The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  Obi: "Yeah. It really is, isn't it?" He honestly said before leading the cart down the dirt path, and leading towards the temple grounds.

  ────────

  CHAPTER 11 – THE ORDER

  After a few hours later, Obi had finally made his way with the children to the temple grounds. Upon their arrival, the children remained at the back of the cart. The welcoming was less hospitable then Cherise had imagined it would be. When they entered the courtyard, the four were greeted by unwelcoming faces all around, of men wearing identical white robes to that of Obi's. Every person who bore the same white robes, and likewise they held a weapon of their preferred choice on hand, sheathed if possible.

  One of the men from the Order approached the group before talking to Obi in a stern voice, and saying, "By the Light! What do you think you're doing?!" He said while gesturing at the children.

  Obi: “Hey, look...-" He said while walking forward with his arms far apart, and saying, "-These kids have had it rough enough already. Their parents were killed, and they have no place to go. What’s three little more mouths to feed anyway? There shouldn’t be any reason why they can't stay if they make themselves useful."

  To which one of the other men of the Order responded to Obi’s comment, saying, "That's not for you to decide!" The man said deliberately loud enough for others in the Order around the courtyard to take notice.

  Nearly all of the others within the temple grounds also wore the same white robes. It was a small army, and those of them that heard the loud ruckus started making their way to gather around the commotion. Before long, they partially surrounded Obi and the children. And it wasn’t much longer before it was a quite sizeable crowd that had amassed.

  Frustrated with the new man’s continued loud outbursts, Obi put a finger in his ear as an exaggerated means to poke fun.

  Obi: "You're much louder than I remember buddy. Do you really need to yell?" He said while giving a chuckle.

  Unsurprisingly, Obi’s comment didn’t take too well with the man, who made it abundantly obvious with his souring disposition. And once Obi noticed his half-hearted joking wouldn’t do him any good for the moment, he then decided to steer the conversation back on topic.

  Obi: "All joking aside, how about letting me chat with the old man? I'm sure he'll see reason."

  Upon hearing this, the insulted man pointed his finger towards Obi while slowly walking backwards as he said, "I wouldn't be so confident he'd agree, if I were you. But let's find out, shall we?" The man said with a challenging gesture, before turning around fully and continuing on his way towards the largest wooden structure.

  The children were now becoming unsettled after receiving such an unexpected reception. Cherise reached out from the cart and tugged at Obi’s robe.

  Cherise: "Are they really going to let us stay?" After seeing her worried expression, Obi reassured her with a comforting smile for all the children’s sake.

  Obi: "Don't you worry. The old man is the boss around here. He may be a little rough around the edges, and he may also be a big fan of yelling, but I'm sure he'll see reason and let you kids stay.-" Letting out a small burst of laughter, he continued, "-Cause even if he doesn't know it, he's a kind old fart." Almost unanimously, the surrounding crowd mirrored displeased expressions at the clear disrespectful way their leader was mentioned, from one of their own no less.

  As the four waited, Cherise noticed in the ever-growing crowd that there were other children, only a few years older than Ira among them. She pointed them out for Ira and Theo too notice.

  If they’re here, then maybe we can stay too. But I wonder why that one man was so against us being here…

  For whatever the reason, seeing the children was a comforting sight for the three, and it certainly helped to ease their uncertainty.

  Several minutes passed among the constant murmurings from the surrounding crowd, before someone yelled out from the distant end of the courtyard. The children couldn’t exactly see who was yelling out but they knew the perpetrator was somewhere behind the large crowd.

  The voice continued to yell out Obi’s name. And upon hearing this, the crowd made way for the old man who had been responsible.

  At first glance at the elderly man, the children could see he was completely bald, with age marks, and many wrinkles to show his age. The old man was unable to keep his posture, hunching over as he walked slowly forward with a cane for support. He also had a slightly more distinguished white robe from that of the others around him. Besides the fact he was the only one in the Order who was unarmed, the old man’s intricately designed robe alone was a clear way to signify his authority above the others.

  The elderly man made his way through the crowd, followed by a small entourage of his men. One of the men who followed was the same disgruntled man who had left just earlier.

  Now only a few feet in front of Obi and his cart, the old man started asking in a grumpy tone, "What’s all this?!" He said while waving his cane at and around Obi’s cart, particularly pointing it in the children’s general direction.

  As if he was about to tell a grand tale, Obi stretched his arms out wide.

  Obi: "Keller!...” Instantly the old man frowned, as Obi continued.

  Obi: “Have you heard the news about Acorn village just a few days walking distance to the southeast? Just over a week ago, it was razed to the ground by the Aelaans.” He said while getting uncomfortably close to Keller, before throwing an arm around the old man, and pointing to the children.

  Obi: “Well, it just so happens these kids are from that exact village. They’re the only survivors, and they have no other place to turn to for help. I came across them when I was finished gathering supplies in Merchant’s Pass. There they were all alone, in some Light forsaken alleyway, in the freezing snow, thirsty, starving, and bruised. Like yourself no doubt, I did what any honest person would do. I couldn’t just leave them there!" An obvious ploy to get an emotionally response from the stubborn old man, who only returned a disgruntled look.

  The old man’s expression notably became softer after he got a good look over Ira, noticing the still visible bruising’s on the young boy. Seeing that Keller was starting to become sympathetic, Obi took this as an opportunity to finish selling his point.

  Obi: "They-have-nowhere-else-to-go!!" He said more loudly and dramatically, insinuating every single word as if it’d somehow help him sound more convincing.

  After hearing what Obi had to say, Keller pushed him away to have some space to think. The old man then started rubbing his eyebrows together in contemplation before letting out frustrated grunting sounds as he looked down. Murmuring to himself all the while, Keller was continuing getting more frustrated the more he thought on the matter. Grunting loudly in frustration, as he looked up to Obi to say.

  Keller: "Damn it, Obi! Would you really have pulled this stunt if not for your blood?! You were so quick to turn your back on it then because it suited you, same way as you have no problem using it now to your advantage! The others here wouldn’t have even dared!" He exclaimed, waving his arms in a fit before pointing his cane accusingly at Obi, restraining himself from taking a swing at him.

  What does he mean by that? What are they talking about?

  Cherise somewhat expected Obi to say something in his defense, and by the looks of it he wanted to, but for some reason he was doing his best to bite his tongue. And seeing his accusation was not refuted, Keller then started to speak to Obi with a demeaning but yet stern voice.

  Keller: "Does this look like some kind of a nursing service to you? We have a sacred duty to perform here at the Order!" The old man said while hitting his cane against the ground for emphasis.

  Leaning forward, the old man continued to say more pointedly.

  Keller: "You should not have brought them…" Keeping his calm, Obi appeared to swallow the words he wished to say in his defense.

  But undeterred, he then tried to urge the Keller aside to speak to him more privately. T
he stubborn old man would have none of it, and he made it abundantly clear by swiftly swatting away Obi's hand. As the old man was about to speak up, Obi made sure to get the first word in.

  Obi: "Now, now, Keller. I know you're not this heartless.-" The nonchalant tone he took, immediately annoyed Keller further, as Obi continued saying, "-I know you'll see reason." He finished saying with a smile that was almost smug.

  The old man grew even more irritated by Obi's obnoxious smile more than anything, it was practically taunting as the old man yelled back at him.

  Keller: "Aggh! Obi! Damn it!!" He said while raising his cane again, his hand trembling in an angered frustration, positioning himself to strike Obi.

  Restraining himself yet again, Keller put down his cane before exhaling and continuing where he left off.

  Keller: "You know very well the important task we have here. You also know full well the terms of the agreement made by all nations upon the Order’s continued existence. Need I remind you?! Only nobles from every nation could be represented among those at the temples of the Order. So I ask you, why did you think you could bring them here?!"

  After hearing the old man, Ira unintentionally butted into the middle of the conversation. Looking at Obi in particular.

  Ira: "What, really?! This guy’s a noble?!" As soon as Ira asked his question, Cherise hid her face in embarrassment.

  So rude!!... Why, Ira? Why?...

  Obi looked back at Ira with arms wide, and a fitting facial expression that practically screamed, “Really Kid?! Really?!"

  Obi then shook his head in frustration before looking back at the old man, who seemed to have a slight chuckle from the young boy’s intervention.

  Although somewhat heartless, Keller had a solid argument under the circumstances. Obi replied to Keller’s question nonetheless, but did so in a frustrated and childish manner.

  Obi: “Rules, rules, rules! Are you serious, Keller?! Are you really going to turn these kids away based on a tradition alone?! Are we really going to just leave them to starve? I mean, just look at them for a second! They have nowhere else to go!" Obi said while pointing his finger at the children, and apparently only Cherise among them having a clue to make a begging face.

  It was a wide variety of expressions from only three children, Theo still had a somewhat distant look, and Ira only returned a perplexed expression after being put on the spot. Keller seemed somewhat surprised by their varying reactions, as he looked at them with a raised eyebrow to add to his disappointed expression. It was almost as if he was hoping for something more compelling from the children, especially after seeing that they were even worse at pleading their case than Obi. Even Obi frowned after seeing their lackluster performance, before being unable to hold back a sigh, as he held his hand over his face in embarrassment on behalf of the three. Ignoring Obi’s antics, Keller then walked up to the cart to get a better look at the children, and upon further inspection, he took particular notice in Ira.

  Keller: "Boy, what's your name?" Justifiably nervous, Ira was hesitant to respond.

  Ira: "Iranagi Ishida." After hearing the boy’s reply, Keller gave a contemplative look before quietly mumbling something to himself for a few seconds.

  As if to ease up on the awkward tension, Keller finally spoke.

  Keller: "Hmmmmmm.... My eyes aren't what they used to be. Iranagi, are you perhaps originally from the Toride clan?" The boy showed no signs of intending to answer, but conceded after Obi’s continued gestures, urging him on.

  Ira: "Y-yes." He said warily, looking at the old man nervously.

  With the answer to his question confirmed, Keller looked at Ira with ever squinting eyes, inching closer, and closer to the young boy, until the old man seemed to decide on the matter. Still uncomfortably close, the old man spoke a serious expression.

  Keller: "Well then, it's settled. You three may stay."

  Ira: "What?! Really?!" He exclaimed in similar excitement that mirrored Cherise’s ecstatic reaction.

  Wide eyed, Theo seemed just as shocked at the old man’s decision. And smiling at the children’s reactions, Keller closed his eyes, and with a reaffirming nod, he answered the boy’s question.

  Keller: "Yes, really."

  Once opening his eyes once more, Keller's expression changed to that of a reminiscent look. He started wagging his finger to the children, as if giving them a lesson.

  Keller: "You see, a long time ago, my mentor and close friend of mine was from the Toride clan. And I’ve never had been able to repay him for his kindness... Until today." The old man said before looking up, and pointing his cane upward towards the sky.

  Keller: "You hear that Karabe? The score’s been settled." The old man said before letting out a chuckle with a small grin, as if his old friend had been looking on.

  CHAPTER 12 – THE ORB

  As soon as Keller gave his proclamation, aggravated murmurings started to begin in the surrounding crowd. All of the hushed voices shared agitation at the surprising decision by their leader to break one of their traditions. One of the children, who was already in the Order, stepped out from amongst the crowd.

  The boy who walked forward had dark brown hair, stylized in the unmistakable well-trimmed way that was regularly used for the higher class of nobility. Particularly, his appearance gave the impression he was from the greatest kingdom of the western realm, Valenor.

  The boy then yelled out to Keller, in a challenging manner, saying, "Why are you letting them stay?! They're just lowly commoners! They have no right-" Immediately irritated, Keller cut the boy off mid speech with a reprimanding tone.

  Keller: "You'd do well to learn your place, young Oland! In due time they will undergo the trials, same as you! That is except for you young one." The old man said while pointing his cane at Cherise.

  Keller: "We're short staffed on medics, and healers here. If you're going to live here, you’ll all have to make yourselves useful." He said the last part to the three children in general.

  So I’m going to be a healer, just like that?... But I guess it isn’t too bad… After seeing what happened to Ira at Merchant’s Pass, it’s probably for the best. I don’t want to be helpless like that again.

  After Keller had said this, he noticed Cherise was surprisingly quick in accepting of her new role as she turned her attention to Ira, looking over one of his bruises.

  Confused after he caught Cherise looking him over.

  Ira: “Something wrong?” The young girl’s face flushed red with embarrassment, as she utterly failed to answer his question coherently.

  Cherise: “N-N-nothing at all!” Her flustered reaction just made Ira more confused.

  Behind his smiling teeth, Keller held back a laugh, after seeing the children’s reactions before turning his attention back to Obi. The old man couldn’t help but notice Obi’s ridiculously wide, self-satisfied grin. It was a both a smug, and clear indication that he was feeling pretty accomplished in winning the old man over to his side. However, Keller had no intention of being beaten by his obnoxious subordinate, as he himself returned a similarly smug grin.

  Keller: "Well Obi, it looks like you have your work cut out for you." That remark did the trick, instantly wiping Obi’s grin off his face.

  Obi: "Wait, what?.. What’s that supposed to mean?" He asked with a slight sense of dread.

  The old man’s grin became outright mischievous after hearing’s Obi’s concerned question back. Doing his best to keep himself from laughing, the old man explained.

  Keller: "Well, isn't it obvious? You brought them here, and pled their case. So it stands to reason that they should be under your responsibility from now on. So don't go slacking off now!" Immediately after Keller said this, he started scurrying away as fast as his foot could carry him, snickering to himself as he went.

  Having a hard time letting this news sink in, Obi nervously pleaded out to Keller, who kept ignoring him as he hastily walked away.

  Obi: "What? You’re joking right? Wait old man
! Don’t ignore me! Wait!!..." And seeing that Keller had no intention of turning back around, it finally sunk in.

  Obi: "Well shit..."

  It was enough of a spectacle that the whole crowd started laughing at Obi’s reaction to his newfound predicament. Seeing there was at least some punishment to Obi’s antics, the others who’d gathered around now seemed pleased enough in the ending result, with the entire crowd dispersing.

  Once the crowd had left entirely, Obi still needed a little more time to accept what just happened. After a while, he looked back at the children with a slightly defeated expression. Cherise’s smiling face back at him, helped brightened Obi’s now dampened mood. Somewhat accepting of the outcome, he smiled at the three.

  Obi: “There’s no time like the present... I guess I should start by showing you three around the place." He said before waving down a fellow member of the Order to take care of his cart full of supplies.

  Obi then gave the children a full tour of the area surrounding the massive courtyard. From the living quarters, to the mess hall, and even to old man Keller's house, until finally they were led to the imposing structure of the marble temple itself. Up close to the temple, the children gazed in amazement at the massive stature.

  Up close, it’s even bigger than I thought! I wonder how many houses could fit inside there.

  Cherise stopped for moment, trying to get a good feel of the size of the massive temple. Before she knew it, she was caught standing still in its glory. Caught up in her own little world, it wasn’t until Obi finally waved her on to continue did Cherise realize she was being left behind.

  As Obi was leading them closer to the temple’s entrance itself, Cherise noticed two men in the Order’s robes standing guard at each side of its huge doors. Both of them seemed a far too tense for her liking. As their group neared the doors of the temple, one of the guards held out his hand imposingly, gesturing for Obi to halt.

  The man firmly stated, "Stop!-" And with hand still raised, the guard looked at the newcomers before asking further, "-Are these the children we've been hearing about? The ones Keller’s allowed to stay?" And feeling a bit mischievous, Obi shrugged.