NIMBUS AND THE KNIGHTS OF CENFERUM

Chapter 13 part 2

— That's how I like it, Sir Lonios, obeying without questioning — Lonios heard the old man say behind him as he walked away.

He paced quickly through the corridors, wanting to pummel the first person he came across, but he restrained himself. After a few minutes of contemplation, he found himself in the watchtower. Before him was only the wild blue, the watchman had not yet taken his post, as it was not necessary since they were very close to the coast. Lonios put himself in the captain's shoes and realized he was right. Despite being conceited and arrogant, he was just doing his job. Sir Adon only wanted to finish this mission and retire. Elisis was little more than a teenager, probably seventeen at most, with no experience to offer advice. No one knew who he really was; to everyone, he was just Lonios, the Wandering Knight, and wandering knights were not welcome, as some were little more than mercenaries with a knight's title, untrustworthy. Indeed, the captain thought he was alone on this journey.

Lonios spent a few more minutes gazing at the Aether sea around the ship. The only thing he saw in that expanse of white and blue was the Peregrine, traveling in all the splendor of its first journey. There, without a doubt, they should be a team—the Captain and his advisors.

Suddenly, Lonios heard footsteps; someone was approaching. Although he had nothing to fear on this ship, he stood at attention, a habit from years of wandering alone.

From the tower's entrance door emerged the portly Sir Adon.

— So, how was the conversation with the captain?

— Of the worst kind possible — Lonios replied, head bowed.

— I figured. The captain is tough and wants total control of the ship.

— Worse, he thinks we're incompetent. I'm not trustworthy because I'm an "unemployed" knight, you because you're about to retire, and Elisis because she's too young.

— I suspected something like that. We have to change the situation, then. — Sir Adon approached the window where Lonios was standing, leaned against it, and started looking at the Aether sea as Lonios had moments ago. — About me, he's somewhat right. Do you know how many times I've made this crossing?

— I can't even imagine. — Lonios leaned back against the window next to his companion.

— I can't say exactly; I lost count many years ago. But I can tell you that since I became a knight, I've spent more time inside a ship than on solid ground, and I've been at this for over fifty-five years. I'm tired, Sir Lonios. I should be enjoying my retirement, at a time like this, on my estate, with my family, watching my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow up. — Adon lowered his head, and Lonios noticed he was on the verge of tears, but he held back that emotion with all his might. — You know, I don't think I'll ever see my family again, and they know it. I sensed it in their goodbyes before I left.

— No, Sir Adon, you will return to your family, I know it. — Lonios thought about revealing who he was to the old knight but held back with all his might. With him here, the crossing would be fulfilled. There was no one more prepared for such a journey, no one more competent, but he said nothing.

Sir Adon laughed.

— If you guarantee that, then I'm at ease now. In one way or another, this will be my last journey, but I'm not here to talk about my fears, Sir Lonios. — Adon now changed his facial expression, appearing happier with Lonios's response, even though it was hilarious to him.

— What's more important than the conversation with the captain, then? — Lonios asked.

— I came here to warn you about Elisis. — When Adon said this, Lonios began to head for the door.

— I understand that you want to protect the girl. She's too young for me, don't worry; I won't harm her. It's just some playful banter.

— No, Sir Lonios, you didn't understand. I fear for you. I believe you don't know the nature of the Amazons. They have different missions than us knights. While we fight with weapons in wars, their battle is of a different nature. They fight with manipulation and cunning. Of course, they are as good as or even better than most knights in combat, but their role is different. Their missions involve espionage and manipulating the enemy.

— I understand, Sir Adon. I've met some Amazons. I know that some countries have eliminated Amazons from their ranks out of fear that rulers could be manipulated by them. I've heard stories of Amazons realizing that the only way to truly protect the country was to take control of it, by marrying the ruler and manipulating that sovereign. Several countries abolished them.

— You know such stories then. I suspected that. So be careful with Elisis.

— I don't think she's a problem. She's still young, probably hasn't developed all the skills of a full-fledged Amazon yet. We all know that a knight becomes truly skilled after a few years on the job.

— You're mistaken, Sir Lonios. You don't truly understand how Amazons are trained. From a young age, they are trained to seduce men; that's what they excel at. But Elisis is different. She wasn't just trained to be an Amazon; she was created for a specific purpose. His mother, a famous horsewoman, was noticing that she was having more and more difficulty seducing her targets due to her advanced age, she planned to get pregnant with Elisis, and after she was approximately twelve years old she was used in the field to seduce older men, she disguised her to look older, and the child performed that role. Believe me, she has been carrying out extremely dangerous missions for more than five years. In other words, she has been a professional for a long time. Her mother used to undertake assassination missions, and I regret to say that Elisis may have killed more than any other knights on this ship.

"That, unfortunately, is what you imagine, but it's a shame it's not true," Lonios thought as he watched Adon speak. However, what surprised him the most was what Sir Adon had told him; a child being forced to undertake such missions isn't very healthy, it ruins anyone's mental health. But Elisis seemed so helpless. Wouldn't it be impossible for someone to be like that on purpose? Or would it?

— I understand, I'll be careful with Elisis — Lonios agreed. — But let's get back to the ship; they're probably looking for us.

— You didn't believe me, did you? — Adon stared at him silently for a moment — But still, be cautious. If you let her, she can be very dangerous, and you might unknowingly end up doing everything she wants. They are trained for that; it's their nature, and Elisis is the best at it.

Lonios remained silent and headed towards the exit of the observation tower, closely followed by the old knight, returning inside the ship and to their duties.

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