Trevor navigated the moonlit streets, avoiding detection as he made his way to the Dragon's Spur. The Royal Cadet Academy's strict curfew and the fact that he was banned from coming home before the Legion challenge wouldn't deter him from checking on his cousin. He heard about the attack from Nick and he needed to see Stanley's safety for himself.
As he approached the Dragon's Spur, Trevor noticed the increased guard presence. The doing of the new guy(Sir Joseph), no doubt. Trevor approved; Stanley was the son of the King's Arm so he's safety is paramount.
Upon arrival, James made his way through the guards unnoticed. He knew his way well—every corner where he would pass and wouldn't be noticed. If he was gone for a thousand years and he was blind, he couldn't miss his way in that house. He went straight to Stanley's room and fortunately, he was there. He heard more than Stanley's voice in the room. Two more people, to be precise, were in there with him. He beeped through one of the holes they made there themselves and saw it was just Nick and Jacqueline.
"You're not dead?" Trevor's tone was low but they all heard him. His face beamed with a armless smile.
Stanley smiled as he rose, obviously delighted by his cousin's visit. "I sure am hard to kill!"
"Thank the heavens you're safe!" Trevor exclaimed, embracing Stanley.
"You know, you would get it in trouble if you get caught,right? You're risking discovery." Stanley's voice carried concern.
Trevor went to where Nick and Jackie sat by the window, staring outside it. He completely ignored Stanley. He and Nick shared a very familiar handshake. He politely and gently hugged Jacquie after the handshake.
"What happened?" Trevor asked.
After they all settled on the floor, sitting in a circle. Stanley recounted the attack, detailing the masked men and how he and Sir Joseph did their best to stay alive. Trevor listened intently, his mind racing with questions.
Trevor's expression was grave. "That's terrifying! But what could they have wanted?"
"Probably, they were just thieves." Jacqie tried to not think it to far even though she knew they weren't thieves.
Nick spoke up. "This sounds like more than just a random attack."
This was exactly what Jacquie was avoiding. She didn't want them to start thinking of some of investigation.
"True." Trevor agreed.
"They came directly into the study. And the study isn't a place where things thieves come for are kept." Stanley too pointed out.
And it had happen. She feared it when three of them are on the same page on matters like that. It'd surely lead to something silly.
"Let's investigate!" Nick nodded like he had just had a debate in his mind and he won.
"No!" Jacquie shunned him. "We're not going to do that. Lord Ardo already sent men to investigate. I know,even 'big man' is doing something about it. So...let's just wait for them." By 'big man',she meant Sir Joseph.
Trevor was a little disappointed. The thrill had just started growing. "Oh, come on now. We can't just wait and watch."
"Yeah!" Nick and Stanley chorused.
"That is exactly what we'll do." Jacquie was serious as she spoke. "You,look at yourself. You lost your job and you're completely penniless and you even have a monitor. All because of our last silly 'quest'." She paused for a moment. "You sit back and watch this time. And you...you're getting late. If you get caught, you'll be roasted alive."
Trevor actually almost forgot about the fact that he had to return to the RCA. Stanley and Nick stood up, bade him farewell and watched as he walked to the window that was by the garden.
"Speaking of which, I got to a job at RCA. Come visit tomorrow!" Trevor's last words faded away just like himself. He slipped back into the night, his mind whirling with possibilities.
•••
Stanley sat at the edge of his bed, dawn's warm light creeping into his room like gentle whisper. The Great Lee had visited him in his dream, a recently rare occurrence in his waking life. For over two weeks, the Great Lee's had been limited to the realm of Stanley's subconsciousness, where he offered words of wisdom and guidance.
But this dream was somewhat different. The Great Lee's words still lingered in Stanley's mind, echoing with a sense of urgency. "At your current pace, you'll achieve nothing. You must take full advantage of whatever situation you find yourself. The heaven's gave you time so try to learn and strive for greater things." Stanley's mind whirled, trying to make sense of Great Lee's words. Why had he emphasized further on his need to take advantage of situation and become more—stronger.
And then,there was the other thing. The Great Lee has said that Stanley had to be a good shepherd. Stanley's thought swirled, trying to understand the connection. What did being a good shepherd have to do with working hard to become strong in order to protect the weak? He shook his head, trying to clear the cobweb. He needed to stop worrying...it wasn't his kind of thing to worry.
But Great Lee's words still lingered, refusing to be dismissed. Stanley thought about his life again. Was it on the road of being fulfilled? Throughout the twenty-one years he has lived, he hasn't done anything particularly significant.
As he sat there, lost in thought, the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape. Stanley felt a sense of resolve wash over him as the sun calmly brushed his skin. He would take the Great Lee's words to heart and he will strive for greatness...he would strive to be stronger.
•••
The sun's orange-golden glow sat on the grounds of Dragon's Spur, illuminating the tense atmosphere that still lingered from the previous fortnight's attack. Guards patrolled the premises with heightened vigilance, their eyes scanning the horizon for any kind of impending danger. The sound of clanging steel and muttered curses carried on the wind, a testament to the unwavering dedication of the estate defenders.
Within the mansion's training courtyard, Sir Joseph engaged in a rigorous practice session, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Sweat dripped from his brow as he executed a flawless series of strikes, his movement a blur of leather and steel. Stanley, fascinated by the display of martial prowess, watched intently for nearly a hour. His eyes sparkled with excitement, his mind drinking every detail of Sir Joseph's technique.
As Sir Joseph paused to catch his breath, Stanley approached him with an unexpected request.
"I challenge you to a duel!" Stanley's eyes was gleaming with mixture of excitement and curiosity. His voice was firm, but a hint of nervousness danced underneath the surface.
Sir Joseph's expression turned hesitant, his mind racing with the implication of engaging in combat with the young master of the estate. It wasn't exactly because of Stanley was the Lord's son but because of what people within the estate might say.
"Stanley, I'm not sure that's wise," He replied, his tone cautious. "You're the head of the Dragon's Spur in the absence of His Lordship, it wouldn't be wise to engage in combat with you. Moreover, people might talk."
"Talk? That's their problem as long as they don't say it to my face...or yours. If they do say it to my face, you'll be there to take 'good care' of them." Stanley sounded quite reassured.
"But still..." Sir Joseph still had doubts.
However, Stanley's determination soon turned the request into an order. "I insist, Sir Joseph. I want to see how much I match against you." Stanley's voice was firm.
One of the reasons Stanley wanted to spar with Sir Joseph was because of what Great Lee said about him being given the opportunity to learn but he isn't taking advantage of that opportunity. And Sir Joseph was unusual surprised at how someone who has never been taught any form of martial art would want to know how much he matches against him. He, who is the best disciple of the best swordsman in the whole of Miravalia, Sir Derek Ardo. He, who is a lieutenant in the strongest and largest army division in the kingdom. He, who is a member of The Nine Elegant Blades.
Is this foolishness or pride? He thought ton himself as he tossed Stanley a sparring sword.