30 - Chapter 6: The Thirty Gathers

“Must you go?”

Jun turned around and faced Erika, eyes filled with tears.

“My Queen, I must go and fight, but I will win, and I will return, have no fear.” He brought his lips to Erika’s forehead and kissed her lightly.

“Trust me, I will be back.”

Erika took a step back and forced a smile, “We will wait for you my King…”

Jun could hold his tears no longer, and dashed out of the house.

The Sun never rose late in Tarniania, but it was late as the 30 elite soldiers handpicked by Holy Knight Anderson stood in rows of five in the Tarnianian parade square. Jun arrived and decided to inspect the squad briefly before moving off.

“I am sorry you are not given amply time, Holy Knight.”

“No worries my King, it was more than enough.” Replied Anderson as he bowed, left fist pressed over his right breastplate.

“We shall see.” Jun stepped up to the first Soldier.

The soldiers were clad in light padded armour and held Tarnianian spears and shields, Jun was impressed at the uniformity, as Anderson really did not have much time to prepare the soldiers. The first soldier stood just above six feet tall and looked broad and sturdy. Jun smiled, he had found his Hercules.

“Your name?”

“Joo of the Luelin House.”

“Lu…lue…luelin…..house….” Jun could barely find the
words.

“Aye, is something wrong? You aren’t what I had expected to see in a King you know…the height….oh well..” Joo sighed.

“As expected from a Luelin, tongue as toxic as the stench of rotten fish kept in a wine cellar for seventy years.” Jun was undecided whether he should move on as quickly as he can, if he moved over, he could end this irksome conversation, but he was also a little concerned what sort of weird being the next soldier would be.

“I’d take that as a compliment m’lord, now will you move on please, you are not blocking my view at all, don’t worry, but the smell of your hair really isn’t very pleasing to the nose.” Joo pinched his nose and waved Jun away.

Jun went on the second soldier. This man was of average build, and had this look in his eyes which made Jun want to Bow to him.

“Your name?”

“Robi, of the Herman house.” Came the reply.

Jun shuddered, Holy Knight sure knew how to pick the weirdest people.

“Ahh, a noble family member, it is my pleasure to have you on board.”

Robi smiled and said nothing.

Weird, why am I being all nice and friendly to this guy.

Jun shook his head and moved on to the next guy.

“Your name?”

“sniff….Sal….sniff….Salvin…”

“Umm, what’s wrong?”

Salvin squatted down and started crying.

“Hey hey…dude…you sure you are ready to umm…fight?” Jun asked in concerning tone, while casting a 'I’ll kill you' glance at Holy Knight Anderson.

Salvin wiped his tears and stood up, he stood just above six feet, around the same built as Joo, another Hercules, but a crying one, Jun thought, and moved on.

Jun completed the inspection soon after and had found familiar faces in the squad, Oswald the court jest, Phin the ex-court jest and would-be shield bearer and surprisingly, Shi the court chef.

“I hope I did well, my King” Anderson bowed again.

“Aye, not bad, well done, Holy Knight” Jun replied flatly, trying hard to suppress his killer instincts, his hands couldn’t wait to feel the skin on Anderson’s throat.

This just won’t do, they’ll just get wiped out like bugs by the Frankian troops.Hmm…ah! I nearly forgot bout these!

“Gentlemen, you are a strong lot, the strongest in Tarniania, as verified by my most trusted Holy Knight Anderson. But in order to stand up to the mighty Frankian forces, the Gods have bestowed a gift to all of you.” Jun took out a bag of beans and distributed it to the soldiers.

“These are the magic beans which the founder of Tarniania, Jack traded his holy cow for. And they are known to grant whoever consumes them extremely unique and incredulous powers. Now swallow them.”

And they did.