Under the Oak Tree: Volume 3 (The Novel)

Chapter Twenty

Maxi awoke to the harsh cries of seabirds the next morning. She sluggishly sat up. Through the porthole, she saw birds circling over the shimmering surface of the water.

She was vacantly watching them when Riftan rose beside her and enveloped her in his arms. Maxi blushed as she felt his warm lips on her bare shoulder. She leaned into him, wishing they could stay like this forever.

He kissed her cheek and murmured in her ear, his voice still laced with sleep, “What has caught your interest so?”

“I-I was looking at the birds. We have not . . . s-seen any so far,” she said as Riftan rubbed his nose against her neck.

“Birds are only found near land. It would be rare to see them out in the middle of the ocean.” He sighed as he looked out to sea, his eyes dark. “Right on time. We must be getting close to shore. We should start preparing to disembark.”

He slowly peeled himself away, and Maxi had to employ all of her self-control to stop herself from clinging to him.

They performed their morning ablutions with fresh water brought to them by a deckhand. As usual, Riftan nimbly donned his armor without any assistance and strode out of the cabin.

After braiding her hair over her shoulder, Maxi followed him onto the deck. True to his words, the land on the horizon was gradually growing closer.

“All of you, get below deck and start rowing!”

At the first mate’s orders, the sailors rushed down the stairs and took up the oars. After they navigated the ship along the rocky coast for some time, the wide, triangular estuary where the glistening emerald water of the Chrysanth River met the western sea finally emerged.

The sailors tightened the sails and yanked at the oars to propel the ship upriver. Now in their full armor, the knights went to the stables to check on their mounts and secure their saddlebags. Ulyseon and Garrow had already taken Maxi’s belongings and tied them to Rem’s saddle for her.

Gripped by intense trepidation, Maxi gazed at the few cottages and boats visible near the riverside. In contrast with the anxiety simmering in her heart, the passing scenery was pleasantly tranquil. Waterbirds plunged into the wide river and shot up into the sky, their quarry clutched in their beaks. Large ships loaded with goods glided along the edges of the river. The number of vessels increased as they moved farther upriver, and soon a large dock lined with ships came into view.

Placing a hand on the railing, Riftan said, “That is Levan, the capital of Livadon.”

Maxi stared in amazement. Directly ahead was a large port flanked by dozens of massive ships. Evenly spaced white buildings rose like stairs behind the port.

For a kingdom situated directly beside Wedon, Livadon had an exotic air. The buildings had either square or round roofs, as if rejecting the conical ones typical of Roem architecture, and the ramparts and walls were startlingly white.

“And over there is the monastery you will be staying in,” Riftan added, pointing to a large temple situated halfway up a mountain.

Shading her eyes from the sun, Maxi looked up at the stark building surrounded by white pillars. It was visibly different from the dreary and cloistered monasteries she had known so far.

Her eyes widened. “It looks . . . m-more like an ancient t-temple than a monastery.”

Riftan nodded. “You are right. Livadon is a kingdom that has preserved most of its architecture and way of life even after the rise and fall of the Roem Empire. Most of the buildings are built in the ancient style, and except for some of the northern regions, the majority of the regions in the kingdom follow the doctrines of the Reformed Church.” He seemed familiar with the kingdom and its customs after spending many years in Livadon as a mercenary. “They are more liberal than you might think, so I’m sure you won’t feel too suffocated,” he added.

That was slightly reassuring. With a shudder, Maxi recalled her harsh education from a priest of the Orthodox doctrine when she was young. It was the reason she had been secretly fretting about staying at the monastery.

The next thing Maxi knew, the ship was closing in on the docks. The sailors rushed about the deck, lowering the anchor and tossing down thick ropes to tie them to the pier.

Passersby who had spotted the ship’s insignia of Wedon gathered by the dock to peer up at those aboard. The sailors lowered the ramp, and the knights led their horses down onto the walkway in an orderly line.

It did not take long for the spectators to realize that the greatest knight in the continent had come to Livadon in its time of need.

“Rosem Wigrew d’Calypse!”

Loud chants swelled from the crowd. The exuberant welcome made it obvious that Riftan need not have worried about the people of Livadon being wary of newcomers. Maxi mounted Rem and rode behind the knights as they made their way through the jubilant crowd.

Leading the procession, Riftan cut an imposing figure. His chiseled face commanded more authority than any nobleman, while his broad shoulders and muscular legs exuded powerful energy as he expertly steered his black warhorse.

The people of Livadon who had flocked to catch a glimpse of the famed dragon-slaying knight were transfixed. They scattered bright flowers and waved white handkerchiefs as the Remdragon Knights passed.

The campaign party made their way down the main road toward the basilica. There, a group of knights carrying the banner of the Livadonian royal family halted the procession.

A deep voice rang out: “You have traveled a long way. We thank you for coming to Livadon, Sir Riftan Calypse, Champion of Wedon.”

Craning her neck, Maxi studied the group ahead. About thirty knights in silvery gray armor blocked the road. The person who had spoken was a middle-aged man on a chestnut horse. He clearly had the highest standing among them, for he was the only one mounted while the others were leading their horses on foot.

Riftan directed Talon to trot over to the man. After a short silence, he said coolly, “It has been a while, Grand Duke Druik Aren.”

The duke let out a hearty laugh. His tone promptly lost its formality, as though he were talking to an old friend.

“I’m honored that you remember my name. How long has it been since you beat my brother to a pulp? Six years? No . . . another year has passed. Must be seven.”

Maxi grew tense at the man’s words despite his lighthearted tone. Did this nobleman mean Riftan harm?

Her fears were put to rest when the man steered his horse sideways and extended his hand with a genial smile.

“I’ve heard that you’ve become an even greater knight. What a man indeed. Sejuleu will have a fit when he sees you’ve grown even bigger than him.”

Riftan lightly shook the man’s outstretched hand. “Is Sejuleu Aren in Louivell?”

Duke Aren’s smile faded as he nodded gravely. “He has gathered the scattered coalition army and is fighting the trolls.”

“How many reinforcements have come?”

“Including you and your knights, a total of three thousand five hundred men. A thousand five hundred sent by the Royal House of Wedon, and two thousand sent by Balto. All of them left for the battlefield as soon as they arrived.”

Riftan gave a nod of approval. “What about the Temple Knights? Have they not yet arrived?”

“The knights sent by Osiriya are traveling by land, so it’s taking them some time to get here.” The duke rode up next to Riftan and turned his horse around. “We should head to the palace first. We have prepared a welcoming ceremony for the Remdragon Knights. After the ceremony, you should get some rest.”

Riftan shook his head. “I do not wish to waste time. We’ve had more than enough rest on the ship. I intend to stop by the basilica to make preparations and then depart immediately for Louivell.”

“Impatient as always, I see.” The duke sighed. “If that is your wish, then I shall escort you to the basilica.”

With a wave of his hand, the Livadonian knights turned their horses in unison and began leading them across the road. The crowd gathered around them split in half, opening a path for them.

Making sure not to stray from the line, Maxi followed the Remdragon Knights. Laurel trees and rustic stone buildings lined the wide flagstone road. After quite some time they reached the basilica, which was situated in a large square. Broad stone steps led up to the entrance.

Stopping at the foot of the stairs, Duke Aren gave the Remdragon Knights a brief orientation.

“This is the grand basilica. There is a refuge for pilgrims behind the church to the right; the guardhouse is to the left. Rooms for the knights have been prepared behind the guardhouse.”