White Ravens: Advent of War

The sound of clashing steel resounded throughout the town square. Sweat broke out of Rune's forehead as he swung his sword against his opponent for the day. Sigil, his adversary, parried his strike using the shaft of a spear, causing Rune to fall back and rethink his strategy. Sigil stood in a perfect stance; his spear arm, aiming for Rune, and ready to strike at a moment's notice. A smirk was plastered on Rune's face when he saw how determined Sigil was to defeat him. He took a deep breath, gathering the last of his strength. A gust of wind brushed past the town square. Leaves upon leaves slowly made their way to the ground. The crowd held their breaths as they watched the heated duel unfold. When the last leaf fell, both Sigil and Rune lunged forward, weapons first. And when their blades met, the friction between steels ignited a spark. Rune's sword had been cut in half, and the tip of Sigil's spear was shattered. Everyone watching their battle went into an uproar, while the two duelists stood there chuckling at themselves. Seated amidst the crowd, Commander Liana of the Black Rose stood up. Her beautiful, yet daunting presence silenced the crowd as she made her way towards the duelists. When the townsfolk saw her approach Rune and Sigil, chatter broke out. Liana raised her hand just above her head and clenched it into a fist, silencing the crowd once again. She then cleared her throat and announced, "I declare this battle a draw!" Now, a different kind of silence ensued in the town square. Everyone was confused by that declaration. Only one knight-in-training must win the duel to earn the right to command his own platoon. Some of the audience believed that if the duel continued, Rune would win the match, for he had the upper hand in unarmed combat. But some would argue that Sigil's level-headedness in the midst of battle and his superior reflexes could lead him to victory. However, to everyone's surprise, the commander halted the match and declared it a tie. The crowd looked at Liana intently, awaiting an explanation. Liana nodded at Sigil, and then at Rune, as if acknowledging their prowess. "This battle may continue for hours on end, and we still might not have a clear winner. Thus, it is with great pleasure that I declare them both as winners!" The crowd went wild after hearing her declaration. Rune couldn't hide his smile anymore as he embraced his rival and friend, Sigil. "Get off me, man. People might think something is going on between us," said Sigil. "Aw, shut up, Siege! I can tell you're happy as well. It just shows everyone our spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship!" bantered Rune. "For the last time, it's not Siege, it's Sigil!" he said with disdain. Liana slapped the back of their heads and made them bow in front of the crowd. "Shut up, you idiots. Exercise decorum. After the knighthood ceremony, you will become full-fledged rune knights. Don't make me regret my decision." Both Rune and Sigil stood in attention, their right arms making a fist before their hearts, and their left arm firmly placed behind their backs. "Yes, commander!" they said in unison. Sigil swept his eyes amidst the crowd, and he finally felt overwhelmed at how many people were watching him. He never realized earlier that there were hundreds of people gathered in the square to watch their match because he was too focused on his duel with Rune. On the other hand, Rune kept his composure, and he even waved and smiled at the crowd from time to time. "Don't let it get to your head, Rune. We didn't become knights for the applause and admiration of the people. Remember that," said Sigil. For one brief moment, Rune noticed a change in his friend's emotion. 'Was that sadness?' he thought to himself. Once their duel was over, Liana led Rune and Sigil, along with the other graduates of the Forestar Academy to the castle. Brushing past the courtyard, they soon arrived at the throne room where her majesty, Queen Rosetta was waiting for them. The moment the doors opened, scores of knights perfectly aligned on each side leading to the throne were raising their swords before them. They walked past the knights and stood a few feet away from the queen. The queen's majestic presence was heightened even further by the presence of the Royal Knights, an elite squad of knights that directly protect the royal family. "You may approach," Rosetta said to Liana. Liana obliged to her majesty's invitation and genuflected before her. "Your majesty, these are this year's graduates of the Forestar Academy. I believe that they will be a welcome addition to our army, and I am proud to say that these men and women are the finest ones I've ever trained." Then, she looked at Sigil and Rune, signaling them to come forward. They exchanged glances and nodded at each other before they followed Liana, genuflecting at the same time and bowing their heads at the queen. "Your majesty!" they greeted. "Show me your faces," the queen commanded. Rune and Sigil raised their heads to look at the queen. Their eyes met her piercing gaze. Never had they met someone so beautiful yet so intimidating. "Judging from your initiative to call these two trainees forward, I gather that this year's match was a draw. Am I right to assume that, Liana?" said Rosetta. "Yes, your majesty. The battle would've lasted for hours, but a clear winner couldn't—" Before Liana could finish talking, Rosetta put her hand up to interrupt her. "No need to explain yourself, Liana. I trust your judgment. I'm sure their ranks can be settled at a later date, and I trust that you'll handle this, yes?" "Yes, your majesty!" Liana declared firmly. All of a sudden, Rune stood up, and it shocked everyone. "If I may intervene, your majesty?" "How dare you stand before her majesty?" said one of the royal knights. "I will slit your throat where you stand!" "Halt!" Rosetta commanded, raising up her hand to stop the royal knight. She then turned to Rune and nodded slightly. "Speak." "Thank you your majesty," said Rune. He cleared his throat and continued, "I do not think I deserve to command my own squad of rune knights. Perhaps if that duel was not stopped, I would've had the upper hand in unarmed combat, but that doesn't matter in the battlefield. Out there, men like Sigil are what we need to win. His strategic mind, level-headedness, and leadership skills are second to none in the academy." What Rune said caught Sigil by surprise. He tried to stand up, but his hesitation to speak prevented him from doing so. Liana looked at Rune with renewed interest. Everyone else in the throne room fell silent. "That's why I will not contest with the ranking. Sigil should be the captain, and I would be honored to serve under him," said Rune. At this time, their classmates from the academy applauded his initiative to speak up. Meanwhile, Sigil was still bowing his head in silence. However, everyone's eyes fell on him, and it forced him to raise his head. "Your majesty, I..." Sigil stammered. Unexpectedly, the queen stood from her throne, and approached Sigil. "Rise, my child," she said, "Do not let your friend's brazenness go to waste." Rune chuckled at that, and it earned him a few glares, even from his own classmates. Slowly, Sigil got up. His legs were trembling at this moment, but he managed to gather his strength to stand firm. He did the knight's salute and said, "It will be my honor, your majesty!" The tone of Sigil's voice carried so much determination that it dwarfed the nervousness he displayed. After that brief interaction, Queen Rosetta went back to her throne, sat down, and gestured to Liana. "Take it away, Liana." Liana faced the graduates as they all genuflected before the queen. "Attention!" she said in a commanding voice. The graduates stood in attention, doing the knight's salute. "Yes, commander!" Afterwards, Liana lifted her sword in the air, and it reflected the sunlight coming from the stained glass window decorated with colorful wisterias and orchids. "From this day forth, you are now full-fledged rune knights of the queendom. Bear that title as a coat of arms, for you will be both sword and shield of this country. Cast aside your inhibitions, throw away your doubts, and nothing can stand in your way," Liana announced. Moments later, servants brought in a crest, giving all twenty of the graduates a beautifully-crafted crest made of gold. Runic engravings were etched into the linings of the crests, and the queendom's regalia, a wisteria, was imprinted in the middle. Some of the graduates were tearful, while some were proud of themselves. Surprisingly, Rune was the most casual out of everyone and Sigil broke into tears. He lightly tapped Sigil's shoulder and said, "I'm looking forward to working under your command, captain."