CHAPTER FIFTEEN THE QUEST BEGINS

  Elias Romwell knelt on one knee with just one thing on his mind. The big man didn’t have his armor on yet; he would be wearing it soon enough. The holy Knight of Providence bowed his head in reverence to the god he served, to the god he believed guided his steps. That notion never changed. In fact, his belief was even more bolstered now that he was back in his room and all was quiet.

  Elias’ sword id next to him. Other than Elion himself, it was his comfort. It was almost an extension of himself. Like the knight’s armor, his sword was always with him. Elias reached down and grabbed the ornate handle and pced the tip of the bde on the wooded floor. Then he pced his head against its hilt.

  "I thank you humbly for this honor, Elion, great god of all creation," whispered the knight. "I know that you have made me for this time and for this purpose. All my training from childhood to becoming the captain of The Knights of Providence, and since then, has been for this task. Grant me your grace. Grant me your peace on this quest. And ultimately, grant me patience, as I now walk this road with those I do not yet truly know. But thanks be to you, great Elion, for I do know that soon, the Scepter Sword of the King Priest will be back in our hands. And if it is a mercenary that brings the news of its location, a mercenary that leads the quest to obtain it, then so be it."

  Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door. "Elias the time has come," came a voice. "You are summoned by the High Priest."

  Standing straight up, Elias grabbed his lighter armor and started to put it on. Then looking up to the ceiling he said one final sentence. "May my service be a light for you, Elion, and a reminder to others of your greatness."

  Once Elias opened the door, standing there a few feet away was Aldon. His kind old face beamed with pride. Of all The Brethren, it would be Aldon that came for him. Yes, thought Elias. All this was right and ordained by Elion. If one man was to walk him to the Great Audience Hall for the final blessing, it should be him. Then Elias grabbed Aldon’s shoulder and in return Aldon grabbed the knight’s.

  "It is time my boy," replied the old cleric. Then he cleared his throat, his face becoming reverent. "You are the closest to a son I will ever have, and it is my honor to make this walk with you."

  Elias held back his emotions, as he could tell Aldon was as well.

  "Your prayers went well I assume?" asked Aldon.

  Elias looked at the man who was the biggest influence in his life, after both his parents had gone to Elion’s Embrace. Then he answered with authority in his voice. "I am ready."

  A few corridors away, Garrick and Cerelene stood looking at an enormous shield that was standing between Stephen and a rge rugged, muscur man. The shield was practically the size of a dwarf. It was well made, but Garrick could tell, after taking a longer look, that though it was well built, in the interest of time, the finishing touches had been skipped.

  "That shield may be as heavy as I am, mercenary," said Cerelene, but Garrick didn’t hear her.

  Garrick was listening to Balcon and the rest of the Brethren behind him, who were discussing not only the quest for the Scepter Sword, but the attack from The Barren Wastend, that seemed to have heralded the dark time that the ancient legend had warned about.

  What had Landon Rosser found on that almost lifeless rock? Or who, thought Garrick. Was it even Rosser at all? Then the mercenary looked up and saw the High Priest. Specifically, the Holy Amulet around his neck, and Garrick was reminded that he must concentrate on the quest before him. This mission was first and foremost. Whatever came of the battle in The Dwarven Mountains would be dealt with by King Ironhearth or his allies, if he needed them.

  The voices behind Cerelene and Garrick slowly quieted as they all saw Elias at the Hall’s entrance with Aldon. The old cleric said a few words to the knight and then moved to join The Brethren, while Elias walked over and stood next to Garrick and Cerelene. After nodding to them both, the knight gazed upon the newest addition to his arsenal.

  "So that is it. The shield that The Sacred Bcksmiths made to stand up to the dragon Firebaugh," announced Elias.

  "Not only that, knight, once we have the ring, it will cover our escape through the tunnel that leads from his ir," added Cerelene.

  Garrick looked at the long slits that surrounded the thick edge of the octagon shaped shield. Those slits, along with a mechanism when used in tandem, was what made the shield really important.

  "I am no cleric, but I pray to Elion that we can sy the dragon, instead of having to dash away like thieves," whispered Garrick.

  "That is my pn as well, Garrick," assured Elias. Then they all looked at the High Priest, who had stood up from his seat with his staff in hand.

  "Master Macdoel. Please come forth," prompted the High Priest.

  Garrick and Cerelene watched as the master of The Sacred Bcksmiths walked proudly over to Elias and presented him with the rge, raw looking, metallic shield.

  After Elias took the shield, he lifted it in the air and then brought it back close to his chest. After feeling its weight for a moment, the knight took his other hand and slid over the mechanism that was located near the shield's handle. In an instant, metal pieces moved out from within the shield, making its protection range even rger. Then the knight slid the mechanism back and the pieces moved back inside for normal battle use.

  The shield was exquisite, thought Elias. It was lighter than he’d thought it would be, and wider reaching in its protection. Upon seeing the High Priest approach, the Knight of Providence knelt down. Though today’s meeting was holy and of utmost importance, it would be short with all that was at stake.

  "This shield given to you, Knight of Providence, is for your protection and the protection of any that join you on this quest. No bde can pierce this shield. Not even sovereign dragon fire can melt it." Then the High Priest lifted his staff and touched Elias’ right shoulder. "Elias Romwell. May Elion lead you." Then the High priest touched Elias’ left shoulder. "May Elion watch over you."

  Next, the High Priest stepped in front of Cerelene. After nodding over at Stephen, the newly appointed captain of The Knights of Providence walked over and handed the High Priest an elegant dagger. The bde shined bright upon it’s wooden handle. A handle that was an intricate carving of a rose.

  "This is one of the few keepsakes of my former life," announced the High Priest proudly. "I was given this dagger by a fearless elven beauty that I fought along side many years ago, and now to another fearless elven beauty it returns."

  Surprised by the gift, Cerelene took the dagger from the High Priest. The elf maiden gripped its handle tightly, her hand fitting perfectly between the two leaves that were fashioned below its hilt, and the rose petals at the handle's bottom. After she studied the bde for a moment, the elf maiden bowed in thanks and then knelt on one knee.

  The High Priest lifted his staff and touched Cerelene’s right shoulder. "Cerelene Lightshower. May Elion lead you." Then the High priest touched Cerelene’s left shoulder. "May Elion watch over you."

  Garrick looked straight ahead as the High Priest finally stepped in front of him. The mercenary closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly. Then he felt something cool around his neck. When Garrick opened his eyes he saw that the High Priest had pced the Holy Amulet upon him. The metal felt light, yet sturdy. The Scepter Stone, a Holy Stone of Elion, was now his responsibility to protect.

  Though the mercenary knew this was to happen, though the High Priest had decreed that he was, indeed, the human representative, it still seemed outndish. Elias was human as well. Elias was from The Holy City. Elias was a Knight of Providence, a warrior that served the High Priest. Even more so, Elias’ love and reverence for Elion was immense. No man, no woman, no nd was greater than the knight’s retionship with the god of all creation.

  Yet it was he, a mercenary, that was chosen to not just lead the quest for the legendary Scepter Sword of the King Priest, but to wear a Holy Stone as well, thought Garrick. Suddenly, the voice of the High Priest brought Garrick back from his thoughts. As he looked up, the High Priest was addressing the Brethren.

  "This Holy Amulet has been passed down to every High Priest of The Human Kingdom Lands, since it was given to Chaustus Emery after the King Priest separated King and Priest into two titles before he died long ago," spoke the High Priest with reverence. Then he stopped and looked back at Garrick. "Now you, a mercenary wear it. Not only by my decree, but by Elion’s will. There is no debate. A sign was given. The god of all creation has chosen you."

  "Praise the god of all creation! Praise the god of all!" yelled the Brethren in unison.

  As the Brethren's chant faded, Liam Jarstinian reached out and held the Holy Stone one st time. His fingers firm across the back of the Amulet while he moved his thumb over the red Stone. Then he let it fall slowly back across Garrick’s chest.

  After the mercenary knelt down, the High Priest lifted his staff and touched Garrick’s right shoulder. "Garrick Landow. May Elion lead you." Then the High priest touched Garrick’s left shoulder. "May Elion watch over you."

  The room was silent. All the Brethren looked on with joy, knowing that all they knew and all they believed in was soon to be fulfilled. Then the High Priest smiled, stepped back, lifted his arms to his sides, and said in closing. "Rise. Elias, Cerelene, Garrick. Go forth now and bring harmony back to the world of Danaria."

  While Elias and Cerelene gave longer goodbyes to Aldon and Stephen, Garrick pced something into his pack that the High Priest had handed to him. After thanking the High Priest, and giving a slow nod to Stephen, who returned it, Garrick walked quietly out into the courtyard. As the sun started to rise, he saw Onyx asleep under a tree. When he got closer to the mystic wolf, he awoke and trotted over to meet the mercenary.

  Onyx sniffed the air and then looked up at the sky, after he heard a bird screech in the air. After Garrick turned around to look as well, he noticed Elias and Cerelene walking toward him. As the knight was attaching his shield across his back, Azure gracefully nded on the elf maiden’s right forearm.

  "Well Garrick, the time has finally come," announced Cerelene, smiling nervously as she pced the High Priest’s dagger behind her belt.

  "Yes, on to The River Caverns to see your wizard friend, Maldrin," agreed Elias, while he inspected his sword.

  The elf maiden looked back at The Temple of Unfaltering Devotion one st time and then started to stroke Azure’s wing as the falcon and mystic wolf looked at each other.

  "You are sure we can make it there in a few days?" asked Cerelene, straightening her bow across her shoulder.

  Garrick smiled at Cerelene and reached into his pack, to where Braelind’s scroll had once been. Then the mercenary held up the High Priest’s map for them all to see and replied. "Yes. I am sure."