The Exodus Sagas: Book IV - Of Moons and Myth (6 page)

“
The others, you know they love you as much as I do, they
---“

“I know it, I know. But the elf, she’d likely cry more than me from hearin’ it. Saberrak, he’d want to hear the fightin’ parts in detail, and Gwenneth, well, there was no magic so she’d a fell asleep
by now
.” Zen stood, stretched his legs and pulled his beard. He put the box back in his leather pouch.

“
I saw those books you had read, the ones in the library. This have anything to do with th
at
?”

“Aye. Ye’ read about it too then?”

“
I did. You are afraid, aren’t you Zen
?”

“A bit. Said there that nine times over the last twelve hundred years did the
y send excursions into the lost
lands we be headin’ to. No one ever---“

“
And? Stories in books frighten you, mighty Thalanaxe
?”

“James, just from Shanador alone, over ten thousand men never returned from where we is going! Armies
gone
, hardened and reputable lords and knights
never seen again
, and we be just five of us!
That not be countin’ any dwarves that went, nor anyone from Armondeen or other kingdoms around---
”

“
So
? They did not have the key, the dust, and they were not us, Zen.
All we have been through, survived, what we have seen, it is all for something. Even I have no doubts anymore, even me Zen.
Do not lose your faith now, not now
.”

“I knows it, I know. That be why I am here, a little spiritual kick in the ars as we round the last bend.
Lot weighing on this ye’ know, all our deaths and all.” Zen smiled, feeling better having gotten some of his worries and guilts out.

“I have your back, so do the others. Do not doubt that, not ever
.
We are your family now
.
”

“Allright, I s’pose we should pray then and seal this up. No feathers though, no offense Alden, but no feathers.”

“
Well, take a knee then
.” James still whispered.

Zen took a knee.
He breathed deep, clearing his mind for the will of Vundren,
while a knight of Chazzrynn
whispered a prayer in a church of the feathered cross, far from his home.

“
Alden, lord of heaven, Vundren, lord of the mountains, I ask you give Azenairk Thalanaxe forgiveness for all that he has done, not done, and for the fear in his heart. I know there is nothing to fear, and that it is simply the guilt of not being there at his fathers end that weighs upon him. I know also that the grief, the pressure, and the history of this dwarf of Boraduum
that sits before us
now, and I ask your blessings upon him. He is the most pious, gifted, and daring of men that I know, and he has saved me more than once, even in my darkest hours. Lord
s
, should you see fit
in your grace and wisdom
, take that fear that doubt has shadowed over he and his family, cast it away, and replace it with the strength and courage that we all know he has.
Lords, bless the last Thalanaxe, shine your lights upon him, so that he may carry us home
, to whatever end
, in your names and grace, Amen.”

“Amen.
Fine words James, fine words.
”

“
See, no feathers.” James laughed, then stood and pulled the curtain back. The fresh air hit him in the face, cool compared to the last three hours in the confessional with his stocky friend
listening the his entire family history
.

“Not a word, nothin’ to the others. That be between you and me, knight o’ Chazzrynn.” Zen reached his arms around James, giving him a big hearted squeeze.

“Not a word, you have my vow there. Now, the sun has risen and you know the elf never sleeps. Best we head back up to the rooms and eat before they realize we have been out.
” James straightened his tabard and turned with Zen.

“Oh we realize already,
and the elf
is
starving. I would have hoped this last morning meal in Evermont would not have been staring at me for the last hour while we waited for you men.” Shinayne was leaning in the doorway to the temple of Alden, orange glows of the western sunrise painting her beauty and grace in with the light.

“How long ye’ been there, elf?”

“Long enough.
I would not have cried like you think, I would have controlled it
for you
Zen, out of respect. I lost my parents too you know, yet they are out there, somewhere.
”
Shinayne looked out to the sky, the open hills of Shanador, to the mountains to the east.

“I know, I guess yer r
ight. I just, I just..ummm….”

She walked up to Zen and put her hand on his shoulder. Her aquamarine eyes stared into his. “I know, men confess to men, women to women.
I am no priestess, and Siril is far from who the two of you pray to.
But
, do not
think for a moment that I am not there with you,
all the way
, like I promised.”

“Thank ye’ Shinayne.
I know it, I do.
Where are the others?”

“What, you think
they
waited to eat? No, it is
always the elf
that has to find, to hunt down the men, to rescue
everyone
,
and
to sneak about.” Shinayne turned to lead the men to breakfast. Her golden curls
were
reflecting the sun
along with her radiant tan skin
.

The gray stone stairs were long leading down from the high rising Temple of the Holy Offering, giving a view of all of Evermont. Tall domed buildings, bridges from stretching castles
to mountain ridges and walls
, and the lowland farmsteads that
grew to the north farther than the eye could see.
Walls and outposts carried early morning Shanadorian guards between their posts hundreds of feet over the ground.
Red cliffs rose to the east and south from the perilous Misathi. Lush green hills melded into the rising sun to the wes
t, the west that the three companions
stared at as they walked back down to their common room
in Evermont Castle
.

T
he shan wearing guards in plate
and chain armor bowed their helmed heads and gripped their spears to attention. Shinayne nodded, followed by Zen and James as they passed through the open door from the elevated catwalk into their guest quarters.
The rooms and stay at Castle Evermont had been a week of rest and pleasure, nothing short. Peace, food, safety, and long deserved sleep had been needed and delivered by the bold knights of the kingdom of the stallion
and shield
.

It was noisy inside, much more than when the highborne woman had left.
In fact, the room was now full.

“Lady Shinayne, Lord Thalanaxe, Sir James of the falcon, please, your food is anxious to be devoured before our long journey.” Sir Jardayne stood and bowed, motioning them to sit in the cluttered room full of people big and small.

Zen held his breath, looking around at the fifteen Shans o’ Little Door, five knights of Evermont, barely finding Gwenneth and Saberrak in the muddle of company.

“
Our
, long journey sir?” Zen faked a smile, his mind was racing.

“Well yes my stout friend, we have decided to give you and yours a royal escort. Well, royal in as much that we would dare with low king Symond in absence.” Jardayne of Highmont sat and popped a fresh strawberry into his mouth then beckoned with his hand for them to sit with the rest.

“Is that so then, truly, uhhh…may I ask---“ Zen stuttered, staring at the minotaur and the wizard, wanting answers.

“Oh come now, my bearded traveler, twill be most enjoyable. Who, other than great kings and wealthy rulers
,
should have the honor of we Shans o’ Little Door to play and accompany them in their travels?” Tubrey o’ Tarnobb spoke up from amidst his players small and stunted.

“Well, and ummm
…
you
as well
…ahh that be wonderful then, I s’pose.” He sat, followed by the quiet elven noble and his knightly friend. His stare was now fierce into the
tattooed
eyes of Saberrak who was not looking back, just eating pork filets and fruits and ignoring most everything else. He stared at Gwenneth next, who sat beside the Bear of Evermont, Sir Codaius of Norninne. She shook her head at Zen, ever so slightly.

“So, uhhh, where ye’ thinks we be headin’ then, I was unaware that---“

“To reunite with your
lost
family of course, nothing more noble could I think of, you surprise me with your secrets and honor, Azenairk. I shall sing songs of your devotion from here to eastern Pellan, all across
great
Shanador.” Tubrey raised his glass of morning wine mixed with fresh fruit to Zen and drank.

“Oh, and ye’ think that ye be up to, such a task, truly? Perhaps I needin’ to be talkin’ with me companions for a moment,
in private then
.” Zen was fuming. He had told them not to say a word.

“In truth, you would only require myself to guard you on such a journey, but the others have insisted on tagging along. Ha!” Sir Codaius spoke up, elbowed Jardayne, his mass and weight nearly knocking his superior out of his chair.

“We know all about your cousins in Freemoore, Lord Thalanaxe, and we would be honored to escort you for
the mere week there. I have royal business with Freemoore in any regard, as Armondeen has been harassing the free city and their merchants. Besides, low king Symond should be passing through on his return from Acelinne. I shall be giving him escort for the remainder of his return
here,
to Evermont. Thus, it is a convenience for us both, thine and mine own, good dwarf.
I insist
.
” Sir Jardayne explained, curious as to why the dwarf would not wish an escort and company for just a weeks travel north.

His breath let out like a mountain of weight h
ad just fallen off his chest. Zen
smiled, looking to Saberrak who huffed at him, then to Gwenneth who smiled
back
, and lastly to James and Shinayne sitting on his left.

He whispered. “
Fine, allright. But what do we do when tis time to turn west? Just leave em in the mornin’ and head out without a word? What if they try findin’ us or followin’ or, Vundren’
s Blessed B
reastplate, now what?”

“
It will be fine. Have faith, it will work out one way or the other
.” James whispered back, raising his glass of water to a toast from
yet
another knight of Evermont.

“
How many days before we turn west, Zen
?” Shinayne whispered as the conversations carried on, some music strummed into the air, and everyone ate.

“
Four or so, when we see the foothills o’ the Kaki Mountains
.”

“
Then, we have four days to plan it.
” She whispered back, enjoying the figs and morning wine.

“
How? Ye’ got any ideas, elf
?”

“
No
.”

“
James, anything
?”

“
Afraid not. Heading west to those lands, there is no r
eal explanation besides suicide
,
or the truth. But I would thank them regardless, the Knight General has insisted and we are in his country
.
They have been nothing short of honorable and giving.
”

“Great. If I tell em’ the truth, someone sure will hear o’ it. Keep it quiet then, I will handle it in four days, I be the one to explain it when we leave em
’.” Zen stood and sighed.

“Knight General Jardayne o’ Evermont, though we not be in need o’ yer escort, it would be an honor it would, to have ye’ then. Me thanks to ye, and to you as well, little Shans.” He raised his glass of fruit and weak watery wine
that humans loved
, drank, and sat back down.

The knights of Evermont, the five that had remained while their low king was away at the capital, all stood, glasses in hand in early morning.

“I believe that I speak for us all, the knights of Evermont that is, when I say that you five are likely the most heroic and dedicated folk that have passed through our city
since I took my knighthood. I commend you for your honor and bravery!” Young Sir Anders of Carrelyn flicked his blonde braids of hair back and looked to his four fellow guardians of the low throne.