Chapter 22: The Race

"After the wedding, I've never felt such accomplishment in my talent. Because I saw how useful I am and how appreciative others can be, though I feared I'm growing too attached to this place that I'll lose sight of my goal. There's another world gate stone out there, and I know I'm getting closer to finding it."

Wondering aimlessly through a forest, Jushiro immediately noticed the same trees from his dreams before. He followed the path where he saw the stone table again. He looked around to see no one. He slowly approached the stone table when suddenly, as a reaction of getting closer. Silvir's necklace he carried began to glow brightly! Following the bright shine, he could hear the familiar voice of Silvir echoing through the forest.

"Brother... Brother..., Brother," The voice said over and over again as it began to overwhelm Jushiro.

He woke from his dream gasping in aghast. He looked at the mirror seeing his face covered in sweat and tears. He wiped them away with his arm and started to change for the day.

Donning his armor, he heard a knock at the door. Naemon and Lashida entered the room. They noticed Jushiro slightly shaken but chose not to burden him with questions, only to inform him regarding tomorrow's event.

"Sir Jushiro Motoshita, starting tomorrow, you with all other palace knights will partake in the kingdom's yearly knight race to test your skills. The king himself, along with the rest of the royal family, will observe, of course," Prince Naemon said.

"A race, you say? What for..."

"It is a race to prove your skills as a trained rider. Also, I should inform you that the last man to finish the race will receive a punishment for losing," Lashida said.

Jushiro stood there nervously as he feared what punishment the king grants to the loser. He asked Naemon what it will be for the race.

With a sinister look on his face, Naemon stated to Jushiro, "Well... I won't spoil that much. Otherwise, where's the fun in that? My advice, don't lose, Jushiro,"

Feeling ever more discouraged, Lashida placed her hand on Jushiro's shoulder, giving him a smile of encouragement. He let out a sigh then walked out, heading to the stables.

He stopped in his tracks halfway down the tower when he saw Vinbror talking with two cloaked men and the king in the courtyard. He peered out the window to listen to their conversation. Then, a hand patted his back, Jushiro jumped and turned to his back.

"Hey Shiro, what's happening? See something or "someone" interesting?" Bronir said from behind.

Jushiro shrugged off his question saying, "It was nothing, Bronir. I thought I saw a bird, that's all,"

Following Bronir through the palace, the two talked about the upcoming race for tomorrow. Jushiro couldn't help explaining his concerns for the event, dreading the king's punishment should he end up dead last.

Bronir tried to reassure him, suggesting he best not lose. Hearing his words instead raised the stress in him as he dreaded the outcome of the race. Jushiro pondered the thought of seeking a way or strategy to ensure winning or evade being the last one, at least.

"You can always practice and make rounds around the city to prepare yourself for the race," Bronir suggested in earnest.

From dusk to dawn, galloping through the road that will soon serve as the course for the race, Jushiro practiced for hours making rounds in the dozens. His determination to avoid being dead last had occupied most of his day.

Watching from the tower above, Vinbror and Sigreth watched as Jushiro practiced and prepared for what's to come.

"Little brother's got spirit. Let's see how firm his resolve will be,"

"Indeed, lord Vin, however, and of course, I don't intend to yield first place this year. So let's give our all," Sigreth said.

Noon the next day, the clouds covered the sky with rain falling on the armor-clad mounted knights. The citizens gathered on the walls to watch the spectacle. All the palace knights in the capital lined up beside each other, anxious to begin the race.

The king stepped forth to announce the annual knight's road race at the city gates.

"My knights, for centuries, our founders organized the knight's race to showcase the determination and skills of our realm's protectors. Starting from here, you will race in a full lap around the city walls ending here, at the city gates. The three who finish first will receive awards, and the last one will receive a horrific punishment for losing."

Jushiro, still nervous, is next to Vinbror and Sigreth at the starting line. Sigreth, with a sinister look on his face, taunts Jushiro, advising him not to lose as the punishments get worse every year.

"Alright, that's enough, lord Sigreth. Calm yourself, brother, and endure. If only one gets punished, don't finish dead last," Vinbror said, trying to reassure Jushiro.

Jushiro took in a deep breath as he braced himself for an intense race. He gazed forward profoundly, vowing not to lose.

Then, as the rain fell continuously, all the knights at the starting point were ready for the signal. Out of the blue, the king uttered one word, "GO!" and all the horses bolted through. The 500th Aredain knight's race began.

At the head of the group, Sigreth started in First place, ahead of everyone. Following behind him, Bronir and Vinbror competed for second place while Jushiro followed close behind. Ten minutes into the race, the four knights competed for the title of winner. Sigreth and his stead Shadowflash still held the lead being inches away from the other three.

Now racing more than halfway down the path, the group had put a considerable distance between them and the other knights behind them.

Racing ahead at full speed, Sigreth slowed down slightly when he noticed a couple of kids with a wagon in the middle of the path. Soon, he and the other three stopped in front of the kids, who explained how they were collecting herbs. With the wagon full of harvested herbs, it instantly became stuck in the mud.

Jushiro turned to see the other knights closing in on them.

Without hesitation, the four knights hurried to move the wagon off the path.

Time was passing swiftly as the other knights were closing in! After removing the wagon, the four knights mounted their steads and bolted to the finish line.

Jushiro looked back and noticed all the knights catching up slightly by the second. Looking to his right, he saw the kids waving him on. He waved back, smiling, not noticing the tree branch sticking out in front of him. He turned his head forward, and spontaneously, his head hit the tree branch so hard it knocked him unconscious.

Sigreth and the others crossed the finished line but saw no sign of Jushiro in the area. Vinbror rode through the trail to find him face in the mud and unconscious.

"Jushiro... Hey, you alright, brother? Jushiro!?" Vinbror repeated, trying to wake him up.

The moon was up, and the wolves howled under its light. Opening his eyes, he looked and saw it was late at night. Jushiro touched his forehead to feel it bruised and swollen, still feeling the pain. He sat up and noticed he's in the palace infirmary.

He looked to his right and saw Lashida and Vinbror sitting beside him.

"How... do you feel, Jushiro?" a worrisome Lashida asked.

"I... I'm fine. (grunt) Soar, but..., but fine overall," Jushiro replied.

"You were knocked out and ultimately lost the race. Unfortunately for you, I suppose," Vinbror said.

Vinbror also explained since he lost the race, Jushiro was to receive the punishment. However, since he was unconscious, the king decided not to, believing missing the rest of the day was enough punishment.

Curious about what the king's punishment was, Jushiro asked what his punishment entailed.

"Your punishment was to clean all horse stables throughout the palace and serve dinner to the knights at the feast, without joining in on the feast itself. Then after that, you would be forced to wear ridiculous clothing picked by the king," Vinbror replied.

"I see, how unfortunate and lucky of me, I guess," Jushiro said with a slight giggle.

As the trio joked in the infirmary, king Ericeth walked in on them. He asked to share the room with only Jushiro. Lashida obeyed her father's wishes, along with Vinbror, they both left the room. The king sat next to Jushiro with a look of earnestness that puzzled Jushiro.

"Just like that, all the laughter and positivity that brightened the room. Now vanished into the shadows of the night. His majesty came to me with a look of sedate. He sat by my side, wanting to say something to me as if he had the information for a while. Then, as he opened his mouth."

The words he spoke made Jushiro widen his eyes in complete hysteria. He explained how he is grateful to Jushiro and to award him the best way he could think. Ericeth enlightened him on the possibility of the last world gate stone's whereabouts.

"Deep within the Askr forest in the realm of Eregath, There lies a stone table of marble. According to the legends regarding the magic stone's creation, I believe there's a gate stone somewhere within that forest. The problem is that no one knows where the table is,"

Before Jushiro could say anything, Ericeth cut him off, asking him for one favor. With little choice, Jushiro sat there and listened to the king's proposal.

"I had two choices, listen to whatever the king wished of me, or to leave the realm so I can fulfill the promise I made the moment I came to this world. And, of course, I would choose to hear the man out since this might be a great help to me. The break I needed to return home is near,"