by M. L. Forman
A look of pain crossed Bane’s face. He stared at the table in front of him, lost in thought. When he spoke again, his voice was tight, and he had some difficulty with the words.
“I learned to be cold and cruel,” he said. “In war, the ruthless often have the advantage. Under the training of my new master, I learned to put aside my own feelings, to do what needed to be done—no matter what. It was a hard lesson for me to learn because, up until that time, I had always thought that mercy and honor had a place on the battlefield.
“I did things that I will never speak of, things that should not have been done. My master praised me and my actions, but deep in my own heart, I knew I had done wrong. I hid my doubts and buried my feelings deep. If I did evil, it was only to bring about a greater good, or so I told myself at the time. If the innocent had to pay the price for our victory, well, that was not my concern because only our final victory mattered. The innocent would be taken care of once my master was king of all the land.
“It was during this time that I began to understand what evil really is. My master seemed to change as time passed as well, becoming more desperate to win battles and less careful with his army. We were coming to the end, but I could not see it. All that mattered to me was that we fight. Victory could still be ours, if only we could keep going.
“The end of that time in my life is a bloody story, and I will not retell it now. Simply know that the end did come, and when it did, I was at my master’s side, though even then I did not realize what was truly happening. I was blinded by the hate he had poured into me.”
Bane paused, taking a few deep breaths and running his hands through his hair.
“The end came,” he repeated grimly. “We were caught by our enemies. I tried to help my master escape, tried to run to the hills and start again. We would rebuild our army, even if it meant traveling to another land. But our attempt was in vain. We were cornered. Not by soldiers, but by wizards.
“Four wizards—true wizards like Master Taylor here—who did not seek power for themselves, but justice for the people of Goval. I was bound by their spells and made to watch what they did to my master. At first I thought they would torture him and make him pay for the dark deeds that he had done and that others had done in his name. Torture was not what the wizards were about, and that was something I had not expected.
“They spoke a magic spell together, and a shadow of darkness tore away from my master’s body. I did not understand what I was seeing. I knew little of magic and even less about the dark creatures that exist in the known lands. The shadow spoke to the four wizards, but I did not hear what it said. Before the wizards could capture or destroy the shadow, my old master rushed at them, distracting them from their final task.
“The old man was destroyed, but the shadow that had been inside of him escaped. I thought the wizards would destroy me as well, but they did not. With a few kind words, they removed the darkness and shadows from my mind so I could see the truth, so I could understand the evil that had been done. I could finally understand what I had done in the name of victory, and, for the first time in years, I could feel with the emotions of a man.
“It was an act of kindness, but still the guilt for my evil deeds overcame me. For a long time I wished for death, but that was not to be. The wizards helped me overcome my guilt and found ways to heal the wounds I had inflicted on the land and people of Goval. I traveled for many years in the company of one or another of these wizards, until finally the four of them came together once more.”
Bane closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. He shook his head as if trying to wake himself from a dream.
“These four great men asked me to take on a final quest,” said Bane, half-smiling as he spoke. “They explained to me what the shadow I had seen was, though words fail to express its true nature and horror. I will simply say that it was a shadow of evil that could posses a person and use that person for its own ends. I have heard it called by many names in many lands, but the result is always the same: war and pain.
“I accepted the quest, thinking it would be a way to repay some of the evils I had done. I did not know then that my quest would last so long, but even now, I feel the punishment is light compared to my crimes.”
Bane stopped as a sudden cough racked his body violently. It was several minutes before he caught his breath again, but no one said anything or even moved.
“So, my new masters gave me power,” said Bane, rubbing his chin. “They passed some of their own power to me and sent me into the known lands as a paladin. Now I hunt the shadow that possesses men, and my quest will not end until I find it and destroy it, or it destroys me.”
There was a long silence as Bane finished speaking, and the only noise came from the fire burning in the hearth.
Alex considered Bane’s story, remembering something his own teacher, Whalen Vankin, had told him.
“I see now why my friends were so concerned when I wanted to confront you,” Alex said at last. “I did not recognize you for what you are, and I did not understand what they meant when they called you a paladin.”
“A name for common people to use,” said Bane.
“Yet I know another name, a name that I will not speak in this company,” said Alex. “If I had known that that was what you are, I would not have confronted you as I did.”
“And yet you proved the stronger,” said Bane, a look of wonder on his face.
“How long have you been on this quest?” Arconn asked quietly.
“A long time,” Bane answered. “Sometimes it feels like forever, and I think the quest will have no end. But I cannot give it up.”
“Your story rings true,” said Thrang after a moment. “I will gladly ask King Thorgood to assist you in your quest.”
“You are most kind,” said Bane, inclining his head to Thrang.
“I think I may also be able to assist you,” said Alex. “Perhaps more than the libraries of Benorg, unless I miss my guess.”
“You know of the creature? The shadow of which I spoke?” Bane questioned, a hint of excitement in his voice.
“I believe I do,” said Alex. “If it is the same creature, and I feel sure that it is, I have confronted it twice.”
“Twice?” Bane repeated in amazement.
“It tried to tempt me,” said Alex. “It wanted me to join with it. It made me promises of power, wealth, and fame.”
“Promises it could not keep, unless it used the power in you to bring such things to pass,” said Bane. “Will you tell me where these meetings took place?”
“The first was in Vargland,” said Alex, glancing at his friends. “The shadow was controlling several wraiths there. I was not yet a trained wizard and did not understand what I was facing. It nearly destroyed me, and I was saved only because my friends called me back from the wall.”
“More than one called you back?” Bane questioned in surprise.
“I called him back partway,” said Arconn, a pained look on his face. “I did not have the power to call him back completely.”
“Perhaps not,” said Alex. “But you had the presence of mind to take me to one who could call me back—or, as you once said, demand that I return.”
“A close thing, even for her,” said Arconn.
“Yes, it was,” agreed Alex.
“So you escaped it once when you were not trained, and then you met it again?” Bane asked.
“By chance, it traveled with an adventurer who was part of the company I had joined,” Alex explained. “I was still being trained and had not yet taken my staff so I did not see or feel the shadow until it was almost too late.”
“The adventurer—were you able to save him?” Bane questioned in a worried tone.
“I was not,” said Alex sadly. “He was lost, and the shadow escaped. That was in the far north of Norsland, not long ago.”
“Twice you have met the shadow and twice you have overcome it. I think the shadow will avoid meeting you a third time,” said Ban
e with a nod.
“Perhaps,” Alex agreed. “I think I could hold it now, but I do not know how to destroy it.”
“I have little doubt that you could destroy it if you needed to,” said Bane in a confident tone. “You overcame me easily, and I was sent to be this shadow’s bane.”
“Yes, but your powers are not fully yours to use,” said Alex. “I think your powers would have been greater if I had been evil. If I had accepted the shadow’s offer, I would be less than I am. You would have prevailed.”
“I wonder,” said Bane softly. “I am glad that such a test will never come.”
“As am I,” said Alex.
“Now that you have some idea where the shadow has been, will you still go to Benorg?” Kat asked Bane.
“Yes,” said Bane. “I would still like to search the records of the city to see if there is any mention of the shadow. I doubt that the records will name it as such, but I will know just the same.”
“I doubt that the shadow remained in Norsland anyway,” Alex said. “It was going to look for a new servant, or perhaps I should say victim. Though it may wish to return to Norsland, once that victim is found.”
“Why do you say that?” Bane questioned.
“It thinks there is something waiting for it there,” answered Alex.
Bane looked at Alex, confused. Alex smiled and told the story of the last time he’d met the shadow. As he spoke, he could feel his friends’ eyes on him. He hadn’t told them the entire story of this part of his last adventure, and he was a little embarrassed to be telling it now.
“It will be disappointed when it returns,” Bane said with satisfaction. “Though I am sorry that the adventurer could not be saved.”
“He made his own choice,” said Alex. “I feel sorry for him, but he had to pay the price for the choices that he made.”
“As do we all,” said Bane with a bleak smile.
“What happened to the four wizards who sent you on this quest?” Thrain asked shyly.
“That is not important,” Alex interrupted. “What is important is that Bane is still on his quest. I, for one, will help in any way I can.”
“You have already helped a great deal,” said Bane. “More than anyone else I have met in my journeys.”
“But—the wizards?” Thrain persisted.
“We should go to bed,” Alex suggested. “Tomorrow we must start on the road again, and I know that Bane has a long journey ahead of him as well.”
“Yes, of course,” said Thrang, catching the quick look Alex gave him. “To bed, and the road in the morning.”
Alex and Bane remained seated as the others got up from the table and left for their rooms.
“Aren’t you coming, Alex?” Thrain questioned.
“I’ll be along shortly,” said Alex.
Alex watched as Thrang pulled Thrain aside, whispering something in his ear. He felt a little sad for his young friend, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it just now.
“You were kind to deflect his question,” Bane said once he and Alex were alone.
“I knew the answer would trouble you,” said Alex. “I will explain it to him later, if he still wishes to know.”
“I suppose you wish to know the parts of my story I did not tell,” Bane said.
“I will not pry,” said Alex. “Much of what was missing I could see without your speaking it. Anything that I could not see is not important for me to know.”
“Thank you,” said Bane. “You have been both kind and helpful.”
“What will you do now?” Alex questioned. “I know your trip to Benorg will be a short one.”
“After hearing your story, I will admit I thought of going to Norsland,” Bane answered. “I could wait for the shadow to return and hope to take it by surprise.”
“Yet you have doubts about that plan,” Alex stated.
Bane nodded. “Time means little to the shadow, and . . .”
“And?”
“I feel that something else is happening. Something is wrong in the known lands, something that I cannot clearly see.”
“What do you mean?” Alex questioned.
“The shadow slips away, and, at times, it seems to vanish completely. It is as if someone or something is helping it to escape me,” Bane answered. “I feel as if some great conspiracy is taking place, yet I can find no proof or trail to follow.”
“A conspiracy to hide this shadow?”
“Not just the shadow. I have seen things in many lands—things that should not be. Yet it seems that people don’t notice the danger. Or perhaps they don’t care as they once did.”
“What is this conspiracy? What is it they want? Power? Wealth?”
“I don’t know,” said Bane. “Sometimes I feel that I should know, but the answer remains just out of sight. I do know that things are changing, and not for the better. Kingdoms are weakening, and old friendships are being forgotten. Perhaps that is what the conspiracy wants, but I don’t know why.”
“If that is true, it must be a large conspiracy,” said Alex. “And a large group is easily discovered.”
“Not if they were patient,” said Bane. “Not if they worked slowly over hundreds or even thousands of years. You know how long ago the wars in Goval started, Alex. You know how long I have been on this quest.”
“Long enough that you would notice things like a careful and patient conspiracy.”
“Yes,” said Bane. “I would ask you to do something for me.”
“What can I do?”
“Talk to the wizards that you know, pass on my thoughts to them,” said Bane. “Alert them to what might be happening and ask them to act, if they can.”
“I’ll do what I can,” said Alex.
Bane nodded and sat silently for several minutes, looking into the fire across the room.
“I think it would be best if I am gone before your company wakes in the morning,” he said at last.
“Must you always travel alone?” Alex questioned quietly.
“People’s lives are too short, and I am too old. I am a paladin and must always be on the move. I do not have time for ties to family or friends.”
“Very well,” said Alex, feeling sorry for Bane. “I wish you good hunting in your quest.”
“Thank you,” said Bane.
“If ever I meet this shadow again, I will let you know,” Alex promised. “And if you ever need my assistance, please, feel free to call on me.”
Bane nodded, but Alex knew that the paladin was unlikely to ever ask for assistance. The ancient warrior had searched the known lands for many long years, and Alex knew that in all that time, he was the first to offer him any kind of help.
Alex stood up from the table and shook hands with Bane. He did not speak, but simply turned and left the paladin sitting alone at the table.
Chapter Eight
Road to Danger
The next morning Alex was up before any of his companions. He wrote a letter to Whalen, explaining Bane’s thoughts about a conspiracy, and then went down to the bar and took a seat at one of the tables. He knew Thrang and the others would be along soon so he ordered breakfast for the entire company. While he waited, he wondered how far Bane had already traveled toward Benorg.
“You’re up early,” Thrang said as he entered the room.
“Or you’re up late,” said Alex.
“I’m surprised you slept at all,” Thrang said. “I thought you and your new friend would be up all night talking. I suspect there were things you needed to talk about that were best discussed in private.”
Alex nodded. “And other things that were best not to speak of in front of the company.”
“Like Thrain’s question? Did you have to ask Bane or did you already know the answer?”
“Once I knew what Bane was, I knew the answer to Thrain’s question. Though what should concern us now are the rumors that Bane heard in his travels. I know I said trolls have more wealth than bandits, but I’m not in a hurry to
meet either.”
“Nor am I,” said Thrang. “Bane said he saw nothing as he traveled, so perhaps we will not be troubled either.”
“Bane traveled alone,” Alex said. “There are seven of us. We will be easier to spot than he was.”
“He traveled alone?” Thrang questioned. “Then who were the three men with him?”
“Some things should not be asked,” Alex answered softly.
Their discussion was interrupted as the rest of the company entered the room just as Rose arrived to serve breakfast. Alex noticed that Thrain looked dejected and not his normal happy self. Alex knew that it had taken a lot of courage for Thrain to ask Bane about the four wizards and suspected he was unhappy at not hearing the answer. But when Thrain seemed reluctant to look Alex in the face, Alex sensed that there was more to the problem.
“I see Master Bane has gone,” said Arconn, taking his seat.
“He had far to travel,” said Alex.
“But he never answered my question,” said Thrain quietly, his eyes fixed on the table in front of him.
“I will answer your question,” Alex said gently. “But when we are on the road once more, not here.”
“We should discuss the road ahead,” Arconn said.
“Alex and I were doing just that before you arrived,” said Thrang. “We will need to be careful and choose our campsites well.”
“But Bane said he saw nothing,” said Nellus.
“But he did hear rumors,” said Barnabus.
“The trouble with rumors is you never know what to believe,” Kat said. “There might be bandits or trolls along our path, or there might be nothing at all.”
“Or there might be something even worse,” Arconn added.
“It’s no use trying to guess what we might or might not meet. We’ll be careful as we go, and our road goes east,” said Thrang.
The sun was coming up as they left the tavern, and Alex was pleased to see that Ned had taken good care of their horses. As Thrang settled the bill, Alex handed Ned a couple of silver coins and thanked him for looking after the animals. Ned seemed stunned by the generous gift and thanked Alex several times before they rode away.