Chapter 26: Side Story (1)

It has been nearly midnight, the sun has set, and leave the only light remain is from the stars and the moon. The scenery we're observing is a remote village in Meath surrounded by trees and hills. About 400 meters from the village, we can see a group of riders with a number of around 30 men. They all wear light armor, blue cloaks, and are equipped with different kinds of weapons. The thing that gives us the hint where they belong to is the symbol of two sword cross a scale on their chess, which prove they are the member of the Blue Order, which delivers justice for both the small folks and the nobles.

John Smith, who is leading the riders, is a wandering sellsword in Iceland, appointed to be a member of the Blue Order by his majesty himself after being voted by many citizens for his kind, righteousness, and chivalry. Working for 2 months in the Blue Order, his popularity raises among his colleagues, and be promoted to be the captain of a group and sent to Meath to spread the influence of Fortunian law in this region.

- Captain, the village has come in our sight.

- Good, we can rest after reaching there and begin to teach the small folks about our law tomorrow.

5 minutes later, they reach the wooden gate of the village protected by trenches and fences around it. John notices an archer on the watching tower, who seem frightened by them and knock his arrow and aim at them. John shouts:

- DON'T SHOOT, WE ARE SOLDIERS OF THE KING. OPEN THE GATE>

And then he orders his subordinates to raise their flag high. Seeing the king's color, the archer hails the guards, and slowly, the wooden gate is opened, the riders get inside the village. John asks a guard who looks like the commander:

- We need a place to rest, where is the village chief? I want to meet him.

- I will call him now, you can dismount and let your horses rest in our stable, it's 100 meters from there to the west.

John nods and rides to the west with his men follow him. The stable is not large, so some of the Order men have to tie their horses to the nearby trees. When John is getting off his horse, suddenly, a woman appears, kneels, hold his legs and cry:

- Please save my daughters, Sir. You're my only hope.

John's comrades are surprised by the woman and draw their swords to attack her. However, John waves his hand and orders them to stop. He kneels, holds the hands of the woman, and speaks warmly:

- Lady, how can I be in your service? Please calm down and tell us what happens.

- Yes, yes, sir. I'll tell you.

Maria is just a farmer in this humble village, who wants to live a peaceful life with her family. However, two months ago, disasters started in this village. The former village chef had run when he see the Fortunian Army arrived. After the war, a noble from the capital of Meath, the city of Kursk was appointed as the new chef and arrived here two months ago.

Being raised as a noble, the new chef, Alba doesn't care anything about their lives. He doubles the taxes, chooses random village girls, and rapes them. Although the villagers detest their new chef, the noble is the son of a wealthy house locates in Kursk, so they do not dare to oppose him. Moreover, he brings 50 well-armed men with him, which destroys any ideas of resisting.

Maria has two beautiful daughters and their beauties were sported by Alba, he took his men to their house to ask the girls to go with him. Maria's husband became angry and swing his axes trying to buy time for his family to escape. However, he didn't succeed and was killed by an arrow immediately. The daughters were taken to the Mayor's House and Maria was hit and throw into the horse pits.

When she awakes, she realizes a group of riders approaching the stable, she recognizes the blue cloaks, which prove that they're the soldiers of her new king. What lights up her hope is the symbol of two swords crosses a scale. The Blue Order is well-known for finding justification for the small folks against nobles. That's why she runs immediately to the most well-dressed one and everything begins.

After hearing the woman's story, John's face shows unmeasurable anger, he turns his head to his comrade, and not surprisingly, we can see the fire of anger in their eyes. John raises his voice:

- My brothers, it seems like before we rest, we have to take out some garbage.

The Order men draw their swords out and roar passionately. John asks the woman:

- Please lead us to Mayor House, we'll rescue your daughters and punish those who violate the king's justice.

With steady steps, the blue cloaks are lead toward the biggest house in the village. About ten guards spot them and block their way, speak hostilely:

- The village chief is busy right now, he will meet you in the morning. Take off your swords and go to the inn.

- BRING HIM OUT NOW OR I'LL CUT YOUR THROAT.

John's voice can be heard all over the village, some villagers open their windows, investigate what is happening. The chef of the village, Alba who is very angry since he is about to taste his two new prey, gets out of the house and calls his men to follow. Alba groans his teeth:

- Now is midnight, even if you are the king's men, you are just low-born garbage so don' get in my way, my father works directly under Lord Grimguard's command. Get out of my private residence and I will forgive you for this insult.

Cannot withstand his anger, John punches the chef in his face, the chef is knocked to the ground and cry painfully. Alba shout:

- KILL THEM ALL, EVEN IF THEY ARE MEN OF THE KING, MY FATHER CAN HELP US TO GET OUT OF THE TROUBLES>

Swiftly cut the head of an incoming Alba's man, John orders his man:

- MAN OF THE ORDER, KILL ALL THESE SCUMBAGS BUT TAKE THIS PIG ALIVE. HE'LL BE JUDGED BY LORD GRIMGUARD HIMSELF.

The Order men get in the fight and attack Alba's bodyguard while repeating the vow they took before working officially in the Blue Order:

- I swear to be the sword of the people, defender of the law, and loyal servant to the king. I'll bring justice to anyone who violates the law and protect innocents from being harmed. From today, I'll be a member of the Order and from now on, I will fight until there is no injustice in the world.

20 minutes later, Alba's men's bodies lying everywhere aside from Alba who is peeing himself. John slowly walks toward him with blood-covered all over his body, about 10 of the blue cloaks fall but 30 of Alba's men are killed and 20 are crumbling on the ground. To get inside the Order, everyone has to pass a harsh fighting test aside from the votes of the people.

Use his sword to cut a small wound in Alba's face, John speaks:

- Lord Grimguard used to be a farmer, piggy. He'll be very happy to punish scumbag like you, You'll be defined with anvils, according to the law so I hope that you can lose your weight by running behind our horses on the way to Kursk. If you are too heavy, the wooden cross can be cracked.

Not waiting for Alba to answer, John uses the handle of his sword to deal a hard blow on Alba's head, which knocks him out immediately.