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DECAN LANCASTER

The rising of dawn marked the end of the day that came before. It was a reminder that the present would inevitably become the past. But for me, it also represented a beginning—for there was always a beginning after the end.

The day's first rays of light pointed me towards the door of my chambers. Outside, the guards were speaking to my loyal squire.

"Keep it quiet," I asked of them. "Joy is still sleeping."

"Forgive us and good morning," one of my guards greeted. "Patch says that Ser Castell has gathered the other lords and wants to talk to you in the meeting room."

I rubbed my eyes. "He summoned the rest of the lords? Is there news from the Capital?"

"I'm afraid I don't know," Patch answered. "But he wants to see you right away."

The meeting room of Harkhall was right above the throne room. Its window gave a mesmerizing view over the castle's courtyard and the nearby town.

Harkhall had been the Lancaster's ancestral keep for just over half a millennium. My house rose to prosperity due to our import of fish as Harkhall was erected in the southeastern part of Armestis.

The meeting room occupied a long and cold part of the castle. The other lords fidgeted restlessly as I took my seat at the end of the table.

I glanced at Ser Castell sitting perpendicular to me. "What warrants summoning everyone?"

"I'm sorry to summon you all here without telling you anything. But the good news we've all been waiting for has finally arrived." Ser Castell handed me a rolled-up piece of paper hiding inside his sleeves. "It's a message from Lord Minerva. It arrived last night while you and Lady Joy slept. Forgive me for breaking the seal."

I unrolled and read the message. "Is this true?"

"Indeed, Lord Minerva's forces have successfully breached the Capital's outer walls. Our spies around the Capital have sung the same song. However, Lord Minerva's forces are facing some trouble. The city's inner defences stand strong and his forces might not be able to breach the Iron Keep before the eclipse."

"And my father's other forces?"

"King Diablo has the City Watch and hired sellswords. They're proving rather troublesome for Lord Minerva. I'm assuming that Lord Salazar has gotten this message as well. His forces are closer to the Capital so his next moves are even more important than ours."

"Minerva and Salazar aren't my blood, but I know them like brothers. Salazar began marching to aid Minerva the moment he finished reading that letter. That's something I can bet my life on."

Ser Castell set up the map of Armestis and arranged pieces on the board. "Lord Salazar is only ten leagues West of the Capital. It should take his forces only two days to get there. They'll be fighting alongside Lord Minerva tomorrow evening at the latest."

"Make that tomorrow noon. Salazar isn't one to take his time in situations like these."

"That's also if he doesn't run into any of King Diablo's allies. I hear that Lord Nelbrandt has set up camp a few leagues from the Capital."

"I can't let my brothers fight while I sit back hundreds of leagues away sipping wine. Salazar is second only to my father as the most skilful jynxist in the country." I observed the map. "Once he and his men arrive, they should be able to help Minerva's forces progress through the city with ease. It's our duty to aid them in whatever way they may need. Prepare to ride out!"

"Where will we be marching from?"

"The South, using the LaFleur highway. My father will be expecting us, so there's no reason to attack from anywhere else. We must get to the Capital as soon as possible."

"What about traps from your father's loyal forces?"

"I can tell you for certain that every soldier that still obeys my father's commands will be protecting the Iron Keep or is on their way there. They won't waste their time on us."

"Where will we be attacking?" Ser Castell scratched the sideburns that reached his jawline.

"It depends on the situation. If Lord Nelbrandt truly is marching to the Capital with reinforcements, then we must fight them off and trust Minerva and Salazar's forces to advance through the city. If the Nelbrandt's aren't there, we'll sneak in to divide my father's forces."

"I see. We'll have to read the situation before coming up with a strategy. But it's good we have plans for each scenario."

"Aye, the tides of war are finally washing to our side." I stood up, planting both feet on the floor. "My lords, ready your forces. We march at noon."

Before our short departure, I gave the lords the rest of the morning to prepare their troops and spend the remaining time with their families.

I was no different, joining my wife and ward in the dining room to break our fast.

"I'll have two of the fish they're having, some bread, bacon burnt black, and brown ale to wash it down," I told the approaching servant who bowed and took his leave.

"You're not one to miss the first meal of the day," Joy teased. "That rumbling stomach of yours acts as my alarm."

"How's your head feeling? You drank a bit more wine than you usually do last night."

"I'm fine. Just a bit queasy. But, I do feel weird. It's something I've never felt before."

"Why don't you visit Dr Vyman and have him check on you?"

"I was going to do exactly that after breakfast. I found scratches on Valentine's body so I wanted to take her as well."

Valentine was my ward and the daughter of the elven lord, Vargo Valois. Though she was already eighty years of age, her appearance and maturity were that of an eight-year-old.

Elves had the longest lifespan out of the five great races and took the longest to mature. An average terran like myself had the capability of producing children as early as the age of thirteen. Elves were unable to do so until they were one hundred thirty.

It was the double-edged sword that came with a long lifespan and the main reason why all elves seek to avoid conflict at all costs.

The servant returned with the things I asked for and refilled Valentine's cup of milk.

"Wounds?" I asked her. "May I ask why you have wounds?"

"I was trying to catch a cat. The orange one."

"You were trying to catch the most vicious of the castle cats?"

"Edric wasn't able to train me yesterday, so I was reading at the library until nightfall."

"Which is what you should be doing," Joy retorted.

Valentine slashed the air with her spoon. "One of the books said that to be a better swordsman, one must be able to read their opponent's moves."

I nodded. "That is true. But what does this have to do with chasing the vicious orange cat?"

"I thought, what animal is the best at dodging attacks?"

"Flies," Joy said.

"No, no, no. They're too small and you can't read them at all."

"So cats?" I asked.

"Exactly. Cats are good at reading people. It's why they're so hard to catch and why this castle is littered with them."

"We let them roam around to take care of the rats, but continue. Cats are quiet and light on their feet. I'll give you that."

"If I'm able to catch a cat, then I'll become better at reading my opponent. That's one step closer to becoming the greatest swordsman."

I nodded at her assessment. "Did you succeed in capturing the cat?"

"Almost, but no." Valentine lifted her shirt to reveal deep and shallow scratches on her chest. "The orange cat even did this to me when I grabbed him."

"Wouldn't you rather take an interest in dolls or the pretty maidens in the songs of old like most girls?"

"Most girls are boring."

I let out a laugh. Joy kicked my leg from under the table.

Valentine's ears lowered themselves. "But I don't think I'll be better than you at reading opponents, Lord Decan. You are the greatest swordsman to have ever lived. I've heard you can read your enemies like a book. How did you learn to do it?"

"Do you promise not to tell anyone?"

The elf girl nodded obediently. At that moment, I was the most important thing in the world to her.

I lifted my shirt to reveal scars that bore a similar resemblance to hers. "You're on the right path and doing a fine job, my lady. I'm sure that in a hundred years or so, people will call you the greatest swordsman."

"Yes!" the elf cheered, chugging her cup and running out of the dining room. Her blonde hair bounced as she took each step. "I'll get him this time!"

"Where are you going?" Joy asked. "Dr Vyman needs to take a look at those wounds."

"To catch that cat!"

"Let her," I said. "You can take her to him tonight."

Joy exasperated. "Us turning Lord Vargo's daughter into a warrior is news that he won't take lightly."

"Lord Vargo is a softer man than I am. He will never be able to tame the fighting instincts burning in that girl. We can't get her to sit still and sew dresses the way he wishes and that's alright. If she wants to fight with a sword, we might as well teach her the proper way."

"And why should I be the one taking her to Dr Vyman? You're the one encouraging her to chase cats."

"Because you love me very much and you enjoy doing the small favours I ask."

"You need stronger reasoning. She looks up to you so it should be you who accompanies her."

Patch announced himself. "We've received a message from Lord Salazar, my lord. His forces are marching to the Capital."

"What did I say?" I chuckled. "I don't need a message to know that, but thank you, Patch. Take the entire morning off, but remember that we leave at noon."

"But my family isn't here. They live in Shoya."

I handed him a purse. "You've been a good squire, Patch. That should be more than enough to cover the payment."

Patch curled his eyebrows at the thought of what payment I referred to. He bowed quickly and carried a grin on his way out.

"Salazar marching to the Capital? Leaving at noon?" Joy wondered. "What's happening?"

"Minerva and his forces have broken through the Capital's outer gates but are having trouble getting further into the city. Salazar is heading there to support him, but I suspect that my father called Lord Nelbrandt and the others to his aid. The other lords and I will be starting our march to the Capital to help out with the siege. The eclipse is coming soon so time is of the paramount."

"How long have you known?"

"Since this morning. I'm sorry if it's all so sudden."

"Decan, please don't march with them. Ser Castell has been your personal bodyguard ever since you could walk. He is sworn to you. Let him go in your stead."

"What would my men think of me? What would the country think of me? A lord should be leading in the front lines and inspiring his troops, not hundreds of leagues away cowering in a castle just because he lacks abilities an average man has."

"Your father is the second strongest jynxist in history and the strongest one alive. You're the only man that's unable to use jynx. It's inevitable that you will cross paths. What will happen then? You suffer a handicap while he does not."

"I have Salazar and Minerva by my side. Salazar is second to my father in terms of raw jynx talent and Minerva can hold his own. And you're forgetting that I'm called the Sword Devil."

"I'm not forgetting. But you mustn't, Decan. Battles with small lords hold no danger and I don't worry when you fight in those, but this is your father we are speaking of. Have you forgotten how your house ascended to the throne? Or how your father was the lone survivor against the battle with King LaFleur before him?"

"Of course I haven't. But I don't plan on sitting by while millions of innocent men, women, and children play as sacrifices to a ritual just because my father is too scared to die."

"Are you not scared to die?" Joy asked.

"I'm not."

"I am. For you."

"You worry too much."

"Of course I do. You're heading into a battle that's dangerous for all sides. Ever since you started this rebellion, I've had this aching feeling in me—that once you go away, I will never be able to feel your love ever again. That's what I'm afraid of."

"I've proven you wrong before, haven't I?" I wrapped a reassuring hand around hers. "This'll be just like all the other times."

"So your mind is already set? Your stubbornness to listen to people was the one attribute I never grew fond of."

The field outside of the castle walls was filled with tents sporting the colours of the houses that took my side. Before the sun even reached its highest point, the entire field transformed back to its usual colour of green. The tents that painted it were all rolled up and placed in wagons. The soldiers that called them home were in conversation amongst themselves as they waited for their lords' command.

My father was loved by the people for ending the two-thousand-year-old reign of King LaFleur. But after Salazar, Minerva, and I uncovered his intentions of planning to commit the same taboo ritual King LaFleur performed, we made a promise to stop him no matter what.

Over the years, we made allies by convincing the lords and ladies of Armestis about the truth behind his intentions. By the time we began our counterattack, which the realm promptly named Decan's Rebellion, many of the houses decided that they wanted no part in it. The ones who did split off into both sides.

By now, the waves of victory began to favour us. We led many of my father's allies away from their ancestral homes and took members of their houses hostage. In exchange for their safety, we made a promise that no harm would befall them as long as they played no part in this war.

After some time, a few of those passive houses joined our efforts. Either because we had convinced them that our accusations were true or it would do them a better favour if they sided with us.

However, our numbers wouldn't matter if my father managed to complete his ritual during the eclipse.

As I prepared my horse for the march towards the Capital, Joy and Valentine showed up right outside of the main castle entrance.

Valentine tightly held the orange cat she spoke of. The cat was visibly uncomfortable but kept calm in the hands of his captor. "I did it, Lord Decan! I got him!"

"Good," I ruffled her hair. "The next time I see you, we'll have a duel."

Valentine put the cat down, which surprisingly stayed by her side. She put her hands on her waist, puffing her chest to make herself bigger.

I put Joy in an embrace. She returned the same action tenfold, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing as if this was going to be the last time we'd ever see each other.

If given the chance, she never would've let go.

She begged one last time, "Please stay."

"You know more than anyone what I will say."

"It was worth a try," she tearfully giggled. "Stay safe, my love."

"I will." I hopped on my steed. "I'll be going now."

"Goodbye."

"Yes." We exchanged one last look before I headed out. "Goodbye."