In the few days I had been traveling with this group of Chosen, I had learned more about Chosen and the culture of the Orders than during my month with my former teacher Holton. Assuming that was the same man.
What I learned wasn’t very flattering for the Order as a whole. Infighting was sparse but it did occur between the groups with differing philosophical ideologies. When I tried to learn more about it the three clammed up or avoided answering the question by trying to redirect my interest. But my father had tried using that tactic on me for years so I was wise to the trick. But not wanting to alienate these people, that seemed friendly, I ignored it and went along with their attempts to skirt me away from the topic.
The other major issue was politics. The Order wasn’t an entity onto itself. Local Lords, landowners, and even the King demanded certain things from the group. But Helios, Vataria, and Rycan didn’t deal with that area and had little knowledge. None had ever even met with any nobility despite their time with the Order.
I found that surprising since the Order filled an area similar to the knight errant of the pre-ancestral times. At least that was how the knights were portrayed in the few surviving books from back then. I always loved those books along with the books of the Chosen. How could I not want to be a defender of the weak and a beacon of virtue? Then I met Holton…
The less said about that the better, but it gave me a harsh wake-up call that the Order wasn’t the united and virtuous group I had once thought it to be. These three were reinforcing that notion to the detriment of the Order as a whole but they didn’t seem too concerned.
As we rode deeper into the desert, the heat was starting to get to me and I was forced to wrap my head to keep the glare of the sun from burning me. I was a bit surprised that it hadn’t happened already. I was used to the heat and the sun and with my darker skin I didn’t burn easily but I still got sunburnt on occasion when I spent too long under the sun without a hat or covering.
We descended into a shallow valley and I was surprised to see enormous chunks of white rock dotting the landscape. I realized I knew this place, or a place similar to it. “Is this Rusty Boulder Canyon?”
“No,” Rycan replied with a smile, “this is the Valley of the Silent Sentinels. The Rusty Boulder Canyon is on the east side of the river, we are on the west. The stone formations all originated from the same place though. You’ll see soon enough.”
Sure enough, less than a few hours later, a town situated downstream from a waterfall and around a large river came into view. I felt a tap on my arm and looked over to see the silent Helios pointing to the top of the waterfall. I looked up and my jaw dropped open when I spotted what he was pointing at.
Surrounded by the raging waters of the waterfall, I had missed it at first. But at the very top of the waterfall sat an ancient-looking structure or at least part of one. Because it was the same white stone we had ridden past in the desert. The lone tower poked out from the raging torrent of water in utter defiance of the sheer strength of the water. Mostly hidden by the curtain of water was the massive base of the tower that stretched in a long curve between the tall cliffs.
Rycan chuckled. “It’s quite something, isn’t it? It used to be a dam built by the ancestors, but this is all that remains of the once-mighty structure.”
“H- how could they build something so massive?” I asked.
“Another mystery lost to time and other factors I'm afraid,” he responded with a shrug.
It took some time to get to the outer wall of the city.
“Why the walls?” I asked in confusion.
“The town used to be a fortress city of the Order, long ago. The walls were never removed and everyone just calls the city Tower City or Old Fort but the real name for the city is The Benevolent Light of Truth.”
“Um… that’s a bit of a mouthful.”
Rycan laughed. “Yeah, some of the old Order documents tend to be a bit flowery and verbose. I’m glad those days are long past us.”
The three nodded politely to the guards at the gate. I didn’t recognize the tabards they were wearing. It appeared like some sort of golden goblet filled with some blue liquid was the design. They were honestly the first guards I had seen wearing tabards.
“What's the meaning of the design?” I asked after we passed by the gatehouse.
“Hum… oh, for the guards. I think it means to fill your cup with knowledge or something like that,” Rycan replied.
“Rycan is mostly correct,” Vataria chimed in. “It means value knowledge above all.” Which earned a derisive snort from the other two. “Ignore these two oafs. Just remember, the right knowledge in the right hands can save lives.”
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“That same knowledge could kill thousands in the wrong hands,” the quiet Helios replied.
“The key is to understand and use it wisely,” Rycan finished.
From the sounds of it, these three had heard this same litany enough times that they could repeat it without pausing.
“We’re here,” Rycan said, pointing to a manor down the street.
The house was large at three stories with what looked like two large wings of rooms spreading out from a central rotunda. It reminded me a lot of the governmental buildings. Only it looked somewhat more imposing. I was having a hard time figuring out why until I realized it was the windows. They were the same thin slits only vertical. The stone angled out from them, which would make it hard for anyone to fire a bow into the windows but would give anyone inside an advantage. Everything was also made of the ubiquitous white stone but it had been quarried into thick blocks.
Even the entry was imposing and had more in common with the headquarters in Roddan than any building you would want to visit. What was it with the Order and their penchant for making defensive structures as places to live?
“This is where the Chosen stay while they are within the city or not within the tower. Vataria, can you get our friend Bakus settled while I go and see if Master is available?”
“It would be my pleasure,” she replied sweetly.
Rycan nodded in thanks as he rode off to another location. Meanwhile, I followed Helios and Vataria into the courtyard, where a stableboy took our tired and dusty horses and led them to the side of the yard where I assumed the stable was.
Despite the imposing nature of the entryway, Vataria was easily able to push the thick stone door open with one hand. I marveled at the craftsmanship that must have gone into just balancing that much stone but I was blown away by the interior.
Contrary to the spartan exterior of the building, the interior was warm and inviting. A floor made from creamy marble tiling filled the entryway but quickly gave way to a rich red carpet and thin marble columns that rose to a high ceiling. The walls were decorated with expensive-looking woodwork on the bottom half and a patterned stucco that sported a colored flower design on the top. At least as far as what wasn’t covered by valuable artwork and portraits.
A servant, dressed in a simple white smock and trousers greeted us. “Mistress Vataria, Master Helios, I see you have returned from your assignment. I assume all is well with Master Rycan?”
“Thank you, Lurian, Rycan is fine, he went to see Master.”
The man nodded, “I assume this has something to do with our new guest?”
I realized I was being rude and offered my hand, “Sorry, my name’s Bakus.”
The man stared at my outstretched hand with a tight smile but didn’t reach out to shake it so I let it drop back to my side. I heard Helios grunt in amusement and Vataria sighed.
“Bakus is a new Chosen. Please set him up with a room and the standard items. Also if you could draw a bath for the four of us, that would be appreciated,” Vataria said tiredly.
The servant's eyebrow quirked up at the mention that I was a Chosen but other than that, the man remained stony-faced. “Very well, Mistress Vataria, I will have the female dormitory prepared for you in fifteen minutes. The men’s dormitory will be ready within an hour for Master Helios. Initiate Bakus will have to wait for a fresh bath to be drawn after.”
Vataria nodded, then turned to me. “Follow Lurian, he will get you a room and show you where the dormitory is. I know it feels like we might be dumping you here but don’t worry. We will be around if you have questions. I will see you at dinner.” And with that, she was off along with Helios and I was left with the stony-faced servant… who was already hurrying off down the hall in a different direction. I was forced to hurry after him so I didn’t get lost.
Once I caught up, the man began to speak. “Breakfast is at six sharp, lunch at noon, and dinner is at sundown. If you miss any of those times, you will not be served a separate meal. The servants are here to care for the manor and the full members of the Order that reside here. As an initiate, you will be tolerated but not pampered. You are expected to keep your room and appearance presentable in the case that dignitaries or other influential people ever come by to tour the manor or meet the Chosen. Otherwise, you will remain out of the way of the servants and not cause any trouble. Have I made myself clear?” He stopped and turned to face me, almost making me run into him.
I took a step back before replying, “perfectly.”
“Good.” He gestured to a door. “This will be your room for the foreseeable future. There is a mattress and a desk. I will have one of the maids bring a pillow, sheets, and a blanket. After your bath, there will be a tailor waiting to take your measurements for your initiate clothing. Until you are deemed a full member of the Order, you will wear only your initiate garb while you are here.” Then he glanced at my sword. “You will also need to store your weapons in the armory.”
I clutched at my sword, not wanting to give it up so soon after acquiring it.
The man let out a little huff that might have been a sigh but it was hard to tell. “Your sword will be perfectly safe and you can check on it any time you wish, but you will not be able to remove it from the armory without the express consent of one of the Masters. Unless such time that you yourself become a master, or you decide to leave the Order. I’m afraid there can be no discussion on this matter.”
He must have seen me beginning to try and argue with him over this. “Why?” I asked instead.
“It ensures the safety of everyone in the manor, yourself included. There have been past incidents with initiates and weapons.”
I still didn’t want to part with my sword but I had learned more in a few days since joining these people and they seemed genuine about wanting to help me discover what my calling was. With more than a little trepidation, I unbuckled my belt and slid the scabbard free. With one last look, I handed it to the stony-faced man who nodded curtly as he accepted the blade in white-gloved hands.
“The blade will be well cared for while you are in training, have no worry, we have experts on hand to make sure the items in the armory are kept in top shape. If you wish, after dinner, I can show you to the armory to verify this claim.”
I simply nodded as the man turned and walked away, my sword in hand. I really hoped I hadn’t made a huge mistake.