After leaving the wooded valley, the group decided to set up camp, in a large grassy field, by the road. The tents were set up, the fire's were lit, and fresh meat was being roasted for all the soldiers and more.

The Redwing kingdom's important figures had sat on some logs around a large burning fire, waiting for their meals to cook, Jack for one kept looking in the direction of the soldiers.

"What's the matter?

" Sir K asked.

"I just have this odd feeling that something or someone is going to do something, I can smell it.

" He replied, sniffing the air.

"You mean you think there are some spies among our men,

" Kyle added.

"Aren't you all just being paranoid,

" Martha said.

"I mean all this talk of Gary and Monk, we're just hurt and think it will possibly happen again. Now we can't use the system. We can't really check who is part of the Redwings anymore unless we look for a tattoo.

"

The system at this point that they used to use, might as well have been all an imagination in their head. Parts of it would sometimes work when Ray had first gone missing, and now none did. As if the magic power used to power it, was gone.

"If there are spies, let them spy on us, and then when we find out who they are, we will deliver the appropriate punishment.

" Sir K said.

"We can't falter and start to accuse each other now, not when we are this close to war.

"

The group was silent and left to their own thoughts, and all that could be heard was the flickering of the flame. This was bad, and the mood was bad, not one for people who should be going into a war.

"I was just wondering.

" Flynn suddenly said. Flynn's random interjection could sometimes be annoying, but in this case, they all welcomed it.

"Who's the strongest out of all of you?

"

The question was an unexpected one, but it did make them think. When Ray wasn't here, who was considered the strongest? There was Sir K, the former Black sash knight master, Kyle, the current one. Harry the white sash leader and participant of the all kingdom tournament. Jack that was undoubtedly known to be the strongest during his time at Avrion.

One could also not forget about the others, Martha, who had a king tier bow and was unrivalled when it came to archery. Even Badger and Sloth were said to be unstoppable if they fought as a pair.

Then the newcomers of the group, Lenny with his mysterious and unique body as well as his giant self, Roki a skilled swordsman from the empire and lastly Roy, the fire mage a former tower master of Roland academy.

When looking at all these people, this was what was going through Flynn's mind, and he really thought they had some of the strongest and perhaps strangest people in Bronzland with him, this was what gave him confidence.

'Huh, did I forget someone?' Right now Flynn was looking straight at Dan, and had no clue who he was or what he did around here. A forgotten soul who was always forgotten about.

"You see Flynn, things like who strongest don't matter when you get older.

" Martha started to explain.

"We all have our unique strengths and—

"

"You're looking at the strongest right here, Flynn.

" Kyle said, pointing to himself.

"Or have you forgotten who your teacher used to be? I'm confident that if I fought with each one of you here, I could hold my ground.

" Then his eyes turned to Jack, and remembered his inhuman power. Even with his beast shell on his back, he could imagine those claws ripping right through them.

"Maybe not Jack,

" Kyle said.

Roki hearing this was now interested in Jack. He could sense all the strong presence here, and he was someone who was aiming to become the best, and the strongest was interested in this question. The Redwings certainly had more skilled fighters than most, even for such a small army.

"I would say that was true, but only if you were to bet on your opponent winning against you in every fight,

" Harry commented.

"Even if you would try to throw the fight, the curse would kick in.

" Harry was still upset about what had happened at the empire, he was hoping to at least get through the first round.

He would often curse under his breath, when looking at Kyle.

What they didn't realise was there was little talk of who was strongest had spread to the other camps, and now they were debating and talking about it as well. Yet the only person they had heard talk so far, was Kyle.

"That black slash master is a fake.

" One of the soldiers said.

"I heard that originally the person who would have been chosen had been possessed by the shadow.

" They were talking about Gary, who many predicted as one of the most skilful to become the black sash knight master if it wasn't for Ray taking him out of the kingdom.

"Then the one after that had joined the Dark guild.

" This time they were talking about Monk.

The turth was, Kyle really was the last choice to become the master knight of the Black sashes, in the end, there were only four of them.

"Shut up!

" Flynn shouted back at the group that was near them. They could clearly be overheard and weren't mincing their words. It was a sign of disrespect that Kyle received, and on more than one occasion. Because the other knights often talked about him as the fool, they thought they could do the same.

"If you really think you guys are any better, then why don't you prove it!

" At the end of the day, Kyle was Flynn's only black sash teacher, and it was because of him he was in the position he was in today.

"Maybe that's not such a bad idea.

" Sir K said, walking into the woods, he did so with two long sticks when he came back.

"This is your chance!

" Sir K shouted.

"Kyle, the Black sash master, is offering to duel any of you one on one. If you manage to beat him, then his position is up for grabs, and we shall offer you riches of a gold coin.

"

The soldiers cheered in unison at the idea, and many of them thought this might be their actual chance to prove their worth and get their eyes and radar on those above. A lot of people knew that soon the Redwing kingdom would be wealthy. There way they spent gold coins and such proved it.

They had also seen the inventions going around, and any one of them would see for a high price. A lot of the Redwings wanted to be a part of this future.

"I'll go,

" A large man said, picking up the stick from the ground. As Sir K went back to his seat, he whispered in Kyle's ear.

"Don't go easy on him.

"

The fight had started, and the first clash of sticks happened right in the centre, one not overpowering the other. The large man was one of the better white sash knights so here he would focus on his swordsmanship.

He struck with his stick each time more acutely and perfectly, but each time Kyle slipped through them like butter. When the time was right, it looked like he had vanished from in front of the man and was suddenly behind him with his stick towards his neck.

"I lose.

" The man said.

"Is there anyone else?

" Kyle offered.

A few more people tried, with them faring well at the start and then towards the end, Kyle would use some of his Black sash skills to end the fight.

"Hmph, if he didn't have that fancy footwork of his, most of those knights would have beaten him.

" The man from earlier who was complaining said.

"What is wrong with you!

" Flynn complained.

"The black sash foot work is just another skill that we have to learn. It takes us years to perfect it just like your sword skills, so why can't he use it.

"

Pointing the stick at the gentleman, Kyle was asking him to fight.

"Come on, I won't use that fancy footwork of yours and still make you land on your backside.

"

The aggravation worked, and the man picked up the stick to start the duel. As soon as it began, there was a clash of two sticks. To make sure the sticks didn't break, both of them were infusing their Ki into it, but Kyle started to use more this time.

And when the sticks clashed, one Ki had overpowered the other one so much, it broke the other stick in half, and it had gone flying into the woods. The man no longer spoke after that, how could he.

But it had served its purpose. Kyle was to lead these people, and Sir K couldn't have them looking down on one of their leaders. He needed to prove that they could rely on these people, rely on us.

"You did good Kyle,

" Martha said as he sat down next to her.

"Thanks, but these guys aren't worth my time, the person I have to defeat…is Gary.

"

******

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