Chapter 1
Ulgu eclipsed all of Ghyran, the night air was vibrant and was tinted with the smell of flowers. The multi-coloured plants bristled at the frayed edges of my robe as I walked down the path.
The night air caused me to become lost in thought, my mind drifted to the number of days I have walked the mortal realms. At times I feel that I have lived long, too long sometimes but such were the gifts of the Golden God. I was chosen, by King Ushroan. I remember those days when I first sat at his table with my fellow knights, when we all drank from his Chalice.
That time was one of stillness and peace, but as always people sought to disrupt it. From Queen Neferata to the minions of the hated enemy. Stillness was a reward all deserved, stability was the true gift of the Golden God.
As the scented wind blew harder upon my body I pulled my open robe tighter around my form. It was then I recalled that my home of Shyish largely lacked wind, it would be troublesome if my robe blew off my body.
‘Help! Help!’
At the cry of help my ears tingled, I stopped messing with my ruined robe and broke into a run. Racing down the path I was trampling the wonderful flowers and I hoped they would forgive me but someone was in trouble and as a blessed knight of King Ushoran it was my duty to aid all who were in need.
As I ran down the path, the trees around me became a blur but I saw them in the distance. Brigands brandishing blades against two individuals. A female was holding a bloodied male, crying for help. I narrowed my eyes and drew my blade made of dragon bone. I leapt towards the brigands and before they could turn I removed the head of one of the cutthroats.
As the head flew into the air I cut down another, fresh blood sprayed in the night air mixing with the smell of the wonderful flowers. It was intoxicating but I couldn’t get distracted now. When the Brigands became fully aware of me, they barked at each other and attacked in a group.
They waved their swords around like children, I saw so many openings. I danced through the foolish humans so I could get in between them and the damsel in distress. When I came first to face with her, Her delicate face was the picture of sadness as she looked down upon the injured young man. He was covered in blade wounds.
Snarling I twisted around, freezing the charging brigands in place. ‘How dare you!’ my voice boomed around me causing the birds to flutter from the trees, the trampled plants were starting to wither.
The mortals dropped their weapons, their faces twisted into abject terror and the scent of urine consumed the air. I swore to myself that I will tear out their throats, I will rip them to pieces and guz-
Before I gave action to my thoughts I stopped myself. That was not the way of a knight, sheathing my blade I relaxed and took a deep breath. ‘Run, run to the hills!’ I shouted. ‘I decided to show you mercy! If I see you on this pathway again my blade will drink your blood!’
The men and women who robbed the innocent ran, screaming for their lives. Once the pathway was clear I turned back around to the young woman and knelt. The young man she was holding was turning pale. I wondered what could I do to dry her tears? How could I bring happiness back to her delicate features?
My hand slowly drifted to my wine sack, which was tied to my belt. But before I moved to removing it my hand froze in place. The wine was special, it was mixed with my own blood and the grapes of the old vineyard of my old kingdom. It had special properties but was this young man worthy of partaking of the liquid?
For a moment my eyes drifted over the young man again, I took in his blade wounds one more time. That was when I pushed my hesitation aside. I removed the wine sack from my belt and spoke gently to the young woman. ‘My lady, let me help the one you care for.’
She looked up to me in surprise, confusion and fear spread among her features for a moment but she relaxed. She offered me a weak smile. ‘Adam, my brother will die soon. I thank you for aiding me but I don’t think there is anything you could do.’
‘But that is where you are wrong my lady, this wine is from my homeland. Think of it as a potion it will heal your brother who placed his life on the line to protect you.’
The young lady slowly nodded, she lifted her brothers head slightly which allowed me to feed him the wine. Oddly, my hand was shaking as I uncorked the wine sack, it was like some part of me was telling me that I was wasting the blessed liquid.
Yet, this man was a true knight in my eyes. He put his life on the line for his family even though he was outnumbered. Pushing aside my hesitation again I placed the sack to his lips and tipped it slightly. The red fluid dripped from his mouth slightly but going by the movement of his throat he was ingesting the liquid.
When I saw his wounds slowly healing I drew back the wine sack and sealed it. The young man coughed violently but after the fit, he began breathing steadily. His sister’s face brimmed with happiness, her tears of sadness shifted to joy.
She hugged her brother tightly, she then looked up to me. ‘Who are you?’ she asked.
I returned her smile. ‘I’m Vindex von Pax, Knight of the Geldarai Kingdom.’
‘My name is Livia, Sir Vindex. If I may ask why is such a valiant individual in the rural areas of Verdia?’
As she asked her question I rubbed my neck, I wondered if I should answer? My smile drifted from my face, the gravity of my mission fell upon me again. ‘I’m looking for King Ushoran.’
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