Chapter 3
The search party of Krokon
The priest of Caddernod village was the most known ones. They were completely dedicated to their vocation and never really cared about the worldly things. There was not even a single woman in the village. Though, the occasional presence of the maids could be ignored.
But today, they were repelling an ordinary attack, though not much of a required fight. It was prolonging because they didn’t care much to attack the ones attacking them. Though the village was of priests, there were only a few priests. The many ones who came to become priests rarely succeed. Most return to their old lives due to failure while others stay as brothers or supporters hoping they find their inner strength.
The great knight watched the battle with much interest. He was of course expelled due to his past deeds, but that didn’t take away his powers or wits and the sword, he kept it. The band was lead by him to catch the priest, at least he wanted it to appear as such and it was working.
While the fight continued, he used the distraction to get into the fort of the high priest which was the landmark of the village. He of course had his own tools of deceiving, which helped him get past the barriers and wards. The high priest had learned to control the elements 720 years ago, had come to the lonely place, setting his tower around which many later travelers settled. He had many students of which Terafot, Mynamine were the great arch-priests who fought for the King, now of course dead. His name was Caddernod, and after him was the village named.
Caddernod was old by the standards of humans who rarely lived more than 120 years; he never fought for anyone but rather helped those who are to be helped and are worthy of such, among the humans, elves, orcs, and other beings if they were good. He never refused any knowledge even to the cruelest of all but offered in a kind of way, implausible.
Caddernod was sitting in his chair, sitting in a position of prayer while Krokon entered, banging the door. Without even opening the lids of his eyes, Caddernod said,
“You didn’t need to bring the band of people to meet me. Why attack the village while you can seek my audience anytime.”
“Your people asked for it, not allowing me to pass.”
“My people, is that what they call themselves, even I do not own myself, stop the war at once, your war with nature and of course the present battle and we can speak.”
Krokon touched the band in his wrist which was magically enchanted by an arch-mage for his services his band of people retreated to outside the line, in a distance.
“My people are bit overprotective over me.” started the high priest.
“Maybe, I come for information of which you know, tell me and I will pay you.”
“First mistake, never bargain with money for knowledge.”
“I never said about money, what is it, that you want in repayment.”
“Nothing that you can give me.”
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“How can you be sure”
“Because you are not the one who created the realm.”
“I have heard you have even helped a dragon once, even goblins and elves, then why can’t you help a human, one man like you.”
“Because I am not blind like others and you, and anyway, they were good beings, like you are a bad human among men.”
“I am tired of you riddles, I have killed many priests, don’t forget it.”
“and I have fostered many beings which are very powerful, and myself am one.”
“Where is the sword?”
“You didn’t specify it.”
“The sword of Raddak, which could destroy anything.”
“It can also create, don’t forget, why do you need it Krokon.”
Krokon was the Knight; he used to go to many villages and kidnap children of both humans and elves and used to sell them to the underground cities and far away goblin merchants. This was put to stop by Colson and Raddak and he was thrown down from his position.
Ever since that day, he was filled with the vengeance towards Raddak and Colson, one dead and one inaccessible. He has been searching for the sword of Raddak ever since, to become the warren Warrymn, to be the high one once again.
Krokon said, “You know, there are many new monsters, something of a different world. I would like to be their protector, or at least protect my own people.”
“The spectral monsters they are called.”
“I thought we needed a new protector.”
“We priests are taking care of the matter till a new warrior rises.”
“Are you telling me where the sword is or not” burst out Krokon reaching for his sword.
Caddernod began in his usual voice of prophecy.
“The sword of blood of the one,
lies art beside son of the wielder,
the new wielder rising forth,
the swords hiding appearances of both,
Shall thousands protect the boy,
for he rises to protect the races.”
“Son of the wielder, Raddak never had a son.”
“Really, have you ever been so sure of being with him every moment of his life.”
“Where is the child?”
“With his master, where he is known as an orphan.”
“Then I will get the sword from him.”
“You are a soldier and never owned a sword but a blade, but still I am fancied at your skills of fighting like a warrior, being made a knight. Still sometimes you seem to lack the senses. If it was just taking a sword to be a warrior, then anyone would have become warrior by power. The sword decided and the warrior has to decide too, are you sure the sword will select you.”
“The sword itself is powerful enough that I can wield it to be powerful enough even if it doesn’t accept me.”
“But its true powers are only effective to the binded.”
“Or if used against spectral ones.”
“Some people never learn.”
“You know I could be the master even though the destiny speaks something else.”
Caddernod gave a big smile to Krokon. Krokon flinched.
“Are you telling me where the child is?”
“No.”
This was not the first time Caddernod rejected information to anyone. Being good doesn’t always mean to give everything to everyone.
“I can kill you now.” said Krokon, taking his blade, which has the usual shape of the sword, but without any power of its own.
“I you go now I may grant you your life.” warned the high-priest.
Krokon advanced in a run towards the priest. Caddernod simply took out his watch- glass from one of the nearest compartments of his dress and opened it. A flash of light came and Krokon was not seen there. All the people, who attached with him also vanished. The cheers from the people outside could be heard.
Caddernod looked around at the great hall of the tower he had been standing. A magical part existing in the river of esmerdoes but accessible through his tower. The windows were enchanted such as to see what was outside, and anyone could put out any part of their body outside through the windows and even get out through the windows. The halls were completely made of white marble though there were yellow shades of marble at parts, making patter known to Caddernod.
Remuka, the King’s daughter, who had come to visit the high priest, was observing everything as per the direction.
“I thought the King asked you to retain him if you see him ever again.”
Caddernod gave Remuka a small grin.
“So you do know where the child is.”
“The boy!”
“Yes, the boy.”
“A gift from dimensioner, this watch-glass, anyway, I know where he is.”
“And he is at.”
“Don’t try to get it out of my mouth, the dimensioner came to me before leaving him where he besides and trains himself now. I was asked to get him into power when he is of the age.”
“And when will that be.”
“Whenever he masters his sword.”
“The sword of Raddak, the warren Warrymn.”
“No, the sword replicated with properties of sword of Raddak.”
Krokon fell into the land unannounced, a wasteland far away from his city. Behind him, his mercenary members came to. All of them were in a dilemma except Krokon, the warriored one, who was not a warrior, but a soldier with the skills of one. He hadn’t meant to fight Caddernod but he knew that Caddernod would give him the passage to the city faster than anything.
“Gather yourself up. This is just the doing of the priest, more the reason for us to get our goal faster.” commanded Krokon.
Mermokia, Krokon’s friend, who had been with Krokon from childhood, through both training ground and in all bad deeds too, came forward and said, “What have you gained.”
“The sword is with Raddak’s son.”
“And where is his son.”
“He didn’t tell.”
“And who is the child.”
“That neither was told.”
“Seems like we have a lot of work to do.”