15 The War Council

The room was empty with sunlight being the only companion which was sometimes overshadowed by the clouds. It was filled with antiques and flowers, with carpets and the curtains being hand stitched. You could see the craftsmanship and their hard work and love in it.

Near a window inside the room, stood a knight with his hands folded and his head down. It appeared that he had been waiting for someone. He then started started playing with flowers around him and as he picked one of them from a vase, the door of the room opened and a man entered.

The man was wearing a black drapes with long hair and he walked with his hands behind his back. In an elderly and respected manner he took a seat in front which was always designated for him.

"Enjoying yourself?" the man asked to the knight who appeared to be smelling all kinds of flowers he could find.

"Well, when people don't have a sense of time, then I tend do enjoy myself." The knight replied in jest with a flower in his hand.

The man chuckled and said, "Sorry."

The apology was well accepted by the knight as he continued to press on the topic for which he was summoned.

"What's the matter?" The Knight asked.

"There's been a situation…."

The Knight behaved in a curious manner, throwing off the flower he raised his eyebrows and walked towards the center of the room, in front of the man.

"A situation that requires my attention?"

"Certainly, or else I wouldn't have bothered to summon you here."

There was a hint of rudeness in their speech, but they were not affected by it.

"Yesterday, I got a letter from the King of Vivet. It stated that there is a man who is a Darkel, supposedly having a dark essence more than that of a Lamia. I need you to capture him."

"Is this a joke or an insult?" The Knight asked hastily with rage brewing in his eyes, "Do you think that the 'Blood Knights' are so low, that you will hand a job of apprehension to us."

"Do you think I am speaking jestingly?" The man asked with his hand over his cheek and titled his head as a gesture of his unhappiness. "The gentleman over here claims to eye-witnessed it." He said as he pointed towards the door behind the Knight.

It was ajar, so with a little push was opened without making any noise, and another person walked in. It was Chin.

"Yes, Sir Knight. I was at the site and witnessed it with my eyes. I can assure you that this is worth your scrutiny." said Chin as he walked inside and bowed his head in front of the Pentacross' most decorated warrior.

"That is for me to decide." The Knight said and turned his head towards the man, "Do you really think it is possible?…..A person with a dark essence with more than that of Lamia? Do you really believe that?"

"We are the keepers of the peace. This is what we do." the man replied as he got up his seat and walked towards the Knight. Chin respectfully stepped back. "This was a request from a King and so The War Council is obliged perform its duties by accepting their request and investigate the case ourselves."

"Why me? It was given to you lads, right?" The Knight questioned who now appeared uninterested in any chat.

The man gave of a smile and turned back with he hands folded behind his back, "If you bring me his head, I'll consider you for the position of a 'General'."

The Knight lifted his head with a surprised reaction, but then quickly turned his face into a suspicious one.

"If this a joke then tell me now and I'll laugh but…."

"It is not. I can assure you that." The man replied instantly.

"Tsk--What if you don't keep your word?" The Knight asked still being suspicious of everything around him.

"Hmm….I am the Leader of Generals and one of the members of the Core and also belong to the Family which founded the War Council. Trust me, I am man of my word." The man replied without turning back which signified his resolve and his head straight he made it cleared that he wasn't lying.

"I have one condition." the Knight said as turned back and started walking away, "I won't participate in this, but will send my men. The Blood Knights are capable of killing a Lamia on their own and they would be enough."

"I do not care about the method, but the results. The results are important and remember Edwin, if you fail, don't even bother yourself presenting in front of me." The man replied and walked towards his seat and sat there.

"Tsk.."

Chin followed the Knight and closed the door behind him. He wasn't shaking on the outside but was terrified as his insides screamed the word terror. It wasn't every day that he saw a warrior famed for killing monsters and humans alike.

"Where was he last seen?" Edwin asked him.

"Uh--The Forest of Emptiness. He ran inside, probably to find some cover."

"Hmm…..a Darkel with a dark essence more than that of a Lamia, huh?" Edwin chuckled, "If that is real, then I assure that I will be the one who will hunt him down…."

'Now, where are you?'