Surrender

“Have it your way.” You reached for your belt that held your sword and loosened it, letting it fall down around your feet. You put your hands out and stepped away from it. With her sword still cautiously pointed in your direction she knelt down, grabbed the belt with her free hand. She motioned in the direction that you should walk.

“I have a few companions that probably need me around. Are we going far?”

“We’re going to go over there. You’ll sit down until someone else comes and tells me what should happen. They can wait, but not with you.” The girl explained.

“Got it.” You walked ahead of her calmly and sat down. You stared at your gashed hand. Fighting would’ve been fine, but your sword hand was a bit messed up. It would’ve been like you were showing off. When you least expected it, she grabbed your hand and knelt down in front of you.

“What? Suddenly feeling thankful?”

“I feel thankful. That’s why I said thank you. I just have priorities that need to be followed. Now that you’re in my care I need to prioritise your health and safety.”

You smiled. “How nice to have such a devoted squire doting on me.” Her cheeks flushed. You thought you had the upper hand with her due to your charms until very suddenly she threw you fully off-balance by pulling your hand down, taking off your gauntlet and licking up your wound attentively and wetly.

“W-what the hell!?” You recoiled as you felt her tongue on the frayed skin.

“Stop it!”

Heilan looked up at you with blood on her lips. “Don’t be a baby. This makes it hurt less. I’m only doing this for you because it was my fault.”

“It’s not painful. It’s the fact that you are licking me!” Off to the side Kara was staring at the act with intrigue and Jeane was looking down with the hood fully over her face.

“Humans have weird hangups.”Heilan wiped her mouth and watched for the wound to stop bleeding. Once it did she reached into a small pouch and retrieved some wrapping. She wrapped your hand with white, porous fabric.

“I don’t know how it works, but our saliva stops bleeding and makes the wound cleaner, as well.”

“Yeah… I know, I was just surprised.” You exhaled and gathered yourself back up after that shock.

“Disinfectant…”

“What?”

“The saliva disinfects. But it also has some healing effects. That part nobody’s really sure on. Just that it’s probably not magic.” You explained. As she released your hand and stood up with her hand resting on her sword you felt as though you might as well ask.

“Do you know about a blonde Knight. She’s a high rank. Teuta’s her name.”

Heilan cocked her head to one side. “You know my Master?”

“Your Master?” There was basically nothing sewn to her squires outfit, so you were surprised to hear that she had probably the most prestigious Master out of anyone there. You asked to clarify.

“You mean, like, she comes around to train all of the squires.”

“Not at all. She doesn’t train anyone. She sponsors me, and offers pointers from time to time.”

“You’re a Hero candidate, huh?”

She looked a bit distant and uncaring. “I suppose.”

Looking past her at the crowd of squires that had gone back to lazing about, you understood what was on her mind.

“Doesn’t feel like it?”

“Feels like not much.”

You were unsure about where her attitude was coming from, but you got the impression that it was not due to a lack of reverence for the role, nor was it bitterness.

“You’re really good.”

“Thanks.”

“You don’t talk much, huh?”

“Not right now.”

“You’re actually pretty rowdy? When’s that?” You smirked.

Heilan smiled imperceptibly. “When I’m comfortable.”

“Your Highland Sword is good.”

She perked up. “You know about it?”

“That’s my original practice. Highland Sword into Glasian Fencing a little later.” As if it would explain the ‘why’, you added.

“I’m from Cheshire.”

The squire stared at you like it did not. “What?”

“Do you know where it comes from?”

“Home.” She asserted.

“Before that?” You asked. She shrugged, but showed enough interest for you to relay one of Marrien’s history lessons.

“Well… After Teor took the peninsular and kicked the gnolls off the continent, something interesting happened.”

“What’s that?”

“The gnolls were actually pretty good at sailing in the channel and shipbuilding. They controlled a lot of the channel around the whole peninsula but when they were kicked out and Teor took over… Well, can you guess?”

“No.”

“Teor was founded inland, which meant that these people that suddenly conquered the coast of the channel had no concept of shipbuilding, sailing and naval combat. So that’s when a little people named the Orrans who had been kept at bay the whole while by gnolls suddenly had a chance to spread their wings.”

“They had wings?”

“Figure of speech… No. They had boats. They had really, really good boats. For the next century Orr became a superpower that controlled all of North Cheshire, Glasia, Caracel aaaand. Elga. Make sense?”

“It comes from Orrans?” She asks, seeming to feel a bit dirty as she looked down at her sword in its sheath.

“Nope. You can relax. Back then Cheshire was a bunch of hill tribes that were good with swords. ‘Barbarians.’ Basically, Orr joined with the old Cheshans and the Glasian’s, since everyone there was already more or less ‘related’ and alike. Glasians and Cheshans always fought each-other and the Orrans, but combined their people together for one period of time. Highland Sword spread all around Orr’s old sphere since Cheshans were part of most of those old expeditions. The way Cheshan’s fought appealed to beastfolk.” You looked at her to see if she had appreciated knowing any of that. She nodded after you finished.

I guess not. Now I know how Mother felt when I tried to ignore her lessons.

“Are you good at it?” Was her one question.

“Better than you.” You teased.

Her posture straightened out and she lifted her chin, stubbornly saying. “No.”

“Yep.” You smiled cockily, letting the ‘p’ pop at the end.

“Prove it.” She offered. To that, you just raised your hand at her with the wound showing a minor red stain through the cloth already.

“I would, but… You know.” She scoffed and looked away.

“Master is coming.”

“Wait, w-”

“What a surprise!” Teuta stood next to you, hands on her hips. She had a bright smile on. You did not hear her coming at all, even though she was wearing armour.

“Master, you know this man?” Heilan asked inquisitively.

“Of course! This fellow gave me a run for my money at the Guild.” She offered in high spirits. You got the impression after a second encounter that it was probably not plausible for there to be bad blood with you, or anyone. Heilan on the other hand looked between you and Teuta in shock. You knew the reason why she was especially chipper, as she asked.

“You came to become a squire?”

“Not at all.” You stated bluntly.

Heilan looked at you harshly and asserted. “You should. Not right to avoid it if you’re good. You have a duty-”

“To a Kingdom I’m not a citizen of?” You asked.

“Oh…” Heilan realised her mistake.

“Teor’s Knights guard Trysk as a whole from threats. From Teor to Caracel and even Orr when they admit they need aid~” Teuta explained.

“That’s awfully optimistic.” You groaned.

“I… have a very specific goal. I can't be chained down here for long.”

Teuta perked her blonde brow with interest. She sat down beside you. “What is it?”

You thought about whether you could trust the Knight or not. She was with her own faction, with their own interests, and those could go against yours. But… you felt pretty safe in the knowledge that Teuta was not going to take advantage of you.

“I have a sibling.” Heilan perked up in response to that.

“A twin. When we were both very young… too young… My father took my Brother and I never saw him again. So, I need freedom of movement and the resources to be able to find out where he is and get him back. Because I know for a fact that he’s alive out there. I wouldn’t feel right doing anything until I found him.”

Heilan took that personally. She clenched her fist and said sternly. “Sometimes duty is more important. Responsibilities arise. They’re bigger-”

“Nothing’s bigger than finding my Brother. Nothing is more important than helping my family. He’s alone and scared somewhere. I know he needs his s- He needs me.”

Heilan gritted her teeth, baring sharp, long canines. “Sometimes it’s selfish to favour family over duty. What if the family is hurt when you’re out avoiding it? What if you’re wrong and it’s for nothing?”

You stood up and asked. “What if YOU are wrong?” That shook her and she looked away.

“What if they were close to being found, and you did nothing? What if they came back and found out nobody cared or had been-”

“I care!” She yelled tearfully.

“I care a lot! I think about it a lot! What is here is more important!”

“Disagree.” You said sternly.

“Who is it for you?”

“I-” Heilan bit her bottom lip and avoided your gaze just as Teuta got between you two.

“Come on, now. Passion is fine, but everyone has a fire that they’re constantly stoking. When it goes out, you need to build a new one and that’s difficult. I guess… What I’m mainly saying is that I think you should both keep your fires stoked until they go out. Neither is wrong, in my opinion.”

“I came to find you for a reason.” You told her suddenly, taking the interjection as a welcome change in subject.

“Oh?” The blonde looked at you.

“My friend-”

“Before that!” Heilan shouted loudly. She calmed down and continued more softly once she had the attention of both of you.

“Before that, he interfered in a duel and harmed one of this Kingdom’s squires…”

Teuta blinked, seeming shocked. “Why?”

“That Sfen guy lost to her. I saw he was about to stab her after he surrendered on the ground and her guard was down. I got in front, grabbed the blade and caught her before she fell.” You held up your hand with the wound.

“Is that roughly how it went, Heilan?” Teuta asked curiously.

“Correct. He injured Squire Sfen and-”

“Saved you…” Teuta said.

Heilan was surprised. “But-”

“Honey…” Teuta looked at her sympathetically.

“We’ll talk about this later. Thank you for reporting this to me. I’ll take care of it.” Teuta assured her. The girl bowed her head and stepped back.

“Th- that is all. Now that he is out of my custody-”

“He is not.” Teuta asserted.

“What?” She turned.

“He was injured on his sword hand because of you. You need to take responsibility and help him until he is healed.”

“It’s going to literally be a day or two. No big deal.” You informed them.

“Even so.” Teuta looked at Heilan appraisingly. The girl just nodded and returned to stand nearby dutifully. The Knight smiled proudly before returning her attention to you.

“What was it you needed me for?”

“Jeane, come here.” You motioned for the girl. Kara tagged along nearby. Teuta observed curiously as you brought Jeane over and pulled her hood off. The Knight looked startled but not surprised. You explained yourself quickly, before anyone jumped to any conclusions.

“Jeane came from a place that’s not friendly to Teor, but she says that she got permission to move freely through the Guild’s emblem system. However, someone that gave her assurances that her condition wouldn’t affect and invalidate her emblem was lying, which means that it looks like this and she’s stuck.” You held out your hand. Jeane offered the emblem and the case. Teuta looked at both inquisitively.

“Oh! Is it the colour draining people from the other side of the Channel?”

“That’s right.”

“This case was supposed to prevent that, but I guess it didn’t work. Is it possible he just didn’t know?”

“Impossible. He said the case was for this issue exactly. It was also designed in such a way that I did not know until it was too late. I am now stuck here, in hostile territory.”

“I see the issue. I don’t like it. I wish you came to me sooner, I have friends in the Guild and some sway in some of the city's matters. This may be simple to solve if I get on it right away. But, can I make a suggestion?”

“Go ahead.” You motioned for her to do so.

“Mr. Fin, if you join our squires on a provisional basis while I’m looking into this I’ll make sure to both take care of this issue and you can use it as credit towards turning your own emblem into a permanent one. Sounds good?”

“Sounds like you are suggesting that he must, otherwise you will not help me.”

Teuta looked stunned. “What? Is that what it sounded like? Not at all. Regardless, I’ll look into this since I want you to have a good impression of Teor. I’m happy you came to me. I’m honoured. I get to help you both and it’s my pleasure to do so.” Teuta offered genuinely.

“Just one problem.” You were hesitant to let her in on her plans, but she was… extremely endearing and earnest. As she looked at you searchingly you continued to admit.

“I don’t want a gold emblem. I just don’t like the attention. I don’t want people calling on me, tracking me or trying to tie me down on my mission.”

“Ohhh. That makes sense.” Teuta’s face lit up with recognition.

“I understand completely now. You’re aiming for bronze? The lowest profile emblem that still grants freedom of movement?”

“Yes. That’s why I can’t-”

Teuta smiled wide. “Well, how about this? If you show me your actual level through your perseverance here, I will allow you to choose what I put down in my reports to the guild. That way you can be certain. I get to see someone who has a lot of potential, and you get exactly what you’re after as well. Does this sound acceptable?”

“Well-” You were unsure of what to say. It sounded like a good deal. It also sounded like a huge pain in the ass. That being said, what you were going to have to go through to lower your rank already seemed to be a pain, and you also had your two wards.

“Oh, Miss Jeane, was it?”

“Yes.” The elf nodded, bringing her hood back up over her head.

“What was this emblem originally? I will need to take this and have it looked at.”

“It Gold, provisionally. I came here for Hero selection as well. My sponsor was at the Guild in East Garmea. Or so I thought…”

“Dreadful.” Teuta said seriously.

“Would you like to see the people responsible for this punished if it’s more than just a mistake?”

“Even if it is a mistake they should be-” You covered Jeane’s mouth, causing her to struggle in your arms as you said.

“Thank you! She is happy so long as the issue is settled.”

Teuta smiled and gave a dutiful nod. “And my offer to you?”

“Uh… How long?”

“Week to a month. You’re coming in late in the season, but you’re trained beyond basics so you’ll just need to learn procedure. Heilan knows the whole book off by heart so there’s no better person to have around.”

“Right.” It would mean no freedom for a little while, but ultimately it’s a solution to a problem that may have taken that long to resolve anyway.

“Clarifying question. These two are… kind of my responsibility.”

Teuta smiled warmly. “Then it seems that it would not be alright for us to interfere with that duty. Would you like them to stay close to you? If so, it’s not an issue. The only issue is that you are a man and two girls will need to stay where the girls stay.”

Heilan stepped forward. “I will act as their protector in those areas, in concurrence with your order that I aid this man.”

“Seems like it won't be an issue.” Teuta shrugged, looking at you expectantly.

A bead of sweat rolled down your brow. “How much of this is you wanting to **** the one that punched you in the… in the-” You cut that sentence short and continued.

“To run laps.”

Teuta cocked her head to one side. “Hm?”

***

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