SILVER THE HEDGEHOG: ABSOLUTION

Chapter 3

"IT'S PATCH YOU BUMBLING FOOL!" The coyote barked while the eyepatch-wearing soldier's face boiled red.

Mighty rubbed his neck as he sheepishly laughed, "Ha ha! C'mon, Patch ol' buddy! You know it was an honest mistake!"

"We are not friends, peasant!" Patch spat, clearly irritated. "Your presence sickens me so."

Redirecting the spiteful comment with sarcasm, Mighty spilled fake tears, saying, "Aw...I miss you too, pal!"

Blaze then curtly addressed her subordinates, "Sister Barby, Chevalier Lt. Mighty,"

The others barring Silver and Patch turned to their princess and kneeled before her, saying, "Your Royal Highness,"

"Come, we have work to do." Blaze indifferently instructed, causing the other Embers to follow as they embarked on the L'aube du Soleil.

However, before entering, Barby asked, "What's the kid doing here with us?"

Blaze ground her teeth before begrudgingly admitting, "Apparently, he's our new...squire."

"Oh, snap! He is what Barry was talking about when he mentioned a new guy." Mighty clapped in excitement. "There's gotta be something special about you if the emperor's let you come with us."

"You buffoon," Patch said while rolling his visible eye. "Have you been forgetting that the boy's an Astra?"

"...Oh yeah," Mighty sheepishly grinned before laughing out loud, which only got him multiple sets of eyes rolling and a groan from his princess and teammates.

"Say kid, what can you-"

Before Barby could finish her question, Blaze sharply huffed, "Save you questions for the trip. We have to meet with the Ember of Pride."

"Yes, madam," The other Embers answered respectively as everybody went on the vessel's deck and descended to the inner chamber.

When entering said chamber, the ground found a lounge that was connected to another room that had the helm of the vessel. Within the long, the group had met up with the leader of the Order of the Hearth, Chevalier Commander Elias Acorn. What was notable about Elias was that on his neck was a black necklace that had a small black greatsword hanging off of it.

"Ah, greetings team," Elias smiled calmly before bowing to his princess. "Your Imperial Highness."

Blaze's face softened a bit as she nodded to the Mobian squirrel, saying, "Sir Elias."

"I see that you've met our new squire," The squirrel mentioned as he turned to Silver. "Congratulations, kiddo. I knew you had it in you."

"U-Uh, thanks, Commander." Silver stuttered bashfully.

"Don't thank me yet. You still have a long way before your assessment in one year." Sir Elias noted. "I am glad that His Grace sent you our way. This makes you assigned to the Order of the Hearth, meaning you are under my leadership."

"Order of the Hearth? What is that?" Silver questioned.

"Only the coolest division out of all of the branching divisions!" Mighty pridefully declared with a charming smirk.

"They are my Guardsmen," Blaze clarified. "Seven years ago, Father decided to personally form a separate unit that is devoted to my protection. But instead of simply remaining in the palace, I joined their missions in subjugating savage pirates and banishing enemies from my territories. Hence the name, Order of the Hearth."

"I guess that makes sense," Silver nodded, then asked Blaze, "And you're the Hearth,"

"Congratulations, you have a brain," Blaze snarked.