by 5kops
Lord Taryon smiled grimly at the thought of ordering the training company back to Brenly—it would be a great opportunity for his young men to strategize and investigate the disturbances in the area, while giving assistance to Count Gustafson and his plague issues. It would be an excellent opportunity to put the younger men in a position to test their faith.
"Squire, you have done very well tonight," the High Lightbringer said. "The rest of the night is yours. My advice is that you meet for evening prayers then join the younger knights in celebration. I have heard rumors that a few are heading to the observatory to stare into the heavens. Maybe you will see a dragon's tail soaring through the sky."
"My Lord Lightbringer, I have offered my companionship to another this night."
The High Lightbringer arched a bushy brow.
Areck realized that the companion in question sounded like a female and flushed a deep red. "I did not mean to imply ... I mean . . . Messenger Arawnn has requested a tour of the city and that I escort him. If your holiness would allow, I would like to keep my word."
The High Lightbringer's eyes gleamed with mirth. "Squire, you may enjoy doing whatever is within God's boundaries. Come morning I will be commissioning a journey to Stormwind Keep, one of which you will be part of," Lord Taryon said. "Just be sure you arrive at the stables by dawn, as your knight commander will be inspecting his line and issuing his orders."
As Areck began to leave, Lord Taryon added, "It is an honor to be selected for this assignment, Areck. One I think you deserve."
"I thank you, High Lightbringer! May I be so bold as to ask my commander's name?" Areck asked with shining eyes.
It looks like the boy can hardly contain bis excitement. Lord Taryon smiled. He paused and measured his answer. There were many good choices, but he was looking for an older knight who had field experience with squires. As Lord Taryon considered several men, he looked at Areck and was struck by
One man in particular, Lord Bowon Silvershield, a pordy knight-captain of middling years, who drank too much and was known as a womanizer, stood out. At one time Bowon had been a consulate, but his poor choices had caused Lord Taryon to demote him several times, to the lowest rank a senior knight could hold. Yet Lord Bowon's men loved him and Taryon had discussed many things with the jovial knight. The High Lightbringer knew the man had a keen mind and was more than capable of leading such a small foray. Bowon also had teaching experience and might even uncover what was happening in Brenly.
If nothing else, it will keep him away from drinking, Lord Lightbringer mused. It was almost shameful what had happened to the man. Taryon still remembered the days when Lord Silvershield had been blessed by God.
"Actually, you know the commander quite well, Squire," Lord Taryon stated. "The company will be led by Knight-Captain Silvershield. Now, Areck, I think it is past time for your evening prayers. Enjoy your eventide with the courier. It will be your last in Aresleigh for many weeks," Lord Taryon finished.
With a swift bow Areck took the last statement as his dismissal, spun on his heel, and walked out of the room.
****
As a ninth year student, Areck's entire class had moved to the fourth floor of the eastern wing of the citadel. For those who resided within the Academy's grounds accommodations were simple. Each floor's commanding officer was stationed near the multiple stairways, known by squires as "the hub." As the hallways spread outward, the further a room was from the hub, the simpler in design and the smaller in scale it was. The farthest quarters held few accouterments and were reserved for the lowest ranking squires, while honor students resided near the entrance.
Areck tried to recall his first days at the Academy. The first two winters in service to the Bre'Dmorians were by far the toughest for young boys, called "tyros." Many would be homesick and unaccustomed to the winters of Western Arsgoth. For this reason, tyros were stationed in the heart of the citadel, until they were promoted on their fifth year of service to Initiates of the Hand. It wasn't until his sixth year that a squire resided with fewer than four people in his room. In his eighth year, an initiate finally earned private chambers, allowing further development of his spirituality.
As Areck made his way towards the eastern hub, assessing the honor that had been bestowed upon him, he walked right into a woman!
The impact of their bodies brought forth a feminine grunt as she bounced backwards in a silent protest. Though she wore the white tabard of Gabriel, The Angel of Mercy and had highly polished chain mail, her hood was pulled down far enough to partially conceal her long blond hair and penetrating blue eyes.
When Areck looked up, the woman had caught her balance and was intently staring at him. He realized she was waiting for an apology. Areck gaped, dumbfounded and speechless, at what he considered to be the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Though he had read about the Hospitaler Order, an all-female knighthood that resided in the southern Barony of Shalwen's Grove, he had never met a member. This did not sway his awe-inspired judgment; female clerics were allies of Starsgalt and thus must be special to God.
"I believe a simple 'Excuse me' would do, young man," the lady's voice was like a soft breeze waving across the beach.
"I ... I ... I am sorry, my lady," Areck stuttered before dropping his gaze from her beautiful face. He had never been so embarrassed and exhilarated in his life. "If you will excuse my clumsiness, I apologize."
With a shy smile she reached for Areck's hand. "It is as much your fault as it was mine. I wasn't paying much attention, either. My name is Elyana Healhand, Lady Prelate of Gabriel," the lady cleric said.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady. I am Squire Areck of Brenly," Areck said. "I have never seen a Cleric of Gabriel before ... I mean, one this far north. May I help you find something?"
"I was just coming from the library, Squire Areck," Elyana responded with a yawn. "I do thank your for your offer, but it was a long journey from Shalwen's Grove."
Areck was about to wish her luck when Elyana asked, "I do not suppose you can point me to the eastern halls? The Citadel of Hand is so large in comparison to our own, I get lost each time I come here." She chuckled and motioned to the hub.
"Lady Elyana, for nearly knocking you off your feet, I would be honored to escort you," Areck responded with a shy smile. "Albeit I, too, still get lost at times, I am sure we could find the way eventually."
"Oh no, young man!" she said, throwing her hands up to mockingly fend him off. "You looked quite preoccupied in your task. I think verbal directions will suffice."
Embarrassed, Areck turned red, something that in his opinion had happened all too often that day. As he pointed out landmarks within the citadel and the proper directions to get to the guest quarters, Elyana smiled. When Areck finished, the cleric repeated the directions back to him verbatim. A slight tingling tugged at Areck's senses. He guessed the cleric must be of significant power within her sisterhood. For the first time in his young life, Areck stepped back and appraised a woman, not as a squire in reverence to a cleric or a knight, but as a man does a woman.
Is this desire? It is an odd sensation and one that is forbidden to the young. He contemplated the thought. How do these thoughts force themselves into my mind? Areck shook his head to clear such blasphemous thoughts and the woman frowned in concern.
"Are you well, young man?" She placed her hand on his chest.
He jerked away from her contact. He noticed Elyana's shocked expression as she snatched her hand back and yelped. Even though he was wearing a chain hauberk, her touch was like a dull fire that caressed the whole of his body.
"I am fine, Lady Elyana, really!" Areck stepped backward, his eyes dropping in shame. "I am not used to someone listening so attentively to me, able to repeat my words perfecdy. If there is nothing else I must be going ... to prepare . . . for eventide prayers."
Elyana did not move. She glanced curiously from her hand to the young squire. Though there was no mali
ce in her gaze, Areck felt her blue eyes judging him. A surge of divine magic filled the room, making his stomach turn and vision waver.
"My lady, if I offended you, I am sorry," he said, backing away from the cleric and trying to clear his mind. "But I would appreciate it if you would cease casting whatever divine spell you are calling upon."
The power subsided. Elyana's beautiful face creased with a frown. "I would not cast a spell on you, Squire Areck."
"I can feel your divine power, my lady; you radiate it," he responded grimly.
"Are you accusing me of a lie?" she asked incredulously, her voice taking on a quiver of anger. "I said I did not cast anything on you, young man!"
Why does she keep calling me a "young man" and not referring to me with the proper protocol? He thought. It was very odd for the circumstances. What is wrong with me? Focus your thoughts, Areck! You have just offended a powerful member of the clergy with that comment!
"I did not mean to accuse you, Lady Elyana," Areck said. "I acutely feel divine magic; it makes me sick often enough. One of the side-effects is that it makes my tongue and mind act out of hand. If you would accept another apology, I have embarrassed both myself and my knighthood enough this day."
Elyana visibly relaxed. Areck thanked Starsgalt that he was given a sharp tongue and quick mind. He could tell the cleric was visibly shaken and whatever had happened, she was somehow involved. He couldn't take the chance of accusing her of King because she was a Cleric of Gabriel. Regardless of her age, Elyana's authority was absolute and his word would be invalid, even if something strange was afoot.
Areck stepped back to offer an appropriate amount of distance between them, enough as not to seem insincere but far enough away to keep whatever was going on at bay.
Elyana did not notice. She gazed intently at her hand, deep in thought. When she finally looked up, she noticed the distance Areck had taken. With proper etiquette, she accepted his apology and thanked him for assisting her with directions.
Trying to conceal her interest in the young man, Lady Elyana watched Areck bow deeply and apologize again for running into her, allowing her to dismiss him. Without another word, the squire turned away and with quick strides made his way towards the hub. He never looked back to see Elyana watching him with a highly intrigued look on her face.
She had in fact tried to cast a simple divination spell on him to discern his divine aura. Though Elyana had cast the spell a thousand times since she had come to the Bre'Dmorian Academy, a strange feeling told her that this young man would one day be worth watching. She had become so adept at the spell that she could do it without making sound or gestures. Still, that squire, a man not more than twenty-five winters, had not only felt the spell but destroyed her weavings.
With a speculative eye Elyana watched Squire Areck make his way up the hub. It isn't a wise idea to let odd circumstances distract me, she thought.
It was time to leave the Academy. Elyana had been in the library for more than a week, and if she ever wanted to return to the Academy without attracting undue attention, she knew she had better not press her luck. With a last look at the young man climbing the stairs, she re-concealed her face and made her way out of the Citadel of the Hand the same way she had made her way in. The route was safe and would take her back through the Twisting Oak Inn, where her partner would be waiting.
5
ARECK CLIMBED the hub in silence. He was feeling quite sick from his meeting with Lady Elyana. If the divine magic had not ceased when it did, the amount of power flowing through the room might have made him vomit.
He still remembered the rules he had taught himself during his third year of service. It started with a basic principal: conceal the sickness. Since then, he had added control, acceptance, and tolerance to the equation. Still, it was very hard to be one with his creator when such blasphemy coursed through his veins. Not to mention that the more Areck came in contact with divine magic, the more nauseated he became. The only difference from his childhood was that he could now completely hide that fact from others. It had been a long time since his councilors had made him sit in the presence of God for what they saw as his obvious lack of faith.
The only thing those lessons did for me was make me more sick! he thought, confused by his weakness of character. Of course, it made me realise that the more I cry out, the longer the punishment of God lasts.
Areck told himself that he was a man of faith and prayed for salvation every night. He followed the doctrine of the All-Father without question, sacrificing endlessly for God because God knew best. In his heart, Areck recognized that God was testing him with the pain—a lesson that would be taught each and every night until he overcame his lack of conviction. The squire accepted all of this as fact and told himself that this was all part of his relationship with God.
But Areck had not been prepared when the divine curse accosted him this time. It was easy to control his emotions when he knew it was coming. It was another thing to be blindsided by a burst of divine magic. The question in his mind was why the cleric had lied about it. A true servant of Starsgalt could not lie; to do so would require atonement, in which a knight would either fast or pray for spiritual penance by asking forgiveness. Though Areck was not a man of magic, he was sure Elyana had done something, and so she was lying.
Is it so absurd that a cleric lied? I have lied for nine years by concealing my curse. Then again, why would God's chosen not tell me the truth? Or am I wrong. . .?
Areck tried to clear his mind. Although he could not cast spells, he had seen powerful priests work minor miracles with the assistance of God. It was the look in her eyes, the inquisitive glance she had given him at his reaction to her touch. She was definitely powerful. And she most definitely was not evil, as evil couldn't walk under the gaze of Starsgalt ... at least not in his home. Still, he was positive that she had cast a spell on him, even if she had not spoken a word nor made any hand gestures.
As he exited the hub, Areck again tried to clear his thoughts but they continued to wander back to the mysteriously beautiful woman. Maybe I should go find her. She will be in bed by now; he reprimanded himself for several indecent tangents that popped into his mind. It has to be the circumstances. He sighed. Or am I intrigued by her? She is so unusual.
Areck had heard stories from some of the knights about their wives: tales of beauty, faith, friendship, and ... he turned red at the thought of the more intimate moments. He had to admit that the prospect of a woman was fascinating. His personal commander, Lord Silvershield, always told such interesting stories, even if the old knight-captain was known as a womanizing brute.
Lord Silvershield had many female companions. In fact, now that Areck thought about it, numerous highly prized noble females pawed all over the rotund knight. He smiled as he started down the hallway to the fifth door that opened into his domicile.
Areck entered the room and went over to a wooden cabinet that held his personal belongings, including several fine tunics. Though he rarely dressed for such occasions, he owned one white tunic for each completed season within the Academy and one that was a gift from Lord Silvershield for finishing top in his class—a dark blue vest made of fine northern wool and braided with golden linen. He had only worn the blue tunic once, for the annual Ball of Roses at the winter festival; he was a warrior at heart, and preferred leather and chain armor over the cloth livery of nobility.
It was not uncommon for knights to wear some kind of armor most of the day, be it padded, leather, or hardened armor. In fact, it was quite customary to do routine tasks such as morning workouts, daily chores, and study, while prepared to take on chaotic adversaries.
Tonight, however, Areck was prepared to wear his best clothes and lead Arawnn through the city as promised. He sighed at the thought. It was only a matter of time before he led the courier into a tavern or inn and the tightly crowded bar erupted by throwing ale, which the more raucous of taverns practiced nighdy. His tunic would be ruined.
>
"Why do I feel the need to give my word before I have taken the Oath of Anduin?" he asked the open cabinet, laying the tunic, breeches, and his best knee high boots on the bed.
Because I am young, he guessed.
It was a fact that Areck was quick to give his word on matters. It made him feel important to think that one day soon his word would mean something. Yet it was hard not to recognize such a weakness. He knew he was not supposed to make issues so important, since the young could hardly comprehend what was appropriate and honorable.
Then again, squires could get away with many minor infractions of the faith. However, if basic rules were broken continuously, punishments became more severe. That was the point—for the smarter ones, it only took once.
Areck stil remembered watching a trio of squires sneak out of the Academy and into the city proper. After the third time of being caught, their knight commander sent them to clean pig-sties for three weeks in the rain and sleet. Though the penalty was harsh, it only took one boy to break under the effort before the rest had learned their lesson. Such punishments were the reason it was nearly impossible to be kicked out of the Academy. Unless a young man broke one of the three founding oaths of Anduin: show faith in God, guard thy brethren, and protect the kingdom from chaos, they were in for life.
For Areck, the lessons of making hasty decisions were learned when people took him up on the offers he made. Thus, Areck found himself in the situation he was in now. Because Arawnn had called him on his word, there was no choice; he had to go.
An idea came to him: what if Arawnn couldn't find him? The royal courier could not possibly know the Citadel very well. If the squire descended a level and went in to one of the chapels in the western wing, he would be worshipping Starsgalt by prayer and honoring his word to Arawnn. It would not be his fault if the courier did not know his way around. No one could say that he wasn't honoring his word in this matter either, could they? He would be dressed in his finest clothes, apparently ready and willing for the night on the town.