Under the Oak Tree



Chapter 71: Chapter 71

Maxi squinted down at the stark garden. The snowfall had been intermittent the past couple of days, and the frozen layer of snow that dusted the flowerbeds sparkled like diamonds. Dry tree branches shook forlornly in the wind.

She hurried past the bleak landscape alongside Ruth. Once they were beyond the gate that bordered the garden, they heard the sharp clang of swords, clopping hooves, and bellowing voices.

“It seems we will have to wait a while, my lady,” Ruth muttered, clicking his tongue as he stood at the entrance of the knights’ training grounds.

Maxi peered out from behind Ruth’s lanky frame.

The training grounds were reminiscent of a stadium. Hundreds of knights on horseback faced each other in eight long rows. They were all in full armor and each held a lance taller than the average man.

The palpable tension made Maxi hold her breath. The knight at the center raised a red flag; the others bellowed and charged forward.

Maxi screamed and covered her eyes with both hands. The clanging metal, whinnying horses, and thunderous roars went on for some time. So fierce was the fray that Maxi felt the stones trembling beneath her feet.

“More aggressive than usual today,” Ruth commented, emitting a low whistle.

When it finally went still, Maxi slowly opened her eyes. The knights, having returned to their formation, were dismounting and pulling off their helmets. Ruth took Maxi’s arm and led her down the stairs.

“Come, my lady. I’d wager that there are more than a few bruised men down there.”

Flustered, Maxi lumbered after Ruth in a rather ungainly fashion. One of the knights that had been tending to his lance and helmet looked surprised as they approached.

“Mage Ruth, what brings you to the training grounds?”

“I came to see if anyone was injured during practice.”

“Well, well,” said Hebaron, tossing his helmet unceremoniously to the ground. “What a pleasant surprise. I thought you didn’t want us calling on you for anything less than a crippling wound.”

Perhaps it was because his blood was still pumping from the intensive joust, but the burly knight appeared more grim than usual. He cut an imposing figure, and Maxi felt intimidated. She hid behind Ruth, but the sorcerer, not one to entertain such childish behavior, nudged her toward the knight.

“I would never volunteer to do such a thing, of course. It will be her ladyship who will be doing the healing.”

The knights grew wide-eyed as they realized the hooded figure behind Ruth was the lady of the castle.

Maxi gave the men an awkward smile in answer to their uneasy looks. She had thought she had grown accustomed to facing these men, but standing before them while they were fully armored made her so nervous that her hands shook. Maxi tugged her sleeves to hide her trembling before she managed to start speaking.

“A-although I am not s-skilled… I-I would like to o-offer my help in t-tending to your w-wounds…”

The knights exchanged puzzled looks at the bumbling offer, and an awkward silence ensued. The long pause was finally broken by Elliot Charon, the knight at the front of the group.

“We are grateful for your offer, my lady, but you do not have to trouble yourself. Minor wounds are easy enough to treat ourselves.”

Being so decidedly rejected by a knight – one of the few whom she was familiar with at that – made Maxi lose all her nerve. At the sight of Maxi standing there as if mute, Ruth stepped in.

“Her ladyship is currently learning magic. As we need volunteers to practice her healing magic on, your cooperation would be much appreciated.”

Hebaron, who had been gulping at a waterskin, shot Maxi a surprised look.

“Magic?”

The other knights also turned to her wearing equal looks of shock.

“You know how to use magic, my lady?”

“I-I have just b-begun learning… s-so I cannot s-say that I am a-able…”

Her response appeared to be lacking the appropriate conviction, as the knights glanced away once more.

“Mage,” said Hebaron, scratching at his sweat-slicked curls with a troubled expression. “The intention is a fine one, I grant you that, but if there were to be any lasting effects… Our current training regimen is grueling enough as it is…”

“It’s healing magic. There would be no consequences even if she were to fail. You need not worry about that.”

The group of knights continued to exchange furtive glances with one another. Ruth caught this and crossed his arms, glowering at them.

“I’m sure I do not have to remind you all of the importance of healers. For the sake of Anatol and the Remdragon Knights, I am currently sacrificing all my time, including my sleep, to teach her ladyship magic. Yet you refuse to offer the smallest assistance because you are afraid? And you call yourselves knights!”

“Hell! No need to harp on. Who said we wouldn’t help? I merely do not have a scratch on me to offer. Oi! Anybody hurt?”

“Her ladyship has yet to accumulate enough mana, so she would not be able to heal significant injuries. Somebody with a minor wound would be more helpful.”

“Why, aren’t you hard to please,” grumbled Hebaron.

Then, as if remembering something, he halted and flicked his finger to usher over a knight that was watering his horse some distance away.

“Ricaydo!” bellowed Hebaron. “Did you not scratch your cheek during the joust? Why don’t you volunteer?”

The blond knight frowned and shot them a sharp look. Maxi reflexively hunched her shoulders. Out of everyone here, Hebaron had picked Ursuline Ricaydo, the knight who had been the most hostile toward Maxi.

The knight glanced over Maxi before yelling back, “I would think you would be more fitting. Surely the blow from my lance must have left you a sizeable bruise.”

“Ha! Bruise, you say? Nothing more than a flea bite. I’m afraid I am unscathed.”

“Your bravery is commendable, but I saw you teetering on your horse like a scarecrow.”

“That knave must have hurt his eyes as well! My lady, make sure you treat him thoroughly.”

Maxi looked troubled, and her eyes darted over Ursuline’s cold expression. Evidently tired of the two knights’ bickering, Ruth heaved a deep sigh and stalked over to the blond knight.

“I see that you have a cut on your cheek, Sir Ursuline. The wound is small enough for her ladyship to heal. It will not take long, so please grant your consent.”

“There is no need. Such a small scrape will heal right up on its own.”

“Would you not rather be rid of it quickly? We wouldn’t want it scarring your comely face after all.”

“I would rather it scar than be looked at by an incompetent mage.”

Maxi’s resolve hardened at the harsh words. She did not see why he refused so vehemently when there would be no consequences even if she were to fail.

She swallowed hard and said shakily, “I-I assure you, I-I have had p-practice. I sh-shall not fail, s-so please a-allow me to-”

Her words died off when she saw the look of disgust etched across the knight’s cold features.

Ursuline eyed her with contempt, then spat out, “Are you even capable of reciting the spell?”

Overcome with shame, an intense flush flared through Maxi from head to foot. She was so mortified that she felt her ears burn and her eyes sting. She wanted to respond with a biting retort, but her tongue lay frozen.

She opened and closed her mouth like a fool before hanging her head, unable to bear the humiliation any longer. It was best to appear unfazed if she wanted to preserve what dignity she had left, but she could not bring herself to meet the knight’s icy gaze.

“Th-The spell…”

After barely regaining her composure, Maxi was about to say that she did not have to recite the spell out loud when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Startled, she turned to look behind her.

It was Riftan. She had not even noticed him approaching. He stood behind her, his eyes ablaze as he glared at the blond knight. He gently moved Maxi to the side, then grabbed Ursuline’s collar with one hand.

“You dare to speak to my wife with such impertinence?” Riftan growled through gritted teeth, almost lifting the knight off the ground.

Ursuline tried to break free, but Riftan did not budge.

Strangled by his cape, Ursuline’s face began to turn red. The others hastily tried to intervene.

“Commander! Please, calm down!”

Even the combined strength of two knights was not enough to make a difference. Riftan shook Ursuline before throwing him to the ground. His face beet red, Ursuline started coughing, and the other knights hurriedly helped him to his feet.

Riftan coolly observed the knight before whirling around and pulling a petrified Maxi to him.

“Come, let us return to the castle.”

Maxi trailed nervously behind Riftan as he led her away.

At that moment, Ursuline’s indignant voice rang out from behind them.

“Have you no pride, Commander?”

Riftan froze and turned to face the knight. Ursuline stood rubbing his neck, his expression dark.

“Does it not anger you?” Ursuline continued. “After everything Duke Croyso has put us through… How can you stand by his daughter? She is nothing but-”

Before anyone could stop him, Riftan charged at Ursuline and slammed a fist into his face. The large knight staggered back; Maxi let out a scream. As if dissatisfied with a single punch, Riftan raised his fist again. The other knights grabbed his arm in a panic.

“C-Commander! Please, restrain yourself!”

“Goddammit… Are you itching for a fight, Commander?”

“That’s enough, Sir Ursuline! You are out of line!”

Ursuline wiped his torn lip with the back of his hand. Although he appeared to be meeting Riftan’s glare in kind, a cold sweat began to form on his brow as though his commander’s menacing gaze was boring down on him.

Riftan drew threateningly close and spat the words out, one by one: “If you ever speak about my wife that way again, I will slice you open from mouth to groin.”