Masks
Stormwolf
The village was on the outskirts of the town. Inhabited mostly by serfs who worked the land that belonged to the local landed baron, the village was made up of small huts made of dirt and wood with straw thatched roofs. Wooden pens held pigs, and goats, and the smell of dirt, shit, and urine permeated the area. Further up the dirt lane the town lay. Townhouses of wood and stone, two inns, a few stores, and some smaller houses made up the town. The people living in the town were mostly merchants who had settled there, families of the soldiers, and servants who worked at the local manor house for the landed baron, and a few more wealthy farmers. At midday most of the people were in their houses eating lunch, but down the dirt street rode a man clothed in black riding a large dark warhorse. Over the man's face was a mask made of black painted metal shaped into the face of a panther. The dirt road he rode upon would lead further north and eventually take the rider to the manor house, his apparent destination. He rode skillfully, the warhorse prancing through the street when suddenly he whipped his head toward the west as if he heard something. The rider turned his horse's head and spurred him down a small dirt lane. The rider came upon four men beating another man. Two of the assailants were constables of the town. The other two were big men who were dressed like soldiers. The rider dismounted and moved foward in an attempt to stop the men, when suddenly beneatht he mask his nostrils flared, and something inside the rider snapped. The rider drew his sword from the scabbard, growled, then charged into the midst of the assailants. the fight lasted only a few seconds, and in that time the rider managed to decapitate, and literally chop the men into pieces. Blood covered the ground. The victim lay unconscious on the ground, face bloodied, and bruised. The face was youthful, the hair long and curly, chestnut colored. The rider kneeled down, and scooped the young man up into his arms gently. As he did so two more constables came upon the scene. When they saw the masked rider, and heard the low growl coming from the man, the constables slowly moved back sheathing their own weapons. The rider did not bother with them. Instead, he layed the kid on the horse's withers, having the young man straddle the animal, then mounted up behind him. the masked rider turned his warhorse in the direction he had been heading, and kicked the warhorse into a fast trot. The constables then moved forward and found the bodies of their fellows. One of them left to find the magistrate. *********************** The rider held the unconcious boy close to his chest as he maneuvered the great warhorse down the rode to the manor house. When he rode through the gates, the guard there announced his coming through the courtyard. Therefor, when the rider reached the front doors of the manor, and dismoounted, the baron stood at the top of the steps waiting for him. The rider carried his burden up the stairs and stood before the baron. "James, what is going on?" the baron asked. The masked rider bowed his head, blue eyes taking in the battered face of the young man. "Father, he is my guide." Baron Ellison gasped in shock, then quickly hurried his son inside the manor house. ******************** Groaning, Blair opened his eyes wincing against the feel of his bruised face. Looking around, Blair found himself not in the dirt street in which he had been ambushed, but lying in a feathered bed with light blue gauzy hangings obscuring the room around him. "I see you are awake." A woman's voice said. Blair turned to see an older woman through the gauze wearing a dark green skirt with a light green blouse, a shawl of the same color over her shoulders. Her dark hair was streaked with silver, her dark eyes held wisdom and maturity. Blair smiled at her as she smiled at him. "Yeah, I guess I am. Uh, how did I get here?" Blair asked. "Jimmy brought you. He stoped the men from beating you further and brought you here." The woman said. "Jimmy?" Blair asked. "The eldest son of Baron Ellison, whose home this is." the woman said, "I am Sally." "I am pleased to meet you Sally. My name is Blair." "Welcome to Ellison Manor, Blair. I am sorry about what happened." "Its alright, its not your fault." Sally smiled, "We have a Healer on her way here. Luckily for you she is good at bond healing." Blair smiled, "I hate to tell you this, but I am not bonded to anyone. It won't work." Sally's smile faultered. Blair noticed, "What is it?" "Perhaps its best if I tell you. Has anyone ever told you that you are guide potential." "Uh, yeah, actually they have. Just never found a sentinel before." Blair answered. "Young James is a sentinel. He heard you in trouble, but when he came upon the scene, he imprinted your scent, and knew you to be his destined guide." "Gods! Are you telling me I am now bonded to a sentinel." "Yes. Or at least initially bonded, of course. Baron Ellison will have to speak to you more about this. But at least you are bonded enough that the healer will be able to use it." "Oh man." Blair said as the reality of it hit him. Sally had one of the servants bring Blair a tray as they waited for
Baron Ellison and the Healer. The tray held soup and fresh baked
bread. Blair ate while they waited.
The first to enter the room was Baron Ellison. A tall handsome, and
older man, Baron Ellison strolled in purposefully. He was wearing
dark grey tunic, and black breeches. Embroidered on the breast of his
tunic was the Ellison coat of arms, two stalking black panthers and a
shield with a sword and axe crossed.
Baron Ellison looked at Sally, and the old woman nodded her head and
left the room.
"Sally is Jimmy's guide-nurse." Ellison said.
Blair nodded in understanding. Females who are born with guide
potential usually become guide-nurses, taking care of fledgeling
sentinels until they can find and bond with their real guide. Female
guides were in high demand, and fathers could set a high brideprice
for daughters with guide potential.
"My name is William Ellison. I am the Baron of this providence."
"Blair, sir. My name is Blair." He gave no last name.
Ellison raised one brow, but said nothing of the lack of a last
name. "We need to discuss the dowry. I, of course, will increase the
amount due to the circumstances, but I must ask that you not fault
Jimmy for the transgression. It was not his fault, and he was already
punished according to the law."
Blair was confused, "Uh, sir, could you slow down for a second. I
don't understand."
The man looked confused, then suddenly it dawned on him, "Of course,
you were unconscious when Jimmy brought you. orgive me, I did not
realise that."
"What transgression are you talking about?" Blair asked.
Before William could answer a knock ont he door, and Sally peeked
into the room, "The Healer is here, sir." She said.
Ellison nodded, "Have Jimmy come in witht he Healer."
Sally nodded solemnly. She shut the door.
A few seconds later the door opened again and a woman in blue
homespun walked into the room followed by a tall man with short
cropped hair.
Blair saw the mask the man wore, and just barely stopped from gasping
as recognition and understanding hit him. *But why, I don't under...*
Blair thought then remembered, *Baron Ellison said it wasn't his
fault.* And Blair had a moment of clarity.
The Healer nodded her head tot he bed, and the sentinel bowed his
head and walked over to the bed. The sentinel climbed into the bed,
and and layed down beside Blair. Blair reached out and layed a hand
on the sentinel's arm ignoring the man's flinch.
The Healer laid one hand on Jimmy's brow, and the other hand on Blair
brow, then closed her eyes.
An hour later, Blair was out of the bed sitting in the alcove of the
room's window staring out into the sky. On the bed, Jimmy had been
undressed by Sally, and tucked into what Blair had discovered was
actually Jimmy's bed. The Bond Healing had taken energy from the
sentinel and directed it to heal the guide. Jimmy was now recovering
from the Healing.
A knock on the door, and Blair's invitation in had Sally opening the
door. "Master Blair, Baron Ellison needs you in the Great Hall. The
magistrate from town is here."
*Good,* Blair thought. *Now my attackers can be punished.*
Blair dressed in teh breeches and tunic that Sally had brought him,
and followed her down a winding staircase into a large room with a
fireplace.
"This has gone far enough, Baron Ellison." A man's voice said. "That
son of yours is a menace. I will not tolerate his behavior any
longer."
Blair became angry, "Wait a minute!" Blair growled as he walked into
the room to confront the man.
The magistrate, a short balding, fat man wearing tastelesly expenisve
clothing turned to look at the speaker, "Who are you to be
interrupting me."
Blair opened his mouth, then shut it, then said, "I am Jimmy's guide.
And the man who was attacked."
The magistrate narrowed his eyes, "A guide." The man snorted. "A
street brat. Just perfect for your whore of a son."
Blair hit the magistrate, "Listen you worthless piece of horse dung,
I never again want to hear you say that. Or I will be pressing
charges with the Guide Guild."
The magistrate glared at him, then turned to Ellison, "I don't care
that he was protecting his guide. Your son is out of control and has
been for years. He cut those men to pieces, and we can bury those
pieces in cigar boxes. Have him show up at the Square tomorrow for
his punishment. Hopefully now that he has a guide, your sentinel son
will learn to obey and live within the rules of society. Good day."
With the magistrate left the room and was shown out of the castle.
"Punishment!! He was protecting me." Blair said.
Ellison nodded, "I know that. But Jim has been acting very animal
like the past few years. Not even Sally has been able to control him.
The villagers are scared of him. He's broken a few rules, not to
mention a few skulls. I managed to keep Jim from being hanged or
thrown in jail, but the compromise it that Jim is punished for any
transgression by a public whipping. But even a public whipping
doesn't stop him. He's a very angry young man, and he has every right
to be. I am glad you are here. I was coming to my wit's end on the
whole situation."
"I am glad I am here to." Blair said with conviction.