A Name

When Lord Colm and his entourage arrived, Tyria sat at a table talking to Mord about his experiences with the Vrean.

"Ald, I don't believe this is your brightest idea. By the ancient laws of Vrean succession, that man is a King!" Mage Murdoc said, waving his arms emphatically.

"How does that even work?!" Lord Aldritch Colm said, massaging his temples.

"It doesn't matter what he was before the Krodians and Adal genocided Vrea, but the fact remains that the only known living Vrean is currently living in this guardhouse! Vrea was and is a military society, and according to the laws of field promotion, he is the acting King of Vrea!" Murdoc said, sighing at the Lord's idiocy.

"You said that the last time, and it still doesn't make sense! How can any man go from soldier to king without being related to royalty in some way?!" Lord Colm said.

"This is a unique time, Ald! Unique things happen!"

Mord stood up. "Wait, so I've been guarding a King?! That basically makes me a Royal Guard!" He said, jumping up and down in excitement.

Murdoc nodded, his face serious.

Lord Colm sighed, he had had enough of idiots for one day. Even looking at Mord brought him into a deep depression.

'Why did such a genius have to be like him?!' He lamented.

His day already ruined, he brought the two healers in his entourage forward and signaled to Rick to unlock the door.

...

'There are too many things that don't make sense. Why did I suddenly fall unconscious when I saw my face? Speaking of which, why can't I remove my mask? Why did I remember things once I had gotten enough mana? How did I even store mana in the first place? My mana circuits are still completely destroyed.' The warrior thought. He was sitting on his bed, lost in thought.

He sighed, holding his head in his hands. 'I don't even know my own name. I don't know my family's or my comrade's names. I can see faces, but I don't remember things I should know about people I spent ten years with.'

He rubbed his eyes, tired of the questions he was left with. Even now, there was always something nagging at the back of his mind, that there was a task to be done, a purpose to be fulfilled.

'If only I could remember it!!'

The door to his room was unlocking, he had heard that sound many times today. It was starting to annoy him that he couldn't leave this room, not even roam the streets.

Mord entered with a giddy smile on his face.

'I wonder what made him so happy.'

Lord Colm along with Healer Freya and her apprentice entered, and Lord Colm spoke as the two healers got to work checking his condition.

His eyes widened upon seeing the warrior's condition, he didn't look like a skeleton, as he did just a mere week ago.

Focusing, he quickly said, "Hello, I am Aldritch Colm, Lord of Redvale and Lord Commander of its military forces. Accompanying me is Y'dra Murdoc, my Court Mage. The two who have kept your condition stable are Healer Freya and Junior Healer Freya, her son."

As the mage entered the room, he drew a quick intake of breath upon seeing the warrior's eyes.

All but Lady Colm either willfully ignored it or were too excited at being a Royal Guard to notice.

The warrior did not bow, as the Lord had expected. Instead, he brought his fist to his chest, in the salute of the Vrean military.

"I am honored the Lord Commander would meet me. I have no name, so can address me in any way you please."

Lord Colm nodded. "Yes, we can't keep addressing you as the Vrean."

"Goleil." Murdoc immediately said.

The warrior nodded. "I am happy with that."

Lord Colm turned to his companion, his head tilted. "You didn't hesitate to use that name. Why that one specifically?"

Murdoc shook his head, sighing. "It's from the Alfish language, it means Gold Eyes. It is simply an observation of his most prevalent trait."

"You know Alfish?"

"You really should get to know me better, Ald. I am not like these two-bit mages you call healers. I graduated from a prestigious academy! When one is surrounded by excellence, it tends to rub off. Hopefully, it'll happen to you one of these days." The mage said, his arms outstretched to increase the effect of his grand achievements.

No one was impressed.

Lord Colm turned back to the sun knight. "Then we will call you Goleil. Now, that brings us to my first question for you."

Goleil nodded, spotting Tyria standing in the corner of the room.

"Before that, I have a question of my own. Where is my equipment? What have you done with my cloak?"

Lord Colm nodded, not mentioning that he asked two questions instead of one.

"We have all your equipment, but I have to say it is all completely useless. Even the spear is too damaged for use. When you arrived, your cloak was torn and in dire need of repair. I recommend you allow us to make a new one for you."

Goleil shook his head. "Not necessary, it can repair itself. Please give me back my cloak, it is an important symbol of the Sun Guard and my religion. If you want to scrap the rest, be my guest."

Lord Colm nodded, signaling to one of his guards. "Very well, let's get down to business then. Firstly, why are you here?"

"No reason in particular." The warrior did, in fact, remember why he walked this way. It was just far too fantastical for anyone to believe.

"Very well. What do you intend to do once you have recovered?"

"I intend to stay here for a time in order to regain my strength. As a soldier and a Guardsman, it's frankly embarrassing to be so weak."

"How long might you stay?"

"However long I need to. Why? Do you want me to leave?"

"Well, it may be best for your safety. The people of Redvale have forgotten you for now, but the weather is... the weather, and something will eventually go wrong. The outsider is easy to blame, and in your current condition you can't defend yourself."

"That won't be an issue, Father. I will protect him." Tyria said.

"You? What can you do?"

"I will have guards accompany him, obviously!"

Lord Colm's brows furrowed. 'Why does she trust this outsider? Why is she willing to protect him?'

"I'd be honored to have your protection, Lady Colm, if not a bit embarrassed," Goleil said.