Alto tested letting go of his sword a few more times and found that once he got used to the strange shallow feeling, it wasn't so hard to make the transition. "It's not so bad. I feel weaker without it, but not so weak that a kitten could knock me over."
"Thork has seen some big kittens in dem mountains," the troll offered.
"I bet you have," Alto said with a chuckle. "Do you still want my old sword?"
The troll nodded.
"What will you do with it?"
"Maybe give it to some other stupid someday."
"But you said it was an evil sword!" Karthor protested.
"Nope, Thork said it was a nasty sword. It's just a fing. Sure, dere's mojo in it dat makes stupids like to do stupid fings, but dat doesn't mean it's evil. It's just a chunk of metal and mojo."
Alto remembered what Saint Jarook had said about Thork being one of her agents and that he had no friends. It was beginning to make sense to him. "Go ahead, Thork, you can have it."
Thork nodded and walked over to the sword. He picked it up without any sign of being affected by the aggressive magic of the blade, and then he turned and grabbed his spear. He thrust the spear into one of the tarps tied up to provide the forge with some privacy and a break from the wind and then slit the blade down the tarp to create a rift to his magical storehouse. Thork tossed the blade through the glowing seam and then closed it up, leaving the tarp unharmed.
"Where are the others?"
"Mordrim's sleeping. Fool dwarf scarcely took a break all week from working on that sword," Garrick said. "I helped at first but that steel is something else. Harder than I ever seen."
Alto smiled at the northlander. "Don't worry, I won't tell Mordrim."
Garrick smirked.
"Namitus is helping Tristam, and Tristam is helping Sir Amos."
"What?" Alto asked.
"His wound did lasting damage to his leg; he has trouble walking very far on it. He won't be coming with us into the mountains," Karthor explained. "Sir Amos needed help with running the city but didn't trust any of the clerks or aides here, so he asked Tristam for help."
Alto laughed. "I bet Tristam's beside himself!"
Karthor grinned and shook his head. "Far from it. Seems he's got a good head for keeping track of the details. He fusses about it but you can tell he's enjoying himself."
"After all the complaining he did about nobles, he's trying to become one," Alto mused. "Namitus too?"
Karthor laughed. "Hardly! Namitus is just keeping in everyone's good graces. Meanwhile, he takes the gold from whoever he can talk into playing cards with him. Seems Sir Celos enjoys a game of chance himself. I'm not sure Saint Leander would agree, but it's doing no real harm. No matter, Namitus will jump at the chance to come with us. He'll be glad to see you're acting more like yourself again."
Alto nodded and glanced up at the dark sky. Clouds blocked the stars, making him wonder. "How long have I been asleep?"
"A little more than a day," Karthor said.
Alto's mouth fell open. "It went by so fast."
"Not for us," Karthor said with a weary smile.
"I expect not. Well, I need to be off; we're running out of time before the first of spring."
"We need to be off," Karthor reminded him.
Alto offered the priest a smile. "Yes, we. We'll leave in the morning then?"
"How can you still be tired?" Garrick asked.
"A long conversation with Saint Jarook is far from restful!"
"Dat's da troof!" Thork said with a vigorous nod.
They laughed at the shaman and let the matter drop. Alto finished tying his new scabbard to his belt and then glanced up. Thork cleared his throat and glanced around. "What is it?" Alto asked him.
"Thork's gonna go. Da next part is for yous to do."
Alto nodded; he'd expected this part soon. He knew it wasn't a matter of Thork being afraid. It had to do with who the troll really was. "Thank you for everything, my friend. I hope to see you again."
Thork grinned. "Thork's got a hunch dat yous gonna be getting yous self in trouble again. Ooh! Speaking of dat…" The troll trailed off as he stabbed another tarp with his spear. He stepped halfway into the rift and could be seen sorting through things. When he emerged, he held a bundle in his hand that was tied with a string. "If yous get dat lady back give her dis. If her gets bashed, Thork take it back da next time."
Alto took the bundle of cloth and was surprised by its weight. He felt it and realized after a moment that it was more than just a set of clothes; he felt pieces of metal shifting. He looked up at the troll. "Armor?"
Thork nodded and then he laughed. "Dat's for da lady, not for yous!"
Alto blushed while Thork turned and glanced around the makeshift room. He frowned and reached down to pick up a cooled chunk of leftover steel. "Where'd dat stupid goblin go?" the troll asked. He kept looking and then finally grinned. He tossed the steel into a pile of bags, earning a sharp cry and then some guttural muttering. A bag rose up and as it moved, the patterns on it shifted so Alto and the others could see Bonky crawling out of his makeshift bed and moving over to the troll. "Bonky, time to go."
The troll waved and led the way out. Bonky didn't spare as much as a glance at them.
The remaining three men looked at one another before Garrick turned away and headed for the palace. Karthor waited until Alto proved that he could move without aid, and then walked along beside the warrior.
"Oh, Garrick," Alto called out to the northerner.
Garrick turned and stopped, waiting for Alto and Karthor to catch up.
"Thank you for all your help," Alto said. He offered the man a smile and then added, "And be sure to keep your hands off Patrina."
Garrick stared at Alto as he passed, and then glanced at Karthor. The priest raised his hands and shook his head, but he was smiling as he did it.
Chapter 21
Alto walked behind Squire Aleena into the throne room. "Sir Amos, Alto and Blades of Leander seek an audience."
The knight looked up from where Tristam was explaining some papers in front of them. Tristam joined him and grinned to see them standing there. "Alto, you look good! Finally found a razor, I see."
Alto smiled and rubbed his shaved chin. "Mordrim showed signs of getting jealous."
The dwarf sputtered behind him, earning a round of laughter.
"We're off. I wanted to stop and thank you again for your help," Alto said to Sir Amos. He turned to Tristam. "And to let you know that Namitus is coming with me so you won't lose the pay you haven't gotten yet."
"Hey!" Namitus blurted out behind him. "Don't blame me for his tells."
Alto noticed Celos stiffening where he stood near Aleena. The reason became apparent when Sir Amos grumbled. "Gambling is a wasteful thing. Is it not enough that we gamble our lives?" He waved it away. "No matter. I wish I could talk you out of this. I think it's a fool's errand. You are a symbol to the people, a regular man like one of them who stands for them."
Alto looked at Aleena and saw her drop her eyes. "Sir Amos, you have one of those amongst you. Maybe more, I only know Squire Aleena's story. When I knew her, she was a very determined girl with a head full of foolish notions. Now I see an accomplished woman who is on her way to great things. It might be unsettling to some to see a woman rising to such a position, but I encourage you to make her your champion."
Alto hadn't thought it possible but Celos stiffened even more beside her. Aleena snapped her eyes back up at Alto and then blinked several times. She wasn't winking at him like she'd done when she was a serving maid; she was fighting back tears. He offered her a genuine smile before turning back to Sir Amos.
"She is something of a dilemma, I admit. But the good sort, by and large. I am glad to have her and Sir Celos paired for many reasons, not the least of which will be the future I see them heralding for the Knights of Leander and the people of this region."
Alto waited for the knight to say more but he seemed as much at a loss as Alto w
as. Alto chuckled. "We'll be taking our leave then. Good luck and I hope to see you soon."
"Go with the blessings of Saint Leander," Sir Amos offered.
"Hold a moment," Tristam said as he rose to his feet. He moved as evenly as he could over to them but his gait was slow and it made the injured warrior wince. He stopped in front of Alto and the others. "So what are you these days, a Blade or a servant of the Kelgryn?"
Alto tilted his head. "I don't think I'm anything," he admitted.
"Nonsense," Tristam said. "You never quit being a Blade, at least you never told me as much and I never would have accepted it if you did. With my leg like this, I'm no use in the field and I'll be damned if I'll be living my life through you young pups."
Kar coughed from his position to Alto's left. Tristam grinned at the wizard before he focused on Alto again. "I'm saying the Blades are yours, son. I expected it would take another couple of years to bring you along but we haven't had the smoothest of times. You've been like my own boy in the short time I've known you. I'm glad to say my life is better for it."
Alto shared a long gaze with Tristam. He stepped forward unexpectedly and wrapped Tristam in a hug, and then let the sputtering veteran go.
"That's enough of that! Last time I try to give a compliment," Tristam growled.
"And you've taught me more than you can know, a service gold alone can never repay," Alto said.
"You're welcome to try, though," Tristam encouraged him.
"One thing, though. Out of respect for our friends at the church, I'd like to change the name of our company."
Tristam frowned and then shrugged. "It's yours now, do what you will with it."
Alto looked at the men to his left and his right and said, "Considering the Order of the Dragon and Silver Dragon are already taken, I was thinking of something else. Something that points out our goal is counter to theirs. How does the Company of the Dying Dragon sound?"
Tristam laughed while his suggestion was met with everything from gasps to chuckles. "You've got a pair on you, son. I like that," Tristam said.
Sir Amos nodded his approval. "The Church of Leander won't stand in your way."
"You've been bellyaching about our name for years, of course you won't!" Tristam teased.
Sir Amos grinned. "Alto, before you go, I might offer one final thing."
Alto looked at him. "We didn't come seeking gifts."
"Of course you didn't, but it's the least I can do. Your companions are armored but I understand your armor was sacrificed in the making of your new sword? I can't give you one of the knight's suits of field armor, but I can offer you training armor. It's dented and well used, but will turn a sword just as good."
"I would be happy to accept such a gift, Sir Amos."
"Squire Aleena, would you show Alto to the armor?"
She snapped off a fist to her chest salute and walked over to Alto. "If you'll follow me?"
Alto smiled and followed her out, leaving his friends behind. Aleena took him through the palace to a guard room with several weapons and suits of armor on racks. "Take your pick," she offered with a smile.
Alto looked around and then let his eyes fall on the smiling squire. He smiled back at her. "I meant what I said. You've really done a lot in a short time. I'm proud of you, if I'm allowed to say that."
"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you," Aleena said. "I mean, once I found Saint Leander's teachings, it was obvious that I was meant to do this. But I might never have found him if you hadn't told me I couldn't."
Alto puzzled over her words a minute until he figured out what she meant. He blushed. "About that—it was a bad time and I wasn't myself. I'm sorry if I was harsh."
Aleena's grin broadened. "You've been harsh a few times, but I forgive you. And I'm glad you did what you did, or I might be just a girl with crazy thoughts in her head that meant I had to land some wandering man to steal her away into a life of adventure. That's not what I'm meant for and it would have been a horrible lie to live."
Alto raised an eyebrow. He nodded and glanced at the armor. "I think I can take it from here," he offered.
"Have you ever worn plate?"
Alto frowned. He had not. "No, why?"
"It's tricky the first couple of times. Don't worry, you don't take your clothes off, there's nothing indecent."
"Okay," Alto said as a feeling of relief rushed through him. He turned and walked over to a rack, and then turned back and looked at Aleena.
She laughed. "I'm sorry! I never pictured the day when you'd be looking to me for advice and approval. At least not since you joined the Blades."
He laughed with her. "It seems a lifetime ago."
She nodded and sighed. "It's been a good life though."
"It will continue to be," he assured her.
She screwed a smile back on her face. "With you going after Sarya, I have no doubts!"
"You don't think it's a fool idea?"
"Only fool thing is not letting Celos and I come along."
Alto chuckled. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you're staying here. I meant what I said—you can be a hero to the people here."
"Since you already are, I guess I might as well," she said with a grin. "And besides, you can't fail. You don't know how to. I learned that from you."
Alto nodded. "From what I've heard, I'd say you did learn that."
Aleena blushed again and looked down. By the time she'd turned back around, Alto was slipping a chain shirt on.
"You don't need that; we just wear goussets to overlap the areas poorly protected. It's lighter that way."
"I've been in the mountains and fought these creatures before," Alto said after adjusting the hauberk. "The extra weight will feel good if it means I've got an extra layer of protection."
Aleena pursed her lips and then nodded. "I'll remember that when they get my plate finished."
"You don't have armor yet?"
"The only breastplates that fit comfortably are too big to be comfortable."
Alto frowned. "Why? I don't understand—"
"Don't let the sword hanging between my legs confuse you. I'm a woman."
Alto's lips parted in a shocked gasp as he realized she was referring to anatomical differences. Her chest, in particular. Aleena saw his red face and laughed at him. He smiled and offered a polite chuckle and then turned away so he could busy himself with the armor.
"Here, let me help," she said as she came up to him and helped show him how the armor was fitted and buckled. When they finished, she looked at him and nodded. "You look like quite the dashing knight. Any woman would be sure to swoon over you."
Alto's smile faded. He wasn't going after any woman, just one.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I've spent the last few months completely among men. I'm perhaps a bit rougher than you remember."
"The girl I knew spent her nights in a tavern fending off drunkards and worse," Alto reminded her. "You have nothing to be sorry about. You're perfect the way you are."
He heard Aleena's breath catch. "Perfect?"
Alto nodded.
"Alto, you confuse me," she admitted. "I wonder if you're toying with me sometimes."
"Toying with you? Never. I admire you. You've been a friend I didn't always deserve and I want the best for you, whatever that is."
"Oh, all right," Aleena said. She offered a thin smile. She reached up to him and stretched on her toes at the same time to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I was confused, that's all. I'm sorry."
"You're lucky," he told her. "Jarook asked for a kiss and I wouldn't give her one."
"Jarook? As in Saint Jarook?"
Alto saw the gaping hole in her face where her mouth had been and nodded. "Sorry, I forget that what I went through hasn't been shared."
"What you went through? Alto, what are you talking about?" Aleena demanded.
"For this," he said, patting the sword at his side. "My new sword. My only sword. I call it the spiritblade."
"Why?"
"Because it took a part of my soul to make it. Since Thork helped and used Jarook's magic, she tested me."
Aleena stared at him, her lips moving but no words coming out. Alto grinned. "Yeah, that's kind of how I felt, too."
She shook her head. "So first Saint Preth and now Saint Jarook. Do you realize how honored you are? What I'd give to have a vision of Saint Leander."
Alto watched Aleena shiver at the thought. He smiled. "Be careful what you wish for; it may not be what you expect."
She snorted. "Why not?"
"Saint Preth tried to kill me and Saint Jarook tried to tempt me into giving up." Alto shrugged. "Saints can be very persuasive."
She laughed. "I bet! But isn't that what they do, test us mortals to be certain we're worthy?"
"I guess so, but I'd think they would want to help us instead of testing us. It would probably help draw in more followers for them that way."
Aleena frowned. "I've never thought of it that way. It was always taught to us that we're to be thankful and appreciative of what they've given us, and to prove to them that we'll shepherd any gifts we receive."
Alto nodded. "That's just how everybody should be anyhow."
Aleena chuckled. "The world would be a nicer place if it were. Ah well, come, let's get you back."
Alto followed her through the halls and nearly broke into a sweat keeping up with the athletic squire. He didn’t remember her moving that quickly when she took him to the armory, but that was before he'd strapped fifty pounds of metal to his body. He walked into the hall, his armor clanking with each step, and studied the admiring eyes of his friends. He couldn't help but grin.
"You look right," Tristam said.
"Right?"
"Born for it," Kar offered instead. Tristam pointed at the wizard and nodded.
"Let's be off then," Alto said. "The mountains are no easy place to go and we'll want as much daylight as possible."
They bid each other farewell and left the palace, turning to their right to head for the south gate so Alto could find Winter and have a guide through the mountains to where Patrina was held. He just hoped that Winter would work with him since he'd rid himself of Beck's sword. Alto glanced down at the blade at his side and couldn't help but smile. It was a blade that was his, finally. Something he'd earned and paid a price in blood for. His spirit blade. Alto nodded, liking the ring of the name he'd come up with.
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