"What are we to do now Lovell?"
Derek was also aware of what attending an academy meant. He was a little apprehensive about going to one. Lovell tried to break down his understanding as best he could, but could only offer the most direct answer he had found to give his friend hope.
"We must get stronger. Strong enough to escape from a place like this on our own. Strong enough to win against monsters like that Dreadborn. Strong enough to have control of our lives and live as we wish. Strong enough to show the world it can't throw its pain at us and expect that we do nothing about it."
Derek was enchanted by the bold proclamations Lovell was making and saw him in a new light. He had never had such charisma and ambition, but now that he did, he was bound to grow a lot more than he had imagined. If it weren't for their current predicament, he would be joyful about his successful future.
Lovell continued.
"We are scheduled to move in two days. Once we get there, I'm sure our lives will become a lot more difficult. Brace yourself, Derek; we will survive and return this punishment tenfold."
Derek could already feel that their lives were heading to a place none of them were ready for or aware of. That wasn't going to stop them from trying to make it their own and survive it, though; rather, his adventurous side was aroused, and all he had to do now was wait.
...
Anthony sat behind a desk that was littered with all sorts of documents. Although all towns in the kingdom tended to have at least one squadron of knights presiding over them, that did not translate to them being as effective and efficient as people hoped. He was always busy and always had something occupying his time, so he always had a worn-down expression. He stood from his desk and walked to his window. The sun was about to be swallowed by the horizon, and a new day was to be born.
Those brats are scheduled to be moved at noon. These past two days have been by far the longest I have experienced in my life. They are always singing at night about their troubles and, in doing so, causing trouble for me. I can't wait until they are out of here and someone else's problem.
He gripped his temples as if he were trying to hold his thoughts together. A faint trace of joy slowly rose when he remembered that the source of his annoyance was going to be removed shortly.
"Beatrice!! Make sure everything is set and start early; just tell them we like to be punctual."
"Yes, sir. We should be done in the next hour."
The response came from a short and childishly adorable girl who raced around the office hurriedly. Although her hair was a little unkempt, that only seemed to add to her charm. It was all held together by her joyful and naively happy exterior that just made you want to fall in love all over again.
Beatrice was the daughter of one of the knights in the squadron who had perished in a battle against a Horror. Anthony decided to honour his subordinate's wish and look after her, which he had tried to accomplish. He kept her away from becoming a combatant and found a secretarial position for her instead.
After confirming that everything was accurate and accounted for, Beatrice went into a lounge and instructed two knights who had just returned from their guard shift at the wall to arrange transportation. She then went back to Anthony's office and reported that everything was in place. Anthony nodded at her and began descending towards the cell block. Lovell was doing what any normal prisoner would do and simply kept to himself, quietly lying floor with his eyes closed. Derek was beside him, exercising for some reason.
"Ah! Sir Anthony, is it already that day?"
"..."
"Amusing, give me your hands."
Derek looked at Anthony with a surprised expression. He was sure he was not going to be released, so the invitation to have his arms unbound was rather out of nowhere.
"I'm pretty sure you lot aren't freeing us, so what exactly are you doing?"
Although Derek was suspicious, that didn't stop him from placing his shackled hands by the cell door. Anthony spoke as he was unshackling Derek's arms.
"It's the princess's order. We are to treat you respectfully as we escort you to the academy. That can't well happen if you are chained like some sort of criminal now, can it?"
A calm voice came from Derek's back, and Lovell spoke without emotion.
"Whatever game you are playing, you will lose. What are you after?"
Anthony offered his response.
"No games. The princess just feels it best to improve your presentation at the academy lest you be without any friends."
Lovell wasn't quite satisfied with that response and felt that there was more to the story, but also felt he would not receive any viable answer should he ask.
He changed the subject as he approached the cell door and was about to have his limbs released.
"You've also been saying 'princess this' and 'princess that' this whole time; who are you talking about?"
Anthony heard this and paused briefly in his actions. He looked at Lovell with wide eyes and was a little shocked by Lovell's question.
"What do you mean, 'Who am I talking about?'" Her Highness Yvonne Riverr. The warrior whose house you scoundrels invaded. Who did you think she was?"
Lovell heard this and jumped backwards from the height. Never had he imagined that he would cross paths with someone from House Riverr. It was one of the few surviving houses during the war for supremacy. They had survived two centuries of politics and conflict from both within and without. Many, many factions rose against them, but none succeeded. Their army was comprised of fanatical murderers, and the family at its head was far worse. The patriarch was rumoured to be one of the strongest Dreadborn of humanity. Among his many children were those who sought his approval and had already gained their infamy across different battlefields.
She was a River? What was she doing in this backwater town? What are her intentions in doing this? What did I get myself into?
Questions began to flood both Lovell and Derek as they were even more unsure of what their futures held. Anthony, noticing their panic, decided to change the subject. As he opened the cell doors, he handed them each a pair of clean clothes.
"You have ten minutes to prepare yourselves for departure. I would also like to advise you not to do anything unbecoming. We may have been ordered to treat you civilly, but that only remains true for as long as you behave. Anything outside of that is rather ... well, you understand, I assume."
With that said, Anthony turned his back and left the room. As the sound of steps grew further and further away, Lovell and Derek remained stumped. Their situation was a lot more precarious than they had initially believed it to be. That being said, their objectives stayed the same. Strength was the only thing that could give them any hope of surviving what was to come.
Derek began changing his clothes and asked Lovell,
"What exactly is the plan now? I'm sure you have something swimming in that mind of yours, but the Royals are not to be messed with."
Lovell heard this, and his lips arched upwards to Derek's surprise.
"Nothing much changes. Right now, we are in enemy territory. We are severely outnumbered and have no allies. To make matters worse, we have caught the attention of a member of House Riverr. Things aren't looking good."
The harsh reality only further soured Derek's face.
"Is it hopeless, then?"
"No, Derek! Think about what lies ahead of us if we just let nature run its course. We can't fight them or run away. What will happen if we just surrender to the current situation? We will gain the one thing we need to survive. Time."
Derek heard this and did not completely understand it, but could get the gist of it. Lovell looked ahead as he finished dressing himself.
"Right now, we have no choice but to jump. They may hope for us to crash or to fly, but our job is to make sure we benefit from this."
"You say it like it's so simple."
"It can be. You just have to properly understand your enemy's intentions."
The lines on his ankle began to squirm. He started to take steps towards the door. Each step seemed to toughen his composure, like everything that was to happen was only meant to forge a stronger sword. He marched as if he was prepared for whatever waited for them beyond the door and thereafter.