18 The Broken Blade (1)
Meanwhile, after Ildurin and Klyran left the room, leaving the apostle and the Queen alone for their chat, the two of them went down a hall leading to the courtyard.
"You mentioned that my Swordsman skill is at Level 16 in my normal form and then increases to 20 when I use Aesthir", Ildurin begun to say and after a nod of confirmation continued, "What is your Level?"
Despite not knowing for sure that Klyran even had the skill, he was sure that the young Ryan must have had at least a similar skill. The sword on his hip could not have been a mere decoration.
"It's 2" Klyran then said embarrassed.
"How long have you been wielding that blade?" the King then asked and looked from the corner of his eye at the Ryan.
He could still not believe what sort of creature was walking by his side. While he could not say that he was surprised to learn of their existence, as there was not much left in the world that could surprise him, he was still intrigued. He was also very confused about the concept of the Harth. While Klyran said that it was a Ryan's soul and its ability to manifest in the material world and act as a weapon, the King could not believe that this man walking beside him did not possess one. After tying his guest with the stranger that he heard rumours about, he could not believe it. For he believed that one who had no soul, would never help defenceless villages and care enough to go after thieves that were terrorising common folk.
"For many years now, but Aldryn said that I am no good", he said with narrowed eyes, looking at his weapon.
"How so? This is unlike him", Ildurin then asked.
"I was born without a Harth", the Ryan begun, "And therefore, I was considered defenceless. I had no weapon to fight with, like the rest of my kin. My brother always protected me. Him and his friends would always watch out for me. It made me angry, so I made this sword with my own hands and tried to imitate my older brother, but I could never win against anyone. Not to mention that whenever he saw me with the blade drawn out he would get this horrified face and would scold me", Klyran said with an annoyed sigh.
"Put that thing away. You will only hurt yourself. If I see it again I will melt it and make myself a pair of earrings", the young Ryan then tried to imitate his brother, his voice becoming a tad bit deeper.
At this, Ildurin could not help but laugh. He could clearly see that there was no animosity between the two siblings.
"I see. I also had an older brother. His name is very similar to yours actually", the blonde said with ease, seeing the dark thoughts that begun to plague his new friend.
It caused Klyran to turn his head and tilted it slightly, urging the King to continue.
"His name was Kyran", Ildurin the laughed, finding the single letter difference quite funny, "It was a name from the Old Religion, just like mine is."
"This is a noble name for a human", the brunette nodded and then glanced to his left, "What happened to him?"
"He died. Eleven years ago. He rode into a battle and fell its prey" Ildurin said and opened the door that lead outside.
"I am sorry", Klyran simply said and followed the King.
As the two of them approached the field, the Ryan quickly noticed other humans that were running in a circle. He quickly analysed their windows and was surprised to see that a few people from the group had their numbers as high as 13. It made him confused and when he asked about it. The young King could only confirm that they were ordinary humans.
"It must be the training", the blonde said, "I also know that quite a few of them have been on at least one quest. To gain skills that would help them gain strength."
While Klyran was taking in the new information, becoming curious about those skills. Ildurin suddenly shouted at the men to stop, he told them to find a partner and begin sparring. When they did just that, another Knight approached the King.
"I heard that Aldryn arrived earlier today and thought that you might be late, so I told them to start warming up."
"Well done Flangir. Thank you. I would like you to meet our new guest, he will be joining us today", the King said and then waved his hand toward the Ryan.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Flangir Devitton. A Knight of the Silver City" he spoke and bowed his head.
As if it became a habit for him, Klyran opened up the status window. He became somewhat obsessed with observing others and their numbers. He also begun to feel regret for not doing that with the strange blonde ranger that he met with Aldryn a while back. Then, he remember what he was told about the Enthral Eyes and how it sometimes drove its user mad. With a quiet vow to never become like that, Klyran glanced at the screen.
[Character Information]
Name: Flangir
Race: Human
Occupation: Swordsman (Level 12), Archer (Level 7), Knight (Level 10), Knifeman (Level 4), Dual Wielding (Level 6), Combat (Level 9).
Strength 14
Magic 3
Physical Defence 11
Magical Defence 5
Vitality 9
Agility 10
Accuracy 10
Luck 7
"I am Klyran", he said and the man then looked at Ildurin a bit confused, there was a question that he obliviously wished to ask but did not dared.
"Klyran?" Flangir then said and looked at his old friend.
"I already told him that his name is similar to that of my late brother", the King laughed, "but hear this and be surprised. Klyran is a Ryan who came to our world through the waterfall of light", he quickly said and laughed again seeing the blank expression on his friend's face.
"Really?" the Knight asked and looked at the newcomer, who only nodded, "But you look just like a human" he said with some doubt in his voice.
"This is not my real shape. But I believe that you would be less comfortable were it not for this human skin", Klyran said and extended his arm, making both warriors aware of the scales that could be barely seen underneath.
"Well.. after everything that I have witnessed, I cannot say that I am that surprised", Flangir then said and shrugged.
"We have seen creatures that only existed in tales those past years. So why should we think that Ryans are not real" Ildurin said and clasped Klyran's shoulder.
The three of them were disturbed by some noise that could be heard from where the other men were. They turned around only to see a young boy, with black curly hair holding a sword and arguing with one of the men. A few more were gathered around and were holding their hands up in defeat, trying to calm him down. Seeing this, Sir Flangir quickly rushed to the commotion.
"That is my nephew" Ilduring sighed, "He is trying to join the training every week and is then throwing a tantrum when I send him to his room", he explained and watched as his best friend and Knight tried to calm the child.
"Why don't you just let him join?" Klyran asked and looked at the small boy, being reminded of his own childhood, of the times when he desperately wished to join his brother and his friends in their training or during hunts.
"It is not that I do not want him to be able to wield a sword. It is his health that I am greatly concerned about. His lungs are not very good you see. When he tries to run or exercise he experiences difficulties in breathing. He nearly suffocated last time I allowed him to join us", those words caused the Ryan to both be angry, but understand the King at the same time.
He could not help but look and be reminded of his own childhood. While he understood his concern and somewhat agreed that the child should not risk his life just to wield a sword. He also felt some anger, but not at Ildurin, but at their cursed fate that made them lack something that others normally had.
"After you told me about your brother, I know that you might not understand my decision. But Cyan is my brother's son and I love him as my own. I would give my life for him without hesitation", Ildurin said with fire in his eyes and there was no doubt that his words were true.
"And what about when he will be older. He is a prince no? What if someone will attack him. Your Knights can't always be there to protect him", Klyran said and gripped his sword.
"Lunahera said that he had an affinity toward magic. I plan to call a mage next year from the Circle of the Six Servants and have him taught the art", Ildurin explained and then went to assist his Knights in calming the child.
"That is enough" he shouted and then looked at Cyan, his head then turned and he looked Klyran in the eyes.
After giving a small sigh, he gestured to Flangir to approached him. His friend gently grabbed Cyan by the arm and led him to their King. The poor boy looked on the verge of crying and the sight broke Ildurin's heart a bit.
"Take Cyan to the edge of the field. Give him a wooden sword and train with him. Just show him how to properly hold one" he said to Flangir with a sigh.
It caused the tears to disappear from the little prince's eyes and a smile to take over. He cheered and then ran to the other edge, only to be scolded by Ildurin, who told him to walk calmly. Not wishing to anger his uncle and lose the chance to train, Cyan listened and slowed down.
"Are you sure about this?" the Knight asked and worriedly looked at the child.
"Just", Ilduin said with a defeated sigh, "Be extremely gentle with him."
After receiving a nod, the King turned back around to face Klyran who gave him a proud smile.
"Did you look at it?" the blonde then suddenly asked, looking at the Ryan.
"The child's status?" he asked and after receiving a nod, "I did", he confirmed, "Do you think that I am becoming obsessed with this skill?"
"Is this about the Enthral Eyes? Don't be worried about it. You are not obsessed with the skill. Rather" the blond then made a short pause, "Think of it as being cautious. This skill allows you to see your opponents and understand your chances of winning. A Cheat Skill truly", Ildurin finished with a sigh.
"So…What is his status?" the blonde then asked.
[Character Information]
Name: Cyan
Race: Human
Occupation: None
Strength 3
Magic 10
Physical Defence 4
Magical Defence 8
Vitality 2
Agility 2
Accuracy 3
Luck 9
After hearing the numbers, Ildurin wasn't sure if he should be happy or not.
"Well at least it seems that Lunahera was right. He seems quite capable of learning Magic. But I should do something about his strength and defence", the blonde then muttered at the end.
"Now then", Ildurin said cheerfully and clapped his hands, "Let's see what you're capable of."
Seeing the challenge, the Ryan took out his blade and faced the King. The shape did not miss Ildurin's attention. He quickly understood just how it was made, only remembering that Klyran said he made it himself.
