After a long and arduous journey, Clive and his companions reached Phoenix gate. They were greeted at castle by an entire guard squadron. The captain of the guard squadron, a man with a weathered face and a scar that ran the length of his cheek, approached, his voice gruff but courteous, " Your grace, welcome to Phoenix gate. I trust your journey was uneventful...."
Clive, his face etched with fatigue, offered a tired smile, "Uneventful wouldn't quite describe it, Captain. But alive". He gestured towards one of the steeds, its leg bandaged. "Ambrosia took a tumble on the way. See to her, please."
The Captain barked an order, and two stablehands rushed forward. "Her wounds will be well tended to, Your Grace," he assured Clive. "Now, please follow me. The Duke awaits you in the banquet hall."
Clive nodded and walked inside with haste. He did not want to keep his father waiting. The castle was the most heavily fortified one in Rosaria, considered sacred to the Dominants of Phoenix. The castle hummed with activity. Soldiers drilled in the courtyard, their rhythmic chants and clanging swords a stark reminder of the war brewing on the horizon. A pang of unease settled in his gut. He knew why he was here – to prepare for the inevitable conflict ahead.
At the entrance to the grand hall, bustling with laughter and the aroma of roasted meat, he encountered Lord Commander Murdoch, "Clive!" he bellowed, clapping him on the shoulder with a force that nearly sent him reeling. "Looking hale and hearty, I see. Are your wounds healed enough to handle another flagon of ale?"
Clive chuckled. "Almost, my Lord. How is the morale of our troops?"
"Better than i expected Clive, they all wait eagerly to spill some iron blood, and with R'yati festival in the iron kingdom they will be distracted. We have the advantage. Now...How was your little get-together with that girl "
Clive blushed. "Lord Murdoch! I…"
Murdoch laughed, throwing his head back. "Just teasing, lad. Go now, your father awaits in his study. And remember, keep your head up and your blade sharp. We'll need both in the days to come."
After a few more minutes of walking, Clive reached his father's study. The study was a dimly lit chamber lined with maps and battle plans. His father, Elvin, stood by a window, his back to him. The setting sun cast an orange glow on his face, highlighting the worry lines etched around his eyes, " Your grace..? "
Elvin turned back and Clive could sense the happiness in his father's face he caught sight of him. " Clive my dear boy...You are back. I trust my brother provided good company to you...."
" He did father. Uncle Byron also play...err I mean sparred with me"
Elvin nodded in approval, " Very well then, come now Clive, join me at the feast. i am sure The other shields will relish at the tales of your victories"
But Clive hesitated. The thought of feasting with the other shields, sat uncomfortably on his stomach. "Father," he began, "I… I would rather be excused this evening." Elvin often compared himself to Clive. Neither of them awakened as the dominant of phoenix and like him Clive fought to take his place in the kingdom. Elvin nodded understandingly and relieved Clive from his duties.
At the feast, The banquet hall buzzed with a feverish energy. Torches flickered against the rough-hewn stone walls, casting long, dancing shadows on the faces of the assembled Shields. Tankards of ale foamed, overflowing onto calloused hands as laughter and boisterous songs echoed through the room. Elvin and Joshua sat at a raised platform overlooking the entire hall. Many shields of Rosaria were present there, drinking Ale and indulging themselves in decadent food. Elvin smiled as he looked at the soldiers. He had take it upon himself to always host one last feast just for the soldiers before a war.
Elvin turned to Joshua, who sat hunched over his plate, picking at his food with a distracted air. His eyes, usually bright with youthful curiosity, were clouded with doubt. Elvin, sensing his son's unease, nudged him gently., " What is it Joshua..?, are you unwell? "
Joshua looked up, startled, his face flushing a faint red, " No father, just a bit tired "
Elvin chuckled, a sound rarely heard in the echoing halls. "Save your strength, son. Tomorrow, you enter the Apodytery, where the whispers of our ancestors will guide you. Just as they guided those who came before."
Joshua slowly nodded. By now the soldiers in the banquet hall had begun to sing a song praising Rosaria. Elvin who could no longer contain himself joined in.
Joshua sensing an opportunity to leave, quickly quietly walked out of the room through a back entrance.
It was nigh midnight, the moon, bathed the courtyard in a pristine glow.. Clive sat perched on a weathered stone bench, in a secluded area behind the banquet hall his back against the rough wall, Torgal, a wolf cub, nestled at his side. The joyous sounds of the banquet faded into a distant murmur, replaced by the rustle of leaves and the chirping of crickets. He took a swig from a flask, the strong liquor burning a comforting path down his throat. The area was littered with barrels of ale and baskets full of food supplies.
"Some loyal hound you are, Torgal," he muttered, scratching the cub behind the ears., "Jill's probably tearing her hair out looking for you.
The door behind him opened suddenly, Clive upon hearing the sudden noise instinctively reached for his sword but stopped when he realized it was just Joshua.
"Clive," Joshua said, his voice laced with surprise. "What are you doing out here?"
Torgal bounded towards Joshua, tail wagging excitedly. Joshua knelt down, picking up the playful cub with a small smile, " Are you not joining the Feast?, everyone is singing praises of you"
Clive replied, " Feasts are the only time shields are relieved of their duties and I've never been one for cakes and ale. Besides, it wasn't always this way. In the beginning when I joined the forces everyone thought me a spoiled little lordling. Had I not know how to handle a sword, i would have surely been a laughing stock. The Archduke's first born a loser. You are the one they really look up to Joshua, I am Jealous "
Joshua disapproved and spoke in an unsure tone " It isn't fair....It should have been you Clive, why did the phoenix choose me?. Everyone expects the phoenix to aid them in the war, but i don't know if i can...."
Clive sensing Joshua's fear put an hand on his shoulder and said, " The Phoenix wasn't chosen for its strength, Joshua," he said, his voice firm but kind. "It was chosen for its heart, its compassion. Our ancestors instated the Phoenix as the Archduke of Rosaria so that the Phoenix would save Rosaria from the brink of the collapse, and now it is your duty to bear that burden. I am your shield and i will always protect us and help you shoulder that burden"
Joshua looked at Clive who smiled at him reassuringly. " Its time i go to bed. Good night Clive..!"
Joshua placed Torgal back on the ground and said, " Good night to you too Torgal " entered the castle, Joshua disappeared into the shadows, leaving Clive alone with the moon as his sole companion. Clive sat there looking at the moon, in what would be the last peaceful night of his life.