Nearby, Coffin stood silently looking at the tapestry of light. She listened to the voice explaining about the patterns that Gonzales and Sabbo had found and activated once more for her, even though she didn't understand more than a very few words. She finally turned toward them.
"Much as I hate to say this, Moto isn't going to like what this means." Her words caught the attention of the other knights.
Sabbo nodded. "I was afraid that you'd reach that conclusion."
"I can't help reaching it now that god is furnishing the same evidence as some of us guessed before. Even Basoc, curse his existence, figured it out correctly. Gonzales is supposed to be in charge. He's wearing the leader suit. That's why he can do so many things," Coffin said.
"I don't know how to lead," Gonzales said.
"You're already leading a patrol. There's not much more than that to leading all of us. Just do what you do now for all the knights, instead of just the few assigned to you," Coffin said.
"It's not quite that easy, but there's not much you'll need to learn," Sabbo said.
"Like when to charge?" Royal asked.
"Partly, though, I know to look for alternate entrances. I thought before that I'd only have to charge our gate to clear it of anyone forcing their way in among the applicants. I never expected them to know of hidden entrances. I certainly underestimated the Krons then," Sabbo said.
"He doesn't have to justify anything. He fought beside us and protected our wounded," Eusis said.
"Let's not argue among ourselves," Gonzales said, while stepping into the middle.
"I believe he is a leader. He certainly acts like one now," Coffin said.
"Just as you are," Sabbo said. "Like it or not, you and Waleski are his next-in-commands. He could probably switch your suits to give others the power. Unfortunately, there's no way for him to give Moto his suit. Therein lies the problem."
"Leader or not, I don't know what to do," Gonzales said.
"Believe it or not, leaders often don't know until they reach the point where they have to give a command. If you want to avoid leading for now, then let Moto continue to lead. However, if not, then he may have to accept the fact that you would have been elected leader had you not been falsely accused. Your friends haven't told you, but enough of them voted for you anyway after you withdrew your name," Sabbo said.
"They voted for me?" Gonzales asked.
"I know because enough stepped forward to thank me for standing up for you in your trial. That's when I learned that they voted for you. Moto won by only one vote. He wouldn't have won had you remained in contention," Sabbo said.
"Regardless, he was elected. He is our leader," Gonzales said.
"Then we will all honor that. That is what we swore," Eusis said.
"Only a leader would honor another leader as you did." Coffin placed an arm around Gonzales's shoulder to show her support in his decision. In doing so, her hand brushed against the recorder.
"I know I'm dying. That's why I'm recording this last report..."
"It's god speaking? No, it's Gonzales. How are you doing that?" Eusis asked.
"…similar in physiology to us, staggered onto the shore earlier today. I fear that the Staten Island may have collided with his surface sailing ship before running aground upon this barren atoll. Because of that, I spent my last few hours programming the interpreter unit by encouraging him to talk as much as possible. You might say that his presence gave me a reason to live a bit longer rather than give up sooner. Though it was only a marginal understanding, we could then talk. As it turned out, I was right. He was shipwrecked and in peril of starving to death unless I did something. I felt even more strongly that it was our fault for putting him in his predicament.
"Too much of the ship's power is inoperative. The Navy guys did their best when the emergency hit us, but they didn't have enough warning before we hit an island. It was probably that ship we smashed through during hydro refueling that sent us at it. All that wood must not have shown on radar. The only things left that work appear to be the master computer and most of our suits. Ship diagnostics indicates that the medical protocol took a major hit. It might self-repair itself in fifty years to where it can handle a paper cut, but it's not doing me any good now."
The voice ceased when Coffin moved her hand. Sabbo continued scribbling for several more seconds as he strained to record what he could remember.
Chapter 36
"It's good to see you back and whole," Moto said, as he embraced Coffin moments after she landed at Castle High Crag. He stepped back a moment later to study the strange clothing that Coffin wore.
"I'm grateful for everything. I know you sent Gonzales to free me from Castle Staten Island. We learned more about it," Coffin replied.
"Excellent. Gonzales, welcome back. I hate to do this, but you have to resume your search for the suits. The proctors will gather supplies so your group can leave in the morning, when you've had a chance to refresh yourselves," Moto said.
"Thank you," Gonzales said. He turned to his search force to give them instructions.
"It's nearly supper time, Coffin. We can talk more while we eat. I understand you saw more of the insides of Castle Staten Island. What was it like?" Moto said. He walked beside Coffin in the direction of the knights' dining hall.
"God kept me asleep most of the time. I didn't even know that I'd been gone over two weeks. Two days, I figured until I found the food in the suit room. Then I guessed maybe a week," Coffin said.
"You lived without food and water for two weeks?"
"It would seem so. God placed me in a strange bed that could spin around." Coffin described with her hands how the bed had shifted. "There were blocks that covered my wrists so I couldn't move my arms until god finished restoring my hands. Then the blocks came off."
"So, what did god look like?"
"I never saw him. I think god is male. The voice sounded like a man. He even talked briefly in our language."
Moto nodded. "God would be capable of doing that. Did he say why he was giving you back your hands?"
"It never came up. I didn't even think to ask. All I thought about was thanking him for being generous to me."
"Clearly, god was generous to you."
"Most of what I saw is beyond description. I intend to draw what I can remember of the rooms I saw."
"You saw more than one?" Moto asked.
"I was carried in unconscious, but I was permitted to walk out. I saw portions of five rooms through shields that felt like glass. That's the good news. Sir Private Malidor told the truth about the castle possessing many rooms. There were other doorways to more rooms that I couldn't see at all."
Moto hesitated. "The way you spoke, there must also be bad news."
"For you, perhaps. I'm convinced that Gonzales wears the knight leader suit," Coffin said, while covering her helmet's voice pike.
Moto stared in Gonzales's direction. He covered the pike sticking out in front of his mouth. "Many of us suspected that. Is that the only bad news?"
Coffin halted, so she wouldn't have to raise her voice. "There's good news to go with that. Gonzales believes firmly that you deserve to remain leader because the Order elected you. It's not his fault that the leader suit fit him. Regardless of that, he's loyal to you."
"He doesn't want to replace me?"
"Not in the least."
Moto turned back to the dining hall. He moved without haste and faced Coffin as he walked. She resumed walking when he came alongside once more.
"This creates a problem for me and Wong."
"I know. Even though Gonzales supports you fully, enough of our membership will want him as your replacement when you retire," Coffin said.
"I promised Wong my support as my replacement. Now god is making me pay the price for selling what wasn't mine."
"God didn't strike me as vindictive. He gave me back my hands despite the murder I committed years ago. Some would call my crime one of the worst possible short of turning on
god."
Coffin paused to permit Moto to enter the hall first. She followed behind him. The smell of roasted meat on an open fire made her mouth water. Breads added other aromas to the mix. As was usual, she and Moto went to a table where someone would bring food to them.
"I take it that Gonzales left the other suit inside Castle Staten Island and sealed it?" Moto asked.
"He did. Sabbo and Royal remained behind."
"How are the lessons for Gonzales going? Can he read yet?"
"He's made progress since I last taught him. He might not read everything yet, but he can read. I overheard him reading some of what Sabbo wrote down."
"That will only make him even more logical to follow me as our next leader. Would you consider teaching Wong when he has the time?"
"Much as I want to say no, I can't do that to you after you sent Gonzales to free me. When we both have time, I'll teach him."
"Why would you want to say no?" Moto asked.
He glanced up at the woman who carried over two bowls as a warning that Coffin might not want to answer immediately. Coffin held off in answering until the bowls were placed and the serving woman left.
"Any hesitancy on my part is solely because I would rather see Gonzales elected. Knowing how to read might make a difference."
"Wong is a better leader," Moto said softly.
"At present, yes. However, at present, even I'm a better leader than Wong."
Moto nodded. There was no denying that she was right. She possessed more knowledge, could read and write, and had been a knight longer. She knew more about how decisions were made and operations performed.
"We should eat. Whatever the outcome, you have both my blessings and thanks for agreeing to teach Wong."
"Will you continue to give Gonzales the opportunity to become a leader?"
"Do you mean will I permit him to lead some of the knights?" Coffin nodded. After a moment, Moto nodded back. "We better eat while this is hot." He moved his hand away from the pike so he could eat.
"Yes, flying does give you an appreciation for hot meals. It's interesting, though, that this new clothing seems to keep me warmer when I'm flying."
"All the more reason to believe that we have to prove ourselves to god to earn greater good for ourselves. Very likely the reason that someone as prideful as Waleski came along to teach us, and herself, how we were straying. God picked her so we could see where we were going."
Her hand away from the voice pike, Coffin took a bite while nodding once more in agreement.
***
"Kaither! It's true! You are a knight now!" a voice shouted.
Gonzales turned toward the voice. Though he recognized it, he didn't care much for the person it belonged to. He spotted the man breaking out of a small group to walk over to him. Immediately, two proctors converged upon the man.
"Remain with your group or leave."
"I just want to speak with an old friend," the man said.
For a moment, Gonzales considered leaving the man to the proctors. He'd really nothing to discuss with someone he knew to be a bully and a braggart. Then he remembered that, as a knight, he was supposed to represent the best within the Allied Kingdoms, short of being born into nobility. Common folk might only dream in futility of becoming nobility. However, becoming a Knight of the Star was within reach if one's inner being was true and just. Gonzales opened his mouth to voice a spell command, only to realize that he wouldn't accomplish anything by showing off. Instead, he walked toward Yalon.
"It's all right. I know him."
The two proctors halted a few paces away from Yalon. "He shouldn't leave his group," one said.
"He'll return to his group. I'll see to it," Gonzales said.
The proctors faded back to their positions. One stood with the group the man left and observed. The other returned to other duties.
"They throw out people who cannot follow the rules," Gonzales said.
"I heard you can make knights on your own. It would please many back home if others from Copra became knights," Yalon muttered.
Gonzales shook his head. "God permitted me to be his instrument briefly. I cannot give you knighthood."
"You can't make more knights?"
"Only when god permits me under his rules."
Yalon glared briefly at Gonzales. "What do you mean by smiling? Are you happy that you can't knight me?"
"It means I'm trying to be friendly, even to someone I didn't care about before. Now I believe you should return to your group."
Gonzales said nothing about the fact that the only empty suit retained by the Order remained at Castle Staten Island. Many of the people trying out would fail and soon leave. The few who succeeded would receive a chance to activate that suit. Hopefully, they'd have the opportunity to try and activate the other empty suits, if those could be recovered. Eusis stared at the man as he stomped slowly back to his group. He then stepped forward to stand beside Gonzales.
"You don't care much for him, I take it?"
"You can't tell that he's a bully?" Deliah asked, as she reached the other side of Gonzales.
"There's some of that in everyone. I noticed more that he has a sense of self-importance despite his station," Eusis said.
"He hasn't changed much since I last saw him," Gonzales said.
"Well, he doesn't have much of a chance, judging by his attitude. I'm surprised that he could even wear the leather suit. Maybe it was caught in the rain and stretched some," Eusis said.
The knights nodded at that being possible, though they knew that the proctors generally avoided travel whenever it rained. Under such circumstances, they sent out the call to the nearest villages so that those who wanted to try wearing the suit could travel to them.
"Corporal Coffin suit deactivated," the god voice said.
"God?" Gonzales asked.
"I don't think you did anything wrong. God mentioned Coffin's old name," Eusis said.
"He must have shut off the old suit. Those were the proper spell words," Gonzales said.
"Do you think it's possible that god can't always see everywhere and everything?" Deliah asked.
"That would explain why he permits so much evil to take place," Eusis said.
Chapter 37
Basoc led the group from the woods onto the trail used by throngs of applicants traveling to and from Castle High Crag. At first, they planned to tell anyone who observed them returning to the trail each day that they'd buried one of their own who failed only to die from his injuries. There'd be no reason to doubt their word. There were plenty of such graves along the trails. Of course, there were more closer to High Crag than away, but it wasn't unknown for someone to die just short of reaching home. Because of that, it was said that the road from High Crag was blessed with the blood of those considered the best by their villages. Basoc nodded at the remark when passing travelers mentioned it. He knew enough not to argue otherwise and reveal his identity.
Hiding the suits, on the other hand, had proven to be more of a problem. The first time others noticed the full packs, they asked for food only to be rebuffed. Some of their comments noted the fact that their selfishness was why they'd failed. Careful thought since then had rendered a solution.
"Blessings, travelers," a small group announced, upon seeing Basoc and his men.
"Blessings upon you. You travel to apply?" Basoc asked.
"Our loads become lighter with every step."
"As they should. We carry out new copies to test for size," Basoc said.
"Then you've no food?"
"Only if you wish to eat leather," Basoc said with a chuckle.
One quick-witted applicant exclaimed, "If we eat those, we might not have to worry about someone else becoming a knight in our place."
"Ah, but if you fail, then who will defend you later?" Basoc asked.
Several of the applicants nodded. Though many traveled to apply, far more had succeeded in wearing one of the leather suits. Even among those who traveled, there would
be some who would later change their minds about fighting. They knew it wasn't just a matter of the suit fitting. Had that been all, the kingdoms would be filled with knights. Basoc had already convinced two such men to abandon his group after they lost heart and turned around to travel back in his group's company. One woman turned around to walk behind his group as the other group continued on toward Cragland. Basoc glanced over his shoulder just as one of his men brought it to his attention.
"She's a good looker. She could probably give all of us part of a night."
"Quiet, fool. Act more like a proctor," Basoc ordered. He slowed down so that he dropped back to the end of his own group.
***
The ropes of High Crag sang out as the applicants gave the orders they learned and flew across the courtyard. Yalon stepped forward when his turn came. The height of the battlements didn't bother him at all. As well, he knew that there were secrets that most applicants didn't know about. He'd succeeded in bullying some of the returning failures into revealing that there were spikes in key places. Then again, their wounds had made it difficult for anyone not to wonder what had happened. What he hadn't planned on was the fact that each applicant's test was unique depending upon how they gave their instructions. The least amount of hesitation in giving a spell word would cause them to travel at a different height and, sometimes, even a different direction when that was possible. Too late, Yalon saw the tree branches that he rushed toward instead of passing over.
"Stop! Stop!" he shouted only to be ignored. He slashed through the branches while trying to shield his face with his arms. It was only as he emerged on the other side that he remembered the spell word. "Hover! Hover! Hover! Get me down from here! I'm hurt!"
A minute later Yalon felt the ground beneath his feet. Proctors stood waiting for him and unstrapped the suit so it could be returned to the battlement.
"You sent me into a tree!" Yalon shouted.
"You sent yourself there. Had you observed your proctor attentively and used the spell words immediately, you would have cleared that tree like other applicants," a proctor admonished.
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