Piper

Piper knew something big would happen that day as she stood behind Glinrin in front of the temple of Trinopolis, but her assumptions were still far off the mark. She had completely failed in predicting how 'big' that event actually would be.

Glinrin's mood revealed this to her.

A week had passed since they entered Trinopolis. The first day was spent mostly in talks, diplomatic or otherwise. Glinrin summoned his contacts and made preparations in the city, commanded city guard and so forth. They settled in the Town Centre, and Glinrin took control of it. He could officially do so, not that anyone could contest him even if he couldn't. After the harsh travel, the lavish treatment they received seemed like a luxury (At least, it seemed lavish to Piper, not that her definition of lavish extended beyond a good clean room and a soft pillow). Her work was considerably increased, she had to run odd errands through the city. Piper didn't once complain, who would miss a chance to walk the roads of Trinopolis after all? Even if it was just running along for odd jobs.

If Piper was to be honest to herself, the city hadn't met her expectations. After all the tales she had heard, the place seemed to have developed an almost fantastical and magical significance in her mind. Visiting the city was a push into stark reality as she realised the magical city she wanted to visit as a child was already lost in the recesses of time and those lost places were where the tales, she had so firmly believed in, had come from. The only consolation was the fact that such a grand city had once existed, the faded husk she now saw stood as lasting proof. Somewhere in her mind, the hope lingered that all the decay Trinopolis had faced, would eventually fade and the city would be reborn to match it's past glory.

The second day Glinrin declared the traitors who shelters the Order of The White Capes would be executed openly. He put on a huge show with his armoured knights and patrols in the city, reinstating some new rules and so forth. The revelation caused a ripple in the town and Glinrin seemed to be pleased with that. All the gears he had set in motion had led to this point. By the end of forth day, Glinrin realised the spark was brighter than the flame. All the din and as the King put it, 'noise' he created was fading, no one came forth. None of his secret sources conjured anything. And it wasn't that Glinrin hadn't created enough noise. If Piper was sure of anything, it was that the General had heavy effect on the minds of the people. If nothing came forth, reason told her maybe there was nothing that could come forth.

But Glinrin could not let such a doubt influence his mind, that Piper knew for on the sixth day, and after seventh cup of wine, she overheard him say, "This isn't like me, son. I am not an actor or a conjurer of cheap tricks. I am here to fight for the sake of the Empire. This doesn't suit me, all this creating noise horseshit. Let me tell you something, this Order we speak of has got the guts, if they kill Rhugh with a twenty membered force. However much I respected Rhugh for his loyalty, I admit their bravery. And that Roderick was right, have to give him that. He did say it will not be easy fishing them out he had told me. He was goddamn right.

"I have set on this path, but I don't see where this is going. I cannot see the destination at all! If I go to war I see we can either win or lose. But this is far beyond that, I don't know what I have crossed, I don't know what next I will cross." After he gulped down the eighth glass he had continued, "Tomorrow I will strike my last match, at least then I will know I have no matches left."

And that was when Piper knew something big was going to happen in Trinopolis, that day.

Glinrin stood with a majority of his platoon behind him, lining up the street. Many were armoured knights, but Glinrin himself wore no helm, gauntlet ams vambraces. Directly in front of them lay the temple of Trinopolis, one of the most beautiful structures in the whole of the city, with its perfect arches and statues of Greenlits at it's entrance. A bluish glow engulfed the temple, as a gift from the rich marble it was carved in. The High Priest had come out to see what the commotion was about. The only thing that separated them was a water street. It was one of the largest branches of the river Sirgon, so the bridge connecting the entrance of the temple to the opposite was a wide one.

"O people of Trinopolis," started Glinrin, his deep voice booming throughout. Piper already knew he would blabber on for some time for people to gather and then when enough had gathered, he would make whatever revelation he wanted to make. She used the time to scan the horizon on the left. The branch opened up as a dock and merged into the sea. She could see the white sails of merchant ships from here.

Glinrin continued, "I stand here before you as a servant of the Empire. I stand here to protect you from anyone that may threaten you, from within the Empire or from outside it. And let me warn you, one threat looms over you. The Order that claims to work under the command of God threatens to harm your minds. Their plan simple, to make innocent people such as yourselves play along in their schemes, under the holy name of God..." Piper saw some of the soldiers crossed the bridge and surrounded the temple, blocking the path of entry there. People had started gathering. She noticed how even though he was no orator, his style of speech and tone of voice showed his strength. But the whole event was almost theatrical for her, soldiers following his exact speech cues, only more realistic.

In fact, that was exactly what this is.

"I say they disrespect God himself by falsely using their name. They disrespect and use you, by making such tales.

"This can no longer go on. I can not let this threat reach you, the kind people of the Empire," he spread his arms as if embracing them.

"Who ever shall lend any information about these false idols, shall be greatly rewarded. If no one is forth coming steps shall be taken."

The simple threat had an effect. The murmuring of the masses increased in volume as Glinrin's speech came to a halt.

The High Priest was the first to break the passive murmurs, "General, the White God exists. You must not speak of his believers in such a tone." Piper noticed the old man had two front teeth missing, but his voice was strong. Moreover, she expected him to speak. The man had much fame around these parts, and he was a firm believer of The White God. It was thanks to his efforts that the largest statue of The White God yet constructed, stood in the newly constructed chamber of the temple of Trinopolis. A fresh ripple of whispers riddled the surroundings.

Glinrin met his gaze with an intensity Piper hadn't seen on him yet. The old Priest tried to keep up bit failed as his gaze turned away and lip gave a slight quiver.

"Are you a part of the conspiracy, Priest?" Asked Glinrin in a heavy tone that silenced the crowds. An eerie silence followed that was singular with so many townsfolk present.

The High Priest's lip quivered slightly as he said, "I am only saying that The White God exists, O General!" Glinrin's gaze still stood unfaltering at the Priest.

His head cocked to the left.

Trouble, trouble.

"You seem to be devoted to this Order. Yet you know not a thing about their location.

"That sounds suspicious Priest. That sounds more suspicious than I would like to admit."

He said loud enough for everyone to hear, "Execute the Priest and destroy the statue of The White God."

Four knights started crossing the bridge towards the temple. The Priest was visibly shaken, his lip quivering, hands shaking as he fell on his knees. Highly unlike his stature he bowed on his knees and started pleading, "Mercy General, I know nothing about this Order, I am only a priest. What will I know?"

Glinrin's expression didn't once change.

You are a sacrifice Priest. He never suspected you, he knows you are innocent. It's a trick to lure out Order, Piper mused.

"You will be executed on the morrow, High Priest," Glinrin stated a fact.

The soldiers surrounding the temple had their guard tight in case anyone was to retaliate. Piper assumed that to be a highly unlikely scenario. One of the knights started dragging the Priest, who was still on his knees towards the other side like a father reprimanding an insolent child.

Everything is an act here. Everything except death.

The old priest pleaded and cried for his life, his prior wise expression reduced to that of a vagabond who had lost all of his meagre possessions. He struggled in the knight's grip as his robes started tearing from rubbing against the stones that formed the bridge. Piper noticed along the white robe had started turning red near the knees.

Blood.

So this is death.

Suddenly, her attention was diverted by the soldier line along the temple that held the crowd back. No one protested at their town's High Priest being executed on seemingly no charge. But at that instant the line broke. A few soldiers were thrown back. The rest quickly filled the gap in the line, but the man rushed at the three knights walking behind the High Priest.

In movements too swift for Piper to follow, the two knights were down on the ground. To Piper's astonishment, only one of them got a chance to draw out his weapon, and that to no avail. His hand was twisted as his sword fell in the river, followed by a kick up his visor that led his frame to collide with the stone fence along the bridge. By that time, the High Priest had completed his reluctant journey across the bridge.

The man stood in the middle of the bridge in simple faded travellers clothes. His hair was jet black, and eyes, Piper didn't know what she saw in those. Piper couldn't know what was hidden behind those.

And that little fact itself scared her more than Glinrin ever could or for that matter even the thought of imprisonment.

The man spoke, "I cannot allow you, whoever you are, to threaten the followers of The White God." The voice wasn't high nor was it low, but that simple statement sent a chill down Piper's spine. The incomprehensible expression in his eye had intensified. Compared to this, Figrid had expressions as easy to read as that of a child. Glinrin stared at the man as he had at the Priest before him. And she thought she saw a little spark in his eyes, the spark that had not once appeared in her short span of being his squire.

One of Glinrin's knights came forward, "My Lord, give me the chance to bring this traitor to justice." He said unleashing his sword.

You will die before you can swing once. Are they blind? Did they not see what that man did to three fully armoured alchemists bare handed?

Glinrin was blunt, "You won't be able to, Clin."

The man tried to open his mouth in protest but refrained taking a step back.

"Warrior, may I know your name?" Inquired Glinrin.

"I don't have one," the man replied as if it was a fact. Piper saw the faint glint in Glinrin's eyes become stronger as he warrior unleashed his sword. It was a very plain blade, no markings whatsoever. But it had elegance.

"Shatrughat, the legendary Eastern blade. It is my honor to meet the wielder. So here is my proposition nameless warrior." Piper already knew what it was.

As strong as this person might be I don't think he can defeat the General. He is a monster in human skin.

"I challenge you to single combat O wielder of Shatrughat. You can take your weapon of choice, an armour will be provided if you so desire. This bridge will be the arena and the one to step out first or die will be declared defeated. If you can defeat me, we will leave the Priest unharmed and statue intact."

The man replied, "I accept."