The slender edge of a rapier pressed against his throat, drawing a single bead of blood. Athaan remained still, his breaths shallow. This wasn't how he expected things to go.
"Tell me." The voice was calm, measured. The speaker — a broad-shouldered Knight with blood red eyes — loomed over him. "What is your name, and what is your affiliation?"
The rapier, held by his subordinate, a petite young woman, glinted in the light as her sharp gaze bore into him.
"M-my name is Athaan D'var," he stammered. "Severan origin. I seek refuge with your Knights on my way to Everlance. A great evil dares to claim me, and if it does, it becomes everyone's problem."
The young woman, unimpressed, scoffed. "Sir Krown, you can't possibly believe this. For all we know, a Fiend could be controlling him."
Krown remained silent, his eyes scanning Athaan with the precision of a hunter sizing up prey.
'Sir Krown. A name to remember.' Athaan thought, analyzing his options. What were his odds here? Could he negotiate? Was his assumption about this being a prominent House correct? And if so, could they get him an audience with the King?
"Relax, Aisha." Krown's voice cut through Athaan's musings. "He's not hostile. If anything, he's too trusting. Fools are to be feared more, I'd say."
Tilting his head to Athaan. "Mhmmm, boy. You may join us, but you will stay restrained, indefinitely. Until we return to the capital. Or…." Sir Krown muttered, as his gaze shifted skyward.
Before anyone could react, Krown's greatsword was in his hands. In one fluid motion, the blade sliced through the air, severing the head of a descending Fiend. Its body crumpled into the river with a loud splash, its fetid blood staining the water. A low tier one, no doubt, but its stealth was indeed impressive. None of the other Knights had noticed its presence — none except Aisha and Athaan. The speed and precision of Krown's strike burned itself into Athaan's mind. He had seen Knights in action before, but it was a sight every time.
"Not sure I have much of a choice." Athaan murmured, resigned. He had offered himself willingly to them, knowing full well that leaving would not be as simple. They could not afford to let a potential threat roam unchecked. He understood that….
Krown cleaned his blade with an air of practiced indifference. "Men, clean up this mess. Salvage the edibles and anything the Forgesmith can use. Discard the rest. We move at noon."
***
Now inside the camp, turning to Athaan, Krown broke a loaf of bread in half and offered it. "Eat. You look half-starved."
Athaan reached for the bread, but the moment his fingers brushed it, Krown clamped an unfamiliar set of cuffs onto his wrists. "And these are non-negotiable," Krown said. "Behave, and they'll come off soon enough."
Athaan didn't protest. "Yes, thank you. I understand. Got any water to go with this?"
Krown blinked, the faintest hint of incredulity flickering across his stern face before he barked a laugh. "You're a strange one, boy." As Athaan ate, Krown's expression turned serious again. "Now, about that great evil you mentioned—"
"The less you know, the better." Athaan interrupted. "But, I'll give you any information you require…. when we reach the capital."
Krown's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he nodded. "Hmph, suit yourself. Aisha, Kevin. Guard duty."
"Uncl— I mean Sir, you can't possibly be serious?" Aisha protested, her voice sharp with discontent.
"Insubordination?"
"No, Sir."
"Good." Without another word, he disappeared into his tent.
A young Knight with a timid smile, approached Athaan. "Hah, don't be too tense…. You'll be free in a bit, you know what those are, right?" Kevin gestured, offering Athaan a flask of water.
"Not really, I couldn't draw on my abilities the second these cuffs met my wrists, power-dampening, I assume."
"Yes, something like that." Kevin said laughing.
Athaan studied him. There was a softness to Kevin, an unpolished quality that felt out of place among hardened Knights. A vassal, perhaps?
"That's enough, Kevin." Aisha shot from a distance.
"But sister. It's only harmless conversation." Kevin replied hastily.
"Really? You can handle guard duty then." Aisha muttered, moving to assist with dismantling the camp.
"Sister?" Athaan asked curiously, not realising he had said that out loud.
"Oh, yes." Kevin smiled, "Twins, actually."
'Hoh, didn't expect that.' Athaan thought.
"Though you wouldn't guess it." Kevin continued, "She dyes her hair, you know. For reas…." Kevin trailed off, realising he was saying too much.
"Silver eyes and, uh, what colour is your hair exactly? Are those real…. Natural I mean?" He said, in an attempt to change the flow of the conversation.
"Oh, that," Touching his hair, Athaan replied "It's as a result of my Esper abilities. So I guess it's natural? Not sure."
Athaan's hair was dark auburn, tinged with silver & black, unruly and cut short but uneven. A faint scar ran along his upper lip.
Losing the white mantle he had worn earlier — it was long enough to graze his ankles, billowing slightly even in the absence of wind — He now sported what lay beneath the mantle, a fitted high collar dark-gray undershirt with a clerical insert, folded to the elbow, complete with white slacks that clung to his lithe frame. A crucifix hung around his collar, sporting black leather half-gloves for his hands. Athaan's face was sharp and angular, with piercing silver eyes. Finishing the ensemble with lustrous black boots, reinforced with dull steel toes and criss crossed laces.
"Wow, that's pretty cool. Espers are just as interesting as the books say."
"Books huh, never seen a Severan before?" Athaan asked curiously.
Kevin replied, wistfully "Not really. I belong to a Core House, yes. But it's still in Arthuria, so we rarely get any marks that involve other Kingdoms." After an exaggerated sigh, he continued "We met you by chance and this is my first field mission outside the Capital. Father suggested I join my sister, I'm not too keen on Knight activities, you see. In all, it's very unlikely others not in my position would even stumble on the opportunity."
"Fair point. What are you guys doing all the way out here anyway?"
"That, I can't really tell you. I'm sure you'll find out soon enough, though. It's almost noon."
And true to his assessment, shortly after, Sir Krown's voice boomed across the now dismantled camp. "Mount up! We move now!"
Dragon-newts snorted and pawed at the ground as the Knights prepared to ride. Athaan fell into step, his wrists bound but his mind sharp. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it. The journey to Everlance was coming to an end.