The Sampler Platter: A Little Bit of Everything

by Susan Skylark

Friends of Old

  Kenin’s heart trembled within him, more out of dread and guilt than for the excitement of an illicit night abroad. His hedonism was not as wonderful as he thought it must be only that morning when his friends had suggested this evening adventure; it would be much more enjoyable if his conscience did not constantly torment him with its incessant complaints. He sighed, not enjoying this evening in the least. They had snuck away from Astoria and currently inhabited the inn at Waymeet, long after Students were expected to be in bed; even for such a seemingly small infraction, Kenin was in an agony of distress over his ill-conduct. Had not the Lady given him permission to take his Oath not three days before? And here he was sneaking out of the city, betraying her trust, and for what? To experience the joys of rebellion before he committed to a life of asceticism? Or so his friends had gaily spoken to convince him to come along on this misadventure. All he could do was sit there and rue that he had ever listened to their folly and beg the Lady’s forgiveness once he returned to the city, if ever he overcame his shame and fear and gained courage enough to go back.

  “You are a very dismal companion tonight Kenin,” said Wilim who himself had spoken only thrice in the last hour.

  Tell laughed nervously, “this has turned out to be a rather dreary adventure. Kenin is tormented with guilt and we also are ill at ease and for what? A half empty inn with nothing at all interesting going on? Bah! We had best return to the city and go to bed for all the excitement around here.”

  Kenin had jumped to his feet at the first sign that his friends were tiring of their little stint of rebellion but they were not so swift to follow suit. They were quickly on their feet and grasping at their sword hilts however when they heard the door bang open and slam shut just as quickly; Kenin’s companions were just as antsy as himself, just not so obvious in showing it. They stared in amazement at the man who had invaded the hitherto silent inn. He was a messenger or a soldier by the look of him, but it was the arrow protruding from his side and the bloodstain on his tunic that truly amazed the three young men. The man leaned against the door as if holding it shut against his pursuers or perhaps because it was all that held him upright. For all his physical weakness and exhaustion, for he was breathing hard as if he had been in great haste, he surveyed the room with the eye and cool of a professional soldier and quickly took in every person and thing in the common room. His eyes fell on the three boys with half drawn swords.

  He gasped out, “have you horses?” The boys nodded in silent confusion. “Are you trustworthy?” continued he.

  Kenin spoke haltingly, “it depends upon the cause sir. We shall do nothing to undermine the safety and rights of others nor defy the Laws of the Master.”

  The man smiled, “I have not stumbled upon one of the Brethren have I?”

  Kenin blushed crimson at this reminder of his recent failings and said, “nay sir, only one who aspires to such a calling.”

  The messenger nodded thoughtfully, “it will do. I have a message that must reach my master, the Lord Arvin in Teradok, the safety and security of his life, lands, and people may well depend upon it but alas my horse is spent and I am wounded. Can I ask that you carry this message to him though it risks your life? The men who wounded me will not stop until they have the message or are themselves destroyed.”

  Kenin gaped but said, “I am but a boy, but I will do this thing if it is as important as you say, even if it cost me my life.”

  The courier nodded, “then you had best get going for my enemies will not be long in pursuit. I will hold them here but they will not be delayed long. May the Master ride with you, that is your preferred farewell is it not? I also beg all here to flee the inn lest they become entangled in such schemes!” At his words, a general tumult arose among the rest of the inn patrons and they were not long in fleeing the scene, all save Kenin’s friends who stood with wide eyes and open mouths.

  Finally Tell said, “I shall accompany you. At last a real adventure, and if we are successful I am sure we will have made our fortunes!”

  Wilim grinned, “Astoria has grown dull of late and I cannot have the two of you having adventures without me.” The messenger handed over the precious missive and hastened them on.

  They ran to the stable where their mounts were waiting, still saddled, and flew into their saddles and bolted into the night leaving the stable boy to gape in wonder at their hasty departure. The messenger was right, he held out as long as he could but he only bought the boys a few moments though he paid for it with his life, but the sudden departure of all the inn patrons confused the pursuers and forced them to split up and discover who now carried the message that would spell the end of all their master’s careful planning if it ever reached its destination. The boys rode hard and all through the night. As the sun peaked over the hills, their horses were near collapse and could go no further. An inn appeared out of the trees ahead and the boys rode gratefully into the stable where the groom quickly set to work on their horses saying, “poor beasts will go no farther, at least not in the next day or so!”

  Kenin asked, “are there no horses here we can borrow to continue our journey? We are on a dire mission and cannot stop long ere our foes fall upon us and many will come to grief for our failure to reach our destination!”

  The groom shrugged, “there are several fine beasts belonging to various guests that are saddled and waiting for their masters but it is not for me to say if any will part with the animals.” The sound of a sword being drawn forth silenced the groom and all eyes focused on a tall man who had just entered the stable. He laughed at the three pathetic boys whom he had chased all night as the groom quietly disappeared, not wishing to be caught in such a quarrel.

  The man said, “give me the letter and you need not die.”

  Kenin’s knees quaked but he was not about to abandon his mission, though he wondered how he could be a match to such a seemingly skilled warrior. Before he knew what he was doing, he had his sword in his hands and was tangled in a fight with the intruder. Tell and Wilim stared in amazement for a second but then came to their senses and grabbed three of the aforementioned, already saddled horses. Kenin struck a blow on the man’s left temple and his foe collapsed with a cry of anguish. He nearly dropped his sword in surprise, for he had never drawn blood in a fight before, but he wasted no more time in wonder and horror as he leapt into the waiting saddle and took the reins from the frenzied Tell. They vanished from the stable yard in a cloud of dust.

  Once they had put some distance betwixt themselves and the inn and their hearts had slowed to a more sensible pace, Kenin gasped, “is it right to steal these horses?”

  Tell said, “would you rather have that man cut you to pieces or fail in our mission? Once all is finished, I am sure this Lord Arvin will make everything right with those so injured.”

  Kenin sighed but could only nod at the sense of his friend’s words though he regretted the necessity of such an infraction on top of the remorse for his night out, this was truly becoming a regrettable experience. They galloped on and as the shades of evening drew together, they collapsed in a exhausted heap in a well hidden dell to pass the night and rest their stolen mounts.

  Morning found them stiff and miserable, but their horses seemed somewhat refreshed and they took again to their insane road. Around noon, their horses again nearing exhaustion, an arrow whizzed past Kenin’s ear and reminded them that they were still closely pursued, but a market town appeared ahead of them and they pushed their horses to their limit. Upon entering the town, they were accosted by a patrol of the local guardsmen that were just mounting up. The frantic youths quickly explained the situation and the soldiers wore a grim look. Their captain said, “bandits and outlaws you say? Take three of our horses and continue your quest; we will deal with your pursuers if we can catch them.”

  Kenin smiled in relief, “thank you!”

  They were quickly in the saddles
of three of the fresh horses and were once again hard upon the road. The guardsmen must have at least slowed down their pursuers or at least made them more cautious, or perhaps their own horses were growing weary, for the next three days there was no sign of pursuit and the boys did not need to press their own mounts to exhaustion.

  The morning they planned on riding triumphantly into Lord Arvin’s domain brought a new challenge before them. Their foes were no longer content with ambush and pursuit, instead they waited openly upon the road for the boys to come to them. There were six men and upon sighting the boys, they wasted no time in rushing upon them en masse. All would have been lost had not six of the King’s soldiers happened upon the melee. They were astonished that three such youths could hold their own against so many foes but it was obvious such resistance could not last long. The boys were trained in Astoria, but even with the best training they were no match for so many experienced foes. The guards rode in and suddenly the battle was over. Two of the enemy combatants had fallen, Wilim had a wounded shoulder, and the rest surrendered. Kenin quickly explained their predicament and the captain told off two of his men to accompany the uninjured boys to Lord Arvin while the rest of the company would proceed to the King with the wounded boy and the prisoners. The grateful boys thanked him profusely and the captain said, “it is to you that thanks are owed for risking so much to maintain the peace of the realm!” They each rode off in their respective directions with no further incidents occurring to either party upon the way.

  The Lord Arvin was astonished at the tale the two boys told and very grateful when the contents of the letter were revealed. It seemed he had an older brother who had been banished some years ago for certain rebellious acts against their late father, thus denying him the Lordship in his turn. It seemed this exiled lord had a son whom he wished to woo and marry Arvin’s only daughter and heir, thus assuring that the lordship returned to its rightful descent. A man faithful to Arvin had been in the service of the exiled brother for many years but had left immediately with word of the scheme when it became known to him. The man’s flight had been discovered and pursuit was quickly made and he was overtaken in Waymeet but gladly his quest had not failed and his Lord was warned and the daughter saved. As the man was reading and rereading his letter and talking to himself quite exuberantly, Tell was watching a beautiful young lady wander about in the gardens outside the window. Kenin watched his host, patiently wondering what to do next. Did he return to Astoria and face the disgrace awaiting there or beg service in Lord Arvin’s guard that he might escape his shame and at least have a respectable future?

  Lord Arvin finally contented himself with his brother’s plots and attended to his valiant guests, “now what can I do to reward such fine service?”

  Kenin said, “I ask only sir, that you make reparations to those injured in the course of our flight and that perhaps you will write a letter to the Lady of Astoria explaining our late adventure that she not take our absence amiss.”

  Said the astonished Lord, “is that all you would ask of me? I would give you half my domain were it in my power!”

  Tell sighed distractedly, still watching the girl with a faint smile on his face, “Kenin may be content with a letter but I would be most grateful for an introduction to the young lady yonder.”

  Arvin smiled, “that at least I can arrange young man, and it is the least I can do for so bold a youth. My daughter would be pleased to meet such a hero!”

  Kenin smiled in spite of himself, “are you not returning to Astoria?”

  Tell smiled, “I fear not. Astoria has lost all its attraction but Teradok has become quite interesting. I shall find something useful to do here. Farewell my friend, we have shared much in the last few years and more in the last few days! If ever you have need of me, all you need do is ask.”

  Kenin bid a tearful farewell to his friend and received a grateful goodbye from the Lord Arvin and said upon parting, “I will ride to the castle and see how Wilim fares and if you change your mind, I shall await you there ere I return home to beg the Lady’s pardon.”

  Tell smiled and waved enthusiastically and Lord Arvin said to the boy once Kenin was out of sight, “certainly a strange lad, but more honorable than most men I think.” Tell grinned, for he could not agree more.

  Wilim was excited to see Kenin and enthusiastically listened to his recital of events since their parting; he then imparted his own news. The King was so impressed by his bravery that he had been offered a lieutenancy in the King’s Guard and he had already accepted. Moreover, Wilim was quite determined to introduce his friend to the King, but Kenin said, “alas but I must return alone to Astoria. Perhaps after all is done there, I shall return and beg such a favor but duty bids me to explain myself to the Lady and cast myself upon her mercy.”

  Wilim laughed, “the Brethren do not deserve so honorable a heart, but then again only such souls are crazy enough to do as you are planning. You have been thoroughly corrupted my friend. I will miss you but ever am I at your service though a century sunder us!”

  They bid one another farewell and Kenin set out upon the lonely road home. The journey back seemed to take forever as there was no longer anyone pursuing him, he did not ride at a horse killing pace, he had no merry companions upon the journey thither, and the dread of facing the Lady weighed heavy upon him but he could not rest easy until he had faced her, regardless of the outcome. A patrol overtook the weary boy on the borders of Astoria and two of their number escorted the bedraggled boy back to the city. He felt a prisoner already condemned with such an escort but he did not feel it unjustified as they had fled the city without explanation and had taken with them three horses belonging to the Brethren. Kenin especially had caused something of a scandal in having already been given permission to take his Oath.

  His escorts said nothing but each wore a neutral expression, now and again betraying a hint of disappointment which Kenin felt more acutely than if they had been furious or violent. Finally, the little company arrived in the courtyard and the appearance of the truant boy caused a bit of a stir amongst those who knew the tale. A servant was quickly sent to the Lady and just as swiftly returned to say that the boy would be seen as soon as the Lady’s schedule permitted. He was escorted to a little room not far from the Lady’s audience chamber and there he stood for some hours with his grim escort until at last the Lady summoned him. She said nothing as the boy entered, made his bows, and stood dejectedly before her. Her eyes held a dreadful combination of shock, anger, and disappointment, which Kenin could not meet and fell to his knees sobbing. Such a reaction softened that gaze which could make sitting monarchs tremble as she said quietly, “well?”

  After what seemed a century the boy said in a choked whisper, “I have greatly disappointed you Lady. Not only you but the Master and all for which he stands and all those who have so patiently taught me and encouraged me over the years. I was a fool to sneak off as I did and I regret it bitterly. Though some good came of it, the price was great. I am sorry though I do not know the words to convey the depths of my grief and the horror I feel at my own rebellion!”

  She said quietly, “you had best tell the full tale and what has become of your friends?” The tears sprung anew as he told the story and at last when he had finished, she smiled weakly, “it seems the Master can even find a use for disobedience. It took much courage for you to return after such a scandal, especially when your friends found such an agreeable reception in Teradok. As your repentance and anguish of heart is also real, I have no fear about such incidents in the future. But what is that future to be?”

  The boy looked at her then and said, “be it unto me as you will Lady. I once aspired to join the Brethren but after such a betrayal I do not think it possible that you would take me back.”

  She smiled then and said, “actually I will gladly accept you back, but know in future that you must try to resist such temptation!”


  He gaped and tears of joy came to his eyes as he said, “Lady, the price is too dear for me to repeat such an offense. I am yours if you will have me!”

  She smiled deeply and said, “welcome home child.”

  Twenty years passed and Kenin found himself again on a journey to Teradok, but this time he traveled with a clear conscience and the hope of seeing his friends once more. He smiled to himself for things had certainly changed in the intervening years. Kenin was the Lady’s new Advisor to the King of Teradok, Tell had married the Lord Arvin’s beautiful daughter and upon his father-in-law’s death became Lord in his place, and Wilim was now the King’s greatest General. The three old friends would be reunited at Tell’s estates, to which Kenin greatly looked forward. He also wondered what information they might have about the disappearance of the Lady’s former Advisor to the King of Teradok whom Kenin was replacing, as the man had not been seen in over a month and no one knew what had become of him. Kenin’s musings were cut short as he rode into the stable yard of Tell’s great house and gave his mount over to the eager servants. He was then led into the presence of his old friend by yet another excited serving man. Anyone who put their master in this good of a mood was to be greatly welcomed! Kenin entered the dining hall where the General and the young Lord had been quietly conversing; they stood upon seeing the new arrival and for a moment all studied each other to see what changes twenty years had wrought.

  Tell spoke abruptly to the servant and said, “leave us please as we have things to discuss privately.” The man bowed and vanished from the room, leaving the three old comrades alone. Tell approached his old friend, smiled, and embracing him said, “you have not aged all that much! Perhaps I should have joined the Brethren, if only to keep some semblance of youth.”

  Kenin laughed and said, “it seems you are doing quite well in your own right. I have missed you both.”

  Wilim grinned like a delighted boy, “it is just like old times! Ah, the memories you bring back. Come, seat yourself and let us discuss old times and new adventures.”

  Kenin smiled and took a seat across from the two men and began, “as I wrote, I am to replace the Lady’s vanished Advisor to the King. Know you anything about it?”

  Tell said quietly, “actually this very matter is exactly what we wish to speak of.”

  Wilim groused, “I had hoped for a little time of reminiscing first but perhaps there shall be time enough later. We are still friends?”

  Kenin nodded, “my devotion is unchanged.”

  Tell smiled, “excellent, for we are about to propose a new adventure in which we need your aid. We once accomplished great things and now we have the opportunity to accomplish even more. What if I were to propose that you could be the Advisor not only to a King but also to one of your dearest friends?”

  Kenin frowned slightly, “and how is that to be accomplished?”

  Tell continued, “the King is an old man, sick and frail, he has but one child and should anything happen to him, Teradokian law states that the most powerful Lord in the realm would be next in line for the throne. I am that man. All that stands before me is the Prince!”

  Kenin’s frown deepened, “you are asking me to help you murder the Prince and betray the King?”

  Wilim grinned, “is that not what friends are for? Come Kenin, you have toiled in obscurity long enough. It is time to enjoy the rewards of your valiant labors rather than risk your life in vain.”

  Kenin shook his head vehemently, “you cannot be serious! I could never act in such a manner. Long ago you convinced me to do something much less dreadful and my heart smote me sorely, and now you ask me to do far worse!”

  Tell said a bit sadly, “then I am afraid this time it will not be your heart that smites you. I had hoped for the sake of old friendships that you would see things our way, but alas your noble heart has just gotten you killed.”

  Kenin reached for his sword and had half risen from his seat when he felt a sharp pain in his back and crumpled to the floor in agony. He stared up in horror at a man with no left eye and a dreadful scar across his temple. The man laughed, “so you recognize me do you boy? I have waited many long years to have revenge for my eye.”

  Kenin gasped through the pain in his chest where the man’s sword had run him through, “you are plotting with our old foe to overthrow the King?”

  The man smirked, “actually I am taking back my father’s rightful place as Lord of this domain once your friend here becomes King. Now everybody will be happy, except you. You will just be dead.”

  Darkness gnawed at the edges of Kenin’s vision as he gasped, “I thought we were friends.”

  Wilim said grimly, “so did I. But I guess we were wrong.”

  Kenin lapsed into darkness and did not reply. Tell sent the one eyed man out to fetch certain servants awaiting just such an occurrence. They returned swiftly, searched the body and removed all valuable or useful items, and drug the prone form out into the night. Kenin’s saddlebags were also searched and the desired items were collected by the cyclops for future use. The unicorn had felt his master’s distress and once free of his stall, had disappeared into the night. Tell shook his head at the servants’ recitation of the event, grateful that the beast’s late master had been a Philosopher and not a Messenger or Warrior, for then the brute would likely have come looking for revenge or at least would have done worse damage to the stables in his despair at his master’s demise. The three men then returned to their plotting as if they had not just committed murder, the victim of which was a friend almost dearer than a brother to two of them.

  Kenin was very near death when they came to drag him away, so near in fact that no one cared to postpone his burial until it was a certainty. They carried him quietly out into the night and dropped the future corpse unceremoniously into a roughly dug grave in what was called the Robber’s Graveyard, where those executed for their crimes by the state were interred. No one would remark a great lord’s men burying another corpse in such unhallowed ground. Each man had shoveled a bit of dirt into the hole when the horses began to dance and whinny in fear before screaming in terror, breaking loose, and fleeing into the night. The confused men swiftly gave chase, hoping to catch their frantic beasts and also desperate to avoid whatever could cause the animals to panic at such a place and time.

  The beasts and their masters gone, Kenin’s unicorn pranced out of the dark and knelt by the hole. He whickered miserably, sensing his quickly failing master in the pit below. The great hearted beast then did that for which his race was renowned and touched the tip of his horn to his dying master and took the wounds upon himself. Kenin started awake only to catch one fleeting glimpse of the noble creature that had spared his life at the cost of his own before he vanished upon death. Tears ran unabated down Kenin’s cheeks but he knew he had no time for grief. He crawled from the grave and hid himself in the shrubbery nearby, only just in time as the gravediggers had returned after failing to catch their mounts and breaking their only lantern in the process.

  They could not see into the bottom of the pit but had no reason to doubt that its occupant still remained within. They finished their task, grumbling about the darkness and foolish beasts, and then began the long walk home. Kenin stood once he was alone and made his way along the road towards the capital city, knowing he must speak to the King, all the while mourning for his lost friend who had been willing to give life at the cost of his own and also grieving the betrayal of those he had once thought his friends. His feet ached and bled as his boots had been taken from him, as had anything else of value or use. He was covered in grime, blood, and tears streaked his face. Kenin smiled grimly, thinking himself quite a sight to be demanding an audience with the King. He wore plain clothes, which were now bloodied and filthy after recent events, his uniform having been stashed in his saddlebags for travel, along with his letter from the Lady to the King. It would take a miracle fo
r anyone to believe him, let alone the King. In the small hours of the morning he finally entered the capital city and the city guard was not long in accosting such a scandalous looking creature wandering the streets at such an hour.

  “Ho there beggar!” said the captain of the patrol, “what business have you here? I suggest you move along and leave town else I may have to detain you.” Kenin wore such a look of grief and urgency that the captain was hard pressed to say even that much, for here was a man who was either mad or had recently suffered greatly. He then marked the blood on the man’s clothes and asked, “are you some victim of robbers or perhaps a murderer yourself? Speak man!”

  Tears came again to the man’s eyes as he said, “it is a fell night for betrayal and murder my lord! There are plots in the night. Haste to the King, to him alone I must speak. His life and that of his son depend upon it!”

  Said the captain taken aback, “it is an audacious man who makes such a request in such condition at such an hour. You are either mad or in earnest and I dare not deny you if it is the latter, I will make the request of the King but know that it is your head if you lie or he does not believe you.”

  “It shall be as it must,” said Kenin with such a mixture of grief and determination that even the hardest heart among the gathered Guards was touched. The captain motioned and one of the soldiers took the man up before him in the saddle and they swiftly escorted him to the dungeons, there to await the King or his commands.

  The captain went immediately to seek after one of the King’s upper servants but found the man himself in the pantry looking for a late snack or an early breakfast. The man bowed and said, “Majesty I have an apparition that demands an audience with your Highness.”

  The King growled, “what sensible request can be made at such an hour?”

  The captain said, “he is a curious case Sire and speaks with such earnestness that I dare not keep it from your Grace, especially when he speaks of threats against you and yours, betrayal, and murder in the night!”

  The King said thoughtfully, “he knows if I am unhappy the consequences are dire?”

  The soldier nodded, “and still he demands an audience.”

  The King smiled grimly, “well then let us to him for I greatly desire some form of intrigue, be it an execution or a true plot, one or the other is sure to cure my boredom and thus my insomnia.” The soldier nodded and escorted the King to the chamber where prisoners were interrogated in one way or another. The King gaped upon sighting the man, “you listen to a man dressed like that? He must certainly be a robber or a madman.”

  Kenin bowed and said, “I am neither Majesty. In fact I am your new Advisor from the Lady of Astoria.”

  The King could not help but laughing, “and I am the Queen of Vitria. Can you prove such an assertion?”

  At this the tears welled once more in those eyes and Kenin said, “nay Majesty I cannot. I have been deprived of all those things that might prove my identity to your Highness. Another of the Brethren could ascertain my identity but I fear there are none here to do so.”

  The King nodded, “you had best proceed with your tale then but know I am very much prone to doubt you.”

  Kenin said, “your greatest Lord and General plot against you Sire and demanded my help in their scheme. Upon my refusal, they thought to make an end of me and left me for dead and as such you see me now.”

  The King growled, “the two of whom you speak are considered heroes in the eyes of many in the Kingdom. Know you not what they did in their youth?”

  Kenin nodded grimly, “I know very well what they accomplished twenty years ago as I was the third person in their party that succeeded in so strange a mission. I called them friends until this very night when they tried to have me murdered by the very man who plotted against Lord Arvin so many years ago and who now plots alongside them to your ruin.” He then proceeded to tell of all his adventures both past and present as related to his friends and the King.

  The King was aghast, “if what you say is true then these are grim tidings indeed, for these men I count as the most faithful in my Kingdom! Whom am I to believe? A filthy wanderer or these men of honor and long acquaintance? In the morning I shall summon them and before the entire city, your fate and theirs shall be decided. Have you no proof of what you say?”

  Kenin shook his head, “nay lord, save that perhaps there is a fresh dug grave in the Robber’s Graveyard wherein there is no corpse.”

  “We shall see what the morning brings,” said the King thoughtfully as he turned and left Kenin to himself.

  The King sent men to dig up the aforementioned grave and also messengers to all his great lords and advisors. By the time the sun was up, the city was abuzz with rumors of the strange proceedings to commence very shortly in the town square. Lord Tell, General Wilim, and a one-eyed man in the uniform of the Brethren presented themselves before the King as requested, along with most of the townsfolk and anyone of importance in the castle, court, and surrounding countryside. Once all were assembled, the filthy and grief-weary Kenin was brought forth. The crowd gasped at such a strange figure in their midst; the three plotters gasped to see him alive.

  Said the King once the surprise had subsided into a quiet murmur, “this curious fellow was found wandering the streets last night and claims terrible things about you my Lord Tell, General Wilim, and your unnamed guest.”

  Tell spoke up quite at ease with the situation and seemed grieved by the King’s discomfiture saying, “Majesty, I am sorry this fellow troubles you. He came to me last night and demanded help in his plots against Teradok. I am ashamed to say he is the son of the man who tried twenty years ago to cause so much trouble in your peaceful realm. He said he would say the most horrendous things about my family if I did not aid his crazy scheme. We of course turned him out, but as his appearance attests, he would not leave without a struggle. He grievously injured three of my servants before he was overcome and dismissed. I hoped he would disappear quietly in shame but it seems he has tried to win his way into your graces by lying about me and mine.”

  “Is this true?” gasped the King of the one-eyed faux Brother.

  Smiled the man, “it is certainly true Majesty. It was his father that took my eye during that adventure which made the Lord Tell and your beloved General quite famous twenty years gone. After my part in it, I withdrew to Astoria and have returned now as your new Advisor from the Lady. Here is her letter to you.” He presented the stolen letter to the King who read eagerly and smiled to see that his prisoner was truly a scoundrel and his most trusted servants were yet faithful.

  “What have you to say for yourself then?” asked the King of Kenin, “your tale was quite ingenious but it seems these men can contradict your falsehood quite easily. You even went so far as to dig a false grave to corroborate your story! I am impressed, but if you cannot exonerate yourself, you will soon be inhabiting that grave in truth.”

  Kenin sighed, “I am the third of that infamous party, the one eyed man is the villain and it was I that took his eye! That letter and his uniform were stolen from me last night.”

  The General growled, “look at the villain, he is no older than twenty! He could not have yet been born when that adventure took place. I and Tell both know he was not on that quest with us.”

  Kenin said, “yet here is proof! I am of the Brethren, for we do not age as quickly as other men.”

  The King sighed, “that may or may not be the case. Have you no other proof?”

  Kenin said, “have this man present his unicorn to prove himself.”

  The one eyed man smiled, “ask Majesty and I shall beg the noble creature to reveal himself but it is a great insult to his kind.”

  The King sighed, “I will not try your patience nor that of your beast. I need hear no more of his lies. Fetch the headsman!”

  There was a general uproar of approval from the onlookers but to
Kenin’s surprise, the one eyed man said, “Sire must it be so? Does this poor, misguided soul truly deserve death?”

  Said the King, “your pity alone is proof enough of your allegiance. But yes it must be so, if only to prevent further plots in the future. Besides, he agreed himself that this would happen if I did not believe him.”

  The one-eyed man bowed his head in seeming resignation and said, “justice must be done Majesty.”

  The executioner arrived and preparations were made for the day’s entertainment. All were quite impressed and a bit dismayed at how nobly the wretched man met his end without a word of regret or outburst of fear. If he was such a scoundrel, one would think he would make a scene at the last. But the ax fell and that was the end of the matter. This time, the three conspirators were quite sure the man would remain securely in his grave. The body would certainly not stir again but that did not mean they were yet finished with such a stubborn foe.

  Kenin found himself on one knee in what was best described as a mist but it was of such wonderful colors and substance that no mortal words exist to describe it. But it was not his surreal surroundings that occupied his attention, it was the Great Unicorn before him that was the source of all things and with a thought could create or destroy an entire universe. Before such a Presence even the greatest of men must cower, and Kenin was terrified or would have been if a great sense of peace and joy had not enveloped him. He felt himself a failure in his mission, but the Master said gently, “come child, weep not, for you have done all that which I have asked. There are a few more things to be done and then you shall cease from mortal strivings and enter the peace of my country.”

  For a moment Kenin raised his eyes to those of his Maker and felt himself the happiest man who ever lived simply for having looked into those joyous depths but for a moment. And then the mist consumed him, the Master vanished, and he found himself standing amidst a great wood. This was no wood in the waking world but a phantasm of a sleeping mind, the dreamer suddenly came upon the intruder astride a great horse following a pack of hounds. The rider glimpsed the man in his path and suddenly horse and dogs vanished and they stood face to face. Tell gasped, “how is it a fair dream suddenly becomes a nightmare? How many times must a man be buried ere he remains forever in the dust?”

  Kenin shook his head sadly, “never more shall I trouble your waking but one last warning is sent you.”

  Tell scoffed, “warning? From whom? We are even more endeared to the King than ever before thanks to your little stunt though we must wait a few months until suspicion is completely gone ere we act.”

  Kenin said quietly, “you will be found out, one way or another. Take heed lest you lose your soul with your life. The Master asks once more if you will seek him.”

  Tell grinned, “I need neither you nor your Master. The dead do not carry tales to the living so I have little to fear from you.” Kenin shook his head sadly and suddenly vanished and Tell’s dream continued on as if it had never been interrupted. Neither was Wilim excited to see such a ghost. He too scoffed at the warning and Kenin then found himself in a place he was loath to be, but which the Master deemed necessary. The dead could not carry tales to the living, but the living had no such restrictions.

  “Kenin?” gasped the Lady as she recognized the man who had invaded her dream, “I do not usually dream of my servants, but I feel this is no ordinary dream.”

  “Nay Lady,” said he, “for I bring a message from the Master himself. These are grim times in Teradok and the King refuses to believe it. A traitor has taken my place at his side as the Advisor from Astoria and my two old friends plot murder with this usurper. I was executed as a traitor to the Crown. You must write to the King and tell him of the scoundrels in his midst. He would not believe me but perhaps he will believe you ere it is too late.” He was suddenly gone and the Lady started awake. A tear escaped one eye as she called for her servant.

  The King received the letter, delivered personally by one of the Lady’s most trusted Messengers. The man easily proved his identity as one of the Brethren and when the one-eyed imposter was pressed to do the same, he was revealed for what he was. The Lord Tell and General Wilim told all once their scheme was revealed. The King was aghast that he had killed an innocent man who had twice risked everything for Teradok. Said the King to his new Advisor from Astoria once all was accomplished, “it seems a pity your Brother lies buried among such ignominious companions. Why the very friends who plotted his ruin and mine lie right alongside him. Should his remains not be moved to more hallowed ground? Or a monument be raised in his memory?”

  Said the Brother sadly, “have the story written out in full and left as a memorial that such things not happen again, but Kenin requires no mortal glory for such things matter not to those who dwell forever in the midst of the Master’s undying glory. Leave his bones alone, for they are the least part of him.”