| Jervin led the three panthers down the painting- and statue-lined hallways of his palace estate. He brought them to his royal study, a great library of books and maps. Over fine Trillanian wine, Kat and Clara described the entirety of their journey to King Jervin; he could only sit and listen in silent awe as the women regurgitated their travels to him. "Forgive me for being hostile towards you," Jervin said. "I had no idea that you had journeyed in the hallowed name of S'Allumer." "It is our destiny, good king," Kat said. "This was not our decision by any means." "I will hear of your travels," Jervin said. "I must know what secrets you know of the fate of the world." "We will tell you everything," Clara said, setting the history book down on a desk. "Where is your wife, King Jervin?" Salem asked. Jervin sighed deeply. "She is lost, possibly forever," he said, his eyes downcast. "Taken from me by darkness. Were this world once again perfect, she would be with me again." "What happened to her?" Kat said. "My lady," Jervin continued, "was lost to the evils that lurk on the outskirts of my city. Every few days for a month or more, one innocent villager was killed in cold blood, his body left to rot and decay on the hillside. It always escaped me -- who or what would do such a horrible thing? No one in my kingdom has ever murdered another at all, for surely they know that such a crime is punishable only by death. "One day came, in time, that my white-belted Guardians would travel past a large estate, one that might belong to a wealthier individual or family. They kept it under close watch for a while, making sure that nothing suspicious was going on in these desperate times. "I awoke on one other fateful morning to discover that my bride was not laying beside me. I called out all my guards to patrol the countryside and find her at once. All day long, villagers stayed inside their homes, fearing some sort of attack from a rebellious community nearby. I thought it impossible; never in the history of Trillan has there ever been any sort of uprising against authority. "For hours I waited, sitting alone in my throne room, begging S'Allumer on my hands and knees that He return my wife to me. Then came three of my Guardians, my highest knights, to my palace. They were horribly injured, bleeding from their arms and legs, one of them from his abdomen. They told me of a terrible fight down at this mysterious estate, and that many of my men had been killed. When asked to describe the enemy, they could not. "I fear that my beautiful country has become the victim of demonic corruption. What lurks within the walls of that outwardly-pretty building is nothing I know. The house has taken many a life and it must be destroyed. "How foolish of me that I was about to execute all three of you! You must think that I am mad for not even considering you to do this for me." "You want for us to go into the estate?" Clara asked. "If you are worthy of a quest of S'Allumer," Jervin said, "then I do. I have faith in all of you to save my kingdom from what tries to destroy it." "We shall," Kat said, "to show our appreciation for sparing our lives." "There is a great deal of renown waiting for you, should you be victorious," Jervin said. "Even if you die, you die honorably, and Trillan will forever remember and speak of your presence here." "It is early in the morning, still," Salem said. "We have a long day ahead of us." "Wait, Salem," Jervin said. "You cannot go out there yet. Look at yourselves; you are not prepared to fight now, for you are not properly armored." "We have fought often, King Jervin," Clara argued. "Never once have we worn any plates; we can fight and still be protected all the same." Are you insane? Salem thought, staring in disbelief at Clara. "Well," Jervin said, "I cannot simply let you go out there yet. You must be intensely hungry; let my maidens feed you." Over a large meal of well-prepared Trillanian delicacies, Jervin outlined his plan to approach the estate. The estate was at the bottom of the hill that supported Jervin's great castle, on the outskirts of town. He described to Kat, Clara, and Salem a certain room in the mansion, the great hall. It was a place where celebrations were once rumored to occur, until the house was overtaken by demons. "These are my plans," Jervin said. "Hopefully, you three are able to destroy what could be inside, and even continue to complete your sword." "We have overcome foes and weather," Kat said. "We believe we can conquer." Jervin looked intently at the adventurers. "Before you go," he began, "I must ask you something." "What is that, King Jervin?" Clara asked. "You have mentioned to me that you survived the divine winds," Jervin continued. "Surely then, you undertook his quest, hoping that you, as his faithful children, would return the world to tranquility. You continued looking for His sword, too; thank you for showing me what you have retrieved of it, by the way. Should you complete the sword and save the world, would it be of interest to share it with Trillan?" "Absolutely," Clara answered. "This is for all who are alive now; Trillan has so many penitents that it is more than worthy of looking upon the complete sword." "We are all equally religious," Jervin said. "We have no temple in our village in which to worship, but we all worship together, even if we are apart. The Penitence may be disorganized, but it is our country's foundation. Soon, I will decree that Methiosan's prophecies be accepted into our education and society; once the people get a taste of that fruit you brought me, they will all go to the tree and reap it." "When the sword is completed," Kat interrupted, "we will return with it." "Thank you for your favor," Jervin said, smiling, bowing his head. "Now, go on to the estate; an escort of Guardians awaits you at the gates of the castle. May S'Allumer's light guide you." Kat, Clara, and Salem ran from the palace, weapons in hand, ready to take on the corrupted house of Trillan. Back to Stories Back to "TAOK&C" Back to Home |