It was the midst of a heavy battle field. Truly, he hadnt expected such bloodshed in his first deployment. Yet here he was, fighting a soldier who was much older than him.
The clashing of metal could be heard all over. Fights for dominance had grown stagnant.
'This isnt good...' He was being pushed back, the enemy knight noticed this and began to push forward with his shield.
He attempted a feint slash and quick thrust towards the knight. However, it was blocked with a skilled parry from the shield.
'No!' His eyes were wide open. He saw it, the blade making its way towards him. Turning his head, he made the blade slash his chain mail.
It was a success, but the blunt force got him coughing.
Cough Cough!; The knight readied his blade for another attack. However an arrow had landed a hit onto his chest, momenterally stopping him before breaking it with his shield.
'My sword does jack sh!t towards his armor.' With another fake Slash, he kicked the knight away. Making them back away from the sudden force.
Spotting an ally nearby that wielded a mace and shield, he called out to them.
"Tratso Cha!" The nearby ally, who was fighting a squire. Quickly heard the call for help.
He kicked the squire back, and looked at the caller. Noticing his enemy was a Fully Plated Knight.
"Meito!" He quickly rushed over, taking over the fight.
The Squire quickly switched with his ally, now fighting an enemy squire instead of a knight.
The battle went on, each side taking equal losses. Till all of a sudden, a gut-wrenching aura was felt through the battle field.
The squire, noticing his enemies distraction. Quickly kicked him down and stabbed him through the neck.
Looking onto the new arrival, it was an armored individual.
Fully plated with armor, full of scratches and slightly lost of color. Showing signs of over use. The knight had a dirty red cape, along with a slightly jagged thorn branching out his helmet.
"Men! A blood Knight has come to our aid. Embrace the carnage of the divine Tree!" A familiar voice was heard by the squire.
It was their Knight Commander, Harvey Briar.
A stream of loud war cries began to erupt in the battlefield. All ranging from squires to the bravest of knights.
The squire laughed at the situation, he began to push forth. Stalling the blade of those infront of him, before making a thrusting move to kill the enemies.
His blade drew more red by the second. His leather boots felt tighter from each use.
The battle went on for uncountable hours, the battle ended with fatigued bodies. Only a few Knights along the Knight commander and the Blood Knight seemed to remain standing without support.
A faint noise came from the Commander Harvey, the Squire too tired to hear their conversation but still looked onto their direction.
He saw the Blood Knight with his Sword drawn, was surrounded by dead men, all in heavy armor. Yet they were cleanly cut in half by a blade.
He watched as the Leader he followed bowed down towards the Blood Knight. Yet, the knight didnt even look at the commander.
Walking away, leaving the commander kneeling till the Blood Onight was finally away.
'They dare ignore Commander Harvey whose giving his thanks!?' How could there be such, dishonorable knights. A man of honor acknowledged you and you decide to ignore them, disgusting.
It left him seething behind his helmet. Just then, Commander Harvey Yelled out an Order.
"Gather the spoils! Were heading back before the sun sets!" Soldiers around the battlefield began to gather weapons and armors. Ones that could be used, the broken were left behind.
"Oh boy, there he goes again." A squire said.
Another broke into sweat as he looked into the direction of the baffled Squire.
"Blood sake, Ren the Seizer is on duty."
The squire, now named Ren was gathering a large assesment of bladed Weapons.
A knight chuckles at what he saw. "Im guessing this happens all the time?" He inquired to a nearby squire.
"Dont get me started, any chance of a reward, he gallops like a horse on sugar. We cant even do anything about it since hes the strongest of us all." The squire grumbled, as he picked up the new set of armor he had from the ones he killed.
"Sounds like a handful that one." The knight, with his own loot, proceeds to walk back on the path to their camp.
Ren, who was busy hoarding, ignored these remarks. So what if he was a hoarder? Better having something and not needing it than the other way around.
"Gather and Head back to camp!"
'For Bloods sake!' Disappointed, Ren carried his spoils back begrudging. He still had the most but he wanted more.
"Look at you, have you no shame carrying a sack of items after a battle?" A squire, who seemed to be unimpressed by Rens actions.
"Not a sack of Items but a sack of cash Milo! You nobles wouldnt get the struggle for money." Ren huffed, Milo looked unamused by his claim.
"For the last time, Ren. Nobles dont just depend on the peoples money. They have to form complicated relationships, and businesses all over to stay in power and revelancy." His voice tired, as if he'd repeated these words his whole life.
"Sap it up, river mouth, we all know the taxes are what you rely on." Ren waved him off, unbelieving of these so called 'facts'.
Milo sighed as he followed behind the Sack carrying squire. He had grown used to their friendship. He had, infact, forgotten how they became friends to begin with.
They walked a murky path. The fields carried the stench of iron. Bodies littered every step of the way.
"Unlucky fellows, shouldnt have went to a war zone of they were just gonna die." Milo sighed at Rens comment.
"Ren, be respectful to the fallen soldiers. They may be dead, but their courage must be honored." Ren rolled his eyes at Milos remark.
"Stop talking like a philosopher, Milo. If they were so courageous, they would have survived the Fields of Grey."
Milo gave up, he doesnt even know why he bothers trying at this point. His friend was as hard headed as they could get. The phrase all muscle, no brain.
It was a long journey back to camp, they travelled 4 kilometers of fields of grey before reaching some sort of green. After a few more kilometers, they began to see smoke.
"They started a bonfire without us!" Ren exclaimed. Milo shook his head.
"Obviously, the messenger already reported about our victor. Stop whining, your voice irritates all of us."
Ren kicked Milos shin causing him to yelp.
"What in Bloods sake are you doing!?" Ren walked faster to avoid Milo.
"I know you heard me, Ren!"
Ignoring Milo further, Ren reached base camp.
A few squires arriving before Milo showed up.
"Gods, you are infuriating."
"Come on Milo, give up on scolding The Seizer. You've tried too many to count, dont you think its time to give up?" A squire teased.
"Nonsense, one day I tell you. He'll learn a proper lesson on etiquete." Milo grumbled, more to himself than to the squire.
Ren was busy looking at the bonfire, next to it was the Blood Knight that disrespected his Commander.
"Whats got you frowning now Ren?" Milo intruded.
"That Leech disrespected our commander." Ren grumbled.
"Ren, I know he disrespected the commander but calling him names wont change the result." Milo said, his tone stern. Clearly not liking Rens tone on the Blood Knight.
"Still... Its annoying how high and mighty the Knight looks, unlike Order Knights who train hard, we all know they get their strength from the Fallen." Milo shook his head.
"Ren, just because were in the Order Knights, does not give you the right to disrespect the others." Milo said sternfully.
Ren simply stood there, his glare still at the Blood Knight. The other squires and knights simply ignored him.
He noticed the commander approaching the Blood Knight. He wouldve stared in curiousity have it not been for.
"Ren! Stop rooting around and get moving!" The second in command, Paul Forgton, ordered in a loud tone. Making sure everyone heard it well.
"Ah! Yes sir!" Ren quickly moved to the closest squire and asked for the task.
While, at the bonfire.
"Long time no see, old friend." Harvey spoke out. He sat next to the Blood Knight, close but distant at the same time.
"Are you up for a talk or are the urges back?" He asked, his guard up and ready to fight at any moment.
"Im... Fine, for now." A tired voice spoke out from behind the helmet.
"You sound worse than last time, maybe its time to settle down and get a wife?" Harvey joked, clearly the knight wasnt amused.
"You and I, both know... Thats a dream as hard to achieve as rule domination." His voice grew weaker, his shoulders slumped ever so slightly.
"Sigh, well, sorry for bringing the mood down. Hows... The urges? Any luck cooling them down?"
The Knight seemed to be in thought, his mind in another place.
"Hello? Anyone there? Horith?" The commander asked.
That seemed to snap the Blood Knight, Horith, out hid daze.
"Ah... Sorry, the voice was mocking me as usual." He shook his head, visibly more tired than before.
"Man... F*ck that voice honestly." Harvey looked onto his past comrade, his eyes full of sadness and respect.
"..." Horith finding a topic to change the subject, thought of the squire he felt.
"By the way, Harvey. One of your squires im afraid. Will awaken a Blood Pact."
Harvey's eyes widened, he looked at the knight with slight shock.
"A blood pact for a squire?!" With a whispered yell.
"Yes... Infact, his bond with the Blood Tree, Its... I have no words. It feels like..." All of the sudden, Horith stopped.
"Horith?" Harvey grew worried.
"Its... The voice... Is too... Loud..." Horith began to rub his boot on the ground. Making a intimidating scratching noise.
"Horith! Stay with me. Listen to my voice!" Harvey stated in a worried tone.
Horith seemed to stabalize a little bit. However his body was slumped, his head resting on his thigh.
"Harvey... I dont have... A lot of time... that squire... I think... He'll be my successor."
Harvey was shocked at what he heard. His friend really couldnt be thinking of this could he.
"But Horith!" Horith patted Harveys shoulder. He took off his helmet with his other hand.
There was a scarred face. He had dirty brown hair and dark red eyes. No light could be seen in Horith's eyes. His eyes had bags under them, and his lips scarred. A visible sign of biting them too much to the point of bleeding.
"Listen Harvey, to die as nourishment for a successor is the biggest relief a Blood Knight could ever have. That not many could succeed. Yet, I have a chance. Please, let me have it."
For the first time in what feels like forever, Harvey saw his friend cry. A Blood Knight, known as Knight of War. Cried in front of him.
He couldnt, bring himself to deny his friend peace. He sighed, and looked straight into his friends eyes.
"Horith... You chose the right one. That boy's the best among the squires. If any could carry such burden, it might be him."
Horith had a pained expression, his eyes filled with guilt for what he was about to do.
"A child with a bright future... I almost feel guilty shrouding his fate with dark red."
Harvey looked upon the camp, the coordinated work of all the squires and knights alike. The mini party set up by bored knights, the excited sharing of the squires first time in battle.
"If passing on the burden meant avoiding this camps annihilation, I'm sure the child would understand."
"No amount of understanding will excuse me of my last, greatest sin."
Harvey watched his friend, staring deeply into the bright flames. His hand clasped together, as if begging for mercy.
"I'm sure the Temples wouldnt mind. They despise Bloodhounds more than Blood knights after all."
Horith stayed silent, watching the dancing fire infront of him. He wondered if just like the flames, he could go out providing warmth to the needy.
Harvey started walking away, with one last look, he opened his mouth to Horith.
"Friend, act quick. So even after your veins run dry, your legacy shall continue on."
Leaving with the words he eanted to say, he closed his eyes and wondered. How would the story of this new Blood knight be written.
Would it be with his own blood, or the blood of others.
End chapter