5 - The Second Order

  When Garrick arrived at the tower the next morning, he was still brooding. Although, perhaps it had somewhat softened to quiet thoughtfulness. Many of the knights could tell something was brewing in the head of their commander, and so gave him a wide berth as he wandered around the tower, only half listening to answers given at half asked questions.

  He nodded absently as Knight Captain Riven Hawthorne reported on the tower’s defenses and manpower - a constant area of worry for them these days. They walked around the courtyard, watching the knights training. Steel and wood clashed as they swung their swords - seven elite knights and one very sheepish squire who kept tripping on his own feet.

  “We’re working on a deficit. The Unit has split in thirds and are working rotating shifts - resting, training or guarding,” Riven explained.

  “Mm,” Garrick rumbled.

  “Sergeants Halek and Glennan are also taking on extra rotations to keep the younger ones from getting burnt out too fast,” Riven continued. “On top of that, they’ve each taken one third to help me organize watch rotations. We’re doing our best, but we’re barely staying ahead of it.” He paused and nodded to the squire. “And with our new recruit, I’m concerned that Glennan’s priorities are somewhat split between training and her work.”

  As if orchestrated, young squire Collin Byrick lunged for his knight master, Sergeant Edain Glennan, with his wooden training sword. It met thin air as Edain stepped to the side. Collin went sailing past her. To add insult to injury, Edain whacked his shoulder with the flat of her practice blade.

  “I told you, no wide movements. Control and precision,” she said, voice hard. “You swing like there’s something to hit above your head every time.”

  Garrick nodded to Riven. “Right. Makes sense.”

  Riven frowned and glanced up. “Um, Quartermaster Carrow needs assistants as well…I’m thinking perhaps we should request more reinforcements. Knights who are trustworthy. I know you don’t like the idea of expanding the Second Order, but…”

  “Sounds reasonable,” Garrick said with a dismissive wave.

  Riven bowed his head and made a note on his board, but paused afterwards and glanced up at Garrick once more.

  “Sergeant Halek proposed we begin wearing lilies in our armor and painting the courtyard checkered black and white,” Riven said cautiously, lowering the board beneath his arm.

  “If you think it’s necessary,” Garrick said, still staring at nothing.

  He missed the look between Riven and Edain, the practiced sigh that escaped Riven’s lips. His mind was too preoccupied. His steps wandered.

  Misunderstanding.

  The word gnawed at him. Was it really that simple? If it was, how? A language barrier? No. That didn’t make sense. Adern and Savidor had a common tongue between them. Made things easier when you swore at a Savidorian soldier - at least you knew they would understand when you told them how much of a bastard they were.

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  Riven’s voice suddenly came into focus.

  “...can ask the mages to mock up the banners, maybe grab a blue hog from the castle.”

  Garrick paused and looked at him, puzzled. “Blue hog?”

  Riven looked up from his papers and gave him a sharp look. Garrick sighed.

  “How long have you been rambling like that?”

  “Too long,” Riven said, crossing his arms.

  “My apologies,” Garrick said. “I was just thinking…”

  He trailed off. In the training yard, the knights were encouraging Collin as he attempted to spar once more with Edain. He swung wide again, stumbled again, and ended up on the ground. Again. Garrick let his eyes drift from the jovial teasing of the squire to the tower’s base, where the source of his frustration lay beneath, trapped behind iron, stone, and steel. Riven followed his gaze and frowned.

  “I can guess what’s captured your attention, sir. Would you like to save this for another time?” Riven asked.

  “No, no,” Garrick said. “Do what you think is best, Riven. I trust you.” Then he paused and glanced at his Knight Captain. “You know, I really wish you would consider taking the commander position.”

  “With all due respect, sir, I still decline,” Riven said.

  “This knight order needs a commander, and you’ve proven yourself many times over.”

  But Riven only shook his head. A strange look shadowed his eyes - half memory, half something Garrick didn’t have the heart to name. Before Riven could even answer, Garrick held up a hand.

  “No, don’t say it. I’m sorry for pushing,” the high commander said. “That wasn’t fair.”

  “It’s no issue, sir,” Riven shrugged.

  But the shadow didn’t pass.

  “Then, I’ll try again next week?”

  “Of course, sir.”

  Garrick fingered the medallion in his pocket and sighed inwardly. Your brother is as stiff as a fire-hardened board.

  For a moment, the silence stretched between them.

  Then, Riven asked quietly, “Sir, can I ask a question?”

  Garrick nodded.

  “Why is that thing still alive?”

  The question lingered. Garrick didn’t answer. Perhaps because he didn’t have the answer.

  Instead he asked gently, “Riven, please let me know when the healers next visit our guest. I want to see if they have any notions of what might be causing his silence.”

  Riven sighed, but instead of pressing for an answer, he nodded respectfully and answered. “Actually, sir, the healer is currently in with it.”

  Garrick frowned. “Healer? As in one?”

  Riven pursed his lips. “The others don’t come around much anymore. At least, not as often as before. They keep it alive, per your orders.”

  A sigh escaped Garrick’s lips. That was not what he hoped to hear. He’d had to leave Jolen and the team behind. He couldn’t justify pulling a talented healer from the frontline, but he wished now he had gone with his instincts instead of giving in.

  “And this one?” he asked.

  Riven scoffed. “Soft heart, sir. Halek knew her from his hometown. Good girl, he says.”

  “You don’t seem to agree with that,” Garrick observed.

  Riven simply shrugged. “Our job is to guard him. We do our jobs.”

  Garrick took a deep breath and nodded. “Fine. That’s reasonable.”

  He turned and began walking toward the tower, Riven following closely.

  “Do you have a plan, sir?” Riven asked.

  “It’s too generous to call it that,” Garrick said.

  “Fair enough.”

  They disappeared inside.