The Knights' Chronicles Part 19
Never before had the knights-in-training dreamed of seeing an entire kingdom carved into the side of a glistening mountain. But that was exactly where they were when they landed in Romefeller, close to its palace just as the sun began to set below the horizon that they had an amazing view of from their height.
Amazingly, the high altitude lost its chill so their furry cloaks were no longer needed and were as such packed away. Silently, the trainees mused that the warmth around may have been a spell from the mountain itself. Just in knowing their friends, they knew that anything was possible when it came to the gifted and their homeland.
Following Quatre and Relena to the large stable with their steeds in tow, Heero and his 'siblings' watched as the squires hurried around to greet them.
Quickly making her way to the front of the pack, a round, older woman with silvering hair that reached her shoulders walked up to be nuzzled by a sand-colored muzzle. A motherly chuckle bubbling from her, she told her charge quietly, "Hello, my dear Sand Rock. I have missed you, too."
Pulling back, the kind woman smiled up to the new scaly faces, "Well, hello to you all. My name is Krista, and I will be overseeing your care during your stay here. If there is anything you would like or need, please do not hesitate to let me know."
Every bit as confused as their riders, Wing, Nataku and Ingier blinked at each other. Tilting his head, the white dragon made a series of grunts and chirps to which Krista grinned, "Yes, we do have mineral leaves that we can add to your dinner." Squawking in excitement, the trio of steeds beamed.
Wrapping an arm around the woman's shoulder, Relena giggled to her wide-eyed companions, "Krista, here, is an interpreter. Her ability allows her to both speak to and understand every living creature, right down to the smallest insect."
Anna shook her head, "That is amazing!" Gesturing Ingier she smirked, "I would love to know what dragons like my Trouble discuss amongst themselves."
The interpreter replied, "Oh, they usually discuss their travels and their riders amongst themselves." Leaning towards the knights-in-training, she winked, "And you would be surprised what gossips they can be. They rival us humans in that area." The group gathered laughed when even the dragons, safe in their stalls, chirped and grunted in what was no doubt an appeal.
Waving her hand, Krista stepped deeper back into the massive facility.
"Come along now so that you may rest after your long journey," she urged kindly. Their smiles growing, the steeds happily followed her.
Quatre clapped his hands together and turned to his captivated friends to announce, "To the palace with us, then." Turning on his heels, he and Relena walked at a fast enough pace that the others had to half-jog to catch up with them when they realized that they were moving on.
At the gates of the castle, the armed soldiers standing guard approached. Nodding firmly to the gifted couple, their eyes shifted to the three knights behind them.
"Be sure to recognize these faces," the empath told them. "They are all welcome to come and go as they please whenever they are here." Using a small trace of his gift, he locked the memory of his friends in the soldiers' minds.
Smiling, the guards bowed their heads and stepped away as the stone doors opened. "Enjoy your stay," the taller of the two men told their guests as he and his counterpart stepped aside.
Their jaws hanging open, Heero, Wufei and Anna stared up at the pristine castle. Its towers rising until they could not be seen beyond the cover of the puffy, multi-colored clouds above, there was a truly majestic feel to the palace.
Moving only on instinct, they stayed close behind Quatre and Relena as they took to the tall stairway leading inside. Unable to contain their breathless wonder, their wide eyes scanned everything around them.
If there was grandeur to the outward appearance of the castle, what it held inside was remarkable in its beauty.
The corridors were natural crevices within the side of the white mountain, branching and etched out jaggedly at the sides. Cobble-stones and marble flecked with gold made up the floors while great flags of many different designs hung from the walls. Of course, the knights recognized those flags as belonging to every kingdom in their world.
As the center of peaceful negotiations and dealings between the lands, it was only fitting that the palace bear no favoritism even through the symbols it bore.
Where there was not a flag, there was either a candle burning or natural runoff water dripping down into little fountains that collected them. All around, there were balconies from which the people walking around would peek over to gaze down on their visitors.
Heero paused when they came by a room with a shallow pool inside. Beneath the surface, fish of every color of the rainbow ate the food that a few children gathered around tossed into the water.
At the far edge of the pool, one young boy no more than five stood close by a woman twice his age as he raised his hands. Opening fingers, his palms glowed and a large ball of water rose up hang in the air before it shifted into a multitude of shapes and burst to fall like a gentle rain back into where it came from.
Clapping her hands, the woman behind the child praised, "Very good, Jonathan." The boy's mentor, Yuy noted to himself Turning, he found that Wufei and Anna had stopped to watch the display as well.
"From the time that I was that boy's age, I wanted to become a knight to make a difference," Heero said quietly. His cobalt eyes falling back on the child, he shook his head, "And all that I can think of when I am here with these gifted is how no matter what, there is nothing special about myself or anything that I may do."
Rubbing the back of his neck, Wufei sighed, "I cannot help but feel the same. We are quite unremarkable in this world." Biting her lip, Anna frowned and nodded in agreement.
A familiar voice behind them broke in to reassure, "It troubles me that you all would believe something that could not be further from the truth." Turning, the 'family' blinked widely as Dallion and Virgil approached them. All but running back into the scene, Quatre and Relena stood beside their mentors while they watched their friends.
To answer the questions floating on the emotions of his young guests, the empath chuckled deeply, "The horses to our carriage are spelled to be able to keep up with dragons in flight." His head tilting, its smooth top shimmered in the natural light pouring in through the windows as he questioned, "Now, what is this nonsense of your feeling insignificant?"
Flashing glances to each other, the trio shifted on their feet uncomfortably. With a deep breath, Heero met the imposing man's eyes and shrugged, "We do not have gifts that we can use to make a difference in this world."
Dallion rested her folding hands at her waist smiled warmly, "You do not need gifts to make a difference, my dears. Every person, every living thing, is here for a very specific reason... a purpose that only the Creator knows. You may not see it, but you are all very remarkable and playing an important role in this world in some way."
Blinking widely at that, the three trainees matched her smile at that thought. Perhaps when they joined the good spirits they would better understand the difference that they made in their lives. But it was good enough to know that there was merit in the seer's words.
To believe in the Creator as they did, after all, meant to believe that there was a reason for everything.
Pleased by the eased sensations from the lot, Virgil winked, "Besides, do you really believe that our eldest gifted would summon you here if he did not see something valuable in you?"
"Summoned?" Anna repeated. Her fellow soldiers shared her confused expression.
Her smile growing, Dallion giggled and bowed her head of long, black hair before she walked past the knights-in-training. "It is one of the reasons why we wanted to bring you here. Given the gravity surrounding it, we could not mention it sooner."
Suddenly stiffening, the woman turned to look down the remainder of the corridor and was quickly moving. "We do not have much time. This way, please," she called over her shoulder. Hesitating a moment, the confused trio peered back to see that Virgil, Relena and Quatre were waiting on them.
Running, the soldiers caught up with the retreating seer and kept her swift pace as the others followed. "As peaceful people, we gifted normally do not step in to assist the soldiers of any one land," Dallion informed, peering over her shoulder to watch her charges. "To see that any and all possible battles between humans are fought fairly, our gifts are forbidden to be used."
When they reached the end of the corridor that they were walking, the seer stopped to turn and face the captivated teenagers. Bending at the waist, she smirked, "However, Galon has decided that you will be exceptions to this ancient rule."
Physically jolting at that announcement, Heero and his comrades stared at her in disbelief. In little more than a breath, he heard himself stammer, "W-why would we be chosen like this?"
Biting her lip, Dallion's haunting eyes shifted to reveal something akin to harnessed fear. "The darkness is nearly upon us," she whispered in such a way that it sent chills up her charges' spines. "And as the most powerful gifted, Galon has seen what it holds. The moment that he made his discovery, he urged us to bring you here."
The mere mention of the darkness had the three teenagers' nerves on edge. It was only another couple of years before they reached that time of the unknown. Now someone was aware of what was coming... and they wished to see them.
Before anyone could ask, Virgil informed, "He has told us nothing more regarding the matter. And as an adaptor, he gains the abilities of every gifted he encounters. Therefore, he can counter our own gifts by blocking us out. Therefore, we cannot read his emotions, nor can we see what the future holds for him."
"But Galon is in poor health," Quatre frowned deeply in concern. "As the eldest of our kind, he has seen centuries roll by and his health is now failing him. We did not want to waste any time in bringing you to him since he insisted on seeing you."
Relena rubbed her hands together in her anxious gesture while she stated, "He told us that you were to know none of this before you arrived to keep this between all of us. Even the rocks can have ears in our world and so there was a risk that others would learn of this."
"I understand that this is a lot to take in," Dallion smiled sadly. "I do apologize that this is all bring sprung on you, but I assure that it was necessary. Now, we must go." That said, she turned and continued down the remainder of the corridor.
Completely overwhelmed by everything that they were taking in, the Terrible Trio followed their guide to the last closed door of the stretch they had traveled. Raising her hand, she knocked three times.
The wait was not a long one when the door was opened to a middle-aged woman with fine blonde hair pulled back in a bun. Nodding to the seer as though she had expected her, she stepped aside to allow the group to enter.
As they entered the room, the trainees took in the dimly lit space of deep-colored satins that draped the ceiling and walls to make it appear like a living piece of art.
In hushed voices, the women conversed behind them. Only catching some of the words as they stared at the bed in the center of the candle-lit room, the soldiers' gazes fell on the man lying under the thick covers of fiery red.
Pale and fragile, the gifted wore many deep wrinkles that lined his peaceful, bearded face framed by long white hair that pooled over the bed. The end tip of his snow-colored beard fell over the center of his slowly rising and falling chest, each breath taking that little bit longer to come.
Taking a deep breath of her own, Dallion walked to the side of the bed and leaned close to the old man in it. "Galon," she called softly. "We have returned with our friends that you wished to see."
In a light stir, Galon's mouth opened and the tongue within clicked a couple times and his pale blue eyes blinked open. "Ah," he smiled tiredly up at the seer when his vision cleared, his grated voice thick with sleep. "Thank you, my dear."
Slowly pushing himself up, the gifted elder raised his shaking right hand. Instantly, the flames of every candle in the room tripled in size to cast a brilliant glow. Squinting his sunken eyes, he stared at his three guests huddled together as far from the bed as they could be.
"Heero Yuy, Wufei Chang and Anna Fraise. I thank you for being here, children," he greeted with a warm smile, voice never losing the grit to it. Turning towards the other gifted around, he requested, "I wish to speak with these three alone, if I may."
There was no protest as heads bowed in acceptance before the lot slipped from the room. For the knights-in-training, their hearts began to race as they continued to stare at the old man watching them.
Waving his hand towards himself, he chuckled deeply, "Come closer so that I may see you better. I promise to not bite."
Heero swallowed roughly, but took the first steps forward. Flanking his sides closely, his 'siblings' followed suit until they were all beside the bed.
"Yes, you are the ones, indeed," Galon sighed deeply in relief, his eyes taking their time to study each nervous face down the row.
Unable to hold her tongue, Anna questioned in a sputtered, "W-what 'ones,' sir?"
His smile only spreading further across his wrinkled face, the elder replied, "The ones who will look after the greatest hope for our future... if you all manage to survive. Without you, he will not stand a chance for what is about to fall upon our world."
Gasping, the trio straightened sharply. Any nerves were completely overridden by sheer terror. "So, there is an eminent danger coming in the unseen days ahead," Wufei breathed.
A deep frown replacing his smile, Galon nodded firmly, "Yes. I have seen many things in my old age... but I have never seen anything like what you, and everyone in this world, are about to endure. And even then, I am not able to see it through to how it will all end. I only see the nightmare."
Unable to breathe, the knights-in-training remained frozen, aside from their subtle trembling. "And we are to be the ones helping the only person who can help us? Who are they?" Heero managed.
"You will be the closest links to him," the gifted answered. A smile returned as he told them quietly, "And you only learned of his existence a few days ago."
Nearly knocked from his feet, Wufei gasped, "Prince Duo. But... he would only be a baby by then."
Wrapping an arm around his abdomen, Galon's face scrunched as he hissed in pain. "All... shall be... explained when I am gone," he moaned out. Instinctively, the trio helped pull the covers up as far as they would go or rested a hand on the arm in reach.
The pain ebbing, the elder rested back against the pillows that Heero had propped up behind his raised back and chuckled, "Such a kind lot, you are."
Cautiously taking a deep breath against the pain, he continued, "The seers will all be able to see what I now know when the veil I have placed is lifted. Many are simply not ready to deal with what their eyes are about to take in, but I will not be able to spare them for much longer."
Anna swallowed roughly and shook her head, "I just do not see how we could possibly be ready for what you are describing. We are just knights-"
Raising a hand, Galon cut her off and smirked, "First off, you are not 'just' anything. Second, I brought you all here so that I might be able to help... in the small way that I am able."
He turned his head to study each face again as he inquired, "You have recently learned of the ancient rule my people have in aiding soldiers, yes?"
When the heads of the soldiers nodded, the old man smiled, "Well, I intend on lifting that, being the one with the ability to do what I intend. Unfortunately, my body can only hold up for so much. That is why I needed to make certain that I made my gift count before I cannot use it any longer. And it will be in the best use with you three standing before me now."
Galon gestured to Anna and requested, "Your quiver, my dear." Blinking her widened eyes, she slowly stepped up close to him as she slipped her quiver from her back to place it in his extended hands.
Carefully appraising the arrows within, the elder smiled, "You are quite the skilled craftsman." Closing his eyes, his hands at either side of the quiver, it began to glow and his mouth moved ever so slightly in a silent connotation.
As the glow faded, he looked back to the archer and told her, "There is nothing like an arrow handmade by its warrior. Now, there will be no end to them even in the thickest of battles to make you an effective shield to our hope."
"T-thank you," Fraise breathed in wonder as she accepted her quiver back. Falling back to stand beside Wufei, she swallowed past the lump that formed in her throat. Reverently, she replaced the strap over her shoulder as Galon waved to her lover.
Opening his hands, the white-haired man grinned, "Your blade, young man." Stepping up close, Chang removed his sword and placed it on top of the weathered palms. "Ah, this is certainly a beauty," came the chuckled compliment. "And it is quite important to you as your family heirloom."
Wufei cleared his throat and nodded with a choked, "Yes, sir." He gasped when the metal of his curved blade began to shimmer in the light of the white glow from the hands holding it.
At the end of his spell, Gallon seemed to slump in his bed all the more, the exhaustion that he was fighting burrowing its way deeper into the crevices of his face. "Such a thing must be preserved," he whispered as he raised his eyes back to the swordsman. "No matter the stress it endures, it shall never break nor melt. It shall always remain as it is now, blade to the prince."
Unable to help the tears filling his eyes at the emotions that came with that promise, Wufei received his sword back with trembling hands. "Thank you," he told the old man, every ounce of sincerity that he could muster dripping from those words as he stepped back beside Anna. Wiping the tear that had fallen down her cheek, the archer ran her hand over his back.
Galon raised a finger at the couple and stated, "A weapon is only as good as its wielder. Though the magic I have bestowed will aid you, it is up to the both of you to keep yourselves and that which you defend most alive."
Focusing on Anna, he urged, "Be true in your aim." To Wufei, he said, "Do not falter in your strike." The knights nodded their heads in a solemn vow to heed his words.
Heero gripped the hilt of his sword when the gifted faced him, only to stop when a hand was held up. "You will be armed with something much more important, my son," Gallon told him, waving him closer.
Confused, Yuy got as close the bed's edge as he could so that the gifted could lean forward to rest a hand on his chest. A sharp gasp rushing from him, he felt the magic racing through his body and flooded his mind with images. In one flash, he saw the kingdom of Sanq and in the next, he saw lands from high above... as though he was flying over them.
Then, his vision was flooded with the picture of a lake surrounded by trees around its edges to make a perfect ring. Strangely the scene was not one that Heero had ever seen before... and yet he knew exactly where it was and how he could get there.
Just as quickly as that scene entered his mind, the knight-in-training blinked to find himself back in the tapered room with Galon pulling his hand away. Beside him, Wufei and Anna had their wide, anxious eyes on him.
Falling back against the pillows behind him, the elder panted desperately, "You understand the map?"
"Y...es," Heero nodded, still unsure what it all meant. What was it about knowing the whereabouts of that serene lake that was so important?
A relieved smile spread across the gifted's face. Eyes heavy-lidded, he breathed, "Keep that location safe. You are now one of very few living souls that know there whereabouts of the portal.. making you the one to see that good still has a chance in this world. Guard it well."
Yuy's jaw fell and he stammered, "I-I... what do I have to do?" Nearly jumping out of his skin when a surprisingly strong hand gripped the front of his tunic, he gazed into the alert eyes of the gifted.
Panting heavily, Galon whispered sharply, "Rage... against the darkness..." His voice trailing off, his eyes closed as he released a deep breath and his hand fell onto the bed.
Quickly stepping away from the bed with gasps, the Terrible Trio looked on the still body before them with wide eyes.
And beyond the closed doors, a shrill scream filled the air.
TBC...
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