The sun sat high in the sky, looking over the busy streets of Willowstead Town. A week had passed since the confrontation with the Vornacian knights. The events of that day lingered in the minds of the townsfolk - especially Elise. They all found it hard to believe that Caelus, known to them all as a kind man that was always willing to help around town, was truly the most famous knight on the continent.
Many thoughts weighed heavily on Elise's mind at this time. When Caelus had first arrived in Willowstead two years ago, covered in dirt and wounds, she was the one that nursed him back to health. Out of all the townsfolk, she was the closest with Caelus and she felt like there were little secrets kept between the two of them. As she leaned on Patisserie Ashfield's wooden counter, a sense of sadness and betrayal bubbled up in her soul. After what felt like an eternity, her discouraged trance was broken by a soft but hearty voice.
"Hey! It's Elise, right?" the voice called
Elise lifted her head to see Mirabelle, her red hair tied back, her bandages still visible from her injuries inflicted by the Vornacian knights. She had been resting in Caelus' home for the past week. The thought unsettled her, but she decided to keep it to herself.
"Ah, Mirabelle," Elise said with a smile, "do you need anything?"
"Just call me Mira... it's weird to hear people say my full name. I didn't want much, just wanted to see who was feeding that idiot's sweet tooth." she replied
"Idiot?" Elise replied, turning her head in confusion
"Caelus, I mean. I'm sure he's a regular at your store."
"Haha, he is! He comes almost every day!" she replies with a small giggle
"I swear, he's way too simple," Mira replies with a slight tone of annoyance, "he loves these way too much." she gestures to the displayed pastries
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah! For as long as I've known him, he's made friends with any baker he came across."
Their chat continued through the afternoon, accompanied by the greetings and murmurs of the surrounding townsfolk.
"So you've known him a long time, right?" Elise asked hesitantly
"Since I was twelve," Mira admitted, leaning against the counter, "ever since I started training for Magnaria's Holy Knights, he's always been like an older brother to me.... always looking out for me, in towns or battlefields."
Elise looked down with a pensive expression. "You..... you can't expect me to believe someone as sweet and gentle as Caelus has killed so many."
"I joined our order three years after it was founded.... Caelus…. was a founding member, along with the Polar Twins," Mira said, with a softer gaze and hint of sadness in her voice, "he's had a heavy, heavy burden on his shoulders for so long. I couldn't imagine what he feels in his position."
Elise continued looking down, clutching the hem of her apron. She couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt in her chest. She had been so caught up in her feelings of betrayal that she didn't even consider what Caelus might be going through.
Before she could reply in any way, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of stomping boots and clattering metal. Mira and Elise quickly made their way to the town square and were met with a squadron of knights on the announcement stage, all bearing the flag of Eldralis.
"People of Willowstead!" a knight yells out, "Welcome Sir Alric Thornhelm, commander of the Eldralian Scouts and trusted confidant of our king!"
An older man with an aura of honesty about him stepped out from the squadron as the announcement rang through the square.
"Also welcome Prince Davos Vornacia, heir to the throne of Vornacia!"
A snake-like man with flowing dark hair stepped out, with a sly grin upon his face.
"Loyal subjects of Eldralis!" Alric spoke out, "We are here today not for violence!"
"We are only here for the one they call Star Child." Davos spoke, "Your king wishes to negotiate with him. Please bring him out at once."
The townsfolk swiftly descended into a panic and scrambled around looking for Caelus, some checking his home and finding it empty.
"Ah, there you are." Davos said with a grin upon his face, as he looked upon the roof of the town hall, finding Caelus sat there, dressed in a cloak, with some combat gear peeking out from beneath it, and a bag slung over his shoulder.
"Would you care to come down from there, Sir Star Child?" Davos called, his tone playful yet composed
Caelus leaped down from the building, then made his way to the prince.
"You couldn't at least give me any kind of notice? That's pretty rude, y'know."
"My apologies for that. My father was quite enraged that his knights had been humiliated in a foreign land," Davos replied, "he wanted to demand that King Eldralis hand you over to us or else our armies would invade. I, however, offered to set up a compromise."
"I see...." Caelus replied, with an awkward look falling upon his face
"That is what the kind regent would like to discuss with you! I assume you're coming, considering all this." Davos said, gesturing toward Caelus' bag and clothing
"Yep! If it was gonna happen we might as well get it over and done with."
The witnessing crowd watched in solemn silence. Aside from the exchange between Caelus and Davos, the only sound heard was the bated breaths of the anxious crowd. Mira quickly stepped out of the crowd, preparing to declare her thoughts.
"If he's going to the capital, I'm coming too!" Mira yelled
"M-me as well!" Elise proclaimed, following Mira's actions
"You two..... are you sure you want to come with?" Caelus replied, "We're gonna have to go there on foot, and that alone takes 3 days."
"I don't care!" Elise cries out, "Caelus, I thought we were honest with each other! I have a right to know any more things you haven't told me!"
"And you can't expect me to just leave an old comrade alone, now can you?" Mira spoke
"Urggh, dammit!" Caelus muttered begrudgingly, with his palm meeting his face
"We'll make sure to bring some of your favourites." Mira called out dryly
"Ugh, fine! Just... just go get your stuff." Caelus replied, stress seeming to creep up in his voice
Elise and Mira quickly rushed to her home, packing all kinds of essentials: food, medicine, tents and the sort, making a quick stop at Patisserie Ashfield to pick up some pastries. They eventually met up with the Eldralian envoy again.
"Wait a second you two," Caelus said, stopping the two women with a raised hand, "you should go to old man Hanzo's. Get some armour and weapons before you even think of stepping out of here."
"I'm sorry but you don't seem to be carrying a sword or any weapon of the sort on you, Sir Caelus." Alric noted
"I vowed to never wield a sword again," Caelus replied firmly, "my fists are enough to protect what I hold close to me."
"And if they someday fail?" Davos inquired
"Then I'll take up the blade again, not as a tool of war but as a free man. We'll see you in a bit."
Caelus, Mira and Elise all head towards the general store, picking up some decent quality leather armour, a spear for Mira and a dagger for Elise. As their supply run ends, they meet the envoy at the town's gate.
"Are you ready to depart?" Alric pondered
"Yeah, we got everything we need." Caelus replied
"Let us be on our way!"
As they set off, accompanied by the clanking of armour, Elise turned back to the rest of the townsfolk.
"Everyone! We'll see you soon! So don't worry too much about us, okay?"
With that last reassuring gesture, the envoy with their new travellers slowly disappeared into the lowering sun's light.