4 The Knight Commander (2/2)
When he was finished and Commander Rowan confirmed he was telling the truth, all three of them grew thoughtful as they pondered over his story. Sara looked at Commander Rowan who nodded to her before speaking ”So you really did come from some other world, and there is really a book about us.”
”Yeah. I don't blame you for not believing me at first. I would certainly have a hard time believing it myself if someone told me they were from some other world where there's a book about me.”
”So what did it mean by finish the story if you want to go home?” Ronin asked.
”Ah I would guess it means that however I'm supposed to get home lies at the end of the book, which in this world hasn't happened yet.”
Hearing this Commander Rowan practically jumped out of her seat. ”Hold on, when you say hasn't happened yet, you mean that the ending of your book is supposed to be our future?”
”Well yes that would be the current conclusion I'm thinking of. I mean the information from my book was right when it came to their-” he waved a hand towards Ronin and Sara” relationship and it's also how I knew about the Queen's Riders and their artifacts to begin with. So if those were accurate than I can somewhat assume the ending of the book should be accurate.”
”So then what is the ending your book is predicting?” She asked.
Casey considered this question carefully. If he told them how the story ended, would that change the outcome? And if the outcome changes, would he still be able to go home? ”Damnit! The only thing I was told was to finish the story, would it have really killed them to be a little more descriptive?”
”Honestly, I don't know how much I should say. For all I know, me telling you the ending of the book could completely change everything. And if the ending changes, will I be able to go home?”
Ronin narrowed his eyes when Casey spoke. ”So because you might not be able to go home, you're refusing to tell us something that has to do with our country as well our lives?”
”I... I don't know. I don't understand this whole situation. I'm stuck in a world that's not my own and I have a family and a home I need to get back to. For all I know, my telling you the ending could result in my never going back.”
”Oh so you're saying that our world isn't good enough for you!? That your going home is worth possibly jeopardizing our lives?”
”That's not wha-”
”Oh really? What did you mea-”
Bang!
Commander Rowan abruptly slammed her fist onto her desk and shouted. ”That is enough Sir Galland. That is not what he is saying and you know it!” She took a breath and straightened up her desk before turning to Casey and asking. ”Mr. Bennett, am I correct in assuming that you yourself are not a part of the book we are referring to?”
Casey stared at her with wide eyes, bewildered by her question. Somehow, he didn't even think to consider that his own presence would change the story. He'd been so focused on the fact that he was there that he didn't stop to wonder what his being there might do to the original story.
Taking his silence as an affirmation she continued. ”Very well then, it is believable to assume that not going along with the contents of your book completely will not necessarily prevent you from being able to go home. That is if your book even can even predict what will happen in this world in the first place. Due to a lack of evidence how about I propose a compromise? I am assuming that there are various important events that happen in the book that can easily be predicted?”
Seeing she was expecting an answer Casey replied. ”Yeah sure there are. Plenty of them actually, it's a very long novel.”
”Good. Then I propose that we postpone the interrogation on predicting the future for when we know if the book can actually predict said future.”
”So basically you want to wait to see if something else in the book actually comes true or not?” Sara asked.
”Precisely, and once we know for sure, we can go from there.”
”Okay I'm not against that but for it to work, I need to know where we are currently in relation to the book. Let's see, Sara, how long ago were you called by the Queen's Artifact?”
Sara furrowed her brows in thought. ”Hmm. it hasn't been that long, maybe a month or so? Does that tell you anything?”
”Yes it does actually, thanks a lot. In relation to the book, it hasn't been all that long since the start of the story since the first major thing mentioned was Sara becoming Queen Regent. If it's been a month since then... ok the next really major event won't be for about a month and a half so there is still a lot of time.”
”Alright fine, we can wait to see if the prediction comes true, but how will we know that you will tell the truth about what the book predicts?” Ronin asked with a suspicious glare.
Placing her elbows back on her desk Commander Rowan cut in. ”Sir Galand, do you really not trust my ability to tell if he is lying or not?”
”No but well...” Ronin guiltily withdrew his glare at her question.
Sara clapped her hands once and proclaimed. ”Very good. Now that's over with, we can finally decide exactly how to proceed with your training Mr. Bennett.”
”My training?”
”Of course, you didn't think you'd be doing nothing did you? You are after all, the next Knight of Frost and a recruit of the Queen's Riders.” Commander Rowan said with a chuckle.
”Right, I almost forgot. I will be able to use magic right!?” Casey asked while barely containing his excitement.
”Well that will come eventually, but we'll have to call a teacher for you which will take some time.” His excitement deflated a bit. ”So in the meantime, you will be training as a regular Queen's Rider under Sir Baro.” Commander Rowan told him.
His previous excitement completely vanished when he heard that and was instead replaced with a shiver of fear. After all, according to the book, training under Sir Baro was anything but pleasant.
”Haha I see you are familiar with Sir Baro's training techniques. Don't worry I'll tell him not to go too hard on you, can't have our newest knight dying before he even sees the field.” She said while flashing him an evil looking smile. ”Speaking of training, where is that famous sword of yours?”
Recalling the events that led to him forcefully leaving his room in a hurry he scratched the back of his head and said. ”Right, Sir Baro didn't exactly give me enough time to equip it so it is still sitting by my bed back in my room.”
”That is no good Mr. Bennett, a knight must never go anywhere without their sword.” She said with a pout, it was quite clear she only wanted to take a look at it.
”Stop pouting, you'll get to see it eventually” Sara chided her.
Commander Rowan brought her hand to her chest and gasped in mock offense at her comment. ”Still the statement stands. Now that you are a recruit you will be required to have your weapon on you at all times. When you leave here you will return to your room and retrieve your sword before anything else.” She stood up from her desk after saying that. Ronin and Sara put down their tea cups and also stood.
”Alright, I believe we are about done here. I have a meeting to attend so I will leave you with Sir Galland who will give you a tour of the Rider's wing. Then you will report to Sir Baro at the training ground. You are dismissed.”
Ronin and Sara placed their fists over their hearts in a knight's salute and Casey mimicked them before turning to follow them out.
”Oh one more thing” She called out to them. ”For the moment, let's keep the whole Knight of Frost thing under wraps. It would not be good if our enemies got wind of one of the Elemental Knights awakening.”
”Ah ok, understood.” Casey said and left the room.
As the door was closing he could've sworn that he heard the commander say ”Gah, now I have to go to some boring meeting. I hope there's food this time.” With a smile he continued after Ronin and Sara.