Chapter Three Power of the Emerald Moon
			Glenn ambled swiftly and sternly up the long staircase, and while in thought, he almost appeared to be in a daze. His next destination was the decorative hall above, which within contained the elevator to the top level. He had been in a hurry to speak with his brother, as well as to escape an awkward topic with Norris, consequently the knight had forgotten, or rather, had not the time remove his armour or weapons. Decked in chain mail that clink when he walked, he also wore a decorative prism breastplate with a red and white double line that zigzagged across the upper portion. Around his neck the chain mail overlapped the plate, upon each of his broad shoulders sat a pad with metal overlay, gauntlets covered his hands. At the top of the staircase, Glenn came to a halt. He, just as Norris had been, was still puzzled as to why this perplexing maiden was branded in his mind. Shaking his head, causing the ever present mauve ribbon which held back his ash brown silky hair to swirl every which way, he let the thought subside as currently he could come to no conclusion. Across the room he sauntered to the elevator, the metal of his boots and greaves clashed against the marble floor and echoed throughout the hall. Refraining from sitting, the dragoon pushed the button on the armrest of the chair and stood as he was raised to the upper level. At the top he climbed the small set of stairs and took a left turn to the main chamber of Dario and his wife, prior to thus, Miss Riddel’s room. With a quick knock on the door, a worry that neither of his residents would be present popped into his mind, and the thought his questions would have to wait ate away at his mind. Though this small concern was abolished when a familiar male voice answered his knock. “Do come in..” called Dario.   Glenn opened the door which to his surprise was not locked and walked into the elegant environment of the main bed chamber. “Ahh, brother! Welcome!” asserted Dario in a pleasant tone as he rose from his chair and looked the young sibling before him. Quite a knight Glenn has become, loyal and proud, kind and intelligent, as well wore the formal armour from the breastplate to the knight’s skirt and tabard which was inscribed with the sigil of the dragoons. His shield shined brightly upon his left elbow, but the most impressive sight were the two scabbards at his sides, which incased the two Holy Einlanzers he had gained while on his journey with Serge. “Brother have you finally come to acknowledge me of the fact that you have indeed agreed with my request and will move up in rank from private to Deva? Being the only one since our father whom can weald two swords two Einlanzers at that, you are by far a better swordsman than...” Dario was cut off as Glenn spoke, “No brother, my apologies, I am happy with my rank.. As I have always been, Deva is not the position I aim for.. My heart does not lie within those boundaries. Perhaps I have greater skill than some, but brother, you yourself are a Deva, and should know by now that much leadership is needed..” “ I know Glenn...you have explained this to me before, it is just I know you would be a good replacement for Zoah now that he has returned to Hermit’s Hideaway with Radius..” Dario trailed off, he had known the answer before he’d even asked the question. Glenn was by far the most skilled swordsman alive, even more so than he himself, and he could easily be a leader with not only his physical skills, but also his kindness, intelligence, understanding and other leadership traits. He had not the heart for such a title though.. Different than their father, and Dario himself, Glenn was happy being a private, and expressed that over and over again as he continued to show his independence and originality, differing from the path everyone had expect him to take. Dario looked down at his hands then back up to Glenn, “you have definitely broken the mould Glenn, become your own person, as you wish, your rank stays as is.” “Thank you brother, your respect is priceless,” said the younger knight as he walked over and hugged his older sibling, then sat down in the chair across from him. Dario smiled and changed the topic, “ so what is it you have come to ask me, obviously you are not here just to chat,” stated Dario as he looked upon the restless dragoon. “..Well actually.. As ordered Norris and I brought in the injured female from Fossil Valley.. It’s.. Just there seems to be something undefinable about this maiden. I was wondering if you know anything about her..” Glenn trailed off. “..Actually, I have not even seen her yet, it was Riddel whom found her when she was looking for bellflowers.. I’m not even sure if the woman survived..” Answered Dario in a less than assured tone. “...O-oh I see..” Glenn mournfully replied, then looked down at the gauntlets upon his hands, the metal upon them shining brightly, seeming to let everything else appear non-existent to him. Dario looked on with concern in his eyes, never had he seen Glenn react to any could-have-been death like this before. He usually gave his sympathies then carried on with daily life. Now it seemed as though he were being crushed from the inside out, his eyes screaming in pain.  “Although...” Dario trailed off, “ Riddel asked me to tell General Viper that the woman would be staying for an extended period of time, would seem to me she has a good chance of surviving. Would you like to accompany me on my way to see the General?” Glenn’s eyes shone with hope, yearning for the survival of the mysterious damsel, he quickly nodded and the two rose from their seats and went off to see the general.                     “ How is she, Marcy?” Asked Riddel as she laid the dress she had brought down on the sofa, along side the white night gown that Marcy must’ve laid out. “Like.. Better than I thought she would be. When I got here I like cast a HealPlus on her because she was looking kinda bad.. Then she moved a bit, and a green light surrounded her, and all her cuts and scrapes disappeared! Like it was so amazing!” exclaimed Marcy as her brilliant blue eyes shone against her fair skinned face. “How odd..” expressed Riddel as she pushed her blazing blue hair behind her. “Has she said anything..?” “Nah.. Like, she just lies there.. Almost like she doesn’t realize any one is here..” Marcy explained. “Well.. You can go back to your room now Marcy, thank you for your help.”   “Like, no problem, tell me what you find out about her, ok?,” requested the small Deva as she bounced rather than walked, like most children tend to do, pink dress fluttering, matching satin covered pigtails bobbing, and closed the door behind herself. Riddel looked at the bed to see the shape of a young woman huddled in a ball as she hugged herself, the long brown hair still tangled with leaves, feathers and blood was draped around her like a shawl. Quietly Riddel tiptoed up to the woman to get a closer look; the figure before lay with her eyes closed, clinging to herself, doing the best to cover herself as she had ignored the quilt on the bed and her clothes where in pieces.  As Riddel reach forward with a dainty hand and softy touch the victim, the figure came to life and jumped at the subtle touch. Surprised that she had frightened the young girl so much, Riddel stepped back. The female before her looked on with dazzling green eyes, even though they watered and were full of fear, Riddel could see the complexity and warmth within them. “My apologies for scaring you..” explained the blue haired female as she observed the woman before her trembling. “I, nor anyone else within this Manor, shall hurt you in any way.. It is to my knowledge that you were attacked by the giant Dodo in Fossil Valley.. I found you and healed you to the best of my ability.. Two men were sent to get you, and brought you back to the Manor.. It..” Riddel was interrupted as the dame before her spoke in a quiet tone, “So it is you who showed such kindness towards me..?” For a moment the two sat in silence, then to Riddel’s surprise, the young woman stood up and hugged her, grasping onto her tightly, as a child would do to their mother. “My deepest thanks, for I was unable to defend myself against such a creature whom attacked me. My sincere gratitude I give you, Thank you from the bottom of my heart..” the young woman whispered. Riddel smiled and sat down upon the bed, the young girl did the same, “My name is Riddel, my father, Lord Viper, is the head of this manor. You are welcome to stay here as long as you like, as my guest. All arrangements have been taken care of, and you will owe no debt.” The young girl nodded in response and Riddel continued. “Now if you don’t mind, I would like to ask you a few questions.. First off, what would your name be?” “Thea..” The girl replied as she pulled a feather from her hair. “If basic information is what you seek, I am nineteen, new to these areas, and.. I do not have any family..” Riddel looked at Thea with big brown eyes, she still fussed with the debris in her hair, and Riddel decided that other questions could wait until later. “Well then that shall do.. On the sofa is a night gown and dress, both which should fit you, as we are both around the same size. Across the hall is the bathing chamber, you should go and bathe, then change into whatever you find more comfortable. Tomorrow I will give you a tour of the Manor.” Thea nodded in agreement, and the two women rose and left the room.                  “Yes Dario, do tell Riddel that her guest may stay as long as she wishes to.” commented Viper. “Thank you General, both I as well as Riddel appreciate your kindness-“   “As do I sir” blurted out Glenn as he blushed slightly at his outburst, until now he had been silent. The General nodded, “Understood, anything for my daughter and top two knights. I still await the day you become a Deva Glenn, with such skill...”He trailed off. “But we have had this conversation before. Any who, if there isn’t anything more..” “No General, that is all, thank you,” Dario replied as he and Glenn turned to leave.   “Good day then,” Called Viper as he made the final comment. Once outside, Glenn turned to Dario, “well then brother, I should be going back to my room, it is late in the evening, I’m sure Riddel is awaiting your return to the chamber.” “Aye, I would believe you are right, I shall update you on the news of that maiden tomorrow then.” “Very well, and don’t forget our sparring session with Karsh and Norris tomorrow afternoon.” Glenn added. “Of course not, until then.” replied Dario as he nodded and headed towards his room. Glenn pushed back his hair with a gauntlet covered hand and started on his way down to the main floor.
						To Chapter Four
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