Helm's Choice

A short while later, the High Priest came into the room to find the Guardians laughing and carrying on like people who had been friends all their lives. They noticed him quickly and they quickly silenced themselves to allow the High Priest the chance to address them. "My Lords and my Lady," said the High Priest. "The time has come for you to meet the people of Tierellen."

Everyone bid Deeala to go before them and then followed close behind her and the High Priest. An eerie stillness seemed present in the temple as they walked towards the main entrance and each of them felt a divine presence with them. As they passed, each priest gave them a respectful bow of the head. When they reached the outside, they saw that the entire population of the city and King Fairen himself were gathered before them at the base of the steps to the temple.

"I have fought in many battles in my lifetime thus far," said Xworvan under his breath to Eldirnon. "And always without fear. But this frightens me."

"Worry not," said Eldirnon as he patted Xworvan on the shoulder. "It is only the people of this Kingdom."

"I know," said Xworvan.

"That's what scares him," said Delvatath.

"Sssh," said Deeala to them in a hushed tone as she was looking out over the crowd and smiling while also simultaneously trying not to laugh at their conversation. "The High Priest wishes to speak."

The Three smirked at their gentle scolding and subtly bit their lips to avoid laughing as well. However, they said no more. Then Deeala looked to the High Priest, who motioned the crowd to go quiet.

"Citizens of Tierellen!" he bellowed. "Favored fortune has come to us all this day for our god, Helm, has sent to us his chosen Guardians. I present them to you now. Behold! The Guardians of Helm!"

The crowd gave such them a thunderous welcome that the eight Guardians could actually feel the force of it pushing them back. Deeala slid her hand into Kiran's as a joyful tear ran down her cheek. Jinkso bit his lip slightly when he noticed that, but said nothing. Instead, he prodded all the Guardians to join him in waving to the crowd.

"Their faith in Helm's decision is inspiring," said Semaj in a low tone to Verimon as they waved to the crowd. "My only hope is that I can live up to the expectations that are now placed upon us."

"Worry not, good Mage," said Verimon as he placed his free hand on Semaj's shoulder. "No one, not even Helm, expects more of you than you are capable of giving."

"He's right," added Jinkso with a wink. "And besides, even if we do stumble on occasion, history will remember us well. Stories like the one we are now a part of tend to remove the warts and all."

"I hope that the both of you are correct," said Semaj.

"We are," said Jinkso. "In time, you'll see."

After a few minutes of waving, the eight of them moved down the steps to pay their respects to the King. As before, Deeala was bid go first. After nodding her head to the others, she proceeded down the steps so gracefully she actually seemed to float. When she stepped off the final step and stood before King Fairen, she was careful to avoid direct eye contact with him to show him her deference. Then she gave him a slow, careful, and precise curtsey. "Majesty," she said as she arose. "I am Deeala, Sunite Cleric. I am your humble servant."

"My Lady," spoke the King warmly. "Tierellen welcomes you."

Jinkso managed to get down the steps before Kiran and placed a hand on Deeala's shoulder to signal to her that he was next and ready to pay his respects. After Deeala had risen and stepped aside, Jinkso gave the King a grand and flourishing bow. "My honored Lord," he said in a theatrical tone. "I am Jinkso, Bard of the Realm. It gives me great pleasure to serve you and the people of Tierellen."

The King found that he had to bite his lip just a bit to keep from laughing before speaking, "Good Sir, it is an honor to have you. Tierellen welcomes you."

The other Guardians of Helm rolled their eyes at Jinkso's display and they all had to take a moment to compose themselves lest they present themselves to the King laughing. Once they had, Eldirnon moved forward, touched Jinkso on the arm to signal him to move, and knelt before the King. "Your Majesty," he said with deference in his voice. "I am Eldirnon. I am honored to come to your kingdom."

"Helm's blessing upon us, Noble Elf," said the King. "Tierellen welcomes you."

Delvatath moved forward next and placed his hand upon Eldirnon's shoulder. Eldirnon stood slowly and moved next to Jinkso and Deeala while Delvatath knelt before the King. "Your Majesty," he began. "I am the Ranger, Delvatath. My services are yours to command."

"Noble Ranger," said the King. "Tierellen welcomes you."

Xworvan moved forward next and when he got to Delvatath he gave him a nudge to rise and join the others who had already gone. Then, once Delvatath was out of his way, Xworvan knelt down on one knee before King Fairen. "Wise and trusted King of Tierellen," he said. "I am Xworvan Firebeard. Your allies are mine. Your enemies are mine."

"Sir Dwarf," said King Fairen. "You honor me with your words. Tierellen welcomes you."

Kiran moved forward next and placed a hand upon Xworvan's shoulder to let him know to rise. Then he drew his sword, pointed it to the ground with both hands and knelt down on one knee. "My Lord and King," he said with much respect in his voice. "I am Sir Kiran, and my sword is yours."

"Sir Kiran," said King Fairen. "Tierellen welcomes you."

Verimon looked to Semaj and bade him to go next. Semaj shook his head and motioned slightly with his staff that the Paladin should go next. Verimon nodded and, at the Mage's permission to go first, stepped forward and placed his hand on Kiran's shoulder. Kiran rose silently and moved towards where the others were standing. Then Verimon knelt down upon both knees in front of the King. "Your Majesty," he said with deference in his voice. "I am Lord Verimon, Paladin of Tyr. As long as there is breath in my body, I shall defend you and your people from all evils.

"Noble Paladin," said the King. "Helm's blessing upon you. Tierellen welcomes you."

Seeing that his time had come, Semaj moved forward and tapped Verimon on the hip with his staff to signal to him that he needed to rise and move over to the others. Verimon rose slowly and moved away. Once Verimon was away, Semaj very deliberately stretched out his arm in front of him, touched his staff to the ground, and let it go. The staff did not fall, but just stayed there upright and in place. Semaj then reached up with both hands and pushed back his hood so that he face was finally revealed. With a serious face, he looked the King directly in the eyes. "King Fairen," he said finally, his voice sounding powerful and authoritative. After speaking the King's name, the top of his staff burst into flames. Semaj, without breaking eye contact with the King, then reached up, took the flame from the top of the staff with one hand, brought it up in front of his face, cupped his hands together, and then parted his hands. Now the fire was in both of his palms. After putting his elbows close to his body, he stretched forth his hands to give himself a powerful appearance. "I am the Mage, Semaj. I stand here before you now not only as your servant and emissary of Helm, but as a protector of all those within this kingdom. By my solemn vow before you, all here in attendance, and Helm above, your enemies shall never triumph over Tierellen!" At his final words, his staff grew to a height well above his head, multiplied into eight staves that formed a wide circle around him, and the tops of all of them burst into great flames. Semaj then closed his eyes and tilted his head back. The fires of the staves then strengthened in intensity, lifted off of the ends of the staves, and floated in midair. After a few seconds and without warning, the fires shot down the staves to the ground, rushed at Semaj, and engulfed him in a single great vortex of fire that leapt taller than any building in the entire kingdom. After a few more seconds, the vortex went out and everyone could see that Semaj was now kneeling unharmed before King Fairen on a single knee with his head bowed deeply and both his hands curled around his staff.

King Fairen was breathless from the display. "By Helm," was all he could muster for a few minutes. Then he took a deep breath and relaxed himself before finding the words to speak again. "Good Mage, Tierellen welcomes you."

"My thanks, Your Majesty," Semaj said in his normal voice as he stood up and backed away with his staff in one hand to stand by the other Guardians. Once he was by the side of the other Guardians, Semaj again raised his hood to cover his head and most of his face.

"Showoff," Jinkso said in a quiet and light-hearted tone to the Mage.

"Then next time," Semaj began. "You go last."

"Somehow," said Jinkso. "I think you'd be a hard act to follow."

"At least you realize it already," Semaj said with a wry smile as all eight of them tried not to break down laughing.

To be continued...