Chapter 2: The meeting with the Lords
After much needed time spent walking down the roads, the three manage to reach the castle gate house. There they are greeted by two guards, who told them to wait as the person inside opens the gates. The two gates slide open as the three entered into the main area of the castle. Kaze is amazed by the structure and what it keep behind stoned walls, with wooden structures for archers. He sees many things he haven't seen in his area or the castle of the lord, he used to work for. He sees areas where the warriors and their little ones trained to fight and used a bow and then swords. He sure didn't hide his expressions, even behind a mask, for which the two women he followed giggled by his bewilderment. That said, he remains silent as to not interfere with the affairs of the people around him.
The three then entered the keep, where they stare upon a man and a woman on their throne, decorated with golden ornament tops on their well groomed appearance. "My King, My Queen." Sole bowed before her lords, putting her right fist to her chest and her lowering down to a knee. Amore bowed as well, pinching the sides of her dress before lowering herself. Meanwhile Kaze is a bit confused at the moment, but nonetheless bowed too, however unorthodox they may think. He stood straight up, hands to the sides, before bending down as a 45-60 degree angle.
"Rise." the king ordered to the three as they raise themselves from their positions. After the stood upright, Sole moved her faceplate up and her mouth plate moved down as well. This revealed her face to the room, especially Kaze, with her beautiful blue eyes, her fair skin and a little bit of her golden hair peaking through. The samurai took a bit to gaze, before looking back at the people on the throne. Surprising to him, the lords, as he is presuming, too has blue eyes as well as golden hair. Although, it seems as though one of them possesses a different eye color - most likely the one speaking to him. Would it be too much of a coincidence? He better not question it till then.
"Good evening, my King." Sole greeted the King, to which the King replied, "An evening to you too, Knight Everfall." A smile is shared between the two, before the King ask the Knight, "And who is this fellow?"
Sole: My King, this is Kaze. He said he came from the eastern region and has helped me vanquishing the bandits from the south.
King: Ah yes, the bandits. I would like to thank both you and this man for vanquishing the bandits.
Sole: It's has always been my duty King.
"Yes, yes it has always." The King then glance towards the man in armor, Kaze, and ask him, "Would you mind telling us on how and why did you come to our lands?"
Kaze looks down at the moment, not knowing the words or phrase to use. If this man is of loyalty, he must treat him with respect. However, because of the language difference and barrier, it'll be hard for him to communicate the King without aggravating him. Some thought was out into his mind, before turning to Amore and ask her to translate for him and vise versa. After whispering to Amore's ears, the woman face the King and told him, "My lord, would you mind letting me translate for him? He only knows a bit of our language, he seemed to not fully understand it and he spoke a different language."
The King nodded and said to them, "Proceed." Amore bowed once more before turning to Kaze and tell him, in his language, "You may speak now." Kaze confidently steps forward and began speaking through Amore. He said as by Amore's translation, "I came from a land far from here. I have fled the land after invaders attacked and pillage the lands. I am one of the few samurai warriors left to defend it. In the aftermath of the invasion, they have yet to gain a foothold, but I lost my lord. He have fought valiantly in order to protect his people. I had to bare witness as a hundred arrows struck his armor, with the flames consuming him as well as the invaders of his fortress. In time, I came to these lands in search of a purpose of using my blade. However, I wouldn't dare be apart of those bandits as they reminded me too much of the invaders as well as their savagery."
The room stood silent after the translation. They have never thought of this man, who has to face the horrors of war. No one was expecting this, even Sole herself - who have faced many monsters, creatures and men that dare attack the kingdom. But this brought new light on the matter, that war is coming. The King knew of wars, but has yet to experience it. Now he have a veteran, who had lost his Lord after the latter defend his castle till his final breath.
The King looked surprised. In fact most of the people inside were surprised to see this sort of revelation of a man wandering the world after suffering from war, looking for a purpose. However, there is one other who didn't act all surprised. Of course is the King's personal messenger: Messenger Corbin. He just stares into the abyss unless the King needed him. After some amount of time, Corbin cough to break it all up and the King is soon back to his senses of reality.
"Thank you, Corbin." the King thanked his Messenger and loyal servant, before addressing the situation towards the Samurai warrior, "Kaze, I would like to offer you something." Kaze nodded before the King continued, "In return, you will pledge allegiance to the Kingdom of Everfall, in exchange for your service. We would provide you a land for you to live and many things to help you in your daily life." Kaze nodded once more and then the King finishes his sentence, "As a warrior of Everfall, you would be granted title of Knight. However, since you have a title of your own, you shall be called Samurai Kaze of Everfall." Kaze couldn't believe it. He bowed in respect and thanked the King for his mercy and kindness. The King merely chuckled before dismissing the three from the castle. But before they leave, Kaze made a request and through Amore's translation, "I would like to stay with Knight Sole. I would like to repay her for her kindness and warrior spirit." After much needed thought, the King granted the Samurai's request and finally the three left the building.
After a while, the Queen looked to her husband, the King, and ask, "Are you sure she'll be safe?" The King replied back to his Queen, "Don't worry. I'm sure they could find a sort of compromise. Besides, Sole is a Knight after all." The Queen nodded, yet she still worry for her.