After he'd displayed his spells, he was handed a bastard sword and told to spar with Wardes. Without trying to kill him of course.
Wardes drew his rapier and it started to glow with wind elemental energy as the spar started, and boy, was Michael correct to try and flee from him before. Wardes wasn't only a superior swordsman, but he was easily able to enhance his speed with his magic. Making him faster than Michael even despite his Gandalfr runes being active.
It was obvious that Michael was physically stronger however, forcing Wardes to use hit-and-run tactics in order to pick Michael apart. Wardes easily slid around the training ground, parrying and counter-attacking with quick strikes, all while using his wind elemental magic to manoeuvre around as if he were on ice skates.
Five minutes pass and Michael was covered in scratches and light wounds, and the only thing indicating that Wardes had been hit were a couple tears at the bottom of his coat, where Michael had barely missed him.
The spar ends and Michael could see that both Cromwell and Sheffield were disappointed with his skills. Probably having thought he'd be a swordmaster if they just gave him a sword. Too bad the Gandalfr runes didn't work like that.
The trio discuss their plans for him and his eventual mission where he'd accompany Wardes to assassinate Prince Wales. This allowed Michael to know the relative time he was in compared to the anime, he hadn't really been able to keep track of things while on the run and getting tortured after all.
After all, was said and done, he was escorted back to his cage by the trio and ordered to rest. Allowing Michael to lie down on the ground that was still covered by his blood, flesh, and extracted teeth. They didn't deign to clean after him, so despite the smell, they forced him to live in this filthy place.
"You'll pay with your lives, Nobles." he repeatedly vows to himself as if counting sheep, and eventually falls into an uncomfortable sleep, where memories of his past treatment replay as if he were experiencing them again...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Two days later :
Michael sits in front of Wardes on his Griffin dressed in some reclaimed Albion armour. It was essentially comprised of a gambeson over chainmail that'd been stolen from a Loyalist soldier who had been killed.
He and Wardes had journeyed back to La Rochelle and were both currently waiting aboard an airship that had been recently harassed by pirates... But Reconquista was aware that the pirates were actually the remaining loyalists who were trying to get supplies to fund their war effort.
The loyalists were on their last legs, and the only reason they continued to fight was because Prince Wales was still leading them. He was Albion's last legitimate heir, so if Cromwell truly wanted to conquer it, Wales needed to die.
Michael wasn't happy to be sitting in front of Wardes on his Griffin like this, but the man was far warier of him than Cromwell or Sheffield. The latter had tortured him yesterday to make sure he was under control and Michael had barely restrained himself from tearing her damn throat out with his teeth, but, after much self-control and mental promises of death, he was sent out.
Fortunately, it looks like his time with Reconquista would be ending fairly soon, if the approaching pirate ship was anything to say. The airship crew all immediately start running around in attempts to avoid the pirates or potentially fight them off, but the enemy ship was recognisably more powerful, forcing them to stop and surrender.
The trader airship only had six cannons in total, which wasn't much compared to the pirate which had around twenty from what Michael could see.
The pirates quickly noticed Wardes and Michael's presence and quickly escorted them onto their ship where they were led to the captains quarters after extensive questioning. Wardes displayed a copy of the letter Henrietta wished to send, forged seal and all, and the duo entered the room after leaving the Griffin on the deck.
Prince Wales was standing on the opposite side of the room with his most loyal men standing around, glaring at Wardes and Michael with suspicion and hostility, despite the fact that both of them had been searched and stripped of weapons when they came in.
Prince Wales looked like your typical handsome anime character, with short blonde hair and light blue eyes. He's what you'd think of when you think of King Arthur, or a handsome knight. He wears a blue outfit that looks as luxurious as it is practical, with a long sword and wand both strapped at on his hip. Though, Michael's eyes are drawn towards the silver ring that had a blue gem atop it on his finger... The Ruby of Wind Michael mentally affirms, remembering it from the anime... He didn't know if it had any abilities, but it's something that signifies Albion, so it should be special in one way or another.
Wardes kneels and Michael follows suit, following the orders he'd been given before they'd arrived on the loyalist airship. "Your Majesty, I am Viscount Wardes, Captain of Princess Henrietta's Griffin Knights, I come with a letter for your hands only."
Wales nods at one of his guards and they walk forward and take it, giving it to the prince so he can read it. He does so, and his expression all but collapses into a restained frown. The letter carried news of Henrietta's engagement to Germania's emperor, but it also included a declaration of love for him, which must've struck him especially hard.
Michael refused to pity him however, as he needed to plan for his escape. He knew the ship was currently flying over the coast of Albion, so he couldn't exactly jump off without making any other preparations... Plus the fact that he needed to get rid of Wardes before that.
He could betray Wardes now and announce his loyalty to the rebels, but there was a high chance that he'd escape, or perhaps even win against everyone here... No, he had to wait for the right opportunity... He wanted to kill Wardes personally.
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Wales struggles to rid himself of his grim expression, but forces a smile onto his face as he looks at his men in the room. "This letter changes nothing. We will continue to fight for our land and country! Those dishonourable rebels will pay for having my father killed, and it will be us to deliver them justice!" he exclaims, his charisma and fervour causing his men to grin excitedly.
It's because of this that Wardes finally decides to act, with everyone's attention on Wales, they wouldn't immediately react to their hostility. "Now." he whispers to Michael, but is confused when Michael doesn't immediately fry the prince with Ether Shock.
No, instead, Michael steps to the side and grabs the hilt of a guard's sword from its sheath, using hex to turn them into a chicken and allow him to easily take the weapon. Everyone in the room is shocked by this, not only because of the sudden attack, but also because Michael displayed his ability to cast wandlessly, something that should be impossible.
Michael doesn't kill Wales as he'd been instructed however, with the sword now in hand and his Gandalfr runes activates, he cuts down towards Wardes.
"WHAT-!?" he exclaims in shock as he raises his arm to block the strike, unable to dodge it in time.
*CHOP!*
Michael grins as he feels warm blood spatter against his face as he completely dismembers Wardes' right arm. His momentum couldn't carry the blade through the arm and into his head however, forcing him to go for another strike. "ENSLAVE ME WILL YOU!? DIE!" he roars as he swings again, all while casting Ether Shock to make sure he dies.
The Ether Shock strikes Wardes in the chest, but does nothing as one of his rings explode, most likely an artifact of protection... No matter! He'd just keep attacking until Wardes was mincemeat!... Unfortunately for him, Michael and Wardes weren't the only people in the room...
*THWOOOM!*
A heavy gust of wind collides with Michael's side and send him spinning into the cabin wall, he almost loses the weapon but manages to keep his grip on it. The promise of Wardes death was all the motivation he needed to keep moving. "WARDES IS A REBEL TRAITOR! SHOCK!" he shouts again, sending another Ether Shock at Wardes which is blocked by some sort of windshield.
Michael scowls at Wales as the prince readies his wand-sword for another spell, him being the one responsible for protecting Wardes. "Hex." he chants, trying to turn Wales into a chicken temporarily so he could get to Wardes... But his spell seems to have no effect at all on the prince, surprising Michael, but not stopping his charge regardless.
"I do not know if Sir Wardes is a traitor! But I demand you stop attacking him! I shall have you both interrogated to see the truth of this matter!" he commands as his men start interfering as well.
"DAMNDAMNDAMNDAMN!" Michael mutters as he glares at Wardes who is now receiving medical assistance... They wouldn't be able to reconnect his missing arm, but stopping him from bleeding out was simple. "Prince Wales! THIS MAN HAS HAD ME CAGED AND TORTURED FOR WEEKS! I DEMAND SATISFACTION!" he exclaims, his anger at Wardes clouding his rational mind.
Prince Wales shakes his head, "Be that as it may, we still need to identify the traitor. Wardes is in no state to flee! Surrender your weapon and allow us to investigate! I promise, if what you say is true, I will grant you the vengeance you seek!" he says, surprising everyone as the prince bows lightly towards Michael, something that royalty should never, ever do.
...
Michael seethes, but composes himself for a moment and glances around, noting the many guards wielding wands, blades, and muskets. Clearly, if he tried to attack now he'd be killed... Maybe he could use Shadow Dance? But that wouldn't guarantee Wardes' death... He shakes his head and drops the sword, "Wardes must die." he states while locking eyes with Wales.
The prince nods, "I promise on my honour, if he is guilty, you may punish him to your heart's content." he states and Michael relents.
Wardes is dragged off into the bowels of the ship to receive further medical treatment, and Michael is left in the captain's cabin surrounded by angry armed guards.
Wales sits not far from him sipping tea with crossed legs, "Now. Why don't you explain your story to me?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Wardes grits his teeth as two water mages cast a litany of spells to stop the bleeding and prevent his body from going into shock at the loss of an arm. Truly, he hadn't seen that coming. Gandalfr had broken free of the Ring's control and ambushed him, cutting off his sword arm and as a result, drastically weakening him...
He blamed Sheffield for this. That suspicious woman must have planned for this, she had always set him on edge, but this only confirms it in his mind.
Once his surgery was done, Wardes was left in a private room which just so happened to be locked from the outside... The door opens ten minutes after he was left alone, and a crewmate walks in after taking a couple glances around him to make sure he wasn't being followed.
"Sir Wardes."
"Do I know you?" Wardes asks before getting the idea to use the code... "Did you hear of the elf maiden's bitter well?"
The man grins as he hears this, "I have, it sours the crops and poison's the soul... I'm here to assist you." he explains.
Wardes glances down at his missing arm and scowls, "A touch too late I'm afraid."
The man shakes his head, "You must get up, your Griffin is about to be freed. I trust you can ride with one arm?"
Wardes nods and pulls himself out of bed... The spells the water mages had used had weakened him and slowed his reflexes, but he should be strong enough to escape with his allies assistance.
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