"Your Highness. I, Mordrèd, Knight of Light, Eques Lux, submits to the Princess of Atleana."
The Princess narrowed her eyes a bit and tried to step away from her Knight cautiously only to be forced into his protection once again. Her eyes showed her surprise as she looked up at her Knight, while the Knight narrowed his eyes in suspicion, for no one knew the identity of the little Princess other than himself and the Nether Realm who constantly tried to harm her. The person in front of him may be a knight but so were those who fought against the Kingdom all those years ago. The distrust in his eyes were evident and was surprisingly reflected in the eyes of this new 'knight' as he claimed to be.
"State your business here?", the young Knight commanded. Mordrèd furrowed his eyes in confusion as he raised his head to see the stance of the soldier. From what he had heard and felt this soldier was not his Frater. He could never be. Taking him for an enemy he swiftly picked up his sword and slashed it through the midnight air towards the soldier only to hear the clash of blades. His eyes widened at the strength of his enemy while the young Knight's face grew serious. He had taken an oath to never let harm find its way to the little Lady. To be her shield and he would die before this shield even had a single fracture. As the next clang was heard the Princess found herself holding onto her Knight from the behind. Moving with his every step like a practiced dance. The Knight kept defending whether the attack came from high or low. He never side-stepped or let his feet leave the ground in fear of the person behind him. He knew that one fault, one hesitation could lead to drastic results. Soon the Princess tried of this deadly dance. She felt in her heart that the Eques Lux was one of her knights. What she couldn't comprehend was the absence of bond between her Knight and Eques Lux. All her knights were supposed to have the bond to recognise each other irrespective of ever being met before or not.
The Princess was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a grunt from her Knight. Her eyes widened as the next attack was sought by her young Knight. The night sky rang once again with the flashes of swords. The princess who watched in fear for her companion had had enough of the fight. The sun was about to rise and it would be dangerous if her knights couldn't get along. So she took matters into her own hands and stepped in between the swords. The projectile of the Knight of Light was too swift to be dodged or parried. Noticing the change in format and situation the young Knight used the night breeze to drift towards the little Lady and held her as his glaive thwarted the attack. Mordrèd' eyes widened as he realised what could have happened. With a panting breath he took a step back, lowering his sword, ashamed. For he could have harmed the one person he had sworn to protect.
"I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness.", Mordrèd said.
"Young Knight. Please do not ask forgiveness. For it is your duty to protect. Let me introduce you to my friend and companion. This is the Knight of Darkness.", she said as she looked at her childhood friend and guide. She sent a small glare at her Knight who she knew was looking at her with his eye brow raised. He did have the habit to do so when she did something he least expected like giving up names to unknown people for that matter. He really needed to talk to the Princess to not be so trusting. But what was more amusing was the next scene.
With a pale face Mordrèd took a step back. For everyone had heard of the monster lying dormant within the young Knight. Tales of an untamed darkness lurked within the young lad. What surprised him even more was the curt bow the Knight gave him. Mordrèd returned the bow warily. Eyes not leaving the other, the young Knight came to the realisation that the Mordrèd would be part of the long-forgotten prophecy. A sad smile graced his lips. He knew that no one could see his expression but he wished he had some sort of guidance at the moment. The knights of the prophecy were said to be fierce with each having their own skill set and powers. He knew that Eques Lux would shine in the end just like the knight's name. He would help overpower the darkness in the Princess' life. With dimmed eyes, the young Knight realised that without the trust and silence of these knights his future would change. But at the very moment all he could do is follow his Princess.
"Eques Noctis"
Snapping out of his thoughts the young Knight looked at the Princess. "Is something wrong?", she asked innocently as Eques Lux yet looked at him verily.
"Apologies Princess. Just lost in thought"
"Well, it's not exactly a place to lose one's mind, right?", she giggled
The young Knight let out a chuckle and shook his head.
"You're learning quite quickly Princess.", the young Knight said.
"Well, I learnt from the best.", the little Princess retorted giggling while skipping over to her Knight.
The interaction surprised Mordrèd as his eyes went wide. He had never thought that the Eques Noctis would ever let out such a casual chuckle. He had always viewed this Frater as a strict, empowered and controlling person. But that was a view developed as a result of rumours. Maybe that's what they were, rumours. Or was the Knight different to people outside his circle of protection? He would only find out once they journeyed together. For this journey was a long one but one that none of the knights would stray or run from.
At the same time the calming and sweet but small altercation made both the young Knight and the Princess forget the rise of the sun. The moment did not last long but long enough for panic to strike, for they had not discussed the Princess' safety for the dawn. Discerning the situation Mordrèd gently pulled the Princess by her wrist towards him while silently promising the Knight of her safety through his eyes.
Not knowing how to react, the young Knight decided to put his trust into the Eques Lux. If the Princess trusted her knight so, would he. That was his duty too. To always protect the Princess and trust her instincts. She had been taught by him as well as his aide from her childhood how to discern people' intentions. He knew that the first step to the reclaiming of her Kingdom lay in the trust amongst her knights. So, he took his first step to her future and his ruin. He smiled a small smile, slightly nodded and closed his eyes. The last moment he had in Atleana was of the Princess soft gasp as he knew she realised he was sad but he could not comfort her pain for the next moment he opened his eyes the young Knight was back in the old attic he called home. Away from his Princess. Back in Wisconsin.