From the moment they entered the castle, a heavy silence fell between Clobber and Dylan. Meanwhile, Foster, Sam, and Will waited anxiously in the training grounds of the outer keep, eager for news.
As they walked through the outer keep, the two followed a winding, narrow path. After about ten minutes, they finally reached the inner keep. The stark contrast between the inner and outer keeps was immediately apparent. Sparse of people, the inner keep was eerily quiet, as though time itself had frozen.
Occasionally, knights in full plate armor stood guard in designated positions. When Clobber and Dylan passed by them, the knights didn't so much as blink. Their gazes remained steadfast, locked on the garden ahead as if bracing for some terrifying foe to emerge.
Dylan moved effortlessly through the labyrinth of corridors, navigating turns with ease. Finally, they arrived at the foot of a towering, imposing structure at the heart of the inner keep.
The building loomed high, a masterpiece of grandeur and solemnity. Its mere presence seemed to weigh on the air.
Stopping before the grand doors, Dylan, silent for so long, finally spoke.
"Clobber of the Golden Rose, before you lies the most exalted being in the duchy. The Golden Dragon Knight, the Golden Duke, Slayer of the Tempest Dragon, and Conqueror of the Azure Seas…"
He inhaled deeply, then extended his hand to grasp the massive, ancient door's handle.
"Her Grace, Veronica of the Crimson Gold!"
With a grunt, Dylan pulled the door halfway open.
"…"
Clobber hesitated, unsure whether to enter through the half-open door. Dylan, however, had already moved to the opposite side, pulling the left door open as well.
Though Dylan's face was obscured by his helmet, Clobber could imagine his expression and was certain it would be amusing. He made a mental note to ask about it later—after the audience.
Bowing slightly to Dylan, Clobber adjusted his attire and stepped into the hall.
The sheer vastness of the space struck him immediately. It exuded an air of grandeur and solemnity.
The ceiling soared impossibly high, as though reaching for the heavens. Colossal stone pillars stood like sentinels, anchoring the space with their unyielding presence.
The floor was a polished marble so immaculate it mirrored faint glimmers of light, casting an almost mystical ambiance.
The walls bore enormous oil paintings, depicting the Duke astride the Golden Dragon in her climactic battle against the Tempest Dragon.
The hall was sparsely adorned, yet its minimalist design radiated an unadulterated elegance. Here, everything seemed to hold its breath.
At the far end of the hall stood an opulent throne. Its intricate carvings and towering backrest spoke of its regal purpose.
The throne, entirely fashioned from gold, was draped with luxurious silks and furs, embodying the essence of the Golden Dragon itself.
Upon the throne sat the Golden Duke, Veronica, clad in an elaborate robe and crowned with a golden circlet. Her hand rested lightly on an ornate scepter, and she emanated an aura of unshakable authority.
What unnerved Clobber most was the emptiness of the throne room. Aside from the Duke, no guards or attendants were present. The silence was deafening.
"Clobber of the Golden Rose, my loyal knight," Veronica's voice rang out, ethereal yet commanding. "Why do you hesitate? Approach, kneel, and swear your oath. I will bestow upon you honor beyond measure."
The Duke's voice pulled Clobber from his thoughts. He quickly composed himself, stepping forward and kneeling at the base of the throne.
He began reciting the ancient pledge, his voice steady and resolute.
"To my noble liege, the mighty Golden Dragon Knight, the illustrious Golden Duke, Slayer of the Tempest Dragon, and Conqueror of the Azure Seas—your loyal knight, Clobber of the Golden Rose, swears this sacred oath."
"For you, I will fight! My spear, my sword, my very being!"
"I will protect what you protect. I will cherish what you cherish. My blade will strike in your name, and my shield will stand unyielding for you."
"As your knight, I will uphold your commands, safeguard your realm, and defend your people with unwavering devotion."
As the oath concluded, Veronica rose gracefully from her throne and descended the steps, her scepter in hand.
"With the authority of the Duke, I command your loyalty," she declared, resting the scepter lightly on his right shoulder.
Tapping his left shoulder next, she continued, "By the name of your sovereign, I command your mercy."
Retracting the scepter, she placed her hand on Clobber's shoulder.
"My loyal knight, Clobber of the Golden Rose, by the power vested in me as the sole ruler of the Golden Duchy, I hereby name you a Dragon Breath Knight. As your liege, I pledge to share with you bread and steel, and within my hall, a place by the hearth shall always be yours."
The ceremony concluded.
Clobber rose, preparing to take his leave, but Veronica stopped him with a commanding tone.
"Raise your head, young one. Let me see your face."
Her voice left no room for defiance. Reluctantly, Clobber raised his head, his expression composed with a polite smile.
Veronica's hand gently traced his cheek.
"Hmm… not bad," she mused. "Vivian wasn't wrong. A fine young man indeed."
Clobber's smile froze, a faint awkwardness seeping into his otherwise composed demeanor.
"Ha!" Veronica chuckled softly, withdrawing her hand. She clasped it behind her back, her fingers idly brushing against her palm as if savoring the sensation.
"Well, little one, a maid will escort you to your chambers. I'm sure you'll find them to your liking."
—
Vivian, a youthful Golden Dragon, resided atop an adjacent peak in a nest Veronica had commissioned for her. Through their bond, Vivian observed everything within the castle and reported anything noteworthy to the Duke.
It was Vivian who had prompted Veronica, who had been napping in her chambers, to quickly change and await Clobber's arrival on the throne.
Otherwise, who in their right mind would sit on that uncomfortable throne all day?
Vivian's exact words had been:
"That one from the Golden Rose family—the knight who never behaves—has brought another of their kind. This one's good-looking. I like him. His battle qi is pure, and he smells nice."
Thus, Clobber's acceptance into the Dragon Breath Knights had been sealed the moment he entered the castle.
After all, in the presence of a Golden Dragon, no secret could remain hidden.
In this vast, solemn hall, it felt as though time itself had stopped, leaving only an aura of peace and sanctity in its wake.
At the far end of the chamber stood a magnificent throne, crafted with exquisite detail. Its high, towering back and wide armrests gave it an air of authority and grandeur. Made entirely of gold, it reflected the essence of the Golden Dragon it symbolized.
The seat itself was spacious and cushioned with fine silks and furs, radiating an opulence that underscored the nobility of its occupant.
Seated upon the throne was none other than the Golden Duke, Veronica. Draped in an ornate robe, a golden circlet resting upon her brow, and a scepter firmly in hand, she emanated an undeniable aura of power and command.
Yet, the emptiness of the hall struck Clobber as strange. Aside from the Duke herself, not a single guard or attendant was present. The absence was unsettling, as though the vast chamber existed solely to magnify her presence.
"Clobber of the Golden Rose, my loyal knight," Veronica's voice echoed through the hall, ethereal yet commanding, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Why do you stand there hesitating? Step forward, kneel, and swear your oath. I shall grant you glory beyond measure."
Her words brought Clobber back to his senses. Without further delay, he obeyed, striding toward the steps of the throne. There, he dropped to one knee, bowing his head as he began reciting the ancient pledge.
"To my noble liege, the mighty Golden Dragon Knight, the illustrious Golden Duke, Slayer of the Tempest Dragon, and Conqueror of the Azure Seas—your loyal knight, Clobber of the Golden Rose, swears this sacred oath.
"I shall fight for you! My spear, my sword, my very being!
"I shall defend what you protect, cherish what you love. The blade in my hand shall strike for you, the shield I bear shall stand for you.
"As your knight, I vow to follow your commands, uphold your reign, safeguard your people, and submit to your leadership."
When the oath was complete, Veronica descended the throne gracefully. Standing before Clobber, she placed the scepter lightly upon his right shoulder.
"In the name of the Duke, I command you to be loyal," she declared, her voice steady and solemn.
She shifted the scepter to his left shoulder, tapping it gently.
"In the name of your lord, I command you to be kind."
The scepter was withdrawn, and Veronica placed a hand on Clobber's shoulder, her gaze firm yet warm.
"My loyal knight, Clobber of the Golden Rose, by the authority vested in me as the sole ruler of the Golden Duchy, I hereby name you Dragonbreath Knight. As your liege, I promise to share bread and blade with you. In my hall, by my hearth, you shall always have a place."
With that, the ceremony concluded.
Rising to his feet, Clobber prepared to take his leave but paused as Veronica spoke again, her tone laced with an undeniable command.
"Raise your head, little one. Let me see your face."
There was no room for defiance in her words, and Clobber found himself complying instinctively. He raised his head, meeting her gaze with a polite, practiced smile.
Veronica's right hand gently brushed against his cheek, her touch as soft as silk.
"Hmm... Not bad," she murmured, almost to herself. "Vivian was right—you're quite the promising young man."
The unexpected intimacy of the moment left Clobber frozen, his polite smile turning into something a bit more awkward.
"Ha!" Veronica chuckled softly, withdrawing her hand and rubbing it absentmindedly as if savoring the sensation.
"Very well, little one. A maid will escort you to your quarters. I trust you'll find them to your liking."
Vivian, a young Golden Dragon, resided atop the higher peak neighboring the castle. Veronica had built a lavish lair there for her, offering a commanding view of the entire castle grounds.
With her sharp senses and the magical bond shared with Veronica, Vivian could perceive every movement within the castle. Even the faintest disturbance would reach Veronica through their connection. This was why Dylan's demeanor had shifted so drastically upon entering the castle.
Years ago, Dylan had been personally reprimanded by the Duke for his un-knightly behavior—a memory that lingered and made him unusually rigid whenever near her.
In truth, Veronica had been lounging in her chambers, half-asleep, when Vivian's voice stirred her.
"That one from the Golden Rose family," Vivian had said lazily. "The unserious one, Dylan, just brought another from the same family. He's quite handsome, I must admit. His aura is pure, and his scent... I like it."
Only then had Veronica hurried to change and take her place on the throne to receive Clobber. Otherwise, who would voluntarily sit on that uncomfortable thing all day?
Honestly, she'd thought more than once: If not for tradition, I'd toss that damn throne into the moat.