Reborn From the Cosmos
Arc 8-49

The concept of knights is a strange thing.

Of all the subjects a horde of tutors tried to instill in my head, two actually took root. The first is math. It being essential for magic, it’s the one topic I wasn’t allowed to dismiss. Father would check in on my lessons to ensure that I was both present and engaged. 

The one time I skipped out on a math lesson, Father ordered the servants to hunt me down and yelled at me until he was short of breath. Small as I was, he seemed giant to me, his anger as terrible as a thunderstorm. I didn’t dare risk his temper then and after a few years, it became a habit.

The other subject that stayed with me somewhat is history. That was due to the skill of my tutor, a young scholar that wintered in the estate a few years. Thinking back, I think he was from the city I devastated, an acolyte looking to make a few crowns to continue his schooling. His style was well-suited for his youth, energetic and passionate. He didn’t recount facts, he told stories. I still skipped but when I didn’t have anything better to do than listen to him, the stories tended to stick.

Historically, knighthood has been a measure of ability. An army is a faceless mass of swords and shields. A blunt solution. While indelicate, it's strong enough and big enough to simply smash most problems.

There have always been outliers that don’t fit rigid formations and standardized training, those whose skills or temperaments set them apart. Those who could be called on to tackle tough problems, though not impossible ones. A goal that could be reached with simple hard work. Heroes are fated but anyone with strong determination could become a knight.

That was during the Great War and the period immediately following it. But all too soon, humanity had conquered the worst of Harvest. The fledgling kingdom needed builders and administrators, not elite soldiers. There was nothing to throw the sharpened swords at and blades without appropriate targets soon find inappropriate ones. It would also be a blow to the kingdom if all the talented casters of humanity no longer sought to master combat.

The first nobles’ solution was to extend knighthood beyond the military. As soldiers, knights were strategic forces. They were acknowledged for their skill, paid very well for it, and rose through the army quickly, but, off the battlefield, they were little different from the average soldier. Any influence they had they were born with.

The Harvest nobility changed that. Knighthood went from a designation to a title. A limited one, a knight isn’t gifted land and the title isn’t hereditary, but peerage none the less. It used to be that there were only two ways to join the peerage, either marrying into it or being appointed a title by the crown. Both are incredibly hard; noble heirs rarely marry down and the crown only hands out authority for incredible acts. Incredible like being the wealthiest man in the kingdom. Things that most people can’t aspire to.

But knighthood? Then, it still wasn’t something that just anyone could aspire to, but a title went from unattainable to hard to get. It motivated the common talents of the kingdom and kept the fire that forged Harvest’s elite burning. For a while.

The thing is, the promise of knighthood was too tempting. It didn’t cause problems in of itself but nobles are creatures that can’t help exploiting that which is valuable. When they saw how desperate people were for the chance to rise above their station, they conspired to use the tasty bait for their own ends.

And so the knight orders were born. Nobles aren’t allowed to build their own armies. The patriarchs of the time lobbied the crown. They argued for the right to appoint defenders to represent their houses and protect vital assets. The crown caved, but stipulated that they could recruit no more than twenty-five bodies and they had to finance their orders through their own treasuries.

Real obstacles.

So, nobles got pet master casters wholly dedicated to the interest of the family that ‘raised’ them. But then the nobles realized something. Their pets looked good but they were useless. There are no dangers in Harvest. Training a master caster is expensive. Two dozen of them is a considerable drain on even large families. A significant investment for little return. Eventually, the patriarchs realized they didn’t need the overwhelming firepower and found a different use for their knights. 

Bolstering their reputations.

As a rule, nobles aren’t popular with the people they govern; even the fairest and noblest have to deal with resentment on tax day. And while no mob is a threat to any but the sloppiest noble, it isn’t good for business if the peasants aren’t working. Every ruler lives in fear of the day their subjects throw down their plows and walk off. Even if it doesn’t come to that, a dissatisfied workforce is an unproductive workforce. It’s in everyone’s interest that nobles maintain a good relationship with their peasants. Moreover, a good reputation with them can spread to other territories, infecting other nobles.

Knights became noble advocates. Wearing the insignia of the house, they do good deeds that are credited to their masters. Someone doesn’t need two decades of training to dress in nice clothes, wrestle drunks, and play with children. They still wear armor but they spend more time learning etiquette than sword play. They’re characters, actors, their scripts taken from tales of chivalrous heroes.

In essence, they’re something of a joke.

To my knowledge, there are only two groups that take their positions seriously. The first are northern knights, the men and women that defend the final frontier of the continent. They still do plenty of fighting and I didn’t see a scrap of chivalry among them. They’re soldiers, through and through.

The second group is the Harvest Royal Knights. There is nothing ambiguous about their purpose, no ulterior motive to their existence. They are and have always been one thing, the swords and the shields of the crown. They exist to protect the royal family and see the king’s will done.

Unlike the nobles that scaled back on the training of their knights, the crown pours endless resources into the royal knights. On top of that, their numbers only recruit the best and only from the army, those who have proved themselves already.

I’ve come too far to be intimidated by men in shiny metal but the sight of what is meant to be the epitome of human might and dedication inspires something rarer; respect. I’ve never heard one bad thing about the royal knights. Not a hint of scandal or foul play. So far, all I know of them is that they fulfill their duties faithfully, never failing once in their long history, and retire to peaceful villages happy to have them. Truly figures to aspire to.

For that, I’d hate to fight them. Hate to destroy them. Aside from it being a shame, the crown would take irreparable damage. The royal knights are a symbol of the king’s authority. If they’re shattered, well. I don’t see King Sebastian inspiring confidence on his own. I've never met the man but the few times he’s made his presence felt in my life, it’s been with incompetence. It’s a minor miracle his stunt with the seed didn’t result in Kierra storming the capital.

Those thoughts and more hide behind a pleasant facade as the group, led by three royal knights, stops in front of us. My scant hope for the situation is dashed when Alyssa doesn’t step forward. The Hall isn’t in charge of…whatever this is.

“Good afternoon, Lady Tome.”

I hope my expression doesn’t reflect the pleasant shiver that goes down my spine at that voice. Saints, it can almost rival Talia’s in melodic quality, but it's tinged with stark confidence of someone assured of their power. One of the knights takes a half-step forward and lifts their helmet, their eyes, black as coal, never leaving mine.

The pretty face beneath doesn’t match her bulky armor. I can’t quite place her from her features; her skintone, somewhere between brown and the red of clay, reminds me of the clans but doesn’t quite match. And those eyes. They’re like the Abyss itself, two drops of void barely softened by the white surrounding them. 

She’s also the tallest woman I’ve ever seen, even beating out Kierra. The armor makes her look wide but I can tell it's deceptive from her narrow face, sharp chin, and beak-like nose giving her a predatory appearance, like a bird of prey.

Tucking her helmet under her arm, she drops into a graceful bow, a few strands of hair that escaped her long braid falling into her face. “Thank you for your considerable patience, Ladies James, Miss D’Atainna, and Lady Tome.” She straightens and curls her lips in what feels like a practiced polite smile. “I am Dame Alexandra Elodie. It’s an honor and a pleasure to make your acquaintances.”

Elodie? It’s not a house I’m familiar with but that’s not saying anything. Equal chance that it’s a house so minor they never bothered to show their faces in the capital or it could be the name given to her with her knighthood. I’m leaning toward the former. No one is that smooth without a crone to beat some manners into their heads.

“A pleasure for me as well, I’m sure.” It’s certainly a surprise. I expected hostility, caution at the very least. Dame Elodie has shown nothing but polite deference. “But whatever this is, there’s no need. We were just about to leave.”

That sends a ripple through the crowd. Not the knights; Dame Elodie doesn’t blink and the two behind her might as well be statues. The acolytes are the ones who shuffle about nervously. Miss Alyssa looks adorably confused with her cutely scrunched up frown. It makes me want to tease her, and the rest of them, but I push away the Cosmo-inspired thought.

“I beg the ladies for clarity. We were told that you wanted to visit our fields.”

“We did. Or rather, she did.” I incline my head toward Kierra, who is busy sizing the royal knight up. “And maybe him,” I say, gesturing at my gardener, a conspicuous figure with his long brown coat with leaves hanging out of the pockets. “But what we really want to do is get out of here without causing any trouble.”

“I see. The people of Quest are lucky to be the benefactors of the lady’s magnanimity."

Saints, this woman really knows how to lay it on thick.

“Allow me to quell any concerns. Your presence will not cause any complications. Rather, we were excited to hear that you had taken an interest in the field and came to personally escort you.”

I force myself not to gape at her. “You…want us to come?”

“Yes. I understand if the lady has prior commitments but if you have the time, it would be our pleasure.”

Well, that’s not entirely true. The acolytes definitely don’t like the idea, Miss Alyssa among them. I wonder. Are they upset because they don’t trust me? Or are they upset because this is a trap and they’re worried how I’ll respond?

“How refreshing.” While I’m still looking for the hidden dagger, Kierra stalks forward, closing the distance between her and the royal knight. Their height difference is small but just enough that my elf has to tilt her head to meet the other woman’s eyes. I’m not sure how she feels about it. Her shoulders tense, which normally means aggression, but aggression means many things with my savage bride.

“How long has it been since any power welcomed us, my love?”

“A while,” I muse. The capital was a mess and the north was tense. I suppose the Hall could be considered neutral but no one was particularly happy to see us. Not like this.

“It is good to see that humanity is not paralyzed by cowardice.”

I, and several others, freeze, stunned by her declaration. Dame Elodie is unfazed. It’s not Talia’s muted emotion that can be noticed by those with the capable senses. It’s perfect control, every muscle held tightly to not give away a single thought. The mask that every etiquette teacher tries to teach.

She calmly meets my wife’s challenging gaze. “Your father mentioned that your abilities exceed his own relating to the handling of life. Our experts are curious to hear your thoughts.”

“Do they also welcome my interference?” Kierra asks, moving closer. She’s practically pressed against the woman’s chestplate. 

“Of course. We merely ask that you inform us of any change.”

“That’s very trusting,” I add, disturbed about how incredibly accommodating she’s being. This has to be bait, right? A little sweetness to lure in the pest, laced with poison they never see coming.

“Forgive me for being blunt, but the powers that be do not take the ladies as cunning individuals. You have stated that you wish for no more combat. We hope for the same. One party must extend its hand.”

“How very reasonable,” Kierra practically purrs. “It would be rude to reject such, hm, earnestness. Right, Lou?”

“I suppose.” Once more, I sneak a glance at Miss Alyssa. Saints bless her, unlike the knight of polished stone, she’s as easy to read as a book. And she isn’t happy. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to spit on the crown’s goodwill. This is exactly what I want. I have to see this through.

“Lead the way.”

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