"Forgive my presumption," she said at last, "but I have need of someone like yourself to perform a task for me." "You have only to name it, milady," Knightshade said. "If it is within my power I will do it for you." "You are kind, but you know not yet what I ask. There is some danger involved. I would not have thee agree until details were known to you." Knightshade nodded solemnly. "I do not willingly seek danger, milady, but I am no stranger to it. Please, continue." "Very well. In truth it is simple. Recently we have had reports of some of the enemy's forces making camp north east of the Killing Fields. Beyond the mists. The reports we have vary in the telling. As you have seen we are still debating the best course of action for the council to take. We are still woefully uninformed of the enemy's numbers and location. A warrior, who I hold dear in my heart, has declared that he will find this camp and learn what he will. He is a mighty warrior, and few can stand against him, but he is only one man. He is proud and stubborn, refusing any offers of an escort from the castle. I would ask, milord, if you would be his companion on this journey. I fear that should he go alone, he will not return." "Forgive my doubts milady, but why, if he is as mighty as you say, do you fear for him so greatly?" "I have my reasons. He is kin for one. Is it not natural for a lady to care for her brother? Even if she is only half sister to him?" LadyKris sighed. "The bonds of kinship are only part of the reason. There are other reasons that he needs to be kept safe. Reasons that may affect the safety of our beloved realm. I wish that I were able to speak more freely of it to you, but it is known only to he and this lady." "Once again I humbly ask for your forgiveness, milady. I did not mean to doubt you." Knightshade paused momentarily, before nodding. "I would be honoured to be his companion, but as you yourself have said, he refuses all help that you would give him. Why would he accept help from me and not you? " LadyKris smiled mischievously at him. "Ah, but you would not be helping him! He would be helping you. He is a man of great honour. He would not refuse a request to help you. Have you had occasion to travel through the Killing Fields, milord?" "No," Knightshade said smiling. "I have not. It would seem that I have need of a guide if I am to travel that way." "Excellent! He will be waiting at the barracks. Please, do not mention anything of this conversation to him. He is proud, as I said. I do not enjoy deceiving him and would not have him think badly of me." "I will do as you request, milady. Have no fear." "A final word, milord before we continue. It is not common knowledge, but I was visited recently by one we thought lost. Lord Light himself appeared. But through some evil magic I know nothing of, I was a stranger to him. He left abruptly, and I know not where he has gone. Be watchful of him on your journey. He is cursed and is not himself. Any news ye can bring me of him would ease my worry. I fear that he has been used badly in this, by those he called friend, as well as the enemy." "You can depend on my discretion and dedication to the task you have given me, milady. I will not fail you." They were silent for a while as LadyKris led him through the courtyard into the soldiers training area. Soldiers practised their swordplay here, against stuffed dummies and against one another. The sound of steel striking steel filled the area, evidence of the castle's preparation for the upcoming conflict. Beyond the training area was the barracks themselves. They were low flat buildings. Practical rather than opulent. Knightshade nodded approvingly to himself. There was little chance of a soldier growing soft in such surroundings. LadyKris passed the first two of these buildings, but entered the third. There was only one person inside. Knightshade was impressed at the size of the man who sat on a bunk honing a blade. He was tall and strong, and scars criss-crossed his bare chest. Knightshade laughed to think that this man would need protection from anyone. If he had any skill with that blade, his obvious strength would make him a formidable opponent indeed. The man smiled when he saw LadyKris enter. "I would like to introduce Knightshade, " LadyKris said, returning his smile. "He is a friend in need of aid." She looked almost girlish in this man's presence. Nothing at all like the hardened leader of the Council of Light, Knightshade had met earlier. A great sibling love and trust was apparent in the way she looked at him, and Knightshade knew in an instant that LadyKris felt safe and relaxed with her brother nearby. The man rose to his feet, and offered his hand to him. Knightshade accepted it, wincing inwardly at the strength of his grip. "I am Rorke," the man said simply. Rorke accepted the story they had invented and was quick to agree. It was decided that they would leave at dusk and use the cover of night to hide them from prying eyes. Knightshade spent the afternoon with Rorke, and they spent much time talking. Rorke's accent was strange to Knightshade's ears, and he remarked upon it to the warrior. "I am not originally from these parts," Rorke said smiling wistfully. "Did LadyKris mention our relationship?" "Only that you were her half-brother," Knightshade said. "But she does not speak as you do." "That is because she has lived here all her life. I have not. I will tell you the tale, if you would hear it." He continued after Knightshade nodded. "Our father travelled much in his youth. It seemed he had a wanderlust of a sort. On one of his long journeys he came across my homeland. Okla, it is called. He met my mother there, and before long they were married. I was born soon after, but my mother died, giving me life. He stayed in Okla for a few years. Until I was old enough to travel. Then we returned here. He had spoken often of my homeland, so when I was old enough to travel alone, I decided to return there. I found it after a long journey, and I stayed there for quite some time. It is a beautiful place and the kin of my mother live there still. I used to enjoy lying in the open plains, while warm winds would come sweeping in from the north. I used to enjoy watching the flight of the hawks which would circle lazily high above me. It was a peaceful place. They know little of war there. I miss it greatly." Rorke had a distant look in his eyes for a few moments, before continuing. "But my place is here now. This is where the enemy will strike first. If we fail, my peaceful home of Okla will fall soon after." To Knightshade, it seemed a strange place he described. To one who had lived all his life with thick forests within easy reach, a land where there were huge treeless plains was hard for him to imagine. He had not travelled far during his life, but one day, he promised himself, he would leave Leinster behind and see for himself if such places existed. Later in the afternoon, Tereanas sought Knightshade out, and they spoke in private. "Sir, " the young wizard said, "I wish to apologize if I seemed less than cordial in our meeting earlier today. It is hard for me to sit in council while others are out there fighting the enemy. As you may have heard, I'm not originally from these lands. Where I came from, we faced a similar threat to Lord Daemon. Our elders advocated peace, and refused to initiate any attack. They waited too long in the end. When the enemy struck, we were beaten easily, and forced to flee. I came to this realm. You must forgive my impatience. With the enemy so close, I would take up arms to strike a blow before the chance is lost as it happened with my people." "I understand your frustration, Tereanas," Knightshade said. "But it is a great responsibility you have been entrusted with. I would offer a word of advice if I may. Although strength of arms will play its part in this conflict, some battles are won at the council table. From what I have witnessed of the enemy, you will get your chance to strike a blow soon enough. For now though your strength is needed in the council. LadyKris is a remarkable woman, but she cannot do everything on her own. She, and all the realm, will depend on your courage and strength." "You are right, my friend," Tereanas said gravely. "I will think upon what you have said. I hope you do not think badly of me." Knightshade smiled. "I do not, my lord." Tereanas smiled in return. "Thank you. But I must return now to my duties. Keep safe in your travels. I would very much like to speak with you again, if the chance arises." Tereanas left, and Knightshade returned to barracks, in search of Rorke. When he found him, Rorke suggested they spar for a while in the training area. They sparred for over an hour. Knightshade found that he was hopelessly outmatched by this impressive warrior. He felt clumsy and awkward against him, and yet he was certain Rorke was holding back. He envied Rorke his skill with the blade, but knew that that was the price he had paid when he chose to concentrate on magic as well as swordplay. A spell of even minor power, when cast at the right moment, could swing the tide of battle in his favour, yet he still wished for the easy, graceful movements that the warrior could produce. Page 2 of 8   Previous Page Return to Index Next Page   This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page