chapter 13

James was sitting alone in his room. He had checked the new the dresses and they were beautiful. The swords seemed good but their power level was low compared to the weapons he had developed. He was in the new dress to get comfortable with it on the day he was going to the festival when Amelia came through the door. She looked at the knight on the bed and came to him. James stood up and kissed her on the cheek and pulled himself away to the table and arranged a few dishes.

Amelia sat across the table from him. She looked at him in the eye and moved the table to his side. She looked at him sideways and started drinking a cup of tea. James was feeling bad in the way he was sitting and he was feeling kind of awkward being seated next to her.

Amelia: We are leaving today for the festival. I have come to tell you the things that you are not going to find in the books.

James smiled outwardly. He looked at the women who had come to utter lengths to help him. But now he felt nothing other than repulsion towards her, as though something fundamental has changed with him, or rather with her.

James: Seems nice.

Amelia: We will be leaving today evening and enter the castle. We will be staying for three days in the castle wherein we are allowed to meet and interact with others. You will be given separate quarters in the castle. There are lot of people who never get out of their own quarters until it is the third day. You can do whatever you like as long as behave prominently.

James: Maybe I will stay inside my own room.

Amelia: You can do that but this will be time whence you get acquainted with the other knights. If a war does appear, you will have to fight with these people along your sides.

James: Okay. Anything more.

Amelia: On the third day, you just have to be present in the room. There is not code of conduct. The queen talks to whoever she likes and so is said about the other people. And you return to out house by a chariot when the time is over. It would be best if you do not talk to me or mother.

James: Did you just come to speak these words only.

Amelia turned her head sideways.

Amelia: Why, don't you like me?

James knew he had to hold on for a little bit longer. He looked at Amelia and said.

James: I love you Amelia.

Amelia had gone from the room after a small make-out section. James knew that he had to go today to the castle. He called in Erwin and sent along a few of his dresses and swords for the next days. He was already wearing the dress he was going to appear in the castle in. He had decided to be in the same dress for the three days and to change it on the third day. He knew it would have been good to interact with the officials, but he knew that most would not talk to him as he was a man.

James was wearing dark blue shirt and pants attached with blur jewelled shoes and sword. He had a light blue cape over him which contrasted his appearance and made his blue hair outshine.

James had decided that Rosy would be the only one accompanying him even against her words. He had said that one would be more than enough, though she did want there to be others along with her. James went to the front door to see a lot of knights standing alongside their horses. James waited there for half an hour before the Lady and her heiress came. James stood to the left of the Lady while Amelia was standing to her right. Together they went onwards to the chariot while the knights in armour had kneeled down. He was also able to see Rosy among them, at the back.

James helped the two ladies to climb onto the vast chariot. The inside contained a lot of space than the previous chariot he was transported in. He looked around to see the tables available on one side and the bookshelf on the other. The only possible explanation was magically extension.

Selena: This will be the time when different families show their power. We cannot be any less posh, now can we.

James: The chariot is wonderful. When was it built my lady?

Selena: It is a family heirloom James and it was centuries before. The art of building such a chariot is lost though there does appear a few wizards now and then who can reproduce the results.

James: That is an interesting thing my lady.

Selena: James. Do you remember the time I had said to you to call me Lady Rookwood in the outside world?

James: Yes.

Selena: I would want you to call me Selena and Amelia, Amelia in the future even when we are outside.

James: But wouldn't that mean disrespect to you Selena.

Amelia: Not exactly. Since you are now a member of the family, not doing the thing asked for would be a disrespect to the family. Then you were not a proper member, but now you are.

James: You don't have to tell me twice Amelia. I am going to read a few books.

James went over to the library and began reading one of the books on military strategy. It was a book on mountain warfare, but it was unnecessary as the mountain wars were fought very less. The most common was the goblin wars and at times the orcs and ogres joining their ranks. But this was fought in the east of the North of the castle, wherein was a huge wasteland. The war with humans hadn't occurred in over a millennium as the human communities were isolated. The ladies of the house never thought it necessary to fight the goblins as they were considered beneath men. They were fought by generals like him. Only when all the three generals of the Kingdom had lost the battle generals of the royal family stood up. There were two generals from the royal family as for the queen and one for the princess heir.

James looked through the windows to see the streets being cleared. There was no indication of being a festival at all. Maybe this was a festival for the royals only. Time passed by until the cart came to a stop. Amelia and Selena got out of the cart, so did James. A knight was waiting there to guide him to his room. Selena nodded a yes and he followed the knight to the room. After going through a bunch of ways, the knight stopped at one of the quarters. It was big inside and contained many divisions. The bathroom was bigger than expected.

James: What is your name ser?

Olivia: Olivia ser. I shall be your personal attendant for the festival and throughout life unless assigned otherwise.

James: How so? I am kind of new to this thing.

Olivia: The generals are offered quarters in the castle and they can stay whenever they want to. The ladies have the same. I am your personal attendant as was sanctioned by the crown.

James: I have a Lt. following me and would like her to have quarters close to here.

Olivia: Yes ser.

James: How will I know where to go.

Olivia: I will be stationed outside ser. Mia; another knight will relieve me.

Olivia saluted James and left the room. All his personal battalion members had been chosen because of their battle skills, not their personal powers. It was an interesting thing. James looked at the books and found the books about the past generals. He also saw the book of the powers of the generals.

It was time to have food and it was served and gone. James was enjoying the usual peace he had in is desolate life, reading books, learning more and more. It was night time when another knight entered the room.

Mia: I am Mia ser.

James stood up from the chair and looked at the knight in front of him. She did have an unusual aura to her. She smiled at the knight in front of her and said.

Mia: Is it time to draw up your bath ser.

James knew the concept of a bath. There was even a big room for taking the bath in the academy and also the Rookwood household. But ever since the time he had learned the hygienic spells he had never found it necessary to do so. James did not know how to say to the knight that he never took a bath or washed his clothes. He did not want the word to spread that James Rookwood never took a bath.

James: I will take care of myself Mia.

Mia: Oh, the hygienic spells are effective but the bath in a hot water does have a relaxing touch to it.

James: How did you know that I used the hygienic spells?

Mia: I am a charm-castress ser, not a wizard. Born in once a few times. I can see the eminent aura around you and find whatever spell is it you are using or rather the way the spell works or it is indented to work.

James knew the gravity of the situation. The presence of this single knight was enough to make sure he was executed on the trial for being a dark lord. Even though the dark lords never did any wrong, they were usually prosecuted by the crown for not paying the allegiance and was supported by the religion. He knew he wanted to kill her.

James: How many like you does exist?

Mia: Many ser. Almost all the prominent families have one among them though they were trained to be one while I am a natural.

James: Why don't you have a seat.

Mia: I would not dare to ser.

James: Tell me, what kind of things can you see?

Mia: Only the magic that is being in work. Anything latent cannot be perceived by me.

James: You might be useful for warfare. Remind to come near me if I am asked to go into a war.

Mia: Yes ser. What about the bath?

James knew he did not want to waste any time. But he also knew that the possibility of having to have a bath in the future was very less.

James: Fine. Please draw me a bath.

It had taken her some time to draw up the bath. The water had flowed through the pipes. James was not well acquainted with these as the only time he needed water was always provided by the servants.

Mia had left the room and James was soaking himself in the water. He had never felt anything such as this before. The warm sensation touching his skin, the rippling energy travelling through his body elevated the pleasure he through his body. He was getting addicted when there came a knock on the door. James stood up and went over to the cupboard. There he saw that the various dresses he had sent over was already arranged. He wore a new dress and also a new sword. The one he had worn before was kept back in the cupboard.

James had answered the door to see two ladies in dresses. There respective knights waited outside while they came in. The two of them were seated and James poured them a cup of tea each and handed over a few biscuits.

Lucy: My name is Ser Lucy Merrywood and this is Ser Everly Stonewood. We are anointed blades like you of respective military families. That is to say that we are titled generals for warfare.

James: You do not look very warlike.

Everly chuckled slightly and looked at James with a smile.

Everly: Our positions were basically given as we were the second daughters of the family. Anyway, generals only come into being when there are wars. Otherwise we are just knights of higher order.

James: I wonder who might have made this order in such a way.

Everly: The system was made in the time when there existed different Kingdoms and Queendoms. Then we had to be ready for war any time. Different societies of womankind following different traditions. Then the kingdoms and queendoms of the humans were destroyed. The forests of the far end were covered by the elves and the deeper marshes were covered by the goblins and other races. The only real threat is the sea side kingdoms. That is why we do have such a powerful navy at the ready.

James: Powerful navy that could not kill a sea serpent.

Everly: The individual power of the navy might not be much, but they will be able to take of the sea serpent. They just want the academy students to learn properly.

James: Interesting. Does that mean that the general is just a position given to the family members?

Lucy: Far from that, we are ready in the field of battle strategy. Intellect is something that anyone can hone if they have the resources and the mind to do it. In this world the worthless is cut down. We do have a population of nearly two hundred thousand people.

James: True tot the fact. But not all the humans are powerful. I will give to the fact that our army can reach nearly twenty thousand through recruitment at the war time. But won't they lack in the gear.

Everly: True. But no one cares about the army. After all the general has the right to do anything to the people under him and nobody can question it. Not even the queen.

James: I think people should care more about the army. The last war against the goblins contained nearly fifty thousand of them. And what if the merchant city wages war against us.

Lucy: We had led the army the previous time. It was when Skylar Rookwood was killed. But the battle was one sided. The goblins were no match for us.

Everly: As for the merchant city, they are nothing but different people coming together from different parts of the world to sell their items. They do not have any permanent land even for the business. Just a bunch of people who are not interested in paying the taxes. We can easily destroy them anytime.

James: There are different settlements of mankind in different parts of the world. They might reach on to us to attack us. Most of the population are on the lower blocks. Even if they are asked to take a weapon, they might not be able to do so.

Everly: Enough is enough. We came to meet you because there might be a time when we have to fight side by side.

James: I am sorry for being rude. I just wanted to talk to you as you were the first ones interested in talking something of proper interest.

Lucy took out a board and many pieces. It was arranged on the table and there seemed to be pieces of five colours.

Lucy: This is one of the games of the past that have survived in the world. The pawn represents two hundred soldiers, the bigger pawn thousand soldiers. The others number are written on the top. It is the best game for the generals don't you think.

James did not honour with an answer but started playing the games. The first two times the two lady knights joined the forces and crushed James in the match. James looked at the two generals in front of him.

Everly: Wars are not won by sheer strength alone. You have to form alliances. You have to make sure the morale of your army is high. I may join forces with you. If you ask nicely.

James nonchalantly kept his hands back on the chair and looked at the eyes of Everly.

James: My hair is blue. It is stronger that the red hair you have. But tell me, what would you need in return for the cooperation in the battle.

Everly moved a little forward and leaned on the table with the elbow on the table and her hands on her chins.

Everly: Power isn't everything in this world. I might settle for a kiss from you.

James: I might as well as lose this war. This is a game after all.

Everly moved her forces in with the help of Lucy. They combined the cavalry with the foot soldiers so as to increase the number of attackers per unit and also the power of the unit. A fit move for the games but not in a real war. James brought a piece of metal from his extradimensional space and used his crafting magic and turned them into blue coloured horse figurine. He placed the horse figurine in the oncoming forces.

Lucy: What was that move?

James: I am a summoner.

Everly chuckled slightly but Lucy laughed at the joke. Lucy took the figurine and kept in her hands.

Lucy: I am going to keep the figurine. The idea is really good. Why don't we let him be the winner of the round?

Everly: I did say that he might be a smart one.

James: I just wanted to prove that in a real-life battle anything might be possible.

Everly: Ser James. It is time for us to move. Where else are you going to?

James: Nowhere.

Lucy: It is the best time to get acquainted with the other people of power.

James: I know that. But most people are not interested in talking to males.

Everly: Not everyone is like that. But if it is what you want…

Lucy and Everly stood up without even finishing the sentence. They left the room after saying their respective adieus. They had gone from the room and James went and sat on the bed, exhausted. He sat in a cross-legged position and began mediating to calm his mind and collect his thoughts.

The next day had passed calmly. The food was brought to him on time. James had taken the bath two times that day while reading book and he really enjoyed it. The knights had not talked to him as he had been seen the books. The third day had arrived and James was informed by Olivia that he had to be ready by the evening. It was only the morning but he was already ready with the dress. The dress was a hue shirt and black pants with black cloak. The cloak had the emblem of a dragon on the back depicting his bravery. He was rather astonished by the availability of the dress in his set and thought that Selena would like him to wear it.

The sword was black in colour and was made of an unknown material. He was sitting by the bed, reading a book when Olivia came inside to announce a visitor.

Olivia: His Highness Eleanor Senviness, the Forty seventh of her name.

Olivia had bowed down and left. The knights might have stood outside but James only saw the beautiful princess with the blossoming beauty in front of him. He stood to bow but the princess sat down on the bed at his feet.

Eleanor: Not need for the formalities when we are alone James. I have a few important things to discuss with you.

James looked at the princess and retracted his legs. He sat erect without the support and turned to look the lady with the proposal.

James: What is it my princess?

Eleanor: I want you.

James: I am sorry!

Eleanor smiled slightly and said.

Eleanor: Nothing like that. As you know the fact that my sister became the queen on her hundred and fortieth birthday. She was the not the youngest one. Actually, she is not my sister at all but is my aunt, but I am supposed to call her my sister due to the rankings. She had given the right to have children instead of long life hence I, child of the youngest princess became the heir. The queen had many medals by the time and hence she was allowed to change her name to the queen who formed the country, Ariadne. The fourth queen ever to be named in history. No one is allowed to carry that name except the one with the blessing of the god.

Eleanor paused for a second and looked at James playfully.

Eleanor: This is were you ask what's next.

James: What's next?

Eleanor: I am not interested in one of my sister's prodigy succeeding. Hence longevity spells are out of the question. But without it I might never live up to the day when I become the queen. It is said that her death was taken way by the Goddess Fryhle and the only way she will die is if someone from the royal family has more support than her.

James: So?

Eleanor: I want to make the announcement that I have awarded you the crest of the royal general and also promoted you to a one-star knight.

James: Why me? Why not some lady or the scion of another powerful house?

Eleanor: Whenever a woman is given such a position, the position becomes permanent. But with men, we can remove them whenever we want by the person who awarded the titles. With you being given the title I can get the support of the Rookwood family and also do not have to worry about any backstabbing. The moment I die, you lose the position. And also, you are strong.

James: I don't think that would be a good idea.

Eleanor looked kind of surprised.

Eleanor: Why?

James: Will the queen die if you get more support naturally?

Eleanor: Yes.

James: Then after that I am not of no use to you.

Eleanor: I will surely need someone to carryout my errands. Not to say that you are a good general. Also, I will not die naturally if you support someone. And having the title of two generals will make you powerful in the political world.

James: True, but otherwise also I am in a pretty much good position. My powers are mine and I am also from a good family.

Eleanor: The position you hold might be enough for you but you are already a target in the eyes of others. How else did you think I came to know about you.

James: There is no good thing other than that I am able to command more knights under me.

Eleanor looked at James in astonishment over the fact that there could exist people without any ambition. She knew what she had to say but did not know whether it was the right thing to do. Is it right to listen to an outsider?

Eleanor: Let me tell you a secret James. What do you think is the power of the Senviness family?

James: The power to support your comrades.

Eleanor: No. The power to control automates. The metallic soldiers under the queendom. Under the base of the queendom lies automates more than the population of the queendom. Everything under the command of the queen. The two generals are awarded hundred thousand each and the general of the heir is allowed fifty thousand. They are so powerful that normal magic cannot destroy them. Only they can destroy themselves. You will receive fifty thousand if you receive the crest of the general.

James: Why is it not known to the outside world? And why is it that every time a war coms the soldiers go into war.

Eleanor: Because the need had never arrived. I will show you the automates if you do not believe me. But you will be able to command them. If anything does happen to you, an order. That is all it takes. It has never happened as no one attacks a general.

James: Interesting. Okay, only on one condition. You will announce the name but I will show of being surprised and even deny it. You are supposed to force me in front of everyone into accepting it.

Eleanor: Why?

James: So that no one will thing that we are together. The only thing that will be perceived will be that I will wage your wars. Nothing else. Let it seem like you wanted to just fill the seat with someone safe. Let them not know we are working together and I will be thinking for you.

Eleanor: Sure. I might as well as leave now. Be ready for today.

Eleanor looked at the sword and pulled it out of the sheath. She looked at it closely and swinged the sword in empty air. She looked at the sword carefully again.

Eleanor: Onyx sword. Is it that you are interested in dark arts?

James: Nothing like that. It's just that there were many swords given by my lady of the house and I took one that matched with the dress today.

Eleanor placed the sword back in the sheath. James stood seeing Eleanor leaving towards the door. Eleanor turned and smiled.

Eleanor: You do not have to lie to me.

Eleanor left without a word more. James closed the door and thought about the implications of the statement. Was it that she thought he was affiliated to some of the wizardry? He thought everyone knew about that. James went and waited for the evening display.