The Tear Knight Governor's Successors

The young knight on duty outside Tear Knight City was the first to spot the approaching party.

Far down the road, a Sacred Flame Banner slowly came into view. Behind it rode a column of knights in gray-white cloaks.

They were few in number, yet the entire road fell quiet.

The knights rode tall warhorses of a uniform standard. Their armor was mostly hidden beneath their cloaks, but glimpses of silver-white pauldrons and Sacred Flame crests revealed who they were.

Every rider kept almost exactly the same pace. Even their horses' hooves struck the ground in astonishing rhythm.

They were the elite of the Holy Flame Knights under the Anointed One's direct command, the core guard who had followed him through long campaigns at the Eternal Night Wall.

The young knight paused, straightened his helmet, and murmured to his companion, "The Anointed One is here."

The guards who had been talking fell silent. The officer on duty strode to the gate. "Form ranks!"

The order raced along the stone wall. The guards stood straight, their spears touching the ground with a neat series of taps.

Sacred Flame Banners hung between the stone galleries on either side of the Inner Fortress. The scrape of armor echoed down the corridor.

The riders slowly approached the gate.

Holding his breath, the young knight watched the legendary Anointed One pass before him.

The man rode a towering warhorse, a white-and-gold robe draped over his Golden Armor and a cloak falling from his shoulders.

Bloodstains and scorch marks still scarred the Golden Armor, stark beneath the sunlight.

Just like an angel.

The thought came unbidden. The young knight straightened his back and gripped his spear, welcoming the Most Holy's representative in the mortal world.

The Anointed One proceeded through the corridor at an unhurried pace,