I Will Be the Greatest Knight

Chapter 519: Round Table

Expressions all around the room were grim.

Winter was supposed to be the season of hibernation and one that many looked forward to despite the difficulties cold weather came with. For most of the year, a lot of the knights with families missed theirs while they were doing their shifts near the Duke’s Tower. While there were plenty of opportunities to return to their various villages, there were still long and many spells between. The winter made travel dangerous and staying close much easier.

However, none would overstep despite thoughts brewing in their heads. They allowed their Commander to fill in the blanks before they jumped to conclusions.

"A wyrm has been spotted north of the mountains, much further south than the last time I was made aware of it," Henry explained. "Due to the impending winter weather, I fear that this will allow the wyrm that needs snow to travel ample opportunity to move further south and endanger the people who live in this duchy."

That was enough to cause a stir. Utterances of worry and new understanding about why their winter plans were being ruined filled the room. Duty over all. If the knights chose to leave, they were actually putting their families in danger more than they would be protecting them, so they would undoubtedly stay.

Siverly, who sat at the back of the room with Stanley, didn’t know it yet, but he would be using a lot of his mana to send letters across the duchy at the points where mages were so that the families of knights would know right away what was happening.

Since Felix had only heard that morning practices were cancelled but not the reason why, he couldn’t help glancing at Irene. She had told him before about the wyrm. He wanted to hear more details but would wait.

For now, asking, "What do you suggest we do right now, Commander?" was enough.

However, Henry was burdened by something else as he let out a slow, even sigh. His body language communicated stress as he stood up and walked towards one of the lancet windows that lined the meeting hall. He stared out of it, not showing him the north but the plains where the monster war was fought.

"Before I can reveal that, I must confess something I’ve kept from all others for the sake of not seeming like a madman was appointed as the Commander and Duke for all of you," Henry explained, and he finally turned towards his men after gathering himself. "Sylaron and I can communicate with one another. She tells me fragmented words so that I can get a basic understanding, whereas she can read my emotions and seems to understand the things I tell her if they are basic enough."

There was a reaction from the knights. More utterances of disbelief, but complete understanding that everything having to do with the dragon who followed their Commander was out of the norm. When a few began to respond, Henry held up his hand.

"She was the one who made me aware that the wyrm was moving south," he admitted. "But her words were confusing, and clouds had settled north before I was able to see it myself. That is why I would like to investigate it first."

Felix was the next to speak as he said, "If you need to send your men north, you know that we will all listen despite the difficulties it might bring."

"Actually, rather than that, I am asking all of you to remain in the Duke’s Tower or in the mountain pass above the northern region," Henry admitted. "It is Irene and I who will go further than that because she has gone to the north and knows how to travel safely. I prefer it that my best men stay safer than that because I will not allow her to go with someone else, but I also know the risk I’m taking and how important it is that the duchy does not go without a leader like it has in the past. That is why I have named three people as my heirs before I can bring forth a proper one of my own. The first, Commander Lothian, the second, Arne Litharion, and the third, my dear second in command who has already taken the reins of the knighthood so many times in the past. I will see to it that the duties of a duke are properly handled for years to come in the case that something unforeseen does take place."

To prove his trust, he walked forward and placed a hand on Felix’s shoulder, who was staring at him in disbelief.

"I am not built for such a mantle," Felix insisted. "But I am also not willing to go against my Commander’s order, so all that I ask is for you to come back in one piece or I am going to be... extremely burdened."

His joke broke the tension in the room as hesitant laughs filled the space.

It was Gunnar who spoke up next.

"I didn’t like the fact that you went north in the first place, Irene," the old knight admitted. "But you were still a girl then and, with more experience under your belt now, I trust that you can do it again. Show the Commander where your father came from."

There was a tinge in her heart that ached. How she wished she could show Henry the Sunstoian north with her father there as well.

No time for her grief.

"I appreciate you saying that," she responded. "I promise, as I have promised our Commander, that I am the best option to guide us in the north. We will also be meeting my brother halfway to exchange horses. My father has Sunstoian horses like Sammy who will fare the winter better than a regular horse."

Henry nodded, fully supporting his wife in her explanation to the others. Even though he dreaded this trip simply because he couldn’t guarantee her safety, he knew from the time by her side that he could trust her strength the same way he could trust his own. She was an extension of himself now, after all.

"Then I suppose all that’s left is to discuss where the knights will be placed while they await word of our safety," Henry admitted. "Only when the snow falls and settles will we be able to press forward with these travel plans."