Chapter 11: Orlando Roncevaux Shall Pass

“You seem to have saved us monk, allow me to congratulate you.” The mountain of a man said, breaking into an equally giant grin.

The startlement wore off, melted by this man’s earnest warmth.

“Osseus.” I announced, sticking out a bony hand and immediately regretting it.

As soon as he grasps my hand he’ll know I’m nought but bones. I thought, desperately trying to pull my hand back. I was too late, a vice crushed the appendage.

“Orlando.” The other man boomed, chuckling heartily, “I was worried for a moment there, thinking this might be an undead attack.”

“Undead?” I questioned, looking around and trying to appear scared, “Where?”

“Never fear, for the Undead flee from my presence.” Orlando proclaimed. For a moment I truly believed him, before I remembered I was undead, pesky Charisma.

“What are you planning to do with that?” Orlando asked, eyeing the captured bug warily.

I looked at the jar in my other hand before placing it carefully in my knapsack.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I asked, gesturing to my attire and hoping he’d come up with an excuse for me.

“Are you perhaps a monk of the church of knowledge?” He inquired, almost eager.

“Yes, we’ll need to research this specimen.” I replied, jumping on the explanation.

The warm aura of the man chilled at the lie, but only slightly.

“Might I ask; which church are you a member of?” I questioned, to break the tension. He had the feel of holy mana although I couldn’t identify the type of deity which empowered the man.

Orlando looked down at his shining golden armour, then back up at me.

“I would have thought it obvious from my plate, but I am a Paladin of the Church of Light!” he said proudly.

“Ahh, well, you see, I don’t.” I replied gesturing toward my covered face, the fog had almost gone by this point.

Orlando looked confused for a moment before it finally clicked.

“You’re blind, my apologies for not noticing sooner. Please allow me to escort you back to the road.” Orlando offered without hesitation.

“That’s quite alright.” I replied, this time able to slip his grasp, “I cannot use my eyes but I have my own means of seeing.”

“Of course, I didn't mean to assume.” the Paladin responded, backing up to give me space. Looking up at the lowering moon he continued “I should introduce you to my comrades, they would love to meet the one who saved them.”

It was phrased as an invitation, but not one you could say no to.

“I would love to.” I replied, following the large man as he carved his way through the forest with his mass alone. Again the air chilled slightly at my words, but less so this time.

Even with the half dozen elephants who had stayed behind for the after party, I could tell this man had some kind of lie detection ability. I would have to be careful what I let slip in his presence.

“So, why are you here?” Orlando asked.

Trying not to lie I answered, “We were in fort Far-Reach, we fought the undead but after that lightning attack we had to leave.”

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Orlando’s shoulders relaxed slightly and the arua’s warmth doubled.

“Any enemy of the undead-scourge is a friend of mine.” He cajoled. “Did you see who was behind it? Was it a necromancer?”

“No, sorry, from my position I couldn’t see who made the attack.” I replied honestly.

“And who is this we you speak of?” Orlando pressed.

“I was helped by a bard named Dante.” I answered simply.

“I see.” was all he said.

It didn’t take long to clear the forest as we hadn’t gone far from the road. Parting the foliage, we came upon a clearing by the track. A camp of knights was set out around a fire. A dozen, in all with half as many tents.

The lookouts noticed us immediately, thankfully Orlando was in front and took most of the attention. A knight came running up and saluted the shining man, he looked slightly less tired than the others.

“Sir, we have captured someone who we believe was behind the attack.” the soldier reported.

Orlando sighed, some exhaustion showing in his tone, “I thought I ordered you to remain in the wagons until I found the source of the fog.”

“We did, sir,” he replied sharply.

“Then how did you capture this person? Did they attack you?” Orlando asked, seriousness returning to his voice, as he indicated the man who’s thigh was being bandaged.

“Ahh, sir, I…” he spluttered.

“Spit it out man.” the Paladin encouraged.

“Although we didn’t leave our wagon, the second squad did,” the knight reported. I stifled a snicker at the remark, it would appear that I wasn’t the only one trying to work my way around the Paladin’s truth sense. Some of the other men who were listening shot daggers at the knight, causing him to sweat.

“And they came upon this attacker in the mists?” Orlando prompted.

“No sir.” the soldier replied.

“No?” Orlando asked.

“He crawled into our wagon and curled up on the floor,” the knight explained, not meeting his commander's eye.

Orlando humphed, “Take me to him.”

As we walked Orlando noticed the looks I was getting, but as I was accompanying him no one had asked.

“This is Osseus,” he announced to the camp, “he was the one who found the Mist beetle and captured it, yes you heard that right this was a magical beast not an attack.”

Hardly a beast. I thought as we came to one of the wagons.

There tied up in the back was Dante, a gag in his mouth and a cut on his cheek. He looked up, fear in his eyes until he noticed me.

Before I could help Orlando reached down, picked him up, and set him on his feet with no apparent effort.

Untied and ungagged Dante still appeared rather ruffled.

“What is your name?” Orlando asked in a steady tone.

“Dante,” he replied in a weak voice, eyes stuck to the ground.

The Paladin nodded before asking his next question, “Did you stab any of my knights?” he asked sternly.

“I’ve never stabbed anyone.” Dante replied honestly.

Orlando relaxed and donned a smile.

I was honestly beginning to feel concerned for the young man and was blindsided by Orlando’s next question.

“Why does he cover his face?” he asked, pointing at me.

Dante looked me straight in the figurative eye, the gleam of his alter ego showing through.

“Because he’s fuck ugly.” he replied without missing a beat.

There was a moment of mutually stunned silence before it was broken by a hearty belly laugh from Orlando, soon the other knights joined in. The air warmed to a nearly uncomfortable level.

I seethed, that little bastard, just as I was beginning to feel sorry for him. To warrant a reaction like this he had to have meant it too, I would get him back for that.

Dante’s expression changed from a satisfied smirk to an honest look of shock, thankfully only I seemed to notice the abrupt change. Perhaps my time would be better spent trying to help them.

After the laughter died down, Orlando addressed my indignant posture.

“I’m sorry, but you can never be too careful, especially so close to the wilds at night,” he explained.

“Dante?” I asked.

“Yes?”

“Do I have eyes?” I questioned.

He looked worriedly between me and the golden haired man.

“Answer honestly?” I encouraged.

“Err.. No? No you don’t,” he responded.

Now at least Orlando would have an explanation for Dantes response without anyone having to lie.

Once everyone had calmed down, we were offered a bedroll to spend the last of the night in. I refused, impling that I was desperate to get back to civilization. When I was told that there was more than a day's travel to get to the nearest town I answered rather snappily that was all the more reason to start now; in the early hours of the morning.

Orlando, surprisingly, agreed and decided to do likewise, instructing the men to break camp. We parted with smiles and waves, and venomous looks from the tired knights.

Once again we set forth alone on the forest trail, with daylight fast approaching.