89: One eyed monster (part one)

One eyed monster (part one)

As the dawn broke, it brought with it a gloomy thunderstorm that enveloped the day and night in a shroud of darkness. Despite the eerie atmosphere, Adela was grateful for the absence of the swirling sand that had plagued the previous day. If only her mare shared her sentiment.2

"Shh, settle down, girl," Adela whispered soothingly.

"I think she's pregnant," remarked Arkin. "Her instincts won't let her leave the stables, no matter how loyal she is to you..."

Whether it was the aftermath of Arkin's guess or not, As she gently brushed her hand over the mare's back, a sense of anticipation filled her, foretelling the arrival of a healthy foal.

"...Take good care of her," Adela instructed one of the stable boys, determined to focus on the present and not let her instincts consume her thoughts.

"Yes, My Lady," he replied obediently.

She looked up at her knight astride his horse, exuding a sense of readiness for battle.

"Arkin..."

His face contorted, "Don't try to make me feel better about this. I'd rather stay angry."

He couldn't forgive himself for dragging Adela into the von Conradie's estate, yet the thought of separating his life from hers was even more agonizing.

"What about the Baron?" she asked, redirecting the conversation.

"He's drinking himself to an early grave all of a sudden. Mother and I are at our wit's end with him... And the Archduke?"

Adela shook her head. "He's ordered his food to be served in mother's chamber."

"...At least they're together," Arkin murmured.

On the surface, it appeared that way. But Adela, privy to their history filled with secrets, dreaded the hidden agendas and the depths of what she had yet to uncover.

Arkin extended his hand, "Let's ride together on my stallion. It's safer in this weather," 

Adela grasped his wrist firmly and positioned herself behind him.

"Hold on tight,"

She clung to his back sensing the tension in his rigid posture and knew he needed to be held now more than ever. And for that, she was grateful for the raging thunderstorm.

It will be alright, Arkin...

Arkin guided the horse at a leisurely pace, never pushing it to gallop. The storm, his somber mood, Egon's rekindled animosity, and the fact that she had to report to him once again weighed heavily on Adela. She squeezed her eyes shut, determined not to let the tears escape.

"What are you planning to do today?" Arkin's sudden cheerfulness lacked authenticity, and Adela understood that he was trying to lift her spirits despite his own lingering depression.

"I will follow your lead... Logistically speaking, I can't select a site for the infirmary until you decide on the arena and lodging," she replied.

Arkin let out a tired sigh that overlapped with hers. They had crossed the boundary between the two estates, but in the darkness surrounding them, Adela had no sense of their location.

"...I wish I had more time to spend with you... Apprentices will arrive tomorrow carrying their hopes of fame and glory...They'll look up to me for guidance," he said with a tinge of disgust.

She let out something that resembled a short laugh, "The inexperienced ones are your favorite, aren't they?"

"I want to be done with it as soon as possible," Arkin mumbled. 

Knowing her father's nature, Adela understood that this addition would likely become a permanent fixture in the Archduchy, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

"Do your best, Commander," she encouraged him.

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, feeling a surge of excitement at hearing his new title spoken by Adela. "We're here," he announced as they reached the von Conradies' stables and dismounted.

"Welcome, Adela!" Bastian's unexpected voice came from their left side. "Sir Arkin," he acknowledged.

"Tian!" Adela exclaimed, taking Arkin's arm and inadvertently stepping into a puddle. "What brings you here at this hour?"

Bastian gestured to his casual attire and held up a sword with his right hand. "I am here to join the Second Order," he declared.

Adela swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on his missing eye.

"Bastian, is it?" Arkin's voice came out exasperated. "That's simply not possible."

"Arkin..." 

"No, Adela, I won't be the Commander who lets an unqualified person die beside me in battle just because I was too lenient,"

Adela's eyes widened as a glove struck Arkin's face. Both she and Arkin looked at Bastian as if he had lost his mind.

"...Man, I've always wanted to do this!" Bastian exclaimed cheerfully.

"Do you realize..." Arkin fumed, barely able to contain his anger. "Are you seriously challenging me to a duel?"

"It doesn't count!" Adela tried to defuse the situation.

"Why?" Bastian sounded disappointed. "Must I buy a title before I can duel with a knight?" he asked casually.

Arkin's tone turned serious. "Do you have a death wish?" 

The atmosphere around Bastian suddenly shifted. "That's irrelevant. The question you should be asking yourself is whether you are worthy of commanding a knights' order if you were defeated by a one-eyed civilian," Bastian declared, emanating power and confidence.

Leopold's voice sliced through the tension as he strode forward, his boots splashing in the water. "If you don't mind, I would like to watch," he finally met Adela's gaze. "Good morning, Lady Adelaide and Sir Arkin," he greeted them with polite formality.

"Good morning," Adela murmured, placing a hand on Arkin's arm, silently pleading with him not to be trapped into accepting the challenge.

"I accept," Arkin hurriedly responded, as if afraid she would intervene. "But under informal rules of a duel, since a formal one requires the Archduke's signature. The first to draw blood will be declared the winner, and the victor may stipulate a condition. If I win, I don't want to see your face again as long as I am in this estate."

"Fair enough. And if I win..." Bastian looked down at Adela's worried face. "Not only will you help me become a knight, but you will also appoint me as a platoon leader," he continued, his gaze holding a mysterious meaning. "And you, Adela, will accept another oath of fidelity... It will be our special bond."

The word 'bond' sent a hot surge up Adela's neck and face, hinting that Bastian knew more than she wished anyone to know. She pleaded with him silently through her eyes for her knight was completely unaware of Egon's secret.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Arkin's annoyed question broke her thoughts.

"...I reserve the right to refuse such an oath. The one Sir Arkin made causes more trouble than it solves," she finally spoke up.

"We need four witnesses," Arkin stated, setting the final  rule for the informal duel.

"Uncle and Adela are already here," Bastian said, his eyes holding an unfathomable expression as he looked at her. "I will go wake up my brother... and Olga,"

The impact of the woman's name on Adela's stomach reverberated through her. All she yearned for in that moment was to mount Arkin's stallion and gallop away from the estate to a place where her heart would be shielded from the presence of Egon von Conradie.

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