Chapter IV: The Wolf and Angel
A few days have passed before Devlin and Cleo left Prontera. Cleo's uncle, Sir Stefan, was a little hesitant about letting his niece go on any type of adventure for the moment but later reconsidered after he saw how much better she was doing in the company of the young knight he recently recruited. Indeed he was talented; to slay all of the Orcs was no ordinary feat for any newly recruited knight. He was so grateful to this young man for doing everything he could to try to save his niece that he held a small feast for him in his Pronteran home.
The festivities were meant to celebrate his niece's recovery and this young man's valor. It was a simple affair that was basically a large dinner- party with the Knights of Prontera joining them for the evening. To the old knight's knowledge, the others have already gotten word of this boy's accomplishment. In fact, that very morning some left for the Orc Village to see for themselves what really happened. It went without saying that when they returned there was little doubt in their minds of Devlin's potential. "He would be great one day," one of the elder knights remarked. "Look at what he's been able to accomplish so early in life. Great things will only follow."
Devlin was waiting for Cleo at the entrance of the Sanctuary as he was musing over what the other knights had said last night in the party. It was starting to look like that the old man was right after all, he would have his destiny. What ever happened to him anyway? But that was not important now. He was planning their route as he waited. Cleo was checking through her things. She never strayed further than the Izlude fields while she was training. Now it was different, she would be traveling around the world never knowing where she would end up next or when she'll next be home.
They left through the Southern Gate of the city. They were headed for Izlude at Devlin's request. He needed to take care of a few things before they left. As they arrived, Devlin told her he needed to visit his parents' graves for only a little while then, they would be off. They both arrived at a little corner in Izlude where some swordsmen helped the young Devlin burry his parents.
Devlin wanted to pay his respects by visiting them only after he has made something out of his life. As of now he wasn't a knight that everybody heard about in legends, but he was building his own legend although he never really gave it much thought at that time. He also wanted his parents to know he finally had a friend, his first friend. He carefully laid down some flowers he picked from the park just to the west of Prontera. They weren't anything special but they were beautiful enough to offer his parents.
"Father, mother," Devlin began, "I want you to meet Cleo. She's my friend, my very first friend. I came here to introduce her to you. We'll be traveling for a while so I don't really know when I might be able to return, or if I'll even be able to return. That's why I wanted to talk to you before we left. In case I never get this chance again..." Devlin broke off and fell silent. He whispered to himself, "Mother, I really think the both of you are very similar. I think you would have gotten along if you were still alive. She's really been nice to me. Don't worry; I won't let her die because of my weakness. I'll be strong to protect her. I really hope she's like you..."
Devlin put his hands together in a gesture that meant he was praying. Cleo did the same, she prayed for the souls of his unfortunate parents very sincerely. Although she had not heard most of what Devlin said she felt a closeness to him that she liked. She was no where near the solution to the mystery of his personality, but she felt she understood him more than ever.
"Let's go," Devlin said with a smile on his face. "Let's start you off with some Elder Willows. Then we'll see what happens from there."
They quickly left for the Elder Willow forest to the southwest of Izlude after Devlin paid his respects to his parents. Devlin wanted to see how well she fought, from there he could asses where they needed to go next for her to quickly improve. They would probably have to go to the pyramids, but he needed to make sure Cleo could handle the undead there.
As they got to the center of the forest Devlin sat down on a tree stump beside a small pond. Cleo was looking at him in a very curious way. She had no idea what was supposed to happen next. "What are you doing?" she asked. "I though you were going to check my proficiency in battle, so why are you sitting there?"
"I'll watch," he answered reassuringly. "I'll be right here to save you when you're in trouble. Don't worry about it."
Devlin didn't look worried, this eased her mind a little, but she was an acolyte. She knew so little about the art of fighting. What was she supposed to do? The monsters here were way beyond her.
She shrugged, and then finally decided to attack an Elder Willow. She was hardly able to attack it; she was mostly running all over the place trying to avoid its attacks. Every time she was not fast enough to dodge its attack she would fall and fall hard. Healing herself was just a waste of time; the Elder Willow was really quick and strong. Its powerful attacks were starting to wear her down.
She thought of how much pain she's inflicted on it, but then quickly realized that any injury she might have caused would have not bothered it by now because her attacks weren't consistent. She knew no magic to cause it any damage, and she was quickly losing her strength. As she was about to execute her final attack, one that would do her more pain than the enemy, the Elder Willow was split in half. Devlin has finally intervened.
"For you to last this long was great," Devlin said quite impressed. "You're one tough acolyte! The pyramids would not be a problem, you know enough about close-quarter combat to keep yourself alive that long. Very impressive for an acolyte."
She looked at him and finally realized he was indirectly complementing her uncle for doing a good job in teaching her about self- defense. "I am the niece of the great Stefan. It would have been impossible for me not to learn anything from him throughout the years we've been together." She, too, was proud; she never knew how well she could fight until today.
Devlin had an excellent judge of character. He knew Cleo would not ask for help, and he also knew she was unaware of what she was really capable off. He was proving to be a good mentor. He knew the steps and precautions he had to take before he would even let her fight a monster. Every battle was a subconsciously calculated stepping stone directed at her improvement. Before long, he knew, she would be a very powerful priestess, but until that day comes he has to make sure she returns home a better acolyte every single time.
Devlin decided to remain in the Willow Forest a few days longer; she was greatly improving her technique. But the fact sill remained that she was an acolyte, thereby ill equipping her for vendettas against Elder Willows. He pondered over armor; maybe if he bought her some better equipment she could kill an Elder Willow by herself. He told her he would head back to Izlude very quickly and buy something that might help. Devlin told her to pick red mushrooms by the ponds or join a party while he was away.
During the last couple of minutes Devlin spent talking to her a wizard and an assassin took notice of her. How could they not notice her? She was beautiful. They waited to see if Devlin had left and finally approached her once they were sure he was out of the way.
"Could you join our party?" asked the wizard in a friendly voice. "We really need a healer..."
"Sure," she answered. Cleo didn't think much about this because it would serve as valuable training for her. After a couple of battles, they were continually getting further and further from the center of the forest. It was less crowded in these parts; plenty of privacy. Once both men were sure no one was close by, they cornered her by a huge tree.
"You know, for an acolyte who supposedly serves God, you really are tempting," the assassin said.
The wizard grunted his agreement and said, "Could you join us tonight in Prontera? I promise you it'll be fun. A few drinks, and maybe we could keep each other company for the night talking about stuff."
Both men were slowly making their advances and Cleo started to feel cornered. Although she was improving her close-quarter combat skills, she could never bring herself to harm another human. That was what Devlin was worried about. During the time they've spent together, it immediately became clear to him she could never bring herself to harm her fellow man. Devlin quickly guessed this was the reason she became an acolyte. It was a terrible combination, beauty and vulnerability.
Cleo was getting worried; no one seemed to be in this part of the forest. She knew what these two wanted, it was so typical. What really annoyed her was the fact that they wanted to do it to her, a servant of God. Not only was this a grave sin, but it also showed how little they feared and respected Him.
As the wizard grabbed her wrist, she saw a shadowy figure from behind them headed straight for the wizard. The leaves of the nearby tress rustled, but it was the fatal error these two men made. They did not recognize this rustle for what it truly was; the precursor of an attack that was delivered as swiftly as the wind. Devlin slashed through the wizard's flapping cloak and dealt him a mortal wound on his right arm. The assassin was taken by surprise by the ferocity and force of this attack. By reflex, he jumped back as Devlin started to stand up straight.
He recognized this knight. It was him, the knight that accompanied Cleo just before they decided to lure her into their trap. He looked so much different now, although he had not yet said a word he carried a force that really alarmed him. This knight had the ferocity of an animal, a wild beast out of control. He noticed him looking at the wizard; he took a quick glance, not daring to let his guard down before this wolf.
The wizard was bleeding profusely. His cloak was quickly soaking up the overflowing blood. He was lucky he didn't lose his arm altogether. Devlin was staring at him, he knew the wound was mortal, but it wouldn't kill him. He did not dare chop a man's arm off in the presence of Cleo. The wizard was wailing out of the pain and clutching his wrist, at the same time tears started to pour from his eyes.
Devlin struck the wizard out of his fierce protective affection for Cleo. It was the protectiveness an older brother had toward a younger sister. It angered him that these poor excuses for men were trying to taint his "sister." To dishonor her, knowing full well she was a child of God. It was an outrage, yet even after that he was not angry. He did not threaten them or show any signs of anger. His presence merely radiated his feelings, and to stare directly into his eyes was like staring directly at Death with the knowledge He is after you.
When Devlin finally spoke, the assassin truly felt fear; he did not know what would happen to him. Devlin ordered them to leave and never to bother them again. His wishes were quickly followed. The assassin did not think it was worth losing his life for merely a night's pleasure. They left humiliated, and became the subject of more rumors about the Fierce Knight.
A few days have passed before Devlin and Cleo left Prontera. Cleo's uncle, Sir Stefan, was a little hesitant about letting his niece go on any type of adventure for the moment but later reconsidered after he saw how much better she was doing in the company of the young knight he recently recruited. Indeed he was talented; to slay all of the Orcs was no ordinary feat for any newly recruited knight. He was so grateful to this young man for doing everything he could to try to save his niece that he held a small feast for him in his Pronteran home.
The festivities were meant to celebrate his niece's recovery and this young man's valor. It was a simple affair that was basically a large dinner- party with the Knights of Prontera joining them for the evening. To the old knight's knowledge, the others have already gotten word of this boy's accomplishment. In fact, that very morning some left for the Orc Village to see for themselves what really happened. It went without saying that when they returned there was little doubt in their minds of Devlin's potential. "He would be great one day," one of the elder knights remarked. "Look at what he's been able to accomplish so early in life. Great things will only follow."
Devlin was waiting for Cleo at the entrance of the Sanctuary as he was musing over what the other knights had said last night in the party. It was starting to look like that the old man was right after all, he would have his destiny. What ever happened to him anyway? But that was not important now. He was planning their route as he waited. Cleo was checking through her things. She never strayed further than the Izlude fields while she was training. Now it was different, she would be traveling around the world never knowing where she would end up next or when she'll next be home.
They left through the Southern Gate of the city. They were headed for Izlude at Devlin's request. He needed to take care of a few things before they left. As they arrived, Devlin told her he needed to visit his parents' graves for only a little while then, they would be off. They both arrived at a little corner in Izlude where some swordsmen helped the young Devlin burry his parents.
Devlin wanted to pay his respects by visiting them only after he has made something out of his life. As of now he wasn't a knight that everybody heard about in legends, but he was building his own legend although he never really gave it much thought at that time. He also wanted his parents to know he finally had a friend, his first friend. He carefully laid down some flowers he picked from the park just to the west of Prontera. They weren't anything special but they were beautiful enough to offer his parents.
"Father, mother," Devlin began, "I want you to meet Cleo. She's my friend, my very first friend. I came here to introduce her to you. We'll be traveling for a while so I don't really know when I might be able to return, or if I'll even be able to return. That's why I wanted to talk to you before we left. In case I never get this chance again..." Devlin broke off and fell silent. He whispered to himself, "Mother, I really think the both of you are very similar. I think you would have gotten along if you were still alive. She's really been nice to me. Don't worry; I won't let her die because of my weakness. I'll be strong to protect her. I really hope she's like you..."
Devlin put his hands together in a gesture that meant he was praying. Cleo did the same, she prayed for the souls of his unfortunate parents very sincerely. Although she had not heard most of what Devlin said she felt a closeness to him that she liked. She was no where near the solution to the mystery of his personality, but she felt she understood him more than ever.
"Let's go," Devlin said with a smile on his face. "Let's start you off with some Elder Willows. Then we'll see what happens from there."
They quickly left for the Elder Willow forest to the southwest of Izlude after Devlin paid his respects to his parents. Devlin wanted to see how well she fought, from there he could asses where they needed to go next for her to quickly improve. They would probably have to go to the pyramids, but he needed to make sure Cleo could handle the undead there.
As they got to the center of the forest Devlin sat down on a tree stump beside a small pond. Cleo was looking at him in a very curious way. She had no idea what was supposed to happen next. "What are you doing?" she asked. "I though you were going to check my proficiency in battle, so why are you sitting there?"
"I'll watch," he answered reassuringly. "I'll be right here to save you when you're in trouble. Don't worry about it."
Devlin didn't look worried, this eased her mind a little, but she was an acolyte. She knew so little about the art of fighting. What was she supposed to do? The monsters here were way beyond her.
She shrugged, and then finally decided to attack an Elder Willow. She was hardly able to attack it; she was mostly running all over the place trying to avoid its attacks. Every time she was not fast enough to dodge its attack she would fall and fall hard. Healing herself was just a waste of time; the Elder Willow was really quick and strong. Its powerful attacks were starting to wear her down.
She thought of how much pain she's inflicted on it, but then quickly realized that any injury she might have caused would have not bothered it by now because her attacks weren't consistent. She knew no magic to cause it any damage, and she was quickly losing her strength. As she was about to execute her final attack, one that would do her more pain than the enemy, the Elder Willow was split in half. Devlin has finally intervened.
"For you to last this long was great," Devlin said quite impressed. "You're one tough acolyte! The pyramids would not be a problem, you know enough about close-quarter combat to keep yourself alive that long. Very impressive for an acolyte."
She looked at him and finally realized he was indirectly complementing her uncle for doing a good job in teaching her about self- defense. "I am the niece of the great Stefan. It would have been impossible for me not to learn anything from him throughout the years we've been together." She, too, was proud; she never knew how well she could fight until today.
Devlin had an excellent judge of character. He knew Cleo would not ask for help, and he also knew she was unaware of what she was really capable off. He was proving to be a good mentor. He knew the steps and precautions he had to take before he would even let her fight a monster. Every battle was a subconsciously calculated stepping stone directed at her improvement. Before long, he knew, she would be a very powerful priestess, but until that day comes he has to make sure she returns home a better acolyte every single time.
Devlin decided to remain in the Willow Forest a few days longer; she was greatly improving her technique. But the fact sill remained that she was an acolyte, thereby ill equipping her for vendettas against Elder Willows. He pondered over armor; maybe if he bought her some better equipment she could kill an Elder Willow by herself. He told her he would head back to Izlude very quickly and buy something that might help. Devlin told her to pick red mushrooms by the ponds or join a party while he was away.
During the last couple of minutes Devlin spent talking to her a wizard and an assassin took notice of her. How could they not notice her? She was beautiful. They waited to see if Devlin had left and finally approached her once they were sure he was out of the way.
"Could you join our party?" asked the wizard in a friendly voice. "We really need a healer..."
"Sure," she answered. Cleo didn't think much about this because it would serve as valuable training for her. After a couple of battles, they were continually getting further and further from the center of the forest. It was less crowded in these parts; plenty of privacy. Once both men were sure no one was close by, they cornered her by a huge tree.
"You know, for an acolyte who supposedly serves God, you really are tempting," the assassin said.
The wizard grunted his agreement and said, "Could you join us tonight in Prontera? I promise you it'll be fun. A few drinks, and maybe we could keep each other company for the night talking about stuff."
Both men were slowly making their advances and Cleo started to feel cornered. Although she was improving her close-quarter combat skills, she could never bring herself to harm another human. That was what Devlin was worried about. During the time they've spent together, it immediately became clear to him she could never bring herself to harm her fellow man. Devlin quickly guessed this was the reason she became an acolyte. It was a terrible combination, beauty and vulnerability.
Cleo was getting worried; no one seemed to be in this part of the forest. She knew what these two wanted, it was so typical. What really annoyed her was the fact that they wanted to do it to her, a servant of God. Not only was this a grave sin, but it also showed how little they feared and respected Him.
As the wizard grabbed her wrist, she saw a shadowy figure from behind them headed straight for the wizard. The leaves of the nearby tress rustled, but it was the fatal error these two men made. They did not recognize this rustle for what it truly was; the precursor of an attack that was delivered as swiftly as the wind. Devlin slashed through the wizard's flapping cloak and dealt him a mortal wound on his right arm. The assassin was taken by surprise by the ferocity and force of this attack. By reflex, he jumped back as Devlin started to stand up straight.
He recognized this knight. It was him, the knight that accompanied Cleo just before they decided to lure her into their trap. He looked so much different now, although he had not yet said a word he carried a force that really alarmed him. This knight had the ferocity of an animal, a wild beast out of control. He noticed him looking at the wizard; he took a quick glance, not daring to let his guard down before this wolf.
The wizard was bleeding profusely. His cloak was quickly soaking up the overflowing blood. He was lucky he didn't lose his arm altogether. Devlin was staring at him, he knew the wound was mortal, but it wouldn't kill him. He did not dare chop a man's arm off in the presence of Cleo. The wizard was wailing out of the pain and clutching his wrist, at the same time tears started to pour from his eyes.
Devlin struck the wizard out of his fierce protective affection for Cleo. It was the protectiveness an older brother had toward a younger sister. It angered him that these poor excuses for men were trying to taint his "sister." To dishonor her, knowing full well she was a child of God. It was an outrage, yet even after that he was not angry. He did not threaten them or show any signs of anger. His presence merely radiated his feelings, and to stare directly into his eyes was like staring directly at Death with the knowledge He is after you.
When Devlin finally spoke, the assassin truly felt fear; he did not know what would happen to him. Devlin ordered them to leave and never to bother them again. His wishes were quickly followed. The assassin did not think it was worth losing his life for merely a night's pleasure. They left humiliated, and became the subject of more rumors about the Fierce Knight.