. . .Four Arrows. . .
Amidst the noisy chatter, three figures entered the hall. The ever-majestic-looking hall looked truly pompous. Emanuel, along with his two friends, stood in a conspicuous corner of the Royal Hall. Conversations varied from the deadly experiences and encounters of the participants to possible romantic interactions.
Hall radiated with confidence. The previous anxiousness and fear were nowhere to be found. It appeared as if everyone was sure of their acceptance into the Knight League.
Another thing that seemed peculiar. The bustling and commotion were scarce compared to the previous hall gathering.
"What exactly was your plan? Era… Sorry, Emanuel."
A nervous Sam asked Emanuel as he looked at the confident faces in his vicinity.
"Oh! That is something you shouldn't worry about."
"But…"
"Hey, Emanuel! Just tell us, Will ya?"
"My dear Alia, as I said, it isn't something that you should concern yourselves with. Besides, you will figure it out yourselves in due time."
Grr ]…
Alia growled in displeasure.
"Whatever, I will get selected. That's all that matters."
Emanuel smiled at her.
The mighty hall gates opened with a loud creak. Silencing the bustling and restless crowd, an old man with a slouched back, strutted to the podium. Not far behind him was a docile Lewin.
The old man looked amiable with a bright smile. His long white beard and the green robe with golden embroidery regally fluttered as he walked up the stage.
Lewin just stood near the bottom of the podium, not entering in.
"Greetings! Dear Youngsters."
Cough!
"Let me introduce myself. I am Ramiel of the Venet House or better known as the Grand Commander of The Order of Serenity."
"---"
Silence
The room was too silent. To the point that one would think it was someone's funeral.
Participants had just taken a great blow.
The Grand Commander of The Order of Serenity
He was the one that held one of the Highest Ranks in all of the Escoupia Kingdom's Knight League as the Grand Commander of a Knight Order.
Speechlessness in front of one of the most powerful men in the kingdom was understandable.
Suddenly the crowd erupted.
The momentary stun was now over. The crowd realized the greatness of the man in front of them. The people who did not cheer just looked at the man with a gaze filled with reverence and pure admiration.
Moisture filled his eyes. As Emanuel looked at his father's...
Best Friend.
Tears trickled down his cheeks.
(Will he remember me?)
. . .
But he soon wiped away the drops that threatened his exposure.
Sam and Alia were too engulfed by the prospect of meeting the Grand Commander.
The cheers continued for some time.
Ramiel gestured for the crowd to be silent.
Participants were astounded by his unannounced arrival.
According to the standard procedure, the Vice Commander of the Order of Serenity was supposed to be in charge of the entire Knight Examination.
The arrival of a Grand Commander in a Knight Examination was something unheard of.
The endless cheers and cries soon grew silent.
"Due to certain circumstances, I would be the one presenting today's results."
The forgotten anxiousness now once again gripped the participants.
Lewin's commanding voice boomed the hall.
"You all will stay silent and accept the decision made by the Grand Commander without any hint of revolt or disagreement. Or else…"
Boom
The hall resounded with the harsh metallic cry of the huge heavy sword.
The participants gulped as they looked at the large crack that was not present near the podium a moment ago.
"Lewin, you need not be so strict. After all, they are just kids."
Ramiel softly chided.
"This year's exam was special. This was a true turn of events. Announcing the results here may lead to growing unrest and many other predicaments. So, to get rid of this the results will be announced through letters. These letters will carry further instructions for those that get selected."
Whispers and murmurs were inevitable despite Lewin's fierce warning. Ramiel gave the participants time to thoroughly take in all the information dump.
"Hey Emanuel, Hey~"
Sam asked Emanuel panic struck.
Emanuel looked back at him and grinned, gesturing him to stay quiet with his finger on his lips.
Sam frustratingly held his concerns within.
Meanwhile, Alia looked to be in deep thought.
"As for the reason of me being here. You must already be aware. About half of the participants were killed during the Examination. You were already warned against harming other participants. But it seems some of you dared to go against the set regulations. The casualties reached as high as thirty-six. Most of them killed by the native tribals and rest through one or other dangers that resided in the forest."
Sweat dripped down the foreheads as a cold, domineering voice replaced the warm voice of the Grand Commander.
"The tribals confessed to their crimes after which their entire tribe was exterminated."
"Brayden, Duke, Carden, …"
Ramiel called out seven names.
"You all had the audacity to conspire and kill fellow citizens with those filthy tribals."
Four men frantically rushed towards the hall gates.
Ramiel just looked at them with derision but did not move. Lewin too just stood there coldly.
The men swiveled open the mighty road and put their all into fleeing away.
Whoosh
A moment later, four cold bodies lay on the red carpet. Blood gushed out of their open brains that had found an arrow embedded in it.
Four arrows each had pierced each of their skulls.
Ten silhouettes shrouded in green robes with ready bows stood at the entrance behind the mighty gates. Their faces were concealed in a net veil. But the green robe and great bows were more than enough to recognize them.
Serenity Sagittarii!!
They were the Serenity Sagittarii. The special archery squadron of the Order of Serenity. Though the Venet House's archery was not as proficient as that of Scotorona House that specialized in archery, they still excelled in archery.
With the arrest of the rest of the three participants, the commotion finally came to an end.
The event soon came to an end.
The word of the events of the Knight Examination spread throughout the Venet Province's capital city, Krazor.
Later an announcement was made. The family of the participants deliberately killed were heavily compensated as an acknowledgment of the mistake by the Order.
. . .
A Week Ago
"Alia, you will now separate from us and hunt for tiger skins for the next four days and, Sam, you will take this map and separate too."
Erak handed Sam a brown scroll.
"This map carries different markings. The marks indicate the places that would need to dig. On digging, you will find tiger skins. You will then make different groups take the skin from you. I don't care. Use any means. It does not matter as long as they have the skins. Each person should have at least one of the skins on their person."
"Why would we do it? I mean what's in it for us?"
"My fierce cat, there is no guarantee or certainty that you will get selected on your own. Besides, you will eventually be in the fatal lock when tribals attack you. Only one attacked you and you got injured to such an extent. What will you do if five or more attack you at the same time?"
"But… If we can get Tiger skin just by digging, why would we even need to hunt anymore?"
"No. These skins are a bit special; you see. And keep in mind that no matter what, Do not allow the groups to recognize you. Also, get rid of the leftover skins."
They nodded. Soon the three parted ways.
"Now that all the pieces are in place. Let's kill some birds."
. . .