A PALADIN’S DECISION

NJB : Okay, this is actually a rewrite/revamp of my old fic My Duty Is To Protect You, since I realize that my previous one has a lot of errors. I hope this one can generate more audience and most importantly, reviews ! This fic will be similar to the previous one, but there have been more changes and added scenes… And this will be multi-chaptered instead of one shot. Well then here we go…

Chapter 1

Two months ago, the menace of dragons that was almost brought to Elibe by the Dark Druid Nergal has been stopped by a group led by three lordlings, Eliwood of Pherae, Hector of Ostia and Lyndis of Caelin. As the group left the island of Valor, where the final battle took place, they parted ways, going on separate paths to their own homelands.

xxxx

Kent, one of the Knights of Caelin who also participated in battling Nergal, was doing his usual duties as a loyal knight of Caelin, observing the training of the young knights of Caelin in the afternoon on the castle. His stern, serious look observed the young knights’ training, making sure that they make no mistakes. And under his observation, his knights underwent their training well. Eventually, after two hours passed since the training session began and the sun began to set…

“That is enough for today.” The red-armored senior knight said and the knights stood in several lines in discipline. He then continued, “You may now return to your stations. Don’t be late for tomorrow’s training session. Dismissed.”

“Sir !” The young knights let out in unison as they saluted Kent. He saluted back and put his hands down, followed by the knights as they went back to their quarters.

‘It has been awhile since that time.’ Kent thought as he started walking to his quarters, as the winds played with his short red hair, recalling the events in the battle against Nergal, ‘Yet it just feels like yesterday… I wonder if everyone is okay.’

“Wow ! Look !” An exclamation of awe from some of the knights that has yet to left caught Kent’s attention, especially when they say, “It’s a Pegasus !”

“Pegasus…?” Kent said in surprise and looked above. A Pegasus flew on the sky that was turning red. And it appeared that it will descend down to the ground. Kent proceeded to approach it slowly. And eventually, the rider of the Pegasus dismounted from the steed.

It was a woman, a few years younger than Kent, wearing blue shoulder plate and white cloth from the inside. She has a flowing long aquamarine hair, held with a string tied on her forehead.

“Fiora…?” Kent muttered as he approached the woman. He recognized her, as she was one of the members of the army that participated in the battle against Nergal. A lot said that both Kent and Fiora were alike, in terms of seriousness in taking duties.

“Kent !” Fiora let out as she approached him as well, “I am glad to meet you again !”

“I’m glad, too.” Kent said as he looked at Fiora’s blue eyes. He then asked asked, “What brings you here ?”

“Truth to be told… I came to visit my sister and Caelin,” Fiora answered. “I have finished my current duties in Ilia and it would take some time until I receive another. In which I’ll have to return.”

“I see…” Kent muttered. Fiora hadn’t changed much since the last time he parted off, she’s still concerned about her duties to Ilia, as much as himself to Caelin. “Fiora, may I suggest something ?”

“Yes ?”

“I suggest that you stay here at least for a day.” Kent said, “I am sure… that Lady Lyndis and our companions here have missed you and wanted to be with you for a day or more.”

“Kent…” Fiora said before she entered a silence in her mind. A part of it told her not to forget her duties and not to waste her time there. But another part of her told her to loosen up a bit. Eventually, she answered, “… Very well.”

“Good…” Kent muttered in relief, “Perhaps we can go inside now.” With that, both of them entered the castle.

Kent and Fiora walked along the hallway of the castle, with the intention to meet Lyndis first. However, before they could reach her room, they already came face to face her walking along with Florina.

“Milady.” Kent greeted Lyn as he bowed, but she just let out a nervous smile.

“Kent, there’s no need to bow…” Lyn told him, but she let out a surprised gasp when she saw Fiora, “Fiora ! It’s been awhile!”

“It’s good to meet you again, Lady Lyndis.” Fiora answered as she smiled.

“S… sister ? Is that you ?” Florina muttered rather slowly, and her sister greeted her as well.

“Florina, how have you been ?”

“Um… pretty good… I guess.”

“Fiora, I knew you came here from a long way, but…” Lyn said to Fiora, “It’s getting a little late here. Why don’t you spend some days here ? Unless… you have another mission after this.”

“Very well.” Fiora answered, “But forgive me if I have to leave in case I receive a new mission… And…I do not know about this, but will Lord Hausen…”

“Grandfather ? Don’t worry.” Lyn answered again, with a smile on her face, “He’ll understand.” Afterwards, Lyn turned her attention to Kent, “Kent, will you please lead Fiora to the guest room ?”

“As you wish…” Kent said sternly and he turned to Fiora as he said, “This way.” Fiora followed the knight as he walked through the stairs and to a room with a proper light, tables and bed. It was a grand room with a window on the right wall, with a large bed with a canopy, two medium-sized table made of well-carved woods, one next to the window, one at the center of the room. The table at the center had four wooden chairs and the one next to the window had three. On one of the corner of the room was a wooden cupboard to store clothes. The room was well lit with a big golden lamp on the ceiling. And finally, the floor was covered with a big, soft carpet made of silk, with a decoration of a golden horse.

“So… I am to sleep here ?” Fiora asked, “Kent, I’m sorry, but this is too much for someone like me. I do not deserve this…”

“I am not in the position to decide.” Kent answered, “Besides, you are now a guest for us, you deserve the proper treatment.”

“Kent… I…” Fiora wanted to say more, but she was cut off.

“You still kept your belongings on your Pegasus, right ?” Kent asked, in which Fiora had no choice but to nod, “Then I’ll bring them here, as well as putting your Pegasus to the stable.”

“Thank you, Kent.” Fiora smiled and as he returned the smile, he left the room. Fiora sat on the chair in front of the table before the door opened again but instead of Kent, it was Florina who entered.

“Fiora… I…” She muttered, still doubting to enter.

“It’s okay, Florina. Come in.” Fiora said to her sister and eventually Florina came to her, “So… how is your life in Caelin ?”

“Um… I guess everything just works out fine…” Florina told her, and as she talked, the two sisters were thrown into a seemingly long talk, until eventually she became shocked when a certain male knight in red armor entered with Fiora’s belongings. Her belongings were nothing more than a bag of clothes. Fiora was known to be a humble woman in Ilia and thus it was natural for her to carry no excessive clothes if she wanted to stay.

“Am I interrupting anything ?” Kent asked, with a little tone of guilt, but Florina shook her head.

“I-it’s nothing… r-really !” She let out, “Um… sis… I-I think I’m getting sleepy…”

“It’s all right, Florina. Get some sleep.” Fiora said to her sister, smiling gently. Florina got up and exited the room as Kent put her belongings down to the ground. He then looked at Fiora.

“May I… put your clothes into the place ?” Kent asked gently, but Fiora got up and approached him.

“No, I can do it myself…”

“At least let me help…” Kent insisted. Fiora then nodded as both of them started taking her clothes from her bag and put it in the wooden cupboard.

However, eventually as Fiora picked up the last cloth, she accidentally dropped a small necklace to the ground. Kent tried to take it for her. Without realizing that at that very time, Fiora was benting down for the same purpose. And althrough Kent was the first to reach the necklace, Fiora’s hand came in contact with his.

Both let out a gasp and their eyes met. Both of their faces formed a blush, and for a short moment, Fiora couldn’t move her eyes away from his crimson ones and neither Kent was able to help but admire the depth of her beautiful blue eyes. However, they regained control and their hands separated. Kent moved his hand slowly to Fiora and handed the necklace to her.

“Kent…” Fiora muttered as Kent’s face turned red once more.

“I am sorry…” Kent said slowly as he watched Fiora put the last cloth on the cupboard.

“No, I should be the one to apologize.” Fiora answered.

“… If you’ll excuse me…” Kent said as he moved to the door and left the room. Fiora only let out a small smile, before she went to prepare herself for bed.

xxxx

The following day, at the very first hours of the day, Fiora woke up. ‘Perhaps I should take a little walk…’ She thought as she got up and passed her white dress, then her blue shoulder plate, before going out of her room. However, just when she walked several steps from the room, she heard small battle cries. ‘Who could that be ?’ Following the sound, she came upon the castle’s barracks. And there stood Kent. He was training alone with his old wooden sword.

“Kent, are you training ?” she asked, stopping him in his parades.

“Fiora…” Kent said as he put down his training weapon, “I did this every morning. Get up early to train to hone my skills to wield my sword or sometimes lance.” Kent stopped a little, remembering his partner, “I just wish Sain wouldn’t slack off as usual. I usually try to wake him up but sometimes, he just doesn’t listen.”

“In Ilia I used to train too. Sometimes in the middle of missions.” Fiora added as she approached Kent, “Some of my men joined sometimes.”

“No wonder that the 5th Wing of Ilia Mercenaries are disciplined.” Kent complimented with a little sigh, “Sain should really follow that example.”

“Um… Kent, if it’s okay…” Fiora asked, “May I… spar with you ?”

“You’re welcome.” Kent said as he picked up his wooden sword. But as Fiora picked up a wooden spear in the corner, she said.

“Kent, are you sure that you want to use a sword ? It will be disadvantageous to fight someone with a spear…”

“Don’t worry about it, Fiora.” Kent said, “It can be beneficial for my training. You can go ahead. But, without your Pegasus…”

“You shouldn’t worry too.” Fiora answered back, “Fighting on the ground with a spear is the basic training of being a Pegasus Knight. Perhaps we are on even grounds now ?”

“You’re right.” Kent said, and eventually he lowered his stance, preparing for the battle, “Are you ready ?”

“Anytime.” Fiora said as she prepared a stance. And soon, they raised their wooden weapons and began sparring.

To be Continued