I Will Be the Greatest Knight
Chapter 48: Out in the Open

Chapter 48: Out in the Open

A few times in his journey forward, Felix had to pause so his horse could take a breather and so he could check on Irene.

Even though it felt cruel, he would rouse her and force her to drink some water from the waterskin she had been carrying over one of her shoulders. He hoped that taking in the liquid would purify whatever the arrow had put inside of her. Even if she threw up, he didn’t mind. It would be better than whatever that was remaining inside.

"Just stay with me," he pleaded each time. "We’ll get you to safety in no time."

He wasn’t sure if she heard him but it was enough for him to feel he had done everything in his power to make sure her outcome was positive.

When he finally made it into the Duke’s Tower in the early morning, the night watch spotted him first but he didn’t ask for help as he slipped off his horse with Irene in tow and nudged his horse towards the stables knowing someone would get him at some point.

The apprentice then burst through the back entrance of the Duke’s Tower and he ran towards the kitchen knowing that’s where maids would be.

He didn’t realize he was seeking out Agnes until he saw her. He placed the unconscious body of his fellow apprentice on one of the long dining hall tables.

"I need help!" Felix shouted. "Please, save him!"

Out of the kitchen, a few maids rushed into the dining hall and their faces turned white as they saw the body of an apprentice being laid on a table.

However, maids of a knighthood knew very well that this was a reality of the jobs they had taken. Even though none of them were mages with healing mana, they were all equipped with skills to clean and wrap wounds.

It never got easier to see a child in such dire straits.

One of the older maids, Ingrid, rushed forward and she wiped her hands on her apron.

"Take him to the rooms on the second floor," she said. "There are kits in those rooms in case there are injuries."

Felix did as he was told and the maids kept up with him from behind. They directed him to the room they wanted the apprentice in and he was finally able to lay Irene on one of the beds.

He then removed the bag that still hung onto her arms and the bow and arrow that were making it impossible for her to lay flat. After that, he knew it was important to get Irene out of her armor and he began loosening the straps.

At this, Irene groaned and turned her head and Felix gave a pained smile. Each time the younger apprentice was out for too long, he was paranoid that it was the last time anyone would see her green eyes ever again.

"I’m going to take off your armor, Iro," he said, persisting that she was fully conscious and could hear every word he uttered.

Around the shoulders were loosened then around the sides. Then he was able to free the apprentice from the hard metal and leather.

"Excuse us, please," Ingrid said to the apprentice once his hands were away.

The maid didn’t waste time tearing into Iro’s clothing until there was a better view of the damage done. She removed the bandages Felix had placed and immediately saw red blood drip out. More importantly, the greyish wound was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It looked like the wound of a dead body rather than a child who was most certainly alive.

"What in God’s name...?" Ingrid uttered in horror. "I have never seen such a thing."

"It was a goblin arrow," Felix explained as he backed away. "I don’t know what’s wrong with it."

His back was pressed against the wall by the door and he continued looking on, catching glimpses whenever he could.

He saw Ingrid’s hands press on the skin outside of the wound and she tried to push out what seemed to be under the apprentice’s skin. More blood was let out as well as a thick greyish substance.

Irene uttered a pathetic cry. She was still awake even if it wasn’t consistent. The pain was enough to make her alert for a few more moments before she was mostly out again.

"Roll him to his side," Ingrid instructed. "I think we need to let more blood out."

Agnes had taken it upon herself to stay there and showed Felix that, because he cared about the other apprentice, she was going to do everything she could to try and help.

For now, help was doing whatever Ingrid instructed considering she was the most senior maid and had the most experience dealing with wounds even if something bizarre was happening to it.

After Ingrid laid down a towel, Agnes gently rolled the apprentice until Iro was on top of the towel.

Ingrid then continued pressing down on the wound and letting out more blood and the viscous grey substance.

It took a few moments and, even though the wound still looked grey, only blood was exiting the wound by that point so Ingrid decided it would be best to roll the apprentice back on his back so that they could sew him up and hope that when he woke up the outcome was much better.

There were clean needles in a cabinet and horse hair was used for the sutures that would be knotted tightly shut.

Agnes retrieved them for Ingrid and the maid had to kneel to get close enough to see everything she was doing in a more precise manner.

The apprentice was finally stitched up.

"I ought to remove his clothing and bathe him," Agnes said. "There’s blood everywhere. Would you mind starting the stove in the corner? It’s a bit cold in here."

She glanced over her shoulder and Felix could only weakly nod and then did what he was requested to do.

Iro’s shirt was removed first and discarded. They would have to see about removing the stains and re-dying considering it was fully soiled by blood and the dark grey substance. Ingrid had also torn up the side so it needed to be sewn as well.

The leather belt holding Iro’s sword was unbuckled and the blade was lowered to the floor with a light thud. Boots were removed and so were the woolen stockings to keep the apprentice’s feet warm.

Agnes then undid the leather riding pants and she started to pull them lower and lower.

However, as polite as the girl was to not stare directly at a sleeping person’s private area, what was revealed wasn’t at all what she was expecting and she stopped in the path downward.

Felix had certainly referred to Iro as a boy multiple times. They all had.

However, what was revealed weren’t the private parts of a boy but those of a girl. She pulled the pants back up.

"Felix, it’s best if you leave," Agnes turned to the apprentice who had successfully lit a small fire. "You need to rest. We can handle it from here."

"I want to stay here," Felix objected. "That’s my partner. I won’t leave his side."

As if divine intervention was looking down upon Irene that day, Sir Gunnar soon appeared and Agnes was able to use him as an excuse.

"What is the status of my apprentice?" he asked gruffly.

"Please explain to Sir Gunnar the situation up to now," Agnes urged.

Felix had never seen her so determined about something but as Sir Gunnar lowered his eyebrows and gave an expectant look to Felix, the apprentice knew he had to go.

"I’ll be back soon," he promised.

Once the men were gone, Agnes shut the door. She was then able to get Ingrid’s attention.

"Ingrid," the younger maid gently called.

"What is it, dear?" the woman said. "I ought to get cleaned up and finish with breakfast."

"Please tell me I’m not imagining things first," Agnes requested.

Ingrid’s light brown eyebrows lowered but she was willing to stick around for a few moments more.

Agnes resumed her undressing of the apprentice and, once the pants and undershorts were pulled away what was revealed to them was not the body of a boy.