Chapter 12 — Midnight Ride

As the soldiers began to leave the courtyard, Morgan remained still.

He couldn't help but feel responsible for their deaths.

Was this really because he had killed that man in the summoning room? Would Barnes' camp have been attacked regardless?

A hand grabbed Morgan's shoulder from behind.

He turned to see Duke William.

“Sir Morgan, I can tell you have a deep respect for duty and those you fight with.”

“I was in the military in my world for ten years, sir. It's rooted so deep in me, you couldn't get rid of it even if you killed me. Though I'd rather you didn't.”

The Duke chuckled at that.

He found Morgan's response interesting.

“I am curious about your world, Sir Morgan. Would you tell me about it on our way to the castle?”

Morgan nodded.

“Sure, but it might be cramped in that carriage with all of us in there.”

William chuckled.

“You'll be on horseback, riding beside me, my boy!”

He turned to walk away.

“We'll be leaving soon. Our detail is getting things ready as we speak.”

Morgan nodded.

He looked around for Dre and spotted him kneeling in front of one of the pyres.

“You okay?”

Dre didn't turn.

“He died trying to stop the Bear from killing me. If these men are going to fight those guys again, I owe it to him to fight with them.”

Morgan let the words settle in.

He could tell Dre had made up his mind.

This was his resolve.

Dre had had his back in every moment of need since they had arrived in Alta.

Morgan would return the favor.

“I guess we need to come up with more tactics, then.”

Dre looked up with concern.

“You don't have to fight with me, you know.”

Morgan smiled at Dre.

It was a warm smile Dre had never seen before.

“Sua Sponte.”

Dre stood.

“Of one's own accord.”

“Brothers don't leave brothers.”

Morgan extended his hand.

“If we're going to take on the King, we need each other.”

Dre shook Morgan's hand.

“There you two are.”

They turned to see Barnes.

“I figured it would be wise to visit the armory before we set out. I have a feeling we'll be encountering trouble.”

Entering the armory felt more like entering a weapons store.

Beautifully crafted swords, axes, and spears lined the walls on racks. Shields were organized in rows along the bottom, each one bearing the same insignia.

Armor stood on display stands, waiting for its next owner.

“Feel free to pick what you want, but don't get carried away.”

Something caught Morgan's eye.

There, in the corner of the room, was a long cylindrical pole attached to wood at the bottom.

“Is that a—”

He quickly moved toward it.

Upon picking it up, he was positive.

This was a rifle.

“Pretty boy, who made this?”

Barnes looked over, annoyed.

“Oh, that. That was a prototype my grandfather worked on. He called it a Magigun, but it wasn't very practical. Please choose a different weapon that suits you.”

Morgan carefully set the rifle down.

“I'm going to use that when we get back.”

Looking around, he began to wonder what would suit him.

During the last battle, he had been able to move quickly because of his light armor, but he couldn't take strong opponents head-on with so little protection.

A set of medium armor caught his eye.

It was gray with red trimming.

He started putting on each piece and, to his surprise, it fit perfectly.

There was even a cape with symbols of flames on it.

He thought that was really cool.

“Here, Morgan. This sword will treat you well.”

Barnes handed him a medium-length sword.

The hilt felt as if it had been made for his hand and his hand alone.

Unsheathing it revealed a blue-tinted blade with engravings running down the fuller.

They resembled Viking runes.

In fact, they were.

“We should be heading out now.”

“Alright. The Black Knight is ready for action!”

Morgan and Barnes turned to see Dre in a full suit of armor, holding a greatsword.

They both bit their lips, trying not to laugh.

“What? I look badass, right?”

“Totally,” they said together.

Walking toward the staging area in the front courtyard, Morgan saw men holding torches and loading gear into carts.

Duke William flagged Morgan down.

“Here's your horse. You do know how to ride, right?”

“Yeah, but I'm not the best.”

Morgan couldn't help but admire the beauty of the horse.

It was a tall Shire, its white mane perfectly contrasting with its gray coat.

As he hoisted himself onto the saddle, Dre, Barnes, and Charles loaded into a carriage.

As the caravan of soldiers and wagons began to move, Duke William trotted his horse beside Morgan's.

“You carry yourself like a true knight, Sir Morgan. That stallion suits you!”

Morgan couldn't help but smile.

A genuine compliment was always welcome.

“Thank you, sir, but complimenting my good looks can't be the reason you wanted me to ride with you.”

“You're absolutely right, Sir Morgan. I wanted to talk to you without prying ears.”

This piqued Morgan's curiosity.

He figured nobles would be less straightforward, though William did act a lot like Barnes.

“What exactly did you want to ask me?”

“Not ask you. Warn you.”

Morgan's chest tightened.

He could feel the unease settle into his stomach.

“Warn me about what?”

The Duke didn't answer right away.

Over the sound of marching soldiers, wagons creaking as they moved, and horses' hooves stomping against the ground, Morgan could tell the Duke was searching for the right words.

“Have you been told about the other Electi?”

Morgan shook his head.

“No.”

“What is Electi?”

“The Chosen Ones. Those of you who are summoned.”

“No, I haven't. I don't even know why I was summoned in the first place. That old bastard said it was to save the kingdom, but he didn't say what we were saving it from.”

The Duke rubbed his beard in thought.

“I see... Tell me of the others that came with you.”

“Let's see. There's Dre. He's like me. Then there was a bunch of kids from another country called Japan. There were two in particular that stood out. One's name is Tanji. He told me he and the others had been summoned to different worlds before to fight Demon Lords.”

The Duke looked over with a mixture of horror and confusion.

“A Demon Lord? What the hell is that?”

“Fuck if I know. I assumed that's why we were summoned.”

The two rode in silence for a few moments.

“The first people summoned here to this world were sixty years ago. Since then, there have been people from other worlds summoned roughly every ten years.”

Morgan's head began to spin.

Every ten years? This started sixty years ago?

Why? What's the point?

If there was a Demon Lord, surely someone with the social status of a Duke would know about it.

And he doesn't?

What is going on?

Why was I taken from my family?

Why am I here?

Morgan's outrage was internal, but it could be felt in the air around him.

“I understand you have questions. I cannot answer them all. I will let you speak with my father after this whole mess is dealt with.”

“Your father?”

“Yes, but first we have to deal with Duke Stanton. That bastard has been after me ever since I rose to nobility. It's time I put him in his place.”

“Why not make a move on him now? He attacked you first. Why bother with an audience with the King?”

William was impressed.

Morgan was smarter than he had thought.

He really did have the bearing of a true leader.

“The laws governing warring states dictate that any move must be brought before the King. If I were to attack him now without bringing it before the Crown, it would be seen as treason.”

Morgan tried to wrap his head around the statement.

He knew nothing about the laws of this kingdom.

“Morgan, I have a favor to ask you.”

“What's that?”

“Don't do anything rash in the King's court. Save your anger for the battle to come.”

“That, I can't promise. But I will not do anything to bring you or your men shame.”