General Shak placed his hand on the table indicating a desire to speak. “This also places a king and knight in a position to destroy Bomoki.” Heads nodded around the table. “If Bomoki,” he continued, “is on a great quest, perhaps we should seek this sceptre first and bring it to a place we control and use it as bait to destroy the traitor once and for all.”
Rojo questioned whether sufficient volunteers and others could be found for such a quest, “Bomoki is an unascended god. There are not many who could stand against him.” After much debate, General Shak said, “My king, given we have unanimous desire to end Bomoki, it appears the exact manner by which we win is open. I will own this. I will prepare a plan and return.”
Another general indicated that he would seek out the blood sceptre. “I will prepare a team. Until we learn otherwise, I will assume it is an actual sceptre important to necromancy. The team will be ready and its members kept ready. For now, shall we assume it is different than the Jade God's wand?”
Rojo looked them all over. “This sceptre, lets pretend it is as dangerous as the Jade God’s wand. No one is to touch or look at it. I want a second team ready to intervene and end anyone showing unnatural influence.”
The general nodded. “I will lead and assemble both teams myself. I ask for the Temple to take command of the second team.”
“You are wise. I commend you all and thank you. Dar Kell will see that the Temple contacts you immediately so that you can begin preparations. Dar D’Rath, for the time being, assume the “rageful knight” is this newest member of the Order of Water. I will have his battle priest debrief you."
Dar Kell said, "We must discuss the shadow dragons. Their nature is one of betrayal. The Queen does not trust them, nor will She allow them back without price."
Rojo nodded. "Tell us Dar Kell, you know them better than any of us."
"I stopped dragon-shifting when I realized their truth. That truth is this: the shadow realms are killing them. They entered as eldar but are becoming inert. Being what they are, Cor'tanos has likely emerged as the strongest because he is robbing the others of their power. They can no doubt last for aeons in Shadow, but are desperate to re-enter this world, at any price. The easiest way for them to do this is to take possession of one of us. Myself, Malcor, others like us are the most likely targets."
A quiet pause around the table ended when Rojo observed, "If they took possession of you Dar Kell, it'd be very bad."
"Yes, but most especially for me. I have spent much time researching and studying this. When we dragonshift, we add to the dominion of the Queen and Her children. When a shadow dragon-shifter shifts, there is no dominion to add to. It pulls the dragons to us. Cor'tanos, I believe, wanted to take me as his own. I have resisted and redirected his attention to this treaty with the Queen, but I do not see the shadow dragons honoring it. Ever. At best, this is a temporary truce, a calm before the coming storm.
"Malcor's appearance both in prophecy and as my son has caught Cor'tanos' attention. I recommend that we allow Malcor to pursue his own path and keep Cor'tanos focused there. The prospect of finding a new host like Malcor young in life slotted for kingship - these will ensure Cor'tanos does not act too soon. He wants a strong host and an assurance that there will be others for the rest of the clan."
One of the generals signaled a question and asked, "And when the time comes that the boy is strong enough, or that Cor'tanos tries to take you?"
Kell looked back at the general. "The Queen will not let Her most hated of enemies take me. Should it happen, Daryx has contingencies ready. As for Malcor and the others, it will be years. They had a taste of Malcor during his first rite with no doubt more to come in the second. Interested enough that Cor'tanos saved him. Also, the prophecy about the blood of heroes, and that Malcor has fathered a child, will all keep Cor'tanos at bay until he has a surety. As you know, dragon-shifting – doctrinally at least – is a blessing of the Queen. For the shadow dragons, it's more like allowing the dragon to take possession and transform the person. It's quite powerful because it draws from the dragon, not the host.
"What this means is that the dragons will not try and take over the host until they are sure of their survival and capabilities in this world. They will test and drive the host to greater and greater powers, wealth, and capabilities. All the things dragons are known to care about. But, herein lies their weakness. Their will has diminished since the eldar times. Cor'tanos will not take me because I can take him at will." He chuckled, "You could say we have an agreement."
Rojo summarized, "So for the shadow dragons, I accept Kell's recommendation. We will provide opportunities for Malcor to prove himself but be ready for any treachery. Though, I do have a question for you Kell. What is the end game?"
"The end game? We take possession of them. We bring them into the Queen's dominion through sheer subjugation. I have been ready for Cor'tanos for many years. It is proof that there will be others that has made us wait this long. Our end game is an order of shadow dragon knights with absolute devotion to the Queen. Please my king, speak with the emperor about this. Dar Ana at Bloodstone has been seeking out bloodstones to use to facilitate the transfer of the dragon from a slain host to another knight. The Book of Shadows has already been started, if not canonized yet."
"Very well. I will speak with the emperor. It shall be as you recommend Dar Kell. This meeting is over." The generals bowed and turned to step away from the River. “And generals, Shak D'Rath, take note: this knight - Malcor lasted the Rite of Pain for nearly five days.” Eyes around the room widened and then swirling waters pulled them back into the world’s flow.
Chapter Thirty Four - Respite
Several days had passed on the high plain. When not resting, Malcor trained and adjusted to the military life encamped. He learned that every single person in their group shared a common and radically different view of being a paladin than he had ever imagined. The stuff of heroes and legend, Malcor saw that even the healers, would qualify as a hero based on their individual exploits. The difference, more than anything, was the overriding sense of team. When you considered that each knight had a battle priest and two healers, and that this core group also included a powerful mage, “Apprentice” nickname notwithstanding, as well as thieves, Malcor at last came to understand that the group represented what must be the mightiest and most legendary and epic “hero” he could ever imagine.
The Order of Water trained in blood and it was not until Malcor witnessed a battle between the mage and another knight, and saw the knight obliterated, that he realized how powerful such a team truly would be. The battle priest approached the scorched husk of the barely living knight and healed him. The next skirmish pitted two knights against the mage, and then more and more. The mage proved worth five of the knights. Tembri observed, “Our lich will be orders of magnitude more powerful than the apprentice.”
Following that, while the mage and knights recovered, the two thieves and the ranger sparred with each other to warm up while three knights made ready. Similar to the mage, Malcor noted with interest how the different skills and training gave each fighter advantages and disadvantages. The knights, who at first seemed invulnerable, gradually acquired wounds. At the same time, when they landed a blow on the non-fighters, the severity of the wound always required immediate healing.
As the fighting continued, a light rain began to fall with darker clouds on the horizon. His eye followed it and caught the looming spike of mountains across the valley where the lich waited. Both thieves eventually fell to dire wounds and tapped out. The elven ranger though continued a twirling dance of agility and weapon skill that made it hard for the knights to score a deciding blow. The knights tried a variety of ploys to lure the ranger in for close and distance attacks. Nothing worked. They tried waiting for the ranger to grow tired, but he just attacked them at distance. While the three knights and the ranger each wounded each other, it appeared to be a complete draw. At last, Dar Kendra snarled and stomped into the fra
y to join the three. “It’s been a long time since I sparred with one of you,” she said.
The ranger saluted and acrobatically dodged the two paladins charging from either side. Kendra’s attack twisted her sword into that coiled serpent of energy that struck the ranger’s boot just before he landed. Malcor could not believe his eyes when the ranger let her sword tear his boot free and still landed nimbly on his feet. Two knives rang off Kendra’s armor. Her coiled energy blade cracked like thunder and pulled apart into her other hand and another razor whip lashed out at the ranger. He stood and caught the blast seeming to control it along his short sword crossed with a bow. And then, he re-aimed it at one of the other knights. That knight caught the blast with a prayer but had to stop his own attack while its power washed over him.
“There’s a reason all the rangers come through Daryx,” the mage said as he sat down by Mal and Tembri. “They are equipped as well as this Order is, and their training is excellent.”
Malcor had never spoken to a mage before, not even at the forge in Klenna. He noted the odd smell of spices and spell components that hung about the man. “I did not know that rangers were like this,” he said.
Apprentice pointed, “Look, his short sword, like your holy avenger, has magic resistance and its own powers. His absorbs and holds attack energy. The bow, for rangers, is not just a weapon. It’s a staff, a balance tool, a shield, whatever they want. This battle reminds me of when Lady Kendra went up against Daryx some years ago. Now that was a battle! I’m surprised he’s doing so well.”
“Daryx and Kendra fought?”
“Yes, it was in a tournament during a holy day. The emperor intended it for public audience but when word got out who the fighters would be, we had visitors from all over the world show up. Their fight only lasted a few minutes but it almost overwhelmed the Mage’s Guild protecting the audience.”
“Who won?” Mal asked.
“Who do you think won?” Tembri laughed. When Apprentice did not answer, he asked more tentatively, “Dar Kendra of course. Right?”
Apprentice shrugged. “The Queen does not require the Order of Water to fight based on rules. She requires them to win.” As if to emphasize this point, Kendra faked a sword attack that allowed her to punch the ranger. Her left hook hurled the ranger up into the air and then in a heartbeat, Kendra jumped past him and flat-bladed the ranger down into the ground. Though the ranger tried to dodge, his own momentum and uncontrolled but predictable arc betrayed him. Kendra blinked and as his body rebounded from slamming into the ground, he found the tip of her blade resting at his throat, and yielded.
Apprentice chuckled and Malcor asked, "Have you always gone by Apprentice? I assume you have a real name right?"
The mage looked over the battle field to see who was going up next. "Names convey power. There's a reason we don't ever say the Jade God's name. Part of what makes the Goddess who She is, is the simple fact that She alone knows the names of all the dragons. I have a name, but part of the Mage's Guild – the equivalent to your paladin rites – is forsaking your real name and burying it in anonymity. You don't really think your real name is actually Malcor do you son of Kell?"
The mage's words left Malcor feeling off-balanced. His way of talking, it made him feel unsure of himself. Without another word, the Apprentice stood and walked into the arena. Several of the paladins rose up to challenge him, but he waved them aside and pointed to Kendra's battle priest. "We are overdue for our rematch!" he called out.
Kendra's battle priest, an unremarkable man but one covered in tattoos, stepped forward and smashed his chest. "Yes, it is! Name your weapon mage!"
Malcor fell asleep watching the clash of weapons and magic. The brilliance of a magical battle augmented by weapons was fascinating at first. Apprentice fought with daggers and a staff where the priest used a heavy mace set along a staff. They must have agreed to not use magic directly except to heighten their weapons.
After some time, Malcor awoke to Tembri's nudging that it was dinner time.
Chapter Thirty Five - The Forge at Klenna
Ishan looked around the forge. The blacksmiths, ore processors, porters, apprentices, and so many others looked back. He cleared his throat, “I’m not very good at reading so bear with me.” The mayor stood next to him and beamed smiles out at the group. Ishan fumbled to open the ornate scroll.
“Let it be known that Sir Malcor, initiate paladin of the Temple, has seized control of House Tor and been granted dominion over it. Though Tor has formally challenged dominion…” he stumbled through the letter coming at last to the part where Sai R’Dar and the priestess Ora had agreed to act and hold Tor for Malcor. He wiped his head and took a deep breath. “So, hey, Malcor made it!"
The mayor stepped forward and interrupted. “He joined a high order of paladins, as has my son Calvin. Malcor has brought considerable honor to Klenna. This letter,” he held up a different letter, “is from Sai R’Dar, a member of the Circle and a Lord of Tania. He pledges his estate to protect the Tor Armory and appoints that priestess R’Dar Ora act as an administrator with the ability to act with Sai’s full authority. It further states,” and he clapped Ishan on the shoulder, “that Ishan here be appointed as R’Dar Ishan. Ishan, it is my greatest pleasure to welcome you to the ranks of nobility and leadership! You have worked hard and always served the Tor Armory and Klenna well. I know you will do an excellent job! Three cheers for our new R’Dar!”
The meeting had started out with a sense of dread. Since R’Dar Tor had fallen to Malcor’s blade at the Aging, things had been tense. At first everyone had been told to work as normal. Then, they had all been fired. Then, the Armory had been closed and put into bankruptcy. Now, this newest revelation came as welcome but hard to believe news. Slowly, applause and then cheering erupted. The mayor guided Ishan out into the throng where the other master smiths congratulated him and next level smiths had already begun eyeing each other to fill Ishan’s newly vacated master smith position.
As he made the rounds and the cheering quieted, the mayor signaled and the Tor Armory re-opened. It had been filled with food, snacks, drinks, and even toys for the worker's children. A band began playing and the Klennan Shrine’s priestess blessed the armory, the group, and the feast. When the prayer ended, a silver falcon swooped down and landed on the sign over the armory’s entrance. It caught everyone’s attention as sunlight reflected in sparkles off its body. Its magical nature caught the light spinning off mechanical disks and gears. The mayor pointed and said, “This is a golem falcon. These types of constructs are what Sai R’Dar is known for throughout the Isles. He sent it here to deliver a personal message.”
The falcon’s head twisted back and forth and then its ruby eyes flared brightly. “Start. Through Sir Malcor, the Tor Armory is now part of my estate. My priestess Ora will watch over as surely as a mother tends to her children. We are in the process of assimilating the House of Tor. They are banned from entering this facility. I have appointed my friend here, this falcon golem, to safeguard you all at work, in your homes, here on the streets of Klenna until the assimilation is complete.
“After you have had a chance to enjoy the feast provided by Sir Malcor, please, each of you will place your hand on the falcon’s head and state your name so that I may welcome you to my estate. I consider your families part of the Armory as well. Your work cannot take place without them. I welcome you to a new era at this armory. Already known for good work, we will be augmenting it. I expect excellence, your best. Give me that and you will be rewarded very well. Sir Malcor has also procured a military contract for resupply that will keep you all quite busy for years to come. End.”
The falcon lifted its head to the sun and let out a falcon screech and then dropped to pick a slice of meat from the feast tables. The mayor took Ishan to the falcon and had him place his hand on the falcon’s head. The band started playing again. Shortly thereafter, others began arriving to see what the commotion was about. As fast as the food and drink disappe
ared, more seemed to arrive. After the Armory workers all touched the golem, the falcon’s eyes flashed and its head tilted, as if listening. It flew to the rooftops surrounding the armory’s courtyard and where it landed, bright streaming colors of magical light began drifting and pouring down like a waterfall of colored mist.
Ishan’s wife eventually found her husband. “Well Mr. R’DAR Ishan… are you now too noble to dance with me?”
He bowed low and took her hand, “My lady. I will never be too noble to dance with you!”
To the cheerful band, they danced. Above, the falcon watched and then narrowed its focus to a small girl standing just to the edges of the merrymaking. Through the falcon's eyes, the silver lord Sai saw her. Back in the capitol, he asked Ora, "This young girl with the blue eyes, this is the one Armageddon touched and spoke with - Klara?"
"Yes my lord. Malcor considers her a little sister. He saved her from winter cold and starvation."
"Most interesting. Her eyes are quite rare amongst Tanians. When you are next at the Temple, please check the records for the Kell Conflict and see if any of the priestesses, on either side have elven heritage. Please check Kell's wife's family specifically."
Ora nodded. "Should I find anything – "
"Send word immediately. Also, make arrangements to test Klara when you are next in Klenna. It must be you."
Chapter Thirty Six - First Rites for the Initiates
Calvin and the other knight initiates in his group, stood shivering high on the Dragon’s Mountain with their instructor. The march up had been brutal as they rose into the never-ending winter cold. Though almost fall, the high peak never melted. “Perhaps, the great ice patriarch Ynt’taris will visit you when he is good and ready. You will be visited by a white dragon though. Prepare for dragonfear on a level you have never experienced before. While there should be no shame in such fear, you must endure to continue as a knight. You have done well to make it this far. I am leaving you now to return the shelter we passed at timberline. If you cannot endure, join me though for the sake of your paladin dreams, I wish to see none of you until after.”
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