Zealot

by Joshua David Smith

  A few uneventful hours had passed as Salius continued his southern course toward the mountain, going deeper and deeper into the treacherous place where anyone with any sense of reason chose not to venture. The environment had remained relatively the same, and, of course, no living creatures were there to be seen for reasons which Salius now understood.

  Salius, after having hours to think about the previous night, had still come to no conclusions as to what exactly the man or creature that he had seen was, nor why it did what it did. And, Salius eventually decided that its identity and purpose would simply continue to allude him, unless of course he happened upon some new information which would give him clarity. Perhaps the man he was looking for would have the answers, were Salius to ever find him. But then again it was a vast forest and Salius was unsure how he was supposed to find what he was looking for without having even the slightest idea of which way he needed to trudge. However, as Salius had no other options available, he hoped that on this quest, luck would be on his side. With that small measure of hope in mind, Salius simply kept placing one foot in front of the other.

  A little more time had passed, and as Salius reached into his satchel eager for a meager snack to keep his strength up due to hunger's mournful call, Salius caught site of an apple tree. Then, as he moved forward more quickly, mouth beginning to salivate, he saw another and another. In fact, upon standing near enough to pluck a piece of delectable looking fruit from one of the trees, he noticed that they were many, and seemed to have been planted with organization. This was not some random grouping of trees, this was a farm; Salius would know. Also besides the apple orchard, he saw other fruit trees and berry bushes, most of which Salius did not immediately recognize.

  Finally; he must live nearby.

  Before going off to search for the planter, who was no doubt the man Salius had been looking for, he decided to grab a bite just in case their meeting, for some reason, went poorly. So, reaching up, Salius grabbed hold of a delightful looking green apple and took a bite, then another. It wasn't long before Salius had devoured the whole of the seed bearing fruit, and after throwing the core down to the ground, Salius moved toward another, before he consumed that one as well. In Salius' opinion these apples tasted, curiously, far better than those he had eaten in the fields near his home, perhaps due to the climate. He continued to grab another for the road only now realizing how famished he had been; but after taking a bite he heard a voice address him from his right, “Best produce in all of Librium.”

  It was a long moment before Salius gave reply, “How would you know something like that?”

  The man paused briefly before responding, “Let's just say, I've been around for a very long time.”

  Salius took another bite before turning. Then as Salius turned, the man, whom by Salius' sight stood maybe a little above six feet tall, spoke again while casually stroking his thick beard, “It is odd to me that a man, no matter his age, should continue to eat stolen produce in front of its planter after being caught.”

  “It would be odd to me too,” replied Salius frankly before crunching down on another bite.

  “Then why do it?”

  He made a point to motion at the tall, middle aged man's right hand, the hand which currently rested upon a three foot long sword, strapped to his side with a thick leather belt, before Salius spoke, “I was raised on a farm in West Librium, and it is my experience that farmers don't take kindly to those who take from their land without invitation. That being said, if you are going to attempt to kill me... well, lets just say that I have found preference to fighting on a full stomach.”

  The man smiled suddenly before removing his hand from the hilt of his weapon. The mysterious farmer, now taking a more non-aggressive posture, responded, “Well, you have somehow survived the night, and you speak as one who is learned; it has truly been a long time since I have had the privilege to engage in discourse with a guest such as you, despite your apparent youthful age. Come, you have my open invitation, I shall not kill you today.”

  At that the man turned to lead Salius back to his home. Salius spoke as he followed behind, still wary of the bizarre stranger who he did not truly know, “My name is, Salius; and how would you be addressed?”

  “Call me, Planter; for that is all that I am now.”

  After guiding Salius through the orchards, and up a sturdy, wooden, spiral, staircase which lead to a cleverly devised house that had been built around the trunks of two very large trees; the man who called himself Planter, then left, after letting Salius into his abode, to gather a few things in preparation for the evening meal. Being well over an hour since the man, who preferred to simply be called Planter, had departed, Salius already had time to look around before taking a seat in one of two intricately carved, tall backed, thick armed, lounging chairs, which sat at the South side on an open balcony, facing the mountain.

  Planter's home was not large, but it was homely, being built in a rectangular shape with one end facing north and the other east, complete, as one looked from the outside, with four shuttered windows and one covered balcony. On the inside, a long, worn, rectangular table with two equally long benches, sat north to south in between the two thick tree trunks around which the house was built. The windows were built along the breadth of the house, two on each side. There also were two doors, one existing on the north end, acting as the home's gateway, and the other near the south end, which entered onto the balcony. A full bed equipped with proper bedding sitting atop a wooden frame existed on the Southwestern corner to the right of the door, if looking south from the north, with its head on the southern side, up against the home's far wall.

  Something Salius did not expect to see upon earlier entrance had been four tall bookshelves, two placed on either side against the two long walls, as one entered. All four of the wonderfully crafted, old fashioned bookshelves, were entirely filled, leaving no space for even one more book or manuscript. Then, as Salius had gone further past the bookshelves there was an area against the long western wall dedicated to various types of weapons and armaments, all of which hung on the wall or shelf, very well organized like everything else in Planter's home. This seemed equally out of place to Salius, but what truly caught his attention was the centerpiece; a full, richly ornamented, military uniform, currently suited on a wooden manneqhin. The suit was complete with gold chainmail, and a gold left shoulder piece with golden leg and forearm plates. Even more strange was that some of the gold plates bore obvious scratches, signifying that the suit's wearer had worn it in battle. This was unusual, as the kings and high lords who would wear a piece like this, didn't wear it for battle but as an authoritative symbol. This was for many reasons, one being that, since gold is one of the weakest metals, it wouldn't hold up well as actual protection in a fight, not to mention the fact that it was heavy and therefore would be a mere annoyance to the warrior who adorned it in the heat of conflict.

  After analyzing the armor, Salius' attention had then moved on to the sword which was strapped around the manneqhin's waist. It had an apparent three foot long length, and had appeared to Salius as something similar to an Ameritan traditional saber; its blade having just a slight curve making it easier to use for slashing, while also making it definitively different from a straight sword.

  As Salius, in present time, sat looking out over the forest atop the balcony he pondered how a man like Planter could possibly have such rare and amazing items in his possession, which brought perhaps the more pertinent question to mind, which was; who is he?

  Only two conclusions seemed even relatively possible to Salius: Either the man was a thief and no doubt subsequently a murderer, or he had at one point been at least a high lord, if not royalty. It was a mystery to be sure, one which would keep him from reaching any measurable amount of sleep on this night. And no matter how friendly Salius' host seemed to be, Salius would stay on his guard as he was certain of one thing; Planter was hiding something, something unusual.

  He heard foot
steps, by the sound of it, coming from the spiral staircase. Salius after standing up, moved toward the currently open balcony doorway just in time to see Planter open the door which was on the other end of the house. As Salius sauntered out of the overlooking balcony and back into the mysterious man's home, he saw the tall man enter, carrying something that smelled all too familiar to Salius in a large pot.

  “Hope you're in the mood for a good stew,” said Planter with a smile as he walked over to place the pot in the center of the lengthy table before going to fetch the dinnerware; two bowls and two spoons.

  “Smells like my mother's cooking,” responded Salius as he took in the wonderful scent which reminded him so much of home. But to Salius' surprise instead of bringing happiness, the memories brought back the homesickness that, due to recent events, he had temporarily forgotten. But, despite the unpleasant feelings, feelings that he knew would soon pass just as they had before, Salius allowed a slight but pleasant smile to come across his face, even if only to keep up appearances.

  Upon taking a seat, with Salius briskly following in suit, Planter continued with a slight chuckle, “I hope that is a good thing.”

  “It is,” replied Salius with a friendly smile.

  “Good,” responded Planter as he filled up both bowls with a ladle before going on, “Now obviously, all of the spices which you are about to taste have been grown right here by yours truly. So although your mother's cooking may have smelled similar, I very much doubt that the flavor will be equally so, as I doubt your mother was privy to the rare spices that I cook with. Unless, of course, you were lying about growing up in the fields.”

  Salius nodded before taking a sip of the broth.

  In immediate amazement, Salius made indirect inquest, “This is excellent, you must tell me your recipe before I leave?”

  “I'll think about it; I am glad you enjoy it though, haven't had any visitors to cook for in a while.”

  “After what I've seen I have no doubt,” Salius responded before eating a sliced up chunk of potato.

  “Indeed, that brings me to a question I have. If you don't mind telling, how exactly did you figure out the secret Salius?”

  Not willing to divulge everything to this man out of caution, Salius took a moment before answering, as the conversation was already quickly turning to more relevant matters, “I was told by a man whom one would expect not to have knowledge of such things.”

  “Hmm... I see,” said Planter in reply as he took another bite.

  Anticipating it would take a little more time before Planter breached the main topic which had brought him here, Salius went on with tact, “Now it's my turn,” he stated, taking a brief pause before continuing, “I saw it; I don't know exactly what I saw, but I would be remiss to say that I am not the least bit curious to know exactly what it, or perhaps he, was?”

  Planter didn't speak right away, instead he simply took another bite before glancing back up at Salius as if pondering what answer to give. Then, after taking yet another sip of broth, Planter spoke, “You are right to call the creature you saw, it. What it is I can't really say, all I know is that it has been standing guard for a long, long time. He rises as the sun falls, and kills any who set foot upon the forest floor before the sun's return.”

  Salius waited a moment before giving reply, “You said he guards something. What does he guard? The forest? Something in the forest?”

  “No, not the forest; the mountain.”

  “Why?”

  Planter took another bite before dodging Salius' question by changing the subject, “You must tell me, how is it that you learned to speak proper while growing up on a farm?”

  Knowing that he would get no further answer about the creature at this time, Salius gracefully allowed the aversion, “My mother's grandfather was a very wealthy lord, but lost everything due to most unfortunate circumstances. However, his knowledge and education was passed on, and long story short, my mother, was a very good teacher.”

  “I can see she was,” responded Planter, obviously satisfied by Salius' short but sufficient answer.

  Both Salius and Planter then sat in silence while they ate, taking what comforting pleasure they could from the evening meal. A tinge of awkwardness began to set in as neither spoke, or even made eye contact aside from sparse glances.

  Rain began to fall from the storm clouds which had gathered darkly from above, dimming the already fading evening light. Salius, looking out the open window behind Planter as he put down his bowl having drunk the last of his broth, discerned that the sun would finish its falling in no more than two hours.

  With both men having finished their meal, Planter cleared off the table before retrieving a few blankets from a nearby cabinet. Then, after having placed them down in an area, indicating that it was the place Salius was to sleep, Planter waved him out to the covered balcony. Planter took a seat in the chair of his choosing, and waited until Salius was also seated before he spoke, “So Salius, what brings you to this place? It isn't the type of place you just simply explore, or wander through to get somewhere else. You have to have a very specific reason to enter the forest, otherwise it would simply be avoided in choice of another path.”

  Salius, looking out into the wilderness, watched the rain as it fell, hearing the calming sound it made as it collided against the trees, the plants, the ground, the roof of Planters home. More than a few moments passed before Salius responded, deciding that at this time honesty would fare him well, “I came here to find someone who could tell me about the Empress, and where I might find her. Are you that someone?”

  Salius saw a subtle, brief moment of what he interpreted to be shock or surprise come over Planter's face at the mention of the Empress, before Planter quickly re-adorned his neutral composure. Then, not turning to face Salius, Planter, after letting another moment pass, gave reply, “Now that is a name that I have not heard in a very long time,” Planter then paused before turning to look at Salius, “Tell me, if I gave you that information what would you do with it?”

  Regretting his words as he spoke them, fearing that they were too bold, too honest, Salius hastily responded, “I intend to kill her.”

  Clearly taken aback by this statement, Planter replied after a quick chuckle, “You and what army.”

  Salius did not respond but instead turned away from Planter to again look forward gazing off into the distance. Planter more serious now, then continued, “You're serious, aren't you? Tell me, son of a farmer, do you even know how to properly swing a blade? Do you have any clue what you are getting yourself into?”

  Salius, simply answered, “No, I don't know how to use a blade.”

  Planter, looking puzzled, went on to ask, “What reason could you have for killing the Empress? And what reason do I have for helping you do it?”

  At this point, Salius decided to play off of a hunch, “My reasons are my own. As for your second question; I have a feeling that you have a vested interest in my journey's success.”

  Planter, about to speak, suddenly paused, looking inquisitively at Salius, as if questioning how much Salius already knew. It was in this moment that Salius knew he had obtained conversational success.

  A few more moments passed as Planter sat to the right of Salius, stroking his beard. Then, as he sat gazing into the forest with all seriousness, Planter began, “The world was once a very different place; free, just... simple. This, of course, was before Tiburon changed it, altering it into something that it was never meant to be. See, before the Empire came there were six kings, and each king, a marked descendent of the original six kings, ruled his own race, his own people. In those days the Northern, Middle, and Southern races of men ruled beside the other three elder races; the Feyliimn, Golgaleth, and Ungassii. It was a time of peace which lasted many centuries. There were a few squabbles here and there, but nothing of the magnitude which came after.

  “Tiburon, Lord of the middle race, secretly hated the Law of founding and all it represented. He felt that i
t restrained him from being able to bring his own vision of how the world should be, to reality. But, as his ideas were immediately rejected by the other five kings, he put them aside, knowing that the only way to do that which he willed would involve all out war with the other races; a war which he would most certainly loose... at least, before she came.

  “One day on a stroll through the city square of Librium's capital, Tiburon saw her. Some say she cast some sort of magical spell over the king, but I'm not so sure; it's amazing how easily even a wise man can be deceived by a woman as beautiful and charming as Mara.

  “Well, years passed, with Mara playing the part of Tiburon's only mistress behind the Queen's back. Then, on one night, Tiburon, a little drunk, revealed to Mara his secret desire to create a world with one supreme king; a world where that king can make the world in his own fashion not bound by the regulations of the Law of Founding, not bound to the rule of six, but by the rule of one. Seeing her chance, having her own, perhaps even darker, ambitions, Mara used the opportunity. She told Tiburon that she had secret knowledge which would allow him to create a weapon so powerful that it could be used to bring the entirety of the world before his feet. However, her knowledge came with a price; Mara, in exchange, required the death of Tiburon's current wife, and the subsequent lawful marriage between her and the king. But Tiburon, even in his drunken state, refused, and the next morning the king had her sent away, even though she had recently born him a bastard son.

  "As the years passed, Tiburon's lust for power grew so overwhelming that he began to regret his hasty decision. So, he sought her out, and after finding her, he went to her in the night, she then demonstrated her knowledge to him before Tiburon agreed to her terms. In the following months Tiburon's wife was murdered, and shortly afterward he was bound lawfully in marriage to Mara. Not two years later the Tiburon war had begun, and his men fitted with a new type of weapon, which if my memory serves correctly, used what the new Queen had called, black powder. The weapon's use in warfare was just as effective as Mara had claimed it would be. Although, discovery of its creator by the public had caused the new queen to be forever labeled by the people as a witch.