Chapter 71

The Robes of the High Chantry

Silver the Hedgehog stalked silently around the edge of the canyon. His scouts were hardly perceptible slivers of flashing cloaks. Together they created an invisible perimeter around the Sanctuary. The memorial service had died down and the camp was slowly drifting off to sleep. Silver and his scouts would have to rest on the morrow. For reasons he could not explain to himself, Silver had been plagued with a sense of foreboding ever since they had arrived at the Sanctuary. While there was every reason to feel safe and secure within the hidden refuge, Silver felt the opposite. The open sky and indefensible nature of their camp made him dread a sudden assault.

Besides..He thought to himself. Can anything really be hidden from the empire? A sudden wind stole over Silver making him shiver. He wrapped his cloak tighter around himself and gazed at the entrance of the Sanctuary. Silver stirred. Had it been his imagination or had he had just seen a flash of light? He would not wait to decide. Silver tore off his cloak and started racing in that direction. His scouts noticed his movements and swiftly joined him.

Silver stopped at the mouth of the cave and waited. There were faint rustlings and perhaps the soft patter of footsteps. Three of his scouts drew their weapons. Silver held up his hand and motioned for them to wait. He crouched low and peered into the darkness. Several tense moments passed before Silver saw a faint light enter the cavern beyond the entrance. Someone was walking forward holding out a lantern.

"Just one?" Percy, Silver's chief scout, breathed.

"Stay here." Silver crawled forward and entered the cavern. He disappeared easily into the shadows and crept forward. The lantern was held up to give its holder a better view of the cave. Silver avoided its light and slipped in behind. Suddenly, the lantern fell and the holder dropped to its knees.

Silver paused at the soft, unmistakable sound of sobbing. The intruder had covered their face with their hands and was weeping. Silver slunk closer until he was in range to attack. He drew his dagger silently from his belt. "Please…Solaris…help me…"

Silver's hand froze in midair. He tossed aside the dagger and illuminated the cave with his mystic aurora. "Who are you?"

"EEEE!" The intruder fell back in shock and knocked over his lantern. The glass shattered and the oil spilled out onto the floor. He covered his face to shield his eyes from the glow emitting from Silver.

"SPEAK!"

"I am a priest of Solaris! Erenfel, my name is Erenfel!" The intruder pulled back his hood to reveal the face of an old wrinkled squirrel. His thin eyes widened as he looked closer at Silver. "But…it cannot be…Silver is that you?"

Silver did not drop his guard. "How did you enter this place?"

"The Robes of the Arch Chantry know the old magic. Are you Sir Silver? You may not recognize me, but-"

"Why are you here?"

Erenfel recoiled in fear. "I….I was looking for the rebels. There is a rumor in the city that a group of our people have mobilized against the empire under the leadership of a great knight. Is it you Silver?"

"Why come here?" Silver repeated. His heart was racing now. It seemed all his fears were being realized.

"Luck! Blind luck or fate!" Erenfel squealed. "I had given up on finding the rebels. I came to this Sanctuary for rest and to plead for Solaris's aid."

"Or, perhaps you are an imperial spy?" Silver reached down and easily lifted Erenfel off his feet. The squirrel's legs kicked feebly in the open air. "You've already seen too much priest. How can I trust that you haven't been sent here by Mesto?"

Erenfel closed his eyes and shook his head forcibly. "No! Please, you must believe me. Lord Mesto has executed a most violent purge on the Church of Solaris. I escaped the city and I…please, I am no spy, I am a Robe of the Arch Chantry!" Erenfel's pleas devolved into more sobs.

"Captain! Do you need help?" Silver looked up to find his scouts entering the cavern.

Silver huffed in frustration. He needed to make a decision and do so quickly. It would have been easier if he had been the only one who had seen Erenfel. Taking him in, even for a moment will risk everything. Silver had not forgotten how Sonic had led Zero to their camp. He was not as soft hearted as his sister, and would not make a similar mistake.

Erenfel dropped to his knees and clutched Silver's hands. "Please, you may not recognize me, but I know you. You are Sir Silver, Knight of the Stars, half-brother of the princess Blaze. I need your help, all of Soleanna needs your help."

Silver pulled his hands away. His scouts hurried over and formed a circle around them. "You, are you from the city? Do you have news?" Percy asked eagerly.

Erenfel nodded. "Most grievous news. I must speak with your commander at once!"

"Come on, let's bring him inside." Percy made to move, but Silver grabbed him by the arm.

"No. He stays here." His scouts all looked at him in confusion. Silver ignored their incredulity and knelt to face Erenfel. "What did the empire send you to report? Did they want to know how many of us are left?"

"I was not sent by the empire!" Erenfel insisted. "I have come from Masada on a grave mission. Please, I must speak to your commander!"

"I'll go get Arthur!" Percy offered.

"Why do you want to speak to our leader? You mean to assassinate him?"

Erenfel stiffened. "If you will not believe my answers, then why ask the question?"

"Have you been marked?"

"Never. The Robes of the High Chantry were given special omission, until Mesto recently changed the law."

"Silver, if he has news from the city. We should bring him to Arthur." Silver could tell by the looks on their faces that all his scouts felt the same. They would risk everything for a bit of news about their loved ones.

Silver rose and sighed. "Very well, strip and prove that you are not marked and we will allow you into the Sanctuary."

Erenfel seemed to shrink. He shook his head in a silent protest. "I..I am a Robe of the-"

"Say that again, and I'll cut your throat." There was no trace of humor or pity in Silver's tone. He ignored his own trembling hands and the sense of disgust bubbling in his stomach. This is how it has to be. This is who we have to be if we want to win.

His scouts looked horrified and turned away in shame. It was not lost on them the indignity that Silver was putting the priest through. Erenfel seemed to diminish as he removed his clerical robes. Silver's inspection was short and as soon as he was satisfied that Erenfel was unmarked he had the priest put back on his robe. However, even when he was clothed again, Erenfel seemed to have lost the ability to fully straighten his back.

"If you are done shaming me.." He whispered. "May I please speak to your commander."

"Yes, I will bring you to his tent."

Arranging the meeting proved far more headache inducing than Silver expected. Blaze was not at her tent when they checked and was nowhere to be found in camp. Against his own desires, Silver was forced to wake most of the camp and start a search of the entire gorge. Silver knew his sister was prone to wander and seek solitude so he was not worried at first, but after an hour, he started to consider more sinister possibilities. At that moment, Blaze reappeared with Sonic by her side.

Silver and the rest of the knights swarmed her upon entry. "Arthur, thank Solaris." Gawain exhaled. "We've been searching for you."

"What's happened? Why is the whole camp in an uproar?" Arthur returned, neither apologizing or offering an explanation.

"You'd best return to the pavilion." Gawain gave orders for the search to end and for everyone to return to their tents. Sonic made to slip away into the background, but Arthur seized his hand and forced him to follow.

Silver lingered behind and then stalked up beside Sonic. "You had better never pull a stunt like that again," He whispered low enough so that only Sonic could hear him. "My sister is the princess of this kingdom and the soul of our rebellion. One little midnight stroll is all the opportunity the empire's assassins require."

Sonic answered with an annoying little grin that only served to infuriate Silver even more. Deciding he had more important concerns, Silver pushed past Sonic and entered the command pavilion.

Silver had left Priam with his fellow priest to tend to Erenfel while the ladder waited for Arthur. Blaze raced over to him. "Erenfel?"

"Are you the commander here? I'm afraid I don't recognize you."

"This is Arthur, captain of the Knights Royal. He is in charge of the camp," Priam explained.

"Thank Solaris…I can't believe I have found you." Erenfel dropped out of his chair and crawled on his knees over to Arthur. "I had given up all hope of finding assistance. I came here because this is one of the most sacred places in all of Soleanna. I thought it would be a fine place to die in solitude and quiet. When the doorway opened and I saw that I had found the loyal remnants, I knew that it was a sign from Solaris."

Arthur lowered her hand and helped Erenfel to his feet. She ushered the squirrel back to his chair and then sat down opposite him. "Why were you looking for assistance? The Arch Chantry was ordered to remain in the city to help the people. Lord Mesto even-"

"Lord Mesto lied." Erenfel spat. The squirrel's fists shook with rage. "High Priest Leon is dead, offered to one of Mesto's pyres."

Priam let out a horrible grief laden wail and tore his robe. Silver felt the ground sway beneath him. He seized hold of Arthur's chair to keep himself steady. Images of Leon came rushing into Silver's mind. The priest had always been so stately, almost ethereal in his magnificent robes. Silver had never heard a deeper voice, or one with more magnetic energy. Those images twisted, and Silver pictured that same voice crying out in pain.

"Chaos runs in the streets now." Erenfel continued. "Lord Mesto carries out his purges with impunity and there is no longer any safe refuge. The grand cathedral is now his theater. Everyday more and more of us are killed by Immolation."

"Bastard!" Rayne drew his sword. "We must return to the city at once. Mesto's head should roll in the gutter!"

"Sheathe your sword sir." Arthur said curtly. "Rage will not bring us victory." Despite her words, Silver could feel Blaze's quiet fury burning behind her mask. "These…these tidings you bring are dark. Is there any light in them?"

"Yes," Erenfel sat up. "When Leon was taken many Robes escaped, myself among them. We took what strength we had and fled the city. Mesto's barricades would have made it impossible to go far so we instead headed for Masada. We fortified the old fortress as best we could, but we knew it would be pointless to attempt to resist. I was sent away to try and find help. I…It's been so long…they might not even be there anymore." Erenfel cradled his head with his hands.. "Please, I beg you, send your army to Masada and save my brothers."

Arthur did not answer right away. Silver used the delay to gauge the room. Gawain and Rayne looked doubtful, while Priam appeared expectant. Erenfel reached out and seized Arthur by the hand. "Before we abandoned the city, we took what relics we could out of the treasury. The ephod of Goron, the Book of Flames, and…a Sol Gem."

At this last statement there was a collective exchange of knowing glances. Arthur rose to her feet and pulled Erenfel up with her. "You've done your country a great service, Erenfel. Hope is returned to you, do not lose it again."

"Does that mean you will save my brothers?"

"I must confer with my counselors. You will have my answer tomorrow."

Erenfel's expression darkened. He opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. "I will go to the healer's then." Erenfel bowed and left the tent.

As soon as the flap closed, Priam rounded on Arthur. "We must go! The anointed priests of Solaris must be protected."

"And what about everyone else?" Rayne countered. "Would we risk everyone's lives on the chance that they are even still alive?"

Priam ignored him. "The ephod of Goron…if that is lost. Arthur we must strike, I will go too if I must."

"Treasures will not sway my mind," Arthur returned bluntly. "The wealth of Soleanna is in its people, not its things."

"Masada is defensible," Gawain admitted. "Any attacker would have to be prepared to lose troops ten to one. Perhaps a sane commander would attempt to negotiate or let the priests starve, but Mesto isn't like that. He'll have swarmed the base by now."

"We don't know that!" Priam exclaimed. "And we don't have time to check. We must go now, tonight even. Solaris will-"

"What?" Rayne snapped. "Where was Solaris when Leon was burned alive?"

"How dare you-"

"ENOUGH!" The tables and chairs in the tent rose and fell with a terrible crash. Silver lowered his hands and his green aura faded.

"Yes, that is enough." Arthur added. "Priam, please attend to Erenfel. You will hear my answer soon."

Priam stomped his foot. "I must insist. What is the point of this rebellion if we lose everything that we are?"

Arthur did not answer, and Priam was forced to bear the silence. Priam blustered but he had no more arguments. At last, he hung his head and left the tent.

"I will go," Silver said at once. "We need that Sol Gem."

"If it's still there," Rayne pointed out. "You heard Erenfel, he's been searching for us for a while, Masada would have fallen by now."

"We cannot risk marching everyone out. Arthur is right, if we leave here then we are doing so for good. There's too great a risk of revealing the entrance." Gawain added.

"I'll go alone." Silver approached his sister and knelt before her. "Send me. One knight can move swifter than an army. I'll enter Masada and take the Sol Gem."

"And what about the priests?"

"If they are still alive, then perhaps they can hold out."

"No." Arthur stepped away from Silver. "I will not choose a Sol Gem over my own people."

"Priests cannot help you win this war," Silver shot back. "We need power, we are outnumbered and outgunned, we need this."

"Those are the empire's words. Not ours. Power alone will not bring us victory, it will just turn us into monsters."

Silver leapt to his feet. "Then we will all die as martyrs. Is that what you want? Do you even want to win anymore?"

Blaze tore off her helmet and tossed it aside. Her eyes burned with their signature yellow intensity. However, his sister had long lost the ability to quell him with just a look. Silver met her stare with his own. His eyes glowing back at her. "Is there something you want to say to me, little brother?"

"I trained my entire life to master the art of war. War is won with power, not with sentiments."

"Then perhaps you think you are more qualified to lead this camp?"

Silver was not foolish enough to answer the question. He lowered his head and softened his tone. "Let me do this. A Sol Gem could change the tide of battle. Saving the priests would only slow me down and make it more likely that the Sol Gem is taken."

"It won't slow you down." Sonic strode up to Silver. "I'll go with you. I can ferry the priests to safety in the blink of an eye."

Blaze frowned. "I cannot allow you to keep putting your life on the line for us."

"It's not like that. You mentioned before that a Sol Gem could take me home. I'll help get one so I can use it to return to earth."

Blaze bit the inside of her lip. Silver couldn't understand what his sister had to think about. The sooner they got the blue hedgehog out of their camp the better. However, then he saw the sideways glance she stole in his direction. The intensity of a moment ago softened for just a second, but it was long enough for Silver to notice. "I…I still don't like it."

"You'll need me as well," Gawain interjected. "This mission will be about stealth and subtlety, I can add that."

"If you fail, I'll be losing my best warriors."

"We won't," Silver declared.

Gawain patted Rayne on the shoulder. "Guarding the princess will be all up to you until we get back."

Rayne smirked. "Not a problem. Though I was itching to get back on the field."

"That time may come soon Sir." Blaze whispered. She sighed heavily. "Very well then, you three have your mission. Go to Masada, save the priests and return with the Sol Gem. Silver I am placing you in command." She walked up to him and took his hand in hers.

Silver recoiled slightly, shocked at the sudden demonstration of sentiment. Blaze looked him in the eyes, and this time, Silver struggled to return the gesture. "You are my brother, there is no one I trust more." Feeling slightly guilty, Silver accepted the charge without looking up at Blaze.

Two hours later the group marshaled near the command pavilion. Gawain was outfitted with his sniper and a few belts filled with blaster packs. Silver had his dagger but otherwise, he and Sonic carried no weapons. Each had a pack of food and a canteen of water.

Silver approached Sonic while he was adjusting his shoe. "Just to let you know, Gawain and I can handle this on our own. You're an auxiliary, not a knight."

Sonic flashed a wide grin and held up his thumb in a sign that made no sense to Silver. Gawain prevented any further conflict by stepping between them. "We'll get to Masada in three days if we travel only by night." He gazed up into the air as if evaluating the sky. "It will rain tomorrow so that should give us more cover."

"Three days? How far away is this place?" Sonic asked.

"About seventy miles or so from here."

"Oh, so more like two seconds then." Sonic closed his eyes and feigned a yawn. "If y'all want to get started, I'll catch up later."

Gawain snorted, but Silver stopped his laughing with a sharp look. "Listen, stealth is the most important thing, especially around the entrance. If the empire finds out where we are it won't matter if they can't use the entrance. Their machines will break it down." Silver pointed at Sonic and Gawain in turn. "When we get to Masada, our priority is the Sol Gem. We'll save the priests if we can, but it won't matter if we don't get the Sol Gem."

"But your sister said-"

Silver cut Sonic off. "Arthur put me in charge. This is my mission. I expect you both will follow my orders." Gawain and Sonic nodded, but Silver noted that Sonic seemed doubtful. It doesn't matter. He doesn't belong here anyway. This is my chance to prove myself, and I won't let anyone get in my way.