The Cavalier (47 page)

The council room was large and empty except for six chairs sitting on a raised ledge on the far side. The wooden chairs were carved with intricate symbols and writing. Above each chair on the wall was an embroidered tapestry representing each of the benevolent gods of Kraawn.

The chairs were all occupied as they entered the room. Kandris bowed deeply to the six occupants of the chairs and then left the room quickly. Jonas recognized the old priest Rayall sitting in the chair below the symbol of Halyean. The old man smiled at them as they walked closer to the priests.

“Welcome to Annure, it is a pleasure to see a cavalier in our halls,” said a middle aged man sitting in the middle chair. The four-pointed star above him marked him as a priest of Ulren. “I am Lyrus, high priest to Ulren.” The man was tanned and his curly brown hair was streaked slightly with gray above the ears. His smile was warm and sincere. “You have met Rayall already. To my right is Tundis, high priest to Nomus, and Jeweleasiam, high priestess to Inis. On my left is Weelon, high priest to Bandris, and Lulaylin, high priestess to Shyann.”

They all nodded as they were introduced.

“Thank you, high priest Lyrus, for agreeing to meet with us. As you know, I am Taleen, cavalier to Helikon. This is Kiln and Jonas. We have many questions that need answering and we came here as the likely source for those answers.”

“I’m assuming that your questions concern Jonas,” Lyrus reasoned.

All the priests stared at Jonas intently.

“They do,” replied Taleen.

“Jonas, can you please tell me how you bear the armor and weapons of a cavalier and yet we know nothing of you?” Lyrus asked.

“I can, and I will sir,” replied Jonas, taking a deep breath to prepare for his story. Jonas began his tale again. The council members all leaned forward in their chairs as the story progressed. He tried to judge their reactions as the story unfolded, but they were very good at masking their emotions. Finally, Jonas finished with the battle against the Greever. There was only silence in the room as the council members digested the tale.

“Jonas, may we see this symbol that you speak of?” asked Lulaylin, priestess to Shyann. She was older than the rest and she wore a silver hairpiece with Shyann’s symbol etched into it. It covered her forehead and her long gray hair was pulled back behind her ears. Her gown was made from expensive green silk that matched her eyes perfectly. Lulaylin was beautiful for someone her age and Jonas was drawn to her sparkling green eyes. But once there, he saw an underlying intensity that did not match her appearance.

“You may,” Jonas said as he began unbuckling his breastplate and setting it on the smooth polished stone at his feet. He then lifted the tight chain mail shirt over his head.

“Where did you get that armor?” Lulaylin asked.

“From Shyann’s tomb,” he replied, setting the light metal shirt on the ground.

Lulaylin stood up in her chair in shock. “That cannot be! No one has found her tomb in a thousand years!” she said as her voice rose in disbelief.

Jonas did not react to her outburst but looked at her sincerely. “I do not lie. I was led by a huge stag to her tomb underneath a giant oak tree. It was there that she gave me this armor and these weapons.”

Lulaylin sat back down, but her eyes still reflected her shock. “That cannot be. You are not even a cavalier.”

“It is true,” replied Kiln. “I was there.”

Lulaylin directed her fiery eyes toward Kiln. “Your loyalty and honor is in question General. Why would we believe an oath breaker?”

“Lulaylin!” bellowed Lyrus. “General Kiln is our guest. Do not show disrespect.”

Kiln’s face was calm and emotionless as he addressed the priestess. “You know nothing of my loyalty other than rumors and stories that have been told for over twenty years. Until you know the truth of it, I recommend you keep your ill mannered comments to yourself.”
 
Kiln’s eyes, cold as the tone of his voice, left no room for argument.

“Besides,” replied Jonas. “I believe this mark will represent the truth where our words have not.” Jonas lifted off his cotton shirt and set it next to his armor. He stood up straight and the six council members sat back in their chairs in shock.

“Come closer, Jonas,” ordered Rayall. Jonas stepped closer to them all so they could clearly see the God Mark. He finally stepped in front of Lulaylin so she could view the mark for herself. His toned muscular torso was covered with the God Mark.
 

“And you say that you have powers like a cavalier?” asked high priest Weelon. The burly man was obviously once a warrior. He had that look, and his face was scarred in several places.

“Yes,” said Jonas with some trepidation. “I can bring forth God Light, heal, detect evil, and I can wield God Fire, although I have not had much experience with any of those powers.”

“The skills of a first rank cavalier,” muttered Weelon to himself.

“Show us, Jonas, bring forth light,” ordered Tundis, high priest to Nomus. His voice was soft and inviting. Tundis was a small man and his face reflected many years of working in the sun. His skin was tough and tanned and his long wavy black hair was speckled with gray. He wore a simple tan tunic with loose gray pants common to a farmer. Jonas could even see dirt stains covering his knees as if he had just come from his garden.

Jonas looked within himself and called upon Shyann’s magic. He felt it boil up within him and he released it in a brilliant flare of light. The bright light appeared quickly causing the six council members to rock back in their chairs in surprise. As the light bathed them, any remnants of tension and disbelief disappeared in a flash. Jonas let it flare briefly before dispelling it. They all stared at him for several seconds, their shock apparent on their faces.

Taleen broke the silence. “When we healed Kiln, Jonas channeled his energy into me. I have never felt that much power. It almost consumed me. As you know, only a rare person can control the power needed to be a first rank cavalier. I believe that we are looking at our first true god picked cavalier.”

“It is hard to imagine that being possible. We have never known that to happen. We have no record of it, nor have we ever seen a cavalier to Shyann,” muttered Lyrus in disbelief.

“And yet we have a young man standing in front of us who can bring forth light, and he bears her mark on his chest. What else could it be?” asked Jeweleasiam, the beautiful priestess to Inis.

“And we have the word of a true cavalier that he wields great power. How else would he have it unless it was god given?” asked Weelon.

“May I see your swords, Jonas?” asked Lulaylin gently, her disbelief and frustration seemingly extinguished.

Jonas reached down, drawing forth a sword. He approached Lulaylin, handing it to her hilt first.

She grasped the bone handle and lifted it into the air. She closed her eyes and Jonas saw her lips moving slightly. Suddenly the blade flared brightly and receded just as quickly. Lulaylin opened her eyes and for the first time smiled warmly at Jonas.

“There can be no question. These blades were given to him by Shyann herself.” She handed the blade back to Jonas. “Jonas, I am sorry for my outburst and for doubting you. It was just so hard to believe. Being allowed to see her tomb is a great honor, one that I wish was bestowed upon me. It was envy and doubt that sparked my emotional response. I am sorry. You are indeed a cavalier to Shyann. I am convinced.” Lulaylin turned her eyes on Kiln and bowed her head slightly. “I must apologize to you as well, General. I spoke rashly and I hope you will forgive me.”

Kiln simply nodded his head in acknowledgment but said not a word.

“I understand, priestess. I can hardly believe it myself,” replied Jonas.

“Know this, young man. You are very much needed,” Lulaylin continued. “Lyrus, please tell them what is happening.”

Jonas looked around at all the faces before them. They now looked at him differently, no doubt was apparent in their expressions.
 
“What did you do to my sword?” asked Jonas.

“I asked Shyann to tell me the truth, and she did. You are a cavalier. It is unprecedented, but true nonetheless.”

“You spoke with her?” Jonas asked.

“No, not exactly. I asked her if the sword was hers, and she responded in confirmation,” Lulaylin replied.

“Jonas, Taleen,” interjected Lyrus. They both looked at the high priest as he sat forward in his chair. “There are no more cavaliers that we know of.”

Taleen stepped back in shock as the disturbing news assaulted her. Kiln, who seldom showed emotion, was also visibly stunned by the horrible declaration. Jonas just stood, lowering his head in shock, his entire body deflating. It was too much to comprehend. The guardians of the righteous were dead. Who would protect the people against the darkness? The question lingered in Jonas’s mind as Lyrus spoke again.

“An army marches toward Finarth as we speak. King Gavinsteal has sent out riders requesting aid. We have no cavaliers to send and we have not heard from any except you two. We only have three candidates that are close to finishing their training and they are still years away. Kandris, the young man you met, is furthest along and he still needs two winters, if he makes it all. The Kulam at Rohindrin has two candidates that are close, but they are still several years away. ” Lyrus sighed deeply, his weariness finally surfacing.

“Do the people of Kraawn know about the dead cavaliers?” Kiln asked.

“Most do not,” Lyrus said. “I suggest we keep it that way. It would not help matters if word got out that there are no cavaliers to protect them.”

“King Olegaurd sent ten thousand men to Finarth four days ago. They should arrive at Finarth in several days,” said Tundis.

“What would you have me do?” asked Jonas.

“Jonas, it is not the job of the council to direct a cavalier. It is up to Shyann’s will. Have you received a calling?” asked Jeweleasium.

“No, that is why we came here. To get some answers.”

“I, too, have received no calling,” Taleen added. “I spent many weeks traveling across the Tundrens at Helikon’s request. He sent me to help Jonas, but now I am unsure of our next quest.”

“I will leave at first light for Finarth,” Kiln announced. “They are in need of my skills. I think the cavaliers should accompany me to Finarth. Their gods may call them soon, but until then, their powers will be needed there.”

“I concur with the general,” Rayall spoke up. “If we had cavaliers here then I’m sure several of them would have been called to that conflict. I think that Jonas and Taleen should accompany Kiln to Finarth. We do not have the time to test Jonas any further. He will be needed there. There is one more thing I wish to speak of,” he added. “Jonas is also a cognivant.”

“A cognivant? Are you sure, Rayall?” asked Lyrus in disbelief.

“I am. I wish I had more time to help you understand your potential as a cognivant, but the truth of it is my powers are limited. I can read minds and that is all. What cognivant powers have you realized thus far, Jonas?”

“So far I am able to see the true make up of all things, the magic that makes up everything around us. This ability has given me the power to control objects.”

 
“That is indeed a rare thing. Use that power wisely, young cavalier. That magic is old, and we know very little about it,” Tundis cautioned.

“Jonas, do you get headaches after you use this power?” asked Rayall.

“I do. The more power I use, the more severe the pain.”

“You may want to practice this power so you know what your limits are,” Rayall said. “It would not be prudent to find the end of your strength during battle. It could prove disastrous.”

Rayall’s advice was sound and Jonas nodded his head in thanks. “I will think on that, high priest Rayall, thank you.”

“I wish we could further test you and help you understand your power, but I think we are running out of time,” said Weelon.

“Do we know what army it is that attacks Finarth?” asked Kiln.

“Yes, it is an army led by Lord Moredin, but we believe that he is backed by Malbeck’s power. A second force is marching from Banrith Castle toward Tarsis as we speak,” added Lyrus.

“Malbeck is back then?” asked Taleen.

“There can be no doubt. But we have yet to learn how this has happened,” said Lulaylin.

“What aid will you need to get to Finarth?” asked Lyrus.

“Horses and provisions,” replied Kiln.

“Will you be in need of an escort?” asked Weelon.

“No. We three will travel faster alone. I do not intend on taking the roads.”

“Very well. I will have horses and provisions brought to the main gate at sunrise. We wish you a fast and safe journey,” added Lyrus as he stood up, signaling the end of the meeting.

“Remember, it is very likely that you are both still being hunted. Be vigilant,” cautioned Lulaylin.

“We will,” replied Jonas. He looked at each of the council members and they nodded their heads in farewell. The trio turned and walked from the room without another word.

***

The White Unicorn was busy; patrons crowded around the bar and filled the many tables in the dining room. Hundreds of candles and oil lamps lit the area casting orange hues throughout the large bar. The crackling fire blazed and the flames danced as if they wanted to leap out of the fireplace. The sounds of laughter and idle conversation filled the large room making it difficult to hear the gossip that seemed to be on everyone’s tongues.