NIMBUS AND THE KNIGHTS OF CENFERUM

Chapter 4 part 3

While Nimbus was hidden, observing the strangers who had arrived a few minutes ago, Lonios maintained his relaxed and nonchalant posture, despite all the enemies having their weapons unsheathed and preparing to attack. He didn't move a muscle and kept a mocking smile on his lips until he broke the awkward silence, asking:

— Miss, wouldn't you be Violentina the Butcher?

— It seems my reputation has reached the ears of knights — the girl spoke while smiling cynically at Lonios.

— Of course, knights like us have to be aware when bullies stand out for their heinous acts, especially those accustomed to collecting debts from drunk and defenseless peasants.

— Not only peasants but also knights. From what we were told, you're nothing special, took several beatings during your stay at the Calamity casino.

— Well, as I said, I can bet that you are accustomed to collecting debts from drunken people, and I have been sober for a long time.

"Drunk? Damn, what did I get myself into? I should be with my mother, not with a drunken and decadent knight," Nimbus couldn't help but think as he observed the conversation from between the bushes.

Lonios whistled. Nimbus knew it was his cue. Tempest stirred until she got rid of the restraints and leaped over the bushes. At the same moment, Lonios mounted Trovador and followed the mare.

Seeing the horses approaching, Violentina drew her saber and, in the same motion, struck Lonios, who narrowly avoided a fatal blow. He rolled on the ground and drew his common sword to defend against the girl's next attack.

As Tempest passed by them, Lonios leaped onto the horse and galloped away, closely followed by his squire.

Violentina calmly observed her saber, licking the red blood that stained the tip of her blade.

— Now you won't escape me — she whispered, with a frightening gleam in her eyes. — Let's get that damn one — she ordered while mounting her horse.

Clumsily, the loan sharks followed their leader's example and set off behind her.

The pursuit lasted a few hundred meters through the trail in the dense woods, with the loan sharks shouting and cursing as each horse's trot brought them closer. The only thing hindering their approach was the narrow trail, where not even a cart could pass.

— They will catch up with us soon; our horses are loaded, and theirs are not — Lonios spoke as he ran his hand over his neck. When he withdrew it, it was all covered in blood; apparently, the Huntress had managed to hit his neck.

Seeing this, Nimbus widened his eyes and looked frantically between Lonios and the pursuers. "Damn! Where did I get myself into? I'm being chased by loan sharks, Lonios is injured, I'm an accomplice to a criminal, and eventually, a squire without a master. I'm everything my mother didn't want me to be," Nimbus thought again as they rode, and Trovador panted like never before.

— But don't worry, I have a plan. I bet they won't chase us after this. — Lonios ignored the blood on his hand and brought it to the hilt of the Indolente.

Lonios, as he passed by a large tree, unsheathed the scarlet sword again and, with a single and incredible strike, felled it with a diagonal cut. At first, it seemed like he had missed the tree because the blade met no resistance as it passed through its trunk, but seconds later, the cut made the enormous tree fall slowly across the road, forcing the loan sharks to stop abruptly, rearing their horses.

— Damn it, this won't make us stop. You owe us a lot of money, and remember, I tasted your blood. I swear I'll get you and your page, and you'll find out why they call me the Butcher.

After a few more meters galloping along the road, the knight stopped at a crossroads and, using a branch, erased the horse tracks in the soft earth. He then took one of the bandages from the Indolent itself and staunched the bleeding on his neck, which turned out to be only a superficial cut. This made Nimbus calm down a bit, although he still looked pale, especially after the Butcher's death threat. The two rode throughout the night until they passed by the town of Calamity, which shone in the distance at the center of a distant plain.

After that episode, Lonios evaded questions about what happened. Indolent was wrapped and stored on his master's waist, appearing like a common weapon.

Instead of talking about his life, Lonios taught him about morality, about right and wrong. According to Lonios, a knight, besides being an excellent warrior, should be an example of uprightness, a beacon in the darkness for those led astray on their path, something that seemed like he didn't take very seriously, especially after the incident days ago. Still, Lonios taught Nimbus about economics, philosophy, sciences, and critical thinking. While his master recited all this, Nimbus couldn't help but think about the few months left of medicine for his mother and the time he was wasting with Lonios. In case he was the impostor he appeared to be, who knows what else he had omitted. Was he really a knight? Was that scarlet sword truly his?

— Nimbus, are you listening to me?

— Yes, Sir Lonios, I was just lost in my thoughts.

— Continuing then, do you know why the people of Cenferum pay so many tributes, and there's so much poverty here?

— No — answered Nimbus.

— How come, Nimbus? I told you about the entire context of Cenferum days ago.

— I'm sorry, master, it's just a bit hard to think, with everything that has happened so far. My mother is there alone, and I don't know how to help her. I don't know if I can learn what you're teaching me. I seem to be doing worse in training, and after all this, we had those murderous loan sharks chasing us, and you still don't say anything about it.

— Calm down, Nimbus, one thing at a time. First, you can't do anything about the rationing of medicine. If you were there, you'd only hinder and cause trouble. Second, you're learning the lessons very well. This critical thinking you just showed is proof of that. Third, I've never had a student as talented as you in sword training. Lastly, just like you avoid talking about the reason for your decision to leave school, you don't need to know why I'm being chased by loan sharks. That's my personal matter. Understood?

The downcast squire nodded, and the master continued his lesson.

— Continuing, there's a culture in these lands where everyone wants to take advantage of others, and since tributes go through many hands, they get stolen bit by bit. It could be when something is bought for a much higher price than it really costs, and the difference is divided among those involved, or even by the Grand Leader himself, who steals some part for his personal treasure. So, the system is organized to deceive the people, perhaps with public celebrations, sometimes rulers help the poor with meager amounts—mere alms to make the people forget how poor they are, instead of investing in education for these folks. As I told you the other day, it's easier to manipulate someone if that person is ignorant about the subject. That's why it's your duty as a knight to fight against this, and the best way for you to achieve that is by studying. Not only to avoid being deceived but also to understand if someone is using this to subjugate the weaker ones. Do you understand, Nimbus? You shouldn't only be a man of arms; you should also be a scholar. And remember, in Cenferum, the government has a monopoly on information, technology, and the use of force, and the system is designed to "self-feed" to prevent any change.

In following this line of reasoning, Lonios was teaching ethics to Nimbus. Perhaps he didn't just want to manipulate him because, if that were the goal, the knight wouldn't impart such teachings. But was that really what this man, an alcoholic, indebted, involved with loan sharks and gambling, wanted?

— So, what have we learned today? — Nimbus was once again brought out of his thoughts.

— To study, master. To study to become better knights.

— Almost there, Nimbus. We should study not to become better knights but better people. And I don't want you to make the same mistakes I did. Lastly, you shouldn't seek to become a leader for power and to have power. The best leaders never wanted to be leaders, but if it's ever necessary to lead, you must have knowledge and know what is right and wrong.

They continued riding along the road, and Nimbus became increasingly trapped in his thoughts.

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