by Chuck Black
Talea drew her sword and yelled, “Get dow—!”
The last of her warning was cut off by the most hideous screech I have ever heard. It was of such a nature that our first reaction was to drop to the deck for cover. Talea brought a powerful upward slice to bear on a winged creature that screamed past our heads from behind. She followed the slice by dropping to the deck herself, but her blade had found its mark. The screech of the attacking beast became the momentary wail of a mortally wounded monster. It hit the side rail of the ship with a solid thud and careened over the edge to the frothy waters below. The entire encounter happened so quickly that I scarcely got a glimpse at the creature. Its body and wings looked dark and leathery, but that was all I could see in the receding darkness of the early morning dawn.
Talea was immediately to her feet, shouting a warning to all passengers to get below deck. One of the larger crewmen came toward us with his sword drawn and a concerned look on his face.
“Are you hurt, Lady Talea?” he asked.
“No, Yutan, I am unharmed,” she said. The large warrior seemed satisfied and hurried off. The captain ordered a trumpet blast to warn the other ships, and it spread through the armada rapidly. Cullen grabbed Keely and took her below, while I helped Talea and the crew get the remaining passengers to safety, closing the hatch behind us. I could hear an occasional screech in the distance but nothing quite as close as our first encounter.
The captain and another Silent Warrior remained on deck to ensure that we stayed on course. Everyone else was ordered to remain below for a time. I found a place to sit near the hatch, and Talea sat a few feet away, facing me.
“What in the kingdom was that?” I asked.
She paused. “It was a scynth.”
I thought for a moment. “I have never heard of nor seen such a thing. Where do they come from?”
Talea looked at the floor. “They come from the caverns on the Isle of Sedah. Their presence can mean only one thing: all of the evil power of Lucius has been unleashed upon Arrethtrae.”
The last few years in Arrethtrae had been tremendously difficult for the Knights of the Prince, but Talea seemed to indicate that it was only the beginning.
“The years ahead will be the darkest the kingdom has ever seen.” Talea looked up at me. “We can be grateful to the King and the Prince that we are not there.”
Bewildered, I looked at Talea. I did not like a mystery, and she most certainly was one. “Who are you, my lady?”
“I am Talea. Who are you, sir?” she replied tersely.
“I am sorry for the frankness of my question, my lady,” I said. “But your skill, your understanding, and your attire are uncommon.”
“Is that an insult or an observation, sir?”
“Above all, my lady, it is not an insult. It is an observation and a compliment to one who has stirred my curiosity, dare I say, beyond the bounds of appropriate questioning. Please forgive me.”
Talea raised an eyebrow and overwhelmed me once again with her delightful eyes. I felt my cheeks flush, and I wanted to leave … but also wanted to stay. Were it not for the mystery of her presence, I would have departed to spare myself the strangeness I felt within.
“What do you want to know, Sir Cedric?” Talea asked.
I peered into her face. “It would be selfish and unfair of me not to offer answers to your questions first … if you have any.”
“I have none,” she replied matter-of-factly.
I was oddly offended, since either I was not worthy of her asking or she knew much more about me than I imagined. I chose to believe the latter.
“Very well, Lady Talea. Which region of Arrethtrae are you from?”
“I am not,” she said, rather seeming to enjoy the fullness of my perplexed look.
“You are not?”
She smiled. “I am not from any region in Arrethtrae.”
“Then you are from many regions?”
She thought for a moment. “I am not.”
I found myself quickly becoming frustrated with this pretty and uncommon lady. I was not used to being played. With any other lady, I might think she was flirting, but there was enough mystery and genuine hesitation in Talea’s willingness to give answers that I knew this was not the case.
“Then you cannot be from Arrethtrae,” I said, trying to reason this through. “But all men and women are from Arrethtrae.” A strange thought entered my mind. “Are you a”—I almost could not say it—“Silent Warrior?” If she were a Silent Warrior, she was unique indeed.
She gazed into my bewildered eyes. “I am not.”
“Lady Talea, you say you are not from Arrethtrae. You say you are not a Silent Warrior. You know things of which I have not heard. You are obviously very skilled with the use of a sword. I am afraid you are more of a mystery to me now than before!” I said.
“All clear!” came a shout from the main deck.
Talea began to rise. I quickly stood and offered my hand to help her, but she pretended not to see it.
“Will you tell me who you are, Lady Talea?” I asked.
She positioned her sword and straightened her cape. “Perhaps,” she said with a slight smile and moved past me to the hatch that led to the main deck.
I had never felt quite so disregarded in all my life. I often found it uncomfortable to be in the presence of a lady when polite conversation was required, but this was different. Talea was more warrior than lady, and yet she moved between both roles so gracefully that I found myself in a social quandary. I intended to avoid much future interaction, simply to prevent the feelings of awkwardness that come with an inadequate repertoire of social graces.
I almost believed it possible to do so, but a corner of my mind would not rest with the mystery of Talea so brazenly unsolved.
THE WELCOME
The remainder of the voyage was largely uneventful. The scynths did not return, and I learned that our encounter with them was unusual. Most of the Silent Warriors, in fact, had never seen them before.
Cullen and I became instant friends and enjoyed many long hours of discourse. Conversation was easy, and he was refreshing to talk to. I learned much more about Cameria and hoped to one day spend time there. Keely was a spry lass who filled the air with exuberance wherever she went. She coerced me into giving her a few fencing lessons and was a quick study.
As for Talea, she was preoccupied with ship duties for most of the voyage, and our encounters had indeed been limited and casual at best. The journey ended with as much mystery about her as when it began.
After many days at sea, the armada of gallant ships finally arrived at the coasts of the Kingdom Across the Sea. The land looked truly magnificent.
At the docks, the ships cycled through to unload their precious cargo from Arrethtrae: loyal Followers of the King and the Prince. It was a lengthy process, for there were many. We disembarked, and I thanked the crew of Silent Warriors for their labor. I bowed to Talea and bid her farewell. She responded politely in like manner, and I supposed I would not see her again or ever know who she truly was. I was disappointed but did not wish to look the fool and press the matter when it was not my place to do so.
We boarded charming carriages that followed a roadway for some distance. Cullen, Keely, and I managed to share the same carriage with five others. The caravan of carriages stretched on as far as the eye could see both fore and aft of our own. I could only assume that the Prince Himself was at the head of our procession.
The scenery was breathtaking. Tall green trees and lush grass covered the valleys and hills. The wildflowers were fragrant and beautiful. Mingled within the fragrance of the flowers was a familiar but distant sweet odor that took me back to my first encounter with the Silent Warriors when I first met my dear friend Keef. There was a much stronger scent to the healing salve that was applied to William’s wound than what I smelled here, but it was the same, I was certain—pleasant and unusual. One particular wildflower I had never seen before was more prevalent than all th
e others. I did not know its name, but its greenery grew low to the ground like clover, and the small green leaves gave way every so often to a tender rose-colored flower.
I was taken with the beauty of a landscape that seemed only possible in the mind of a skilled artist. I felt as though I could reach out and touch the canvas upon which it was painted, but I could not, for it was as real as the delicious air I was breathing. The carriage gently swayed back and forth. My fellow companions were as taken with the country as I, and very little conversation ensued.
We traveled through a break in the mountainous terrain and entered the sanctuary of the kingdom. What opened before us was more magnificent than anything I had ever seen. The King’s grand city gleamed in the sunlight and sat cradled in the arms of majestic snow-peaked mountains to the north. The lower portion of the city was bordered by a crystal-blue sea. The city spread across the lush, hilly countryside of the foothills and meshed with a rugged granite base that framed the city’s edge nearest the sea to the south. A sparkling river flowed from the mountains through the city. On the side nearest our approach, the river exited the city and spilled over granite cliffs into the sea below. Mist rose from the frothy waters of the waterfall to blanket the granite base upon which the city was built. Toward the western edge, granite outcroppings isolated the turbulent waters of the fall from the rest of the sea. The waters became so calm and clear beyond that it looked like crystal-blue glass. I could not absorb the beauty that surrounded me, and I fear my words are wholly inadequate to describe it.
As we approached, I slowly became aware of how vast the city truly was. I had heard from Leinad that Daydelon, in its days of glory, was a wonder to behold, but I’m sure this City of the King must be one thousand times beyond that ancient city both in size and beauty. I could hardly make myself grasp its existence.
The spires of many palaces rose to the sky from the city’s landscape. In the midst of this grand city rose the majestic towers of the King’s palace.
The caravan skirted the sea to the left a short distance and then entered the city across a large granite bridge that arched over the waters below. Beyond the bridge was an enormous courtyard that lay before the city gate. Here we left our carriage and joined the growing host of loyal Followers who were gathering at the gate of the city. Fifty massive Silent Warriors stood guard at the gate that offered entrance to the city. They wore full battle dress, with gold trim on their armor. Each held a sword in one hand and a golden trumpet in the other. They stood silent and still … waiting.
As the carriages continued to arrive, we found friends to talk to and shared our wonderment.
“Cedric! Cedric!”
I heard my name called and turned to see my lifelong friend William.
“William!” I exclaimed and ran to meet him.
We embraced with the love of brotherhood. It had been many days since I’d seen him, and I was delighted to hear his voice and see him again.
“William! It is good to see you!”
“And you, my brother!” he replied. “Isn’t this amazing?” he said, sweeping his arm across the glorious scene.
“Indeed, my friend,” I said with a silly grin on my face. “Did you ever dream of such a place as this?”
He laughed and shook his head.
“Have you seen Rob or Barrett?” I asked.
“Yes, we traveled on the same ship together. I left them just there,” he said, pointing to a group of people.
We approached, and I was once again reunited with my friends and fellow warriors of many years. I introduced Cullen to William, Rob, and Barrett. Rob’s smile was as big as ever I’d seen, and Barrett was more peaceful than the crystal sea beyond the city. Something unusual was taking place, and I didn’t know what it was. Each of my friends seemed somehow greater than I’d remembered. I attributed it to the majestic surroundings and the excitement of the moment, but even I felt quite different. I took a deep breath and was all the more invigorated.
“What now, my dear fellow companions?” I asked.
“We wait, I guess, for the rest of the carriages,” replied Barrett.
As the passengers of one carriage disembarked, I saw Keanna step out and behold the beauty around her. I went to greet her and could see a look of great expectation in her eyes. Her journeys with Sir Gavinaugh throughout the kingdom of Arrethtrae as a Knight of the Prince had won her a place of honor among the legends of great knights, especially when she carried on the great mission of the King after Gavinaugh fell in battle and was taken across the sea.
“Welcome home, Keanna.” I bowed to her.
Her face seemed to glow as she looked to the grand city beyond the gates. “Cedric … I never imagined it could be so beautiful!”
“Yes … and we are yet on the outside. I think perhaps the wonders within will overwhelm us.”
She broke her gaze from the splendor of the scene and looked at me. Her eyes sparkled. “Do you think I will see him?”
“I do.”
She looked back at the city, and I wondered if she was going to burst from the anticipation of her reunion with Gavinaugh.
“Come. Please join us,” I said and led her to our group of friends.
The last of the carriages finally arrived, and the massive courtyard was filled with thousands of people. Shortly thereafter, all the Silent Warriors came to a position of readiness, raised their trumpets, and sounded three brilliant notes in unison. One noble Silent Warrior stepped forward and stood before the people. Our congregation became intently silent to listen for whatever message was to come.
“I am Micalem—keeper of the City of the King. Who is worthy to enter?” He asked the question with great authority.
A second Silent Warrior came forward to stand beside him. “What deems a man worthy?” he asked for all to hear.
Micalem responded with a shout. “He is worthy who has followed the Code without fault. He is worthy who has honored the King with his life and sworn allegiance to Him and Him only. He is worthy who has served the King in truth, justice, and honor. He is worthy who has offered compassion to the weak, the destitute, the widowed, and the poor. He is worthy who has lived for the King and served others without personal gain. He is worthy who has never abandoned a fellow knight in battle or in peril. He is worthy who has equipped, trained, and prepared for battle against the forces of the Dark Knight. He is worthy who has served the King and fainted not in the day of battle. He is worthy who has not used the sword to seek selfish gain but executed justice and the will of the King. He is worthy who has been merciful, loyal, courageous, faithful, and noble, but above all, who has been humble before the King and before men. He is worthy whose words have always been spoken in truth.”
He paused and looked over the people in the courtyard. No one uttered a sound.
“Who here has fulfilled every article of the Code and is worthy to enter the gate of the City of the King?” he asked again.
No one dared move, for we all had failed in some way and were not worthy. It was a solemn moment broken only by a stirring at the back of the courtyard furthest from the gate. Soon all eyes turned to behold what manner of man would dare come forward to meet such a challenge. The throng of people parted to give way for the man’s approach to the gate. As the man passed by, people began to kneel, until He was before all and all were kneeling. He stood before the massive Silent Warrior, who suddenly did not look quite as noble with this man near him.
Micalem opened his hands and spread them low before the Prince. “Only You are worthy, my Prince!” he exclaimed and knelt down before Him.
The remaining Silent Warriors also knelt before the Prince and exclaimed in unison, “Only He is worthy!”
The Prince, dressed in royal robes, turned to face us and lifted His hands into the air as if to enclose us in His embrace. “These are worthy, for I died for them and they believed in Me! Open the gates, and welcome them home!”
The Silent Warriors stood, opened the gates, and blasted forth
a song of triumph on their golden trumpets. The people all stood and cheered, for our joy was full and our hearts were home. We were delivered and redeemed, and the Prince had brought us home!
AN “OLD” FRIEND
Once within the walls of the city, we were greeted with pomp and ceremony. It was a time of great celebration. I saw the gallant Sir Gavinaugh waiting to embrace Keanna, and she ran to him. Their reunion brought tears of joy to us all, for we knew the longing in her heart when he was taken from her. He looked strong and whole once again.
The Prince had prepared a home for each of us that was every bit a palace. We rested for one day, and the following evening we anticipated a grand feast with the King. The beauty of the King’s palace was indescribable. Gold, jewels, elegant tapestries, polished marble floors, archways, balconies, towers, fountains, and lush gardens proclaimed magnificence throughout. The inner courtyard was set to accommodate the thousands of new residents at a feast beyond imagination. The head table was set on the marble deck, and the Prince sat to the King’s right.
The majesty of the King seemed to radiate in all directions. A jeweled crown sat upon His brow, and a royal robe flowed around Him. As He gazed across the court of loyal knights, His countenance strengthened the hearts of all. The Prince had His Father’s eyes, and they too burned like fire. But today the fire was warm, and His joy was obvious to all who saw Him. His people were here to celebrate their homecoming, and He was pleased!
The supper was splendid. Every dish was palate perfection … and there were many.
After the feast, there was music and fellowship. I became reacquainted with many friends I had not seen in years. Once I released the burden of apprehension I had continually fought in Arrethtrae, it was a joyous time. In spite of this, something strange nagged at me, but I could not put my finger on it.