The Spotting of a Knight
Formerly; Pierga falls under the curse
By Kamau
Part 1
------
The traveler had made good time since his pre dawn departure from
Laselle. This early departure had made certain that no one would see
the direction he was taking. While the man was dressed in plain
clothing his bearing and features spoke of one of good birth. He sat
upon his mount with the natural ease of one who has spent many days in
such labor. His frame was large and upon the ground he would easily
look over his horse's back. The hands that held the reins were hard but
not callused from work and the breadth of his arms spoke of great strength.
His features also offered clues to his station. The dark brown hair
beneath his cap was well kept and his beard well shaped giving his face
a noble appearance. But his eyes were what commanded all else. Grey as
steel and as piercing as any blade they missed not a thing they fell
upon. And yet within those eyes was an emptiness that held some deep
secret, one that if discovered he knew could cost him his life.
For a brief moment, out of habit, he rested his hand upon the hilt of
the sword that hung by his side. As if he had been stung by a bee he
yanked his hand away. Staring at the weapon he clinched his teeth, his
face distorted in pain. He knew this former tool of his trade was now
only a decoration or idle threat at best.
The road had been mostly empty so far but now, in the early morning
light, he saw a small child, perhaps of ten years, coming toward him.
"Strange a child being out here at this time of day," he thought as they
neared each other.
"Good day traveler," the boy cried out. "Tis a fine morning to be out on
the road."
"Indeed it is," the horseman replied eyeing the lad who was burdened
with two bundles slung from a yoke across his shoulders. "Is the road
clear ahead?"
"I can only speak back to the cross roads where I did begin," he
answered. "You should have no difficulties as the duke keeps this road
in good repair."
"My thanks lad," he called back as the child passed him and continued on.
Slowly shifting the string of beads he held in his hand he resumed his
prayer according to his custom while traveling.
"Hail Yanlin, filled with grace," he murmured. "The Lord dwells with
thee. Blessed above all of women thou be."
As he mouthed the prayers on each bead this day his thoughts drifted far
from his usual intention.
"I'm certain that boy never would have greeted me if I were still
dressed as a Yesbearn knight," he mused to himself. "and certainly not a
knight such as Pierga of La Hovan."
He hung his head for a moment as he recalled his past life. Then with a
sigh looked at the sky.
"Oh how right they were to fear the evil creature I had become," he said
to the heavens. "I praise you Eli for having opened my eyes. Oh
Yahshua, have mercy on me."
Pushing more thoughts of the sins he bore out of his mind he looked back
at the beads in his hand and continued.
"Now and as we draw near our death, Amen."
Searching the road ahead of him he caught the first glimpse of a tower
not far from the road. The wooden structure rose above the canopy of
the surrounding woods giving any in the small chamber that sat atop its
four legs a commanding view of the land.
"Watch tower?" he questioned as he drew nearer to the place. "but for what?"
His eyes strained to see if it was occupied and blinked in disbelief as
a face appeared in one of the large windows. It was not the face of a
man but that of a skunk. Assuring himself that he was not mistaken he
returned his gaze to the road until he was near opposite the place where
the tower stood. Looking once again he now saw the face of what looked
to be a child appear in the same window.
"What madness is this?" he murmured forcing himself to look away less he
draw the watchman's attention. "A beast and a boy in a tower such as
that? Is this some kind of waking dream?"
Shortly a bend in the road placed the tower out of view and he returned
to his prayer. A few minutes later, as he replaced the prayer beads in
his pocket he saw a cart coming toward him. Yet again he blinked in
astonishment at what he saw. Sitting upon the seat was a creature that
could have as easily been pulling the conveyance. From its ears to its
muzzle the figure's head looked every inch of a horse. Its hands as
well seemed somewhat misshapen but not what one could truly call
hooves. Averting his stare he passed the cart and continued on. Then
he suddenly remembered what had been said in Laselle about a cursed town
to the north. Surely that was the origin of these beast-men he had been
seeing.
As he approached a road leading to the west he saw a woman carrying a
pack basket filled with greenery.
"Good day to you traveler," she called out as he neared. "I see you are
new to our lands."
"What makes you say that?" the traveler asked.
"You come with your horse laden as if there were no places to stay in
Metamor," the woman said as he stopped a short distance from him.
"You're not even an hour from one place that would lodge you and you
could certainly make the Keep before dark."
"The Keep?" he asked now concerned he would soon be in another place
where he might be recognized.
"My, you are new to these parts," she said. "Metamor Keep. It's where
Duke Thomas rules from and the finest city in the valley."
The news that a noble dwelled in this Keep made him certain that he did
not want to go there.
"Is that where you're bound?" he asked hoping to find a way of avoiding
the Keep within this conversation.
"No I'm going to Iron Mine," she explained. "I just came out here to
gather some wild herbs for a remedy I'm preparing for the Inn keeper's
boy. The woods to the west had exactly what I was looking for."
"I see," he replied looking in the direction she had indicated she was
going. "So you're a healer in that camp?"
"Oh it's more then a camp," the woman told him. "It's a fair little
village but the name deceives many a newcomer like yourself."
"Are there towns up this road as well?" Pierga asked gesturing up the
road she had just descended.
"There's a couple small hamlets, more a cluster of cottages really, just
up the way but the road stops at the foot of the mountain not long after
the branch that runs off to the old Keep."
"Old keep?" he questioned.
"Yes, one of the old mountain keeps but it hasn't been used for a very
long time. That road is so overgrown that you can hardly tell it's even
there now. They never did repair the keep after it was sacked and that
was long before my time."
"Doesn't that leave you vulnerable to attack?" he replied.
"No more then any other place in the valley," she said. "Most all the
mountain keeps are abandoned now. We rely mostly on the scouts to keep
us safe."
"Well I should be on my way," he said giving his horse a gentle nudge.
"Pleasant journey," the woman replied moving in the direction of Iron Mine.
For a few minutes Pierga continued up the road then turned back to where
he had met the woman. If this road did run up to the mountains it might
just be the place he was looking for. Pulling his horse to the right he
began making his way up the side road.
The woman had been right when she said that there was little more then a
scattering of cottages along this ascent to the mountains. Shortly
after he passed the second cluster he saw what looked to be the remnants
of a road off to his left. Save for the way the old growth trees were
cut back it was hard to discern. Pausing for a moment he looked up the
overgrown path and considered his options. Dismounting he slowly made
his way into the woods near the road. While the young trees and bushes
had overtaken the old highway the thick canopy of the older trees to
either side kept the woods relatively free of undergrowth. Carefully
leading his horse he made his way back toward the mountains.
After traveling for some hours Pierga could see that the woods were
thinning out. Then he saw something ahead that assured him he was near
his goal. Just beyond where the woods seemed to thin was a wooden pale
that had obviously been neglected for many years. Moving forward he
could see many places where the picket had rotted and now lay on the
ground. At one time it would have been a sizable obstacle to anyone
going this way but not now. Pierga guided his horse through one of the
openings then turned toward the road itself. He moved past the remnants
of a fallen gate and turned onto the road. He knew not why but here the
brush and trees had not completely overtaken the highway.
Clear of the trees he now saw just how deeply he had penetrated into the
mountains. To each side rose steep rock faces that continued on to the
peaks themselves. Pierga turned his attention in the direction the road
lead and saw only grey stone faces at first. Then his eyes caught sight
of what the woman had mentioned early that morning. There, blending
into the rock that it was undoubtedly cut from, stood a tower a good
thirty feet in height. About its base was a stone wall with a
crenellated top from which defenders could easily slay any who would
cross their killing field. This was far beyond what he had expected to
find and it gave him some concern that he stood well within bow shot of
such a strong hold.
For a long moment he examined the keep looking for any sign of it still
having an occupant. Then he remounted his horse and eased it past the
last of the brush blocking his path. Keeping a weary eye on the tower
he looked about the ground before it. It became clear now why the land
had not been overrun with brush. Most of the ground was scarcely
covered with enough soil for grass and bare rocks were visible
everywhere. At various places along the steep stone wall there were
piles of rock that had crumbled to the valley floor. As Pierga was
within half a bow's shot he came upon what would have been the final
defensive outwork. This was a ditch, which stretched from one wall of
the valley to the other, designed to slow an enemy's advance unless they
stayed to the road.
A small bridge allowed the road to cross this defense. For all
appearances it lay in ruins, the nearest end being askew and half
unseated from its footing. Not trusting the bridge he was about to
descend into the ditch when something drew his eye. Dismounting he
walked carefully down the incline. Suddenly his footing gave way and he
slid down the side, stopping only inches from the bottom. There he
found what he feared. All along the bottom were implanted wooden spikes
meant to impale any man or beast that simply tried to charge across
them. Looking back up the slope he saw that the earth which covered the
sides was far too shallow to hold fast to the stone beneath it. While
he might cross with care he would not risk leading his horse this way.
Looking to the remains of the bridge he hoped he could find a solution
to his dilemma. Tying his mount to one of the old timbers he began to
examine the structure. Despite the apparent condition of the bridge the
wood seem quite sound. Cautiously stepping beneath it he could see that
the main timbers seemed to be solid. Gingerly stepping onto the bridge
Pierga tested its planking. Again all seemed sound despite the bridge
being nearly half off its piers. Testing each step he proceeded across
to the other side and felt no movement in the disturbed bridge.
Returning to the other side he untied his horse and led it to the other
side.
Again he focused his attention to the tower watching for any movement
that would warn him of danger. He knew even if he were to see an enemy
he would have no place to hide or run on this open plain. Whoever had
built this had made sure they had a vast killing field before them.
"This would certainly not be an easy siege," he commented as he took
stock of what he had passed and the fortress before him. "I wonder what
weakness was found that allowed it to be sacked?"
Examining the outer wall he saw it was simple but solid. Perhaps forty
paces along each side and a good fifteen feet to the top of the
battlements. The massive gates were open, one resting on the ground,
its upper hinge no longer supporting its weight. As he entered the
courtyard only the blank stone wall of the tower faced him. He could
see on this and other levels arrow slots that would certainly rained
death upon any entering. To his left he could see stairs leading up to
the wall and against the far wall seemed to be the remains of some kind
of building. As he turned the corner the first of the towers doors
became visible.
The door was stood ajar and opened with surprisingly little resistance
despite the loud objection voiced by its hinges. Cautiously looking
within he could make out several tables scattered about the chamber.
Reaching to his belt he withdrew his dagger and stepped within. As his
eyes adjusted to the dim light coming from the arrow slits he surveyed
the room. This chamber had plainly been a common room, used for cooking
and dining. There were a half dozen tables and benches along with a
large hearth, iron pots and other utensils still lying before it. To
Pierga's right a set of stairs led to the next level. Looking about he
saw there was no place for anyone to hide and so tied up his horse.
Carefully testing each step he ascended the stairs to the tower's next
chamber. Looking across the floor for any sign of occupants he made his
way into the chamber proper. The larger and more numerous slits of this
level gave a fuller but eerie light to the room. Here the first hint of
what had happen so long ago presented itself to him. The room contained
several beds; some baring the marks of sword or axe cuts while others
bristled with arrows. Reflexively he made the sign of the Yew as he saw
the bones of the men who had slept there still laying beneath their
rotted blankets.
"By all that's holy," Pierga growled. "Do they not even bury their dead
in this place?"
Yet even as the words escaped his lips he recalled the harsh realities
of a soldier's life. In war there were times the vanquished might never
see a grave. At least for these men their bones had not been scattered
by some wild animal. Suddenly a shudder ran through him as he recalled
how he had left his fallen companions only days before.
"Oh dear Eli grant them peaceful rest in your kingdom," he prayed with a
deep sigh.
Looking about the room he took note of a small hearth and several small
chests. There was also a table and chairs, still lying where they had
been overturned in the battle. From all that he saw in the room he
guessed that this could have been the officer's quarters.
Moving back to the stairs he made his way toward the last chamber. As
he reached the first landing it was obvious that those in the chamber
above had been alerted by the death cries of their companions below.
The dark red stain of dried blood covered the boards and the rail to the
side was nearly cleaved in two by the blows of a number of weapons. As
his head rose above the floor he could see that a strong battle had
raged here. Broken weapons and shields lay about the room as well as
the bones of more of the defenders. As he surveyed the room he could
see that this was the soldier's quarters for three levels of sleeping
platforms lined the walls. Near the chimney were weapons racks, and in
the center a ladder reached to a trapdoor above.
Careful not to disturb any of the bones, Pierga moved toward the
ladder. Resheathing his dagger he tested the rails then began to ascend
making sure each rung would hold him before continuing on. Pushing the
trapdoor open he made his way to the battlement that topped the tower.
To his great surprise the signs of battle were absent from this place.
"Did they surrender?" he pondered as he looked about. "Certainly this
would have been the hardest place for an attacker to reach."
Moving to the wall he found iron rings to each side of the slots, some
still holding arrows. In the midst of each wall was a crude chest.
Moving to one he opened it. What he found within only deepened the
mystery of what had happen to those stationed here for it was filled
with arrows. Looking out from whence he had come he could clearly see
that a man stationed here could have easily picked him off as soon as he
had passed the pale.
A sudden flash of movement in the corner of his vision cause him to spin
about and draw his dagger. There sitting on the far wall was a large
black bird.
"Rrronk," it called, snapping its head from side to side and eyeing him.
"Cr-ruck, rawk, rawk!"
"Noisy beast!" Pierga exclaimed sheathing his weapon. "Be gone!"
The bird simply sat on the wall, taking a step to the side while
continuing to eye him. Pierga looked for something to throw at the pest
but finding nothing he simply moved in its direction. He was only a few
paces from it when it leaped from the wall and took to flight.
As he watched the bird disappear to the west he saw how the sun was low
on the horizon. His cautious journey through the woods had consumed
most of the day and he knew the light would fail soon. Descending to
where he had left his horse he returned to his search of the courtyard.
The structure he had seen against the wall appeared to be a small stable
with two stalls and a place for supplies. In the opposite corner was a
small building with shuddered windows, another set of stairs leading to
the wall nearby. The door to this building bore a lock plate and ring.
Pierga moved to the door and drawing his dagger again, grasped the ring
and pulled. The door resisted, yielding only a fraction of an inch.
Again, with greater force, he pulled at the door but it held fast.
Looking at the lock plate he pondered if the door might be locked. Once
again he seized the ring which turned slightly in his hand. Twisting
the ring farther he heard the cry of rust breaking free and a sudden
release. A slight pull now opened the door revealing a finely crafted
latch within.
"Something of value or someone of station must have been here," he said
looking within before entering.
Once inside he could see from the light of the door this was indeed a
living chamber for someone. Making certain the door would remain open
to admit the dimming sun Pierga stepped in. Save for the dust and
spider webs the room was in remarkably good order. Across from the door
was a table with three chairs. A tankard its owner had left on his last
day within set near the edge. In the right corner of the room was a bed
still neatly made save for the ravages of mouse and moth. At the other
end was a small hearth and to its right a familiar piece of furniture.
There sat a small cross that soldiers called an armor tree. Pierga was
certain that only a man of high station would have had such to store his
plate upon when he was not wearing it. This had to be the quarters of
the keep's commander.
The light was growing too dim to explore much more but as he turned to
leave his eyes fell on that which might hold the answer to some of the
questions filling his mind. To the right of the door he had entered sat
a small writing table next to a fine chest. Upon its top was a quill in
an ink pot and a book. There was also a small chest sitting near the
back corner of the table fit for a man of station. Moving to the table
Pierga opened the book and glanced at the pages. In the dim light he
could not read but a few words and so decided to leave it for the morning.
He carefully closed and latched the door as he left to keep his find as
safe as it had ever been. He now turned his attention to what needed to
be done for the night. Moving to the stable he saw that while weather
beaten it was still serviceable enough to use. Looking to the supply
room he discovered a set of grooming tools as well as other gear that
would aid him in the days ahead.
Removing his horse's saddle he led it into one of the stalls and closed
the gate. He then set about clearing a place for himself to spend the
night. Returning to the second chamber of the keep he removed several
of the moth eaten blankets and used them to soften the ground on which
he would sleep. Perhaps in the days ahead he would choose to stay in
the keep or the commander's dwelling but not this night. Satisfied with
his preparations he turned his attention to his mount. With the skill
beaten into him as a squire he lovingly brushed the animal. He had
carried the young squire Yuther in his final mission but now obediently
carried the man who was responsible for his death. He only wished he
had some oats to offer the beast but such provisions would have been too
great a burden. With a final stroke of the brush through its mane he
patted it on the neck.
"When the time comes I will see to it that you have a proper owner," the
knight said, resolve in his voice. "That is if Eli will grant me to
remain safe for a time."
Leaving the stall Pierga walked around the courtyard examining the
grounds for any dangers. The small door in the back of the wall was
barred but the gates to the front could not be closed. Moving back to
these gates he pondered what might be done to ensure his safety for the
night. Seeing some barrels under the stairs leading up to the bastions
he chose to roll some to block the way. While it would be easy for a
man to move them aside the noise of doing so would give him the warning
he would need to be prepared.
By the time this was done the sun had long set and the stars and moon
gave what light they could to the night. Before retiring he walked up
to the wall's battlements and looked out over the land. As best as the
light from the moon would reveal there was nothing of consequence to be
seen. Returning to the stables he unrolled his own blanket and laying
an axe he had found near his head settled in for the night.
As he slept the dream that had haunted him since he burned the temple
played before him yet again. But this night it underwent a frightening
change. Every night since he had set out to rescue Fr. Ari the dream
ended with the knights of Yesbearn coming forth ready to cast him into
the eternal flames. This night they did not come. Instead, after the
chasm opened, he found himself kneeling at its edge staring into the
flames of eternal punishment. Then he was no longer in his body but
looking at it from a distance so that he was only a silhouette against
the flames. Suddenly his body began to distort and change. His legs
became animal like and a tail sprouted from behind him. He could see
his head change as well. A muzzle pushed out from his face and a pair
of protrusions burst forth from the top of his skull. Then a roar came
forth from this inhuman form that sounded like that of a wild beast.
With a gasp Pierga awakened from his slumber. He was drenched in sweat
and his body was trembling. Peering about he searched the darkness but
for what he did not know. Grabbing the axe he rose and walked all about
the courtyard, checking every door and gate. Finally satisfied that
there was nothing about he returned to his bed and slowly returned to
his sleep. His hope of peaceful slumber however was dashed when his
dream resumed but not in the usual fashion.
Now he knelt before the chasm, the flames rising in anticipation of his
ultimate fate. Then a clicking sound drew his attention away from the
abyss. Coming out of the darkness was not the knights of days past but
common soldiers carrying axe and sword, bow and pike. As they drew near
they raised their weapons revealing white bones grasping their tools of
war. Looking now at the faces each was an empty skull, the eye sockets
deep and dark, swallowing any light that drew near. A man with a
halberd stepped forward and with a bony finger pointed at Pierga. Try
as he might Pierga could not mouth the question he desired to ask.
Several of those in the ranks made the sign of the Yew and the leader
jabbed his finger at him again. Suddenly a wail rang out and the flames
behind the former Yesbearn roared. For the second time that night he
found himself wide awake staring into the darkness.
For a long time he simply lay there beneath his blanket trying to make
sense of this new dream. His mind refused to quiet itself sufficiently
for him to return to sleep and as the dawn broke he rose to meet it.
Taking some bread and cheese from his saddlebag he broke his fast.
Sipping some water from his costrel he climbed the stairs to survey the
land beyond the keeps walls.
The sun poured into the flatlands before the keep while the mountains
that surrounded it kept the stronghold itself in shadow. To the west
Pierga could see a stream that flowed down the small valley to the south
and east. It ran across the ditch and through the pale disappearing
into the woods beyond.
"Perhaps some fresh meat can be taken there," he said hoping there might
be fish for the taking.
His eyes followed the stream to the north as it entered a cut in the
steep wall. A small pool, formed by a falls that sprung from the
mountain itself, gave the stream its birth. From his angle of view he
could only guess at its height though he felt certain it was at least
equal to that of the tower. Turning to the north he could see the
ground was covered with rocks and rubble. Near the rocky face itself he
now saw what appeared to be a wall partly buried beneath boulders, some
larger than a house. As he looked above this debris he could see jagged
cliffs much further up the mountain. Their rugged unweathered nature
made it clear that sometime in the not so distant past a portion of that
face had given way covering all that stood before it. Finally turning
his eyes to the south and toward the pale he saw what he knew he must
have if this was to be his encampment until he returned south. To the
west, between the ditch and the pale, he could see the green of grass
that would be needful for his horse.
Descending the stairs he saw the bird that had startled him on the
battlement last night helping itself to the bit of bread he had left out.
"Shoo!" Pierga cried starting to run for the feathered thief. "Find your
own meal."
The bird quickly grabbed a portion of the bread and took to the air,
carrying its prize over the wall.
With a shake of his head he returned to the stable and opened the
stall. He would have to be more careful to keep his food covered with
that black bandit about. Giving his mount a bit of a rub he placed the
bridle back upon it and led it out onto the plain. Moving first toward
the stream he allowed the animal to nibble at whatever grass there was
in the shallow soil. The land sloped upward toward the water's head and
did yield to more fertile ground as they neared the stream itself.
Letting his horse feed on the grass growing near the water's edge Pierga
looked to the falls that lay but some two hundred feet from him. Now
that he was nearer it was clear that the falls was much higher then he
had imagined. It fell straight from the granite face like a giant
picture pouring water into the valley below. The sides of the cut were
far too steep for anyone to scale and the manner in which the waters
spew forth obscured the point at which it left the mountain. It was an
impressive sight as the falls dropped perhaps a hundred feet to form
this stream that fed the valley.
Leading his horse along the bank he looked for any sign of animals that
might come by to refresh itself here. He found no clear signs of life
but then he was a knight not a woodsman who could read such signs with ease.
As he neared the protective ditch Pierga noted that the land to each
side of the stream had been carved not by the waters but by hand to
lower its course.
"Why would someone go to the trouble of altering the stream," Pierga
wondered until he reached the edge of the ditch.
As the waters of the stream reached the edge it poured over only to
enter a pool cut out of the rock. From there it exited a narrow cut in
the far wall of this trench preventing it from turning it into a moat.
The knight knew that a moat, while a good defense was often foul and as
much a danger to the defenders as it was to the enemy. He questioned
again why do the work if not to create a moat.
Before he could consider the reason for this he saw the answer ahead of
him. Just beyond in the wall of the trench was a great stone. It was
much like that found in a mill save that it was solid, with no hole for
the shaft. It lay within a channel carved in the rock such that with a
lever men could roll it across the streams course. This would allow the
ditch to be turned into a moat at will, offering yet greater
protection. He reasoned that the deposits of soil upon its wall
testified to this having been done on many occasions. Still he
questioned the value of all this work.
"Why would someone go to all this trouble?" the knight pondered. "Is
there something here of great value that I do not yet see? And if this
place had been attacked why is this defense not deployed?"
Looking beyond the water gate to the west and south he could see where
the rocky floor yielded to more fertile land. Undoubtedly the stream
overflowed its banks at times leaving whatever meager earth it carried.
Perhaps this was the reason for the deeper channel and the pool within
the ditch. At least here there was grass for his horse to feed upon
though there would certainly be no danger of his becoming fat.
As the sun rose higher in the sky Pierga and his mount walked all the
land between the pale and the keep. By mid morn the horse seemed to
have satisfied itself and Pierga led him back to the stable. With the
sun sufficiently high in the sky he decided to make a better examination
of the keep.
Entering the lower chamber he now opened the second door upon the north
side allowing more light within. Just as he had seen the night before
the chamber was unremarkable. There was a bench or two overturned but
no signs of an outright battle such as in the chamber above. Now
however with the fuller light he noticed something he had failed to see
before. To the left of the hearth was a large trap door in the wooden
floor. No doubt beneath was a store room of some kind. As he drew near
the cover he could see a hook place squarely above it that could easily
be used to lower supplies by rope. Hung from the wall was a lantern
that was certainly used by whoever descended into this larder.
Examining the lantern Pierga found that the oil within had long ago
dried up. Looking about he saw several bottles and flasks that might
just hold the fuel he would need for this useful tool. While some still
retained their contents none proved to hold the needful lamp oil. This
would have to wait until after he had fashioned a torch from some of the
pine he had seen in the wood.
Ascending the stairs he returned to the chamber that had been the seat
of whatever final battle was fought here. The day light coming from the
slits revealed in greater detail the fierce battle that had raged within
these walls. A broken blade lay near the hearth and a wooden chest near
by bore the deep gash of an axe. Near the table pottery shards and
tankards lay where they had fallen that day. Every inch of this room
spoke of a hard fought battle.
Pierga now turned his attention to the unfortunate souls who had never
risen from their beds. In the first bed nearest the stairs he found the
bones of a man who had died quickly for the broken shaft of an arrow
still rested within his skull. The partially cast off blanket was full
of moth holes and the shirt that the man had worn that night had faired
no better. Then something caught the knight's eye. Lying within the
man's ribs was a small simple Yew. Pierga crossed himself seeing this
man was a fellow Follower.
"I shall lay you to rest soon," he said turning to see where the next
body lay.
At the last bed against this wall lay the bones of one who had at least
risen to face his enemy. There was no certainty of how he had died but
as the knight approached he saw no signs of sword cuts on the bone so he
supposed that he too had been slain by arrows. As he continued to
examine the man's remains he found yet another Yew amidst the bones of
this fallen warrior.
In the back of Pierga's mind an explanation was forming as to why these
men had not been buried. Steeling himself for what he would find next
he moved to the soldier who lay on the floor near the overturned table.
Not far from the bones of his hand lay the hilt of a broken sword. The
cuts and shattered bones of his neck were certain signs of an axe having
ended his life. As he had feared he would Pierga found a Yew on the
floor only a short distance from him. Against the far wall of the room
were the other beds and here lay the last of those slain. The bones of
the arm lay on the floor next to the bed while the body was still upon
the remnants of the straw tick. He did not attempt to discover the
cause of this man's death but rather searched for and found the sign of
his faith. More over upon the small chest that was near the bed lay a
copy of the Canticles, a ribbon holding the place where he had last
read. He opened the book to the place and found one of the Psalms.
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle,
my fingers for war;
My safe guard and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues peoples under me.
Closing the book he looked at the man and prayed that Yahshua would have
mercy on him and grant him a place in his kingdom. Walking to the
stairs he paused for a moment and looked once again at the slain. Had
the real battle here been one of faiths? Was this an Ecclesia
stronghold? Had this been the work of those of the Lothanasi? But if
so why was the keep not retaken by them? Why abandon such a strong hold
and leave these men to rot where they fell?
Setting his thoughts aside he climbed to the next chamber. As the day
before he saw the piles of bones where man had yielded their lives.
Moving to each on Pierga saw the all bore some sign of the Ecclesia. A
shudder ran through him when he saw one near the stone chimney that led
from the hearth below. Running through its ribs was a spear at the same
angle as had been made by the sword that ended young Yuther's life.
Within this morbid vestige of a chest, where the heart should have been,
lay a small silver Yew. No doubt a gift from one who loved this man so
long ago.
Moving to the ladder he returned to the tower's crenellated roof. Just
as on the previous day there was no sign of battle here. Arrows aged
and weathered stood in the rings meant to give the archers easy access
to them in time of war. The wooden roof above the battlement allowed
beams of sunlight to break through where it had been damaged by storm
and lack of repairs. Remembering his find of the night past he moved
about and examined all the chests. Each contained arrows and one held
some bows as well. If the need arose he certainly had the equipment at
hand to mount a defense.
Making his way back down Pierga cast a glance around each chamber. He
knew what he must now do but the question was where to do it and with
what tools. As he looked about the officers quarters one last time he
noted a metal lantern lying in the corner. Picking it up he was
surprised to find a candle within untouched by the years. This was the
tool that would allow him to explore the cellar for a time at least but
first he would need a fire to light it from.
Returning to the main chamber he moved to the large hearth and cleared a
place. To the side of the hearth was a pile of firewood untouched and
ready for use. Drawing forth some smaller pieces a family of mice ran
for safety as their long time home was disturbed. Drawing his knife
Pierga made a pile of shavings and moved several of the charcoal
remnants of the last fire about them. He next carefully arranged the
smaller wood to catch the new flames he hoped to light. Taking out some
tow, char cloth and his flint and striker he set about creating that
flame. While his skill had diminished from lack of use in time he had a
small fire from which he could light the candle.
Moving to the trap door he examined it for any signs of hinge or
handle. Recessed into the one side was an iron ring covered with dirt.
Brushing the ring clean he lifted it and attempted to pull the door
open. While it lifted slightly he could not move it clear of its sill.
For a moment he wondered if the door was designed to need more than one
man to open. Then he recalled the hook above the door that he had
suspected was for lowering supplies. Perhaps it was for more than
that. Looking about he saw a coil of rope hung near the hearth, a hook
attached to the end.
Casting the rope over the hook in the ceiling he placed the other in the
ring on the door. Grasping the rope Pierga pulled with all his might
but only lifted himself off his feet, the door rising only slightly more
than before. Examining the door again he suddenly realized that the
dirt from over the years had sealed the gap about the door like mortar,
leaving it no way to swing free. He returned to the wood pile and
taking a small branch began to clean this gap. Once again seizing the
rope he pulled downward and with a grinding noise the door slowly lifted
from its place. Grabbing the edge of the door he pulled it back nearly
pinning himself against the wall so great was the doors weight. This
caused a frightening thought to race through his mind.
"Oh Eli, please don't let it be so," he begged as he moved to now light
the lantern. "Let not the others be left to starve in the bowels of this
place."
Holding the lantern over the opening he could see a ladder leading down
into the darkness. Lowering the light he saw a row of barrels along
each wall and some boxes more to the center. Testing each rung Pierga
lowered himself into the darkness.
Standing on the floor of the cellar he turned about to see what stores
there might be left after the sacking. Yet what met his eyes was not
the disorder of a sack but a well ordered larder with barrels, boxes,
bottles and bales all neatly stacked as if the steward had just left.
Turning his back to the ladder he saw large barrels lining the wall to
his right and to his left a stack of many wooden crates. Above the
barrels hung several pack baskets, some fill with cloth bags. Directly
ahead of him, hung from the beams of the floor, were a number of now
petrified pieces of meat. Walking down and past these he could see yet
more boxes stacked neatly in the far corner. As he made his way between
these two stacks of crates he could see a smaller pile with coils of
rope lay atop them. Moving to these he discovered they were filled with
tools including a spade that he so badly needed to honor his pledge to
the fallen Followers.
Turning to face the last wall he found a number of bales lying on the
stone floor. They seemed untouched by the rodents and he could only
assume that this was due to the walls of this place being carved from
the rock itself leaving little or no passage for them to enter. But the
effort needed to do such as that boggled the mind. Again he questioned
why such great labor for such a remote keep.
Moving back toward the ladder he now turned his attention to some boxes
before the barrels on the wall. Lifting the lid of one that had seemed
open he discovered it filled with square bottles. Taking one out and
pulling the cork he quickly detected the smell of vinegar. Moving to
another box near it he found yet more bottles that to his surprise and
delight contained oil. While it may not have been meant for the
lanterns above it certainly could be used for them. He would continue
this examination later but for now he had a task to perform.
Gathering up the spade, a pack basket and one of the blankets he
returned to the common room above. Extinguishing the lantern he laid it
and the other items near the hearth then closed the trapdoor. Realizing
the amount of time he had spent within the tower he returned to the
courtyard and took to the wall. Not knowing if the place was frequented
by hunters or others he made a quick examination of the surrounding
land. Satisfied that no one was about he left the keep and walked down
the road.
"If I am to lay these men to rest," Pierga said voicing his plan. "I
shall need a greater depth of soil then is here. Perhaps a place near
the wood will offer what I need."
He first examined the land near where his horse had grazed but found
only a few inches of soil above the rock. Crossing to the other side of
the road he found only more of the same. Making his way down the side
of the stream he worried that he would be forced to bury these men among
the trees. As he was about to enter the older growth of woods something
to his right caught his eye. Looking to the ground he saw what appeared
to be some flat stones such as those used in courtyards. Moving in that
direction he could not believe his eyes as he could make out a stone
path leading near the stone face of the mountain.
As Pierga walked this path he noted that it was wide enough for four
columns of men though now some of the forest had overtaken it in parts.
Following this path he soon saw a small opening through the trees that
might suit his purpose. His ponderings were halted as he entered the
clearing and his eyes fell upon the granite wall before him. There, set
within the side of the mountain were three doors, a fine stone yard laid
before them. The path led straight to this courtyard with lush green
grass covering the rest of the clearing. These doors were much like he
had seen in the crypts in Yesulam and each bore a symbol and
inscription. On the one door was the carved image of the Yew with the
inscription in the ancient script "Eternal rest grant unto them oh
Lord". The farther door bore the symbol of the Lothanasi though the
inscription he could not read. The middle door was a mystery for
neither the symbol nor the inscription was familiar to him.
Moving to the door with the Yew upon it Pierga examined it. To the side
was an ornate plate with a handle and keyhole. For a moment he
considered if he should open it as it was certainly a sacred place.
However he reasoned his purpose for doing so was noble and so he reached
for the handle.
From overhead and behind him a sharp loud cry sounded out.
"Rawack!"
Looking up he saw the large raven perched on a limb overlooking the
small clearing.
"Rawack, arwk, arwk, rawack!" it called once more.
"You again?" Pierga said. "Go away, there's no food for you to steal here."
Grasping the handle he tried the door but it gave not an inch at his
efforts. Looking at the other doors he could see that of the Lothanasi
had a similar handle but the middle door showed none. In all other ways
the door was identical to the others save where the handle should be was
simply a black plate with several symbols etched into its metallic surface.
"Will this place never cease of puzzles?" Pierga said turning back
toward the keep. "Perhaps I can find the key for the door and bring the
fallen there."
Returning to the keep he immediately thought of the commander's cottage
as the most obvious place to look. Opening the door he entered and
opened each window shutter to allow the light to fill the space. With
the full light of day filling the room Pierga could see all of its
furnishings clearly. Against the wall next to the bed was a small six
board chest on which still rested a folded shirt. Above this at about
shoulder height was a shelf that stretched over the head of the bed as
well. On this were several books as well as a lantern much like the one
he found in the officers quarters. At the very end of the shelf was a
chest much like the one on the table save it was smaller. In the
daylight he could see that each of these bore a set of arms carved into
the leather which covered them.
"This man was of a good station if he bears arms," the knight said
removing the small chest from its resting place and setting it on the table.
Opening the chest he quickly saw that while it held personal items, some
of great value, there were no keys to be had. Setting it aside he
opened the larger chest. Here he found only some writing paper and
other assorted items. Returning the small chest to the shelf he next
looked at the six board chest near the bed. Here again the contents
were unremarkable for a soldier of a goodly station. Lastly he moved to
the large chest near the door. This one was filled with mostly clothing
and some linens but again the keys he hoped for were not to be found.
Looking about the room he pondered where else a man might keep his keys.
"Perhaps he carried them on him," Pierga mused still examining the room.
"if so only Eli knows where they might be now."
Closing the windows he returned to the tower and examined the officer's
quarters never ceasing to be careful of the bones still lying on the
floor. His search however yielded no keys.
"There is no saving from it," he sighed and headed for the door. "These
men will have to lie in the earth itself."
Picking up the spade from its resting place he walked back to the open
ground near the tombs and began to dig. He had gone no more then three
feet into the earth when his blade again found rock.
"It will not be a deep grave but they have no danger of wild beast
digging them up," Pierga said now lengthening the hole he had made.
Deep or not he had not completed two before the midst of the day had
come. Returning to the keep he took his noon meats and thought about
bringing the bones of one man to place in the grave that was complete.
If he pressed on with his work he reasoned that he could have the four
officers buried before sunset and so chose to return straight to his
digging. After several hours of digging the graves for the fallen
officers were ready.
Returning to the keep he entered the officer's chamber and considered
how best he might move the remains to their final resting place. Eyeing
the straw ticks on the beds he reasoned that if they were still intact
enough they might serve the purpose. Going to the first bed he saw that
it appeared to be sound enough to hold the bones. Cutting the threads
that bound it on one end he emptied the straw on the bed.
Taking the large bag to the first man's remains he knelt down and
carefully placed the bones within. The last thing Pierga put in the bag
was the tiny Yew that the man had worn. Cutting a strip of cloth from
the end of the tick he tied it closed. Moving to the next bed he
discovered that this one was too riddled with mouse holes to be of use
and so moved to the next. Pierga managed to find enough of the other
ticks whole to prepare the remains of all the officers for burial.
Carefully he carried the bags to the site he had prepared and lay each
in a grave. Then taking the spade he covered them over with earth and
set to the head a small cross he had fashioned from wood. Stepping back
he paused for a moment thinking that these men disserved more then to
simply be place beneath the earth but what could he do? There was no
priest to say a prayer nor could he seek one out with safety. Then his
eyes came to rest on the Ecclesial tomb door and he recalled the words
the priest would say as they ended a burial and began to say the prayer.
"Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord," he said and stopped realizing
there was no one else here present to reply to the prayers. There was
only one thing to do. He would recite both parts.
"And let perpetual Light shine upon them," Pierga continued. "May their
souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of
Eli rest in peace. Amen."
"Cr-r-ruck!" Came a now familiar sound. Sitting on the branch above the
graves was the bird that had plagued him from the first night. He was
now certain it was a raven.
"I see it is the same here as back in my own land," Pierga said picking
up the spade. "Where there is death there are ravens. Is that why
you're here, because I'm burying the dead?"
The bird only jerked and tilted its head in reply. Making the sign of
the Yew he turned and walked back to the keep. There was a very strange
feeling about him as he tread the road back. In all his days, not even
as a squire had he dug a grave for a man let alone four. He sifted
through the emotions that assailed him. It was a strange mix of
sadness, loss, mortality and dread along with satisfaction, completion
and peace. More than once on that short walk did he feel the need to
cross himself in response.
Reaching the keep he placed the spade with the other tools in the
stable. Drawing out some more of his supplies he sat down for his
evening repast. He knew he had to last perhaps a fortnight but he would
need to find places where he could take game before long. He would also
need to look to the keep's larder and see if there was anything that
could be salvaged after all this time. As the sun set and darkness
filled the keep Pierga reset the barrels that barred passage with the
wall. Rolling out his blanket he laid down well ready to rest after the
day's labors. In a few days perhaps he would sleep in the keep itself
but not until the others were buried.
End Part 1 of The Spotting of a Knight
!DSPAM:4beb4c34164451804284693!
_______________________________________________
MKGuild mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild
