No Good Deed

by Jerry Jackson

  “Firstly,” Gheriballi sighed and walked over to him, “they are no longer your people, since you are no longer king. Secondly, I have granted you mercy. Now you want dignity?” He got very serious again and looked Horash dead in the eyes, “Shut up and deal with it!”

  They finished mounting and rode off, “Now for Hondo,” again, no moniker.

  “They will not be as easy to deal with,” Sahara said, “I believe they are prepared to fight.”

  “Good,” said Kimoko, “I’m in the mood for a good battle.”

  “As am I.” said Lucinda.

  The procession moved out. Just as people had been peeking when they arrived, they also peeked when they left. Whispers began to be heard and people came out, to see the parade. Some cheered to see Horash’s dilemma while others remained silent. Without a word, the guards opened the gate and the paladins headed out.

  They rode at a slow gallop to Far Gone. Though Horash was strapped, the bindings and some magic made his ride comfortable but inconvenienced. Again, at about a mile or so from Far Gone, they stopped. The land was flat. No scouting required; the army was clearly out on the battlefield and ready to fight.

  Gheriballi spoke into his paladin symbol, his voice echoed through the field for all to here, “Stand down your army and make way for our arrival. Those who choose to stand against us will suffer grave consequences.”

  The general yelled back, “No. We shall defend our king with our very lives. We request that you turn around and leave here at once!”

  “You understand that you are defying a paladin tribunal!” Gheriballi acted flabbergasted. He always hated when people didn’t know their place, “We do not answer to you, or to any king. You answer to us! This action constitutes treason. Unless you stand down, you shall pay with your lives!”

  “We do not recognize your authority any more; only that of our king. This is sovereign land, ruled by our king. You have no right…”

  “You forget your place general!” Gheriballi interrupted. “No land is sovereign before us! We are the peacekeepers of this world! Your king has violated a treaty he will answer for his crimes. STAND DOWN!”

  “No. We do…” he was cut off by Gheriballi.

  “Paladins, draw your lances!” he said. Everyone did but Obidaan, he did not have a lance, so he pulled his soul weapon. Sensing what was needed, the weapon transformed itself into a lance. Everyone who watched it, including Gheriballi was impressed. “Thunder Charge!” he yelled.

  The Paladin Thunder Charge; the most devastating attack paladins have. Going into a full gallop and forming a V, clouds of dust formed around them. The six behind Gheriballi rode faster. The first two inner paladins caught up with him and locked into place. Soon their gallops match lockstep with Gheriballi’s and a loud thunderous noise was heard.

  As they charged, the general had his cavalry charge, in hopes of stopping them. Nothing stops the Paladin Thunder Charge.

  The next two paladins lined up and locked in place, adding to the thunder. Then the final two caught up and locked in place. It sounded like one large thunderous horse was coming. A wave began to build up, getting larger and larger. Yards before the general’s army was to clash with them, Gheriballi yelled, “Charge!”

  A large wave of sound was released. Moving forward, everything behind it was silent. The paladins could not hear the screams and snapping of bones as the wave hit the charging cavalry but they could see the effects. Horses reared up then fell in awkward positions as the wave crushed them. Blood spurted from openings everywhere as men’s bones snapped like twigs. Every living thing, hit by that wave was now dead. The wave kept going as the paladins continued to charge.

  As they passed the now dead cavalry, they could hear the screams and snaps.. Skulls crushed in, eyes popped out of their sockets, teeth spewed all over the battlefield.

  The wave now came to the General, and his infantry. After they saw what happened to the cavalry, many broke ranks and ran. Archers fired only to have arrows disintegrated as they hit the wall of sound. The general was flusters and didn’t know what to do. He trid to get out of the way, but there literally was nowhere to go. The wave hit the infantry, and the general. The arrogant general was now a testament to paladin justice, swift, deadly, and unforgiving. No one escaped, they could not run far enough away.

  After seeing everything, the archers ran off the towers. Even those that made it off and got over 100 yards away were not spared. The wave hit the city walls and the thick oaken door like cheap thin wood. The wall blew apart hurling boulders into the city. Oddly enough, no civilians or their dwellings were injured. One boulder took and unusual bounce. Bouncing into a nearby shop, landing on and killing the only archer in the building. Everyone else was spared. The wave stopped at the wall.

  The paladins continued to charge. When they got to the wall, they merely jumped over it, continuing in perfect lock step. Inside the city, they formed two columns, but did not loose their synchronicity. They charged up the main street toward the castle. There was a small contingent of guards outside, and the gate was closed and the moat was ablaze. This did not faze the paladins.

  Obidaan was amazed at what was happening. He had heard about paladin charges but had never been in one. It fascinated him no end. The others acted like they had done this before, even Lucinda. Why did she know more than he did? He was getting anxious and hoped Gheriballi would answer these questions soon.

  The contingent of guards attempted to engage the paladins. Arrows either missed or bounced harmlessly off an invisible shield that surround them. The infantry and cavalry that attempted to engage them were either speared by lances or trampled under foot. As the reached the gate, Gheriballi made his horse leap into the air, as if jumping a fence. All the other followed. They leaped over the burning moat and when his lance touched the drawbridge door, he smashed it and the portcullis, landing unharmed on the other side, along with the rest of them. He continued the charge into the castle and into the royal chamber.

  “Hondo, it is time you paid for your crimes!” He put his lance away, drew his sword as he jumped off his horse.

  More palace guards were here, about 50 more. Hondo was about to order them to attack. Gheriballi was incensed at the gall and arrogance of this king. “We have decimated your army, killed your contingent outside the castle, bested your defenses and still you think you can take us. You are truly a fool, Hondo.”

  “I will not go with you! I am innocent! My men will protect me. Fight! Kill these outsiders, they wish to do me harm!” he was squeamish in his demands but his men followed his orders.

  The other paladins were ready for a fight and Mystic had reverted back to her sword form. Obidaan got pings in his head as Hondo spoke lies.

  The guards descended on the paladins. Fifty to seven against normal people would not be a fair fight. Against seven paladins, it was grossly unfair, for the guards. With a paladin of strife, war, and justice, as well as a soul weapon. It was a slaughter. Swipes by Lucinda and Kimoko took out 3 to 4 at a time. The others held their own quite easily. The paladin of knowledge used battle tactics, going back to back with the paladin of seekers, allowing them to take on several guards and remain fully protected. Mystic protected Obidaan, when she wasn’t plunging herself into flesh. At one point she asked to be thrown. Obidaan looked around and saw Lucinda’s back was exposed and a guard had a clear shot on her. He threw the sword, using his shield to hold of the guards on him. Mystic pierced him completely, instantly killing him. Lucinda looked back to see what had happened, and saw how Obidaan had probably saved her life. She didn’t know whether to be grateful or incensed. Obidaan recalled Mystic to his hand and continued the slaughter.

  It was interesting to watch the paladins fight, because they fought as a well—honed unit, though they never fought together before. A dark side paladin just as easily saved the life of a light side one. When Brandon, was pierced and fell in
combat, Kimoko went into a whirlwind strike, taking out five guards. She then ran to Brandon and laid hands on him, healing him and allowing him to continue the fight; Sahara covered her. To them all, the mission was more important than their ethos. None would fall to this worthless bastard. For him to take the life of a single paladin would be a disgrace to the paladin corp.

  Minutes later the fight was over and 50 palace guards lay dead. The paladins, as an act of good will healed each other, dark healing light and vice versa. Gheriballi healed himself.

  Now, with no more distractions, Gheriballi proceeded. “You are guilty of violating the treaty. Do you wish to convene a tribunal?”

  “Yes, and I will be my own defense. I am innocent I tell you.”

  Gheriballi interrupted, “You do realize that as you speak you are being judged, you may want to wait for the formalities.”

  “No! It’s my brother’s fault, he started it.” He pointed to his brother on the horse, “He wanted it all to himself. He couldn’t share. He never could. He tried to poison me. He said he wanted it all and was going to do anything to get it. He…”

  Obidaan interrupted this time. “Will you please shut up? Your lies are giving me a terrible headache!” The pinging that was going off in his head was like a bad migraine.

  “What?” Hondo was flustered now.

  “Well,” he knew he was going to have to lie to keep his secret, “I had a spell up. You know, paladin of The Seers, we can see through the lies.”

  “Well then,” Gheriballi smiled and looked at Hondo, “is there anything you wish to add?”

  Now that he couldn’t lie and attempt to weasel his way out of it, Hondo got very humble. “No. Umm, I throw myself on the mercy of the court.”

  “Mercy. You force us to destroy your army, to send innocent men to their deaths in defense of your worthless hide and you want mercy. You will have mercy. I shall make your death quick and painless?”

  “No!” Hondo began to run, but it was no use.

  Gheriballi grabbed him, said, “Block” and a headman’s block appeared. He grabbed Hondo by his collar, “You make me sick. I can’t believe you lasted this long. I should have executed you,” he looked over at Horash, “both of you years ago. Well I’m about to correct part of that now.”

  Holding him with one hand Gheriballi reached back and slapped the crown off Hondo’s head. It rolled around before coming to rest in the corner. He kicked Hondo in the back of the knee, forcing him to bend. He then forced his head onto the block, “Stay” he said and let go.

  Hondo’s head was now locked onto the block and no matter how much he struggled, it did not move. They all looked on with contempt, even Obidaan.

  Gheriballi drew his sword and held it over his head. “Execute” he said and the sword turned into a headman’s axe. Hondo began screaming. He brought it down swiftly on Hondo’s neck, separating it from his body in a single blow. Looking around, he found a spear, stuck Hondo’s head on it, hopped on his horse, and gave the order to move out. “Our work here is done,” looking over at Obidaan, “we have one more place to go.”

  They rode to the disputed lands where a battle was waging. Using his symbol again, Gheriballi screamed, “Stop!” It echoed throughout the battlefield and caught everyone off guard. They stopped fighting.

  They rode to the middle of the field. The combatants looked at them, seeing head of one king on a pike and the other one bound to the back of a horse. Gheriballi forced the spear into the ground, leaving Hondo’s head on the end.

  “Continue to fight if you wish, I do not care. I have come here to serve justice because your kings broke the treaty, and their word, by starting this war. They have both been punished. What you do now is your own business,” he turned around and rode off the battlefield.

  They didn’t need to look back but could hear the sounds of weapons hitting the ground and people shaking hands. A “Huzzah!” was heard.

  The tribunal soon began to break up as they left the country, each going their separate ways. There was no final farewell. They had a job to do, they did it, and now they were done. They knew there was nothing to celebrate; there never is when a tribunal is called. Plus, you had two sides that cooperated together but do not care much for each other, though you would not have thought that the way they fought. A grunt or informal goodbye was about all anyone said before breaking off. Obidaan was planning to leave when Gheriballi spoke to him, “Stick with me Obidaan. We have some things to discuss and you must learn about the Hall of Paladins.” A few snickers came from the back on both sides.

  “That’s enough, people. Considering his circumstances, I’m sure he had no way of knowing.”

  “About what, the Hall?” he was a bit confused.

  “Yes, in general. Let’s just say it’s very unusual for a paladin to have gone as long as you have and not know about the hall. It’s only funny because you haven’t been there.”

  Obidaan didn’t know how to respond, so he didn’t. They rode in silence as others broke off. Finally, it was just Gheriballi and Obidaan.

  “I would guess you are somewhat confused about how things were handled back there.”

  “I’m not really confused, just concerned. It seemed so, so, cruel and heartless. I thought we were supposed to uphold justice, mercy and the common good. Was it really necessary to decimate their army?”

  “Unfortunately, yes, it was,” he was even in his voice. He stopped his horse for a moment and looked over at Obidaan. “I’m sure you’ve developed these high brow notions of how wonderful it is to be a paladin, how we are diplomats, rescuers of the distressed, hero to the downtrodden, and that is true. Still, we have to remain above all of it. I fear you have fallen into the trap as seeing yourself working for the people and the common good.”

  “Don’t we? I mean, isn’t it our job to make sure people are safe? To help where we can, to do what we can, and know in our hearts we do it for our gods and our country?”

  “There is where you are flawed, young one,” Gheriballi was pointing his finger at him, his tone was almost angry but he pulled back, “You don’t realize your sense of place. We DO NOT work for ANY country. Because of our divinity, we answer to our gods, period. I’m sure you like having the king as your friend and feel at home there, but you must realize that if push came to shove and we had to depose him, you can’t defend him. Your allegiance is to your gods and the corps; no others. I know all about your group, the Vanguard, and while that is nice, it’s backwards thinking.”

  “Wait just a minute!” Obidaan was getting offended, “That’s my family you’re talking about, and I trust my life with them.”

  “And that is noble and admirable but let me ask you a question. Who would win in a battle between The Vanguard and 5 paladins of equal skill?”

  Obidaan, though he wanted to, did not hesitate, “The paladins.”

  “Exactly! You participated in how 7 paladins decimated a kingdom. Think you could do that with your group?”

  “I do, but I wouldn’t have left so much destruction in my wake,” Obidaan felt slightly superior with that answer.

  “Maybe, but you still miss the point. It was necessary to leave the destruction. It must be clear that when you break a treaty and a paladin pays you a visit, it’s not to attend high tea. Even a casual visit can change the course of history. We live in countries compatible with our ethos. Some even hire themselves out as advisers. We must never forget, they answer to us! Never the other way around. Hondo forgot his place. Don’t you ever forget yours,” he began riding again.

  Obidaan was silent for a while, taking in everything he just heard. Somehow it just didn’t sit right with him. The kindness and admiration that he felt back home contradicted what Gheriballi was saying. Finally, Obidaan tried to make one more point, “Well, they did cheer for me and throw me a grand party when I got my soul weapon.”

  Gherib
alli sighed heavily and shook his head. In his mind, he was talking to a child. Obidaan’s maturity was not where it needed to be, not to be a true paladin. “That’s great Obidaan, it really is,” he was slightly exasperated, “but you must understand that there is a caste system, the gods, us, rulers, then everyone else. It’s great that you can get along with all of them, it truly is. Sometimes I wish I had that ability. However, there will come a time when you will have to choose. And when that happens, you must always choose your gods and paladins. All others must fall under your will. It’s not fun, nor gratifying, but it is necessary.”

  “Then I have a silly question. If we’re to stay above everything. If we are truly above kings and emperors, then how come we don’t rule the planet? Why don’t we just take over?”

  “Because, it’s forbidden for us to rule kingdoms. Part of the charter for being a paladin; so your point is moot.”

  “Oh,” Obidaan said, “well maybe the charter should be changed.”

  “And you’re the one to do it?”

  “Why not?”

  Gheriballi laughed, “Good luck.”

  Obidaan noticed the whole time, Gheriballi had not told him a single lie. Still, it was difficult. They continued in silence till dusk, when they came upon a huge keep literally located in the middle of nowhere. “Welcome to the Hall of Paladins, Obidaan.”

  It was a magnificent structure, built of white and black stone. It rose 200 feet into the sky at its highest point. The wall surrounding it had to encase 5 miles. It was almost like a mini city but all there was to it was the wall and the keep. The keep was huge, larger than any castle he had seen. As they entered, a list of all the gods and their paladins were displayed in the main foyer. Tapestries depicted battle scenes, anointments, the origin story – the first Paladin, hand pick at a conference of the gods but refusing the honor. He saw some with Gheriballi in them, him standing triumphantly over an elder green dragon, then one of him taking Hondo’s head.