Chapter Nine- The Rose of Winterfall
"Mister De Minuit?" said a voice accompanied by a knock at the door. "Mister De Minuit, the sun has departed the horizon, time for your wake up!"
Soleil's eyes dryly opened and he stumbled his way to the door and opened it, revealing the bar steward from the previous night.
"Good morning, Mister De Minuit." she said with a smile.
"Good morning. Please, call me Soleil. I imagine we'll be staying here for a few more nights, may as well be friendly." replied Soleil.
"Well, in that case, you may call me Hilde. Hilde Schbeiker."
"Nice to finally make your acquaintance, Hilde."
"It's a pleasure. Now, if you don't mind, I must return to my duties at the desk." said Hilde as she started down the hallway.
"Do you run this whole place alone?"
"Why, yes. I do live here after all." she answered as she turned.
Soleil turned and saw Vex sleeping peacefully, and decided not to disturb her. Instead, he started down the hall to Ralthas' room, number five.
"Ralthas!" he said as he pounded on the Captain's door. "Ralthas, it's time to get up and moving. Ralthas!"
As he went to knock on it once more, the door flew open and a fully dressed and ready Ralthas greeted him.
"Ah, Soleil! Good morning!" he said with a smile.
"Well, aren't you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed?" said Soleil sarcastically.
"Now, Sol, surely you must understand that being at sea for a living gives you the ability to wake at a moment's notice, let alone early in the morning. I'll get the lads up and ready."
"Beforehand, have hot water sent up to each of their rooms. I'm sure they would all enjoy a real bath."
"Now that would be a real treat! Bathing in something other than cold seawater, what a luxury." said Ralthas with a laugh.
"Vex and I have some business to attend to in the city, so meet us with the men by the large fountain at the city center."
"Ok. How are we getting to the temple?"
"Well, that's part of what we're going to be taking care of. Then, we'll either walk, or I'll charter transport."
"We'll see you at the fountain then."
Soleil and Vex stepped through the door of a very busy building and walked to the large marble counter before them.
"Can I help you?" a man said without looking up from his gazette.
"I request an audience with the Baron of Arimathea." answered Soleil.
"He's rather busy today, come back tomorrow."
"It's urgent that I speak with him."
"Look, friend, I already told you, Baron Varadein is busy. Be gone with you."
Soleil turned to look at Vex, however, discovered that she was gone. A quick search around the hall revealed her waving him over near a large set of doors.
"This is the Baron's chamber, I say we go in unannounced. I'm fairly certain he'll want to know what you have to tell him." she said as he walked up.
Soleil nodded in agreement and pushed through the door, immediately greeted by two guards and a rather pompous looking older gentleman.
"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" the man shouted.
"Baron Varadein, I am Soleil De Minuit, Master of The Order of The Lionheart, hailing from your fellow northern Kingdom of Darimar. I bring news of a pending attack on your city." answered Soleil
"Attack? By whom, your army of whoever you are?"
"No. The Order of The Lionheart is a brotherhood of Followers of Heironeous, protectors of the innocent and righteous. The attack originates from the Empire of the central continent. They send one thousand of their finest soldiers led by their highest ranking officer."
"And why, might I ask, does the Emperor send one thousand of his finest soldiers led by his highest ranking officer?"
"He comes in search of myself and my companions."
"Oh, so the man supposedly endangering my city and its inhabitants is the one informing me of it?"
"Indeed, sire. The Emperor sent a colossal army to destroy the Republic of Pandora, and in the process, destroyed every member of my brotherhood, save for myself. He will not be satisfied until he has my blood on the swords of his men."
"So, what do you expect me to do?"
"My comrades and myself will leave your city. When the Emperor's Praetorians arrive, we shall be long gone, however I fear for the safety of your city regardless. I expect the Emperor to then seize control of your city and begin expanding his Empire. We shall ride north to Darimar. Upon our arrival, I will request that Queen Silviana send a detachment of her army south to aid you should they attempt to overthrow you."
"I admire your ambition, Soleil De Minuit. How many men can you spare?"
"I travel with initiates to Lumina Temple to have them blessed by the Archclerics. They haven't even taken their creeds yet, and as such, I can't leave any of them to defend the city. The best I can do is have Darimar send reinforcements."
"That will have to do. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. How long do we have?"
"It's a three week voyage across the sea if they leave today, and by my memory, a one week journey to Darimar from here. So far as I know, their squire's assistant sailed back to the central continent this morning. So, three weeks back and, if they mobilize immediately following his return, another three weeks to sail here."
"So theoretically, we have more than enough time to fortify the city."
"I wouldn't visibly fortify the city. If the General that the Emperor sends does not become overambitious, he may take his Praetorians and leave. If he sees signs of fortification, he'll know that you've had dealings with us. I would suggest having your men hidden amongst the citizens of the city, ready for battle when they arrive."
"So be it. I shall have my men set up a signal system to be triggered upon the Empire's arrival. Just pray that Darimar can mobilize their troops in time."
"This is the only seaborne path to the Mystara, it should be fortified enough to withstand a good battle already. I will have the Queen send ravens to the other four kingdoms requesting assistance. With any luck, you will have an entire army at your disposal."
"I thank you, Soleil."
"I wish you luck, and pray that Heironeous be with you, Baron."
After discussing the whereabouts of Lumina Temple with the Baron, they left together and headed to the fountain, where they met Ralthas and his group of freshly bathed, clean shaven men.
"These hardly look like the same men, Ralthas, I'm impressed." said Vex.
"We aim to please, my lady." replied Ralthas with a smile.
"Spare me the pleasantries, Ralthas." laughed Vex.
"We all set, Sol?" asked Ralthas.
"As far as I know, the two of us have everything we need. So unless you and your men need something we don't already have, we're good to go." answered Soleil.
"We're ready."
"Alright. It's a three mile walk to the temple, so six miles there and back. Feel like taking a stroll?"
"We'll walk. The lads haven't had a reason to walk around in forever, it'll do them some good."
"Alright, the temple is on a cliff to the east of the city. Let's keep organized and head out on the main road."
"Oy, lads! On your feet, movin' out!" shouted Ralthas, and within a few seconds, they started off towards Lumina Temple.
That afternoon, they finally arrived at Lumina Temple. Lumina Temple was a majestic cathedral of sorts, with tall, ornate towers in each of its six corners.
Some of the sailors had expressed concern about leaving the Veritas alone so far away, however, during his meeting with Baron Varadein, he had arranged to have the city guard stand watch over her while they were away.
"Have the men wait here, Ralthas." instructed Soleil. "I have some business to attend to with the Archclerics. Afterwards, we'll come get them, but for right now, just Vex, yourself, and I will go in."
"Agreed. No reason to crowd the place unnecessarily." replied Ralthas.
The three of them walked inside the already open massive main doors, their large arches towering over them.
"May I help you, kind strangers?" asked a young scholar who greeted them in the foyer.
"My name is Soleil De Minuit, and these are my fellow travelers Vex, and Ralthas. We seek an audience with Archcleric Marshall." replied Soleil.
"I'll inform him of your request, sire."
Only a few moments later, a very wise looking old man appeared from the main chamber, clad in purple and gold, matching Soleil.
"What joy! A Brother of The Lionheart in my temple!" he exclaimed with a smile. "Why, we haven't had the pleasure of the company of one of you in many years. Not since Brother Maxwell came when he was a much younger man, like yourself. How IS Brother Maxwell? I trust all is well?"
"Archcleric Marshall, is there somewhere that we could talk privately?" answered Soleil.
The smile dropped from the old man's face and, after a pause, led them to a room to the side of the temple.
"This is my personal office, Soleil. What must we speak of?"
"The Order of The Lionheart has been crushed, Archcleric."
"Crushed? Oh dear…What exactly do you mean by that, Soleil?"
"The Emperor sent his legions to destroy the Republic of Pandora, and in the process, killed every last member of the brotherhood, save for myself. Brother Maxwell entrusted me with the responsibility of evacuating His Excellency and his family."
"So that explains the rose…" said Marshall under his breath.
"Excuse me? Something about a rose?" asked Soleil.
"The Rose of Winterfall. Thousands of years ago, Heironeous and his brother, the evil Hextor, engaged in a fearsome battle, one that lasted days. In the end, Heironeous defeated his brother by expelling a colossal burst of righteous energy, and that energy caused the area to fall into a perpetual winter. That area became known as Winterfall. Through the thick snow and ice bloomed a single rose, which was brought here as symbol of Heironeous' never-ending pursuit of the destruction of evil."
"Quite the story, Archcleric."
"But the story isn't over, Soleil. That rose, the Rose of Winterfall, still lives to this day, thousands of years later. We believe it to be the life of Heironeous' strength and his holy warriors against evil. Some three or four months ago, however, it began to wilt ever so slightly. This perplexed us, even more so, worried us. But now, it makes sense. The loss of your Brothers at the hands of evil and tyranny has weakened the lifeblood of Heironeous' will. You are all that remains?"
"Yes, Archcleric. But I bring other news as well. Heironeous has come to me, not in my dreams, but in the plane of reality. He has entrusted me with rebuilding The Order, and as such, I bring with me a group of men that I wish to initiate. Heironeous himself has blessed it."
"Then it shall be done. I will have my clerics prepare tears of valor, and we shall bless them in his name."
"I thank you, Archcleric. I would like to introduce my companions to you. Archcleric Marshall, I would like you to meet Vex Azumaki of the Dancing Shadow clan."
"A pleasure to meet you, Archcleric Marshall." said Vex as she placed her hand over her heart and bowed her head.
"A lady of the shadows in my temple, the pleasure is all mine, Miss Azumaki." said Marshall as he kissed her hand.
"And this, Archcleric, is Ralthas." said Soleil.
"Ralthas Briarhardt of New Crest, Captain of the Veritas. A pleasure to meet you, Archcleric." said Ralthas as she shook the Marshall's hand, his face adorned with that mystical smile.
"Ralthas' crew of fifteen, along with himself and Vex, will become the first initiates of the New Order of The Lionheart." said Soleil.
"Sailors, Soleil?" asked Marshall.
"These men are not your typical sailors, Archcleric, I assure you that. They are all the finest of men, and as I said previously, Heironeous has blessed my choice."
"Very well then." said Marshall, then looked to Vex and Ralthas. "If you two would bring the men into the main hall, we will get the proceedings under way shortly. In the meantime, I must speak with Soleil alone."
The nodded their agreement and left Marshall's office, closing the door behind them.
"I have something for you, Soleil." said Marshall as he led him across the room.
"It would be an honor to receive something from you."
"It is my honor, Soleil." said Marshall as he stopped at an ornate chest, clad with the sigil of Heironeous, the clasped lightning bolt. "There is a prophecy known by few, a prophecy handed down only among the Archclerics of our faith. This prophecy speaks of the fall of Heironeous' will, and the one who will revive it. The contents of this chest belong to you, Soleil."
Soleil kneeled before the chest and slowly opened it, his eyes widening at what it revealed.
"The Twin Swords of Eternity and Infinity." said Marshall.
Soleil slowly reached into the chest and slid his fingers along the blade of one of the swords.
"It's as smooth as glass." he said in amazement.
"Eternity and Infinity are divine swords, Soleil. Story has it that Heironeous himself brought them to our temple a millennia ago, speaking of the legend that is now you."
Soleil carefully removed them from the chest and laid them on the table before him. The first was a longer shortsword with a golden handle, the blade shining as though it was a mirror. The second was nearly identical in length to his longsword, also with a golden handle.
"These swords are truly incredible, Archcleric, they weigh next to nothing!"
"Legend has it that these swords were forged for you by Heironeous himself, tools to become a true champion of his will."
"Archcleric Marshall, I accept these weapons in the name of Our Lord Heironeous with honor."
"There were meant for you, Soleil. There's proof of that in each handle."
Soleil held up the longsword and examined it. In the center of the hilt, what appeared to be lightning shot across the inside of a clear gemstone.
"The energy of Heironeous flows through Eternity and Infinity into you. You are his will, you are his champion." said Marshall as he moved to wrap the baldric of each sword around Soleil. "Now, come. We shall bless your new Brothers."
"In Heironeous' name, and in the name of all that is good, and righteous, we Archclerics of the Temple Lumina, do hereby bless you with the tears of innocents lost." read Marshall as the other Archclerics of the temple dropped tears of valor at the edges of each man's eye, letting them slowly run down their cheeks.
Each of them were knelt to both knees, their faces raised to the skies. They knelt in a halfcircle around a pedestal, and atop that pedestal sat the Rose of Winterfall, twinkling in a seemingly divine light.
When the blessings had finished, Soleil stepped to the front.
"Ralthas Briarhardt, I call thee to step forward and kneel." said Soleil.
Ralthas stood and slowly walked to the front, once again kneeling on both knees facing the sky with his eyes closed.
"Ralthas Briarhardt, thou shalt now take thine oath to Heironeous."
"I, Ralthas Briarhardt, offer myself as a willing sword to fulfill the will of Heironeous, God of Valor and Good. I no longer hold life for myself, my sword no longer in my own name, and I release my life to protect the innocence. I am the sword in the darkness of tyranny, I am the fire that burns against the cold of evil, the light that brings his dawn. I will extinguish the flames of evil and malevolence, for all else is dust and air."
When Ralthas finished, Soleil drew his longsword, and the song of Eternity filled the air. She rang so clearly and purely as he drew her, and shone luminously in the light of the temple as he held her over his head.
"I, Soleil De Minuit, Master of The Order of The Lionheart, faithful warriors of our father Heironeous, hereby bestow upon thee his blessing." said Soleil as he slowly brought Eternity to rest on Ralthas' forehead. "Arise in your new life and spirit, Brother Ralthas Briarhardt."
As he stood, Soleil handed his sword to Marshall and embraced Ralthas, tears in his eyes as he welcomed his new Brother into the world.
One by one, the new Brothers took their oaths, and when they had all finished, Marshall handed Soleil an oddly shaped metal object.
"What is this, Archcleric?" he asked.
"A silvering mold, Soleil. These new Brothers will need their pendants to carry." said Marshall with a smile. "Now, Soleil, you must revive the Rose of Winterfall."
"What do you mean?"
"The Rose is the lifeblood of Heironeous' will, and ever since the original Order fell, it has been slowly wilting. You must revive it with your blood. Drop it into the center of the rose."
Soleil drew his knife and walked to the pedestal. Even with its beauty, he could see where it had gently died away. It sagged slightly to one side, low on strength to hold itself up. Still though, it lived.
Soleil held up his hand and softly slid his blade across his palm, made a loose fist and held it over the rose.
A single drop of blood dropped from his fist and into the rose, and suddenly, it came to life. It stood tall on its pedestal and bloomed completely, its bright red petals glowing in the light.
The door at the far end of the temple flew open and a wind flew into the hall, wrapping each of them in a warm, soothing air.
The New Order of The Lionheart, faithful warriors of their father, Heironeous, had been born unto the world.