Gersius, Lilly, and Thayle went back to the estate to prepare. The revelation that the Father Abbot was using a dragon and that he was aware of them needed to be addressed. Lengwin was informed, and a meeting arranged for the next morning.
That night after his wives were tucked in bed, Gersius went alone to the fields behind the estate. Once alone, he knelt in prayer to Balisha and opened his heart to her. He felt the power of her connection and the flow of the divine. He realized that it was nothing like the connection with Astikar. Balisha's power was significantly weaker than Astikars, and it failed to fill him with a sense of purpose.
“My goddess,” he spoke reverently. “I know you are weakened and that you need us to help you recover. We have already begun to train your first followers to assist us in bringing your glory back to the world. I will do all that I can to restore your faith and power to the hearts of men and dragons, but I need you to help me. I must be able to display the power of your blessings. Lilly and I must know your gifts.”
He waited in silent meditation to see if the goddess would respond. His mind wandered to Astikar, and the first time he made his connection with the God. He remembered the overwhelming sense of presence and power he felt. It was intoxicating to a young man who had never known such a thing. Many acolytes in his class were struck mute for days afterward, unable to articulate what they felt. With Balisha it was almost the opposite. Making a connection with her felt like a struggle on his part. As if he was the one who had to reach out and form the link. Balisha was so weak she could not reach back to meet him.
Gersius thought of his early days of training. His first hammer of Astikar and the first time he healed and injury. All those lessons and moments of power that helped shape who he was. He needed those same moments to train the new acolytes of Balisha. To do that he needed to know how to shape her blessings. He was taught by a man who knew Astikars blessings already. However, there was no one to teach him the blessings of Balisha, no one but Balisha herself.
Minutes slipped by, and he returned his thoughts to the distant point of light that was Balisha. He let his thoughts fade away until only the light remained. It shown with a cold brilliance that shimmered slightly in a deep blackness.
“I have heard you, Gersius,” a soft voice called. Gersius felt a shock deep in his heart, and he almost lost his connection. In all his years he had never heard Astikar speak. Not until he used the portal to visit the Gods heaven and confronted him. He cleared his mind once more and struggled to focus and see the light.
“All my gifts are yours,” the voice called again.
Gersius let out a shallow breath as a vision filled invaded his thoughts. He saw a shadow of a man as it went through the tones of a chant. He saw the blessings as the man gestured and called for power. Gersius struggled to memorize every sound and movement as the images flowed by his sight. He was grateful that as the vision faded, it began anew, and he saw it all from the beginning.
When it was done, he stood and took a deep breath. He set his feet and focused his thoughts as he visualized one of the blessings. With a chanting tone that went first low and then high, he reached out a hand. A silver dragon's claw with long white talons formed in the air. As he squeezed his hand, the claw mimicked the motion. He reached out and wrapped the claw around a thin tree trunk and snapped it in two.
Gersius smiled and spoke a second word of power, as his focus drift to a new blessing. His eyes began to glow with blue fire, and he spoke a word as he reached out a hand with stretched fingers. A blast of cold like Lilly's breath issued fourth coating the grass in ice. It wasn't near as powerful as Lilly herself, but it was a blessing none the less. He could see many uses for such a power in battle.
He considered all the other blessings that were shone and felt curious about one of them. He began to pace the ground, searching it until he found a small stone. He picked it up, dusting it off and held it in the palm of his hand.
“Dah vuhtask dah cryovuthis,” he whispered to the stone. He saw it change color as it began to grow cold. In moments it frosted over, and he exhaled over it to see his breath as the stone chilled the air around it.
“A blessing of cold,” he said with a smile. He wasn't sure where such a blessing would be useful, but he trusted in the goddess. He decided to practice the other blessings later when he could show them to Lilly. He took the stone and look up to the distant moon and nodded his head.
“Thank you,” he whispered before going back to the estate. The night was late and muggy, the high summer heat dissipating little despite the night air. He tossed the stone in his hand and realized it offered some escape from that heat.
Two women of Ulustrah stood guard on the ground floor of the guest house. They snapped to attention as he passed and he gave them an approving nod. Ever since Mingfe took over the training, she was no longer able to stand watch. Now there was a rotation of guards that always seemed to change.
As he went to pass by, he noticed the women were sweating slightly in the balmy summer heat.
“Here,” Gersius said and handed one of them the blessed stone. “That should cool the room in a bit.”
He crept up the stairs to the bedroom on the third floor. His heart warmed to see the two women in the bed together. Thayle lay in Lilly's arms curled to her chest while Lilly clutched her tightly. There were times when Gersius wondered if Lilly was afraid Thayle would slip away if she let her go. He wasn't the only one who thought that either. He heard comments from some around the estate. People took notice of how often Lilly took Thayle's hand or hugged her. Everyone knew they were wives, but Lilly was so unafraid to show affection it embarrassed some who saw it. Even Thayle blushed at times when Lilly was affectionate.
He undressed and sat on the side of the bed with a sigh. His life was such a contradiction. He marched off to the bloodiest moment of his life, to wage war on the very thing he swore to uphold. And yet, he had love and happiness like he had never known. Lilly and Thayle were two halves of his heart, and he could not live without either of them. He climbed into bed and stretched along Lilly, feeling the warmth of her skin. He ran his hand down her arm and over Thayle's back. For just a moment, he peeked into their dreams and smiled at the beauty of them. Lilly was in her valley like she almost always was. Thayle, however, was dreaming about him. She dreamed about dancing in a grand ballroom as they looked into each other's eyes.
“I promise you will have your dance,” he whispered as he stopped prying. He lay his head on the pillow and buried his face into Lilly’s blue hair. “I love you both,” he whispered again and drifted off to sleep.
Lilly was ecstatic when he told her about Balisha's response and blessings. She was so thrilled that all she wanted to do was learn the blessings herself. He bribed her with a foot rub to get her to lead the prayers for the acolytes. With a kiss and a promise he assured her, she would learn them all soon.
Thayle was very happy for them both and gave him a firm hug before going off to train her own women.
He took over after Lilly and once again taught the acolytes how to clear their minds and focus on a single thought. Once they successfully made the connection to the divine, he would be able to teach them a blessing. He decided it would be the blessing of cold as it required only a simple chant. This taste of divine power would spur them on to know more and drive them to new levels of devotion. In turn, Balisha would grow more powerful. Once they could connect and pray to her, she would gain strength from their prayers.
After the morning chores, he sat down to business and the meeting with Lengwin. This included Thayle, Lilly, two captains of Astikar and Mingfe. He wanted to make sure all the leadership of their group understood was happening.
“So he knows for sure?” Lengwin asked as he paced the room.
Gersius shook his head. “I do not see any other way to interpret it.”
“Surely this is too soon?” Lengwin suggested. “The Raven guard was here just days ago, and they died here. How could he have gotten a report back so quickly?”
“And acted on it,” one of the captains added.
Lengwin nodded his agreement and looked to Gersius for guidance.
“Listen all of you. We have been asking this question for days. How is the Father Abbot learning and reacting so quickly? None of us knows, but we have to accept the obvious fact that he is.”
They all nodded at Gersius and had to concede the point, but Lilly had another idea.
“What if he’s doing what we are?” she asked.
Gersius turned to look at her. “Doing what?”
“We know he has a dragon working with him. What if he is carrying people or messages on the dragon?”
The room was silent a moment as Gersius chewed on that thought.
“It could be,” Lengwin suggested.
Gersius shook his head. “No, it is still too quick.” He paced the floor and looked up at Lilly. “Can you fly any faster than you carry us now?”
Lilly shook her head. “I can fly a little faster if I push myself, but I couldn't maintain it for long.”
“So you can not double your speed?” he pressed.
She shook her head a second time. “A larger dragon will fly faster. The wider it's wingspan, the faster it can fly. My mother is probably more than twice my speed.”
Gersius nodded and turned back to the others. “Even if we flew day and night I estimate we are a week away from Calathen.”
“But you said this red dragon they saw was larger,” Lengwin suggested.
Gersius nodded. “Only a little larger. I doubt it would make much difference.”
“Then how is he getting news so quickly?” Lengwin asked.
“I don’t know how, but we can at least act knowing he is getting it and be prepared,” Gersius pointed out.
They agreed to the assessment and went to discuss how, when there was a disturbance below.
“I must speak with the dragon knights,” a voice argued with the guards.
Gersius exchanged looks with Lengwin, and one of the captains went to the stairs.
“It’s a guard from the gate,” the captain said.
“Call him up,” Lengwin urged, and the captain went down the stairs and returned with the man. He stood firmly before the gathered assembly and set his shoulders.
“Forgive me my lords, but there is a man here requesting to see Lord Gersius and Lady Thayle.”
“What man?” Lengwin asked.
“He did not say, Sir. He arrived on a house cart and demanded to speak to them both,” the soldier replied.
Lengwin glanced over at Gersius and shrugged slightly.
“We are not in a position to entertain every commoner who wishes to speak with Gersius,” Lengwin began, but the soldier bowed quickly and snapped back up.
“This man is no commoner, not by the way he dresses. He carries himself with a commanding presence, and he speaks like a king.”
“Did he give you any information about who he was?” Gersius asked.
“No my Lord, when we asked he simply ordered us to run and fetch you.”
“Run and fetch?” Lilly said sarcastically.
Gersius glanced over his shoulder at the two women standing side by side behind him.
“He could be important,” Thayle said.
“He could also be a local lord wasting valuable time. We still need to plan the move for the morning,” Lengwin said. “We have precious little time to waste on every petty noble.”
“I will go and get rid of this man,” Mingfe offered.
Gersius looked at the gathered faces and finally back to the guard who came to deliver the message.
“Why did you think it was important to tell me?”
“I cannot say for certain my Lord. I felt compelled to do as this man said. He has a very commanding presence.”
Gersius nodded and looked to Thayle, who was often the voice of reason.
“It wouldn't hurt to speak to him for a moment,” Thayle said. “If he is just a nobleman come to waste our time you will deduce that in minutes and send him on his way.”
Gersius nodded his head in agreement. “Very well, Thayle and I shall answer our summons, but you two are coming with us,” he added, pointing to Lilly and Mingfe.
Lilly shrugged taking Thayle's hand and followed Gersius out of the room.
“Finally he thinks of his own safety,” Mingfe scoffed as she trailed behind.
They walked behind the priest of Astikar as he led them to the gate and opened it to let them out. Outside, four battle priests in silvered armor stood tensely at the side of the road. Before them in the road was a brightly colored travelers wagon. The front was a cushioned seat and the back a small wooden house. It had a perfectly round roof, and the whole of the cart was painted a bright yellow with red trim. A tiny round window graced the side, and a stovepipe stuck out of the roof.
Seated on the front cushion was a man with broad square shoulders. His face was strong as stone and hidden in a reddish-gray beard that was cut to a sharp point just inches below his chin. His brow looked heavy, and his eyes were dark and commanding. His face was creased with age but stout looking as if he was a man who had born the weight of command and duty. He wore a regal black leather coat with red stripes on the sleeves. His hands were hidden in black gloves, but they were large and powerful looking.
“Well, I see you still know how to answer a summons,” the man said as Gersius approached.
Gersius walked boldly to the battle priests on guard. “You men may return to the gate. I will deal with our guest.” A moment passed as the men saluted and paced back to the gate.
“A guest am I?” the stranger said his face looking straight forward and only his eyes glancing over to acknowledge Gersius’s presence.
Gersius didn't respond right away; he stood by the side of the wagon and regarded the strange man equally impassively.
“I am here. What is it you wanted with me?”
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“Funny, you always seem to go where I want you, but not always for the reasons I want you to go there.”
“What are you talking about?” Gersius asked.
The man was silent a moment and then finally turned to look Gersius straight in the eyes.
“I have come a long way to complete a promise I made many years ago,” the stranger said. “It hasn’t worked out the way I planned it, but I will uphold my end of the bargain none the less.”
“Why do you speak to me in riddles?” Gersius asked. “I have no time for games.”
“Games,” the man said with a shake of his head. He stood on the prow of the wagon, and they could see he was tall and robust. His entire body was broad, and muscle rippled under his coat. He climbed down to the ground and stood an inch taller than Gersius as he locked his eyes.
“I speak to you in the only manner I am permitted. I am doing something that is not permitted, not specifically so. You are special to this time and age of the world. You were chosen for a great task because you had the greatest probability of completing it. But your success was never guaranteed. It still isn’t come to think of it.”
Gersius held the man's gaze as thoughts raced through his mind. The stranger spoke with a firm voice that seemed to carry authority with it. Gersius felt the weight of that authority as the might of his presence washed over him. The man stepped past and set his eyes on Lilly and Thayle standing just a few paces behind him.
“So you are the lovely Lady Lilly. I can see why he is infatuated with you. He has a strong heart with deep devotion.”
“How do you know Gersius?” Lilly asked, using her dual voice to show her displeasure.
“Such a lovely voice too,” the man said with a smile. “He and I have met before,” he added, throwing a glance over at Gersius. “Besides, even if we hadn't, the lands are full of tales of Gersius, the great priest of Astikar. Who fought and won the battle of Guisarine. The priest who beat the five tests of Astikar in record time. The priest who fought and killed a Tamaril single-handed to protect a woman.”
“Surely that is just a story,” Thayle said in a flat tone. A Tamaril was nearly as big as Lilly's dragon form. Its six legs made them terribly fast, and they had a bite every bit as vicious as a dragon. Many of the legends of Gersius's deeds were exaggerated. This was clearly one of them.
The strange man nodded his head, giving Thayle a moment to reflect. “It is just a story.” He turned and looked at Gersius. “After all, there were two Tamarils, not one. But you never took the credit.”
Gersius’s face went stone hard and his brow furrowed deeply even as Thayle gasped.
“How did you know that? Are you related to the girl I rescued?”
“That actually happened?” Thayle cried.
The stranger glanced back at her with a smile before returning to Gersius.
“Are you the girl's father?” Gersius pressed.
“I am in a way, but not like you think.” He turned again and this time looked directly at Thayle.
“You are also his wife then?” he asked.
“I am,” Thayle said stiffening under his gaze still shaken to hear such an outlandish tale was true.
“I see why Ulustrah picked you. You are every bit as beautiful as the dragon. A prize worthy of a king.” The man turned to look at Gersius with a sideways glance. “Or perhaps an emperor?”
“Thayle is not a prize, she is my equal in every way, as is Lilly,” Gersius said in a growl. He was growing wary of this man who knew far too much about him. There were many older men in the order of Astikar. Men who held titles and ranks above him and with whom he hardly spoke. There were also many nobles in his homeland who were once priests of Astikar. They visited his father's house many times when he was young. Could this man be one of them? It was clear he understood the order of Astikar and was well versed in the arts of tact and dialog. He spoke clearly but authoritatively, and every movement he made seemed deliberate and measured.
The strange man turned his back on them all and began to walk to the back of the wagon.
“Many a great king would fight to gain possession of either of them. They could win the heart of any powerful lord, yet they are both strongly devoted to you. I can see it in their eyes. They regard you as their head.”
“I am not ashamed to admit I follow Gersius,” Lilly said defiantly. “I love him. I will follow him where ever he goes.”
“As will I,” Thayle added.
The strange man stopped, and Gersius could swear he heard him sigh.
“The price had to be paid,” he said in a low voice then began walking again.
Gersius was sure he'd met this man before. He felt a nagging feeling that this man was important to him somehow. Was he part of his training in his faith in Astikar? Maybe he was one of the instructors in combat? Or one of the silver champions while he was young? The question made his head hurt, and he glanced at the women with a look of confusion.
“Do you know this man?” Thayle asked silently over the binding link.
“I feel like I do, but I cannot place from where,” Gersius said.
“He knows a lot about you,” Lilly added silently.
“Be wary of him,” Thayle said. “His aura is strange. It hardly moves and maintains a consistent white light.”
“What does that mean?” Gersius asked.
Thayle glanced at him and replied silently. “It means he shows no emotion at all. He is perfectly in control of his mood and thoughts, and is intentionally trying to goad you into showing yours.”
Gersius nodded and followed the man around the wagon.
“What is it you want with me then?” Gersius asked as he rounded the back. The man stood on a stoop and was carefully unlocking a door at the end of the wagon.
“I already told you, I am here to complete my promise,” the stranger said, not bothering to look back at him.
“If you promised to kill me, you should have brought more men.”
The man smiled, showing the first hint of amusement. “Kill you? I am a great many things, but murderer isn't one of them. My promise was to deliver a gift to you.”
“A gift?” Gersius said with a hint of suspicion.
“I made a small adjustment to the promise. I added a thing or two. The situation changed unexpectedly, but I believe it will work out better this way,” the man said as he vanished into the wagon. “I never liked the prophecy, you know. The whole dragon knight concept was flawed. It assumed that the path started long ago would continue. Not even Astikar could see if it would. When it was clear it was about to fail the divines had to scramble. They seem to be doing a lot of that these days. The problem was one dragon knight wasn't enough, but two? That is perhaps a better number.” He seemed to look lost in thought at the notion of two.
Gersius looked at Thayle as she and Lilly approached.
“Why is he talking like that?” Gersius asked.
“I have no idea,” Thayle said. “But his aura never shows if he is telling the truth or not. The only time it has reacted so far was when you accused him of coming to kill you. He was very amused.”
Gersius turned his gaze back to the doorway as the man reappeared.
“This is for you,” the stranger said, holding up a shining silvered breastplate. It was polished to a near mirror-like reflection. Its chest was emblazoned with two dragons, one blue the other red. Each was entwined with one another, and their mouths breathed a fiery line into each other.
“What? What is this?” Gersius said in disbelief.
“It is the armor of the dragon knight,” the stranger said with a shake of his head. “Didn’t you ever read the stories of his shining silver armor?”
Gersius shook his head, and his brows furrowed down. “Everybody knows the story, but the armor in the vault in Calethan.”
“Is it now?” the man asked as a smile returned to his face. “And what right do they have to lock away what is intended for another?” he asked as he handed the plate to Gersius.
Gersius wasn't sure how to answer, so the man went back to digging in the wagon.
“A long time ago the armor and sword were reclaimed by people who knew that someday another dragon knight would need it,” the stranger said as he dug about in the wagon. He produced more silvered armor and handed it piece by piece to Gersius until he had an entire suit of shining armor. Next, a great shield was presented. I had a purple field with the same entwined dragons on it. It was ringed in silver leaves around the edges and tapered to a point at the bottom. The top was covered with a golden band and etched to look like flowing waves.
Thayle and Lilly watched in shock as the man finally produced a long sword. It was unusually wide with a flaring diamond shape right above the pommel. Set in the center of the diamond was a red stone. Up the center of the blade were words etched in dragon runes.
“And the dragon knight’s sword. The blade that cut through the Doan and the etterkin in the last war. The very blade that threw down the last Goromogoth. Do take good care of it,” the man said, giving Gersius a firm glare.
Gersius held up the blade and marveled at its design. For years he dreamed of holding it one day. He assumed it would be for a grand ceremony or parade, never as the dragon knight himself. While Gersius marveled at the sword, a helm was produced. It was made of silver with an open face and curled guard over the mouth. A gold band ran over the top of the helm, and the whole surface was etched to resemble dragon scales. On each side of the helm were silver dragon wings that folded back.
“The winged helm,” Thayle said in shock. “I never thought I would ever see it.”
Lilly looked at Thayle and then back to Gersius. “You two need to tell me more of this dragon knight or find me more of your books that describe him. What is so special about this helm?”
The stranger smiled. “It was a gift to the dragon knight by a dragon long ago.”
“You mean the one who died before us,” Lilly said.
“Longer ago than that,” the man said with a smile.
The three of them looked to one another, and Lilly broke the silence.
“But there was only one other Dragon knight,” she said.
The stranger smiled. “That you know of.” He turned back to the wagon and reached inside to produce a flowing cloak. It was of the deepest purple and its edges were a white fur that was broken by black spots in places. The surface of it seemed to shimmer in the sunlight and looked impossibly smooth.
“There, that is all of the Dragon Knights things. I have delivered them as I promised I would when another Dragon Knight arose.”
Gersius held the cloak in his hands and looked over at Thayle. He could feel a sense of sadness, and he realized that it was because there was no armor for her. He would gladly offer her the armor, but it would never fit her.
“You could wear the cloak,” Gersius said, holding it out to her.
“Why would she do that?” the stranger said.
Gersius turned to look at him. “Thayle is also a dragon knight.”
“I know, I told you two was a better number. It has been proven several times now that one dragon knight is far too easy to kill. They always die right at their moment of triumph.”
Gersius and the others looked to one another and then back to the strange man.
“You are still upset about something?” the man asked.
“You just said so yourself that history needs two dragon knights. But there is no armor for Thayle. I feel I am harming her by accepting this when she has none.”
The man stood tall and looked Gersius in the eyes. “Who said she didn’t have any armor?”
Gersius leaned back, uncertain about what he meant.
“I have hers in here with me as well. I had to have it crafted in a hurry. The fit might not be quite right, but you can adjust the straps,” he said as he climbed into the cart.
“You have armor for Thayle?” Gersius asked.
“Of course I do. I meant to have this here for you before you went around telling people who you were. Your speech in Avashire was well delivered. Giving it from the dragons back was a nice touch and an excellent bit of showmanship. It would have been a grand display had you both had the proper armor. Unfortunately, there were complications that delayed its crafting, but better late than never as some people say.”
Gersius felt the shock and surprise over the binding link, and he glanced at Thayle who looked like she might cry.
The strange man returned to the door with a second set of armor. This armor more resembled that of the women of Ulustrah. It was made of shining silver plates that protected vital areas. Underneath was a coat of light and flexible metal scales. There were the same entwined dragons on the armor's breastplate. It included a shield that was round and slightly larger than Thayle's wooden one. It was entirely of metal and heavily decorated with the same dragon emblem in the center. Her helm was in every way identical to that of Gersius's only smaller.
Thayle stood beside Gersius and accepted the armor struggling not to cry as she held the exquisite scale coat. It glistened in the sunlight, and she gazed at it in wonder.
“Thank you!” she finally cried, producing a smile on the stranger's face.
“At least one of you is grateful,” he said, looking away from Gersius.
Gersius looked at Thayle's glowing face and then back to the man who was even now walking back to the front of his wagon.
“What about a weapon?” Gersius asked. “A weapon for Thayle?”
“So the armor wasn’t enough? You think you deserve more?”
“I only ask because you gave me a weapon.”
The man turned to look at Gersius and nodded.
“There is a weapon, but you will have to fetch it yourselves.” He suddenly pointed west. “Three days flying is a mountain range. Look for the broken peak and the cave on the south face. There is her weapon. Glitteroot waits where it was lost long ago.”
“Glitteroot?” Gersius repeated as Thayle and Lilly stepped up.
“Glitteroot the blessed blade of Queen Ishtephet. Lost long ago when she met her doom battling a deep leviathan?”
“I have never heard of this Queen Ishtephet,” Gersius said.
“I am not surprised,” the stranger said. “Much of what was known is lost. Some secrets are kept even from the keepers of secrets. You three must go and retrieve the sword if it still exists.” The man looked at them and then turned and began to climb back up his wagon.
“Wait a minute. You still haven't told us who you are?” Gersius said as the man sat down on the seat of the wagon.
Without even looking down the man sighed again.
“You will remember when the time is right. When the lights of your world are about to go out, and the pain of loss becomes too great, you will remember my name.”
With that, the man shook the reins and urged his white horses to motion, and the wagon lurched forward. They all watched him go stunned by the encounter and not sure what to make of it.
“So, a strange man rides up and hands you the armor of the dragon knight?” Lilly asked.
Gersius looked down the road at the cart as it got farther away. “I know who that is. I know I have met him before.”
“How did he have the armor though?” Lilly asked.
Gersius shook his head, unable to answer the question. However, there was another question to consider.
“Did you hear what he said about the sword?” Gersius asked as they watched him go.
“I did,” Thayle replied. “We have but one night left. We can't possibly leave to go hunting for it now.”
“We will lead the march for the first day or two then Lengwin can lead the march for a few days,” Gersius said. “We will ensure the camp is orderly and understand our goals before we leave.”
“But three days away?” Thayle replied.
Gersius nodded. “We will fly through the night and reach it in half the time.” He suddenly thought of Lilly and turned to look at her. “If that is alright with you.”
“I will carry you however far, and for however long you need me to,” Lilly replied. “I rather enjoy being so close to you both and sharing the sky with you. Besides we already planned to fly through the night to start visiting distant towns.”
“This will put all of that behind schedule,” Thayle pointed out.
“That can’t be helped,” Gersius said. “The divines are clearly laying a path at our feet. It would be foolish to ignore the gift.”
“The divines are getting a little direct sending us a messenger,” Thayle laughed.
“This can only mean the danger has grown and they are being forced to act more boldly,” Gersius suggested.
“How much more dangerous can our path get?” Thayle asked.
“What is a deep leviathan?” Lilly asked as if to answer the question.
Thayle and Gersius exchanged glances.
“A creature from a legend that would swallow cities whole,” Gersius said. “It was made from the anger of the world according to the tales.”
“I guess my answer is much more dangerous,” Thayles groaned.
“It is just an old story,” Gersius said. “It can not possibly be true.”
“You mean like how most people believed dragons weren’t real?” Thayle reminded him.
Gersius went to reply but couldn’t think of a way to counter the point.
“Let's get this inside and inform the others what has happened. We need to make plans, and we cannot afford any more delays,” he suggested.
They gathered up the armor and brought it to the meeting room to the amazement of the assembled leaders. Gersius then relayed the last message about the sword and pressed on them the need to go looking for it.
“I have never heard of such a weapon,” Lengwin said.
“None of us have,” Thayle said. “But he was very specific about where to find it.”
“This must be a sign from the divines,” one of the captains said. “They have delivered this gift to prove you were both chosen to be dragon knight.”
“But why did they feel the need to steal it from the vaults?” Lengwin asked. “The dragon knight wears it to fight the Doan. You would have taken the armor after we capture Calathen anyway.”
They considered this question a moment before Thayle spoke up.
“It wasn't safe,” she said. “Whoever this man represents, they knew the armor wasn't safe.”
“It was perfectly safe in a vault deep beneath the city,” Lengwin said.
Thayle shook her head. “But was it safe from the Father Abbot?”
Lengwin stepped back and had to ponder that a moment.
“Think about it,” Thayle suggested to the group. “How long has the Father Abbot been betraying the order? We only know about what he has done since Gersius started his quest, but how long ago did it start?”
Lengwin's eyes went wide suddenly, and his hands began to tremble.
“High priest Lengwin, you look faint?” Thayle asked with concern.
“I hadn’t considered the possibility that the Father Abbot would put the tools of Astikar to vile use,” he said as he stumbled to a wall to support himself.
“We have the armor and sword, he can not use them to cause any harm,” Gersius said.
Lengwin looked up at him with dire eyes. “Yes, but he does have the seal!”
Gersius felt his blood run cold. The Father Abbot had the seal of Astikar. The ring on which were inscribed Astikar's words of law. It was a conduit to the God's power and in the hands of one who would misuse it a terrible weapon.
“Surely he would not resort to such a terrible act,” Gersius said.
“After what he did to you and I?” Lilly asked. “You honestly believe he wouldn’t go that far?”
The thought was too terrible, and the faces of the men of Astikar reflected it.
“We have to get to Calathen,” Lengwin said. “We have to stop him before it’s too late.”
Gersius nodded and took a deep breath. “There will be no more delays. We march first thing in the morning!”
Those words carried a weight of finality that set the mood for the planning. There was no longer any time to wait. They spent the rest of the day planning a rapid march and set a path in stone. Everyone felt the urgency to be on the move now. The danger had grown to intolerable levels and could only be stopped when they got to Calathen. Assuming, it wasn't already too late.