Chapter 6: The New Members

"You're a very skilled little warrior, you know that?" Kael told the young man who was already lying on the ground and catching his breath as he swiped a trace of blood on his wounded cheek.

"A dual blade wielder," Kael smirked as he pointed his long blue sword towards the young man's face. "You have a name?"

The young man swiped Kael's sword away from his face and stood up slowly. He picked up his two black swords on the ground and placed them back to both sides of his waist.

"Tristan," he replied as he held his stomach that seems to be hurt.

Kael nodded and returned his sword to its sheath. "I'm Kael."

"So you just came here in our village to beat me up and ask my name?" Tristan looked at him sharply.

"Sort of," Kael shrugged. "Someone told me of a talented warrior living here in Cold Hills. I tested your skills and found out you indeed have potential."

"What do you want from me?"

Kael offered his hand. "Join me in the kingdom capital. I'll help you and your village from suffering."

"What am I gonna do there?"

"We'll hunt. I suppose you're also a skilled hunter,"

"You can say that. I lived my whole life hunting high danger beasts," Tristan replied.

"But we're not hunting beasts, Tristan," Kael's face became more serious. "We're hunting some rats who love to hide and kill people in the region. I will need your strength and skills."

"You're already strong enough. Why would you need someone like me? I didn't even make a scratch on you earlier,"

"Well I admit that you caught my full attention while we're fighting. I admire your dual blade fighting style. You're much stronger than from what I heard about you," Kael stepped forward and looked him in the eyes. "You're gonna be very useful in my team."

"What's in it for me?" Tristan narrowed his eyes.

"Like what I've said earlier, your village will be saved from poverty," Kael replied. "You'll also be compensated. You need money, right?"

"You think I would say yes to that bullshit question? A lot of nobles already tried to buy me, but I turned them all down because I'm not a piece of meat or a machine," Tristan lowered his head. "In return, they ruined my life... my village... they even threatened me and killed my family. So what are you gonna do if I decline? Kill me? I've already lost everything already."

"I didn't mean to buy you. It's your decision if you want to save your village from hunger and poverty. You can't just steal and hunt beasts forever to feed them," Kael turned his back to him.

"Swear to me," Tristan said.

Kael faced him again. "I swear. I am a man of my word."

Tristan nodded and then followed Kael. Kael wasn't equipped with his golden armor and purple cape now. He only had his white cloak as he went out of the kingdom capital to travel to Cold Hills village.

An hour has passed and they were already riding on their horses to South. The cold wind was blowing against them as they picked up their pace.

"Are we going to the capital now?" Tristan asked.

"We'll go first to Hailborne City," Kael replied.

The skies were already getting dark as they arrived in the city. They went towards the gatehouse when a knight on guard stopped them.

"Divine Knight Kael of Ice Crown Citadel," Kael told the knight as he showed his shining diamond badge. "We're here for someone."

The knight's eyes widened and immediately bowed his head to show respect. "Of... of course!" The knight let the two pass through the entrance.

Kael and Tristan rode their horses on the main road of the city. Several people's attentions were caught by the two. It was already night and so the place became less crowded. The city had very early curfews because of many criminals lurking at night. Only knights patrolling the streets were mostly seen by Kael.

They went ahead towards the upper ring of the city. There were few but huge houses built on the area. The lonely and dark garden was just enough to satisfy Kael's eyes. They arrived in the wide training ground of the bailey where Kael saw two men in the center. One was holding a sword while the other one was holding a long blue spear.

"A lancer?" Tristan whispered to Kael. Kael smirked as he watched the two warriors fight.

The lancer spun his long spear using his one hand and preparing his stance. The wind blew hard as the lance was spinning fast. The other warrior charged and plunged his sword towards him. The spear immediately swiped the incoming sword away. The swordsman was forced to step back as the lancer held his spear using both hands while pointing the sharp blade towards him.

"A master lancer," Kael corrected Tristan.

The swordsman dashed again and thrust his sword towards the lancer's chest but the lancer rotated his body to dodge it. He swung his long spear and hit the swordsman's legs. The man grunted in pain as his body fell out of balance and slammed to the ground. After a few seconds, Kael walked towards the two as the lancer pointed his spear to the swordsman's face as a win.

"Cedric," Kael called.

The lancer turned his head and his black eyes widened as he saw Kael.

"Kael?" Cedric furrowed his brows as he looked at him and then to Tristan.

"Been a long time, comrade," Kael reached out his hand.

"Eighteen years to be exact," Cedric said as he took Kael's hand and shook it.

They walked towards the entrance to the Keep. The inside of the huge structure was too bright for Kael's eyes.

"The lord of Hailborne is probably resting now. But I'll do the arrangement so you can talk to him tomorrow," Cedric said as they were walking.

"I'm not here for Lord Frederick," Kael replied. "I came here for you."

Cedric stopped walking and then looked at Kael with furrowed brows. He was as tall as the divine knight but a little slimmer compared to Kael's muscular body.

"What do you want?" Cedric asked in a monotone.

Kael didn't reply until they arrived in Cedric's office. He sat in the chair in front of Cedric's desk.

"We have this guild that we're currently hunting. I want you to join me," Kael said.

"The Forgotten Winter, you say?" Cedric raised a brow.

"The worthy opponents that you've been waiting for how many years, Cedric," Kael told him. "What do you say?"

Cedric gave a smirk. "You're going against your brother now?"

"I've always been against him ever since he betrayed the capital," Kael's eyes sharpened. "I've always been busy with my duties as the divine knight and leaving the search to my grand knights. But now that the king ordered me, I'm gonna crush that traitor for sure."

"Sounds like something you've been waiting for all your life," Cedric chuckled. His gaze turned to Tristan who was standing beside Kael. "You've got a squire with you?" he raised a brow.

Tristan suddenly held both the hilts of his sword but Kael stopped him.

"He's my recruit. A dual blade wielder,"

"Oh? Now that's interesting. Dual wielders are pretty rare now these days," Cedric replied.

"Cedric," Kael told him in a darker voice ignoring what he said.

"Fine," Cedric sighed and shook his head. "It's like I had a choice."

"So there are only three of us?" Tristan asked.

"No," Kael replied. "The other two members are already in the capital."