“My Lord!”
A voice called from outside the tent, and Asher halted. With a refined cough, he turned and headed for the tent’s entrance. Although still flustered, Sapphira followed him as she could hear the commotion outside.
Just as Asher stepped out, he saw the Temple servants holding down a white-haired man who kept struggling against their grip, but it was futile—these knights, possessed by spirits, were far stronger than any ordinary ones.
Their dark, scaly dragonfly armor was imposing and coupled with their reinforced dragonfly wings; these knights didn’t seem human at first glance.
Levi’s gaze locked onto Asher’s before shifting to Sapphira. His pupils dilated the moment he laid eyes on her.
Sapphira’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Destroyer of Men. A pleasure to meet you.”
Nero’s eyes widened.
Such blatant disregard for his lord dug deep into his bones.
The sound of his heavy footsteps fell into Levi’s ears, and before the second son of Count William could react, a fist covered in exquisitely forged metal gauntlet slammed into his face with brutal force. Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire
The blow was so strong that it forced Levi from the Temple knights’ grip, burying his face into the soil.
As Levi lifted his head, dirt and sand dropping from his hair, he caught sight of a soldier approaching—taller, broader, and more formidable than the others.
His cloak fluttered, revealing his muscular arms laced with scars. A golden helmet covered most of his face, only revealing his piercing, cold eyes.
“Don’t touch him, Levi.”
Asher’s command felt like a supernatural force that calmed the rippling in a lake.
Renowned for his strength amongst the paladins and undeniable loyalty, Levi turned his head, gazed at Asher for a split second and then took a step back.
“Another Levi? And here I thought that I was the only Levi in these parts.” Levi Tigris spat out dirt and salvia.
Then, he turned to Asher.
“Release me, and I’ll have my father spare your life.”
“You?” Asher said, stepping forward.
Levi revealed a broad smile. “You doubt me?”
Asher shook his head. “Not at all.” He crouched, meeting Levi’s gaze.
“On the contrary, I do think you have a use…”
Levi’s smirk deepened—until Asher rose to his feet.
” … And that is to be used as a bargaining token for an alliance with House Mormont.”
Levi’s eyes widened.
“How dare, you filthy Wastelander!” Before he could finish, the knights closed his mouth shut.
Asher turned to the scribe standing behind the knights and was watching the scene.
“Prepare a letter and send an envoy to deliver it to House Mormont.”
“My Lord…” Sapphira’s voice made Asher pause, his brows raised in curiosity.
“You can’t send just any envoy to House Mormont.”
“She’s right.” Eritrea, standing by the side with her arms crossed, added.
Asher turned to Simon. “Can you deliver the message?”
“Perfectly.” Simon bowed, pressing his folded palm against his chest.
Asher nodded.
“Also… send my greetings to my sister.”
_____
A few hours later, Asher stood atop the Great Dividing Wall, his fur-padded cloak and hair fluttering in the wind as he watched the paladin ride away.
Dust trialed the path of the rider and his horse as they approached the looming dark forest ahead, the faint starlight barely illuminating their path.
Yet, all Asher could think of was Mary’s reply.
The night seemed to have stretched endless as he stood there, two paladins flanking his side at a respectful distance, about a dozen steps away.
Tapk! Tapk!
Footsteps fell into his ears, causing him to turn his head to the right.
He squinted upon seeing the black-haired woman clad in her priestly white garment approach. Without her armour, with her hair untied, she looked like she had just stepped into this world from a different one.
“Stunning,” he muttered, the words escaping before he could stop it.
Sapphira blinked. “Indeed, the night sky is the best thing there is.”
Asher glanced up at the sky, littered with shining stars, before turning his gaze to the enchanting woman beside him.
“Those stars are far away, locked in a world of their own while we can only gaze. I’d rather admire the one that is close to me.”
Sapphira chuckled. “And how do you want to do that?”
She glanced at him, her eyes curious.
Without hesitation, Asher wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her close. Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither spoke.
Sapphira could only blink, caught in the moment.
Then, with a light smile, Asher let go of her, his fingers trembling gently from his own boldness.
Exhaling softly, he turned to face the field beyond the wall.
“Alec told me that you stand here every night, staring at the sky. I wanted to see what could attract my priestess so much.”
Sapphira leaned against the bulwark. “Then we can watch it together.”
For a moment, they both gazed at each other; one clad in a thick fur-padded cloak that went all the way to his heel, while the other only in a flowing gown with wide sleeves at the hem.
A dozen meters away from them, paladins stood at attention, their spears pointing skyward and their shields covered by a bluish hue, a result of the dim starlight.
“I don’t recall seeing that on you before,” Sapphira nodded as she looked at the sword poking out of Asher’s cloak.
Following her eyes, Asher glanced at the crimson hilt.
“It’s a sword I got from the spirit world. I pulled it from the depths of a sea called the Red Sea.”
Sapphira frowned slightly. “I can feel an unfriendly force from it.”
Asher chuckled. “Ithamar isn’t a friend.”
“As a Swordsman, your swords should be your companion, a partner that has endured life or death encounters. It builds a bridge between you and that weapon, birthing the spirit of swordsmanship—an extension of yourself forged through battle. But, all your swords seem to want to do is kill you.”
Asher smiled. As the wind blew his hair, its cool, refreshing feeling washing over him, he said, “There will come a day when these very swords will fight on my behalf. A day where they will submit.”
Sapphira fluttered her long eyelashes several times as she studied him. “Subduing weapons as special as yours will take more than just a powerful rank, it would take an unshakable will.”
“I know.” His voice was quite certain. “I only pray that you will be by my side when that day comes. Because I can sense that it won’t be far from now.”
Before Sapphira could respond, a soldier walked up to them and bowed his head.
“My Lord, there is word from Baroness Katarina. She has had a dream.”