Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Valsigian had felt something change inside of him as he spoke the word of power. It wasn’t the sensation of something being removed or taken away; it felt like there was somehow more to him now. There was a feeling of something… no… someone. Not like he had become someone else, he could feel another presence. It was there, in the back of his mind. It wasn’t like the Aureate that he could feel in his core, in the center of his being. This was completely different; this was like someone else was there, in his mind… with him.

That someone spoke, not in words out loud, but in his mind. “Don’t be alarmed,” the voice said. “It’s me, Eldrien.” Valsigian’s eyes opened wide in shock. He could hear Eldrien’s voice, but the elf’s lips had not moved; he was just smiling. It took a moment for him to comprehend what was happening. He decided to try to answer in the same way. “How is this possible?” he stammered to the consciousness in the back of his mind. “I can hear you speak as plainly as if you had spoken aloud.” His eyes revealed the enormity of his question, even though he hadn’t spoken it aloud. “We are now bonded, you and I.” Eldrien nodded towards the grip of Tiritharion as he removed his hands from where they had been placed on top of Valsigian’s.

He was surprised at what he found, stifling a gasp of his own. There, on the back of his right hand, was the Guardian Rune. It appeared to be made of the same material as that of the mark on his right shoulder. The strange black metal-like substance perfectly formed the shape of the rune. It was a shield within a shield, but with a new addition. At its center was the down-pointed, split-blade sword symbol for the Knights Aureate.

Eldrien’s voice sounded in his mind once again, “Look at my neck.” Valsigian looked up as the elf turned his head to the left. On the right side of his neck was the perfect match to the rune on the back of his hand. Except it was outlined in gold, not the black metal material that his was comprised of. “It is the mark of the Noble Watch.” Valsigian’s mind spun. He had heard that name before, the Noble Watch. He suddenly remembered, “The blade is called Tiritharion, and you are its keeper, Eldrien, Son of the Noble Watch.” He hadn’t known why he had added that last part during the Right of Naming; now it had become evident. The Aureate surely worked in mysterious ways.

“My father was the last High Guardian to the last Archon of the Knights Aureate thousands of years ago. Now, just like his sword, that honor has been passed to me,” Eldrien nodded to his sword, still held in Valsigian’s hand. “I can tell you no more about this bond until you have formally accepted it. Right now, the bond is temporary, and my blade belongs to you.” Eldrien’s voice in his mind continued, “If you choose to accept me as your sworn guardian, you will have to proclaim it aloud, for all gathered here to witness.”

Valsigian’s mind continued to reel. This was all too much; he had expected this day to end in a much different way. Now, one of the greatest blade masters on Dricarro had sworn his service and his life to him. He didn’t know what to think anymore. What if he failed Eldrien? What if he couldn’t live up to the requirements of this bond? Eldrien was a blade master; he could protect me, but would I be able to protect him in turn?

His world had changed so much from yesterday that he wasn’t even sure if he was the same man anymore. He glanced around at the people in attendance as if they could offer some guidance. Then he realized that none of them could hear the conversation taking place. That explained the dumbfounded looks on their faces, all but Rakin anyway. The old priest simply looked back at him, same knowing smile on his face, and nodded approvingly.

The others gathered in the great hall began to whisper among themselves. The questions they were asking were evident. They could see that a conversation was taking place, based on the body language and movements of the two men, but they were utterly confused about exactly how. Rakin shushed the others, “Don’t interrupt,” his voice stern with warning. “We are witnessing the re-birth of an Order that very well may challenge everything we thought we knew.” The others did as the old priest suggested, Thorvald and Heath exchanged a glance of concern at the mention of change, but otherwise obeyed as well.

Valsigian hadn’t yet made his decision; he felt completely overwhelmed and out of his league. He spoke as he rose from his kneeling position, “I have been presented with a choice that I didn’t expect to have to make when this day began.” He looked around at the people gathered there in the great hall. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around all that has happened here today.” He looked back at Eldrien, who was still kneeling, waiting for him to make a decision. “Eldrien Altherin has sworn himself to me as my guardian.” A fresh wave of gasps emanated from the onlookers at his proclamation, all but Rakin again.

“I honestly don’t know what to do,” he paused as he looked to Rakin. “High Priest,” he began again, “you seem to be the only other person here besides Eldrien that knows what this is all about.” He motioned with his left hand toward Eldrien, Tiritharion still held firmly in his right hand. “I’ve never heard of the Noble Watch until today,” confusion evident in his voice. “Any clarity you could provide would be greatly appreciated.”

Rakin cupped his chin with his right hand, considering his words carefully. All eyes turned to him as he began to speak.

“Unlike the Knights Aureate, the Noble Watch never truly died out. Over time, any record of their membership simply became irrelevant as there were no longer any Knights Aureate to protect.” He looked over at Eldrien and nodded in his direction, “His father, Tervangian Altherin, High Guardian to the last Archon of the Knights Aureate, Atar Pancillius... was the last known member of the Noble Watch.”

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Rakin paused, thinking carefully about his next words, “The Noble Watch was a very clandestine group. Only a true member of the Watch could tell you its secrets.” He looked back at Valsigian, a hint of a knowing smile on his lips. “I suppose our friend Eldrien communicated as much to you in words unspoken to the ear,” he winked as he continued, “but in words spoken in the mind.”

Valsigian was visibly surprised at Rakin’s knowledge of how he and Eldrien had been talking without speaking to one another. The others in the room looked just as confused as he felt. “How did you know?”

The old priest’s eyes lit up again as he chuckled softly. He seemed to be taking joy in the fact that only he and Eldrien had any knowledge about what was going on. “There are some things that were well known about the bond between Watcher and Knight.” He looked over at Thorvald and raised his eyebrows as he said, “A thorough reading of our kingdom’s history and how we were involved with the Knights Aureate would have revealed this little tidbit to anyone who was paying close attention.” Thorvald blushed slightly and looked down at his feet momentarily at Rakin’s off-handed accusation.

He looked down at Eldrien before continuing. “From what I can recall about the bond, it must be accepted by both Watcher and Knight for it to take full effect.”

Eldrien nodded his confirmation as he kept a wary eye on the High Priest. Judging by the look on his face, Rakin seemed to know more about the bond than could have been gleaned from history books alone. The old priest laughed at the ambassador’s expression, “Don’t worry about me saying too much about your surreptitious Order, my friend. My knowledge of the bond is limited to what I have been able to read in tomes that are older than this kingdom.”

He looked back at Valsigian, “The last little bit that I do know for certain is that there is no time frame for you to make a decision.” He looked back at Eldrien again as he said, “As long as the Watcher continues to find you worthy of the bond, you may accept or decline at any time.” Eldrien nodded in the affirmative once again.

Eldrien’s voice flared in his mind once again, “I will always find you worthy, Valsigian. I hope you feel the same about me.”

“I’ve never believed you to be unworthy of anything,” Valsigian responded as he made eye contact with Eldrien again. “This is all just so sudden, I’m completely overwhelmed by everything that has happened here today.”

Eldrien bowed his head slightly, “Of course… It’s a lot to process, I understand. Please, take all the time you need. I will be ready for your decision at the time of your choosing.”

Valsigian felt a great weight lift from his shoulders at Eldrien’s offer. He didn’t think he could make a decision this monumental when he was uncertain of his immediate future. The weight of what was to come came crashing back down on him once again, one burden replaced by another. He squeezed his eyes shut in frustration as images swirled in his mind. The Mystic Mountains, the old woman, the Aureate, Zerathis, and the prophecies. There was just so much to consider all at once, it felt like his head was going to explode.

He pushed down his fears, his uncertainty; he needed to find his center, that calm place he retreated to when things got out of hand. He immediately found the Aureate waiting for him there. It didn’t beckon, didn’t compel, it simply offered itself. Valsigian wondered if it had always been there, if the Aureate had concealed itself, hidden away until the time was right. He brushed the power lightly, looking for an answer. The emotion he received in response seemed to confirm his suspicions. The Aureate felt warm, inviting, and satisfied that he had again figured something out. It had been there all along, nurturing, reinforcing, and guiding him for as long as he had been alive. It had only recently allowed itself to be… touched.

The Aureate also gave him the sensation that it wasn’t the only source of comfort that he could turn to in times of need. He opened his eyes to find that he was looking directly at Tove. He could see the thin golden threads connecting himself to her once again as he still tickled the fringes of the power within him. He noticed that the world didn’t seem as vibrant when he held the Aureate so lightly, nor did he glow, but that didn’t matter to him right now. He didn’t need the Aureate to see the most beautiful creature he knew, and to feel the love he held for her.

She noticed his gaze, noticed the way he was looking at her. She blushed but didn’t look away as she gave him that special smile, the one reserved just for him.

“I see you have... other matters to attend to as well,” Eldrien’s voice was tinged with laughter as it echoed in his mind. “You have a great many decisions to make, my friend, and none of them are going to be easy. I’d say this is going to be the least difficult decision of this new journey you are about to begin.” The ambassador cracked a grin and winked at him as he stood. He saluted once again, fist in hand over heart, “My offer stands, and will wait for your decision, Knight Aureate.”

He returned the salute in kind. He started to offer Tiritharion back to Eldrien, but the elf began to shake his head and raised his hands in protest. “I’m sorry, Valsigian, but I no longer have any claim over that blade.” He pointed to the sword, runes still glowing brightly, “My life, and Tiritharion are still yours to do with as you will.” He held one hand out, palm up, and placed the other over his heart as he said, “The only way I can ever touch it again is if you accept me as your Watcher.”

Valsigian didn’t know what to do or say next. As he looked around the grand hall, searching the faces of those in attendance for an answer. He came to the sudden realization that, besides a few gasps and grumbles, they had all remained relatively silent throughout this entire inundation of revelations. They all seemed to be in awe, or perhaps shock, at what had transpired since his head should have been cleaved off. Some of them looked at him like his head had been separated from his shoulders, but he just didn’t know it yet. Then again, he supposed he would probably have the same befuddled look on his face, too, if he were observing this happening to someone else.

Rakin made a sound as if he were clearing his throat to break the silence. Everyone in the room turned to look at him once again. He looked directly at Valsigian, a hint of warning in his eyes as he asked, “Isn’t there a little something more you need to explain, Ambassador Altherin?”

All eyes turned to the Eldrien once again, waiting for his response. The elf clasped his hands together near his waist, bowing his head slightly towards Rakin before looking back to Valsigian. “The High Priest speaks true,” he began, the sound of resignation clear in his voice. “The only other way you may return the sword to me,” he said as he once again took a knee while reaching up and pulling his long hair to the side to expose his neck. “Is to separate my head from my body as punishment for daring to require the Right of Naming from a Knight Aureate.”