Chapter Text
Michael Robinavitch had been a knight for as long as he could remember.
There had never been a time where he hadn’t lived in Adelphos— a kingdom in the far east of the continent. Its castle sat atop of a large hill, walls and windows overlooking the vast sea behind them as it towered above the village that lay in the valley below. He had lived in each neighborhood, walked every street for as long as he could remember, and even after all that time, his biggest obstacle was waiting in the office down the hall of the castle corridor.
“Hurry up— We can’t be late for this meeting otherwise Gloria will have our heads out in townsquare.” He said unenthusiastically making his way through each hall, practically walking to his demise.
Jack all but rolls his eyes, grumbling as he hurrys to catch up to his friend. “Gloria. Even saying her name brings a sour taste to my mouth.”
Robby nearly laughed at his exhaustion so early in the morning, he was safe to assume the other man had stayed up all night patrolling again. Whenever he did, he was always grumpy like this the next day. “It’ll be fine, Jack. We just need to get through this meeting with her and then you and I will have nothing else to worry about.”
“You sound weirdly optimistic. What brought this on?” Jack nearly stopped walking before Robby gently elbowed him to keep moving.
He felt a small smile creep on his face, knowing something his friend did not.
“Oh, nothing. Just a little bit of intel from Dana.”
“The barkeeper? Really?” Jack nearly frowned, unimpressed at his friend's company.
Jack stopped going out for drinks a long time ago, choosing to stay in his room or stalk the halls of the castle alone rather than seek company— outside of Robby, of course. Robby understood the feeling all too well, however the promise of Dana’s secrets was too tempting to bear.
Besides, they’d been friends for years, and there was something calming about going out for drinks at her place.
At least, as calm as something in Robby’s life could be.
“If you came out for drinks with us more often, you would know that she has great connections within the kingdom we couldn’t even comprehend.” Robby explained with a hint of amusement in his words. “Did you know that Gloria’s son was appointed to work as a blacksmith without any apprenticeship? He was just given a shop last week and got straight to work. I pray for the other poor soldiers getting their weapons sharpened there. Next thing we know, he’ll be appointed the next king’s personal knight.”
Jack scoffs. “She wishes. I’d rather retire than let him jump ahead of everyone else like that. They still haven’t made Shen or Ellis knight’s yet, it would be complete anarchy if she attempted to pull strings like that. Again.”
Robby’s small smile disappears as they approach the closed office doors. “Yes, but let’s keep that all under wraps for now, I’m sure she has enough information to grill in our heads this morning. We’ll keep as ammunition if she tries to ambush us with something again.”
Jack nods, knocking on the door before they hear the woman's voice on the other side of the door beckoning them to enter.
Gloria has a familiar fake smile plastered on her face as she nods at both men, motioning them to sit at the chairs in front of the large oak desk. They remain standing.
“Knight Abbott, Knight Robinavich. I’m glad to see you both could make it, I know how busy you’ve been.”
What an understatement, Robby thought to himself.
Her voice is always formal, and her words cut straight to the point after seeing the unimpressed look on the men's faces. She clears her throat. “We all know how hard King Adamson’s death was on the two of you, I understand you were all very close… however, we have run out of the grace period after his passing— as you know, he had no next of kin and we’ve been unable to track down any other families from his lineage.”
Robby fights off a sigh— “That’s because he has none, which you would know if you remembered our conversation a few weeks ago, Gloria.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he watches as Jack scratches his stubble, covering his mouth with his hand to hide the brief smirk he couldn’t fight off. She hadn’t noticed.
“We still had to try, I’m sure you understand the protocols, Robinavitch.” She reprimands.
Every conversation was like this— this fight between them. He wishes he knew why Adamson had ever hired her, she was a terrible influence to the kingdom and in all the years they’ve worked together, they’ve never gotten along.
This was barely the tip of the iceberg.
“I know them very well. He made sure I was very familiar with them during my time working alongside him.” Robby clipped back, frustrating beginning to grow the longer the conversation went on for.
Jack crossed his arms beside him, jaw tense.
“Then you know that this kingdom needs a leader.” Gloria pauses for a moment. “I have asked one of the neighboring kingdoms we are allied with to see if anyone would be willing to fill the spot temporarily.”
Jack let out a short, dry laugh. “That’s bullshit.”
“Knight Abbott, I beg your pardon?” She sounded slightly aghast at his outburst, but it was short lived before he interrupted again.
“I said, that's bullshit Gloria and you know it. We need to find someone, hopefully from our kingdom, that can be appointed as the new king– or queen— with a democratic vote. It's unlawful for you to go through with this without anyone else's input.”
Robby looked between the two of them, sensing the anger rising from Jack and the annoyance Gloria failed to hide in her expression. He knew it would add fuel to the fire, but that thought left his mind as quickly as it surfaced. “I second that.”
Gloria stands, grabbing one of the rolls of paper off the desk and walking towards the knights, not backing down. “I hope it’s clear I did not tell this to you out of consideration for your opinions, but rather to prepare you and your staff to welcome the interim royalty with open arms. This is not a debate, it's an order and you will follow through with it.”
Jack’s mouth stayed shut, furrowed into a frown, glancing towards Robby as he tried to hold back any more arguments. He made no move to take what Gloria was trying to give them.
This time, it's Robby who starts speaking.
“When do they arrive?”
He reached out, hesitant to take the scroll out of her hands, not even bothering to open it. It must have been some kind of agreement for the other kingdom involved— with his line of work, it usually was. He should have seen this move coming, but a part of him wanted to put off finding a new leader entirely.
No one could replace Adamson. There wasn’t a single person in this kingdom, or continent, or world that could take his place as king.
But Gloria seemed to disagree.
“When we corresponded with their kingdom it was made aware that they are quite busy in preparation of a festival, so I have tasked the two of you with the job of retrieving them and returning safely in a timely fashion.” She explained, making her way back around the desk to sit down, ignorant to the dejected look on the knight's faces.
Both men turn to look between each other. “Just the two of us?”
“How can you be certain we’ll even come back now that you’re switching the rules around?” Jack snarks.
Gloria is pointedly ignoring him, only glancing at Robby as she speaks. “We are trying to keep the kingdom in working order while this change is being implemented, so we need all hands on deck. I trust the two of you rather than a larger group of soldiers, and I know you two can retrieve them quickly and quietly until we are ready to announce it. Is that understood?”
Jack looks at Robby as the taller man nods with disdain, glancing down at the paper in hand as he fights off another heavy sigh.
“Yes ma’am.”
- - - - - -
The first few steps away from the door are quiet.
Neither men speak until they round the corner at the end of the hall, far enough away from Gloria’s earshot. Robby knew Jack would be the first to speak up out of the two of them.
“I can’t believe this. We have to go spend God knows how many days going out to get them? How long will they even take over for? A few weeks at most? This is ridiculous— it's a complete waste of time.”
Robby nods, irritation evident now that they were far enough away from the room. “I agree, however it's still our duty to follow through with the orders, as much of a pain as it is. Shall we head out in the morning?”
He glances at Jack, who is finally calming down as they leave one of the side doors and ascend down the countless flights of stairs, catching a drift of cool wind as they pass by one of the large windows. The fresh air helps them both.
“Yes, I do want a drink though. I take back what I said about Dana, if she can ease all my pain with a few beers then I am more than happy to believe she’s this omnipotent being like you say she is.”
That gets a full bodied laugh out of Robby at the thought of it.
“Careful, Jack, by the time we get down there I’m sure she would’ve heard you say that. This castle has eyes and ears everywhere, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
That pulls a smile out of his friend at last as they reach the stone brick path of the town, heading straight left towards the tavern despite it still being early morning. Dana was almost always open.
- - - - - -
The tavern was a staple in Adelphos, even before Dana and her family moved in and took it over.
It wasn’t crowded or busy, just loud with a few patrons drinking to pass the time, still too early in the day for reckless drunks or sweaty young adults starting betting pools.
Or at least, normally it would be too early for that.
“Robby! Just in time— I have an angry young man sitting in the last booth who’s been giving me and everyone else a headache for the last twenty minutes. He won’t pay his tab and Adam’s not here to tell him off.” Dana explains, towel thrown over her shoulder as she leans against the counter, looking expectantly.
Robby shook his head with a smile. “What happened to cutting people off when they drink too much? It’s barely noon, I thought you’d know better.”
“What? He flashed a lotta gold at me, money is money. Hurry though, he’s seriously getting on my nerves.” Dana pointed, shushing him in that direction before she went back to cleaning glasses.
As Robby goes to kick the disruptive patron out, Jack slumps into the barstool in front of Dana, not even bothering with a hello.
“Been a long time since I’ve seen you, Jack. Something must have happened.” She teased, grabbing two new cups and pouring him a beer before he even had to ask.
“Oh, according to Robby I’m sure you’ve already heard. You’re the biggest gossip in Adelphos, after all.” He says in a patriotizing tone Dana chooses to ignore.
“I wouldn’t say that— But, I did hear from someone who works nearby Gloria. At least, parts of it. New royalty?”
Jack groaned, head hitting the table with a soft thunk. “Fuck, don’t remind me.”
Dana nearly laughs. “Well, you’re full of sunshine today, it's good to see you again too.”
Robby came back, a grimace on his face as the drunken man had walked out of the tavern doors and had yet to come back. “Job’s done. Where’s my payment?”
“One cold beer for you, and another for the least happy knight in all of the kingdom. Seriously guys, cheer up, this will be less work for the both of you. Besides, maybe a pay upgrade if you really kiss ass.” Dana suggested as if money could fix all their problems.
Robby wished it was that simple.
“Easy for you to say, we have to go on a fucking search and rescuse mission.” Jack groaned, tipping his drink back and downing nearly all of it in one go as Dana gave Robby a concerned look, only for the man to shake his head.
She switched topics.
“I heard that old church a few buildings away is becoming a clinic. Someone new came into town and bought it after the old priest died and Perlah came in to tell me all about it, I think she might get some work there soon.” Dana sounded impressed.
Perlah was one of the best nurses they’d had in years. Adamson had made it a point to bring people in from other kingdoms or neighboring towns to take care of everyone in Adelphos equally— which was a rare act for a king of his tenure to do. It was costly, but things like that never bothered the man.
Robby swallowed the lump in his throat with a large swig of beer before attempting to keep the conversation going as to distract his mind from wandering.
“She’s not doing home visits anymore?”
Dana shrugged— “Suppose not, she says the new owner is nice, a bit young for being a doctor though. Let’s hope she knows what she’s doing.”
“I’m sure we’ll be seeing her lots. Gloria has been firing an awful lot of people since the incident, I’m not sure if there’s even a doctor residing in the castle quarters anymore.” Robby scowled slightly.
Everyone knew what he was referring to when he said that, and a frown found its way to Dana’s face. “Maybe we shouldn’t refer to Adamson that way.”
Robby gave a halfhearted shrug avoiding Jack and Dana’s stare he felt as he stared down at the glass in his hands. “Well, we all know what happened, so I think I can call it whatever I please. Besides, it's true— Ellis told me Gloria hasn’t had her work a night watch since last week, and Shen’s been saying the same. I’m not even sure how guarded the castle is now at night with them not being there as much.”
Dana, as always, seemed to know what to say to snap Robby out of it. She let out a small sigh, refilling his beer without him needing to ask and returning it swiftly. Her voice was determined, as if what would happen was written in stone. He was grateful for that certainty she held.
“Let’s hope for everyone's sake that changes when you both return— safely, might I add. When are you heading out?”
Jack speaks up from his slouched position at the table. “Tomorrow morning.”
“Jesus, and you’re drinking that much? You should be at home packing.” Dana scolded, nearly making the move to snatch up Jack’s glass from him, but he was quicker to tip it back and finish it off before she could succeed. She let out a disappointed sigh instead.
The other man smiled. “I’ll be fine by morning, it’s a long journey anyway, if I’m lucky and our driver is Ahmad I can sleep in the carriage while Robby watches my horse.”
“I never said I’d do that.”
“A man can dream.”
- - - - - -
After another few drinks split between Robby and Jack, they bid Dana a farewell before heading back to the knight’s quarters across town— Jack even tipped Dana a hefty amount, likely due to his sour attitude when they first arrived. Robby chose to think of it as an apology, despite its lack of effort, he couldn’t stay mad at Jack.
The situation was frustrating, and even as they had a long list of things to do before they left early tomorrow morning, he wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep.
But he had responsibilities.
The walk back was peaceful, at least. Some kids were playing at the steps in front of the castle, drawing in chalk on the brick pathways and chasing each other around with an amount of energy Robby and Jack both envied at their old age. The trees were swaying with the wind as the sun hid behind clouds, peeking out every once and awhile as each one passed by with ease.
He had to pack a small bag, at least. Adamson always told him to make a good first impression with any other kingdom they came into contact with, and as tiring as that effort was, he would still follow his old mentor’s rules.
Robby just couldn’t believe he was gone, really.
It came up creeping every few hours— there were always reminders lingering here. Each shop, every hallway of the castle, even Jack reminded him of Adamson despite them having few similarities. It was kind of suffocating sometimes.
“Are you getting lost in your head again?”
Jack’s voice snapped him out of it as Robby realized he’d been nearly silent their entire walk back home.
“No, just thinking about tomorrow— it’s nothing. You should go pack, if we leave before dawn we’ll make better progress that way.” Robby instructed, pausing in front of Jack’s house as he watched the man refuse to move.
For a moment, he didn’t speak or leave, just looking at Robby with a blank expression before nodding slowly. “If you say so. Are we meeting at the stable tomorrow?”
Robby nodded, looking away. “Sure, bright and early.”
Jack decided to let it go, not choosing to question Robby’s shift in behavior. They both had enough to get done by the morning, and they’d be stuck together for the next four days. It gave him plenty of time to question his friend more on his detached mood. He turned towards his house, calling over his shoulder.
“I’ll let Ahmad know.”
- - - - -
Robby had barely slept the night before, but that wasn’t uncommon for him or Jack. It was before dawn when he’d grabbed his bag and only bothered to put the arm and leg plate armor on before hauling his belongings over to Ahmad’s carriage. They made brief conversation, both clearly exhausted before he made his way over to the stables.
Jack wasn’t to be found anywhere, and to Robby’s surprise, Mr Krakozhia wasn’t either.
Strange.
He figured the sound of Ahmed taking his horses and getting them hooked up to the carriage and driving off would have woken the man up, but perhaps he had gone back to sleep. It was quite unusual, but he paid no mind to it— instead he helped himself to a saddle and his favorite horse, one of the ones with a dark brown coat and black mane. She was older, but just as strong as the first time Robby rode her all those years ago.
He grabbed onto her reins, gently guiding her to the entrance of the stable when he heard it.
Thud.
Like somebody fell loud and above him at the top floor, then he heard footsteps. Quick, almost nervous. He turned, watching as a frazzled young man had made his way down the stairs and paused when he saw Robby, knight armor faintly noticeable as the kid noticeably squinted to see his face.
“Who— what are you doing here?” His voice cracked with sleep as he tried to get a grip on the situation.
Robby froze, uncertain of what to say. “I’m getting a horse?”
The boy froze like he hadn’t thought of what to say next.
“Uhm— Do you know Mr Krakozhia?” His voice uncertain, stepping another foot forward before stopping a fair distance away.
Robby just nodded. “Yes, I do. He’s a good friend of mine. You are…?”
He was certain he’d never met this man before— this boy was unfamiliar. His face was mousey, he hadn’t seen him make any face so far that wasn’t either confusion or worry, and with his obvious lack of confidence, he wasn’t sure he ever would.
“Dennis, I’m uh, looking over the stable for him while he’s gone.” He explained.
Dennis. He’d certainly never heard of him before.
Robby just sighed. “I wasn’t made aware of that.”
It grew quiet for a moment, Dennis ringing his hands in front of him nervously. “Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” He said, even though it felt disingenuous. “Did you not know we were coming?”
The kid then had a guilty expression plastered on his face that Robby could see even through the dark. “I was sleeping.”
God, he nearly wanted to laugh. All he’d wanted was to take out a horse and leave, maybe make small talk with Mr Krakozhia since it had been so long since they’d last seen each other, hopefully have Jack walk in and take a horse of his own before they could both leave in a timely fashion, and now he was stuck in this— an awkward conversation he didn’t want to be having, with his friend nowhere to be seen, and Ahmad probably already asleep at the front of the carriage.
“Well, apologies for waking you, but I better get going. We’ll be back to get another horse before we leave.” Robby nodded curtly, not bothering to wait for the other man to say anything before steering the horse out of the stable and down the street to where Ahmad was.
And Robby, as always, was right—- he did fall asleep slouched against the side of the carriage while his two horses stood there idly.
With no sign of Jack even being awake.
What a great start to his morning.
- - - - - -
By the time Jack made his way over, the sun was just barely beginning to rise, horse already taken from the stables as they wordlessly made their way to the edge of town.
Robby hid his exasperation as they began moving forward, Ahmad could sense the tension between the two men. It continued to go unspoken for the first duration of the ride, and the silence wasn’t broken until after the sun hit noon and they’d made significant progress in their journey.
They’d stopped to feed the horses and stretch their legs.
Robby was the first to break the silence. “In all the time you’ve lived here, have you ever seen Mr Krakozhia take time off?”
Jack seemed a little startled by the question, pausing for a moment of silent reflection before responding. “Why, are you worried he’s being replaced by that kid? I’m sure he wouldn’t even last a week.”
“I didn’t say that.” Robby shook his head.
“Maybe you were thinking it.” Jack shrugs, trying to take an easier approach. When Robby got quiet, he got concerned— it was never a good sign. “Sometimes people come and go. I’m sure he’ll come back eventually.”
He grew quiet again, glancing off towards the heavily wooded area they were surrounded by as he took a deep breath, grounding himself to the moment. “Its a difficult journey to make all on your own, especially with his health.”
Jack seemed to understand his underlying worry. He was glad to have a friend who, despite all odds and differences, he could rely on him in moments like these. Moments where everything felt too tight, too real, too scary. Ahmed paid no mind to them, focusing on tightening the carriage wheels that came loose and checking on the horses' food, petting them occasionally. Robby would be fine, he had to be.
Jack was there.
“Let’s just focus on getting back home first, then we’ll worry about what's next.” He reassures. “As much as I hate it— and trust me brother, I do— things are changing in the kingdom faster than we’ll be able to keep up. That kid is just one of them.”
“You’re right.” Robby conceded. Even if it was hard, he thought, choosing to leave that part out.
His friend laughed quietly. “I always am.”
- - - - - -
It was dark by the time they arrived, Ahmad complaining of the long journey and both knights were inclined to agree.
The kingdom of Pagidevménoi was far larger than Adelphos, deeper away from the coast and far more dense with streets sprawling farther than the eye could see. Robby couldn’t remember the last time he was here, if he had to guess it was shortly after he became a knight at Adamson’s side. Even at night, everything seemed to be glowing as soldiers guarded the gate outside the castle.
One of the men peaked his head over the wall, glancing at the trio for a moment before speaking up. “You’re here from Adelphos?”
“Yes, we’re supposed to be picking up a member of the royal family to escort them back to our kingdom.” Robby explained, nodding towards them.
“Ah, I see. Here, follow me.” The gate opened in front of them, slowly and loudly as its hinges creaked, the guard from earlier came down from his post and met them on the brick path. The horses carriage behind Jack and Robby as they were led further into their kingdom. This place appeared to be of high security and prestige— it threw all three men for a loop, each exchanging glances.
For a moment, Robby thought they were being escorted to the stable to rest for the night, but the royal guards seemed to have other plans as they were led to a small side door at the castle wall, the man knocked three times before speaking outloud.
“Your carriage is here, princess.”
Then, from behind the large oak door, a shorter girl with curly dark hair dawned in a bright purple hood and coat appeared, eyes wide with uncertainty, perhaps fear as she glanced at all three men.
Jack nodded towards her, awaiting an introduction. “And you are…”
“Princess Javadi, sir.” She bowed very slightly.
“No need for formalities, that's our job.” Robby slid off his horse, bowing as much as his old back would let him, despite towering over her. “Are we expecting any other members of your family or…”
The girl shook her head. “No, it’s just me. My mother and father must stay here to tend to our own kingdom.”
It didn’t matter what Robby had said negatively about her the previous days before, all assumptions or expectations he had of who they were picking up had now been thrown out the window and shunned from his mind.
This girl was young, clearly nervous and uncertain, and very— very underqualified for what Gloria had in mind. Robby was enraged at his superior, if he had to be honest with himself. It wasn’t often he grew genuinely angry, let alone at another person— frustrated, disappointed, annoyed, all yes. But anger was different—- this was one of the rare times it seemed to bubble under his skin. This was nothing but a child being taken away from her family, and for what— Gloria’s laziness? Lack of initiative? Greed?
He stored this all away, mustering the kindest smile he could, lowering his voice so everything seemed less intimidating for her. Robby nodded towards the carriage, holding out a hand to steady the girl as she stepped up. She paused to look at him as she sat down.
“I see, well. I am very glad to have you joining us. We’ll try to look after you the best we can.”