The Cavalier (44 page)

“How do we kill the Dark One?” asked Alerion whose head was spinning with fear and unanswered questions.

The demon hissed as smoke and fire flared from his nose and mouth. “You must find the IshMian that has the blood of Finarth pulsing through his veins.”

The response was brief and to the point, which startled Alerion. Alerion wanted to ask the demon more but he knew that if he broke the rules that his magic would weaken, giving Ixtofin the chance to break through his defenses.

“You are released to return to your burning planes. Now be gone with you, Ixtofin.” Alerion read the last few lines of the spell and the Pit Fiend’s form began to dissolve slowly into mist again.

The last thing that Alerion heard was the rumbling laughter as the swirling mist disappeared into the floor. Immediately the braziers lit and flared to life again, shedding the flames orange light throughout the room. Alerion stood, closing his book.

“An IshMian,” he repeated out loud as he set his book down and strode out the door.

Nine 
Annure

Jonas had thought that Finarth was a wonderous city, but he was dumfounded when he looked up at the gates of Annure. The city walls were shining white and shot up towards the clouds like a god’s palace. There were no shacks or small homes speckling the land before the city. Spacious green grasslands, uncluttered by habitation, flowed right to the base of Lake Lar’nam where the city sat nestled into the water’s edge. At least ten round towers rose to the clouds, with the flag of Annure jutting from each one, all flapping in unison as the gentle breeze blew in off the expansive waters.
 

Kiln explained to them that Annure was a major port city and because of that they were able to charge high tariffs on goods imported into their lands. Lake Lar’nam was immense, like a fresh water ocean. It took weeks to sail across it, and many large trading ships went down in the turbulent winter storms.

Annure was a rich kingdom which brought many travelers throughout its lands every year. To live in Annure was costly, but the wages were higher than its neighboring towns. Good jobs were hard to find but if you managed to find work then you could live a good life in Annure. There was a high demand for dock workers, and since the pay was good, competition was steep.

Taleen had left her horse several miles from the city where it could graze in the grasslands. She explained to Jonas that a cavalier’s steed did not need to be stabled, that her steed would be there when she returned, refreshed and eager to travel.

“Will Kormac be okay out here by himself?” Jonas asked when Taleen left her animal standing in the middle of the field.

“He will. He can take care of himself.”

“But he’s not even tethered,” Jonas said, a little unsure about whether the horse would still be there when they returned.

“A cavalier’s steed does not need to be tethered, Jonas. Kormac will be here when I return.” Taleen smiled, seeing his expression of doubt. “Come, Jonas, let us see this Annure.”

As they neared the huge black gate Jonas stared up at the towering round buildings that seemed to poke holes in the clouds. The colossal gate was covered with sheets of black iron, in stark contrast to the white walls surrounding it. Jonas had never seen anything constructed in such size and strength.

“It would take a dragon to break through that gate,” Jonas said, awestruck by the sight.

“Indeed it would,” replied Kiln who was also staring in admiration at the seemingly indestructible wall.

There was a small caravan of six carts entering the gate before them. The caravan was flanked by guards, several on horseback. They all easily managed to fit through the expansive entrance. It looked like a merchant’s caravan and that thought momentarily brought Jonas’s mind to Allindrian and Landon. What were they both doing? Would he see them again?

Jonas was deep in thought as they entered the open gate. Two guards wearing the green of Annure stood on each side of the entrance. The Annurian royal crest, a ship sailing with the sun setting behind it, was embroidered in gold on the front of each tunic. Jonas was amazed at the intricate embroidery of the crest. They were works of art probably worth a small fortune.

Kiln saw Jonas’s eyes and answered his un-asked question. “Annure is a very rich kingdom. Not only do they earn high tariffs, but the mountains surrounding the kingdom are filled with precious minerals. King Olegaurd has several rich and productive mines in the area bringing in gold, silver, and lots of iron ore.”

“They must. If every guard is dressed like this, then the king must have a large treasury indeed.”

Annure was an open city and Kiln told them that they would not have a problem getting inside. Some cities were strict on who came and went, especially during certain times of the night. Annure had a strong city watch and the rules within the city were strictly enforced. It was not a place that welcomed pick pockets and thieves. The strong security made the city a welcoming environment to traders and anyone who was interested in honest work; therefore the city gates were open to all, as long as they walked the line of the law.
 

As they walked past one of the guards, Jonas noticed the man’s eyes sweep over them and widen slightly as he recognized the symbols on Jonas’s and Taleen’s breast plates. The middle aged man was outfitted with a long chain mail shirt under his green tunic. He also wore a long sword dangling from a black leather sword belt cinched tight at the waist and knee high leather boots plated with pieces of shiny steel. Each guard held a long sharp spear with a thick wooden shaft.

The guard near them bowed slightly as they passed, and Jonas couldn’t help but notice that the guard was staring at Taleen and himself, focusing on their breast plates which bore the marks of their gods.

“Welcome, cavaliers,” the man announced. Jonas and Taleen nodded as they walked by the soldier.

“It seems I’m in the presence of royalty,” Kiln chuckled behind Jonas.

“Kiln is nearly right, Jonas. As a cavalier you will be welcomed everywhere and people will treat you with deference, but it comes with a price. You will also be asked to do things that may or may not be within your power. When the world has high expectations of you, it can be easy to let people down. We are not gods, but some people don’t seem to understand that.”

“True words, Taleen,” agreed Kiln.

“I can’t believe they recognized me as a cavalier,” Jonas said as they entered the main entrance to Annure.

“Look at yourself. If you were standing here three years younger, watching yourself walk through these gates, what would you think?” asked Kiln.

Jonas looked down at his immaculate clothes and shining armor. The symbol on his sparkling breast plate glittered like fish scales in the sun. His legs and wrists were covered with mirror-like metal guards all decorated with intricate designs. His incredible horned helm was strapped to his pack. That unique piece alone would draw someone’s attention. He wore two beautifully crafted swords at his belt and on his back was a black leather quiver also decorated with intricate symbols. The black shafts that jutted from the quiver were perfectly crafted with silver and blue feathers, which obviously did not come from nature. The gloss black long bow he carried in his hands was obviously built by a master craftsman. They were truly magnificent weapons.

“I see what you mean,” Jonas said, looking around him for the first time. Annure was bustling with activity. There were people everywhere, walking up and down the many streets lined with shops and markets of all kinds. Annure reminded Jonas of Finarth, except Annure was much cleaner and had more of an open feel.

Jonas took a deep breath, smelling the fresh air blowing in from the lake waters. The streets were spacious and all the structures were built from the same white stone that was used to create the immense walls that protected the city. It gave the place a god-like look and Jonas immediately felt safe here.

“We need to procure rooms and find out where the kulam is located,” Kiln announced as he, too, took in his surroundings.

“What’s a kulam?” asked Jonas.

“That is what the cavalier training facilities are called,” Taleen answered. “Let us ask a guard where good rooms and food may be found.”

“I agree, but let’s look around a bit first. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a city like this and I wouldn’t mind exploring some,” said Kiln.

“I’d like that,” added Jonas, not able to hide his enthusiasm.

Kiln led the way and Jonas and Taleen followed closely. They walked down the main street looking at everything around them. It was loud with people shouting and selling wares everywhere they went. Jonas saw a large variety of fruits and vegetables and meats of every sort. He saw expensive cloth, beads, and intricately carved furniture that he had never seen before. The fragrance of exotic spices, baked bread, and fresh flowers mingled with the clean air that continuously blew in off the lake.

Everyone passed curious glancesat the trio at first until they saw the two cavaliers.
 
Most people then quickly bowed their heads and muttered a greeting with a smile.

They walked by an alley and Jonas noticed a small boy huddled in the shadows. He was young, maybe eleven winters, and he wore dirty clothes. But it was not his clothing that caught Jonas’s eye. It was the crutch that lay next to him as he sat watching the people walk by, despair surrounding him almost palpable. Jonas noticed that his right foot was twisted and deformed, and in his right hand he held out a small tarnished cup, hoping that someone would stop and drop in a copper coin. His greasy hair was ratty and dirt covered his cheeks in patches.

Jonas stopped, kneeling by the boy. The boy’s sad eyes widened slightly as he looked upon the magnificent cavalier.

“Hello, son, what is your name?” Jonas asked softly.

The boy hesitated for a few moments before answering. His voice was shaky. “My name is Piton, sir. Are you a cavalier?”

“I am. What happened to your foot?”

“I was born like this,” the boy hesitated. “Is it true that cavaliers can heal?”

“Yes, some of us can,” Jonas responded.

“Can you? Can you heal my foot, sir?” the young boy asked bluntly.

Jonas looked back at Taleen and Kiln who stood behind them, their faces reflecting concern. Jonas knew they could not heal an inherited deformity, but it pained him to admit it to the boy. “I’m sorry, Piton, but we cannot heal the type of injury that you have. Your bones in your foot have a certain shape to them and I cannot change that. Do you understand?”

Piton lowered his head in dejection and nodded his understanding.

It was heart breaking to Jonas, but he could do nothing. Perhaps that was the hardest part. Despite his power and strength, he could not help this little boy. “Where do you sleep, Piton?” Jonas asked.
 

The boy used his hands to gesture into the alley. “I usually sleep in the streets. Sometimes I can find a bed in one of the temples. It’s not too bad, except for the winter. It can get pretty cold.”

“Where are your parents?” asked Jonas.

“I never knew my dad, my mom died of some sickness a year ago.”

Jonas reached into the leather pouch at his side, fingering the gold coin that was there. It was the coin that was given to him by Airos, and he had kept it to remember his mother by, but this boy needed it more than he did. Besides, it felt right to Jonas. The coin had been passed to him by a cavalier who recognized his need, and now it was being passed from another cavalier to another cripple. The boy was in desperate need and this was the only thing Jonas could do to help him.

Jonas lifted out the gold coin and handed it to the young boy. Piton held the heavy coin in his hand and his eyes lit up with astonishment as he realized what it was.

“Is that gold?”

“It is, Piton, given to me years ago by a cavalier,” Jonas said.

“Thank you, sir. I have never had gold before.” The boy dropped his cup, reached for his crutch and struggled to stand up.

Jonas reached down, lifting him to his feet. That simple act brought a flash of an image to Jonas’s mind, an image of Airos lifting him from the ground when he had slipped on the ice four years ago. Jonas smiled as he looked at the boy's beaming face. Piton smiled broadly. No amount of dirt on his face, or lack of food in his stomach, could crush the boy’s joy. It wasn’t so long ago where the simple act of another had given Jonas a similar feeling of happiness. It warmed Jonas’s heart to see the young boy smile so.
 

“Promise me you will buy food and warm clothes for the winter. I am a cavalier and I will know if you don’t.”

Piton smiled and his body shook with excitement. “Oh, don’t worry, sir. I will not waste it. I will do as you ask. Thank you.”

Jonas squeezed the boy’s shoulders before standing up. “You’re welcome, young Piton.” Then he turned and rejoined his friends on the sidewalk.

Taleen smiled at him warmly but she said nothing about the boy. She knew that there was nothing else they could do. There were likely hundreds of boys like Piton in Annure and many more living in less prosperous cities.
 

They continued to explore the lively city. At first, Jonas liked the attention, but it began to wear on him as the day progressed. People were continuously greeting them, diverting his attention from the many wondrous things that the city had to offer.