Knight Of Pensylon: Rise Of The Cavalier
Chapter 2 - Fresh Air

Wheatville, this humble village is where I live. It is about a three-hour horse ride to Muson, the capital of Pensylon. It is only natural to remember this place is very close to the Pensylon barrier.

This place as the name implies, is an agrarian village whose contents are wheat fields and other crops as far as the eye can see plus some simple houses of wood and rattan.

These villagers depend on their fate through wheat crops that are getting less and worse because the land is starting to be infertile, and also the land that is gradually converted for the benefit of the Kingdom.

The cold wind rubbed my face until my long hair flew like pieces of black paper. It was so fresh, I breathed deeply. I was eager to spend all my fresh air on my own.

Although the fresh air must be mixed with the smell of cow dung and smoke from Mr. Miller's house that is burning dry leaves, but I didn't take it too hard because I was focused on the big wall blocking the horizon.

"If only I could see what's behind those walls." I thought.

However, Spirit neighs so hard that I look back, and...

"For the Soul of Pensylon!" i'm surprised.

Immediately I pulled the Spirit bridle, I could see a trace of ground friction due to the sudden cessation of Spirit. After I stopped, I saw what was in front of me.

In front of me was a crowd of citizens who were gathering to see, or rather to listen to something. Since I was riding a horse, I could see something that caught their attention.

It was the presence of two men with armor and a giant sword and spear on each of their backs. Not to forget the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Pensylon on their chests.

Clearly, they were members of the Knights of Pensylon. Soldiers willing to die for the King's name and for the safety of the people of Pensylon.

But come to think of it, what would a noble army like them go all the way to a slum like Wheatville?

"Hey, miss. What are the Knights of Pensylon doing here?" ask one of the people near me.

The old woman did not want to see me at all, of course because she was too interested in the two Knights of Pensylon members. While looking, he said...

"Come away, but they had mentioned about the magic power users" he replied.

Magic power user? Mean witch? After all the people who were arrested or killed for magic, really?

I remember that Dad used to tell me that when he was young, there was a witch who was beheaded and her head kicked by the executioner around Pensylon like a football game.

Why that? Because that person was found guilty of the murder of Lord Charles, aka the previous King of Pensylon and also the father of Lord Kris who served at this time. The punishment is cruel, but trust me.

If Dad was killed by someone, I would be happy if the perpetrator was treated the same way. I would be even happier if I did it myself.

...----------------...

Since the assassination of Lord Karl, Lord Kris ordered all those who had control of magic power to be executed or at least held in prison.

Old and young, men and women, nobles and commoners, all magic users were victims of the ferocity of the rule.

I think there are exceptions for those who have already joined the Knights of Pensylon. Because I've seen a member of the Knights of Pensylon who has magical powers.

But whatever it is, Praise the Soul of Pensylon I'm not a magic user...

...----------------...

Without needing to explain, I was late to my usual gathering place with my friends.

Of course since the Knights of Pensylon are a long way off, I have to go further down the road to get here.

My current gathering place is located on an apple tree whose land elevation slightly exceeds that of Wheatville.

The ground is decorated with green grass that cools the eyes and daisy flowers that often attract butterflies and bees.

The air in this place was cool because the sunlight that should have pierced the green ground was blocked by the big apple tree.

I want to sleep under this tree because of the cool air. But unfortunately in this green grass, there would be hundreds of ants that would bite me if I really did.

This place is very comfortable for anyone to gather. So, my friends and I play here. Even if I'm honest, my friend is a little.

Only two kids my age in Wheatville would be friends with me, and they both frowned when I arrived at my usual place.

Their faces and gestures showed that I made them wait too long. Even the horse they brought seemed to hate me.

Sure enough, right after I descended from Spirit, they scolded me.

"You're late, Kristoff!" hardik a child in purple clothes.

"My name is Christopher, damn it!" reply him.

Huh, it's a habit for this person to call me by that name. I get upset every time my friend calls me that.

His name was Norman Alexander, son of the village chief Wheatville. I met her when my mom was pregnant with my sister, Chris.

When I was four years old, I came with Dad to take Mom to Mr.'s house. Alexander because he felt his stomach hurt so much. Apparently, Chris was impatient to see Skurgenral.

So, Mr. Alexander and Dad drove Mom to the Muson. Leaving me at her house with her. Alexander, and their only child. That was the first time I met Norman.

"Where are you?!" scream Victoria.

Then my friend Victoria Hendrickson, this girl lives with her uncle, a manure seller. This girl is my best friend and neighbor Norman.

I first met him when Dad and I were together selling my family's crops to the market. I remember that he used to rebuke us because we "captured" his lap.

Apparently this girl was the wrong person, or exactly the wrong stall. Because the real field is the empty field next to me. Therefore, he apologized to me and that was when we got acquainted.

Although to be honest, I've seen him play with Norman before I knew him. When I visit Norman, sometimes I see him playing with Victoria.

"Reason." denied Victoria looked at me sharply and crossed her arms.

"I'm serious, you idiot. There was a member of the Knights of Pensylon blocking the road. I have to turn around." I argued back.

My story got Victoria to take her eyes off me, but it got Norman interested in my story. So interested, he seemed to forget that he had just rebuked me.

"Crights of Pensylon? In Wheatville? What do they want?" Norman's interested.

Victoria couldn't hide her interest in my story either. Although her face was pouting and her hands were still crossed, the girl occasionally glanced at me.

"I don't know. But said one of the residents I asked in the street, they came because of a magic user who is less adept at hiding." I explained.

Norman muttered to understand the meaning of my story and understood it. Victoria also started to lower her hands.

"just fine. Again a witch" said Norman.

"What did they do to the witch?" Victoria asked.

"I don't know. After I found out the reason the two Knights of Pensylon members came to Wheatville, I immediately turned around and passed the other way to get here.

Even to be honest, I didn't see the magic user just now. All I saw were the two Knights of Pensylon members." I replied honestly.

My answer resulted in a disappointed reaction from Norman's face. While Victoria had no wind or rain, even moody and sat hugging her knees.

"Hey, Victor. What's the matter with you?" ask Norman to Victoria.

The originally moody Victoria raised her head and narrowed her eyeballs towards Norman who had just called her "Victor"

"MY NAME'S VICTORIA!!" he shouted at Norman.

Trust me, the scream can make anyone who hears it scared (or pounding to be exact). I mean, the birds that perched on the branches of the apple tree behind him flew all over.

"It's terrible.." I thought.

If I'm just scared after seeing the sharp look and the loud screams of Victoria, what about Norman?

"Just relax, Victor-ia" Norman said without feeling the slightest guilt.

This guy's gone crazy. I who only heard and saw Victoria angry like that was already afraid, why is she who was clearly the one who was scolded even calm with a sinless face?

"Hmmm..." Victoria pouting.

This girl why the hell?

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" my many.

"He called me Victor, Christopher! Victor's a man's name!"

Said someone who sometimes follows me calling me Kristoff, you hypocrite.

"I know that, I mean before. Why are you suddenly pouting?" asked back.

"Yes, Victoria. Why are you suddenly moody?" Norman agrees with me.

Victoria was quiet. But not for a long time. A few moments later, the girl spoke up.

"Don't you feel that the discrimination against magic users in the Pensylon Kingdom is overdue?"

I pondered the question. That's true what Victoria said. Is what the Pensylon Kingdom did to the magic users already too much?

"There is no need to pity magic users. They deserve such punishment and treatment.

I mean, how many times have those vile witches made trouble in the Pensylon Kingdom?" answered Norman coldly.

Victoria was upset when Norman said that. It was true, Norman spoke as if he did not care about the lives of the witches.

"Normany! Some of them are just kids!" refute Victoria.

"Then what if they're kids? Do we have to let the kids who are going to make more trouble in the future?

You might feel sorry for them, Victoria. But sorry, not with me." As he clenched his hand, Norman threw away his face.

I understand the coldness of Norman's attitude towards the witches. Because the fateful incident happened to both parents while going to Kruelfeld (City located near Muson, but further away).

A witch suddenly attacked her parents. His father survived, but not his mother. At worst, the culprit managed to escape and still not found until now.

"Is that why you want to enlist yourself to the Knights of Pensylon today?" ask Victoria whose tone is decreasing.

This friend of mine who was staring at Victoria coldly turned to look at her gloomily. Honestly, I was sad to see it too.

"If I can be honest, yes. That's my reason." he said slowly.

Shit, I almost forgot.

Norman's leaving me and Victoria in Wheatville because he's enrolling in the Knights of Pensylon from tomorrow.

All three of us are sad because everything we have done so far will turn into memories, and maybe today will be his last day with us.

...****************...