The Cavalier

by Jason McWhirter

  “I see.” Kiln looked at Jonas with concern. “How did you fare, Jonas? I don’t remember much after that demon lanced me in the back with its spiked tail.”

  “I was hard pressed. I fought it with God Light and my blades, but the beast had magic of its own and countered mine. He injured me badly before Shyann came to my aid again and helped me burn it badly with flame.”

  “It’s called God Fire. Not all cavaliers have such a gift. Most are not strong enough to wield that power,” interjected Taleen.

  “I sent God Fire into the demon and that forced the beast back. It was just about to attack me again when Taleen came to our aid. The demon then charged her.”

  “And that is when I lanced it with my sword, a second time,” added Kiln remembering.

  “You stabbed it twice? I couldn’t see with all the blood in my eyes but I knew you were battling it. How did you counter the demon’s spell?” Jonas asked.

  “I don’t know. I broke the demons trance just before its spiked tail slammed into my side. I was able to get my blade up to deflect most of the power, but it still cut me, and the pain was severe, far more than it should have been for those wounds.”

  “It was poison. You never should have been able to counter the spell or fight off the poison. Your spirit is very strong, Kiln, only a cavalier or powerful priest would have been able to counter that demon’s power. However, charms and spells of the mind can sometimes be countered by mentally strong and disciplined warriors, which I assume is why you were able to do so.” Taleen spoke with obvious respect in her voice.

  Kiln, uncomfortable with the praise, looked away, stretching his tired limbs some more. “Jonas, I’m sorry that I couldn’t finish the beast,” he said regretfully, lifting both hands towards the sky to loosen his sore muscles.

  “It was not your fault, general, anyone, including a cavalier, would have a slim chance against that beast by themselves,” Taleen commented as she went to gather her backpack.

  “You know who I am?”

  “I do. I recognized your name.”

  “Really? My name is known in the west?” Kiln asked.

  “Your name is known to all warriors, sir.”

  “My name or my disgrace?” Kiln retorted bitterly.

  “A little of both I’m afraid,” replied the cavalier as she dug out some provisions from her pack.

  “I see.” Kiln stared at Taleen for a moment with his cold gray eyes, but she held his stare, her bright blue eyes showing no hint of judgment. Kiln’s face softened as he picked up his pack. “We can talk more later. I see you’re hungry as well. Let us eat breakfast.”

  Taleen simply nodded in affirmation.

  “Yes, I am starving,” added Jonas as he went to his pack.

  They ate a warm breakfast of boiled oats mixed with honey that Taleen had brought with her. They used a sweet brown bread to clean the wooden bowls. Jonas was famished after expending so much energy and the food did wonders for his tired and sore body. They finished off the meal with cups of boiling water that Taleen had mixed with several herbs. It tasted very similar to the drink that Jonas’s mother used to make him in the morning, and that thought made him smile as he sipped his tea.

  The trio was quiet as they ate; the only sounds came from the chirping birds that flew back and forth over the grasslands, eating their morning breakfast of bugs.

  Finally Kiln broke the silence. “Since you are a cavalier, I assume that Helikon sent you here for a reason.”

  Taleen took a slow sip of the warm brew before answering. “He did, but I do not know the exact reason. I can assume it was to help Jonas against the demon, but I cannot know for sure.”

  “What does Helikon ask of you now?” Kiln asked.

  “I’m not sure. A cavalier’s travels are not always clear. Our gods give us information when they think we need it. I will travel with Jonas to Annure until I am called elsewhere.”

  “Do you talk with your god?” Jonas asked.

  “No, cavalier’s do not actually converse with their gods. Usually messages or intent is sent through their steeds or passed to the cavalier with mental pictures, like waking dreams, some of which can be unclear at times,” Taleen explained. “I do not even think that priests or clerics actually converse with their gods.”

  “I have met Shyann,” Jonas said.

  Taleen paused for a moment and looked at the young warrior. “You mean you have seen her, talked with her in person?” she asked skeptically.

  “Yes, well not exactly. I have spoken to her in my dreams. But it is real, as if she were standing right in front of me. It is like a waking dream,” Jonas said, trying to explain the few times he had spoken with Shyann while he was asleep.

  Taleen looked into the fire for a few moments before speaking. “That is something, Jonas. I will admit that I envy your personal connection with Shyann. I have never heard of that happening before. I would very much like the opportunity to speak with Helikon, as you have with Shyann.”

  “The games gods play,” Kiln muttered.

  “Indeed, at times it seems so. The truth be told we know very little of the gods we worship. All I know is that there is good and evil in the world, and if Helikon fights against that evil, then he is worthy of worship,” Taleen said.

  “Why ask to be worshipped to begin with?” Kiln asked no one in particular. “Isn’t that a sign of arrogance? It seems that even the good gods want power, which to me is the root of greed, the very foundation of despots and evil. Is the line between the benevolent gods and evil ones so defined, or is it sometimes blurred? I often wonder if the world would be a better place if no one believed in either.”

  No one spoke for a while as they digested the warrior’s words. Finally Taleen spoke up.

  “Whether people believe or not has no bearing on whether the gods exist. They either do or they do not. We get our power from somewhere, be it gods or something else, and as long as I believe, and feel, that my power is being used to make the world better, then I will continue to believe in something. Your disbelief, or repudiation, whatever you will call it, does not confirm or deny their existence,” Taleen argued.

  “I disagree. If no one believed, or worshipped the gods, they would have no power over us; therefore their very presence in our world would slowly disappear. Do you think that the people before us believed in the same gods as we do now?” Kiln asked.

  “I do not know, no one knows,” Taleen said.

  “Exactly. One thing is certain though. Our presence is but a blink in the life of our world. Therefore it is highly probable that the people before, and after us, have had, and will have, other beliefs. They will believe in other gods, in other religions, and they will be no more right or wrong than you and your beliefs. To me, these contradictions confirm that to worship gods is to believe in something that is just an idea, an emotion, and nothing more. I think the elves have it right, that there are no gods, that the magic of the universe comes from the Ru’Ach and these so called gods are just beings of great power that somehow have found a direct connection to this energy,” Kiln said.

  “Love is an emotion,” Jonas said, deep in thought. “It seems to me that some ideas are worth living for, and fighting for.”

  Kiln looked at Jonas but said nothing, clearly thinking about the simplicity of his words.

  “Always a difficult conversation,” Taleen said. “I suggest we move on to more pressing matters.”

  “Agreed,” Kiln confirmed.

  “Taleen,” Jonas said. “Can you help me understand the powers of a cavalier? I have never had the chance to actually talk to a cavalier in depth. I do not know the full extent of my powers and I think it would aid me greatly to know what I am capable of doing.”

  “Yes, I can, and I agree. If you’ve never been formally trained then you need to learn some basic knowledge about cavaliers.” Taleen took another sip of her hot drink before continuing. “A cavalier has several basic powers. They can dispel fear and evil, they can dispel magic,
and they can bring forth God Light which, in itself, has several powers. God Light can dispel magic and fear and bring pain to creatures of darkness. This same light can also create an aura of confidence to bring hope to those who have none. Some can even use their voice as a tool of power, quieting crowds, bringing hope and strength to those who hear them. That is a rare skill typically only granted to first rank cavaliers.

  “I heard Airos use that power at a town meeting. It was impressive. Everyone was transfixed to his every word as if he were a god,” added Jonas.

  “Airos was a first rank cavalier, which would explain that power,” interjected Kiln.

  “It is unfortunate that he was killed. His death was a huge blow to our cause.” Taleen paused to take another sip of her brew. “A cavalier also has powers of endurance, allowing them to fight for many hours without tiring or eating. They can heal the wounded and sick. The most powerful tool that a cavalier can wield is God Fire. God Fire can be used in several ways but only the strongest of cavaliers can wield this power. This power is reserved to first rank cavaliers only. That is why I was so surprised to hear you say you used fire against the demon. It is unclear to me how you could do so when you’ve never been trained. The number of first rank cavaliers that exist is small, and I don’t even know how many of them have been killed.”

  “Killed? What do you mean?” asked Kiln. Jonas had forgotten that Kiln was unconscious when Taleen had told him that cavaliers were being murdered throughout Kraawn.

  “The last two years have seen many of our cavaliers destroyed. Hunted down by a demon, or demons, we’re not sure. It is very likely that the same demon that attacked you here was doing this killing. It is possible that there are no more first rank cavaliers, except for Jonas.”

  “How can I be the highest ranking cavalier when I’ve never been trained?”

  “And why do the gods not give all cavaliers these powers?” Kiln added.

  “Our land is being attacked,” Taleen said sadly. “Perhaps the gods reasoned that there is no time to train you. Maybe you are needed now and your strength and constitution is enough. Not all of us have the constitution, the physical and mental capabilities of using and sustaining some powers. I would imagine that if Helikon granted me the power of God Fire that the first time I used it I would be burned to a crisp. Jonas, there is something inside of you that gives you strength. That something allows you to wield power that I cannot. Hopefully Annure can help answer some of these questions.”

  “So this demon that we fought last night has been killing other cavaliers,” Kiln muttered to himself.

  “The beast told me last night that it had been killing my brethren. There can be no doubt that the demon was referring to cavaliers,” added Jonas.

  “This is grave news,” said Kiln.

  “It is. Cavaliers have been our shield against evil for thousands of years. Without them, we are vulnerable. I do not know how many are left besides Jonas and me. I hope that Annure will have that information,” Taleen said hopefully.

  “What is the training like at Annure?” asked Jonas.

  “I did not train there. I trained at Rohindrin on the coast of Algard, but the training should be the same. The first step for a potential candidate is the purity test. This test is done by the high priests that represent your god or goddess. I do not know exactly what they do at Annure, but at Rohindrin you sit in the center of an altar room while six high priests circle you. They pray and ask their god or goddess for their blessing in accepting you into the training. If you are deemed pure of heart and soul, then you will be admitted. Very few people pass this test. There are many people that try to become cavaliers for the wrong reasons. Your thoughts and desires cannot be hidden from the gods. After you pass that test then you are trained in weapons, combat, and many other advanced skills.”

  “Like what?” Jonas asked with interest.

  “Like horsemanship, movement of armies, sieging of a city, politics, royal etiquette, languages, history, reading and writing, and so on.”

  “That must take a long time.”

  “The first part of a cavalier’s training takes five years. Once that is completed then they move on to the tests of strength.”

  “Physical strength?” interrupted Jonas.

  “No, strength of body and mind together. The amount of magic that a cavalier can control is directly related to their constitution. It is not totally understood, but there are some people who can withstand more than others. They need to determine the strength of each candidate. This is what determines the ranking. There are first, second, and third rank cavaliers. Third rank cavaliers have the power of God Light and dispelling evil. Second rank cavaliers, like myself, can bring forth God Light, heal, and dispel evil, while first rank cavaliers have all of those powers plus they can wield God Fire. God Fire can be used in many different ways, and the strength of the user will determine what they can do. Each cavalier, even within their ranking, has certain ranges of power. Some are more powerful in certain areas than others, but always a cavalier is trained in combat. If they pass the tests then they will be marked as an expert swordsman, their God Mark covering their hands.” Taleen glanced down at Kiln’s hands and her eyes twinkled with interest.

  Kiln did not miss the brief look. “You expected a mark?”

  “I did. I had heard you were the best.”

  “I think such marks are signs of vanity. Besides, why warn an enemy of your skills,” Kiln replied.

  “In most cases I would agree with you. But the cavalier’s mark is not a mark of vanity. The God Mark is designed to uplift men and women and ensure their confidence in the cavalier. The mark is a deterrent for evil and violence, a warning so to speak.

  “I do not see a mark on your hands, Taleen,” Jonas said curiously.

  “I could not pass the master swordsman tests. I am good, but not that good. My skill is with the bow,” replied Taleen with no hint of arrogance. “Anyway, if the candidate has passed the tests of combat and magic then they must be put on trial.”

  “Trial? What do you mean?” asked Jonas.

  “The cavalier candidate must prove their faith by passing several tests. The first one is a test of pain. If a candidate makes it this far, there is high probability that he or she will fail here. The candidate is tortured by high priests of their faith.”

  “What! Tortured, by their priests?” This time it was Kiln who responded with disbelief.

  “Yes. To ensure the faith of the candidate, they are tortured for five days. Their bodies are cut, burned, and broken, with the idea that at the end of the fifth day their god or goddess will heal them. The Forsworn are constantly hunting and looking for ways to corrupt or destroy cavaliers. If a cavalier is captured, the tortures that they would endure at the hands of that evil would be incomprehensible. This test will help prepare them for the possibility of that happening. If they keep faith through that intense ordeal then they will pass the test. If not, then they will be healed and released from training, never to be a cavalier.”

  “And you went through that?” Jonas asked in amazement.

  “I did. The hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  Jonas and Kiln both looked at Taleen with newfound respect.

  “The next trial is called the Balnock, or dream test. The candidates are put into a trance by their priests. In this trance they are assaulted by various demons and monsters and the candidates must use their powers to defeat them.”

  “Are the demons real?” asked Jonas.

  “No, but they seem real. In that state everything feels real, including pain. If you die or retreat, you fail that test and are released from training forever.”

  “How long does it take a candidate to pass all the tests and become a cavalier?” Kiln asked.

  “It takes around six years. As you can imagine, very few make it through all these tests. Candidates must prove themselves in purity, combat, and faith, which very few can do. If we lose all our cavaliers, then it will take too long
to train more. We cannot die, Jonas.”

  “I don’t plan to,” Jonas said seriously. “What about a cavalier’s steed? I had heard that they are granted a steed from their god.”

  “After the cavalier passes all the tests and they are officially recognized as a cavalier, they will usually get their steed, armor, and weapons, but these gifts are given by their god and there is no set rule as to when this happens. I can see that you have already received your armor and weapons. The steed may come at any time. Kormac, my horse, came to me the night before my first mission.”

  “And they have powers as well?”

  “Oh yes, the cavalier’s steed has powers of strength and endurance. They can run continuously without tiring. They can fight and sense evil as you do. They, too, are always perfectly groomed, their armor and coat glistening like it was recently polished and brushed. It is believed that a cavalier should instill strength and courage in others and to do this they must look the part.”

  “We will travel to Annure to get some answers. At that point I may leave you and head to Finarth. I have some unfinished business there,” said Kiln.

  “I would like to accompany you to Finarth,” replied Jonas hopefully.

  “We’ll see, my friend. You may have a different calling. The council at Annure may have other plans for you.”

  “But I swore allegiance to King Gavinsteal.”

  “That may be, but your calling as a cavalier supersedes any prior oath to a king.”

  “He is right, Jonas,” Taleen interjected. “Cavaliers have no allegiance to any one king or land. Their allegiance is to their gods and to all the people of Kraawn. King Gavinsteal knows this and would not hold you to your oath.”

  “I see,” replied Jonas, saddened at the thought that he might not be able to see Fil anytime soon. He had missed his friend over the years and hoped that he fared well.

  Kiln suddenly stood up, buckling on his sword belt. “Well, I think it’s time we are on our way.”

  “I agree,” added Taleen as she also stood. “To Annure, and answers.”