A Warrior's Legacy (11 page)

A flight of stairs was before us and I
motioned for Gavin to go ahead of me, “Come brother this is your
show from here on in. Just remember there’s no way we could even
hope to fight clear of this place. No pressure Gavin, just make us
look good.”

Gavin gave me a dark look, which I responded
to with a smile and then we began to climb the stairs to the
columned entrance of a great hall that lay above us. We were
flanked by yet more soldiers to either side of us. I hoped their
intentions toward us were as friendly as they appeared to be.

Gaining the entrance to the hall we briefly
glanced at each other as we gazed down the long corridor buttressed
with columns. Masses of people were gathered to either side of the
courtyard walkway between the massive columns that ended in a
raised dais at the far end of the room.

We started down the corridor feeling the
weighted focus of thousands of silent eyes watching us. Halfway
across the large gallery a figure rose from the throne on the dais
and made her way down to the inlaid marble floor that our boots
clicked on in the silence of the room as we made our way across
floor. I was sure it was most likely the “she” of Gavin’s
vision.

She was accompanied by an entourage of her
own. As we both drew near it was to discover that she was indeed a
vision. The unusual white color of her hair only accentuated the
already exotic beauty of her features and form. I glanced at
Gavin.

Oh yeah!

He was definitely seeing her as a vision of
beauty and grace as well. Instinctively I knew this was quiet
brothers girl and I restrained any thoughts I might of had of her
to fit within those guidelines of separation.

“Zevin?”

I glanced at Gavin as he said, “Don’t be
surprised by anything that happens. Do what she asks of you. Trust
me on this one?”

“Is this in concern to what your second
vision was about that you wouldn’t tell me?”

“Yes.”

That was all there was time for as both of
our parties drew abreast of each other. She stepped forward alone
and approached Gavin and I. She stopped as did we.

“Welcome strangers, to Assoria and all that
the Eastern Kingdom can provide you. Commander Lohan has told me of
what befell you by our common enemy the Western Kingdom. Though
they are our enemies as well they are of our race and it is with
deep shame that I and my people share in the guilt of our brothers
unsought for treachery of your people!”

I saw the truth of her words reflected in
her eyes, as her head fell forward in genuine shame as did every
other head in the room. Shocked I look around and then back to
her.

I stepped forward and gestured to the room
at large, “Please everyone don’t hang the crime against my people
that was perpetrated by the Western Kingdom on your own heads and
in your own hearts. Although they may be of a similarity to you
they are guilty for their own actions alone! Since the Creator made
the first man and woman, man has not ceased from dealing
treacherously with each other. We are all one people even though we
may appear different, but as we are one we are all guilty of all
the acts of our kind. Please not do not assume the guilt of others
upon yourselves because of superficial similarities and a long time
sharing of tradition. We are all in this together. We are all
guilty and we all bear the sins of our forefathers, our brothers,
our sisters, and ourselves. We all need the salvation that comes
with the belief in the Savior the Creator sent to us, who is the
only one not guilty of the sins we as people are plagued with. This
is why we have come bringing the words of our Creator to you so
that you might believe as even we do. And one day perhaps all of
Assoria will believe as I pray that you will in the Creator of
heaven. We have made this journey out of a conviction by the Spirit
of the living God that all men may know God in truth and know the
path of salvation and righteousness that He laid down for us to the
perfecting of ourselves, who have sinned and come short of the
glory of our Creator!”

Everyone was staring at me with opened eyed
expressions including my own men and my brother. I had spoken the
words to the entire room at large and to tell the truth I was
shocked at both my eloquency and passion at sharing what I felt as
to what the truth of our mission here was to these people and any
others who might believe. My eyes drifted back to the leader of her
people. She was crying softly with a look of shocked awe on her
face, as if she had realized for the first time or maybe just all
over again a foundational concept.

Meeting my eyes I heard her whisper, “The
Creator is so good!”

“And rightly to be praised.” I finished for
her.

She looked from me to Gavin and her chin
seemed to firm in some determination of thought. She sank to her
knees on the floor and was followed in like order by all of her
people.

She walked forward on her knees to kneel
directly before me and Gavin and then she looked up at both of us.
Before she could say anything Gavin leaned down and pressed a copy
of the Bible into her arms, which closed about it fast already
knowing what she held.

Her eyes lingered on Gavin for a long moment
and then she smiled and Gavin turned ten shades of red, looking as
awkward as can be. She released him from the spell of her gaze and
turned her focus to me.

“I’ve been given some things by the Creator
that concern both of you and my people.”

Her eyes went from me and then to Gavin and
then back to me. “You are a great warrior. Whatever your skills or
strengths may be on the battlefield I now see that they are but a
backdrop to the spiritual strength and humbleness of your heart
that you possess before your God, which is your greatest
strength.”

She reached up and removed a necklace from
around her neck, which she took a ring from. The ring had a huge
red cut gemstone in the shape of an oval on it.

“Will you take this ring that belonged to my
father the king and that symbolizes the right of command of all the
military forces that the Eastern Kingdom can muster? Will you lead
us in the battle against our enemies the Western Kingdom and their
master the great sorcerer?”

I hadn’t been expecting this and I would
have liked more time to think about it and understand the situation
better, but I remembered Gavin’s words and I trusted my
brother.

“I will.”

She slipped the ring onto my right hand and
said, “You are now master of our warriors and defender of our
people, until your kingdom is established and your people give you
one of their own.”

Chills swept up me at her words that seemed
somehow prophetic. A warrior stepped forward who must’ve been
pushing a hundred years or more. He held a banner of the flag of
their people out to me and I took it. He kneeled down on one knee
stiffly and extended a fisted hand out to me as the other gripped
his sword handle at his side; he sounded a military grunt as he did
so.

Lohan and every other warrior in the place
and outside followed the old warrior’s actions all their fists
pointed to me.

My eyes caught sight of the indentation on
the old warrior’s finger where the ring must have rested for many
years, without being removed before it had been given to me.

My eyes drifted to his and I said, “I still
have need of you!”

He nodded curtly his old shoulders seeming
to straighten some as he understood my meaning. Lohan’s grateful
look told me clearly that this must be his father. My eyes went
back to the princess.

Lifting the hand with the ring on it I said,
“I will do my best to lead and protect your people as the Creator
gives me strength.”

She bowed her head in acceptance of my oath.
She turned to Gavin and lifted a hand and a servant girl shuffled
forward with a cushion in her arms. A golden crown lay on it. The
princess took the crown and looked up at Gavin.

“I alone am left of my father’s dynasty. The
Creator has given my father’s kingdom to a man more worthy than my
father and all the kings before him. You are that man. He has given
to you the responsibility to teach my people of the Creator’s ways
and to lead the people well in times of peace and of war. This
crown symbolizes the headship over my people that you now possess.
As a reward for your faithfulness as a servant of the Creator’s I
have been given to you as your wife to rule by your side as your
queen so that as an honor to my faithfulness in doing the Creator’s
will my family blood and honor may continue among our people.”

As she finished making my brother a king of
an entire kingdom she knelt down placing the crown at his feet
kneeling with her face to the ground as did everyone else in the
room.

Gavin surprised me then.

Instead of giving the crown back and
protesting that he was not worthy of it he instead bent down and
took a hold of the crown firmly, effectively taking the girl that
came along with the kingship of her people. Way to go Gavin! I
silently clapped away inside with exuberance, glad for my brother
beyond words.

Gavin took his new queen’s hand in one of
his and raised her up to her feet in front of him. Shyly they
stared at each other for a moment.

Gavin needed help.

He had never been able to talk to beautiful
girls very well, not that I was that proficient at it either, but I
at least knew where to start. I stepped toward the odd couple. She
was slim and graceful of build while he had the height and large
muscled frame of our father’s lineage. Still they were somehow
right looking as a couple.

“I believe my brother the king would like to
know his lovely bride’s name?”

She smiled up at Gavin with a smile that
could warm up a dead man.

“Zalisha. My name is Zalisha. I would also
like to know yours. It was not revealed to me.”

Gavin finally found his tongue, “Gavin,
Gavin Ta’lont.”

Her smile evaporated as her gaze turned to
one of shock. I heard the name Ta’lont whispered and carried on
throughout the room like a strong gust of wind.

If it was possible the people in attendance
pressed a little closer to the floor, “Ta’lont?” Asked Zalisha
shakily as if not believing what he had said.

“Yes, Gavin Ta’lont and this is my brother
Zevin Ta’lont”

“Are you related to Tadias Ta’lont?” She
asked with a breathy question.

“We’re of his direct lineage, why?” Gavin
said puzzled at her behavior.

She would’ve sunk back to the floor and
kneeled again, if Gavin hadn’t held her up. She was mumbling about
something about not being worthy.

“How do you know Tadias?” I asked.

Zalisha looked over at me, “He brought our
people here and saved us from all being sold as slaves or worse.
He’s the reason that we are what we are today. He set the great
storm in place to keep us safe from invasion. He left much of his
power here it is said. It is the remnants of that power that the
sorcerer uses against us that keeps us from our revenge of our
fallen people.”

Gavin and I looked at each other and then
back at her.

“How did he get access to the powers of
Tadias?” Gavin asked.

“He found a way to kill the guardians that
Tadias left to guard his treasures.”

“And where would this sorcerer and these
powers be located at?” I asked her.

“The Blue Castle, but none dare goes there,
except perhaps a Ta’lont.”

These people had thrown quite the banquet in
our honor. Nothing was held back. Every bit of the remaining finery
of the Eastern Kingdom was on display. I got the impression that
these people had not had cause to celebrate in a very long
time.

They were celebrating with abandon now,
perhaps sensing the hard times that still lay ahead in their path
to freedom. I couldn’t help but feel removed from the festival like
atmosphere going on all around me.

I was responsible for leading this nation
down a path to victory. I hoped I was up to the task, but I
certainly didn’t feel like it. If success came out of the situation
it would have to be of the Creator’s doing. I didn’t even really
know the whole story of the situation facing these people’s
continued survival. I only knew fragments here and there.

My heavy thoughts were interrupted as Gavin
sat down beside me. We were somewhat alone, as alone as one could
be in the noisy banquet hall anyway. I looked at him curiously as
to why he had searched me out in the crowded room. He had been
completely absorbed all evening with his lovely lady.

“What are you doing over here Gavin? Get
back over there with your queen and enjoy yourself!” I said good
humouredly.

He looked worried about something. He looked
around somewhat furtively and then back at me, which made me even
more curious why he was here.

“Zevin?” He began haltingly, “What do I do
tonight?”

I blinked and then blinked again, “Do you
mean?” I asked pointing towards Zalisha who was laughing over
something someone had said.

“Yes!” Replied Gavin his face going
completely red.

Mine probably was too for that matter. Where
was mother when you needed her most?

This was a question best suited for her or
father and not the equally inexperienced twin brother. I probably
did know more about the intimate relations between a man and woman
than he did, but I wasn’t about to go into explaining what I did
know. Surely Gavin knew at least something!

Clearing my throat and after doing my own
looking around I asked, “You don’t know what to do?”

Gavin exploded in an angry whisper, “Of
course I know what to do! The main thing anyway, but I don’t know
what all the other stuff you do along with that is! I want to.....”
Gavin’s words trailed off as he looked across the crowd at the head
table, where Zalisha was.