After the knighting ceremony ended and the feast began...
In the green courtyard with a fountain at its center, golden ornaments adorning the statues, House Sylthrone's banners fluttering in the wind, and stars sparkling in the night sky, Tich and Jonan stood together near the buffet stretching along the courtyard.
"Tich, you chose a good name.
Tim would be happy to see it," Jonan said softly.
"Thanks, Jonan.
But let's leave the heavy stuff for now.
Lady Sylthrone ordered Kentucky!" Tich replied excitedly, unable to hide a wide grin as he rushed towards the bar in the courtyard.
"Jonan," called a soft yet authoritative female voice from behind. He turned around.
"Lady Sylthrone," he said while kneeling.
"There's no need for that, Master Jonan.
You're now my right-hand man, the third in command of House Sylthrone.
You're an important person," she said with a cunning smile and a proud tone.
Jonan's expression didn't change, he knew she was still testing him.
"Lady Sylthrone," he began as he rose, "if I may ask, what's our first mission?"
"First mission?" A playful smile appeared on her face. "Come with me, Jonan," her voice inviting but dangerous.
Jonan nodded and followed her.
As they walked, the surroundings changed, before, they had been in the large courtyard, but now he saw a garden filled with purple flowers and, in its center, a small bench fit for two.
"Sit with me," she said warmly, her eyes locked onto Jonan's.
Jonan, embarrassed, diverted his gaze and approached the bench. While walking, he thought, Why is she treating me so well? I was noble once, but that was long ago. She didn't even ask me to change my name, even though I'm considered a commoner now. More than that, I'm third in power within this noble house...
His head filled with questions, but he silenced them and sat next to Lady Sylthrone.
He hadn't noticed before, but now, sitting beside her, he could see the reflection of the starry sky in her hair and silver eyes, captivating him.
"What are you looking at, Master Jonan?" Her expression was playful.
"Be careful not to jump on me, it's dangerous for you," her voice threatening yet inviting.
Jonan looked away, blushing slightly.
"Lady Sylthrone, perhaps I should go..." He stood up, but Lady Sylthrone grabbed his hand, pulling him back down onto the bench.
"You're staying," her voice sounding more like an order than a request.
She sighed softly.
"I expected you to be more confident, but it seems all that's needed to catch you off guard is a beautiful woman," she said proudly, her gaze penetrating Jonan's eyes. "Also, when we're alone, call me Nevera, just Nevera, no titles."
Jonan was surprised, the more they talked, the stranger she seemed. He'd never met a woman quite like her.
"Nevera," he said shyly, "then why are we sitting here...?"
"You'll see soon enough," she replied, rising from the bench.
Her silver hair blowing in the wind created a sparkling illusion, her eyes reflecting the stars, and her purple dress blending with the garden's flowers.
Jonan couldn't hide his emotions, blushing as his gaze fixed upon her face.
Nevra's cheeks also turned slightly pink, though she masked it with a mischievous look.
"Jonan," she said softly, "I want you truly be by my side, not because of an oath but because you want to be.
I don't know if it's the strange power we nobles share making me want to know you better or just my curiosity."
Jonan, looking into her face and blushing deeper, hadn't expected this, but he composed himself.
"Nevera, I don't know about the future, but from this moment, I am your knight.
It started with an oath, but now there's something deeper.
Something tells me our fates are connected, I can't explain it, but I just know it," his voice sharp and clear.
"Stand up, I want to show you something," Nevera instructed.
Jonan stood.
"Stand beside me," she softly commanded, raising her hand as purple fire appeared above it.
She directed the flame over the garden's center, and it exploded, making all the flowers glitter.
Jonan couldn't believe his eyes, the garden now resembled a chain of stars in the night sky.
He noticed tiny creatures moving between the flowers.
"Nevera, do you see them too? You have visitors in your garden..." His voice was confused.
Nevera smiled cunningly. "If you can see them, it means they trust you."
Suddenly, a woman appeared on Nevera's hand, or so Jonan thought until he saw tiny wings and a miniature crown on her head. She wore a red dress, and her legs were almost too thin to see.
"What are they?" Jonan asked, bewildered.
"Why don't you ask them yourself?" Nevera replied, and everything turned black.
Jonan opened his eyes, now seeing enormous stalks and purple flowers towering over him.
Nevera stood next to him, smiling and laughing.
"Well? Pretty cool, isn't it?" she asked mischievously, eyes twinkling.
Jonan was astonished yet again, uncertain how many surprises he'd experienced today.
Each moment with Nevera was something new, thrilling yet frightening.
"Nevera, how is it possible we're small now?" he asked, hiding his feelings by his unreadable face.
Nevera sighed, "As I said, ask them yourself," sounding slightly irritated while gesturing forward.
Before Jonan stood the same woman, now taller than him, revealing her beauty clearly. She wasn't human, he'd read about her species before.
"You're kidding me," Jonan said in disbelief. "Dabyries! You have Dabyries guarding your garden?"
Nevera, not expecting this reaction from the calm and cold Jonan, quickly composed herself. "House Sylthrone only employs the best," she declared proudly.
"But our time is up for now," disappointment in her voice as she said, Zyps...
The mysterious woman raised her hands, whispering "Shreez Dabyries." Again, darkness engulfed Jonan.
He reopened his eyes, normal-sized once more, the flowers returned to their original state, and Nevera stood beside him.
Jonan composed himself, thinking urgently, Dabyries as garden guards! I need to refocus, I came here to learn more about this power not to play games with a woman...I must get information from her.
"Nevera," he said firmly, "you know why I asked about our first mission, so please tell me."
Nevera sighed. "Alright, alright, I'll tell you.
You're not very fun, you know, you should learn to loosen up.
Your first mission is to eliminate the monster Krizface in the forest near the city," she replied authoritatively, with a hint of resentment.
Jonan's thoughts and expression darkened, but he didn't refuse. "Understood.
But I have one request, send Tich on a different mission."
his voice was demanding.
Nevera looked confused. "Why would I send him elsewhere? He's going with you and the other knights.
You're dismissed," she said firmly.
Jonan nodded and left the garden.
Jonan returned to the feast and began looking for Tich.
As he searched through the crowd, he noticed two men arguing, each holding a bottle of Kentucky. He sighed heavily and approached the commotion.
Ahead of him stood the large bar at the courtyard's center, staffed by three busy bartenders and surrounded by numerous guests.
When Jonan reached the two arguing men, he grabbed Tich directly by the back of his shirt and pulled him closer.
"Really, Tich? Making trouble on our first day?" Jonan asked, his voice filled with disappointment.
"I'm not causing trouble! This guy started it—he insulted you, called you a disgrace to nobility!" Tich responded angrily.
Jonan sighed deeply, clearly disappointed. "Do you think I care what this man says? I'm his superior now.
Just ignore him and come with me, I need to talk to you."
Before moving, Tich turned and deliberately spat onto the man's shoes.
The man's face flushed with anger, but he restrained himself and remained silent.
Jonan gave Tich a slap on the back of his head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Tich protested loudly.
"As I said, we're leaving now," Jonan stated sternly. "We have more important things to discuss."
"'We have more important things to discuss,'" Tich repeated mockingly, which earned him another light slap on the head from Jonan.
"As I said before, this is serious," Jonan continued, his expression unreadable, though his voice had softened with a hint of compassion. "Let's speak privately in our room."
They left the feast behind and headed quietly towards their quarters,
When they reached their room, Jonan spoke heavily, his expression still unreadable.
"Sit."
Tich, unsure why Jonan appeared so serious, sat down, confused.
"Tich," Jonan began softly, his gaze cold and searching, "I spoke with Lady Sylthrone earlier.
Our first mission, along with the other knights, is to eliminate the monster Krizface residing in the forest near the city."
Tich's face darkened instantly. The monster that had taken Tim from him, the one that had haunted his dreams ever since the forest accident.
i have to face it again? How? Even in my dreams, it killed me repeatedly.
How could i possibly defeat it in reality?
Taking a deep, trembling breath, Tich finally spoke. "I guess you're testing whether I'll be a burden.
Don't worry, I can take care of myself. It won't be like last time!" His expression was fierce, though fear clearly showed in his eyes.
Jonan said nothing more, he simply nodded and left the room.
Tich remained alone, lost in his thoughts about their first mission.
Eliminating Krizface.