03

      It was a calm afternoon in the Saint Claire household, Victoria skipped school again - she was so find of her father's room, the books and his holy sword locked away in a glass containment.

    The Saint Claires were amongst the first generation of crusaders in England - so one could say their blood line had fighters but not everyone were born fighters 

Victoria knew Eve would not approve her of joining the Haiderguard's crusaders army,

 " this war is also my war, I have to do my part " Victoria thought to herself as she clenched the books in her hands 

   Victoria the daughter of Kish Saint Claire, enjoyed reading books on history and religion, but most especially it were her father's old books from his grandparents that piqued her interest 

  Victoria in her search for books about her father and the Saint Claire household, she came across an old red-cover diary with the name 'Demon knowledge' written on it.

     Kish was an academic scholar before joining the Crusaders, and had collected various books during his studies, And now his only daughter Victoria knew about this book

But it was strange to her, she sat down on a sliver chair and studied the contents of the book.

     Amongst the ranks of the Crusaders were demonologists - experts that studied the anatomy of the demons that had been been slain, their physique and weak spots, currently some scholars still risked their lives to study the behaviors of the different demonic creatures .

Victoria wasn't really interested in the Crusaders army in the first place but with this new found knowledge, she discovered  a small role she could play in the war 

" I must share this with brother and Shadrach" Victoria said running out of the room swiftly.

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     Anastasia took the dead demon she had slain to the Crusaders base, a secure location unknown even to the people of Haulderguard, 

Receiving the crusaders was Vice Captain Maximus Pierce - the second in command to Captain Leo.

      "Vice Captain, we have a problem"  Anastasia blurted out as she greeted the Vice captain 

 "We have a lot of problems Anastasia , come with me to my office " Maximus gestured "...the rest of you; take the demon's body to the lab " Maximus said, directing the other crusaders.

   It was a small office, the kind of the Old English times, made with fine limestone and wooden frames fitting the castle theme, and there was window with glass frames at the northern part of the room. It was suiting for a handsome crusader like Vice Captain Maximus Pierce.

" A demon attacked a traveler at the border" Anastasia began to give her report.

 "Demons attacks do sometimes happen at the border" said Vice Captain Maximus 

 "But this is different; from the things and situation present at the scene ,it was obvious that it was hiding in plain sight"Anastasia reported 

 "And from the damage goods it can be assumed that it was hiding amongst the luggage  actually, the traveler wasn't even aware of the demon's presence...."  Anastasia was still trying to explain before  Maximus cut in.

  "If I am understanding you correctly, the demon was smart; demons don't hid, until....." Maximus said as he began to stroke his chin.

 "Vice Captain ?"

"Anastasia, thank you for this information, we will need to be more wary of these creatures, find out the identity of the travelers so we can alert their families  ?"Maximus asked as he turned to the window behind him 

 "....Rook Magruder .....sir" Anastasia  answered .

 "Magruder ?..., Northington!"Maximus said to himself "You may return to your post..And Ana, are okay?…" Maximus asked 

"I'm fine Max" Anastasia replied to dismiss herself.

   A year ago, Maximus and Anastasia had a romantic affair - it was going very well,they were happy with each and had plans of marriage but the demands of being a Crusader prevented them from being together, it was sad ; for both of them,it even complicated anytime they see.

 Bringing out his faithful stallion, Vice Captain Maximus Pierce rode off to the church where he knew Captain Leo had a meeting.

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    Not far from the church was the training camp of the Crusaders army - a well-facilitated site that trained aspiring crusaders, Zenemiah was done with his classes and decided to head home when he saw Shadrach waiting for him at the entrance gate with a carriage.

Zenemiah seeing a familiar and friendly face hurriedly went down to meet his friend "Did you buy your own wagon cart, Shad?.." Zenemiah asked

Shad was his nickname for Shadrach

"Of course, it's better this way, I feel babysitted everytime I go out with my parents on their own carriage " Shadrach answered.

 There was laughter for a bit."Come on, let's get something to eat,my treat"  Shadrach laughed out to Zenemaih as they entered the carriage.

  Vice captain  Maximus arrived at the church; rushing to enter, he was stopped by a priest who was wasting his time.

 "A court meeting is in session,I can't let you in" the priest pointed out.

"That is the main reason I must go in is "Maximus replied with a serious look his face

"V-ver…very  well..." the priest opened the doors for the Vice Captain.

 There was a lot of large voices that echoed as the Vice captain grew closer to the meeting chambers, argument and disagreements  in the air - amongst the bishops, the church priest, captain leo and northington .

  "Sorry to interrupt this court,but there is a problem, a matter of great importance" Maximus stormed.

"How insolent !! You dare barge into this sacred meeting ?," One if the bishops stated. He was a fat old man with reddish hair and wrinkles on his face you could mistake him for a zombie 

"It would seem that Captain Leo hasn't thought his Vice captain proper manners.., are all your Crusaders like this ? Sir Leo " a Priest  who was in support or the red old fat added 

  "Well,calm down ,..he's already here might as well  get on with it "... one of the bishops who was tired of the meeting said.

  "Sir Northington Magruder"Maximus started, staring at Northington, whose ears eagerly opened "Your son, Rook, is dead….He was killed a demon at the border gates. But the way and manner the demon got to him was strange" Bice captain Maximus Spoke until he  got interrupted by the church priest.

"This court meeting is adjourned"

"Before we leave…"  Captain Leo walked towards Northington,who was shaking in shock. "My deepest condolences, but I believe you will begin the task given by the church, Mr Magruder".he patted Mugruder's shoulders   "I must leave now,I have work to do, Maximus, let's go ".

 "Yes sir" Max answered.

The two crusaders walked out of the church,Followed by some Bishops, leaving Mugryder  Northington who fell to his kneels, crying like a baby.

  "Begin to make burial arrangements, Northington and get back to work" one of the church bishops, his grace; Christopher, whispered to the ears of the weeping Magruder