Chapter 20 – Percy’s and Alice’s Choice

While Ender was getting dress and Scarlet was turning scarlet from her embarrassment back at Rotherhithe a set of knights were arriving. The survivors of the bandits went to look for help at the local town to contact the local lord. What was not expected that knights from the capital that were seeing important guests of the country were passing by. The local knights were not originally interested except when the captain hear something from the villager that as about to go to the local lord.

Apparently the representative said that the village has not been invaded or has had bad crop yields in the past 7 years.

The captain of the knights Barnet Umfray noticed this one peculiarity that should be impossible in the world they lived where monster and people could attack at any time before thinking of an old legend. Deciding to act on his instincts he sent one man to inform the local lord while the rest of the knights would investigate the village.

The village was only a two days journey on horse back so the troops arrive relatively quickly. Barnet told his men to fan out to secure the area as he went to question the residents of the night. Most of the residents were either knocked cold cowering when all of a sudden the bandits were dead on the ground. Barnet also asked to confirm if the rumor of the village not having any raids by bandits and humans in the past 7 years to be true. This was confirmed and the villager said it must be the gods blessing, but Barnet thought of an old story but 7 years was too long. He remembered the story was 4 years.

The only lead was from a boy that looked to be 7 years old with red hair that was playing with a blonde girl. The boy said that a black shadow had entered and exited like a ghost. The boy had said that the ghost was his friend Ender who must have been taken. The boy was also asking Barnet to save his friend while the girl was also nodding. Barnet agreed to try but knowing that it may be impossible only try.

Barnet took this story with a grain of salt since a child of 7 years old would only be first be coming to understand magic was in the world. Plus the legend did not say anything of probable darkness attribute. A likelihood is a local adventure was passing through when the bandits were attacking and fought them off.

Barnet also asked around to see if there were local children between the ages 7 and 8 to be brought before him. Of the group the red haired boy and blonde girl were also there. Looking around most of the children looked like normal village children except for the two. The red boy held onto a wooden sword while the girl was standing behind the boy but still looking at Barnet from time to time.

Barnet wanted to look into the two to see the potential they hold but could not see. It was not that he could not visually estimate what potential they may hold since he had an instinct for detecting good recruits. However the two in front of him could not be peered through. Reaching to his pocket he fished out two crystals that had a clear color. These crystals were called 'Detectors' and were used on young children to see which attributes could the children be most suitable. These detectors were often used on children who had already awaken.

Barnet told the two children to close their eyes and think of the attributes that are created in the world one by one. The two children but did not do that directly. They looked at each other before the red-haired boy asked, "Will doing so make us strong? We want to be strong enough to look for our friend Ender and his family? We also want to be able to protect our family and village so something like this does not happen again to us or other." The blond girl was also nodding.

Barnet was slightly taken aback before he emphasized his answer, "If the crystals in front of you are able to glow then it should be possible to gain strength of unimaginable levels."

The red-haired boy thought before turning to the blonde girl and nodding. The two simultaneously closed their eyes before trying to think of the attributes. After a moment, the World's Energy the slowly went into the crystals. Inside the girl's crystal contained white and blue pulsing slightly strong and a weak green as a background. The boy's crystal contained white and red pulsing slightly strong and a weak brown as a background.

Barnet's eyes were shining when he saw the crystals but his face did not show any changes. When the boy and girl saw the crystal's they asked if this was enough. Barnet nodded and thought for a moment before asking, "What are your names?"

The boy replied, "I am Percy Suireheart and this is Alice Sherris"

Barnet frowned, "I need her to name herself. You two want strength right? I can give you opportunities but it us up to yourself if you can use them. However I must hear from yourselves if you have the resolve to fight for it. If she can't name herself then she won't be able to go far."

Percy could not reply back since he knew in his heart that the large man in front of him was probably right. However Alice step forward and asked, "W-W-Will I really become strong?"

Barnet nodded to which Alice replied by looking up, "I, Alice Sherris, wish for strength. Please help me."

Barnet nodded in approval. After considering for a while Barnet stated, "Alice I do not think I can rightfully teach you but I think I have an acquaintance that could would you go to the capital to meet her? As for you Percy I should be able to teach you for the standards but I also know someone you can take you higher than I can will you also go to the capital to meet that man?"

The two were taken aback when they heard the capital. The capital was kilometers and days away. Percy then asked who the knight was to Barnet replied, "I forgot to introduce myself. I am Barnet Umfray Captain in the Heart Order from the capital Breycester's elite force. I think you two hold potential so I will speak to your parents to come with us. I can also ask for more protection for this village if you two agree to come."

Percy and Alice were shocked but decide to ask their parents input because they were two young. Percy had decided to go and his parents were reluctant and thought Percy were too young but after hearing that Percy would receive more opportunities if he was to leave they agreed. Alice's were also the same but Alice's input made a great difference in which she asked to leave with the knights. After the two pairs of parents agreed Barnet left some knights to protect the town until he was able to send word to the local lord.

As the two were leaving with Barnet was nodding to himself. If the old story is true then these could be a hero and saint. If the two are in the same town then the protection could be explained. That boy they speak about may have been an assassin at best if he survived and was left in the town but since he could not then I doubt he could be part of the Hero's team.

However if his line of thoughts were right dark clouds would be looming ahead since if a Hero is born a Demon King may be born a well. Looking west Barnet started to frown at he thought of that possibility. Kicking his horse the knights and Percy and Alice headed for the Capital Breycester.