The Cavalier

by Jason McWhirter

  Jonas pulled out the spear point and the dying creature fell to the ground just as the second gnoll recovered from Jonas’s initial attack and tried to run away into the protection of the night. Jonas spun the spear around again so that the bloody point was facing the fleeing beast. He used his long arms and powerful legs to throw the spear with all his might. It was a left handed throw, but the distance was not so great.

  The spear shot through the darkness, hammering into the beast’s back. The power of the throw launched the gnoll to the ground and the dying beast slowly tried to crawl into the cover of darkness. The doomed creature made it about two paces before the fatal wound took its toll and it dropped face first in the dirt.

  Jonas spun around to survey the scene. It was all over in a matter of seconds. Kiln moved toward him calmly holding both his blood-covered weapons. Lambeck was busy searching the dead gnolls and yanking his arrows from the corpses.

  “Nice work, Jonas. Your light saved us,” Kiln said. Jonas let the light draw back into him until it was nothing more than a slight glow surrounding his body. “Can you hold the light a bit longer while we get the fire lit again?”

  “I can.”

  “Lambeck, get the fire going and let’s get these bodies dragged out of the clearing. I’m hungry and my beef smells good.”

  ***

  They saw no more of One Eye’s warriors, but nonetheless Kiln made sure that the areas surrounding his home were scouted regularly. They also had to continue surveying their cattle to make sure no more animals were being stolen.

  With all of this happening, Jonas’s training continued. Kiln began to train him in hand to hand fighting. Jonas had learned a little during his time with the knight apprentices, but again he realized the hard way that he was still just a novice. He spent many evenings training with Kiln and the other men, and most of his time was spent flying through the air to land hard on his back.

  Kiln was unstoppable, his speed and strength with the sword carried over in hand to hand combat as well. It was the Sharneen, a war-like tribe that lived far to the east, who had taught Kiln their secrets of combat. Kiln explained to Jonas that they were a small people, slight of build, with narrow eyes spaced wide, but they trained their bodies to have great power and speed. Kiln learned much from them, and they from him. He trained their chiefs in formation fighting, while they taught him secrets of the blade and hand to hand fighting. These were the secrets that Kiln now taught to Jonas.

  “Jonas, the key is balance. Always be on the balls of your feet, so you can move quickly in either direction. You want to use an opponent’s energy and momentum against them,” Kiln explained. “If they punch you, don’t retreat or shy from the punch as most fighters do. Move into the punch and redirect their energy so you are in control.”

  Kiln showed Jonas how to redirect an attack to one’s advantage. He taught him how to throw an opponent and how to immobilize him with wrist locks, submission holds, and pressure points. Jonas learned that there was a difference between fighting to avoid hurting someone, and fighting to maim or kill an opponent. Jonas learned that the throat, groin, sternum, kidneys, and joints were the locations to direct an attack to completely disable an opponent.

  Kiln built a wooden frame of a man for Jonas to practice his strikes. He taught him how to strike without hurting himself, how to use his palms, the sides of his hands, his shins, knees, elbows, and forearms as weapons. The strikes hurt at first, but after a while the pain subsided as his body adapted to the hits. After months of training he began to build up calluses from constantly hitting the wooden dummy. Jonas’s powers were substantial, but they had their limits, therefore he was happy to learn any skill that would help him survive.

  “I think I will have to make a new wooden dummy for you,” commented Kiln as he walked up to Jonas. Jonas had been practicing on the dummy for an hour and he was sweating heavily. The dummy was indeed in bad shape; the wood had taken a beating, especially in the strike points that Jonas constantly worked. Months ago his hands would be bleeding, but not now. They were strong, the striking areas covered with thick skin. He stepped back from the dummy and took a long drink from his water skin.

  “Your form has improved,” Kiln complemented Jonas.

  “Thank you, sir,” replied Jonas as he set the water skin down. His upper body was bare and there was a layer of glistening sweat that covered his lean muscular torso. His God Mark shone brightly as the mountain sun reflected off the silver and blue etchings. It had grown some, now covering most of his torso.

  Kiln sat down on the wood fence that penned in his sheep. “Do you know how long you’ve been here, Jonas?” he asked softy.

  “Yes, sir. I have been so absorbed in my training that time has meant little to me. Do you want me to leave?” asked Jonas, wondering where Kiln’s questioning was going.

  “You have been here for over two winters, Jonas, surely you know that.”

  “Yes, sir, I do.”

  “Do you not want to go to Annure as you previously planned?” asked Kiln in a fatherly voice.

  “I do, sir. I know I’ve been here longer than was previously arranged. It’s just that I’ve never felt more alive and at home than I do here, with you and your men. I do not want that to go away.”

  “I see,” Kiln said with understanding. “I, too, have enjoyed your company, and your friendship. You are gifted with skill and power that I’ve seldom seen. But it is not your destiny to stay here secluded in the mountains with me. Take it from someone who knows, seclusion does not solve your problems.”

  “I know, sir. I have known that all along. I guess that is why I was trying to stretch this time out as long as I could. I know that once I leave here, that my life will be filled with constant struggles.” Jonas wiped his dripping brow with his hand and looked up at Kiln, his long sweaty brown hair glued to his forehead, and his deep brown eyes filled with emotion.

  “I understand. Are you afraid?” asked Kiln.

  “I am, but not for me. I’m not afraid to die, I realize that now. I should have died years ago with my mother.” Jonas hesitated for a moment. “I’m afraid to fail. I’m afraid I am not strong enough to serve Shyann. I’ve been weak my whole life and this power is new to me. I wonder if she picked the right person.”

  Kiln laughed and shook his head. “Jonas, trust me. She picked the right man. You have a pure heart. I’ve been around fighting men my entire life, and believe me, she did not fail in her choice. You are on your way to being one of the best swordsmen I have ever seen, and you have powers that will get you through the tasks ahead. I can feel it.”

  “Sir, do you have faith in the gods?”

  Kiln paused for a moment before answering. “I have faith in myself and my friends, nothing more.”

  “I see. Do you ever feel like praying?”

  “Jonas, the gods are real, I will not deny that, but I question many things, all of which keep me from praying to anyone. I rely on myself. My success or failure will fall on my shoulders only. Praying means you are relying on others. That can be dangerous for a warrior. Do you understand?”

  “I do, but what things do you question?” Jonas asked, leaning on the railing as he put on his cotton tunic.

  “I question the gods’ motives. Who they are and what they want. The world we live in can be a terrible place. I have seen awful things and I wonder why the gods would allow it. Why does a poor farmer, who can barely feed his family, slaughter a lamb before and after the farming season as a gift to his god? Does his god require it? If so, why do they not help these people live a better life? There are many things about religion that makes no sense to me, Jonas.”

  “Perhaps the gods don’t have the power to change everything.”

  “Maybe, but why do the priests preach the opposite. And why do many of these same priests live a pampered life in their big temples paid for by the coin and sweat of the poor. The system is corrupt, Jonas, and I will not give my allegiance to a god that allows that to happen.”


  “Maybe the gods don’t have total control over what happens here. Maybe corrupt men created the corrupt system, not the gods. Maybe the gods struggle to do right in this world, but their power is not inexhaustible. Or maybe they allow man to do as he will to test his character. Shyann is good. I can sense it, feel it, everything about her resonates hope and courage. Isn’t that something to believe in?”

  “For you, yes, she chose you to help her. I believe she chose well. But there is no place in my heart for the gods. Besides, there are too many maybes in your argument. I believe in what I can see and hold in my hands, my friends, honor, courage, and my sword. I do not deny the god’s existence or their power, but their purpose and their role in our lives is unclear to me. And until I have clarity, I will continue to pray to no one.”

  “I see. It is a difficult topic of discussion. As you said there are many unknowns when it comes to the gods. But I feel good about believing in something other than my sword and myself. I am Shyann’s ally against evil. Shyann’s purpose is linked to mine, I can sense it, and until I feel differently, my sword will uphold her will.”

  “I respect your principles, Jonas. As I said, Shyann has chosen well.”

  “Thank you, sir. I owe much to you. You have taught me things that I never dreamed of knowing.”

  “I want to thank you too, Jonas,” Kiln replied.

  “For what?”

  “For awakening a part of me that was dead for many years. I tried to escape something that I couldn’t face. I tried to bury a part of me that has always burned like an ember deep in my soul. I am a warrior Jonas, pure and simple. My skills are being wasted away in this mountain retreat because I was not strong enough to face my fears. I do not want to die up here. I want to die with my sword in my hand. You have made me realize this, and I thank you for it.”

  Jonas smiled warmly at Kiln, unaccustomed to seeing any hint of emotion in the hard man. “I knew you were not all ice and muscle,” grinned Jonas.

  Kiln smiled and stood up. “Don’t tell anyone.”

  “I won’t. I wouldn’t want to ruin your reputation.”

  “A reputation that I will have to repair when I leave here with you,” Kiln said seriously, the hint of a smile slowly emerging.

  Jonas looked at Kiln in surprise. “Really! You’re going to leave with me?”

  “I am. As soon as this winter is over, we leave for Annure.” Now Kiln was smiling openly, and Jonas couldn’t help but laugh in excitement.

  ***

  The winter was long and cold and Jonas grew frustrated as he was not able to train as usual. He continued to hunt the forests around him with Lambeck when the weather permitted. There were no more gnoll signs, and the winter days melted away without any major incidents.

  He exercised with Kiln inside the barn, keeping their muscles strong, and training with sword and fist. But he felt locked up, not being able to run the hills and climb the steep cliffs that surrounded them. At the same time, Jonas was excited because each day took him closer to when the snows would subside and he and Kiln would venture out into the unknown.

  ***

  When that day arrived it was like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He had been penned up for months thinking of what was next in his life, thinking of Annure and the conflicts to come.

  Finally the day came, and Jonas felt conflicting emotions, happy and excited to depart, and yet apprehensive to leave his mountain home and his new friends. He had spent over three years with these men and the thought of leaving them was not easy for Jonas.

  Everyone had gathered to say good bye in the cold morning air. The sun had just risen over the steep peaks and the dripping of the melting snow broke the stillness of the quiet dawn. There was still snow on the ground but many of the game trails were now clear and passable.

  Kiln was wearing his customary light chain mail covered with his thick wool tunic and on his shoulders hung his dark green traveling cloak. He wore dark breeches and thick leather boots. At his waist dangled his long sword and dagger and he carried his long bow in his hands. Kiln hefted his backpack to his shoulders and looked at Jonas with a nod.

  Jonas was similarly outfitted with thick wool traveling clothes and at his belt hung his sword and dagger. Jonas adjusted the straps of his pack and looked at Lambeck and the rest of the men, unsure how to say good bye. Kiln had given the compound and most of his money to Lambeck. Except for what he now carried on his back and a small pouch of gold and silver, enough for their travels, he had nothing.

  “Good luck, Jonas. May the High One watch over you,” Lambeck said, reaching out and shaking Jonas’s hand in the warrior’s grip.

  “And you as well, Lambeck, thank you for everything. I owe you much,” replied Jonas, their eyes locking.

  Lambeck nodded his head and stepped back. Jonas shook everyone’s hand and said his good byes.

  “Lambeck, you’ve been a good friend to me over the years, as have you all,” Kiln said, addressing the group. “I count myself lucky to have spent so many years with you. Take care of my home for me,” he added as he went to each man to say his good byes. Kiln did not shed a tear, but Jonas saw more than one eye glisten with moisture from his men. “I will be back again. If I am to die then I want to be buried here in the mountains. If I live then I will walk these hills with you again. Either way I will be back. I promise you that. Until another day!” he shouted as he and Jonas started the long walk down the valley.

  ***

  The first few days of travel were slow but without incident. Snow still covered some sections of the trail, making their descent down the Tundrens a bit arduous.

  On the third day Jonas spotted a huge stag in the forest, standing at the crest of a tree dotted hill. It was standing absolutely still and looking directly at them. The deer was massive, almost the size of a horse. Its rack was gigantic. The span of the impressive horns was as far apart as a man is tall. At first he thought it was an elk, but then he noticed the horns, which distinguished the animal as a buck, despite its impossible size. Jonas had never seen anything like it. It was standing amongst the trees, head held high with no sign of fright, eyeing them both as they walked along the game trail. It was as if the deer was expecting them.

  Jonas immediately thought back to a conversation he had had with Tuvallus, the mysterious mountain man who had rescued him and Fil. He recalled the man saying that he was tracking a huge buck, the biggest he had ever seen, and then it had just disappeared. That was when he had spotted the boarg tracks that had been following Jonas and Fil. Tuvallus had arrived in their camp just in time to save them both from the attacking boargs.

  Jonas smiled to himself momentarily as he thought about the possibility that Shyann had had her hands in that rescue. Was this stag another warning? Or was it something else?

  Jonas motioned for Kiln to look to his right, towards the animal. Kiln stopped and looked up into the woods and spotted the magnificent animal. His eyes widened and his hand automatically reached for his quiver.

  “No,” Jonas whispered. Something inside him told him that this animal should not be shot, that it was standing there for a reason.

  “Why not?” Kiln asked incredulously.

  “I don’t know. I just feel like we shouldn’t shoot it.” Just as Jonas spoke the deer flicked its head as if it were saying, come here.

  Jonas and Kiln looked at each other in wonder as the animal flicked its head one more time before leaping through the brambles and over the crest of the forested hill.

  Kiln looked at Jonas and shrugged his shoulders. “What now?” he asked.

  “We follow it,” replied Jonas with certainty as he ran after the majestic animal. Jonas and Kiln had to run quickly, leaping over rocks and snags as they tried to keep the buck in their sight. The stag stopped several times, looking back to see if they were still following.

  “It’s leading us somewhere. Are you sure we should be following?” asked Kiln as he ran effortlessly beside Jonas.<
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  “Yes. It wants us to follow; I can feel it,” Jonas panted as he jumped over a fallen log.

  The two men followed the deer for several hours before they came to the top of a small hill overlooking a clearing. Down in the clearing was the largest, most magnificent oak tree that they had ever seen. Its base was probably thirty paces wide and its thick branches, each the size of a large tree, reached over a hundred feet in the air. It was colossal. Kiln and Jonas stared at the tree with wonder.

  The huge deer looked back at them, flicked its head again, and disappeared behind the enormous trunk. Jonas sensed something special in the clearing, an aura of pure goodness that emanated from everything, especially the tree. It was like an oasis of pureness.

  Kiln looked at Jonas in amazement. “What is this place? It is beautiful, and I feel something…different, like an overwhelming sense of peace. I can’t explain it. It feels like a sanctuary.”

  “Trust your senses. We are looking at Shyann’s tree. I recognize it from a dream. This is the place where she was buried,” replied Jonas, his face a mask of wonder, similar to that of a child looking at a cavalier for the first time. Jonas looked at Kiln and smiled broadly, unable to hide his excitement. “You are looking at a sacred place. I’m willing to bet that no human has ever set eyes on this tree. Let’s go, nothing can harm us here,” Jonas said as he walked down into the clearing.

  As Jonas entered the clearing, he felt a magical pulse deep in his body. It was brief, like a flash, and then it was over. He was standing at the base of the tree looking up into the branches. It was so big that his eyes could not encompass it.