67 Blood in the Water 2 (2/2)
Luther and Centurion Lyn sat on the two chairs in front of General Rickard's table.
”It seems you brought a companion with you. Afraid?” General Rickard said as he poured wine into a cup. Luther thought that the General would offer them wine. But to Luther's surprise, the General emptied the cup into his mouth.
”No General. My subordinate begged me to let him come. I can't refuse him” Luther said. He then felt Centurion Lyn's piercing gaze.
General Rickard chuckled to Luther's answer. ”Page thirty-six, paragraph seven of the Book of Knights. 'The tongue is weapon. A Knight must keep the purity of his tongue. Lies and deceit are crimes.'” He then pointed at Luther ”You are lucky that you're not a Knight. Or else I would have already punished you for lying.”
Luther swallowed his saliva. It was foolish of him to lie to General Rickard. The General might not be as brutal as his uncle, but Rickard was stricter.
”I'm sorry General” Luther bowed his head. ”So why did you call me here?” he changed the topic.
General Rickard did not answer immediately and instead looked at Centurion Lyn. ”Fine, he will know sooner anyway.” He said after a while. He then turned his gaze towards Luther. ”What do you think of Timothy Castonia?”
Luther's blood turned cold after hearing that name. It was the name of an enigma, a person Luther fears the most. Ever since the battle of Knightsend, Luther kept having nightmares about Prince Timothy.
Luther closed his eyes. He could still remember clearly the events of that day. It was terrifying. The cries of the trapped men inside the castle were still fresh on his mind. The scene displaying thousands of Castonian cavalry charging towards their camp still awed and scared him at the same time. The sinister feeling of falling into Timothy's trap still causes him to physically tremble.
”He is a monster, General. My uncle was a fool for facing Timothy Castonia in battle. He is a puppeteer, someone who can make you question your free will. He can turn the darkest and bleakest situations into victory.” Luther warned. Luther then looked at Centurion Lyn and gestured for him that it was his turn to speak.
”Ah, yes. Also, his soldiers are loyal to him. They will not rout even when facing our terrifying cavalry charge.” Centurion Lyn added.
”Is that so? From your descriptions, he is a man we should avoid at all cost. ” General Rickard said. He then sighed ”Unfortunately, we can't avoid him this time.”
The General took a letter from his desk and gave it to Luther. The already broken seal was golden and the letter was from the King. Luther took the letter and read it.
After a while, Luther's face showed a strange expression. He couldn't believe what was written in the letter. Castonia in a civil war and Prince Timothy, or King Timothy if that's how it is now, had declared war against King Leopold.
”General, I..”
”I know. I also had the same reaction when I first read it. With the Castonians fighting their own, we can now go back and attack again. The tables have turned. But I'm still worried about facing Timothy Castonia.” General Rickard said.
”And you want the Whistlers to join you?” Luther asked
”Correct. I will give you funds to replenish the men you lost. I need the swiftness of your cohort. But more than that, I need your experience with Timothy Castonia.”
”Can we refuse you General?” Luther asked. He was reluctant in fighting against Timothy Castonia again.
General Rickard shook his head. ”No. But it would be better if you join me voluntarily. I don't want to threaten you with execution.”
General Rickard then stood up and went to the window. He stared at the huge tree outside. ”You know that the Grand Master of the Knights is dying, right? He has been bedridden for years.”
Luther understood what General Rickard was talking about. As one of the three Master of Knights, he can become the next Grand Master once the current dies. But the slight delay in the invasion of Castonia had lowered General Rickard's popularity. Also, the General was a black sheep among the Knights. He was tough and strict. He also sees the traditional values of Knights like chivalry as relics of the past. General Rickard's ways of doing things had gained popularity over the years and many other Knights had followed his example. Despite this, traditional Knights still dominate the Order.
”Yes General. And I suppose your desire is to be the next Grand Master. Isn't that right?” Luther guessed.
”It is” General Rickard answered. ”The Knights are falling behind of the times. Our presence has weakened Tulosa. Many Knights refuse to join the invasion just because we are the aggressors. This must change. The old ways of the Knights should go. Chivalry and kindness are not compatible with this world anymore. I will lead the Knights into the future, Luther. I will become the next Grand Master. Only then could the Order of the Knights become an asset to Tulosa instead of a liability. But for that to happen, I need to show my worth by defeating Timothy Castonia.” He then turned his head towards Luther and looked at him in the eye.
Luther saw the big difference between General Rickard and his uncle. General Rickard was strict, cold and harsh. But he had this unique charisma.
He pondered for a while. Since he couldn't refuse, he had no choice but to return to Castonia and face Timothy again. He was afraid, but he was also hopeful that the current situation in Castonia will give them victory.
Luther revealed a defeated smile. ”Then the Whistlers will follow you General”