13 Sky Knights Ⅱ

Sudden light flashes as a group of knights appear off course and land amid the humid jungle. Sir William firmly declares, "Michael, note down our current coordinates. We need to let the mage technicians know that the teleportation ring coordinates are off center."

"Yes, Sir William!" The young brawny knight proudly replied as he scurried to calculate their present coordinates. Once Michael finished, Sir William led the march across the jungle. The knight's march through the jungle with an impeccable air and despite the heat not a single drop of sweat can be seen on their brows. Even the insects didn't dare bother them as the knight's march towards the direction of the dungeon.

Sir William halts and draws his sword at the edge of the jungle clearing. The group of knights does the same as they reach for their weapons and hold them ready for battle. The jungle is full of squeaking animals overhead, but not a single sound is heard out of the norm.

Still wary and ready for battle Sir William leads the way into the clearing. With a frown, he studies the ground and notices signs of battle across the ground. There are plenty of animal tracks across the clearing that show signs of recent scavenging. Not even bones are left as larger animals no doubt took them away to chew on.

The Sky Knights remain on alert for several hours, but nothing appears. Sir William finally sheathes his sword as the rest of the knights follow in turn. "We are returning back to headquarters, our mission is a success," Sir William said as the Sky Knights look puzzled.

A young knight hesitantly asks, "But sir, what about the monster?"

"There is no monster, therefore our mission has been completed," Sir William promptly replied as the young knight looks even more confused.

Hilde looks down her nose and says, "Thomas, there are signs of battle on the grounds and scavenging. If there was a monster it is either dead or gravely wounded and therefore won't be returning. In which case, neither is our problem. We were asked to kill the beast, not to capture it."

The other knights snicker as the young man looks embarrassed as they gather on the teleportation ring. Sir William speaks the words out loud to return to headquarters. The pentagraph formation begins to glow and releases a bright flash as their figures vanish into thin air.

The mage technicians are impressed at the information that they brought back, whereas the guild branch head was impressed precision and swiftness that the Sky Knights completed their request. The entire branch is abuzz at the Sky Knights feat as the still green adventures stare with awe and envy at the men and women in shining armor passing through the branch. It was simply one more feat added to the Sky Knights ever-growing legend and popularity.

*

Council members sit at a long roundtable as illusionary figures fill the council seats except for the guild branch head. "They should be praised for a job well done," a brunette thirty-year-old woman argues.

A dark-skinned member nods his head in agreement and adds, "I concur with Miss Rime, the Sky Knights Order not only defeated the beast in a day but did so without incurring any injuries what so ever. That shows skill and talent."

"I disagree. Sir William is the key to the entire operation. Should he fall amidst battle or a mission, the entire group will be in disarray," a tiny Asian woman flatly stated as several other council members nod their head in agreement.

The air is tense as a well-dressed woman interjects, "Then shall we watch and wait?"

A senior man with a charming smile responds. "Why not do both? Reward them for now, but we shall watch them in future missions. Should they prove capable enough only then shall their status be elevated, does that suit all parties?

The extreme sides of both arguments are mollified by the response. The council members mumble their agreement as the meeting is closed. The figures disperse quietly and unobtrusively as the guild branch leader physically marches out of the conference room. However, every single council members heart was filled with doubts against each other. Was it truly that simple or was someone testing out a new batch of heroes?