Nik paused when the doors fell shut behind him. “Maxwell.” He addressed his Butler in an unusual, reserved voice. “Have you ever noticed how cold your hands are when nobody holds them?” He didn’t receive a reply but Maxwell was facing him now with a curious expression. Nik hadn’t expected to get an answer. “I wonder,” he continued hesitantly, his eye fixed on his flexing fingers. “Would I have noticed a difference if I hadn’t felt his warmth?” “Sir Bennet.” A man strutted down the entrance hall. Nik’s mood dropped rapidly at his sight but he stopped himself from growling at the knight. Sir Alexander was taller than Maxwell which made talking to him even worse. He was always looking down on Nik with a condescending smirk. “Still a small kid, I see.” “Sir Alexander.” Nik replied with a fake smile on his lips. “Still a-“ “Pleasure to welcome you to our humble home, Sir.” Maxwell quickly interrupted Nik which was probably for the best but aggravated him still. Sir Alexander was the last person who deserved their kindness.
He had never treated Nik with respect, not even once just because he got his title after his parents’ death. “Why reward him for losing both his parents? That seems rather careless of him, do we really want to trust this unfortunate child with the heavy burden of our sacred mission?” In the Order each family chooses one of their own as a representative. They get the right to discuss important matters and lead missions. They also inherit the sacred family sword that is passed down by generations. Nik’s mother had been the representative of the Bennet family before her death. She had been equally respected and feared by the other knights.
Lisha Bennet had been a smart woman. She’d been a perfect knight and came up with the most successful strategies for missions. It was her idea that led them to the leader of the Contrarious Order. That however had been the mission that changed her reputation. The Order was shocked when they found out about the amount of fallen knights. Even though most missions were dangerous it was rare that knights didn’t return. Losing a dozen knights in one ambush was a tragedy. And tragedies need those responsible for them. They needed a scapegoat, and they chose her. It was Sir Alexander who first blamed Lisha for the casualties. It didn’t take the rest of the Order long to agree with him and make it official. Up to this day, Lisha Bennet was listed as the single person responsible for the loss of thirteen knights in the ambush four years ago.
When Nik found out what they were saying about his mother he took his sword and crashed an official meeting. Sir Alexander was less than amused to see him. “Who let this kid in?” He had scoffed but Nik had been beyond caring. None of the knights could look at the son of Lisha Bennet, the woman they all blamed for an accident. Nik recognized every single one of their faces and he would never forget the guilt he saw in their eyes. Nik wasn’t going to let the knights make him miserable and destroy their family reputation. He may have been only fifteen at that time but he had inherited his mother’s wits and his father’s persuasive lips. “Good evening.” He had given them a practised smile and bow. “As you are all aware, the Bennet family has recently lost its representative. Since I am the only living member left, I declare myself, by law not by choice, the new representative. My parents taught me everything I need to know, however, I would appreciate it if you took good care of me during the official meetings as I haven’t had the pleasure to attend one just yet. You have my deepest gratitude.”
The other knights had stayed silent but Sir Alexander had gotten up and scowled. He had begged everyone to ban Nik from the meetings because he was too young to attend. When the Order was established they laid down certain laws and rules about representatives and meetings. Pity for Sir Alexander that there was not a single one fitting his perspective. “Dura lex sed lex.” – The law is hard but it is the law. Sir Alexander had to give up but ever since that day he tried to make Nik’s life as miserable as possible. Just like now. It was never a good sign when Sir Alexander decided to pay Nik a visit at his mansion as much as it was never welcomed.
“I see, you still have not established order in this house, considering how you let your Butler interrupt you.” Nik clenched his fists and for a second wondered how much trouble he would get in if he swung them at Sir Alexander’s face. Maxwell gave the knight a polite smile. “My apologies for coming across as disobedient. I was simply interrupting Mr. Bennet to keep him from calling you a…” He paused and turned towards Nik. “What was it you were trying to say Sir?” Nik’s lips curled up into a playful smirk. Then he furrowed his brows and pretended to think very hard. “I’m not sure, hm. I think I was going to call him a pestiferous goat and kindly tell Sir Alexander to go to the ravens so they can rip his guts out with their beaks.” These insults sound better in ancient Greek but Nik doubted that Sir Alexander was educated enough to understand them. Maxwell realised that it had been a bad idea to let Nik talk but he couldn’t take it back now. He gave him a quick nod and turned towards Sir Alexander again, who glared at Nik with furious eyes.
“If you prefer to be welcomed by Mr. Bennet next time I will-“ “Shut your damn mouth, Butler.” Sir Alexander spat out and grabbed Maxwell by his collar. Nik reacted immediately and almost drew his sword but Maxwell gave him a sign to stand down. “Neither you nor this kid have the right to talk to me like that. I’m your superior.” “Knights are equal.” Nik hissed back at him when suddenly the doors opened and Taliesin walked in. He seemed a little distressed but it was nothing Nik could focus on with Sir Alexander in front of him. “Nik?” Taliesin froze when he saw the situation he’d walked in on. He stared at them in shock. “Wrong time, Taliesin. Wait outside.” “Is he..?” The boy pointed at Sir Alexander with a shaking finger but Nik shook his head. “No. Now go back into the garden.” “But Nik you-“ “Taliesin.” He snapped and glared at the boy in the entrance hall. “Do what you’re told and get out!” Taliesin flinched at Nik’s sharp words and slammed the doors when he returned to the garden. Nik’s heart ached in his chest. He hadn’t meant to snap at him again. Only Sir Alexander deserved his fury, not Taliesin. Certainly not the descendant.
“A friend of yours?” Sir Alexander asked, an amused smile gracing his lips. Maxwell would most likely lecture Nik about how rude he’d acted and how unacceptable that was but he currently couldn’t give it many thoughts. Not until Sir Alexander had left at least. “What do you want from me?” Sir Alexander’s grin vanished. They’ve finally reached the important part of the conversation.
“I’ve received your reports and noticed an increase in demonic activity in your region.” “So? I killed them, didn’t I?” He scoffed and let go of Maxwell. “Oh, indeed you have. Congratulations. Do you want a parade for fulfilling your duty?” Nik flared his nostrils and considered killing Sir Alexander once again. “We were wondering what could have caused this increase.” He furrowed his brows and if it weren’t for Maxwell’s hand on his shoulder he would have snapped. “How dare you accuse me of-“ “Please.” Sir Alexander interrupted him with a snarl. “Nobody thinks you’re summoning demons or luring them in. We rather believe that we’ve caught a lead on the descendant.” Fear froze Nik’s body and even Maxwell next to him stiffened. His heart beat faster than earlier, almost as fast as when he’d held Taliesin’s hand but this time he was terrified. “A lead?” He asked with uncertainty. “On the descendant? We’re not supposed to meddle with their lives.” “And where did that get us, Nikandros?” It was the first time Sir Alexander addressed him by his first name. “With the Contrarius Order gone the descendant has nothing to fear. We can work together.” “And use their power for your own sake?” Maxwell suggested and Nik watched in horror how Sir Alexander’s lips curled up into a cruel grin.
“Men strive for power.” He explained in such a complacent way that Nik got nauseous. “The gods gave us the power we need. It’s time we claim it.”
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