Chapter II
The Crusader Saga Chapter IIWalking away from his talk with the captain Sir Warren couldn't help but feel a little closure. His ties to his old home were severed but maybe he had found a new one instead. Still deep in thought he made his way to the bow of the ship. The entire time he waited to disembark the crew of the ship watched him fearfully. With a sad sigh Warren realized that these were probably the last humans he would see for a long time if ever again and they just stared at him in terror. By this time the ship had completely come to a stop and a special hardy oak ramp was lowered due to his...bulk.He made his way down the ramp slowly and with great hesitation. Once he left left the ship he would be the only human amongst beasts. Stepping onto the wooden pier of whatever town he was in he tightened his grip on his belongings and with a calming breath began to walk towards the approaching misty figure. By this time he could hear the boat behind him quickly reeling up the anchor and begin to ready for travel. Clearly they wished to leave as soon as possible. The mist faded to reveal the first beast man he had ever laid eyes on. It was some sort of badger like creature almost as tall as him but still several inches shorter. He (at least it looked male) was dressed in what was apparently the world wide standard of dock master apparel consisting of a billowy white shirt and brown breeches with a fiddlers hat. He noted interestedly that the badger was not wearing any type of boots or other footwear.The badger man flinched upon seeing Warren standing there holding his belongings with his tower shield and looked about ready to scamper away in fear, his fur was standing on end puffing him out drastically. Hoping to prevent this he uncharacteristically talked as least threatening and kindly as he possibly could. The entire time thinking that his armor should have probably been put on later. "Excuse me kind sir! I have just arrived from a long voyage and was hoping you could help me."Upon hearing a calming voice he somewhat relaxed and resumed his walk until he stood in front of Warren while patting down his disgruntled hair. Almost immediately Sir Warren began to worry (did they even speak the common tongue?) his fears were put to rest when the badger replied "uh...sir...how may I be of assistance?" He stuttered wringing his paws nervously.Thankful that his first interaction with a beast man hadn't proved catastrophic he continued to speak. "I was wondering if you knew wether or not the location of a squire that was supposed to take me to the castle?" He hopes that the badger knew otherwise he would have to begin searching and he was not looking forward to that. But it turns out he was in luck."Y-yes sir a squire arrived this morning talking of a person coming into port would you like me to take you to him?" The badger hesitantly asked.Seeing his continuous nervousness Warren decided to take off his helmet as perhaps that would lessen any fright the curious beast man may still harbor. Slowly he put down his belongings as he pulled his hood back and then grabbed and lifted his helmet off his head. When the badger man saw what was underneath he was more puzzled then afraid."If I may be so bold what is a human doing here?" The badger asked less fearfully then before."I'm afraid my friend it is a long story." Warren replied. "I was wondering if you could tell me your name sir?"The badger puffed up his chest and replied in a serious tone, "the name is lockewood and I am the harbor master." He said extending a paw."Alright then lockewood do you think you can take me to the squire now?" Warren asked as he took the strange beasts paw in his huge gauntlets that dwarfed the badgers own paw and shook it.Becoming professional he responded "of course sir follow me!" He then turned around and walked away with his small tail swinging back and forth. Gathering his items and replacing his helm on his head pulling his hood back into position, Sir Warren took his place beside the badger and followed him. While they were talking the fog had cleared up and he could finally see the full splendor before him.This place was unlike any he had seen before its exotic beauty rivaled if not exceeded that of Keldon the capital of Tyriel. His study of the city was interrupted by the whispering he began to hear as he walked through the docks on his way to the entrance to the actual city itself. The dockworkers and what must have been their families were staring at him in either awe or abject terror. All kinds of races were spread before him. There were countless species of dogs, cats, and a few horses here and there with sparse groups of avians, but they all shared a similar trait. They were scared of him. Not wanting to dwell on that particular thought he concentrated on following the dock master. In short order Warren found himself at a garrison where a couple of guards all predatory species like wolves, tigers, and alligators to name a few gazed fearfully at him and gripped their weapons tightly. The dock master either ignorant or uncaring of the standoffish feel to the air confidently walked up to the guard sergeant "I am hear for the squire, he is to guide this gentlemen," the badger said gesturing towards Warren "to the castle" the sergeant was a scar covered wolf who looked as if he had weathered many conflicts. He looked worriedly at Warren and replied "I don't see no man I see a demon" his companions nodded with the same sentiments. With a sigh the badger scolded "don't be fools he's a human from the lands across the sea. I thought you men were guards but I think you are all really cowards!" Warren stood there passively but couldn't help but smirk under his helm as the badger was just about to bolt only minutes earlier. That in any case had done the trick as they all tried to act tougher and look slightly less afraid. "We are no cowards!" The wolf exclaimed.The badger then began to placate them until they were satisfied in their masculinity clearly this badger had a silver tongue. "Okay then but don't forget we still need the squire." Once reminded the Wolf sergeant signaled with a wave of his paw for two of his men to retrieve the squire. Shortly they returned with a small grey wolf pup in a leather jerkin and breeches he was not wearing any shoes. Noticing that the only ones wearing shoes were the guards who had armored boots. Warren attributed this to their odd paw like qualities and that for them shoes would be more hassle then they were worth. He was pulled out of his musing when the wolf pup upon seeing Warren let out a high pitched yip and tried to hide behind a large tiger guard who looked slightly humored. Finally deciding to speak up Warren made an effort to talk with the scared kid "Don't worry little one I mean you no harm" he softly spoke not using his usual tone. The pup peaked out from the side of the guards furred leg with his two perky ears poking cutely out of his hiding spot before slowly coming out and slouched towards Warren.The pup looked up at his helmet in awe "you sure are scary looking mister." This made Warren chuckle which surprised everyone present as it was surprisingly full of kindness. "That's the point pup, to put fear into my enemies. So if you are are not my enemy there is nothing to be afraid of." The pup just stared at his hooded skull helm and nodded slowly.Looking upon the exchange between warrior and child the others couldn't help but turn their muzzles upwards in a smile. That's when lockewood walked up to Sir Warren "since you seem to be in good hands Sir....?" Realizing that he had never told the badger his name he answered the unspoken question "Warren, its Sir Warren." He said thrusting his hand out which Lockewood shook again. Abruptly the pup shouted out in excitement "Sir?....wait you're a knight?"He looked towards the awe inspired wolf pup "yes youngling I am indeed a knight."The poor kids eyes practically glazed over in elation "wow I've never met a knight, we don't have any in our kingdom nowadays.""Strange" Warren said to himself before his attention was grabbed by the badger who had waited patiently to speak."Well then Sir Warren may our paths cross again." The badger said when he had attracted his notice before leaving.Sir Warren took a minute to gather his thought before his shield was grabbed without warning by a small pair of paws. "Come on sir I don't want to be late or I won't get any sweets from lady Cassandra!" the pup shouted dragging Warren out the garrison door much too the guards lingering amusement and started to lead him into the city.Sir Warren looked down on the enthusiastic pup and couldn't help but smirk as he had apparently quickly forgot how sacred he was only a little while before. That's when a thought formed into being in his head, he didn't know the kids name. "So pup what's your name?"The kid turned to him while still pulling on his shield apparently not needing to look in front of himself while walking. "ma name is Mathias milord.""Alright then Mathias how old are are you? Warren questioned as he studied the sights of the city. The populous here were in similar fits of awe and terror as the dock citizens had been, his bulk and intimidating armor and skeletal helm made an imaginary shield around him as they all tried to keep their distance. Seemingly unaware of the frightened people squire Mathias answered his query. "I'm nine years old!" The pup proclaimed proudly his tail wagging furiously.This made Warren frown "that's awfully young to be a squire."Little Mathias faltered momentarily before continuing his fast pace but Warren noticed that his tail was now dragging in the mud of the uncobbled road and his ears were flopped against his brow "yeah....my parents were killed in the yarathian and Belanian conflict four years ago."Sir Warren could empathize as his parents were killed in a demonic incursion when he was not but three years old.
"Sorry kid I didn't mean to remind you."He had to admire the kids strength "it's alright it happened a long time ago I'm over it. I was luckily enough to have lady Cassandra as she saved me from the orphanage when she saw me wandering the streets one day." "Well kid I have something to tell you." Warren leaned close to the kid drawing mummers from the crowd that formed as they had ceased walking awhile ago "but you can't tell a soul." He whispered."I won't tell no one I promise!" The pup yipped as he leaned in."I'm an orphan too.""Really!" "Yeah my entire family was killed by monsters when I was three." He didn't tell the small pup everything because it was more traumatizing then that. And that kind of stuff was not something you tell a human child or any other type."No!" the kid gasped."I'm afraid so I had to survive in the streets with the help of the other street rats as we were often called. Until one fateful day when I was thirteen. I was fending off a pair of guards to let the other kids escape. I surely would have been beaten if not for a wandering knight who saw my struggle and saw something in me that no one else had."By this time the young pup was completely enthralled with the short tale. "What did he see?""He saw courage my young friend, the will and desire to put others before myself, he saw the tenets of a knight.""Wow!" The small canine excitedly "that sounds like one of the stories ma dah used to tell me!""Yes well the seven years of training to become the knight he envisioned me to be was not like those stories I bet." Warren barked out with a laugh startling the eavesdroppers and making them scatter. In an effort to make the kid remember what they were doing before he added "aren't we going to be late?"With that said the pups muzzle suddenly turned worried "your right we need to hurry I don't want to miss out on cookies." The pup once more gripped the knights shield and corralled him towards the castle.
While Sir Warren and his lively escort made way for the castle. A certain skunkette lady-in-waiting was being awoken by the sound of a faint tap on her door. "Yes?" She groggily asked the person on the other side of the door. "I'm ever so sorry to wake you milady Cassandra, but the queen has asked for all her attendants to meet her in the throne room." A quite male voice answered."Very well. you may go now." She told the servant."Of course right away milady." The soft pattering of paws could be heard on the cobblestone floor as the servant left to rouse the others.With a wide yawn, displaying all of the small but very sharp teeth in her maw Cassandra sat up from her bed and moved to her wardrobe. She spent little time wondering over what to wear as her queen needed her so she picked a simple but elegant blue dress. Once she was done and finished all of her morning preparations she hastily left her room and spent the short walk to the throne room in silence. She could see the servants as they moved about the stone corridor going about their daily duties.She arrived in the big hall to see the queen already sitting upon her throne. She walked up to the most powerful women on this continent. The small snow leopardess was renowned throughout all the lands for her beauty as well as her cunning. Yet most of the time she could be....bubbly. She was thin curvaceous and had the rare condition called sectoral heterochromia which made both of her eyes two mixed colors. In her case she had blue and violet swirled eyes that have been said to capture anyone's gaze man or women."My queen" Cassandra addressed with a curtsy."Lady Cassandra you may rise I have most exciting news!" The queen yowled excitedly."What would that be my queen?""Oh stop with all that my queen nonsense I've known you for the entirety of both of our lives I think you have earned yourself the right to use my real name." The queen said emphatically."As you wish...Galadria" the skunkette hesitantly replied. "See isn't that better!" She said with her feline tail whipping around behind her."Yes my queen."With that Queen Galadria let out hopeless sigh and her tail halted its happy swinging "in any case I have news, we have a visitor from a foreign land coming to the castle."Before Cassandra could inquire about their upcoming guest the rest of the queens attendants arrived. Leading the charge was Lady Lunaria an arctic wolfess hailing from the far away northern mist peak mountain clans. She was statuesque standing at six feet two inches covered in downy white fur and with radiant purple eyes she was the tallest of all of the queens ladies. She was lithe and strong for she used to be a hunter for her clan before she was offered a chance at a better life at the castle. At times she could still be straightforward and seemingly rude, a byproduct of her previous life.Right behind her followed lady Valerie a red fox from the iron hills she was, in stark contrast to Lunaria the smallest of the ladies at five feet one inch. The small vixen was not very strong and incredible shy. She was taken in by the previous queen Liara, Galadria's mother at a young age. She never talked about her past and the others had learned to not ask her about it. The vixen sported hazel eyes and was usually seen wearing a small smile. No one knew why she did.Valerie was flanked by Ladies Jett and Maria who were a pantheress and red panda respectively. Jett was from the arid desert lands of Zion at the far south almost at the border of the queens realm. She was a long time friend of Maria who was from the neighboring land of Belani to this land of Aralia.Maria was sent to live under the tutelage of Galadrias mother as a gesture of firm friendship from one country to another. Over time she chose to live here with all the friends she had made.Now that they all had gathered the queen changed her talk with Cassandra to encompass all of them. "Welcome friends I have wonderous news.""What would it be" Lunaria asked gruffly."we have a guest arriving.""Who?" This time it was Valerie.The queen leaned in conspiratorial "you'll never guess."They all began to guess."Someone from Belani?" Said Jett"Nope!"Is it someone from Zion?" Maria hypothesized."Too close to home." Galadrias gave them a clue."Farther?" Lunaria piped in."Way father!"After awhile they all gave up. "Alright then where is this mysterious guest coming from?" The impatient arctic wolf growled."The human lands!" The queen gave an uncharacteristic squeal. They all looked surprised and Cassandra put voice to what they all were thinking. "Who would they send and why?"This time the queen looked serious. "Their king Leonid said that in a gesture of goodwill that he was gifting to me his most renowned and dangerous Knight.""A knight!" Valerie exclaimed in suprise."yes a knight""Then we are indeed lucky." Jett began to speak thoughtfully "we haven't had a knight in many years." "Leonid said that he was the knight who lead the Ninth Crusade." Galadria added. "And the only one to return.""You mean when the Etherels gathered their armies and tried to take over the human lands?" Valerie their little historian asked."Correct if they had lost then the demons would have surely made Aloratheia their next victim."As they all thought on this information a servant entered the massive hall and for some reason looked afraid as he made an announcement. "The human Knight is here.""Well then what are you waiting for let him in!" The queen exclaimed excitedly. Her attendants took their respective positions in the smaller chairs placed next to the throne."Yes my queen." And with a nervous gulp he opened the doors wider to reveal the specter of death.They all watched in varying levels of fear and awe as the tall armored bulk of the human knight confidently strode into the throne room with the heavy clang of armored boots. He was covered completely in plate of the darkness night wearing a black cloak and Holding on to a massive tower shield, also black. His armor and shield were covered in what appeared to be red arcane runes that glowed vaguely. They could see the hilt of a titanic sword on his back and a shortsword on his hip. The most terrifying thing was his helmet it was a fanged human skull that seemed to be watching all of them with its empty sockets. The demonic entity walked up to the throne and kneeled.That's when they suddenly heard the familiar voice of a certain troublesome canine. "Lady Cassandra I made it on time can I have a cookie!" The small wolf said as he hurtled past the armored man and jumped into her lap.They were startled when they heard a warmth filled chuckle at the antics of the small wolf pup coming from the kneeling form of the black armored knight. "I told you we would make it Mathias." The deep baritone voice of the man said as his helm moved upwards to look at the youthful pup he then Looked to all the women sitting in front of him which made them all subconsciously flinch before locking his gaze on the queen. Who for the first time that her attendants had ever seen, was the first one too look away. Shortly after he examined his new superiors he stood up and bowed with a flourish "My queen."Deciding to regain her momentum the queen greeted him. Confident and friendly. "Hello sir knight welcome to the kingdom of Alaria and although I don't want to be rude I would like to talk to you face to face." Getting the message the knight carefully pulled back his hood and lifted off his helm and held it in his right hand to reveal an exotic face. They all looked at this human that they had never before seen. He was a white furless man, well the only places that had fur were the top of his head and on his face. One of the most interesting thing was his eyes they glowed sapphire and seemed to contain a surprising amount of bitterness and resentment, but also kindness. What made them all gasp quietly in empathy was a pair of scars, one was from his left eyebrow to his lower jaw. The other was a horizontal jagged gash on his right cheek. All in all he was a handsome man they all thought to themselves."Thank you your grace it's an honor to be in this amazing place, and my name is Warren." The knight humbly replied. "As per our two kingdoms arrangement I am here as a permanent resident and mercenary for your armed forces and I am to assist you in whatever you so desire." The queen them thought of something that was bothering her about all of this. "If I may be so bold Sir Warren I wanted to ask your king but I decided it would be best to hear it from you, why would he gift his strongest and most loyal knight to another kingdom?"By this time Cassandra and the others observed this exchange and were busy studying this new strange man trying to figure him out. The corresponding answer was surprisingly bitter. "There was an....altercation between myself and the king." The knight responded slowly. "Would you feel comfortable telling us?" The Queen wondered. Her tail was languishing on the armrest of the throne."I....would rather not but if that is your wish I will tell you." He answered reluctantly and with a small almost imperceivable frown besmirching his otherwise handsome face."You don't have to." Queen Galadria said when she noticed his internal suffering."If that is so then perhaps I will tell you another time." Warren replied and his frown morphed into a grateful smile.Galadria couldn't help but notice he was much more pleasant looking with a smile. "Alright then Sir Warren I can tell it's bothering you so feel free to explain when you are more comfortable." The queen said kindly.That's when the rough accented voice of Lunaria decided to make its confrontational appearance. "Tell me Sir Knight why do you wish to keep this hidden from us."The others looked at the rude wolf with a series of frowns expecting that her straightforwardness would make the man upset, but were surprised by his answer."I'm sorry milady but it is...rather personal and I don't think king Leonid would appreciate me divulging the reason." Sir Warren apologized with a bow.That's when the queen cut in stopping her from going any farther "be that as it may would you like to see your new quarters here in the castle?" She asked him."Yes my queen I would like to rest for a little while and put away my few personal affects.""Excellent" Galadria turned to her skunkette friend, "Lady Cassandra can show you to your room." The Skunk women looked startled at hearing her name but was quick to recover. Everyone noticed that the small form of Mathias was sleeping in her lap."Of course right this way." She said as she got up slowly holding the little canine gently and led the knight out of the room.As soon as the side door closed behind them the queen turned to Lunaria who began to look uncomfortable. "What's your problem Luni why did you have to try to antagonize him?" The Wolfess squirmed under the harsh stare of her queen and tried to come up with a response. "Are you not as curious as I am in why he won't explain?""Yes but is it any reason to be rude to him?" Galadria countered.Lunaria then looked down submissively "no my queen.""Precisely! Now I want a change of attitude from you when I ask him to go on our daily stroll through the city this afternoon." The queen ordered.
While Galadria was dressing down Lunaria Cassandra and Sir Warren were walking down the long castle corridors. Sir Warren was standing behind her and could feel the awkward silence permeating the air around them. Perhaps feeling it as well the skunk women slowed her pace so that they walked side by side and began to talk. "So Sir Warren how do you like this land of ours?""It is a fine place milady this city is even more beautiful then any I have seen in Tyriel." He replied."Oh no need to use my lady." She said looking at him with her warm green eyes and a roguish grin forming on her muzzle "you can just call me Cassandra.""As you wish Cassandra." He said returning her grin with a small one of his own. "Much better!" She giggled with her long puffy striped tail lazily floating around behind her. "So..." She said continuing their previous conversation "this city is the most interesting you've seen?""Without a doubt although I will miss my old home of Tristram." He said with a wistful sigh."Oh I'm sure you can go back to visit time to time." She said happily until she noticed that after she said that his expression flashed from enraged to melancholic. "I'm sorry did I say something wrong?" She asked nervously.Looking at her and seeing her state of discomfort he shook off his feeling of resentment and put on a fake smile. "Oh no Cassandra it's not your fault it's just that I can't go back." He then looked depressed "ever again"She looked at the man and saw through his fake smile with the ease of a women trained in the arts of courtly manner. Where fake emotions were the bread and butter of any conversation between high stationed individuals. And when he looked was she couldn't help but ask "why can't you go back?""Maybe I'll tell you some other time." He said deflecting her question. She was going to press further when the bundle of fur in her arms began to fidget and grumble "you can let me down now." Seeing that her charge was awake she stopped walking and lowered him down until he stood up on his own. "See" he said with a floppy grin."I see" she said duplicating his goofy grin. They were both surprised to hear the knight laugh and it made them look over."You two are quite the pair." He said when he had stopped laughing."Why you never played with your family?" She asked in a playfully mocking way while ruffling the fuzzy cheeks of the little wolf cub.His grin died on his face. "No" he said quietly.Not noticing his change in tone and the distraught look in his eyes or the pleading look to stop in the pups she unwittingly hammered the last nail into the coffin. "What, they never had time to play with you, that's bad parenting if you ask me." She said not paying attention to the pained look on his face or the pups mortified expression. "In any case your room is just up ahead." She lead him to his door with Mathias following behind and reached the big wooden door. "Here's your room Warren." She said to the now withdrawn knight."Thank you Cassandra" he said quietly and briskly before hurriedly opening the door and walking inside and closing it abruptly in the confused Skunkette's muzzle."What happened?" She said to herself not expecting an answer. She actually got one from the little cub beside her. "That wasn't very nice.""What wasn't?" She said looking to the small kid."Joking about his family like that." He clarified. "Why?"The pup looked down and sketched little circles in the stone floor with a claw from his left hindpaw. "He told me not to tell anyone." The pup said softly.Intrigued she pursed the topic further "you can tell me right?""He said no one."Now she was upset "tell me right now!" She ordered. "Okay okay!" He muttered "but you can't tell anyone!" The pup begged."Alright I won't tell anyone." She placated the cub."Okay..." He said slowly with a reluctant sigh "...he told me his entire family was killed when he was three, but you can't tell him I told you or he might get upset!" The pup quickly added.By that point she stopped listening to the pup and reran the conversation in her mind before remembering what she said. Horrified that she had said what she did she was about to nock on his door and beg forgiveness when the pup bared her way. "Please don't let him know I told you I promised I wouldn't tell anyone!" The little pup implored her nearly bursting into tears.Not wanting to upset the fragile pup she said "alright little one I won't.""Thank you thank you thank you!" He said repeatedly and hugged her not aware that she was going to just talk to him in private later. Changing the subject she reminded the pup about something he wanted. "So..." She said slyly "how about we get some cookies huh?"The quick mood swings of the pup allowed him to swiftly change his focus and with an exclamation of "yay cookies!" Grabbed Cassandra's paw and herded her to the castles kitchens. The entire time she was being tugged she couldn't stop replaying the events in her head over and over and desperately wishing she had kept her muzzle shut.
Warren briskly closed the door and numbly walked towards the portion of the room dedicated to sleeping. He expeditiously removed his weapons, shield, armor, and chain undersuit and stood in his soft cloth shirt and pants and sat on the bed. He looked into the rooms wall morrow and stared into his own haunted blue eyes. He knew what was going to happen next. Whenever someone talked about his family he would begin to have debilitating flashbacks. When his Vision began to flicker he knew it was starting.The castle staff could hear strange noises near the west wing where the human was staying. The sharpest ears could swear they heard screaming.