Talisman: The Dervish's Tale
Chapter 4
'Hmm. Yes, one does understand! You red dervish fellows seem very similar to my own order. Truth, Goodness, Charity, and Daring-Do, what?'
The two strolled down a leaf-strewn path. Golden and amber. The Dervish was struck by the oddity that, though it was midsummer, since lost in the forest everything seemed to speak of autumn. The chivalrous knight at his side tapped against an armoured thigh with his riding crop.
'Oh yes. It seems our two orders are very similar, however differently garbed.'
'Ha! Yes. Though one must tell you, dear boy, this tin suit isn't a uniform. Would you believe one found it a while ago, by a bog in a field? How it came to be left there – well, in these times the Land is coursing with questers and adventurers.'
The Dervish smiled. Turning his eyes to the canopy, thinner here than in the glade of the mushroom-headed man ('A Fae. Not always dangerous, but always rum. This is just one of them – no two look the same' his companion had said), he watched the glimmering of the sunlight through the many leaves. 'It's lighter here. So where are we in the forest now?'
His companions eyes switched to him for just a moment, then found the ground. A quizzical smile appeared under the thin nose. 'One knows as well as you.'
The Dervish started. 'You mean...!'
A gauntleted hand was slung over his far shoulder, and they walked a step or two. 'Not long in the questing lark, are you, my dear boy? As an enchantress at the City gates told me – Expect to be lost!' A frown appeared on the man's brow 'Now, when I say an enchantress, I mean she was a dealer in enchantments – cantrips, I mean.'
'It is alright – I understood you. Anyway, an appreciation of an enchantress in the other sense is no enemy of one's commitment to the Good.'
'Hmm maybe our orders aren't so similar in every respect.'
The Dervish again smiled, briefly. 'So. You know not the paths of this forest, and I know them not also.' He slowed to a halt, the other slowly lowering his arm from around his shoulders, and doing likewise, both turning inward to face. 'In a situation like this,' he began 'it is important to...'
'Ho!'
Stomping vigorously down the path towards them came a figure in forest green, excepting his bright yellow leggings. A stout staff was in his hand, and on his back a bow and its accoutrements.
'Ah, perfect timing!'
'Well met, I hope, Sir Knight Chivalrous?'
'Ah, and an eye for heraldry as well! No, no, don't worry my dear fellow. It's a ranger. He'll lead us out!' He turned back to the rustic 'You'll lead us out?'
'It's what I do. Among other things.'
The rabbit by the foot of the tree ran out into the plain of grass.
'Well, here you are.'
'Sir, we are indebted to you.'
'One most certainly is. And you have, moreover, been a fascinating guide. I'll wager you know more of the lore of Talisman than any other.'
'Knight Chivalrous, you flatter me. The Land is wide, and filled with magicks and mayhems. I am simply happy to impart a bit of knowledge here and there. Most particularly to good fellows and true who seek the Crown.'
'Sir, I concur. I feel I have learned much from you. But may I ask of your knowledge one moment more – what crown do you speak of?'
The sun, shining brightly till then, chose then to move a cloud before itself. 'I ...' the Ranger stopped, and the Chivalrous Knight was looking at the Dervish too.
