This was the youngest of the children of the Whisperwinds and daughter of the former lord of the Whisperwinds, the niece of Lord Damascus.
And once she was close enough, the young girl greeted The lords and ladies with a graceful bow,
"Your Lordships, I'm terribly sorry for the delay. I was feeling a bit tired and overslept. Apologies!"
However, in much contrast to the words she addressed towards the Lords, her tone was actually light and jovial.
If she was truly sorry, she was not showing It.
Lord Damascus' golden pupils narrowed in disgust.
"Very well, but never let it happen again." He said before dismissing her.
And the feast resumed in merriment.
The steward really tried everything to impress the two houses.
With dancers, harpists, poets, bards and all manners of food.
'Poor guy.. he doesn't even know both families aren't even top dogs. They are servant houses, the real top dogs are the retainers and venerable houses all which are under the Royal family.' Seth couldn't help but lament for the steward.
The next few days passed very quickly.
The Whisperwinds left on the second day making way to the capital Agyes.
House Gideon and it's host remained behind, like some sort of silent agreement between both lords.
"Again!" Vallar cried as Seth struggled to stand to his feet.
For the past days he had been training with the other knights and Vallar havr been fighting him seriously.
He stood up with a shaky breath and gripped his longsword low and raised his shield to eye level.
Vallar smiles then turns to Sir Josan
"Good.. can't you see Sir Josan that he doesn't lack perseverance. Now I think it's time you faced him."
Sir Josan nodded in agreement and started to approach Seth with measured steps at a steady pace.
He grabbed a dull Great sword and a small round shield.
I dropped my dull longsword and picked a dull bronze spear.
"Even better picking a weapon well suited for your opponent."
The man was almost 2 meters in height and with the physical prowess of a bear. He was incredibly strong and faster than anyone would have guessed for a man that big.
He had an oblong face and olive skin with a handlebar mustache cradled atop his lips.
Black Curly wavy hair and brown eyes.
"Show me your metal boy." He said before Vallar signalled the spar to begin.
One would expect the spar to begin with a furious clash of steel. On the contrary both fighters circled each other, looking for an opening.
'He has a monstrous amount of strength I can't contend with and his speed is faster than someone his size. But no matter how fast I should be faster. If-'
Seth's train of thoughts were interrupted when Josan's hand twitched and his sword appeared to have teleported towards Seth.
"Shit!" Seth could only curse.
Too late to dodge and too strong to parry. But perhaps...
instead of trying to dodge or block the attack, he went with it, letting the Great sword collide with his outstretched shield and cushioning the blow. As his arms screamed in pain,
Seth used the force of the blow and allowed his body to be sent flying through the air. This way, at least, he would get out of Josan's range.
Instead of breaking his neck or having the breath beaten out of him by the landing, he braced his body and nimbly rolled before stopping some distance away from the terrifying opponent.
Then, he looked up, trying to ascertain the situation.
'Crap!' This was the only thought in Seth's head as he awkwardly fell backward, allowing the dull blade to swing right in front of his face.
The dull blade was o close that he could clearly see tiny nicks on the surface.
Seth landed on his back, narrowly avoiding the unexpected strike.
He realised that he was sprawled on the ground, unable to quickly create distance between him and the knight.
Just as this realization dawned on Seth, he desperately rolled to the side. In the next moment, the blade came down, sending small tremors through the ground. If not for his quick reaction, Seth wasn't sure he could take that attack.
'isn't this sparring?' He thought and looked to master Vallar, but his mentor kept his silence.
He gritted his teeth and spat ;
"Well shit"
He was just beginning to stand up when the Great sword swiped sideways. Luckily, Seth was ready:
He parried the strike with his shield and spun his spear aiming to swipe at Josan's shoulder joint, but Josan was fast enough to party tge strike with a swing of greater force.
Seth's slips a little from the shear force then he gets up quickly and begins running and circling the big knight.
They trade a couple of blows and the song of metal clashing fills the air.
After a few dozen strikes Seth's shield so broken and he ditches the splinters that remain.
Jumping, rolling and dodging the strikes of Josan while countering and parrying with his spear.
Trying to wear both each other out.
Seth's breath gets raggedly and tired, but in the end it's his weapon that gave in.
The pole spear bends and caves in from a particularly strong attack.
"I yield... I yield." Seth pleads.
And the spar ends.
Josan pulls him to his feet and says;
"No hard feelings little dog, but we knights train this hard so our hearts become numb to fear and pain, now go get patched up by the doc."
Then he pats him on the back and turns to Vallar.
Vallar claps his hands and the rest follow.
He approaches me and gives me an approving smile.
His eyes take me in, with respect he inspects me.
"You did well, you managed to beat 4 out of the 15 knights.. well we are 16 now. Congratulations."
And the rest clapped in mild merriment, though some of them had disdain hidden behind their facade of false smiles.
As if saying
'how can a mere Kaphan knight be named a knight.'
But none voiced their complaints after all it wasn't Vallar that knighted me, but Lord Father.
The day passed rather quickly and by dinner Karun had made it known we would depart for the capital tomorrow.