Chapter 1

Royal Court, Kingdom of Naxos, Continent: Barat, the Year 2041, Planet: Grimoire

"My king and queen of Naxos Kingdom, I am retiring." Royal Knight Clarence Delarosa stood before the royal couple in the audience room. It was no longer a time when any audiences were taken. Yet he felt this was the best time to approach them.

The Queen regarded him with calm eyes. She disliked him, but Clarence didn't care. He knew precisely why she disliked him but felt it wasn't worth worrying about, especially now after he made his statement. True, there were lingering courtiers who whispered amongst each other.

The King, however, was another matter. LaRoque Herrick Charros frowned at Clarence. "Might I inquire as to why you're doing this now?"

The Queen sighed. "Must we bother with this?" She snorted. "It is obvious why." She curled a lip. "He is ancient."

That was true, but Clarence knew that the King would have to technically approve of his request.

"Silence, queen," LaRoque ordered. You're showing great disrespect to a Knight who has fought bravely."

Rah, rah, rah, so what had he done it for all this time? Clarence still didn't know the answer. "You've established peace after a very long war." Though several of his brethren were fighting in other spots, his part was done, and Clarence saw no reason to prolong his work in the Kingdom.

The King shook his head. "That is not a reason to release you from your duties, Delarosa. I'm sorry, but I cannot let you go yet. Please wait for more of the knights to return."

Clarence knew what he meant by that and wouldn't take no for an answer. "I already have a worthy replacement," he made a slight motion. "Morte del Blancos is someone I've trained." Another knight came to his side. "He will take my place whether you approve or not."

Morte del Blancos bowed politely. "My King, my queen, please release him from this burden." He requested. "He is burned out with the constant demands."

The King scowled at them both. "I've already said no, and that's final," he snapped.

Clarence shrugged. "You'll regret having denied my peaceful request, sire." He bowed once more and about-faced to depart the audience chamber.

For once, no one dared to halt him. His footsteps echoed in the vast hallways as he headed for his quarters. Light footsteps followed in his wake.

"So, are you really going to do it?" It was Morte del Blancos.

Clarence sighed. "Yes, I am going to leave no matter what." He shrugged. "I'm tired of the never-ending conflicts." He just needed peace and wouldn't get it in this Kingdom. "I cannot tell you where I'm going, Morte. You know why."

"Yes, I do, sir." Morte stood by the doorway of his quarters. "Good luck wherever you wind up."

Clarence glanced at him and nodded. "Goodbye, sprout." A faint smile curved his mouth. "You've done your parents proud." Unlike him, Morte del Blancos had a proud historical lineage worthy of becoming a commander.

Morte hugged him. "Take care of yourself." He sighed and released the surprised Clarence.

"Err, yeah, I'll do that." He blinked and smiled. "You do the same. Don't fall for the advances of unscrupulous second genders." He ruffled Morte's fiery red hair.

Morte laughed and walked away, shaking his head with amusement.

Clarence closed his door. "Now, to make sure I leave without further obstacles." He'd known the King would deny his request. It was the same pattern that occurred three centuries ago.

The difference this time was that he wasn't putting up with it anymore.

*

Morte del Blanco walked away from his commander's quarters. He knew that Clarence meant that he'd just disappear this time. The old warrior had had enough of the King's fickleness and the Queen's physical pursuit.

Both needed to learn how to give Clarence space. "It is really too bad that neither of them recognized the signs of burnout and trauma." Morte shook his head in disgust. He also knew that he likely wouldn't replace the commander, either.

No, this time, he would likely have to escape to another country to avoid punishment when Clarence disappeared.

Unlike his commander, Morte knew that the likelihood of him being forgotten was very low. However, no one would convince Clarence of that except the hard way. Morte pitied the idiot who tried chasing the hardheaded dragon. There was no telling what would happen when a confrontation would occur, and Morte didn't intend to be around when that happened.

With that thought in mind, Morte found visiting a cousin's house very convenient for the week. He contacted his cousin Valence, who resided in the Galos Empire. "Cousin Valence, would it be all right if I were to come and visit for a week, maybe a little longer?"

Valence del Blancos regarded him dubiously. "Does this have to do with that commander of yours possibly vanishing soon?"

"Who?" Morte asked Valence, puzzled. I'm afraid I don't know what you're referring to."

Valence rolled his eyes. "Yes, you can come visit, but I'd recommend avoiding going anywhere near Bellonia Empire right now." He warned. "That stupid crown prince is on the warpath yet again." Valence shook his head in disapproval. "From what I hear, he's aiming to capture that man, Clarence Delarosa, for his personal whipping boy or worse."

Morte coughed and shook his head when he heard that. "Oh my, that is problematic." He winced when he heard about the Bellonia crown prince.

Morte sighed in disgust. "Nothing I can do." He was an obsessive madman and apparently developed an obsession with his commander now? That was going to turn ugly soon. While he did want to warn Delarosa, Morte knew that would get him into more trouble than it was worth. "This is even more reason for me to get out of this kingdom then." If he didn't leave now, there was a good chance that the crown prince would target him as an excellent hostage to use against Delarosa.

They made plans, and Morte was approved for his leave of absence, which he promptly used to leave Naxos for a while.