Author's Notes
All right, I'm finally updating again. This chapter was slow going with little time to go in. Added to that was the fact that I polished chapter 8 up some, not being entirely happy with it (not that I am now, but I am more so). Just changing the inconsistencies that arose from starting with one version and switching it during the chapter. Adding bits and pieces mainly to the encounter with Gades and the talk with Cai.
I also changed a small part in chapter 7 (about 12 paragraphs from the bottom, I think), talking about Parcelyte armor (for Selan and her knights) and Guy's armor.
No promises on not polishing up chapter 9, if the mood hits me right, because it's one of my least favorites. Got any ideas on how...just let me know.
UPDATE: I redid the very ending, adding the scene to tell why Prince Alex will be in the Labyrinth, and to briefly show Dekar's obedience but not whole acceptance of the King's ways.
Chapter Nine:
On the Trail
Two days later Selan found herself before King Airin in his throne room once again. She reported everything that had happened to the King, visibly (but only slightly) upset with herself and the outcome of their encounter with Gades. The King was, of course, glad to hear of everyone's safety, while he was sad (as a friend would be) at Bryen's loss of his arm. Truly Bryen would be honored for his sacrifice for his country.
"Hmm...it is hard to believe that that one villain destroyed Gordovan, but by your account of the encounter with him, he sure does seem powerful enough," the King offered upon hearing the end of Selan's tale.
"I take full responsibility for the failure of our mission, my Lord. I underestimated our opponent and overestimated my own ability..."
But the King cut her off before she could continue. "You know I'm not going to believe that, my dear Selan. It simply is not true. We all underestimated this Gades. We must not focus on how we failed, though. We can only grow by learning from this attempt. We still have to do something about this character.
"Perhaps he will not come back here to my country, but he is out somewhere and there is always that chance. I don't think we can just sit back."
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Meanwhile Maxim, Guy, and Tia were together having dinner with Cai the Priest and a few other Gordovanians. They were enjoying a pasta dish with a zesty red sauce by special preparation of the King's cooks. A courtesy not offered to commoners in many countries, but like I said King Airin was of a different sort.
As usual, Guy was speaking (or probably embellishing) to some of the Gordovan townsfolk about his fighting exploits. Then he turned his attention to the other side of the table. "Have you ever fought, Priest?" Guy asked their new acquaintance.
After swallowing his bite Cai responded with a smile, "I was married once."
Returning a thin smile, Guy continued, "I meant with a sword and a shield. Fighting against someone who would show you no mercy."
After a quick silence the Priest answered again, "You don't know too many married folk, do you Sir Guy?" Laughter broke from the mouths of all present, like water breaks from its dam that has enslaved it for so long. Fear and heartbreak had dammed up the laughter from these faces until now. Cai saw at that point a great encouragement in his 'children.' Too quickly, though, thoughts were turned towards wives and husbands and friends who were lost.
After the laughter subsided, Cai continued, "actually, Sir Guy, I have held my share of swords. And I have been the one to not show mercy on too many occasions."
Then a thin, yet fit, young gentleman known for being against war in all respects, and answering to the name of Shaun, spoke up. "What I do not get...besides the needless loss of life and destruction that accompanies men of war...is how it never seems to accomplish its stated purpose. I'm not talking about the propaganda from the side of aggression, which all civilized men, as I think most of us here are, know is nonsense.
"How can the killing and destruction of those we call enemies put an end to the death and destruction we claim to be combating? The cycle will never end in that way. Even if this side wins the war, they have only served to perpetuate a further deepening of distrust, hatred, and violence.
"Those who make wars don't care. Those who actually do the fighting don't recognize this. The Big Picture is missed." As the man finished his short speech he looked in Guy's direction.
"I see that you would have the whole race of men become women and talk over dinner," one who now stood by Guy's side shouted. This was followed by hearty laughter from those of the soldier's camp.
"Perhaps too often we mix the two up. We fight when we could be eating together, and we grow fat instead of fighting. But let us not worry about such things now for it is surely a time to be drinking and feasting. The King has filled more mugs with his very own Cider, and I shall not disappoint its purpose," Cai responded.
The conversation had seemed like it was on the cusp of turning quite quarrelsome, but Cai was quick enough to react, calming both sides of the debate as they began to form. Guy was definitely heated from Shaun's comments, but soon forgot his words, sat back down, and drank a bit more cider than perhaps he should have.
As drinks were passed around and quite sloppily consumed, a court messenger delivered a sealed note to Guy, standing behind him as he read it. While Guy began to read the note Cai leaned over to Maxim and Guy and said, "It's the Cause, my good men, that makes all the difference in the world."
Soon, as laughter again filled the halls, Guy's attention was drawn intently on the letter before him. He soon found out that his sister's condition had worsened quite unexpectedly and dramatically. The messenger offered the King's condolences and any assistance Guy would seek.
Upon talking briefly with Maxim and Tia concerning this it was decided that the only thing Guy could do was to return to Tanbel. He was torn between concern for his only sister, and his devotion to the Cause they were on, much like Cai had just recently talked about, but Maxim and Tia would not allow Guy to remain with them under these circumstances. Neither would Guy's heart.
Tia, herself, much desired to be at Hilda's side, much more than she desired to be on this journey, if it had not been for Maxim's presence.
As quickly as Guy was able to load his horse, he was on his way back to Tanbel, galloping wildly upon his steed. Tia retired for a short nap, while Maxim sought out the priest named Cai.
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A few hours later Selan found Maxim and Tia in one of the great halls of the Castle at Parcelyte, amidst ravishing woven tapestries of rich colors that spoke of the warmth of the city's sea air. She came to escort them to the King, who wished to offer his thanks once again for their deeds.
As they walked to the Receiving Throne Selan questioned Guy's sudden departure. She had not even heard of Guy's sister's bad health, but understood Guy's actions even though she had no sibling of her own. Soon they reached the King, who lavished his praises upon them for their bravery, especially honoring Tia for the care she took of Sir Bryen.
After this was done, the King turned the conversation towards what Maxim and Tia were going to do next. Tia waited for Maxim to answer, saying nothing.
"You know," Maxim started, "after our fight with Gades I've doubted again whether I can actually do what I have set out upon. To that day I was journeying not knowing what lay ahead, nor the true extent of the power I would be up against.
"I always felt it would become more clear, but it has far exceeded by expectations. I have now come face to face with at least part of what this evil is that is befalling us. And I doubt my strength to match it. I even doubt any combination of human strength to match it.
"These past hours have weighed heavily upon my soul, and so I sought out Cai. I've never been a religious man, and I usually feel uncomfortable around religious types, but there is something different about Cai." The women gave their acknowledgement to that.
"He has offered many words that seem like wisdom to me. And so, having so recently doubted my resolve, I have determined to go on. Now that I have come face to face with a truth of what this quest I am on really is;" (of course, that truth would deepen in the time to come) "I know now more than ever my place in it. Even if it is doomed to failure, my lot has been cast with it until one of our ends.
"I am ready to begin the hunt again. I have asked Tia again, whether she would desire to stay upon this course with me, and she has decided to. So, I guess we will be off to the North once again. We shall travel to Bound Kingdom and hopefully learn something of Gades there. What is King Airin and his country going to do, my Lord?"
"Upon counseling with Commander Selan here, in spite of certain reservations, we have come to the conclusion that we, too, shall investigate this matter further. Selan will head up a company to do so."
"With all due respect, my Lord, I fail to see that Commander Selan's knights should be given such a task." Noticing Selan about to burst from insult he added, "I do not see how you can stretch your forces out so thin. Parcelyte still may be in need of protection and Gordovan needs to be reclaimed."
Maxim had had this thought growing in his mind over the past few hours and days. Iris had sensed something within Selan that might be called upon for the battle he sought. He had sensed it, too over the past week as he came to know her more.
Before Selan could respond the King motioned for her to settle down. "I assure you that this decision is out of necessity and I would gladly welcome a better option."
"And I would offer that to you, my Lord," Maxim said.
Not able to hold it in any longer Selan burst out sarcastically with, "And whatever may that be Maxim?"
"I would ask that we be allowed to accompany Commander Selan once again to investigate Gades further. We could assist her well and thereby serve Parcelyte better. We also admire her skills and would benefit greatly from her ourselves. We both seek the same thing, so it makes sense to me that this plan would be the best." With those last words he bowed low before both King Airin and in Selan's direction.
"My knights are more than capable for this task; nor would our defenses be stretched thin enough to break at any point." Selan's pride was rearing its head once again.
"You know as well as I do, Commander Selan, that your knights just aren't prepared for such a task. They are very young in their skills, whatever their potential may be. I am concerned for this kingdom, as well as worried for your troops. That is what drives what I am saying, not mere insults," came Maxim's impassioned words.
Then he turned to address the King once again, regaining his lost composure. "What does Your Majesty think now that this option has been given?"
This plan delighted King Airin's ears and despite protestations from Selan he thought it to be the best plan as well. "We will forever be indebted to you for your service Maxim and Tia. That sounds very good indeed. I shall entrust you to investigate Gades with both Maxim and Tia, Selan."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With that the discussion was over, as each party departed for their own quarters, with Selan saying nothing more to Maxim. An order from her King was given and she would question it openly no longer. Anger (gradually more at herself than at Maxim) dominated Selan's waking night. Concern over how his own words were taken by the Commander conquered Maxim's own thoughts. He was usually not this mindful of another's perception of him, nor did he usually lose his emotions in speech.
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The next day Maxim, Selan, and Tia left to further investigate the being who called himself the Sinistral of Destruction. Selan, once again, wore the native armour showing her devotion to her King. But she also had a gift for Maxim and Tia, for the King offered them suits of armour, as well as a sword for Tia to use, although family crests would not be available for their shields, which were simple brown in color. These were gladly welcomed and soon changed into, since none of them knew what awaited them nor when it would meet them.
Maxim had expected Selan to be silent and bitter after yesterday's comments, but she was not even downcast. She was actually quite the opposite and it pleased him greatly.
Soon into the travels Selan brought the issue up. "There is something I think we need to get out into the open from the beginning."
"Yes?" Maxim said.
"If there is any thought within either of you that I am simply coming along this mission because the King has ordered me to, dismiss it now as false. I'll admit that I was not at first happy with your words last night Maxim, but I've had more time now to truly consider them.
"I have spent plenty of time lately in thought" (Maxim could identify with this) "and have taken into account many words and counsel from those I deeply trust," she said, referring to the King and her Aunt Tejal. "I, too, must find out what the words spoken by the lady you named Iris mean, if anything, in my life." Here her humility was finally coming out, winning a small victory over her pride. But still, her pride took a parting shot. "Besides, I just can't let Gades best me and do nothing about it. I have my pride, you know." Laughter again formed from their three mouths.
"So you think you can beat Gades, do you, Commander Selan?" Maxim asked, slightly sarcastic.
"It's true that the power we saw and still feel" (here she grabbed her arm that was deeply bruised beneath her shining armour) "was awesome, but if I could actually face him, more prepared this time, sword to sword, I think it's possible. I believe you feel the same way, do you not, Maxim?"
"Yes, I do," Maxim said, inspired by Selan's very short speech.
"That's why I feel at peace in accompanying both you and Tia."
"So you trust us more now?" Tia asked, speaking for the first time in awhile.
"Well, yeah, but not completely, no," Selan laughed.
"Whew, you're a tough one, Commander Selan, aren't you?"
"You can call me Selan...both of you can," Selan offered. "Plus you are the one leading this mission."
"But I am no knight and you are a Commander. It is only fitting that I should be placed underneath your authority for this mission which is requested by your very own King."
"Sometimes character is not bestowed the title it deserves, Maxim. And sometimes a title is given when it is not earned. The concern you showed for my knights yesterday speaks a lot to your leadership skills. I have never thought of anyone's knights but my own. It may do me some good to follow your lead upon this journey. For I am still young, with plenty to learn, no matter that you are but a year older."
And so, it was decided that whenever the occasion arises that ultimate decisions would rest upon Maxim's will. Talk was scattered throughout the upcoming days of travel. Talk that Tia didn't always enjoy hearing, as she began to grow quite jealous of her perceived notions of Maxim and Selan's budding relationship.
It was three days back to the former sight of Gordovan, then two days further west to the small village of Merix. Here they heard whispered stories of a dark man going further up north towards Bound Kingdom followed by an almost equally dark lady traveler. They heard even more concerning the emergence of beasts out of fairy tales.
From here it was another four days' journey to the kingdom of Bound. The inhabitants were relieved to have them leaving quickly. Too many strange things had been occurring lately, and they felt a dangerous power was at work amongst our travelers as well. Soon Maxim, Selan, and Tia would be whispered stories to passerbys as well.
This last leg of their journey took them over grassland, across two rivers, along the western coast of the continent through a forest of mostly cedar, then rocky grasslands, eventually to a more desert-like, yet not completely barren terrain.
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The Kingdom of Bound was quite a bit different than either kingdom Maxim and Tia had yet visited. Selan had been to Bound before, as well as a few other neighboring kingdoms, so she took less of an account of things upon their entering.
Bound was a vast, completely fortified city, and of course, the center of the whole realm of Bound Kingdom. This stretched the whole northern third of the Seim Continent.
So, as they approached the fortification, they came upon towering walls of gray stone with lookout towers every so often along it. Only lately, with news of the destruction of Gordovan and raising levels of superstition, did Bound even raise its defenses, closing the gates to the city.
Nothing seemed impressive about the city yet, but something curious was happening. Apparently an incident had been going on for some time, and it was just now finishing to unfold before them. Five creatures of an origin that they could not make out were lying motionless upon the ground.
"This baby there was what I call the Blast master, and obviously your friends could not handle it," an armored knight said as he stood amidst the five fallen creatures. Maxim could now see that they were orcs, with which he had very few dealings with in his career as a tracker. He didn't quite care for their race.
The knight wore armour of dark blue, near black, which was trimmed with pitch black. His shield was of the same color with a red circle centering it. A dark red, almost mauve cloak he also wore over this. On his head dark blue hair spiked out in all directions, with one spear of red flashing down its length. He was an imposing sight for an opponent to face.
"Don't think you will get away with this, Dekar! You will pay with your life!" the warrior opposite him called out. Maxim noticed a black wolf on an orange background upon his person.
"Pay, huh?" the first knight called back. "Pay is something you do when you buy something. You have nothing I want."
"Pest! I forgot how easily idioms are lost on you," the apparent foreigner smirked. "We will meet again, and I swear that you will fall." The next instant the man was gone, theoretically by the same method Maxim, Tia, and Selan had recently been introduced to that they still did not understand at all, some sort of teleportation.
"What was he so mad about?" the blue and red knight said to another armoured knight atop the city wall. Laughter followed his words. Dekar then entered the castle gate as it was opened again and disappeared from their site.
It was then that the soldier atop the wall first spotted Maxim, Tia, and Selan. Their identities were requested, and eventually they were allowed to enter, after leaving their weapons with the gate guards, of course.
Once inside Maxim requested to be able to speak with this knight they had seen. They were told he had headed to the King, and that it may be possible to talk with him if they ask of him there.
Once inside the city walls, a mostly brick city opened up for them. Little of the gardens and such natural things that had impressed Tia in Parcelyte were present here. The view was full of structures made with differing shades of dark red and almost-grays. The buildings were cluttered close together and a thin layer of dust seemed to hang in the air, denoting a busy city life.
As they eventually reached the castle the saw the man called Dekar again. This time he was stopped with a man of regal dress who very unnaturally carried a sword in his right hand, who was shadowed by an even smaller man trying to hold a shield and helmet that was either too big for him to carry or too awkward for him to hold.
"Where is the one trying to destroy my kingdom?" the voice of a very regally dressed man called out. The rest of his gear did not seem appropriate for any form of productive fighting.
"Your Highness, he is at the castle gate," the aide at his side, struggling to keep up in spite of his burden.
"Very well, Josef. You will stay within the city wall, of course, for I will stop this man myself."
"Excellent idea, excellent idea indeed Your Highness! I shall always remember your bravery."
"There is no need for compliments, as a prince my duty is to protect my land," the strange looking warrior said.
"Oh excellent, my Lord! Your words are quite moving."
At this point the two gentlemen saw and realized that Dekar had now stood next to them.
"Oh, it's you Dekar? Are you coming to watch my defeat of my kingdom's foe?" the Prince asked him.
"Your Highness, the threat has already been taken care of. Besides, you should not endanger yourself in such matters."
"Nonsense, Dekar, without me who would protect our land? You are a good warrior, Dekar, but I don't think it is enough to protect our whole land. You would do well to privately study under me."
Clearly not as moved as the Prince's aide, Josef, had been Dekar responded, "Yes, Your Highness."
"Good. Josef, we will go back in now, since the threat was small enough to fall before I came." And with that, to the relief of Dekar, the Prince and his aide returned towards the King's Castle. Dekar left before Maxim could win his attention, as he seemed in a hurry.
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It wasn't until later that they received their desired meeting with Sir Dekar, who did not hesitate to pass up a chance to boast of his accomplishments. They were to meet him in an open courtyard littered with benches. Here they actually saw trees for the first time within the city walls—excellent shade trees of which some benches were parked under. And so they parked themselves on the benches under some glorious shade. Unfortunately there was little wind that got through the city gates.
To their frustration (Selan mostly) Dekar showed up ten minutes later than they were told he would. If he knew he was late he said nothing of it. Upon entering he saw Maxim first. "I don't think I have seen you before and you look like a swordsman."
"I can handle a sword, yes. My name is Maxim and this is..." but he was cut off first.
"There is only one reason to meet another swordsman, Maxim—a duel. Shall I obtain your weapon for you?" Dekar said, quickly reminding Maxim of Sir Guy.
Laughing at the resemblance Maxim said, "Wait a minute, I don't want to fight you right now." He was thinking: what is it with you knights and having to prove your inferior strength? Unlike Guy, Maxim often thought before he spoke and opted for cordial behavior in front of those he did not know.
"But it was just about to get interesting. You must be tired, is that it? Quite understandable, but what brings you here and where does it bring you from? And aren't you going to introduce me to those lovely ladies by your side?" Dekar asked, as he seemed very disappointed at first, but then cheery at the end.
"I must have lost my train of thought and my manners. Forgive me ladies and Sir Dekar. This is Commander Selan of Parcelyte and my childhood friend from Elcid, Tia."
"Pleasure to meet you, Tia," Dekar said kissing her hand. "And you are Selan, the Parcelyte Warrior I've heard so much about. I heard you were as tough as nails, but I didn't know you were so cute." His smile was a bit disarming, but only a bit.
"A sweet talker, huh?" Selan asked as she looked at Tia, apparently their minds sharing the same thoughts.
"Well, I'm great with a sword, but not too bad at soothing words for pretty ears," Dekar offered.
Laughing, all Selan could respond with was, "Really?" but then Maxim turned the conversation back on track.
We are following a being named Gades," Maxim said almost involuntary. He was amazed at his openness, considering that for much of his journey so far little had been shared outside an elite circle. Over these few weeks he often felt as though he were hiding some huge secret, that he just wanted everyone to know. Part of this was out of a selfish desire for glory in their eyes.
He had always thought of doing grand deeds and had thought he would be able to remain quite humble about them, even though that motive was part in search of a larger adulation still. Now that he actually may be involved in some grand deeds that fairy tales spoke of, it seemed harder than he had figured to keep his humility about him. He could fake it pretty well, however. Dekar, on the other hand, made no attempt to hide his aims in life.
"Yes, I've heard of this Gades only recently. It is said that he destroyed Gordovan all by himself. Is that for real?" Dekar said seeming more excited about Gades' power than its moral issues.
"It seems that it is very real, indeed, Sir Dekar," Selan finally spoke up.
"It's hard to believe that there is one person who could destroy a whole city like that," Dekar's response with tinged with awe.
"I know, it is a bit terrifying," Selan continued.
"Yeah? I was actually thinking it's great. The power, I mean. I'd love to meet the bum, though, and take him down. We've heard rumors of him being around this area, but nothing concrete from our intelligence
"And this Idura character...oh, wait, I haven't told you about him did I?" Dekar said as he smiled, lively at the chance to tell of his deeds once again.
"We actually saw the end of your meeting with him and have come for the very reason to see if you have any information you could share with us from that encounter. Specifically to do with Gades," Maxim interrupted him.
"Well, then, let's start at the beginning, so you will get the whole picture," Dekar responded, smiling (in a very flirting manner towards Tia and Selan), not allowing this opportunity to be skimmed over.
"Idura showed up with a band of orcs at our gates, demanding to see the strongest warrior in Bound. What he didn't know was that he was getting the greatest knight in all the world." All three listeners just simply let him go on.
Dekar continued, "He said he was sent by a certain someone, but didn't want to name him. But I was growing tired of his speech and told him to crawl back under the rock he came from while he still had the chance.
"Then he said they were here to destroy our city, but there is no way they could even get through the gates. He said they wanted to have some fun before they destroyed us, but with only six of them, it was me who was going to have the fun...and I did.
"He would have been smarter by not coming here, but I had to show him how unlucky he was. And so I took out all five of his pathetic goons with my signature Blastmaster attack. They didn't even see it coming and before they knew it they were all dead or hurt. I'd like to see Gades stop it!" Dekar finished.
"We must have came in after your attack," Selan said skeptically, but she really wanted the conversation to move on so she did not linger to question any embellishment, although she was sure there was some.
"Did Idura say anything of Gades?" Maxim questioned him directly.
"Nope, but perhaps he was that certain someone. I mean Gades was a powerful being, right, and Idura had the loyalty of a band of orcs, so he probably is." No one else followed the logic in the same manner, but they thought it certainly was a possibility.
"I don't know anything else that could help you, I'm sorry," Dekar said.
"That is quite all right, you have accomplished some help," Selan said
"Why thank you. Unfortunately, I have other business to attend to at the moment. I would be glad to meet you over dinner, perhaps, sometime," Dekar asked, but only looked in the two girls' direction.
"Perhaps," Selan said politely.
"In the meantime, make yourself at home here in the castle. I can have an attendant show you around and we offer our guest services to each one of you. Perhaps when you have rested, Maxim, we can have that duel?" Dekar inquired eagerly.
Maxim said it might be a possibility, and Dekar kissed the ladies hands good-bye. Once left to themselves, awaiting their castle attendant, Maxim spoke up and said, "Sir Dekar sure is a straightshooter, isn't he?"
"He's too honest, Maxim. Doesn't he know flattery counts only when it's not meant as flattery?" Selan answered back.
The attendant finally came and they were shown to their more than adequate accommodations, invited to dinner, and left to themselves once again.
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Meanwhile, in Bound's throne room the King, Sir Dekar, Prince Alex, his aide Josef, and another soldier of lower rank were assembled together in discussion. The older soldier, specializing in intelligence for the nation, had just finished informing them that Idura seemed to be making his headquarters within the Northern Labyrinth.
"Very well," Prince Alex responded, "I shall go there and defeat Idura myself, for good. His insult against our country cannot go unpunished. Josef, prepare my things." His aide, almost to the point of groveling, poured words of adoration and approval upon him.
"Your Highness," Dekar began, "the Northern Labyrinth is a dangerous place that we have little knowledge on. Please allow me and our men to handle Idura."
"I appreciate your concern, but he does not seem like any ordinary villain, Dekar. I must do this, for I am probably the only one who can," the Prince responded, completely sure of a skill that simply was not there.
"But Your Highness..." Dekar began before being interrupted.
"Do not worry, Dekar," Prince Alex said (never referring to Dekar as 'Sir Dekar'), "He's nothing before me! You can just wait here for the good news." Turning to Josef he added, "We will leave as soon as you have made the preparations."
And then Prince Alex and Josef left the throne room, leaving the King, Sir Dekar, and the soldier.
"Your Majesty," Dekar addressed the King, but was interrupted.
"I know, Sir Dekar, I know. I hate to call on your time and time again, but would you protect the Prince again?" said the King.
"Of course, Your Majesty, but permission to speak freely?" Dekar responded to which the King allowed. "I must say that we can't keep doing this. Real harm could come about when I'm not around to protect him."
"Or even when you are, Sir Dekar," the King shot back, a little insecure of how he thought Dekar was perceiving him, as a weak King (which the King was). "It is like a disease with him, you see. I think we should just be more patient with him."
Dekar knew his King was going to answer in that fashion, but he also knew his place in the Kingdom. He longed for the days when the King of Bound was strong once again, like his grandfather's stories portrayed them.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I better get prepared myself so that I can stay right with the Prince when they leave," Dekar said as he stooped to one knee before his King.