The Choosing tbabs-1

by Jeremy Laszlo

  Darkness swirled around Garret for a moment and his stomach turned awkwardly. Fighting back the bile that rose in his throat Garret commanded the whirling nothingness to retreat, and as if obeying his command it did. When the misty blackness subsided Garret once again stood upon a battlefield. This time was much like a previous dream he had had. Looking across the body littered field Garret watched as black masses coagulated across the field from him like pools of aging blood. Realizing he had seen this scene before Garret then turned his attention to the men beside and around him. To each side of him were men dressed in the armor of the knights of Valdadore. Behind him more knights formed rows, and as he met their gazes each nodded to him. Garret then extended the sweep of his eyes to include those further away than the knights. Behind the knights, and to either side of them thousands of men in various types of armor stood ready for battle. Garret could not distinguish any familiar faces, so he turned his gaze elsewhere. Seeking out something familiar Garret looked through the front lines of the massive force until his gaze fell upon a face he had seen every day since his birth. Seth stood mere yards away, facing the enemy across the field. He was easy to recognize though his face had changed tremendously. He looked tired, wore out, a withered image of himself. His clothing too was different. Instead of a tunic and leggings as was usual for him to wear, Seth wore a long robe made from a black fabric trimmed in a deep red color. He did not notice Garrets gaze, he stood focused across the field as if concentrating. Confused and concerned Garret tore his eyes from his brother and again tried to scan those around his brother. He quickly located what he sought. Sara stood beside Seth, opposite of Garret. He could not see much of her, his view obscured by his brother, but she was there at Seth’s side, refusing even in the threat of battle to leave the man she loved. Garret nodded his approval silently to himself as he noticed the mood of the men around him change. As he turned to seek out the cause of this change he noticed Seth pulling up his sleeves and extending his hands as if to point toward something across the field. Following his brother’s motion Garret turned his gaze to where the enemy faced them, only now the enemy rushed across the field as bolts of blue lightning began to rain down among them. Garret faced his coming enemy and began to mutter words he himself could not distinguish as his body began to shimmer. Everything went black, and the intoxicating effect of all the liquor he had consumed earlier in the evening returned, and refused to let him awaken. Garret snored heavily, sleeping uneasily until morning when he woke with a pounding head and uneasy stomach.

  The next two days passed much like their second day had. They explored the city each day, sometimes splitting into pairs to go their separate ways. Seth and Sara used this time alone to reread the scrolls and books brought to them by Borrik, and they too visited the temple of Ishanya each day to speak with him of the Goddess though this led to no new answers. Borrik, each time they visited, asked Seth for orders to carry out though Seth each time had none. Seth now had a loyal servant that at present he had no need for, but he had a feeling that in time his link to Borrik would be one of much more substance. Seth spent the days drowning in mixed emotions. The knowledge of his seemingly inescapable future disturbed him and left him feeling empty and burdened. Yet having Sara all to himself made him feel relaxed and focused. Her presence filled him with such adoration he knew he would never be able to fully express his feelings for her in words. It was a strange mix of emotions that caused his mood to swing frequently negative, only again to have Sara light the way back to normalcy with her depth less amber eyes and disarming smile.

  Garret and Ashton too visited the temples. Ashton went each day to pray to his Goddess, and Garret went each day to visit the temple of Gorandor trying to decipher the meaning of his multitude of dreams.

  Each evening Seth and Sara would return to the inn foregoing the city’s festivities to instead spend quiet time together. Garret and Ashton however spent each night enjoying the multitudes of performers and indulged themselves with foods from around the realm. Garret continued to drink his fill of rum and ale each night, however he had gained a new respect for the effects of alcohol and so drank more responsibly. The days and nights passed quickly, and before any of them were ready the day had come that had been their purpose in coming to the castle city of Valdadore.

  Seth lay still staring at the ceiling above the bed he and Sara shared. He was exhausted, the revelations of days past had been eating at him slowly making sleep a nearly unobtainable commodity. He could not recall actually waking up and he wondered if at any point he had ever fallen asleep. He slid carefully to the edge of the bed and stood to dress moving slowly as to not wake Sara. As he pulled from his pack the clothing given to him for this day he stood to see Sara standing opposite of him across the bed watching him.

  “Good morning angel.” Seth said smiling at the beautiful woman before him.

  “G’morning my love.” Sara replied.

  Smiling momentarily at one another they then dressed quickly and Seth sat down upon the edge of the bed. Sara joined him as he pulled on his boots and she smiled at him provocatively.

  “What’s gotten into you?” Seth asked.

  “You look very handsome in those clothes love.” Sara stated beckoning towards his outfit. “You look very important as well.” She added.

  “You think so?” Seth asked raising one eyebrow.

  “Yes I do, I just hope none of the other girls at the ceremony notice.” Sara said smiling slyly.

  “No matter if they do Sara, I will never want any other than you.” Seth said honestly.

  Sara smiled proudly knowing he was being honest, and happy with the knowledge that though she might not deserve him, he was hers and no other’s. Seth rose from the bed and pulled Sara into his arms. Today he knew would be a life changing day. Today was the choosing. It was a day he was sure he would never forget, and he hoped now that he would be making good memories this day. If it did not go well however, he would return here to the inn to meet Sara and they would run together to somewhere the Kingdom would not care to look for them. The plan was made, the day had come, now all there was to do was see how it played out. The ceremony was scheduled to start two hours after sunrise, and sunrise was upon them.

  Gathering their belongings Seth removed the small black tome from beneath the bed and placed it within his shirt, tucking it firmly at his waist. Then without a look back he and Sara left the room and headed to the dining hall.

  Garret and Ashton both awoke feeling renewed and well rested. They both were excited about the coming ceremony. Both of them fairly certain what it held in store for them. They rushed to dress and gathered their things before leaving their room. Taking the stairs two at a time and skipping the last few all together they made their way to the first floor and down the hall to the dining area. Rounding the corner they were amazed to see the room full of people. They had hardly even been aware of any other guests up until now, however the dining hall was filled nearly to capacity this morning and it took Garret a moment to scan the dozens of faces who looked up at him as he entered the room. Looking from table to table Garret located his brother and Sara and led Ashton across the room to join them. It was not their normal table they attended this morning, instead having to sit at one against the wall. They all greeted one another as Garret and Ashton sat themselves with their companions. Looking around Garret noticed that nearly all the people here this morning were their own age. Most of the people in the hall were already eating, or empty plates stood upon their tables having already finished their meals. Each of the companions anxious for their own reasons, waited impatiently for Felix to arrive.

  After some time Felix did arrive, accompanied by a young woman. They each carried large trays filled with plates of food which they delivered to several different tables. The meals delivered, the young woman and Felix then gathered empty plates from those guests that were finished, and too from tables that now were deserted. Having gathered everything there was to gather, Felix sent the
woman back to the kitchen her arms heavily burdened with plates and bowls before turning to approach the four’s table.

  “It appears you are a busy man this morning.” Seth said to Felix as he came beside the table.

  “Indeed I am Master Seth.” Felix replied. “And good morning to you all.” He added.

  They each in turn greeted Felix, and when he asked what they would be having for breakfast he was not surprised when Sara spoke for the group.

  “Felix, you should well know by now that you can prepare for us anything of your choosing, as no one I am sure has better taste in food than you.” Sara said all the while beaming a giant smile at the man.

  “Thank you for your kindness all of you.” Felix said, looking to each of them one by one. “It is a shame your stay could not be longer, I truly hope to see each of you again.” He added in earnest.

  Each of the companions responded thanking Felix for his delicious meals and friendly conversation. Each too promised they would return as soon as they could assuring the man nothing could keep them away from his cooking. Felix left their table giving them a smile and a wink before he left. As he crossed the room the companions watched him go his limp more prevalent than it had been in days past.

  As the group waited patiently for Felix’s return, they spoke briefly about the ceremony that awaited them in less than two hours time. Both Garret and Ashton spoke boisterously, unable to restrain their excitement. Seth and Sara tried to sound as excited as their companions, but neither of them was able to quite mimic the others’ mood.

  Before long Felix returned, carrying a tray of food and mugs for the four companions. He placed a plate and mug before each of them and wished them an enjoyable meal before he left to see to other customers.

  Upon each plate stood a large muffin, larger than any muffin any of them had seen before. The top of the muffin had been cut away and hollowed out to hold a pool of thick syrup blended with raspberries. The entire muffin was also drizzled with melting frosting crisscrossing the top of the muffin in milky white lines that ran down their sides and formed small pools of sticky sweetness upon the plates. To accompany the muffin Felix had brought each of them a large mug filled with milk blended with orange juice. It was a simple meal, but even so Felix had seen to it that it was a delicious meal. Each of them ate quickly, knowing that time was growing short, and they still had to walk the distance to the castle which would take nearly half an hour. They finished eating in record time and instead of waiting for Felix to return they decided to leave the inn. Pushing back from the table the four of them rose, and grabbing their belongings, they headed to the street.

  Entering the street they were amazed to find that like the inn the street was bustling with people unlike they had ever seen before. Hundreds of people of all ages crowded the street all moving in the direction of the castle. Merging into the crowd the four headed like everyone else toward the castle in the center of the city. Garret and Seth walked side by side down the street. Opposite of Garret, Sara walked beside Seth their hands entwined tightly, each of them afraid of what might lay ahead. Ashton walked on the opposite side of Garret that Seth walked, and he knew today he would follow in the footsteps of both his mother and his older brother. Nothing could please him more. Garret too walked more quickly than was usual. Being almost guaranteed that he would be joining the ranks of the elite knights of Valdadore, Garret rushed on to his future, a future he was happy to embrace, a future sure to be filled with honor and glory. Seth and Sara on the other hand walked quickly just to keep up with their companions. Neither of them really wanted to attend the ceremony, both of them fairly certain it would turn out badly. Sara did not care for what she would be chosen, it mattered not at all so long as she would be able to stay with Seth. This she knew was unlikely. If Garret was to be chosen for the Knighthood, then so too was Seth likely to be chosen. Sara doubted that there were any women in the knighthood. Even though they had planned for a possible separation, Sara was afraid.

  Seth on the other hand was not afraid. He had already made plans with Sara in the event they should be separated, and that being done he was comfortable in the fact that they had foreseen the possibility and planned accordingly. Seth was also not afraid of the ceremony itself. It was true he knew it was likely he, like his brother could be chosen for one portion of the army or another. Though this was in no way what he wanted, it did not scare him. Seth had no energy for fear now, instead it now seemed as if the ceremony really held no relevance to him, with the recent revelations Seth was almost certain his path would lead to one predetermined point no matter what was to happen today. All that mattered is that Seth pay attention, watch for signs, gather information and knowledge in his plan to regain control of his fate and untangle himself from the Goddess’s schemes.

  Following the crowd like mindless sheep the companions finally emerged into the square surrounding the castle. The crowd had not dissipated, but instead clung to the edges of the square leaving the majority of the road open to those actually traveling into the castle for the ceremony. The gate stood open across the square from them, and today it seemed the normal guard had been doubled. They walked slowly toward the giant gate that now resembled a massive iron maw that occasionally ate a person or group of people who dared enter. As they approached the guards looked them over, and determining their age and purpose allowed them to pass unquestioned.

  The companions passed through the portcullis into the stone entrance of the castle courtyard. Just inside the massive walls to either side of them stood a pair of stone staircases that appeared to be a reflection of one another across the paved street. Each set of stairs ran parallel to the massive wall up its side to a higher level. Upon that level spaced evenly at each slit in the stone stood lightly armored soldiers. Each of the soldiers held a bow with and arrow already in place to draw and fire at a moment’s notice. The archers spanned the wall as far as the eye could see in either direction. It was an impressive sight. Upon passing the stairs that led to the upper levels of the outer wall to the castle, the group walked into a giant courtyard. Here stood massive towers and spires of varying height and size. Each of these rose great distances into the sky above, casting long shadows across the paved courtyard. Above them, spanning great distances, elegant web like catwalks ran between the giant structures crisscrossing the sky this way and that. Flags and pennants waved in the early morning breeze from various locations and levels among the towers and spires. The entire castle was awe inspiring and the four companions could not help but gawk like tourists as they walked. Passing between two giant towers the group came to an even larger portion of the courtyard. This portion consisted of several levels. The paved courtyard ran for hundreds of feet before rising three steps and then running another couple hundred feet to yet another set of steps. The trend continued with an large open expanse raising steadily a few steps every so far as if smaller and smaller courtyards had been stacked one upon another creating dozens of layers each one rising a few feet and at their very center sat the castle proper. The actual castle was not as impressive a sight as the group had expected. It was a large building for sure, but it stood small next to the towers and spires that had been built around it. It rose only a few stories higher than the massive outer castle wall, but was dwarfed by some of the towers by nearly a dozen floors. It was still some ways off, but at this distance it was not as magnificent as any of them had expected. As the four walked they noticed that people were gathering on the next tier of the courtyard and so they continued towards the steps ahead of them, assuming that this is where the ceremony would be held. Topping the five steps that rose to this tier they looked around at what lay before them. This tier held no towers or any other structure for that matter. In fact besides the small groups of people gathered here and there the only other item upon the tier was a small canopied tent that stood across from them at the opposite edge of this tier where the steps again climbed to the next. The tent had no walls, it consisted of poles supporting a roo
f, and beneath its canopy more than a dozen people stood speaking, though they were too far at this distance to see clearly let alone hear. Looking around at the others inhabiting this level of the courtyard it was apparent that those gathered were here to be chosen as well. Realizing they had come as far as they needed to, the four companions stopped, and not knowing what else to do they stood looking around, waiting for some sort of instructions.

  Chapter 11

  The Chosen

  Trumpets blared across the open expanse of the immense stone courtyard, reverberating off the stone walls and paved road around and under all who now stood within the Castle’s shadow. As the trumpets announced the beginning of the ceremony a deafening roar exploded over the castle from outside its walls. Thousands upon thousands of voices cheered in unison as their many small voices joined and twisted together through the air to become one great blast of sound. The four companions remained standing apart from the many others who had gathered here this day, and watched as dozens more quickly poured onto this tier of the castle’s courtyards. As the crowd gathered outside the castle walls began to fall silent, a thunderous drumming could be heard coming from somewhere within the walls. The sound beat like a giant heart that shook the stone beneath the companion’s feet and they looked around as far as the eye could see to locate its source. The rhythm continued growing ever louder as time progressed, and all of those gathered for the ceremony looked around in anticipation. It was not long before the source of the pulsing drum beat was revealed. It was not what anyone had expected, and as the source of the sound was revealed many exhaled loudly at the sight that appeared from behind the castle proper. From beyond the castle itself a line of heavily armored soldiers appeared. At first all that could be seen was their helms, polished to a mirror surface gleaming in the sun. As they approached they climbed the steps of each tier revealing more and more of themselves to those who were gathered to see them. A solid line of soldiers marched in unison, their swords drawn, spanning the entire expanse of the Castle’s courtyard. Their feet pounded the stone paved road as they came creating the drum like rhythm that sounded so much like the heart of some giant beast. As they neared, the soldiers looked more and more menacing. A giant wall of polished armor, thundering ever nearer with swords drawn marched across the open expanse driving before them those who had gathered for the ceremony. As the wall of shining steel approached the canopied tent, those soldiers that stood behind the tent stopped immediately creating an impassible wall. From the ends of this wall that was created by a dozen soldiers, another wall began to form from each side. As the remaining line of soldiers continued to move, with each step two more soldiers would stop, one from each side where they had been split at the tent. This created a diagonal line of sword and steel fanning out from the back corners of the tent. These two lines of soldiers continued to form across the entire expanse of the stone tier that the companions stood upon. When the line of soldiers had finally reached the end of this particular tier they marched straight down the three steps without hesitation, never missing a beat. As their feet thundered off of the bottom step all the soldiers turned on some silent command and marched inward upon themselves in two lines slowly closing the gap that had been created by those who had stopped to form lines across the courtyard. As the two lines came together closing the gap the Soldiers halted in perfect time, and driving their heels together both lines turned to face toward the courtyard they had just surrounded. Raising their swords above their heads as if to attack, the immense line of soldiers that stood at the bottom of the steps to the courtyard crouched as if all controlled by one mind. Then as before, as if from some unspoken command they lunged. A hundred soldiers moving as one body gained the four steps in a single bound, bringing them like a wave from an ocean made of steel onto the tier where their brethren held those attending the ceremony captive.