Chapter Six- The Lionheart Renaissance
"So, Sol, what exactly makes Arimathea your destination?" asked Ralthas.
Ralthas and Soleil stood alone at the helm of the Veritas, soaking in the sun's warm light, yet cooled by the crisp sea breeze. Though he was the Captain of the ship, Ralthas, son of a sailor, preferred to be at the helm if he could be.
"Well, as you know, I'm the only member of The Order that survived the Empire's attack. As such, I'm searching for a new home for The Order, and then I will revive it." Soleil answered.
"Recruit new members and the like? Makes sense."
"I will not let our Brotherhood die. It will take a long time to bring The Order back to its former strength, but gods will, it must be done."
"Well, Soleil De Minuit, I will do anything I can to help."
"Aye?"
"Aye. The Veritas and her crew have never had much of a purpose, we've always just sailed around for the highest bidding. The lads I'm sure would like to feel as though they're more than peons toiling away on a ship with no port."
"What exactly are you saying, Ralthas?"
"What I'm saying, exactly, is that the Veritas and all the souls aboard her are at your disposal. We've been together for two weeks, and all the lads are partial to yous. We're no longer your charter, we're your comrades."
After a pause and a smile, Soleil walked to Ralthas and embraced him as a brother would.
"You're a true friend, Ralthas, and what's more, a good man. With some luck, you and your mates may well be the first Brothers of The New Order."
"It would be an honor, Sol, to join you in the fight against evil."
"The only question I have for you is, should we see an Imperial officer before us, do you strike him down because he is an Imperial? Or do you strike him down because he is an evil man?"
"Because he is evil, of course. I only hope to one day be able to sense evil as well as you do."
"All in due time, Ralthas, all in due time."
"Captain!" came a voice from high above in the crow's nest.
"Yes, Jarno?" Ralthas shouted.
"I have Arimathea in sight!"
"Did you see the Tower of Edelathiel?"
"Yes, sir!"
Ralthas stepped down to the main deck and rang a brass bell hanging on the wall. Moments later, Jema emerged from the cabin.
"Yes, Captain?" he said as he panted from the run up the stairs.
"Arimathea is in sight, get the lads topside and have them prepare the ship for docking, the wind is behind us." Ralthas instructed.
"Yes, Captain."
"The men of this ship obey you well." said Soleil.
"And they do so because they respect me, not because of fear. I do not threaten my men, nor do I over work them."
"I get the feeling that you and your men are even more deserving of The Order than I had initially expected."
"They're all good men, Sol. They may not be worthy of the Lion's Cross just yet, but they're all good people."
"So what happens if a woman wishes to join The Order?" Vex interrupted as she stepped up to the rail next to Soleil.
"Well, you would surely be the first." replied Soleil.
"Is there some kind of rule against that?"
"No, there isn't. It's just that not many women fancy the idea of being a holy warrior against the forces of evil." Soleil said with a laugh.
"Well then, we'll see how time plays out. Now, Ralthas, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to have a word with Soleil down in our quarters."
"By all means, Vex." replied Ralthas.
"Something on your mind, Vex?" asked Soleil.
"Yes, Soleil, there is." said Vex as she nervously paced the room. "Something is troubling me."
"Well, let it out."
"Sol, we've become close friends, yes?"
"Well, yes, I suppose we have. I guess that's what happens when you spend two weeks cooped up on a ship together." laughed Soleil.
"Ok, so here's what I'm afraid of. What happens when you find your home?"
"Well, I revive The..."
"Yes, yes revive the Order of The Lionheart, I know. But what happens to us?"
"I don't know the future, Vex. What's wrong?"
"I've never had a friend like you, Sol, and now I have you. I don't want to lose my friend when you find your home."
"Well, then stay with me."
"Well...Wait, what do you mean?"
"We'll search for your dragon god together, and when you find it, then we can get The Order settled into its new home."
"But what if we find that first?"
"Then it can wait, Vex, that's what I'm trying to tell you. The Order will be revived before then, at least in numbers it will be."
"How so?"
"Ralthas has offered his ship and her crew to us, as well as himself. These are all good men, not a shred of evil in even one of them. Someday, Ralthas and his men will become the newest members of The Order."
"How do you know that they're all good men?"
"I can sense evil in a person's aura. Do you remember Azrael in Alrischa?"
"The Captain who had Brother Maxwell's pendant?"
"Yes. I did not strike him down because of the role he played in the demise of my Brothers, but I did because I could sense the evil within him. He killed innocent men and women, Vex. Children even. I killed him in the matter than I did because of his actions against The Order."
"And you did the same to that Colonel."
"Indeed. Do not fear, Vex. When I take an oath of friendship, I do so with the commitment of a lifetime."
"You do?"
"Vex, I never had a friend until I joined The Order, it's what I'm used to. Why don't you lay down and rest? You've been up and down those riggings all day."
"Okay, Soleil." said Vex as she laid on her bed.
"I'll be up on the main deck with Ralthas and Jema helping prepare the ship if you need anything." said Soleil as he stood in the doorway. "If you're not awake by the time dinner rolls around, I'll wake you."
"Thank you, Soleil. Be careful." said Vex.
Soleil smiled and turned as he closed the door.
"Keep me..." said Vex with a whisper, and drifted off to sleep among thoughts of her benevolent companion, Soleil De Minuit.
The full moon perfectly lit the deck of the Veritas, its massive sails illuminating it even further. The lights of Arimathea glowed in the distance, just a few hours off, and they had many admirers from the sea that night. Every soul aboard the Veritas stood at her bow, save for Soleil and Ralthas who stood at her helm.
"So what are your plans for when we arrive in Arimathea, Soleil?" asked Ralthas.
"First order of business is getting the men off of the ship and into an inn." replied Soleil.
"Their place is aboard the Veritas, Sol."
"Which is why each and every one of them deserve at least one night in an inn. Warm food in their stomachs, cold mead in their mugs, and if they fancy the touch of a woman, it shall be so. These men have spent enough time on this ship, Ralthas." said Soleil with a smile. "I think it's high time they get to live a normal life, if not for just a day."
"And who will pay for all of this?" asked Ralthas with a laugh.
"Well, let's just say that the Imperial troops who raided my Brother's headquarters were not very good looters." Soleil answered, returning Ralthas' laugh.
"So very kind of you to do such things for my brothers."
"Our brothers, Ralthas." said Soleil as he placed a hand on Ralthas' shoulder.
"So, then what?"
"There is a temple to Heironeous on the outskirts of Arimathea, it is more of a cathedral than a temple, however. A true house of Heironeous. I will go there to inform the Archclerics of the fall of The Order, then pay my respects to my Brothers in whatever way possible."
"I will go with you, Sol."
"You don't have to, Ralthas."
"But I want to. I wish to learn the ways of Heironeous, to understand his guidance, so that one day I may be a true brother."
"I hope you know, if I am someday summoned to become a Shining Blade, you must take my place as leader of The Order."
"Nothing would honor me more, Sol. It pleases me that you trust me enough to even spawn the thought."
"You're a good man, Ralthas. You command respect from your crew not out of fear, but out of example and leadership."
"Thank you, Sol. Coming from a man of your nature, that means a lot to me."
"Thank you, Ralthas. Now, after I have tended to my business with the temple, Vex and myself will ride north to Darimar, my home kingdom. If you wish to ride with us, it would be a pleasure to have you along, my friend."
"I would enjoy that. Now, if you don't mind, Sol. Jema!" Ralthas shouted to his first mate.
"Yes, Captain?" answered Jema after joining them.
"Assemble the men on deck, I have an announcement to make." replied Ralthas.
"Right away, Captain."
Jema walked to the same bell that Ralthas had rang earlier in the voyage and rang it twice, quickly.
"Everyone over here, lads!" he yelled as he did so.
After the crew had assembled, joined by Vex who had been awoken by the noise, Ralthas stepped to the rail facing them.
"My brothers, we have all grown fond of our friends, Soleil and Vex, yes?" he said.
The crew nodded in agreement.
"Soleil has offered us an opportunity to become more than mere sailors, lads. I would like to let him do the honor." said Ralthas as he motioned for Soleil to step forward.
Soleil paused, yet after only a few seconds, stepped up to replace Ralthas.
"Crewmen of the Veritas, it has truly been a pleasure, an honor, and a privilege to sail across the sea with you. Each and every one of you are good men. Great men. You do not sail the seas in search of treasure, or plunder. Instead, you search for purpose." spoke Soleil. "I would like to offer you that purpose. In the very near future, it would be an honor to have you join me as Brothers of The Order of The Lionheart."
The crew looked at each other in disbelief, after all, they had never been offered so much as a bed to sleep in that didn't have sails attached to it.
"As I have told many of you, in passing or in dinnertime conversation, my mission is to revive The Order, to welcome new, honorable Brothers into it. It is my wish, and Heironeous' will, that you lot will be the first." continued Soleil.
Still bewildered, they looked amongst themselves.
"Well? Who's with us, lads?" shouted Ralthas.
"I, Althalos of Miralylcea, join you against evil, Soleil." one proclaimed as he stood and clapped his fist over his chest.
"And I, Letholdus of Theitlan, join as well." said another as he mimicked the first.
One by one, each member of the crew stood and saluted their loyalty.
"The Veritas is yours, Soleil." said Ralthas with a smile as he too placed his fist before his heart.
Soleil mirrored Ralthas' salute, and the crew cheered loudly.
"Brothers!" shouted Soleil to them. "When we arrive in Arimathea in the morning, each of you will be checked into the town inn, hot meals and cold mead and all of that. It's time you take the time to enjoy life as a man rather than a sailor."
This time, the crew cheered even louder at the prospect of even just one night on solid ground.
With a smile, Soleil turned and walked to the stern rail. His smile still remained as he stared off to the sea, lost in thought. He couldn't help but wonder if Heironeous approved of his decision, but little did he know, he would get his answer.
"You're a natural leader, Soleil." said a voice from behind him.
"Father." said Soleil as he bowed to one knee.
"Rise, my son."
"I was just wondering what your thoughts were on my decisions since we last spoke." said Soleil as he did so.
"I'm aware of that, hence why I am here." said Heironeous with a smile. "I approve of your choice in these men, Soleil. I am actually rather impressed by them. It isn't very often that you find such a good group of men on a ship. Normally this would be a cesspool of dissention and evil, yet each of these men are all truehearted and pure. You made the right choice."
"And my decision to sail to the northern kingdoms, father?"
"Like I said before, I cannot tell you where to go, as I myself do not know. That being said, I do believe it is fitting that you came here. Archcleric Samuel will send you in the right direction to pay tribute to your fallen Brothers."
"I see. I understand if you are displeased with my interactions with Vex, father. I know you can see the feelings inside of me."
"Do not trouble yourself with that, Soleil. You are your own man, and nothing in my teachings bars feelings like yours. Do you love her?"
"Well, no, father. But I am quite intrigued by her."
"So long as you are smart, and stay true to my teachings, you may do as you please, Soleil."
"I thank you, father."
"I have one request of you, Soleil."
"Anything for you, Heironeous." said Soleil as he lowered his head.
"Tell her."
"Tell her what exactly, father?"
"Tell her exactly how you feel. It will give both of you something more to fight for. Each other."
"It will be so, father."
"Now, Soleil, take your new Brothers with you to the Lumina Temple in Arimathea. There, Archcleric Marshall will bless them in my name, and you will give them their creed."
"Yes, father. Are there any more requests of me?"
"No requests, but rather, a warning. The Empire knows where you are sailing to."
"They do?"
"Yes. Until we meet again, Soleil, I fare thee well."
"Thank you, father." said Soleil as he again bowed until the image of Heironeous had faded.
"You were talking to him again, weren't you?" said Vex as she slowly slid down a rope hanging high above Soleil.
"I just can't escape you, can I?" replied Soleil with a laugh. "Yes, we spoke again. Heironeous approves of my decision in the crew."
"Well, that certainly is a relief. Did he say anything about what we should do next?"
"He did tell me to take the men to see the Archcleric at a temple in Arimathea. And he told me to do something else."
"What was that?"
"Well, Vex, I need to tell you something. In the time that we've spent together…"
"I already know, Sol." interrupted Vex with a smile as she dropped to the deck and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I've known ever since the night we spent in Alrischa, the way you stood outside of my door. I could feel your energy. I can see it when you look into my eyes, which I catch you doing more often than you might think. I've become rather enamored by you as well, Soleil."
They stood alone together at the stern, surrounded by the cool night air. A small breeze picked up, and then grew warm. Heironeous embraced them.