Zachania (58 page)

“Darkness
Chang.” asked Talon looking slightly surprised.

Chang’s face
suddenly turned from smile to frown before he answered.

“I sense death
on you my friend, when I first met you I sensed it then, but it was
not as strong as it is now, before it was like a blackness which
comes from a man who has killed while defending his life but now
you are full of it.”

“I do not
understand Chang, I would never do you harm.” replied Talon
confused which made Chang half smile at Talon’s misunderstanding at
him.

“No Talon, that
is not what I was saying, I do not fear for myself, I fear for
you.”

“Am I in
danger?” asked Talon again being the student.

“You are in the
gravest danger my friend, when a man kills another man then that
man’s death stays with him, it never leaves him ……… like I said I
felt this within you when we first met but it was very slight ………
now I feel the scent of death and revenge oozing from you.”

Talon lowered
his head almost embarrassed at what Chang had just said to him, he
looked around at the gardens and took in the tranquillity for a
moment before sitting down on the well and replying to his wise
friend.

“What you say
has truth Chang, it is true that since we last met I have killed
……… I have killed thousands ………… what I am now is more than a man,
I am a leader of men ………… I now carry the weight of a whole nation,
my life is no longer my own.”

Said Talon,
almost despairingly.

Chang reached
into the bucket and filled Talon with some more water as he thought
momentarily what Talon had just told him.

“You must take
much care my friend ……. What you have allowed to happen to you
could be corrupting beyond all control; you have roused one of the
most powerful feelings known to man ……revenge! ….and you have mixed
it with power, a concoction that perverts even gods………much care is
needed now young Talon. You are on a cliff edge, you sit between
two worlds where the slightest lean can send you spiralling into
evilness………..I know of your powers, these powers must never be
abused, no matter what, you must control this, if not, then all men
will fear you, both friend and foe, all you will be remembered for
is the suffering you have caused.”

“You know of my
powers?” Talon interrupted.

“Of course I
know of them… you spent months under my roof ……….Talon what I am
saying is very important, you must never abuse this power…………just
one mistake and you will be haunted from it, people will mock you,
people will use your name as a weapon and even those who love you
now will forsake you ………wherever your path leads you, you must walk
upon this road as a man above all men, you must show your qualities
first before your strength.”

Chang’s words
hit Talon deeply; he wiped his face and then smiled before he
patted his friend on the arm.

“Thank you my
friend, I have missed your wisdom.” he replied softly.

“It is not
wisdom my student, just words from my heart ……..many people will
try to advise you, many people will fill your head with their own
doubts and fears, they will be looking for answers from you, but
always remember the best advice comes from your own heart.”

For the next
three hours Talon explained to his old friend all that had happened
to him since he left the Pangkor’s, he told Chang all about
Zachania and how in isolation it had blossomed into a powerful
Kingdom, Chang was also informed that Talon had led a great
Zachanian army back into Kratos where they had attacked the
Empire.

As Talon
revealed all and attempted to dignify his actions he could see that
Chang was growing more and more uncomfortable, noticing this he
asked Chang if anything was wrong, Chang thought silently for a
moment before replying what he really thought of what Talon had
done.

“My dear friend
and student, my mind is closed to such action, many times I have
lectured you on spiritual purity, I cannot occupy my mind with war
and death, this is your path Talon, not mine………I have dedicated my
life to the Pangkor’s, where my life is tranquilly and peace so I
have no need for honour, no needs for victory or salvation, you are
and always will be my friend but I cannot justify what you have
done. I cannot legitimise pain and suffering……….I am a Pangkor and
I am here for all who need my help.”

Talon noticed
the sincerity of his friend’s words and he quickly realised that it
had been a mistake to hold a discussion about war with him.

“My apologies
Chang, it was disrespectful of me to speak to you on such
matters.”

The two of them
then spent the next hour speaking of how Chang had been and how
life had been at the temple.

“I must take
you to see Lord Mowloon.” Chang then suddenly said remembering his
manners as he realised how long they had both been in
conversation.

“I will be
pleased to see him.” Talon added.

“He will be
pleased to see you also.” replied Chang before rising to his feet
and tapping Talon on the arm for him to follow him.

Talon smiled to
himself as they walked to the preying room, he remembered all the
days and weeks he had spent doing similar chores to the monks they
were passing.

“How is Lord
Mowloon?” asked Talon as they reached the doors to the prayer
room.

“See for
yourself.” Chang replied smiling as he opened the old wooden
door.

Talon
immediately recognised the old Lord Monk and broke into smile upon
seeing him, Lord Mowloon straightened as he saw someone
accompanying Chang dressed in military uniform but then quickly
noticed it was Talon, he smiled broadly and wasted no time in
walking over to greet Talon.

Talon held out
his hand to greet him but Lord Mowloon instead dropped to one knee
and bowed to Talon respectfully.

“Holy one!”
Talon sighed feeling slightly bashful.

“The prophet of
Apollo.” Lord Mowloon replied still not looking up.

Chang who was
standing next to Talon looked surprised at his Lord Monk’s reaction
and when he heard the monk utter that Talon was a prophet of
Apollo, he could not believe what he was hearing.

“On your
knees!” Mowloon suddenly insisted to Chang showing his anger that
Chang was not also paying homage to Talon.

“Please, please
rise.” Talon added as he saw Chang lowering himself to one
knee.

“Please Lord
Mowloon, please Chang, there is no need for this.” he added as he
reached out and grabbed them, pulling them to their feet.

“I was sent
word from Zanlia, I was told you had entered the secret room of
Apollo, only the prophet of the gods could enter that room, we are
here to serve you my Lord.” Mowloon said lowing his head.

Talon smiled at
him again and feeling a little lost for words at how the Lord Monk
was so humbled before him.

Lord Mowloon
then clapped his hands and a fellow monk quickly walked over,
Mowloon whispered something to him which made the monk then quickly
walk off to one of the ancient cabinets at the far side of the
room, Talon watched on intently as the monk began to open it, Talon
then noticed that other monks were entering the preying room and
standing beside the walls, the rooms strict code of silence was
being firmly obeyed.

Talon for a
moment was just about to ask Lord Mowloon what was happening but
relented as he thought it manners not to interrupt. Talon then
noticed that the monk who had opened the cabinet was now walking
back to Mowloon, he had his head bowed and was walking very slowly,
almost painfully trying not to make the slightest sound, Talon also
saw that he was carrying a large robe with golden cords.

When he reached
Mowloon and Talon the monk just stood still and lowered his head,
Mowloon then whispered something to him in ancient Pangkor and he
then began to wrap the robe around the shoulders of Talon, then he
fastened two sashes around Talon’s head and waist, when he had
finished he bowed his head and backed away a few paces until he
dropped to his knees.

Talon’s
curiosity got the better of him and trying to talk quiet he leaned
towards Lord Mowloon.

“Holy one, what
are you doing?”

Mowloon bowed
his head again before replying.

“You are to be
honoured with the highest merit of a Pangkor…….. The
PANGKORKORGOWER!”

“The
Pangkorkorgower?” replied Talon puzzled.

“You will
become the over-seer, the Lord of all Pangkor’s, our linkage to the
god Apollo.” remarked Mowloon just before he raised his hands and
started preaching.

“We serve the
gods ……. We serve their ways of nature ………we are here to do their
work on Kratos ………Apollo has chosen you Talon, he has chosen you
above everyone else as his words and wishes ……. Our life is to obey
you, for the words of Talon are the words of Apollo.”

“Lord Mowloon I
am now a man of war.” Talon pleaded.

“That is not
our concern, Apollo has chosen you and that is all that matters.”
replied Mowloon.

Talon at first
began to feel apprehensive as he wondered just what this position
would take from him, he was leading the Zachanian war and there was
no time to spare leading the Pangkor’s. He was just about to
decline the position when he felt a strange sensation overcome him,
it was almost like a voice telling him to relax, telling him to
receive this gift and let fate decide, he looked again at Lord
Mowloon and held eye contact.

“So be it!”
Talon said proud.

There was still
a strange feeling hanging over Zanlia, it was a mixture of fear,
hesitation and fury, the curfew was still in place and rumours were
rife as the townsfolk were starved from any information.

The evil wizard
Grand Grarlin was growing increasingly frustrated at how slow his
mortal comrades were behaving, Grarlin had also come to decision
regarding the Zachanian traitor Lagain, the wizard had been looking
for General Krustov for most of the morning and when he found him
he began to chastise him.

“Where have you
been General?”

“I have been
amongst the camps, preparing the armies.” replied a slightly
startled Krustov.

“Where are our
men from Kallick town!” snapped Grarlin now referring to the five
hundred thousand soldiers that had been promised.

“En route your
highness.” replied Krustov.

“I was told
that yesterday!”

“The moment
they arrive, I will make sure you are notified.”

Grarlin scowled
at Krustov’s reply before changing the subject.

“I have decided
to let Lagain live, I want you to find him a position of
command.”

General Krustov
almost fell over in shock at what Grarlin had just told him,
Krustov thought it madness to keep him living but he was far too
scared of Grarlin to question his word.

“Yes your
highness.” Krustov replied trying hard to hide his contempt.

Grarlin smiled
as he saw the look on Krustov’s face, it was obvious that the
General was hiding his true feelings.

“As a General
in the Empire, are you not curious as to why I have come to this
decision?” goaded Grarlin.

Krustov looked
at the wizard with frustration,

‘If I disagree
with him he gets furious and if I agree with him he questions my
competence, I cannot win either way with you’ Krustov thought
silently to himself before trying to reply as diplomatic as
possible.

“I have total
confidence in your judgment holy one; if you wish to explain your
method to me then I will surely be enlightened by such wisdom.”

Grarlin gave a
rare half smile before replying.

“I will
condition Lagain and then have him lead us into battle……A Zachanian
General with allegiance to the Empire heading an attack against his
own Zachanian’s.”

“Superb!”
replied Krustov now smiling as he realised what an impact this
would have.

“Yes Krustov
….. People will see how untrustworthy the Zachanian’s really
are.”

Grarlin
added.

“I like it
Grarlin, if a Zachanian turns against his fellow Zachanian brothers
then how can they be trusted, people who may be tempted to help
them will have second thoughts when they hear how a Zachanian turns
on his fellow brother.”

As Talon left
the temple in Varanasa he found himself feeling sad at having to
leave his friends, after yesterday’s ceremony where he was
pronounced the leader of the Pangkor’s Talon had decided to stay
the night where he reminisced until the early hours with Chang and
fellow monks.

Talon waved
goodbye and then rode off furiously to where Kraal and the rest of
the army were camped, when Kraal saw Talon he immediately stopped
what he was doing and welcomed his fellow commander.

“Hail Lord
Talon.” Kraal said as Talon pulled his horse to a stop besides
him.

“Are the men
ready?” Talon asked as he dismounted his horse.

“Yes Lord
Talon, ready and awaiting your order.”

“Good! We march
on the hour!” Talon snapped as he disappeared into his tent.

“Where my
Lord?” Kraal shouted.

“South! We
march south!” Talon replied.

It took Talon
and his army two days to reach the province of Kanovia. Kanovia was
positioned at the furthest tip of the south west coast of Kratos,
the town was more of an army barracks than anything else, it was
the remnants of the past where Kratos was at war and the Empire had
needed soldiers in the region.

Talon had
studied the entire Empires outposts while he was in the Royal and
Palace guards and he was hoping that what he had learned would be
correct.

“Make camp here
Kraal, the Empire are just beyond those hills, tonight we rest and
prepare, at dawn we will attack.” Talon said as looked up at the
sky and saw that night would shortly be upon them.