Riftan stepped aside, motioning slightly with his chin. Maxi hesitated for a moment before gripping the sword hilt with both hands. She swung the weapon through the air, the movement feeling awkward and clumsy.
Blushing with embarrassment, she stole a glance at Riftan’s face. Surely he would take the sword back if he realized just how terrible a trainee she was. Thankfully, he did not seem focused on assessing her ability. After carefully observing her form, he placed a hand on her elbow to correct her posture.
“Does it feel heavy?” he asked.
“N-No. It’s weightier than I thought… but it’s not difficult to wield.”
Riftan gently lifted her wrist to check the strain on her joints before releasing her. “It doesn’t seem to be straining your arm, at least. I want you to practice with this from now on. It’ll take time to get used to it.”
Maxi, who had been inspecting the sword, jerked her head up. Considering her skills with a wooden weapon, practicing with one of real steel was unthinkable.
Not wanting to worry her already overanxious husband, though, she nodded confidently. “A-All right. I shall discuss it with Sir Ursuline.”
“I should have more time once the campaign preparations are over,” Riftan said tersely, taking the sword from her.
Maxi nervously shifted her eyes. Having witnessed her clumsiness, she feared he would be as exasperated with her as Sir Ursuline.
Avoiding his gaze, she muttered, “Commanding an army is a demanding task, and I am perfectly content learning from Sir Ursuline, so-
“I can spare an hour or two.” Riftan paused while strapping the sheathed sword to her belt to shoot her a sharp look. “Or do you not want to learn from me? Would you prefer Ursuline as your mentor?”
Realizing that she had triggered his irrational jealousy again, Maxi swallowed a sigh. Though she found it absurd that he would react in such a way to his subordinate, she generously chose not to get heated. After all, she had done the same with any woman who interacted with him.
“You know that is not true. I merely… don’t wish to add to your burdens.”
“The coalition army will depart in two days,” Riftan said curtly. He cinched her belt so the sword’s weight would not pull it down, then straightened. “I’ll help you practice from time to time during the journey. As I’m sure you know by now, anything can happen during battle. Being able to defend yourself with a sword will serve you well in a crisis.”
Maxi’s face fell when she noted the anxiousness in his voice. Her heart sank thinking of how difficult it must be for him to take her to war.
“I won’t do anything reckless this time. I am fully aware of the scope of my abilities now. Once the battle starts… I promise I shall adhere to my duties in the rear.””
“If…” Riftan started, then closed his mouth.
Maxi gazed up at him encouragingly.
After hesitating, he continued, “If you are ever forced to choose… between saving your life or those of everyone else, can you swear to me that you will not hesitate to save yourself?”
Maxi’s face hardened as she realized he was referring to the events at Eth Lene. She asked herself the same question – if it came to it again, could she turn her back on everyone and choose to run instead?
Just the thought of abandoning Ruth, Hebaron, Idsilla, and many others to save her own skin twisted her stomach into knots.
But then, the memory of Riftan looking at her as though his soul were being ripped apart flashed in her mind. She still vividly recalled how he had broken down in anguish.
Maxi clenched her fist. She would undoubtedly fall apart just as completely if she saw Riftan hanging onto his life by a thread. She could not make him go through such pain again.
She gave a determined nod. “I give you my word. If the worst comes… I shall put my life above all else.”
He silently regarded her, relief slowly spreading across his face. Maxi felt her throat constricting. He was the single most important person in her life. Thanks to him, she now knew that loving someone this dearly could also be a source of pain.
She vowed then and there that she would always choose Riftan Calypse, even if it meant sacrificing the whole world.
***
Two days later, a somber procession of over six thousand veteran soldiers began marching from Balbourne. Rows of armored horses and knights slowly made their way out of the city, heading east toward the Gillian Plains. The grim atmosphere reflected the army’s low morale. It was daunting to face another war so soon after the prolonged conflict of the last.
Maxi observed the gloomy faces as she patted Rem’s neck and trotted confidently after the warhorses. From her position behind the Remdragon Knights, she could see the banners of the Knights of Phil Aaron and the rest of the Wedonian army, led by Princess Agnes.
Carefully assessing the atmosphere within each division, Maxi shifted her gaze to the Remdragon Knights. Riftan, accompanied by his elite officers, led the procession in strict formation. Squires followed behind, carrying spears bearing the order’s banner and shields adorned with a distinct coat of arms.
Suddenly curious, she asked Ruth, who was riding next to her, “Whose coat of arms is that?”
“Which one?” Ruth said. He was on horseback next to her, his face haggard. A small exclamation escaped him as he followed the direction of her finger. “That is the House of Calypse’s. Sir Riftan did mention reaching an agreement with King Reuben under the condition that he would take command of the army. He must have used this opportunity to force the king’s hand.”
“Th-The House of Calypse?”
Wide-eyed, Maxi carefully inspected the image – a crude triangular shield over which lay three swords of slightly different shapes. It was a simple yet exquisite design.
Ruth proudly explained, “Although the king has yet to confer him with the title officially, Sir Riftan has been promised an earldom, and Anatol has flourished into a profitable trade city comparable to a duchy. It’s about time his house had a sigil to represent it.”
The sorcerer suddenly furrowed his brow. “King Reuben has been using the earldom to manipulate Sir Riftan into working like a dog the past few years, but he won’t be able to do so much longer. Treating his own noble like a servant would diminish his authority. His Majesty will have to show Sir Riftan the same respect he shows his other earls. And since the Remdragon Knights now belong to the House of Calypse, Wedon’s royal family can no longer treat the order as a mere extension of the royal knights.”
“L-Lower your voice,” Maxi whispered anxiously, worried the nearby royal knights might overhear.
Ruth, as if to say he had suffered long enough, remained brazenly unconcerned. “The king uses the conservative nobles’ objections as an excuse to put off granting Sir Riftan a title, but not even that conniving man will be able to stall much longer.”
Maxi’s concern over Ruth’s impertinent remarks eased as Princess Agnes and her retinue showed no visible reaction. Relaxing slightly, she surveyed the banners and shields carried by the knights. The House of Calypse’s banners now intermingled with those bearing the emblem of the white dragon.
Since the Remdragon Knights marched at the front, Riftan’s newly minted coat of arms was likely visible to the knights of Wedon and to those from other kingdoms. Pride swelled in Maxi’s heart. The House of Croyso’s heraldry had never evoked such feelings in her. With the Calypse symbol, she felt the urge to show it off to all the Seven Kingdoms.
She was imagining doing just so when Elliot called over to her.
“The road will become rough ahead, so please take care!”
It seemed Elliot had been assigned as her personal guard this time, as Ulyseon and Garrow were occupied with other duties. Though Maxi thought the knight was being overly concerned, she offered him a faint smile and made an effort to keep close to the others. She understood Riftan’s and the knights’ concern for her well-being.
Fortunately, there was little snowfall, and the army reached the edge of the plains within half a day. After camping there for the night, they continued marching southeast along the river. Ruth briefed Maxi on her new duties as a member of the order as they traveled.
“Since earth magic is best suited for defensive and healing spells, focus on supporting the knights from the rear. During battle, your task will be to cast barriers around the supply wagons and shield the knights when possible. Of course, treating the wounded post- battle will be your primary duty.”
“W-What about you?”
“I will be assisting at the front.”
Maxi’s shoulders sagged. Though she had accepted her supporting role in the order, she could not help but feel guilty about staying back while others fought bravely on the frontlines.
As if reading her mind, Ruth’s lips curled into a smile. “It is because I have you defending the rear that I can focus on the front. I’m confident it will be a perfect partnership.”
Maxi shook off her bitterness. She would only be a hindrance at the front. Gathering her resolve, she gave Ruth a determined nod.
“I-I shall do my best.”
As the sun began to set, the Remdragon Knights halted the army’s march and set up camp on Brimwill Hill. Soon, the Knights of Phil Aaron and the Bolosé Royal Knights followed suit, establishing their camps by the river.
Maxi stood atop the gentle hillcrest and tried to calculate the remaining distance in her mind. At their current pace, they would reach the eastern part of Wedon within a week.
