– "Your Majesty, I have brought him, as you requested," announced the Jester while bowing.
A woman with long raven-black hair and silver bangs sat in the chair of the large office.
Her sharp green eyes, like two emeralds, shone in the midday light streaming through the window. Her refined, porcelain-like skin was dotted with two freckles, one under each eye. She wore an elegant white dress with black trim that concealed her heels.
– "Thank you, Oriel." –
– "It has been a while, Lerofey." –
– "You're right… Brother." –
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Sylvan looked at the woman, now identified as Lerofey, in surprise.
– "I see you found who you were looking for, though he is younger than I expected," commented the princess, observing the young man with critical eyes – "Are you sure he is capable of the task?" –
Her brother returned her gaze with a dazzling smile. – "Yes, he is young, but don't be fooled by appearances, he is the best in his trade." –
– "Is there any special quality he possesses that we were not informed of through Wisteria?" – continued the Jester, addressing Sariel politely.
– "From what I observed in his conversation with the raven, it seems that, and correct me if I'm wrong Hyacinth, you have the special ability to see, or at least perceive, spirits." –
Sylvan, who showed surprise on his face given the fact that he didn't expect those who couldn't perceive the invisible beings to have knowledge about them, nodded his head.
– "By your expression, I see you didn't expect us to know about spiritists." –
– "No, since I was a child, except for my grandmother, no one could really explain what I saw, and if I mentioned it, I was labeled schizophrenic." –
– "Spiritists are mentioned in some of the royal archives." – the young woman interrupted. – "It's true that not everyone knows this information. To our knowledge, those who possess special qualities have a small society, so among those who have this special talent it is known that others possess it. Given that you grew up isolated from society, it is normal that you didn't know about this. Apart from the spiritists themselves, few know of the talent's existence, only some of the royal family and a few others, whom I couldn't name right now." – concluded the princess.
Upon this revelation, Aleus's eyes opened wide with astonishment, and he looked at Sariel.
– "Your Majesty, why did you never tell me anything about this?" –
The aforementioned returned his gaze with guilt in his eyes. – "I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you, but I wasn't sure if I was allowed to, or if it would cause you any problems." –
– "That's because I am part of that society, young gentleman, for although I cannot see spirits, I am able to hear them, which was quite creepy when I was young, but eventually I got used to it." – answered the cheerful Jester to the confused Aleus.
– "Well, under the circumstances, I believe I have a good companion for the young apothecary." – The princess continued. – "Oriel, take the young man to Carmila and tell her that the young man I mentioned to you will accompany him on his journey." –
– "Right away, Your Majesty." –
– "It seems it is time to say goodbye." – said Sylvan, turning to look at those who had been his travel companions these past few days.
– "Don't worry, for our paths will cross again." – Sariel said with certainty, as he walked away.
– "Unfortunately." – whispered Aleus, glancing sideways at the apothecary.
After this, each went their own way.
– "Well…" – said an animated voice, breaking the mood – "I suppose that leaves you and me, little flower." –
Sylvan looked up and found himself facing Oriel. The Jester made an exaggerated bow, placing a hand on his chest and tilting his head dramatically.
– "As you heard before, my name is Oriel, but no one here calls me that," he added. – "You may call me Jester, Fool, Pierrot or Harlequin, though I'm not one, but the uncultured folk like to call me that. It sounds much better, don't you think, little flower?" –
Without waiting for a response from the bewildered apothecary, he turned around and, with little hops, began to lead the way.
– "We must hurry, for the training will begin shortly and the captain doesn't like to be interrupted. The last time that happened, someone lost a hand." – he recounted while pretending to shiver exaggeratedly – "The training field is just behind the north wing." –
Sylvan followed him, bewildered but without asking questions. Along the way, he watched how Jester moved with a light, almost dancing step, greeting soldiers and servants, who returned his greeting as if it were customary.
The young man observed the dancing figure in front of him. It was as if the masked man was already accustomed to…
– "Hey…" – he began, daring to break the ice after a while of silence – "In the office, the princess mentioned your abilities. Is there anything else?" –
Jester stopped abruptly. He slowly turned his head toward him, placing his right hand on his mask as a sign of being deep in thought.
– "They say many things about us," he finally responded, shrugging his shoulders. – "Some true, others very exaggerated, and others completely invented. Who knows, even a lie can become reality if you think about it enough." –
– "So you're not going to tell me anything?" –
– "Nah, ah." – Jester raised a finger, placing it on Sylvan's lips, and resumed his unusual gait. – "If I start talking about that, it stops being interesting. After all, keeping secrets makes me seem more mysterious. In due time, this information will be granted to you." –
Sylvan frowned but didn't insist, as he didn't want to accidentally anger this strange individual. They soon arrived at the training field, where the sound of wooden swords clashing against each other could already be heard. Jester stopped suddenly at the edge of a stone wall and turned once more toward the young man.
– "And this is where they beat each other up for work," he said, rocking on his heels and enthusiastically pointing at the field. – "Lots of sweat, little brain. You stand by my side and everything will be fine. Probably." –
Thus, Jester led them to the center of the training field. Upon arrival, they noticed the group of knights in formation training with wooden swords that filled the air with the dry noise of clashing blows. In front of the formation, a figure with an air of authority could be seen.
A muscular woman with reddish-black hair and bronzed skin covered in scars. Her eyes were red like wine. Over the right one was a rose-shaped patch covering a slightly visible scar. She wore a loose white shirt with leather pants and black boots. Hanging from her waist was a sheathed sword, and in her right hand, she held a wooden one with which she gave orders to the knights.
– "There she is," said Jester, leaning toward Sylvan theatrically. – "The fearsome Carmila, captain of the cavalry. As a friend, I advise you not to anger her; more than one has lost a limb." – he leaned in and whispered in his ear – "They say she uses the blood of her enemies as dye." – The apothecary looked at him, horrified – "I'm joking, man, don't look like that."
At that moment, Carmilla was observing the training while correcting the knights' mistakes. But upon noticing Jester, her expression changed.
– "You!" – exclaimed Carmila with irritation in her voice – "What are you doing here, fool?"
Jester bowed exaggeratedly, smiling under his mask.
– "Captain Carmilla, it is a pleasure to see you again," he said. – "I come by order of Her Majesty. I suppose she has already informed you of something, for we are looking for a specific cadet." –
The captain looked at him with sharp eyes that showed repressed resentment toward the jester.
– "You!" – she said, turning to a cadet – "Go and call Lior, tell him it is his time to depart; he already knows what he has to do." –
Without further ado, the young cadete dropped everything he was doing and, fearing a beating from her, ran off to carry out the order.
Once again, she directed her gaze toward them, not taking her eyes off the masked man.
– "Don't think I forgot about last time. If it weren't for the princess holding you in such high esteem, I would have cut your throat long ago." –
– "Don't tell me you're still resentful about that? It was just a joke," commented the Jester, downplaying it.
– "You put a glitter bomb in the weapons storage!" –
– "It was to add some sparkle to your depressing life." –
Upon hearing these words, the woman drew her sword, to which the jester responded by fleeing the scene.
– "See you later, little flower, we'll meet again soon." – he said, running for his life before losing a limb.
The captain sighed wearily, as if it were a common occurrence.
At that moment, a young voice was heard behind the captain. – "Hello, Captain, forgive my lateness." –