by John Migacz
CHAPTER 69
The next morning began the exodus from Glendell Castle. Dieya and Balthus, with Adrianna at his side, bid each group farewell. The Arvari were the first to leave, anxious to be in their home forests again. They had taken only five causalities during the fighting and had seen the death of thousands of Sevoal. They had avenged their fallen brothers well. Erondil trotted toward Balthus, Adrianna and Dieya as his men headed west. “The sun’s blessing on you,” said Erondil to all.
“And to the forest,” responded Dieya.
“Laere-Tere, we thank you again for your help and for letting us avenge our dead.”
“Travel the path of light,” said Dieya.
Erondil waved then sprinted to catch up with his people.
Balthus watched them with admiration as they seemed to flow over the grass. “Arvari are marvelous. Even the old hotara are extremely graceful,” said Balthus.
“Ah, yes. But the younger females are incredibly more so,” said Dieya.
“They must be amazing,” sighed Balthus.
“You should see them,” prompted Dieya.
“He should not!” snapped Adrianna.
Both men looked at Adrianna and laughed. Red crept up her cheeks.
The mercenaries left at different times in groups as large as hundreds or as small as a solitary warrior. Most headed west. The Morgur moved south, back to their dry caves.
Peace and quiet descended once again on Glendell Castle.
It was mid-morning when Bo, Adrianna, Balthus, and their bodyguards moved out the west gate on another cloudless day. Balthus had told Oldwick and his men that their service was over, but the giant wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted that their service would end after escorting them to Brightmoor Castle.
Balthus knew that Oldwick just wanted to see Janelle, and wondered how that would work out. Dieya assured him not to worry.
Balthus did worry about Eli Hawke, who rode silently behind him. Hawke was not a man you wanted behind you if he was harboring a grudge. Balthus thought he would sleep better if he got the confrontation over with. He dropped back and rode next to Hawke.
“How’s the head?” he asked.
Hawke looked straight ahead. “It hurts from thinking about what to do.”
“Do?” asked Balthus
“Yeah, wondering if I should let it go, kill you now, or let you stew about it for a while, then kill you,” he said calmly.
Shocked flashed over Balthus’ face. “Kill me? I thought you’d thank me.”
Hawke jerked his head around. “Thank you? What for?”
“The Sorcerer didn’t want you killing prisoners. Why, he was about to burn you to a cinder! I acted as quick as I could to stop him.”
Hawke rubbed his jaw. “Oh… No one told me that.” He was lost in thought for a moment. “To a cinder, huh?” He looked at Balthus. “You and I have never gotten along, but you have always played it fair.” He thought a moment longer. “Thanks for the knock on the head, then.”
Balthus smiled. “Anytime. Anytime at all.” He spurred his luse and caught up to Adrianna. Hawke was the deadliest man he’d ever seen. Balthus was just glad he wasn’t the brightest.
The journey back to Brightmoor Castle was uneventful. The small entourage arrived late in the afternoon on a cloudy day that threatened a rainy evening. They rode through the gates and the Duke and Dieya stood on the Castle steps waiting to greet them.
“Welcome! It is good to see you again,” the Duke said, offering his hand to Balthus and Bo. He bowed low to Adrianna. “The Sorcerer has told me of your exploits on the frontier.” He glanced at Bo. “And of your losses,” he said with sincerity. “Please come inside and rest yourselves. My chamberlain will see to your men.”
Balthus turned to his bodyguards. “Gentlemen, thank you for your service. Your duties have been fulfilled.” The men followed the chamberlain, except for one.
Oldwick stared at the Duke’s Castle as if he might need to storm the front doors alone. The Duke eyed him questioningly and the house guards tightened their grips on their halberds.
Dieya intervened. “Your Lordship, if you will. This man has been most concerned about the Lady Janelle. Would you allow him a short visit?”
“Ah, yes. I remember. By all means, please show him the way.”
Dieya led the way into Brightmoor Castle barely ahead of Oldwick. “Oldwick, remember she is not well, so speak softly to her,” he said as they went up the stairs.
“My words will not bruise a flower petal.”
Dieya rolled his eyes.
Arriving at the room, Dieya opened the door and stepped aside. “I’ll let you have some time alone with her. I’ll be down the hall.”
The giant nodded, having eyes only for the figure lying still on the canopied bed. Oldwick stepped toward the bed, and as he neared, Janelle stood. She was pale as snow.
“I have been waiting for you, Oldwick.”
The giant stopped in his tracks. Her voice sounded strange, as if it were coming from many places at once. He glanced around the room, suddenly aware of his surroundings.
Movement snapped his eyes back to Janelle. She was growing taller. And larger. As he watched, her body changed to that of a beautiful woman with a long flowing white dress and long golden hair. Her hair blew gently in the wind, but not a breeze stirred in the room. Oldwick fell to his knees. Before him stood a ten-foot-tall goddess of incredible beauty and strength. Light suffused around her and a gold nimbus played around her head.
“Oldwick. I tested you in that bar with this woman’s borrowed body. You reacted well. I have watched you fight the Sevoal. You have fought well. I have chosen you as the one.” Her voice was loud and echoed in Oldwick’s ears.
“Who are you?” he asked, his voice soft and timid.
“You know me as Bravada, the Goddess of Valor. I have been searching for the mightiest warrior on Ravar. I have tested many, but you are the best.”
“I always thought I was, but… What – what do you want of me?” he said, wetting dry lips.
“I offer you The Challenge. I would have you become the Warrior of Pure Valor. To help those in need. To defend the undefended. To be the Icon of Valor for men to look to for centuries to come. Are you strong enough to accept this challenge?”
Oldwick swallowed hard. “I am!” he said, nodding.
“Do you then accept The Challenge?”
Oldwick stretched out his arms as if to embrace her words. “I do!”
She raised her arms. “Then go. Speak of this to no one. I will never again appear before you, but if you ever lack strength for valor, look in your heart. There you will find me.”
The glow around the goddess faded and she shrank back to the pale form of Janelle. Once the metamorphosis was over, Janelle climbed back into bed and closed her eyes.
Oldwick was still on his knees. Rising slowly, he backed away from the bed. He halted at the door and drew his sword, raising it into the air.
“I accept your Challenge! I will not fail!” he cried.
Oldwick sheathed his sword and strode from the room standing even taller than he had before. Dieya was down the corridor, sitting on a bench reading a book. Dieya put down the book he’d been holding upside down and stood. “I’m sorry. It is as I told you. Nothing can be done for the Lady Janelle.”
“Never fear, Wizard!” Oldwick said with exuberance. “The Gods will set things right. I must be off!” With that, he bounded down the stairs, four at a time, and strode across the hall.
Dieya ran to Janelle’s room, stopping so quickly he slid past the doorway. He ran into the room. “It’s all right! He bought it.”
Janelle leaped out of bed. “That’s wonderful!” she said. She ran to the vanity table and splashed water on her face. “I thought I would ruin it all when this makeup starting itching!” She soaped and ri
nsed her face and hands.
“Oh, no! We never checked to see if you were allergic to that stuff. I’m sorry.”
“No harm done,” she said, toweling her face. “He didn’t sense you in the room at all, and neither did I. I was worried a bit until the hologram activated, then I knew it would go all right.” She finished toweling then turned to Dieya. She gripped his upper arms and looked into his eyes. “But did we do the right thing? I mean Goddess of Valor… really…”
He led her toward the couch. “I believe we did. I had several talks with Oldwick at Glendell Castle. He has been searching for a sign, a direction to go in his life. He believes in the local gods and goddesses, so making him serve on the side of good is worthwhile.” He sat and pulled Janelle beside him. Then he stretched himself out, placed his hands behind his head and looked at the ceiling. “Besides. He was after my girl. I had to do something.”
“Your girl?” said Janelle. She stared at him, then her expression softened. She smiled. “All right.” She lowered her head to his chest and he enfolded her in his arms.
Dinner was again held in the Duke’s private dining room. The Duke went all out and had his chefs prepare a feast. Between courses, he insisted on a blow-by-blow account of their battle and marveled over each fight. When the Duke inquired about the final duel with the Sevoal shaman, Dieya just said he won.
Balthus wouldn’t let things rest with that. He told the Duke and Janelle of the incredible clash, replaying every attack and counter. He described in depth Dieya’s bravery and ability, and at one point, acted out a part. Dieya’s face flushed red and that had been Balthus’ intention all along. That, and the sparkle in Janelle’s eye as she listened and glanced now and again at Dieya.
“A wonderful adventure,” said the Duke. “Would that I were with you.”
Balthus sobered. “I have been in battles before, but nothing matched the slaughter that went on during those two days of fighting. Believe me, your Lordship, be glad you weren’t there.” He raised his glass. “To absent friends.”
“Absent friends,” echoed Bo. Balthus stood and threw his glass into the fireplace. Everyone followed suit. The servants quickly replaced and filled the glasses.
“So, my friends,” said the Duke, “what adventure do you seek next?”
“Tomorrow,” said Dieya, “we will be leaving, I’m afraid.”
“So soon! I was hoping for a rematch with Balthus in Shallcross,” said the Duke.
“That’s possible, but Bo and Janelle must leave for home tomorrow.” He looked at Balthus and Adrianna. “I was hoping you could accompany them for a while and get them started on the right trail, as we tried to do last time.”
Balthus nodded. “Be delighted to.” He looked at the Duke. “Your Lordship, I’m afraid I will have to forego the pleasure of another game for now. Adrianna and I also must be leaving tomorrow.”
“So!” said the Duke. “Let us drink and bask in this fine fellowship while it lasts.”
“Hear hear!” said Adrianna.
They talked of many things, long into the night. No one wanted to be the first to leave, for they knew that the morning would hold too many goodbyes.