Chapter 4: Chapter 4
"Forgive my curiosity but may I ask why I am being summoned?" Corvus asked, taking a cautious step back.
He still had trouble believing what he was hearing. The king wanted to see him? What for? The most obvious answer would be for his 'healing' ability but he couldn't recall any news about the King being sick.
That kind of news spread pretty far no matter where one resided.
In the recess of his mind, he wondered if the king was just Ozma looking to gain another piece for his war with Salem. Pushing those thoughts away, he focused just in time to see the man's face scrunch up.
Just as his lips parted to deliver what would have been a derogatory response, somebody placed a hand on the knight's shoulder, a fellow knight.
From the look of surprise and resentment on the man's face, he could conclude that the knight now walking up to him was someone important. Or at least someone of a higher ranking than himself.
"I apologize if this is too sudden but we cannot leave here without you. May we talk inside?" The knight asked politely.
After a few moments of his eyes flickering between the squad of knights, he stepped back to allow him entry into his little abode.
A groan from the floor attracted their attention, Corvus' as well but with a feeling of exasperation.
"Is that your father?" The knight asked hesitantly.
Nodding his head, Corvus sighed. "I apologize for the mess."
The liquor smell still lingered about, causing his nose to twitch minutely.
"It's no problem." The knight waved it off before continuing. "News has spread far and wide about the mystery healer here in Saunus. They say you can heal anything."
Corvus said nothing, neither denying nor affirming the claim.
"The king is ill, therefore we are tasked to bring you before him to heal him." The knight added.
Still Corvus was silent for a moment before voicing the question that had been on his mind.
"Why explain all this to me? Your friend out there seems pretty used to getting his job done by force." He asked, prompting a tired sigh from the man before him.
"I believe that knights should have honor. Being a knight effectively brands one as a representative for their kingdom. Our actions have an impact on our kingdom's reputation and so must be upheld honorably. I only wish some of our more energetic brethren saw it that way as well." The knight explained, frustration evident at the standards his colleagues were setting as knights before he caught himself.
"I apologize for my rant. We must get back to the matter at hand." he quickly added.
Corvus didn't exactly have a choice in the matter. When the king gave an order it had to be carried out, regardless of his people's opinions.
"Give a few minutes to prepare then we will be on our way." He said, getting an understanding nod from the knight.
Xx-Xx-Xx
Soon he was mounted on a horse as they made their way to the kingdom of Vale. He'd left a note for Kairo with a simple explanation.
If he was lucky the man would hold the fort at the medical center, if not then injuries would have to wait till he returned.
It was his first time leaving the settlement, he couldn't help but take in everything he saw. From the terrain to the wild forests they traversed.
The hours flew by and night claimed the sky. The horses were tied to trees to rest while the knights, Corvus included, sat around a fire. He couldn't help but ask the question on his mind.
"How often do you encounter the Grimm out here?" he asked Igor, the knight who had quickly become acquainted with.
"Often enough. They're mindless beasts so they tend to roam about. Sometimes you're lucky, other times you're not." Igor explained, melancholy in his voice.
"I apologize if I stirred up old memories." Corvus said.
The man shook his head. "It's not your fault. We've lost a lot of men to the creatures of Grimm, good men. My brother was one of them."
"I'm sorry." He didn't believe it would be right to ask him why he still fought, though he barely stopped himself.
"It's all in the past."
"I don't know why you're sharing life stories with the brat." Somebody muttered.
Turning the saw that it was the same knight who had tried to strongarm him into the journey at first.
"Hadar, you'd do well to mind your tongue." Igor warned, getting a scoff from said man.
"Because of him? He's a peasant from a washed up settlement. This is probably the only reason he'd ever get to see the kingdom." Hadar said with a sneer.
As they devolved into argument, Corvus stayed silent. He had nothing to add to it and he definitely wasn't going to argue.
'A simple life. That's all I wanted.' He thought, reminiscing about earth, the world he would never get back to.
Shuffling away from the fire, he laid his bag on the floor, using it as a makeshift pillow. After all, he needed his strength for tomorrow.
Xx-Xx-Xx
The next few days passed quickly, with them continuing their journey as early as possible each day. With the horses rested, they could move at a faster pace, allowing them to reach the gates of Vale relatively quickly.
He barely suppressed his awe but he'd bet that the knights noticed it. That was fine.
Though, the novelty wore off minutes after entering. Looking farther ahead, he could see the richer parts of the kingdom but the outer areas had seen better days.
At the corner of a street, he caught sight of a small boy, covered in dirt and clothed in rags, huddled on the floor. He didn't miss the looks some people passed the child's way but that must have been as a result of the wolf ears on his head.
Faunus, people on Remnant who bore physical traits of animals.
He expected his first encounter with one to be more eventful. The knights looked impassive to it all, Igor included.
He could only sigh and allow himself to be led to the palace. Not much he could do about it anyway.
Xx-Xx-Xx
He didn't know how much time passed but the streets slowly became less crowded and the quality of living steadily increased the deeper he went.
Before long, he and Igor had reached the palace. The rest of the knights were dispersed as soon as they entered the palace gates.
The servants gave short bows to Igor as they proceeded through the hallway, the knight leading the way.
"A word of advice." Igor started as they slowed down their pace. "Be mindful of your words and speak only when spoken to. His majesty has executed others for less."
'Killing the very person he went through all the trouble to get here, he'd be a shortsighted fool.' Corvus thought, though outwardly, he only nodded in affirmation.
They stopped in front of the throne room. Corvus' confusion only lasted a moment as the door soon opened, a lanky man slipping through it.
"The king will see you now." The man said, holding the door open for them.
Walking in, he gulped almost audibly at the stupidly large throne room.
On a monument a few steps above the ground was a throne. Atop that throne sat an old man.
Old was an understatement, he looked like he was about to keel over at any moment. His grayed hair was bald in many spots, more wrinkles in his skin than Corvus was comfortable seeing.
Even his motion to look at them looked and sounded too rigid. This man wasn't sick, he was just very old!
He went down on his knee in tandem with Igor. "Greetings, your majesty."
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