Valence Night: Chronicle of a Lost Knight

Chapter 6: The Interview

            “Are the veils of any inconvenience to your highness?” a woman bows courteously as she reaches through the curtain surrounding Armad Jeaven.  The Armad’s initial reaction doused his eyes towards the woman, getting a good glance of her bosoms pouring out of her low-cut top, and pulling them away before she lifts her body up.

            “My eyes are fine.  Has the appointed Core Battle Master arrived?”

            “Yes.  General Vergon has confirmed the arrival of Valence Night.  He is outside awaiting your attendance.”

            “Timely.  Summon him in.”  Armad Jeavan clears his throat and saddles himself straight up.  Even if I am ill, stature is stature.  The woman bows again… and again Jeavan races his eyes against her formality.                        

            Heavy gears begin to grind, sending out thunderous roar from the inside and outside of the infrastructure where Armad Jeavan resides.  In a matter of moments, the ironclad gate slowly peels itself apart, allowing rays of light to pour itself in between the two doors.   In come two columns of eight men walking into the audience corridor before Valence make his appearance.  The Armad’s coughs echo across the stone building.  The guards kept their body still and glance over to Jeaven’s heaves.  Pikes held up and swords pressed between the ground and the wielders’ palms, each knight turn their head and observe the man’s difference from their kind.  There were many gasps amongst the elderly chancellors, generals, and soldiers alike.  Each of their faces, either in astonishment, wary, or disgust, is accompanied by a dropped jaw.  In an attempt to disguise their astonishment, the nobles cover their mouth as they whisper towards each other. 

            Gossips are muffled by the continuous march of the columned Knights, filing into the corridor cordially with Valence following from between the two groups.  At last, Valence makes his presence to Armad Jeaven, and imitated the soldier’s salutation before they step aside and face inward towards the mercenary. 

            Lots questions begin to clutter the Armad’s mind.  His stiff posture, faces of shock, fear, and anger instilled in this encounter with the Core Battle Master is hidden by the red, silk curtain.  What in the world is this?  Am I damned?  Cursed for my failures?  Ugh … is it really him?  He seems different… bigger and stronger, but his face is just the same!  Damn his untimely appearance… but I need him!  Easy there… look-alike?  What if he is alive? He wants me dead… or is he blackmailing me?  IN MY THRONE!?  Thoughts were pulsing through the Armad’s mind, one overlapping another w/o coherency, trying to solve a new dilemma that may be a greater issue than the meaning of his daughter’s engagement.  I will kill him if he touches my daughter!

            “Valence Night has arrived!  All rise before the Armad!” the announcer speaks loudly as everybody follows his orders and salutes to Jeaven, “You may rest!”

            Jeaven picks up his golden goblet gemmed with ivory decoration and swallows a sip of wine to clear his throat.  “Shhlurp thlp thlp thlp…  My ears came across hearsay merits of your jobs… and another being the highlight of last year’s Balaijia Tournament.  You and four others, the Armada, I heard words where the fight is something to turn eyes away from Braigon empire’s annual Cross Tournament.  How do you feel carrying such audacious title “The Armada” on your shoulders?” Jeaven smiles as he waits for Valence’s response. 

            Noting the hidden meaning behind Jeaven’s words, Valence coyly replies, “I am nothing more than just a simple adventurer who knows the world as well as his blades.  Armada defines the quality of a warrior, not the nobility status as Armad.  I was raised within one of Braigon’s district, but such low caste as I, was never permitted to the Cross Tournament.  Was the battle for Armada grander than Cross?  That I may never know.

            Jeaven pauses for a second before continuing.  Your tongue rolls well, better than him, to say.  “Tell me, how old are you..?... cough cough.”

            “I am 22 years of age.”

            “Which province did you say you were from?  I have traveled to many sides of Braigon when I was a young one like you; quite a beautiful place to behold.  Perhaps I may have been around where you lived,” the Armad exclaimed.

            Valence was hesitant but continues, “I am from the Barduke District.”

            “Ah, the cultivated side of Braigon.  That is very interesting, from raising livestock to becoming one of the finer men in Core Battle Guild.  Do Battle Masters always act alone as a lone soldier?  There is someone precious to me that I need you escort to Braigon.  Phallanx of Braigan and I are in good terms for the past years, and we wish for our family, my beloved daughter and Prince Stratoh, to merge and unite both nations as one.  She will turn eighteen in six months.  Your words?”

            “I am currently traveling with Ohryea Sandego, Core Battle Shield.  She is attending business elsewhere at the moment and we will regroup upon departure.  As a Battle Master with a Shield, I can assure you my lord, escorting Princess...” Jeaven adds Selah, “… Selah to Braigan in six months of time?  Not a problem.  The weather at the moment fairs well to Braigon and road to east has been a safe passage from my departure to here.  Without delays we will arrive in no less than three to four months, and five tops when resting is needed.   Your daughter will be safe in our hands.”

            “Bold words for somebody that will be carrying the fate of two kingdoms on his shoulders, not to mention the life of my daughter, but are you what people speak of?   Is the Core Battle Build what they say they are?  A man worth my compliment is definitely worth my praise, but with all that said I am still curious.  Buruya.  Savantez.”  Jeaven claps his hands, “These two here are disciples of the King Knight.  Unfortunately Santos is not here, but his men should be enough to walk for a demonstration.  Afterall, you can teach these two young knights of your Armada way.” 

            Two lightly geared knights stepped down from the stairs where they were guarding Jeaven and advances towards the mercenary.  Valence firmly rearranges his clothes and his Aerie armor.  “I am a shy person, but I guess I don’t have a choice but to demonstrate my title.”

            “Pleasure to be your dance partner,” Buruya grins.

            “I will play swords with yours,” Savantez points at Valence’s weapons, “while Buruya will be your fisticuff partner.”

            "And here I was wondering why I am still bearing blades in the audience chamber.  Valence shifts to south paw -right leg forward and left leg back- casually as he lifts his right arm towards the two knights and motion his index finger for them to come at him, “I don’t mind two-to-one; makes it a lot quicker.”

            Buruya and Savantez’s face changes from mockery to a serious tone, looks at Jeaven to get the nod, and walks toward Valence.  Jeaven calls out to the woman next to him, “Fenya,” and points toward the three down below.  Fenya approaches the combatants a little startled as it is her first time doing something like announcing a fight.  A little flustered, she gathered her thoughts and finally starts, “Attention all combatants, please take your sides.”  From there, the three split twenty yards away from each other to avoid unfair advantage.  “Knights and…” Valence states Battle Master and winks at her.  Fenya blushes, looks away and continue, “… and Battle Master, this is a friendly competition so please be aware of your strength.  Let the battle begin!”