Chapter 1:
Crossroads
It was cold as she expected in the Frostlands. Flakes of snow drifted down from the heavens, glittering in the setting sunlight. It brought a smile to Ophilia's lips as she continued onward toward the Crossroads where she would continue west for a time, and then the road would turn south toward her destination: the town of Saintsbridge. She had every intention of continuing onward and stop at the village of S'warkii; a home for hunters until she came across two other travelers at the otherwise deserted crossroads.
One was a tall man whose surcoat she did not recognize, though she could tell he was a knight from the way he carried himself and his armor. The other… The other was a woman with long hair that was tied back in a high ponytail; her form clad in a fur-lined cloak.
"Hail, Traveler." The knight greeted her with a polite smile and a nod of acknowledgment.
"Greetings friend. Pray tell, any news of the roads?" Ophilia smiled back warmly as she answered. While the knight met her gaze, his companion looked away.
"Tis quiet, though the Woodlands were quite restless as we passed through. May I ask thee where thine destination be Sister?"
"Ophilia. Sister Ophilia, Cleric of the Church of the Sacred Flame." Ophilia gave him a small curtsey as she introduced herself. "My destination is the town of Saintsbridge."
"Well met Sister Ophilia. My name is Olberic, and this is my companion Primrose." His companion in question did not seem to be paying attention to their conversation from where she stood a few steps away. "Our own destination is the village of Stillsnow." His eyes swept over her. "… You are the Flamebearer for the Kindling?"
"I am, Sir Olberic. It is a sacred rite that must be carried out every twenty years and while I was not chosen, here I am." Ophilia touched the sacred lantern at her side to reassure herself that it was still there. She snuck a glance in Primrose's direction as she lowered her voice. "… Did I offend your friend?"
"Not at all. She's a quiet one." Olberic chuckled as he answered. As if she sensed they were speaking of her, Primrose glanced over. For a moment, her eyes met Ophilia's before she looked away. The cleric frowned, turning to the knight.
"… Sir Olberic. Might I ask to accompany you?" She asked softly. Olberic raised an eyebrow before his eyes moved to Primrose, then back.
"I don't see why not Sister, but the Kindling..."
"The road to Saintsbridge will take me west along the roads, toward S'warkii. The road to Stillsnow lies in the same direction, does it not? Would it not be safer to travel together?" Ophilia's head tilted a little.
Olberic considered the request before he nodded his acquiescence. "So it is. I see no reason not to travel together, Sister Ophilia."
"My thanks, Sir Olberic. Truth be told I have not traveled much. Traveling together would set my heart at ease." Ophilia gave him another warm smile.
"So I see, shall we then?" He chuckled and gestured to Primrose. "Come, Primrose. Shall we go?" But she did not answer his words. Instead she started off down the road ahead of them.
Ophilia pursed her lips, but Olberic spoke first. "That is how she is, Sister Ophilia. Pray do not take offense, but she is a distant one. And we'd best catch up to her."
"Of course, Sir Olberic." She noticed that he did not correct her at all when she addressed him that way as they moved to catch up to Primrose.
"Would you care to share your story with me, Sir Olberic?" Ophilia had been content to travel in silence, but she found herself wondering about her new companions; even if their paths were destined to part and voiced her question as they continued down the road, with Primrose a few steps ahead of them.
"I'm afraid it's not much of a story. You have already determined that I am a knight." He answered, and she nodded in response. Olberic continued. "I was once one of the Twin Blades of Hornburg. Olberic Eisenberg, The Unbending Blade." This elicited a small gasp from Ophilia.
"Truly? I've heard a few stories and legends of the Unbending Blade. An honorable knight whose prowess with the blade is said to be unmatched." She had no idea she was traveling in such illustrious company.
Olberic chuckled again. "I am but a former knight, Sister. However, Hornburg fell many years ago when I failed to protect my liege." A note of sorrow crept into his voice that Ophilia picked up on. "Admittedly, it continues to haunt me. I have spent the last five years living in a small village."
"… I see. Flame watch over you Sir Olberic, for it is not your fault." A frown found it's way onto her features.
"Tis my failing. I would still be there had brigands not decided to kidnap a child from the village. To my surprise, one of the brigands bore a sword much familiar to me – the blade of Erhardt. Strongest knight of the realm. The blackheart betrayed King Alfred and slew my liege, and slaughtered his royal guard. I have since learned that Erhardt still lives, and I wish to avenge my King and Country." He sounded determined enough to her, but…
"I understand Sir Olberic, but revenge makes the world a poorer place; to take another life when much has already been lost?" She shook her head. "Of course, it is your decision, but..."
"I appreciate your counsel, Sister. I will think on it… but as you now know my story, would you share yours?" He deflected her easily, changing the subject.
She accepted it readily enough. It was fair – a story for a story. "I am the adopted daughter of the Archbishop Josef. His daughter, my adoptive sister Lianna, had been chosen for the Kindling. But our father's health as of late has been failing." Her gaze went up to the sky. "… So I sinned and obtained the Aelfric's Lanthorn without permission so that they could have more time together. I could not bear to see and hear her heart crumble and break under the burden of the Kindling, and as a daughter whose Father was ill. He gave me his blessing, and while I have not had months to prepare for it… I take solace in the fact that they will have as much time as I can give them, together." She paused. "He adopted me fifteen years ago, and Flamesgrace has been my home for all that time. I owe them both a debt I cannot repay… but I will try my best to do in spite of that."
Olberic nodded in response. "I understand duty all too well, Sister." He smiled down at her. "Your kindness is astonishing, to rise to the occasion like that."
Ophilia shook her head. "Not at all Sir Olberic. We can only be who we are. No more, no less." Her gaze shifted to their other companion. "Would you share your story, Primrose?"
Her question was only met by silence. Ophilia raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Olberic. But the knight only offered her a shrug. The silence stretched on for a few moments before Ophilia determined Primrose wasn't going to answer.
"If I may, Sir Olberic, how did you and Primrose meet?" She settled for the next best thing however.
"Ah, well… as it was, she happened upon my village, Cobbleston, as I was setting out to rescue Philip – the boy I mentioned before. While I do not know why she followed me in my haste, she came to my aid as I battled the brigands and kept them busy while I dueled their leader. She asked that our destination be Stillsnow and as I am in her debt, here we are." Ophilia considered his words for a moment or two before she answered.
"I see, pray tell what is your destination then? If mine is Saintsbridge, Primrose's is Stillsnow, yours would be…?"
"Victor's Hollow, as it is where a man who may know where Erhardt is, resides." He answered.
"I see..." Ophilia lapsed into silence as she considered what she knew about both Primrose and Olberic. She was jolted from her thoughts when he spoke up some time later.
"There's a cave here. We can stop and rest for the night. It may be dangerous to continue traveling." He indicated the moon as it was slowly ascending into the sky above them.
It was not a particularly large cave, but there was room enough for all of them. Olberic left shortly to see about scrounging up some firewood as Primrose set about laying out a circle of stones for the fire, and tending to her bedroll.
The day's travels had taken their toll on Ophilia, and she was practically asleep as she curled up in her bedroll; even before Olberic returned.
Author's Note: I was not happy with the way I tried to write this originally! Hopefully this is easier to read, and makes for a better story. As always R&R! Not sure if I should continue this.