“I wonder if a Truth Blade can lie by not saying anything. I have researched this and come up with nothing. I wonder if the legend that those who hold the Truth Blade cannot lie is in fact truth at all. You are the first Truth Blade in over twelve generations. There have been many gaps between each wielder of the Sword of Truth. Does it take that long for people to forget how deceitful those in your position can be?”
“Lord Avrant, I am not certain what you are trying to get at. Do you doubt that I carry the genuine Sword of Truth? Do you care to test my mettle? If you have really researched this weapon and those who wield it, then you know some of the consequences of what you ask. You and I both know that I am a fighting man and not a politician, so let’s dispense with the cat and mouse game and come right out and speak plainly to one another.”
King Avrant laughed for a brief moment, then his eyes turned venomous and his expression dripped with disdain. “You wish to talk plainly? Very well. Then let us discuss who you really are and why you are here. I count eleven children and yourself. Twelve is such an interesting number here in the Way World. It can lead to great power. Don’t lie now; I’ve caught you. You’ve come here because you see my kingdom as the weak link amongst all the others. You seek my throne to stake your claim on the Crossroads. Well, you will not have it.”
“Enough!” David shouted and drew the Sword of Truth. At that moment, a guard stationed outside the room looked in. Sensing that his king was threatened, he entered and drew his own sword. David turned the Sword of Truth, drove into the ground, and backed away.
“You want to know why I’m here?” David said, and then motioned toward the sword. “You want truth? There it is. I am David Koen, bearer of the Sword of Truth. This angelic blade, though not made for the hands of man, has been entrusted to me. I cannot lie, for I feel the sin burn within me and have to face the truth of God and His way. I have become a soldier in His mighty army, answerable to the archangel and the Word.
“You are correct in this, however; this is not my only responsibility. God has commanded me to escort my children here. They, not I, have been selected to hold sway over the twelve kingdoms of the Crossroads. I tell you the truth; I don’t know when this is supposed to happen. I don’t know how long it will take. Nevertheless, I do know that you and your family receive your power from Him who sent me, and that He can revoke your claim in His time. Can any of this truly be a surprise? Have you not been given signs from God telling your kin that your job is finished? If it is the will of God, why would you stand in the way?”
Lord Avrant stood, the blood running fast and hot in his veins. Fury boiled at the surface of his mind. He wanted badly to strike David down, but carried no weapon of his own. Then the guard spoke.
“Sire, is everything alright? Do you need me?”
Avrant looked up, death in his eyes. The guard took a step back, sword still at the ready. The king almost gave the order to kill David, but quelled the urge.
“Leave,” he spat in anger and contempt, “or die!”
The guard needed no further prompting. King Avrant turned back to David and jabbed his pointer finger at him. “Those wielding the Blade of Truth are not given the pleasure of the crown; they are servants. You cannot rule,” he growled, “and thus your children cannot rule. Twelve has always been the number, twelve of the same blood. I count only eleven children. You have no claim on the Crossroads.”
Then the king stopped as he saw the truth in David’s eyes. There was one more child out there somewhere, one more child to claim a crown. Avrant spat at David, his malice taking complete control of him.
“I will kill your children one by one before I ever see them claim all the crowns of the Crossroads. Take up the Sword of Truth and know the honesty of my words. I am death to you and yours, and I will haunt you all of your living days.”
Without another word, the king turned and left the tent. David fell to his knees and grabbed the hilt of the Sword of Truth. Avrant’s words burnt into David’s mind and he did indeed know the veracity of them. Then David prayed for forgiveness for his actions and help for his children.
Chapter 20
Hogan walked slowly with Deborah back to Way House. She was upset by the king's reaction to David’s interruption and began to share her thoughts out loud.
“The council is shifting into identifiable camps, and the king is heading one. Brother Brogene is part of it; the king was delighted when he stood up. The crown definitely has influence where he is concerned. Then Count Merrin interrupted the king’s plan. My dad interrupted Lord Avrant’s speech to prevent him from saying something that would ally more council members against the crown. However, the king was still riled about Count Merrin. What do you think is happening in the tent?”
When Hogan didn’t answer right away, Deborah glanced over and noticed that he was staring into the distance. A sudden pang of irritation vibrated her already-frayed nerves. Just as she was about to turn her ire upon him, he turned his head and the sun caused a slight twinkle in his eyes. Deborah’s stomach seemed to drop to her knees, and she momentarily lost all conscious thought. As Hogan started to turned his focus toward her and, she began to blush slightly as she thought how ridiculous she must look. It took a great deal of effort to control her facial features so as to appear normal, an effort that was continually hampered by the very close presence of his alien handsomeness.
He began, “My cousin has always had a temper; he does not like to have his plans interrupted. Unfortunately, he is probably venting his frustrations upon the Sword Bearer. I hope your father has a cooler head.”
Romantic thoughts were pushed to the background as Deborah processed these last words. “My father has been known to shout at several of us when we’ve taken things too far, but, for the most part, he seems to be the most level-headed of the family.”
Hogan looked around absentmindedly before he quietly said, “My mother died when I was young, and my father became more distant every year. He’s probably out there somewhere. I don’t know. He left shortly after I came of age.”
Deborah was shocked and saddened by this sudden turn of the dialogue. She looked down at the ground and spoke softly in reply, “I’m sorry to hear that. My father has always been there for us, and I can’t imagine what life would be like without him. Not having my mother here has filled me with a sense of loss that haunts me. To never have her or him around. . .”
Deborah stopped, unable to finish the thought. Hogan suddenly focused on her. A deep desire to protect her washed over him. He reached out and took her hand, and she stepped closer to him. Their hearts began to beat extremely fast, and warmth flooded through them. Hogan began to lean in, pulling Deborah closer. She closed her eyes.
“Sir,” a voice broke into the moment and shattered it. Deborah stumbled backward as Hogan let go of her hand. Temporarily unfocused, they both looked over at the speaker. Before them stood one of the guards who had been stationed outside the tent. He was breathing deeply, as well, a look of alarm was in his eyes. His military training focused Hogan’s mind quickly.
“What is it, private?”
“Sir, the Sword Bearer and the king are. . .” The guard stopped and looked over at Deborah. A look of awe and concern was easily read on his face.
“What?” she asked, concern now erasing any prior emotions. “What about the king and my father?”
Without looking away, he answered. “They. . . their argument has become heated. Strong words have been said, and your father drew the Sword of Truth.”
Before the guard could utter another sound, both Deborah and Hogan began to run back to the tent. The private followed. When they arrived, the tent was empty except for David, who was kneeling before his sword. Hogan scanned the room as Deborah ran to her father’s side.
“Dad,” she said softly as she touched his shoulder. David looked up at her with sadness in his eyes. When he spoke his voice was hoarse.
“I’m afraid you may be right, Deborah; the transitio
n will not be as smooth one. I think I have made a powerful enemy for you and your siblings.”
Hogan broke in. “What’s happening? Why did you draw your sword on the king?”
Before David could respond, the private interjected, “Lieutenant, they were arguing about a new twelve.”
Hogan looked over to the forgotten guard, who was looking and pointing at Deborah. Baffled, Hogan turned back to the Koens, looking between the two of them.
“A new. . .” he began to ask, but was brought up short by the nodding of David’s head.
Deborah stepped forward and spoke. “We were brought here with a purpose, Hogan. Upon the road that led us here, angel told us that we would be given control of the Crossroads.”
Hogan took a step backwards and shook his head. “What of my family?” he whispered.
David responded. “Transitions of power have taken place in the Crossroads before. The Coterie gave power to the dwarves; the dwarves surrendered power to the avian; the avian lost power to the limnaid; and your ancestors were given the Crossroads when the limnaid petitioned God’s pardon.”
Hogan shifted from confusion and shock to anger. “I don’t need a history lesson!”
David stopped him with a fierce look. “It has happened before, and it will happen again and again until the end of times, or the end of the Crossroads, whichever comes first.”
A new voice broke into the conversation. “I have been told of a weald prophet who said one day that each of the twelve created races would hold onto a kingdom within the Crossroads. On that day, this world would change to become something new in the cosmos.”
Everyone turned to the young guard who had spoken. He did not return their looks; instead he continued. “In those days, the kingdoms will be united as each race recognizes the true enemy. The twelve races will stand against the tide of the Fallen as they attempt to break the purpose of this place.”
Silence filled the council tent as each person thought about those days. David was the first to recover. He took up the Sword of Truth and sheathed it. He then grabbed Deborah’s hand and made eye contact with Hogan.
“I must go to find my children. The king has made certain promises, and I will do my best to thwart them.”
Without another word David took Deborah and left the tent. Hogan stumbled out the opening on the opposite side of the tent as he digested all that he had learned. When everyone was gone, the private shook himself, as if he was coming out of a dream. The words put into his mouth rang within his head, as did thousands of images accompanied them. From that day forth, he knew that he served some greater purpose and endeavored to show that understanding in all of his actions.
Chapter 21
The private had not been the only person to overhear King Avrant’s argument with David. Count Merrin lingered outside the tent, stewing over both voiced and inferred threats leveled at him by the king. Sheeling, an underling to Duke Dweller and an avid gossip, tarried at the back of the tent in hopes of catching any worthwhile news. Both men got more than they could have hoped, and soon the news was spreading across Council Rock and Ven faster than a wildfire in a drought.
*
David insisted on reestablishing a watch schedule. No child was to leave Way House without an armed adult. They were told everything that had transpired in the council tent. In addition, David asked the Coterie brothers to train the children in close quarters combat. The brothers agreed, and Way House turned quickly into a fortified barracks.
*
Zilda had been shocked when she heard what David had to say to her. He had told her of his children’s calling and the confrontation he had with Lord Avrant. He thanked her for her help, but professed that he could not keep her as a tutor when it would put her life in danger. When Zilda did not respond, David got up to leave. Before he was out the door, Zilda called to him.
“Wait, Sword Bearer; please.”
David turned and waited in the door frame while Zilda continued. “I have never been employed by Lord Avrant’s household. My niece serves as one of the tutors to the castle’s children. I was visiting her when Master Hogan came looking for a teacher for your children. I am old, and I gave up teaching five years ago. I felt I should visit my scattered family, and I have been doing so these last few years. My niece’s home was to be my last stop before heading back to Heaven’s Steps. I had intended to leave a week before you arrived. I have no excuses for staying; I just woke the morning I was supposed to leave and did not go. So it was every morning for a week. Then I packed and went to wish my niece well, and at that moment Hogan came to ask her about a teacher. I felt a pull inside me and volunteered.”
Zilda fell quiet, and David waited. A minute passed in silence before Zilda looked up at David intensely. “I feel it again,” she said, with surprise and wonder. “I am with you. I maybe old and I may have been a teacher for several decades, but I will stand with you, and woe be to the assassin who dares to interrupt this dwarf’s lessons.”
David smiled, and a chuckle escaped his chest. “Thank you mistress Zilda; you bring a smile in dark times.”
Zilda waved David off. “Go; I have lessons to plan and children to prepare.”
David bowed and then said, “I am grateful for your aid and alliance. I thank the Lord Above All for every blessing He places in my way.”
Zilda smiled and shooed him off once more. David left, feeling as if a bit more if his burden had been lightened.
*
Two days passed and the council was not reconvened. The allied grouping of councilors continued to meet and plan. They would push for a council meeting soon, and during that time they would confront Lord Avrant. In the absence of a council meeting, the rumors of the fight between the Sword Bearer and the king flourished. Talk of the new twelve was on everyone’s tongue. In many a household and hidey-hole, the king was all but already deposed.
Martial law was established in Ven and the area surrounding Council Rock. General Kolk held a heavy hand over the council camps. Disruptions to the easy flow of civilized life were being handled quickly and fatally. This new brand of “order” frayed the nerves of the commoners and riled the gentry. After a few executions, however, none dared to speak out. The council on the other hand, quietly and quickly began to assemble stronger forces. Soon the guard tents were filling up with sell swords, brigands, and opportunists all readying for a promised fight.
*
Two more days passed and the council had still not reconvened. David was one of the first to know. Yero, in full uniform, stood before David as he was making breakfast.
“General Kolk has tasked me to keep you informed of the continuing council changes. The king is not ready to bring council into session this day nor possibly the next. You will be informed when your presence will be required.”
Yero paused before he released his formal stance and sought out David’s eyes. On seeing the other man relax, David turned his attentions from the cooking meat.
“Now, on a completely unrelated note,” Yero began, “I must inform you that we will be watching you. I have been watching you.”
David tried to read the other man, but Yero was inscrutable.
“For the king,” David asked.
“It was my job and my purpose for being with you so much since the beginning. I’ve reported your activities to him nearly daily. Never, however, have I been unloyal to you and yours. Spying is a job that I’m particularly good at. In full disclosure, I don’t truly work for Lord Avrant. My herald is the ruler of the Eighth Kingdom. My kind and I serve him by the calling of our blood and the rectifying of an ancient sin. I am anthope.”
“Interesting,” was David’s only reply for a few moments. He flipped and removed some sausages from the pan and replaced them with new ones. “I had pegged you as a half-blood, what with your stockier build and less pointed ears. I’m not sure I would have ever suspected you as anthope.”
“Not many can identify anthope on sight. We have troubles at times jud
ging it ourselves! The truth is in the eyes, though buried deep down. Many of my people continue to genetically modify themselves to blend in with the ruling class as much as possible. We don’t like to be recognized as different.”
David responded, “I believe Fleet of Foot may have suspected some connection between you and them. He told me of your reaction to Nic’s words after his. . . vision. You have gone to great lengths to be honest with me about your various loyalties. I am aware that it is hard for your people to be close to other races and show true comradeship. I guess I have to ask: can I count you as loyal to the cause I serve?”
Yero nodded. “Yes, I stand with the king of the Eighth kingdom and with any who so boldly walk with the Host. Your son, Nic, is one of them, though he may not fully realize that yet. Have you had a chance to observe him of late? Have you noticed that he is acquiring combat skills faster than the others? He is becoming stronger, his movements more fluid. He did have a vision and within this vision he performed and acted as few would even think possible. Your son may possess the power to imbue light into darkness. It is a power of a paladin.”
David maintained his focus on the breakfast preparations, though Yero saw that he was processing every detail of what had been said. Nearly a minute passed before David spoke again.
“I spent a little over a year here the first time I came to the Crossroads. I was quickly flung into battle during a time when demonic forces tried hard to push quickly through the Crossroads and into the outer worlds.”
“The Season of a Thousand Crossings,” Yero intoned.
“Yes.” David replied. “Of the group I was with, a little over half were new to the Crossroads. There was not much down time, and I saw many things that helped to change who I was. I am not sure if I fought alongside any of your people, but they were mentioned only in whispers, as were the things you could become. I don’t doubt your loyalty, for even without touching my sword I could feel it humming with your genuineness. However, I must ask you to clarify your statements about my son. On my planet, there is some sense of what a paladin is, though I never encountered one or felt the need to ask for clarification about the matter.”
The New Guard (Crossroads Book 1) Page 19