15 To Search For The Truth, pt. 1 (1/2)

The next day.

”You're joining us?” The duke asked. A few heads turned in their direction as Decena tried not to roll her eyes at the noble's reactions.

”Yes.” Decena replied.

”Well, you will receive adequate payment for this mission. Your decision is a timely one. We plan to visit the site of the most recent attacks in two hours. You'll find those assembled in the castle's courtyard. You should go, speak with them. Even if it is just for a day, these will be your allies. I will brief you all shortly.”

”Yes. Thank you.” Decena bowed her head and turned to walk away. She was trying to get used to performing those pleasantries. She walked down the large hall, passing by several whispering servants and minor lords.

Decena exhaled a large breath she'd been holding back for a while. She had just taken her first step back into the real world. It was tedious and awkward, but she felt it was time. She had to try to move forward. If for anything, to honor the person she mourned so heavily.

She came out to a grey balcony made of stone, that overlooked a field, segmented into various sections. The wind pushed her crimson hair back as she placed her hands on the metal railing.

To the northeast, were various straw targets for archers to practice on, though only one archer was present.

To the south, just below Decena, were a few dolls being struck by tall, burly men carrying large weapons.

To the west, two combatants practiced. One man used a quarterstaff, while his opponent, who hid his face under a type of cloth mask, used two wooden daggers.

”Lively, aren't they?” Someone said, behind her. Decena turned and found a middle-aged man with a grey beard smiling at her. His hair was black and slick with some sort of gel.

”You know them?” Decena asked. She had been told this group had been made randomly.

”Not all. Just a few.” He took a few steps forward to stand side-by-side with Decena. He wore a suit of steel armor, and wore a longsword at his waist. Most likely, he was a knight. ”That one over there, the archer, that's Bensen. He's a lord's son. The two fools fighting, the one with the daggers is a woman named Jess. I don't know too much about her, just that she's feisty and quick to pull a blade if you offend her.” He weirdly rubbed the back of his head as he said this. ”I don't know the rest.”

An awkward pause lingered in the air as the self-satisfied man continued to blankly look down at the courtyard.

”I, also, happen to know you.” He stated. Decena felt the urge to pull a sword out here and now, only she didn't have one to pull.

”Do you have a problem with me?” Decena hissed.

”Bit paranoid you are? No, no problem. Of course, if I were the man I was a few years ago, I would have a problem, as I was once a knight in Nova's court, just like yourself. Though, I served for a little longer than you did.” He chuckled. ”No, I just find it curious that the infamous Red Knight would feel compelled to conduct a scouting mission for some random villagers.”

”Is the duke a random villager?” Decena asked.

”He may as well be, to you.” He paused, looking at Decena through the corner of his eye. ”Are you planning on fighting the monsters with your hands?”

”I have no weapon to use.” Decena replied.

”Ah, let's fix that. Come with me, I'll give you a blade.” He began walking down the nearby stairs that led into the courtyard.

”Really?” Decena asked, with as much of an insidious voice as she could muster. ”You'd give the 'Infamous Red Knight' a sword? What will the lords think?” She smirked.

”Oh?” He looked back with a smirk of his own. ”And here I thought you'd be brooding all day. Glad to see you're not a soulless husk. By the way, my name is Ser Floren.”

Decena sighed.

”My name is Decena.”

”I know.” He replied.

...

An hour later, Decena found herself standing opposite the older man on a field of stone. She held a wooden sword up, aiming it at the knight. He raised his own wooden sword, and aimed it at her.

Decena exhaled, and immediately, both parties lunged at each other. Floren tried a stab attack that Decena dodged, and countered with a wide slash.

Floren stumbled back, trying to avoid Decena's repeated swipes. Floren let one of his hands go, and took a few steps forward, holding his blade with his left as if he were fencing. Decena smirked inwardly, and adjusted her position.

She suddenly placed her feet at a little more than shoulder-length, she placed her sword straight out in front of her, and lowered her hands. Floren's eyes widened, but he was already committed to an attack when he saw the change happen.

Decena allowed his momentum to swing past her, and then, she guided his blade downwards, as she had been taught to do three years ago. With a quick flick, she pried Floren's hand away from his sword, disarming him.

He fell back, and for just a moment, Decena saw genuine surprise in his eyes, before he bellowed a hearty laugh. Suddenly, several other voices began to laugh.