Chapter 18
The following morning, Gilthanas arose with a new feeling of hope. He and Arlena had spoken of many things last night, but most important of all, they'd talked about their last time together and put it behind them.
He stretched, rolling out of his make-shift bed and rising to his feet with a yawn. The sun was just over the horizon, beginning to splash the landscape with hints of yellow and orange. A beautiful morning was beginning, but his keen senses could feel the promise of rain in the air. Before long today, there would be wetness to blanket the column. He grinned. It was going to be a fine day.
"A good morning to you, Elf lord."
He turned to find Arthur Wistan a few feet away. "Good day to you, Master Wistan. I trust you slept well."
"Not as well as you, my lord." The boy, who couldn't have yet seen his 20th winter, grinned shyly. "My father wishes to know if you'd joing us for the breaking of the fast. He was most impressed by you last night."
Gilthanas collected his bedroll and quickly donned his gear, "I would be honored, young master. Please, lead on."
Arthur smiled before donning his "serious" face. "We're honored to have you, Elf Lord."
Gilthanas fell in step with the young man, noting the posture and pride with which he walked. He smiled, shaking his head as he remembered being so set in his convictions, only to have them yanked away like a threadbare rug. He only hoped this young man would be spared that. "Have you been a squire long?"
Arthur nodded. "Ten years. Longer than most squires, but I'm not yet ready to take the Knight tests. My father wants me too, but," he shrugged, "I couldn't take them and pass."
"Why not?"
Arthur shot him a sidelong look, slowing his pace. "I don't have my father's skill with a blade." His admission caused a flush to spread across his cheeks. "I'm better suited to a bow or crossbow. Maybe a halberd, but not a sword."
"And a knight must be proficient with a sword?"
"Sturm Brightblade was." The tone Arthur used conveyed the awe and reverence he had for that hero of the Knighthood.
"I knew Sturm." Gilthanas' voice was soft. "But my sister, Laurana, knew him better."
"The Golden General?"
Gilthanas nodded. "You know your history. Sturm fell to the woman who had his child. It's unfortunate, however, they couldn't have been more opposite. I think his mistakes only made him stronger."
"But he could wield a sword."
Gilthanas chuckled softly. "Yes, he could, but that's because it was the only weapon he would take up other than a bow. His father's sword meant a great deal to him."
"How long did you know him?"
Gilthanas frowned. "Not long. He fell for an Elven maid and died soon there-after. My sister has long described that as one of her most painful memories. Like I said, she knew him far better than I."
"Did you know any other knights?"
"Many. And I will know many more. If you can't wield a sword, what do you use?"
Arthur hung his head. "A morning star or an axe. Neither is widely accepted among the Knights."
Their conversation died as they arrived at the boy's campsite. "Father, he agreed to break the fast with us."
Adam Wistan turned, a smile on his face. "Gilthanas! Welcome, I'm honored to have you as our guest."
"The honor is mine, Sir Wistan." The two shook hands as Arthur fetched another place for the elf lord to sit.
"I hope my boy hasn't been talking your ear off."
Gilthanas grinned. "He's very curious about the Knights I rode with. Especially Sturm Brightblade."
"Then he's come to the right source, you being sister to the Golden General and all."
Gilthanas chuckled. "Laurana never wanted that title, but I'm flattered. Arthur told me he's very concerned about being pushed into taking the Knighthood trials."
Adam frowned. "The boy would be. Can't use a sword. Maybe the trials would change that."
Gilthanas shook his head. "If he can't use one by now..."
Their conversation was interrupted as Arthur came back and Gilthanas changed the topic. "Do you have a weapon that was passed down from your father, Sir Wistan?"
Adam's proud smile was immediate. "A Dragonlance."
Gilthanas' eyebrow's rose at the unexpected response. "A real one?"
Adam nodded, his eyes sparkling. "Aye, a real one. The one he used while astride that great gold. Arthur seems to have quite the knack for jousting. He's unbeaten in the squire's trials."
Arthur turned his face to the ground in embarrassment. "A Knight can't only wield a lance."
Gilthanas chuckled. "If you knew how many Knights couldn't wield a lance, young man, you'd understand that it's not easy for everyone. The Dragonlance is especially difficult; some men can't even touch it."
Arthur looked to his father with confusion. "Is that true?"
"Aye, lad. Very true. You've a gift and you'd make a fine knight."
"Without a sword." Arthur's voice held a miserable tone as he began dishing out the morning gruel. Gilthanas and Adam took a seat nearby.
"Not every knight wields a sword. Some are horrendous with one." Gilthanas shrugged. "At least, many I knew were. Can you wield a short sword, Arthur?"
Arthur nodded. "With ease. It's the longer, heavier blade I can't seem to control."
"Yet you can wield a morning star or axe? Aren't both heavier?"
Arthur nodded. "'Tis why it doesn't make sense. My father has tried to teach me, but I am hopeless with a bastard sword!"
Gilthanas unsheathed his own blade. "Try this one." he extended it hilt first to the squire.
Arthur held up his hands in protest. "I cannot."
"Take it," Adam fairly growled the words. "It's not often one is allowed to use the weapons of the elves."
Gilthanas chuckled. "Your father is right. I want to see your stance and posture. Perhaps I can offer some pointers."
Arthur looked from one to the other before hesitantly taking the sword. He almost brought it back to his forehead as Gilthanas let got, falling over his chair and dropping the sword in the dirt.
Adam chuckled. "A little light, son?"
Arthur picked himself up, dusting off his breeches. "Lighter than I expected. I'm sorry I dropped it."
Gilthanas smiled. "Better to drop the blade than to remove your head with it. Try it again."
Arthur picked the blade up hesitantly, swinging it experimentally. "It weighs nothing."
Gilthanas watched as Adam put his son through a morning routine, accepting the morning meal with a nod as he kept his eyes on the boy. Finally, Adam and Arthur joined him, Arthur reluctantly returning the blade to its owner.
"You've a fine sword mi'lord."
Gilthanas sheathed the blade with a nod. "Elven steel is hard to match, even in these troubled times. You've a good stance, young master, however, it's not suited to an edged weapon. You leave yourself too open around the waist and shoulder. A terrible way to lose your head."
Arthur gaffed, coughing to try not to laugh. "As I've told my father many times. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Use what you're skilled at. You said yourself that you're better suited to a morning star or axe. I would suggest a morning star. Your reach favors it over the short handled axe."
Arthur glanced at his father. "But I need to be able to use a sword."
Gilthanas chuckled. "A sword yes. You said yourself that you've skill with a short blade. It may not be the greatsword of a long forgotten hero, but 'tis better to use what you know and succeed than to die for pride. It took Sturm a long time to learn that lesson."
Gilthanas' pointed remark wasn't lost on Adam or his son. Arthur nodded. "Thank you, Elf lord. I only hope some day you can speak of me as fondly as you do of Sir Brightblade."
Gilthanas inclined his head at the softly spoken remark, acknowledging the compliment. "Learn with humility and fight with honor, young master, and I've no doubt of that."
Their remaining meal was quiet, with Arthur simply listening as Adam and Gilthanas discussed the War of the Lance, before the Chaos war, and spoke of Gods and Heroes long forgotten.
The sun had fully come over the horizon by the time the Knights moved to break camp, and Gilthanas took his leave of Arthur and Adam, heading back to find his horse.
A note was attached to the horse's bridal when he arrived to saddle the creature and he frowned, retrieving the piece of parchment.
"Elf Lord,
The Green in the area searches for the Silver. Be cautious, be safe. The Blue and I are on its trail and will catch it before nightfall. Stay close; the Silver will not want to be found by this creature.
The Blue Lady."
He crumpled the paper in his fist and took a deep breath. The warning was given, it was time to show Arlena. He saddled the horse quickly before taking off to where the Silver Lady was preparing her troops. This wasn't something to be idle about and he wouldn't lose her to this creature. Not now, and not in the future. Gilthanas found he couldn't help but wonder what Kitiara would want in return for these favors. The thought was nothing short of unsettling.
The following morning, Gilthanas arose with a new feeling of hope. He and Arlena had spoken of many things last night, but most important of all, they'd talked about their last time together and put it behind them.
He stretched, rolling out of his make-shift bed and rising to his feet with a yawn. The sun was just over the horizon, beginning to splash the landscape with hints of yellow and orange. A beautiful morning was beginning, but his keen senses could feel the promise of rain in the air. Before long today, there would be wetness to blanket the column. He grinned. It was going to be a fine day.
"A good morning to you, Elf lord."
He turned to find Arthur Wistan a few feet away. "Good day to you, Master Wistan. I trust you slept well."
"Not as well as you, my lord." The boy, who couldn't have yet seen his 20th winter, grinned shyly. "My father wishes to know if you'd joing us for the breaking of the fast. He was most impressed by you last night."
Gilthanas collected his bedroll and quickly donned his gear, "I would be honored, young master. Please, lead on."
Arthur smiled before donning his "serious" face. "We're honored to have you, Elf Lord."
Gilthanas fell in step with the young man, noting the posture and pride with which he walked. He smiled, shaking his head as he remembered being so set in his convictions, only to have them yanked away like a threadbare rug. He only hoped this young man would be spared that. "Have you been a squire long?"
Arthur nodded. "Ten years. Longer than most squires, but I'm not yet ready to take the Knight tests. My father wants me too, but," he shrugged, "I couldn't take them and pass."
"Why not?"
Arthur shot him a sidelong look, slowing his pace. "I don't have my father's skill with a blade." His admission caused a flush to spread across his cheeks. "I'm better suited to a bow or crossbow. Maybe a halberd, but not a sword."
"And a knight must be proficient with a sword?"
"Sturm Brightblade was." The tone Arthur used conveyed the awe and reverence he had for that hero of the Knighthood.
"I knew Sturm." Gilthanas' voice was soft. "But my sister, Laurana, knew him better."
"The Golden General?"
Gilthanas nodded. "You know your history. Sturm fell to the woman who had his child. It's unfortunate, however, they couldn't have been more opposite. I think his mistakes only made him stronger."
"But he could wield a sword."
Gilthanas chuckled softly. "Yes, he could, but that's because it was the only weapon he would take up other than a bow. His father's sword meant a great deal to him."
"How long did you know him?"
Gilthanas frowned. "Not long. He fell for an Elven maid and died soon there-after. My sister has long described that as one of her most painful memories. Like I said, she knew him far better than I."
"Did you know any other knights?"
"Many. And I will know many more. If you can't wield a sword, what do you use?"
Arthur hung his head. "A morning star or an axe. Neither is widely accepted among the Knights."
Their conversation died as they arrived at the boy's campsite. "Father, he agreed to break the fast with us."
Adam Wistan turned, a smile on his face. "Gilthanas! Welcome, I'm honored to have you as our guest."
"The honor is mine, Sir Wistan." The two shook hands as Arthur fetched another place for the elf lord to sit.
"I hope my boy hasn't been talking your ear off."
Gilthanas grinned. "He's very curious about the Knights I rode with. Especially Sturm Brightblade."
"Then he's come to the right source, you being sister to the Golden General and all."
Gilthanas chuckled. "Laurana never wanted that title, but I'm flattered. Arthur told me he's very concerned about being pushed into taking the Knighthood trials."
Adam frowned. "The boy would be. Can't use a sword. Maybe the trials would change that."
Gilthanas shook his head. "If he can't use one by now..."
Their conversation was interrupted as Arthur came back and Gilthanas changed the topic. "Do you have a weapon that was passed down from your father, Sir Wistan?"
Adam's proud smile was immediate. "A Dragonlance."
Gilthanas' eyebrow's rose at the unexpected response. "A real one?"
Adam nodded, his eyes sparkling. "Aye, a real one. The one he used while astride that great gold. Arthur seems to have quite the knack for jousting. He's unbeaten in the squire's trials."
Arthur turned his face to the ground in embarrassment. "A Knight can't only wield a lance."
Gilthanas chuckled. "If you knew how many Knights couldn't wield a lance, young man, you'd understand that it's not easy for everyone. The Dragonlance is especially difficult; some men can't even touch it."
Arthur looked to his father with confusion. "Is that true?"
"Aye, lad. Very true. You've a gift and you'd make a fine knight."
"Without a sword." Arthur's voice held a miserable tone as he began dishing out the morning gruel. Gilthanas and Adam took a seat nearby.
"Not every knight wields a sword. Some are horrendous with one." Gilthanas shrugged. "At least, many I knew were. Can you wield a short sword, Arthur?"
Arthur nodded. "With ease. It's the longer, heavier blade I can't seem to control."
"Yet you can wield a morning star or axe? Aren't both heavier?"
Arthur nodded. "'Tis why it doesn't make sense. My father has tried to teach me, but I am hopeless with a bastard sword!"
Gilthanas unsheathed his own blade. "Try this one." he extended it hilt first to the squire.
Arthur held up his hands in protest. "I cannot."
"Take it," Adam fairly growled the words. "It's not often one is allowed to use the weapons of the elves."
Gilthanas chuckled. "Your father is right. I want to see your stance and posture. Perhaps I can offer some pointers."
Arthur looked from one to the other before hesitantly taking the sword. He almost brought it back to his forehead as Gilthanas let got, falling over his chair and dropping the sword in the dirt.
Adam chuckled. "A little light, son?"
Arthur picked himself up, dusting off his breeches. "Lighter than I expected. I'm sorry I dropped it."
Gilthanas smiled. "Better to drop the blade than to remove your head with it. Try it again."
Arthur picked the blade up hesitantly, swinging it experimentally. "It weighs nothing."
Gilthanas watched as Adam put his son through a morning routine, accepting the morning meal with a nod as he kept his eyes on the boy. Finally, Adam and Arthur joined him, Arthur reluctantly returning the blade to its owner.
"You've a fine sword mi'lord."
Gilthanas sheathed the blade with a nod. "Elven steel is hard to match, even in these troubled times. You've a good stance, young master, however, it's not suited to an edged weapon. You leave yourself too open around the waist and shoulder. A terrible way to lose your head."
Arthur gaffed, coughing to try not to laugh. "As I've told my father many times. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Use what you're skilled at. You said yourself that you're better suited to a morning star or axe. I would suggest a morning star. Your reach favors it over the short handled axe."
Arthur glanced at his father. "But I need to be able to use a sword."
Gilthanas chuckled. "A sword yes. You said yourself that you've skill with a short blade. It may not be the greatsword of a long forgotten hero, but 'tis better to use what you know and succeed than to die for pride. It took Sturm a long time to learn that lesson."
Gilthanas' pointed remark wasn't lost on Adam or his son. Arthur nodded. "Thank you, Elf lord. I only hope some day you can speak of me as fondly as you do of Sir Brightblade."
Gilthanas inclined his head at the softly spoken remark, acknowledging the compliment. "Learn with humility and fight with honor, young master, and I've no doubt of that."
Their remaining meal was quiet, with Arthur simply listening as Adam and Gilthanas discussed the War of the Lance, before the Chaos war, and spoke of Gods and Heroes long forgotten.
The sun had fully come over the horizon by the time the Knights moved to break camp, and Gilthanas took his leave of Arthur and Adam, heading back to find his horse.
A note was attached to the horse's bridal when he arrived to saddle the creature and he frowned, retrieving the piece of parchment.
"Elf Lord,
The Green in the area searches for the Silver. Be cautious, be safe. The Blue and I are on its trail and will catch it before nightfall. Stay close; the Silver will not want to be found by this creature.
The Blue Lady."
He crumpled the paper in his fist and took a deep breath. The warning was given, it was time to show Arlena. He saddled the horse quickly before taking off to where the Silver Lady was preparing her troops. This wasn't something to be idle about and he wouldn't lose her to this creature. Not now, and not in the future. Gilthanas found he couldn't help but wonder what Kitiara would want in return for these favors. The thought was nothing short of unsettling.