A Knight's Path (The Path of Cinder Book 1)

by Nathan Grafton

  Warren didn’t wait for a response, he stepped around Reginald and bumped into him roughly as he walked by. The sheer strength behind the push nearly sent Reginald sprawling across the floor but the young man managed to catch himself on the wall. The large boy stormed down the hall with anger boiling deep inside him. For a brief moment he wondered if this is what Alden felt like when his temper got the better of him.

  Reginald called after him, “You haven’t heard the last of this, Faulkner!”

  Warren didn’t look back as he marched down the hall. His anger wasn’t fading and if he went back now he would probably beat what little sense Blackfeather had out of him and then beat some better sense back into him.

  Thursday started off quietly. Training throughout the morning and then lunch and more learning and training in the afternoon. Warren found himself falling back into routine again. Alden had disappeared to the library yet again and the large boy felt a pang of jealousy. He was angry Alden had someone to spend time with while he spent his time waiting.

  The young man let go of the anger almost as soon as it had risen and decided to walk the Wall. Maybe the air and the view would take his mind off things. The view of Cinnati was something to behold really. Particularly High Town. From what Victoria had told him there used to be a city where High Town had stood but it had been wiped out in the Cataclysm. The Castle of Eternal Cinder had been built beside the ruins of the old bridge and High Town had sprung up around it. The destruction of the bridges is what had saved the Market and Low Town from the worst of the destruction.

  Warren studied the Market for a while and then high Town. Architecture had been different before everything had happened. The people from before built towering structures that reached straight towards the sky. Most of the upper levels had fallen or been torn down over the years but the intent was still there. High Town and the Castle were both built after the Cataclysm and were shorter structures. The Wall was four stories tall. The Castle was three. It was a combination of strong materials left over from before the fall an archways coupled with reinforcing pillars. Magic also had a role in the matter. High Town was similar in nature. Most houses were only two stories tall and didn’t have the same magic weaved into them. They did have the archways and columns though. Both featured various engravings throughout the stonework.

  A young man appeared on the wall dressed in the Royal family’s colors and bowed to Warren, “Mr. Faulkner, I presume.”

  The large teen raised an eyebrow, “Yes. What is it?”

  The boy pulled out an envelope and cleared his throat, “The pr- er,- Victoria, asked me to deliver this to you.”

  Warren took the envelope and studied the young man, “Is that all?”

  The page answered smoothly, “She asked me to get an answer.”

  The large Cadet tore open the envelope and read it: Warren, I enjoyed our talk and dances together the other night and I was hoping to meet you this Saturday at noon by the great oak near the High Town bridge. In the highest esteem-Victoria. The letter was short and to the point. Warren could appreciate that.

  The large man turned to the page and said, “Tell her I said of course.”

  The young boy bowed again, “Of course, sir. Have a good evening.”

  The page turned to leave and Warren stopped him, “How did you find me anyway?”

  The boy looked over his shoulder, “Oh, well, Victoria told me to come down and find the giant man. I found one by the name of Skorri who directed me up here. Was that all, sir?”

  Warren nodded, the boy had answered one thing but now how did Skorri know he was up on the Wall. A smile spread across the large man’s face. He was getting to see Victoria again. All of his stress went out the window an the large teen left the Wall and climb back down the stairs.

  Along the way Warren passed Reginald carrying a pot of something milky. Warren stepped out of his way but Reginald performed the most over exaggerated trip the large teen had ever seen as he walked by and the pot of liquid coated the back of Warren’s head. The large teen balled his hands into fists and advanced on the smaller boy.

  A voice filtered down the hall, “Is there a problem here?”

  Warren looked up and saw Inquisitor Solace standing on the stairs. The large boy made to answer but Reginald beat him to it, “Just a misunderstanding. I tripped and spilled some water on Warren’s back here.”

  Solace eyed the large teen and Warren grumbled, “It is nothing important. Just startled me.”

  The Inquisitor nodded and continued down the stair well. Warren fixed his glare on Reginald, “What was in that?”

  Blackfeather started down the hall, “You’ll find out.”

  Warren shoved his anger down and made for the shower and rinsed off quickly. The young man made his way back to his room and looked in the mirror. The back half of his hair had been turned a combination of white and orange.

  Chapter 39 A New Suit

  Alden had broken down in laughter when he had seen Warren’s head for the first time. The back half of his hair was white with orange highlights. The big man had ignored his friend’s laughter and studied himself in the mirror, “There is less orange then before.”

  The smaller boy didn’t bother trying to hide his grin, “What about the white, old man?”

  Warren scowled at his partner and drifted into the bathroom as Alden started to get dressed. The big man returned with his hair soaking wet and looking angrier then before. Alden slapped him on the back as they headed out the door, “I’m sure it won’t stay white forever.”

  The big man formed a glum smile, “I hope you are right.”

  Alden chortled, “It’ll probably all fall out before long, white one.”

  Warren scowled again and stormed down the hall with Alden trailing along behind him to the small arena where they met with Sergeant Hunter. The older Knight was already waiting on them when they entered the room and the first thing the pair noted were the mannequins dressed in full armor standing beside the weapons tables.

  The green eyed teen glanced at the mannequins and then at the Knight Sergeant, “When are we gonna get to try those on?”

  Th Sergeant smiled, “That didn’t take long. But right now actually. You two are now in charge of those suits of armor as well as your weapons. I expect you to wear that armor every day for training. You can also take the mannequins back to your rooms for storage if you like but they do not leave the Wall.”

  Alden walked over to the rack and eyed the armor. Both boys had a full chain mail suit and full helm but that was where the similarities ended. Alden’s suit had a breast plate, greaves, bracers, and plates for the upper arms and thighs while leaving his shoulders, hips and knees free. The young man began to pull pieces down and set them aside before he began to dress in the armor. Underneath the chain mail was a heavy shirt and pants but Alden left the pants off under the thought that his jeans would be good enough.

  In the time it took Alden to get the chain mail suit on Warren was dressed in his full plate armor and waiting. Alden shook his head as he fixed his armor on. The chain mail was heavy enough without all the extra steel on it. The big man had to have an extra thirty pounds in his tin can of a suit compared to Alden. A few minutes later Alden was dressed and rose to his feet and reached for the gauntlets that came with his armor. A set of blood fists.

  The young man swallowed as he pulled them on, the heavy brown leather set with steel barbs didn’t feel right on his hands. Alden pushed hs distaste away as Sergeant Hunter smiled and gestured to the door, “Why don’t you two go for a run?”

  Three miles later Sergeant Hunter let them stop and the duo was gasping for air. Even Alden’s suit had to add an extra forty pounds to his weight. He had no idea how Warren managed his suit of steel plate. After a short break he had them pull their helms on and spar each other. They were both slow and Alden ha
ted the helm. He couldn’t breathe in it. He couldn’t see out of it. Warren seemed at ease in it though. The armor made Alden feel like he was trapped in a box though and he hated it.

  Sergeant Hunter dismissed them and Alden shed his armor quickly. Warren left his on though and the pair left for the rest of the day. Alden with his usual light gait but Warren was a clattering, mountain crashing down the hallway. It sounded like someone had taken a box of silverware and thrown it down a flight of stairs. Alden knew that this much sound would take some getting used to.

  Chapter 40 A Favor

  Warren woke up Saturday morning and groaned. He had to meet Victoria today and is hair was still going to be half white. The large boy sat up and saw Alden across the room, a grin plastered onto his face as he tried to distract himself. The smaller boy caught the pillow Warren threw at him and started laughing.

  The large teen grumbled, “This is not funny.”

  Alden tossed the pillow back to his friend, “I know it isn’t. Its hilarious.”

  Warren stood up and stalked over to the mirror and looked at the back half of his head. Still white and orange. He sighed and Alden slapped him on the back, “Come on, let’s make you presentable at least.”

  The large boy looked over at his partner as the smaller teen grabbed a chair and carried it into the bathroom. Warren followed him as Alden set the chair down with the back to the sink and pulled out his long knife. The blade was almost ten inches long.

  The large teen stared at him and Alden motioned to the chair, “Well? You can’t go seein’ the Princess like that so either I can shave your head or you can do it. Unless you’ve got a better idea.”

  Warren let out a sigh and thumped down into the chair before asking, “You have done this before right.”

  Alden tipped the larger boy’s head back and took the first chunk of black hair from the front, “Nope. First time for everything.”

  The larger boy jerked his head to stare at his friend and Alden returned it for a long moment before the smaller teen spoke, “Relax. You keep movin’ your skull around like that and I might stab you in the eye or cut an ear off or somethin’.”

  Warren shook his head and tried to rise, “No, I think I can go like this.”

  Alden pushed him back down, “I already took a chunk out.”

  The large boy let out a breath and closed his eyes, “Alright.”

  Warren sat there with his shoulders tensed, expecting the blade to bite into his skin at any moment as his partner cut his hair free. An hour later Alden spoke, “Alright.”

  The large boy opened his eyes and studied himself in the mirror. His head was perfectly smooth and Alden had gotten all of his hair. Warren studied himself a moment longer before asking, “I thought you said you had never done that before.”

  The smaller teen shrugged and turned to leave the room, “I lied.”

  Warren stared after him for a minute and then shook his head. With a little luck his hair would grow back black again. He wasn’t a fan of the shaved head look but it was more presentable then the white, orange, and black combination.

  A few hours later Alden was about to step out the door in his long coat when Warren suddenly asked, “Alden, I should probably dress like I would for anyone else. Not for a Princess.”

  The smaller boy paused, “I would. She probably thinks you’re gonna be more open and honest with her if she isn’t royalty. I gotta run, Elise is waitin’.”

  Warren waved his friend out the door and dressed casually but respectfully. He ran his hand over his bare head again and took a deep breath. He had to get going as well.

  Fifteen minutes later Warren found himself sitting on a bench under a massive oak tree beside a bridge. It really was a beautiful location. Ten more minutes ticked by slowly as Warren watched the crowd until Victoria appeared behind him.

  She leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Waiting for someone?”

  Warren jumped out of his seat and spun to face her. She was dressed in a simple but fine shirt and black riding pants and her hair was pulled back in a pony tail. She was beautiful but she certainly didn’t look like a princess.

  The large teen cleared his throat, “I feel a little overdressed.”

  Victoria stepped around the bench, “You’re fine. I prefer to dress simply whenever I can. Figure out my last name yet, Warren?”

  Warren studied her for a moment debating how to answer and finally lied, “No, I have not. I was hoping you could shed some light on that today.”

  The large teen watched her closely as she smiled mischievously at him and touched her finger to her lip, “Hmmmm, I think I’ll let you figure it out on your own.”

  So Alden had been right after all. Victoria wanted to remain just Victoria with him, not the Princess. There weren’t any Royal Guards either so that means she probably snuck out which would explain her choice of apparel.

  Warren offered her his arm, knowing if they were seen he’d be a dead man, and said, “Well, what would you like to do today, Victoria?”

  She took his arm as they walked toward the Market, “I was hoping we could go into Low Town actually.”

  The large man nearly fell, “What? Why?”

  Victoria shrugged, “Because I’ve never been there before and I would like to see what it’s like. Is there a reason we shouldn’t go?”

  Warren stammered for a moment, “Because it’s dangerous, especially if you don’t know where your going or who to talk to. I avoid it.”

  She sagged a little, “Oh, I see.”

  The large teen grit his teeth and knew he was going to regret his next sentence, “But, well, I know a guy who can get along with the people in Low Town most of the time. I can talk to him and maybe he will guide us down there. If you want to see me again after today that is.”

  Victoria bounced back up, “Alright, and of course, Warren. I can settle for lunch today.”

  Warren nodded his head, “That I can handle.”

  She smiled at him, “What happened to your hair?”

  He sighed, “Well, it started off like this….”

  The rest of the day went by uneventfully as the pair traded stories and Warren learned even more about the Cataclysm. She told him about the first Wizards and how the first meeting of the various races had gone. Elves had tried to subjugate them, dwarves had dismissed them as soft, and the orcs killed everything. He told her what had happened to his hair and of the various misadventures surrounding Reginald. He told her how he wanted to serve his country and make it greater then it already was. Warren thought she rolled her eyes when he told her that but dismissed it and moved on. She told him that she wasn’t sure when she could get away again and that she would send a message when she had the chance.

  Chapter 41 Picking Up

  “What? Why?” Alden spluttered out the answer to Warren’s question Monday morning.

  The large boy let out a heavy sigh, “I know but she wants to go to Low Town.”

  The smaller teen rubbed his forehead, “I got that bit. I don’t understand what you’re tellin’ me about it for.”

  Warren rubbed the back of his head, “I was hoping you would tag along and make sure we stay away from the unsavory parts.”

  Alden let out a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling and then at his friend again, “I haven’t been in town that long, Warren. I just get along with people. But, if she insists, we can go in the spring. This is a bad time to go exploring. People have money after the harvest and the thieves want to capitalize on it and set themselves up for the winter.”

  The large teen let out a breath, “Alright, I’ll let her know.”

  The pair got ready and moved down to meet Sergeant Hunter. He looked up as they walked in, “Alden, Inquisitor Solace would like to see you.”

  The young man bowed his head and stepped
back out of the room, leaving his partner behind. The Inquisitor kept his office in the upper halls of the Wall and after a few minutes of climbing up stairs he had just walked down Alden found himself knocking on Solace’s door.

  The Inquisitor called from inside, “Come in.”

  Alden stepped into the simple room and the Inquisitor smiled, “Alden, good to see you. I’m sorry I wasn’t here the other night. I was looking into another matter. I was hoping you could answer a few questions for me.”

  The young man shrugged, “Not a problem.”

  Solace sat back in his chair and opened a desk drawer, pulling free the dark bladed knife Alden’s attacker had used. The Inquisitor held up the blade, “You’re positive this never cut you correct?”

  Alden raised an eyebrow and said, “Never touched me. Why is that important?”

  Solace set the blade down on his desk, “Two reasons. First off, it was poisoned. A subtle thing that dissolves in the bloodstream and prevents clotting. Secondly, the blade itself was forged by an elvish clan and enchanted by dwarves. Unfortunately we don’t know the nature of the enchantment. It might just be something to keep the blade sharp. It might be something viscous designed to cause serious harm.”

  The young man looked at the knife and how plain it was. He also thought about how he had felt when he had been attacked. The threat hadn’t even registered with him until it had almost been too late. Alden frowned, he could spot a man wanting to pick a fight across the room when he was drunk. And a person charging him with a knife didn’t register? Then there was his temper. Alden knew he had a hot head and was quick to fight. He hadn’t felt any anger at all until the man had dropped the knife.

  Alden cleared his throat, “Inquisitor, I think the knife is enchanted to dampen the mind.”

  Solace leaned forward onto his desk and said, “Explain.”