3. Stories of Kanen Hightower

Stories of Kanen Hightower


  • THE OFFER

    The sun reached the ground in slanted rays, filtered by the leaves of the tall trees in the forest. The smell of fresh death was strong in the air, and the ground of the forest was littered with the corpses and blood of bugbears, lying at unnatural angles, a few missing their heads, and a couple more nearly clove in two.

    Two figures still walked among the dead. Lucia knelt and wiped her blade with leaves to clean it of the bugbear blood and gore that covered it. Kanen stood leaning against a tree, eyes closed, murmuring a silent prayer. Lucia stood and turned with a feral grin at seeing how she had nearly cut her last foe in two, when the smile quickly faded. She looked upon the dark armored form of the foul cleric of Bane, Ashan Nottiams. She spoke his name, which caused Kanen to quickly open his eyes and stare at the hated giant.

    Ashan was, of course, not alone. He had a huge skeleton servant, grinning a deathless grin, wielding a giant sword. Kanen walked over by Lucia and stood, sword drawn and ready.

    “Well. If it isn’t the animal Ashan.”, Kanen said through gritted teeth, eyes hard.

    “How…assiduous of you, Mr. Hightower”, the dark cleric sneered.

    “I don’t understand. Why do you waste yourself like this. You could be…so much more, with proper training”, he added.

    “Ashan, why don’t you just turn yourself into Norwick now. Your crimes must be paid for.”, Kanen returned.

    Seeming to think about it, Ashan smiled and replied “I’ll do that right after you slit Lucia’s throat.”

    Kanen chuckled, then laughed. She didn’t see the blade headed toward her throat until it was too late. With a look filled with shock and betrayal, Lucia stood, attempting to hold in the flow of red with both hands clutching at her throat. Her mouth moved wordlessly as Kanen looked, devoid of emotion at her, holding his blooded sword at his side. Lucia fell over and died.

    “We have much to discuss”, Ashan rumbled, a dark smile on his face that matched the one Kanen wore.

    Ashan laughed a dark laugh and the two headed off into the woods together, leaving Lucia’s corpse behind, without looking back.
    __

    He opened his eyes slowly.

    That is NOT what happened. he thought to himself.

    It was, close however…Kanen, lying in a cold sweat in his bed attempted to remember the true details. The dream had been close. Thinking hard, Kanen realized that everything up to the point of Ashan’s offer seemed to be what he remembered. After that…the details seemed hazy, as though seen through a mist.

    He forced himself to take deep, slow breaths, concentrating on remembering…it wouldn’t come.

    From another angle, then, he thought.

    Kanen knew he was still a Paladin in his Lord’s favor. He knew what it felt like to fall out of favor with his Lord, and as far as he could tell, Helm’s favor had not been withdrawn from him. He further knew, if he had committed such an act of heinous Evil, he would no longer be Paladin. So the dream was a lie.

    Slowly, his memory returned, of how he had, of course, declined Ashan’s offer, some further tense moments when it seemed combat was imminent, and then Ashan withdrawing with a sneer, his undead slave walking silently behind him.

    What is happening to me? Why am I having these thoughts? Where are they coming from?

    What made Kanen pause most of all, was the thought if he had not been a Paladin, who could innately tell if he had committed such dark acts or not, he might have started to believe these dreams could be real.

    Someone or something was attacking him, altering or controlling his dreams, and it seemed perhaps somehow affecting his memory…but who?


  • THE MESSAGE

    Though it was early afternoon, the sky was dark, full of the storm clouds that rumbled with thunder and was pouring rain down on the pair as they made their way into Jiyyd. The man, in shining blue and silver full plate. The woman, in blue armor of her own, yet the most noticeable thing about her was her red hair and the facial piercings and scars that marked her face.

    Kanen and Lucia walked through the west gate in the downpour and made their way to the house that Kanen shared with Seven. He and Lucia had been on their way to Norwick from Peltarch when Kanen realized he needed a few things from his house. The storm hadn't really started until they were most of the way to Jiyyd.

    Unlocking the door, Kanen and Lucia made their way inside. Lucia went to the fireplace to dry off. Kanen headed to his bedroom where he had left oil that he would now obviously need for polishing his armor.

    When he first looked, he thought it was a body that was on his bed. When he looked closer, lighting the candles in the candelabra, he saw what it truly was.

    Someone had taken the purple ceremonial armor that Seven had worn on their wedding day and pierced it with a blackened short sword, the sword also driven into the bed, pinning the armor there. Looking on the bed, Kanen found what was apparently a note stained with blood. He quickly read it:

    Nothing is forgiven. Nothing is forgotten.

    That was all it said. He eyes grew cold though as he realized what this was: a message from Jubei. Yet another taunt at the Paladin. That he could not protect his wife or his home from the killer. Drawing his sword, calling for Lucia, he looked about for any other sign that someone had been in his house.

    They quickly searched from room to room but found nothing else out of place. Returning to the bedroom, Kanen pulled the sword free, and saw there was dried blood on the blade. Who or what the blood had come from remained a mystery for now. The blade was one like the kind Fenz in Peltarch sold, Lucia confirmed to him.

    Though coldly furious, Kanen smiled. If Jubei is focusing on me, that means that he most likely does not know where Seven is, and does this out of frustration, he thought to himself.

    Seven's armor would be repaired; the bed would also be repaired. All Jubei had done was let Kanen know that he was still in the area, no matter that he hadn't been able to find the killer during his search.

    What Jubei had hoped to accomplish with this act, Kanen was unsure, perhaps to unbalance him in anger. It did not have the effect however, as Kanen smiled again. He would be ready for Jubei's next move. The assassin would pay for attacking Seven, breaking into their home, and most of all for causing Seven to leave, denying Kanen the ability to be with her in her time of need, a time that should be joyous for them both.

    Yes, the killer had much to answer for, and Kanen would be ready for when the killer showed himself. He would stay watchful, alert, and prepared for Jubei's next move. At some point the assassin would make a mistake, and Kanen vowed to be ready.


  • THE MESSENGER

    He had been coming back to the house when he saw the weary and blooded messenger boy waiting at his door step with a letter. Kanen invited the boy in for something to eat. He also treated and healed the boy's wounds before accepting the letter from him. He then listened in concern about the unnatural forces that had tried to attack the boy, forces that sounded all too familiar.

    Kanen was quite happy to hear word from Seven. The fact she gave her current location bothered him a moment, but then read on and was quite glad to read her words full of love and that she was thinking of him.

    Kanen thought briefly of sending a reply, but then Seven said she would be gone within the day. Reading it a few more times he committed it to memory and then tossed it into the fireplace, so that no one could learn her location.

    That left only the boy. Kanen sighed and shook his head. The boy knew where Seven was. The messenger was sitting at the dining table, eating some bread and fruit that Kanen had brought out for him. Walking up behind the boy, Kanen reached out and wrapped his hands around the boy's throat, slowly squeezing. The struggle was brief, the boy attempting to escape but to no avail. Now what to do with the body…
    _

    With a start, a sweating Kanen awoke sitting in his chair by the fireplace, the letter from Seven still in his lap. Blinking hard, the nightmare slowly faded. Where were such thoughts coming from? First the strange dream of events changed and him most of all for the worse, and now this...

    Kanen thought hard and remembered sending the boy on his way. He had not sent a message back, since Seven said she would be leaving within the next day, but had tipped the boy and sent him on his way. The Paladin started to throw the letter into the fire, but then thought of his dream. Instead he folded it carefully and placed it with the braid of Seven's hair that he kept next to his heart.

    These dreams of violence and dark thoughts troubled him, but Kanen did not know what could be their cause. It was early evening still, but he spent most of the night kneeling in prayer, asking for these strange dreams to no longer plague him.


  • ALONE

    Kanen woke slowly. He turned to Seven's side of the bed with a smile that quickly faded when he saw the empty pillow. As he had every day for these weeks that she had been gone.

    He slowly sat up and listened. The house was silent about him. Kanen had spent little time here, having left on his own for a couple of weeks in his fruitless search for Jubei, and even now that he had returned, only to sleep. He attempted to exhaust himself before returning home, so that sleep could quickly take him…though sometimes to troubled dreams about what was happening to Seven...and if the pregnancy was going well.

    He longed to be with her during this time, to help ease her burden as much as he would be able, yet that had been denied him by his one time rival and lifetime enemy, it seemed...Jubei. The fact he had been unable to find any trace of the killer worried Kanen. He feared that Jubei might have somehow followed Seven where ever she had gone. Yet if the assassin had captured or killed Seven, the Paladin felt that Jubei would have boasted about it to Kanen, if only to torment and taunt him.

    Kanen thought of writing to Seven's parents, but didn't know what to say or how to explain to her father that he was not protecting Seven. Kanen didn't even know if her parents knew of the pregnancy or not. Seven was always independent and reserved, in some ways, still with him, even after all these months of marriage. As her last leaving showed. He did not blame her, but wished she had consulted with him, that did hurt some, he admitted to himself.

    Setting such thoughts aside, he rose from the bed and knelt and began his prayers to Helm to watch over his wife and to protect her. He did this for some hours each day since she had left.

    Some time later, Kanen rose, gathered his things and left the house to begin his morning training and exercise. He forced himself to focus his mind on the strange events that were happening in the area. The wife of the chancellor of Norwick slain, a plague causing it's victims to fall into undeath, and strange attacks from the ring of standing stones just inside the south gates of Norwick. Yet thoughts of Seven and concern for her were never far from his mind. He only hoped he would see her again soon.


  • ALTERNATE PATH

    His head slumped onto his chest as he sat in the chair by the fireplace; Kanen began to dream…

    He was running. The young Paladin was running in the darkness, away from the bandit caves, his mind and emotions in turmoil. He and Seven had only recently started seeing each other, yet he knew he felt deeply for her. But just now he had listened while Seven had said she loved Jubei. Kanen, Wilhelm and Braeth had come to the bandit mines to free Seven, as Jubei had taken her hostage. Yet during the confrontation, Seven had said she loved the assassin, driving a spike through Kanen’s heart. Jubei had run off and they had freed her, as she sat there bound and naked. Seven, quite shaken by her ordeal, had barely said a word of thanks to them before dressing and running off, seeming to be looking for Jubei. It had been too much for the young Paladin. He had run off on his own, headed back to town, which is where he found himself now, moving through the grassland that he could barely see as there was little light supplied by the night sky.

    Just then, Kanen tripped over something and fell headlong, face first into a huge field of mud that the recent rains had apparently caused. Sputtering, Kanen slowly climbed to his feet, covered in the mud and grime. He made an ineffectual attempt to push the mud from his armor, yet it clung in dark, smelly clumps. The Paladin was almost shaking in his fury…not only was he a mess on the inside, but now also on the outside. Kanen then paused just as he was starting to rise from his knees. He instead began praying to Helm, while he knelt there in the mud.

    Perhaps this was a message from my Lord, Kanen now thought. He had allowed himself to become ‘muddied’ in affairs of the flesh. A true Paladin of Helm had no place in romantic matters he had been told a thousand times by his betters at the Hold. Finally, after everything that had occurred tonight, he understood and agreed. So, there in the darkness, Kanen committed himself to the Vow of Chastity, forever forsaking any further romantic involvement with any woman ever again. The knight then stood, and make his way slowly back to Norwick. He noticed Cila as he entered the town, but walked past before she noticed him. She only represented another distraction from his true mission that he would now dedicate himself to fully.

    The next day, Kanen ran into Seven and unemotionally informed her of how he was now changed. He was surprised that she seemed upset by his news but determined that it was something that no longer mattered to his new goals, and politely excused himself. Later that evening, after much searching and watching, he found Jubei lurking in the woods, and Kanen was able to subdue him after considerable effort, and bring him to Norwick to be tried for his crimes.

    Jubei’s trial was made into a town event. It was the heartfelt testimony of Seven though, that saved the killer’s life. She testified that Jubei was a tool being used by another, and that his actions were not his own. She further dropped the charges of kidnapping against him. Jade was incensed, but Jubei’s life was spared, though he served time in a cell in Norwick. Seven was seen visiting Jubei in his cell frequently by the town guards, Kanen couldn’t help but overhear.

    The knight had made himself very busy. After Vinessa and the traitor Selron had been defeated, he would watch and observe others, especially anyone who seemed suspicious. Any evil or darkness that he would sense about them he would quietly inform the militia and the mayor about. Kanen used his natural charm and skills in persuasion to try and make these leaders of the various cities and towns see the importance of his findings, and to see that their laws were not sufficient for dealing with this dangerous menace. He lobbied long and hard to have being found a follower of a dark god become a crime, with some success.

    Kanen commissioned new armor to be forged for him. He wore black armor with the white symbol of Helm emblazoned on his breastplate. Black so that he could more easily watch and listen without being so easily observed. He allowed himself little free time, as his work consumed him. He was Helm’s Watchman, observing the evils about him, only acting when he knew his enemy and was prepared for anything they might try to escape their justice.

    Kanen heard rumors that his one time friends Wilhelm, Reginald, Kara and even Jubei, having served his long sentence, had gone to far off Thay to do battle with Jubei’s former master, and some said to rescue Jade and Seven. He never heard the whole story, but eventually, he saw them in the area again, including both Jade and Seven. Jubei was added again to his list of those to be watched, yet he had seemed to have changed, perhaps for the better under the guidance of Seven, who was seen constantly at his side. Kanen told himself he didn’t care.

    Kanen’s name became known and feared by those of evil intent. Plots were made against his life but all had failed. The names of those he had caught or slain in combat grew. The witch Aspera Chillwind, Salina the self-admitted Banite, Justinia Norwick the false Paladin, the cleric who claimed to be of Tyr but was found to be a Banite named Ashan Nottiams, and many others all had fallen to his blade or were put to death in Norwick for their crimes of worshipping a dark god or other crimes against Norwick. He would not allow them to rise to power; he knew he had to cut them down as soon as they were found out, to spare the lands future pain and misery.

    Then there was Garen. Kanen had spoken at length with Adam Bromley, who claimed that Garen was none other than Hydrek the half-demon reborn somehow in human flesh. Kanen believed this to be true but could find no evidence against him. His heart did not seem to be dark, but when, watching while invisible and silent, he saw Garen starting to work on the Paladin Sarah Raime. His subtle comments about power and strength, something that Sarah obviously craved.

    So, without legal proof, or even justification that he could make to his god, Kanen attacked Garen in a surprise ambush on the road one day, slew him in a terrible duel, burned the corpse, and immersed the ashes in acid. The feeling was as if the sun had been blotted out of the sky. Kanen knew what it was. Helm had withdrawn His favor from him for his actions, but the knight could feel no remorse or regret. He had removed a threat, an enemy that was only growing stronger daily. His lack of remorse may have explained the reason the divine favor was never again returned to him, yet this bothered Kanen less than he thought it would.

    His watching became more difficult after this, no longer being able to read the intentions and hearts of those around him, but Kanen found that by careful observation, he could still determine who was Evil and who was not. The priests were the easiest, as most would eventually summon undead servants, the surest sign of their evil and signal that they needed to be brought to justice if possible, or simply slain if there was no other choice.

    Through the months he lost count of the number of opponents who had died to his blade, almost all deserving their final justice, he was sure. He always followed the Law, yet in the wilds the law did not exist, thus allowing him to go beyond it when necessary, as he had that first time with Garen. Most people shunned the knight, avoiding him whenever possible, not that he cared. Kanen remained faithful to his Lord through all this time, never leaving the service of Helm, if not as Paladin, then as a simple guardian and watcher, removing evil before it had chance to take root.

    When he learned of their wedding, he was shocked and angered that it bothered him. He thought on the brief time he and Seven had shared, before that night that had changed him forever, and was surprised at his feelings of something forever lost. He even made himself to go the wedding of Jubei and Seven, staying hidden in the background. Former assassin and the beautiful cleric of Torm, joined in marriage. Watching their apparent happiness filled the knight with a dark fury, his vision becoming red in his near-uncontrolled anger as he left the ceremony before it was completed.

    He was angry at himself for caring at all, and angry at the couple for their apparent happiness. So he bagan to follow Jubei. He knew all he had to do was watch carefully and he would find that Jubei was back to his old ways, he was sure of it. Yet he could find no such evidence. All he saw was Seven and Jubei happily together, hunting and helping fight the enemies of the area. This only caused Kanen to become even more enraged, though he kept his fury cold. He then began plotting a way to end Jubei’s life, as even if he didn’t deserve it now, he did from his crimes so long ago. Norwick had been foolish to only give him a jail sentence, and the knight rationalized that he could now give Jubei the justice he had avoided all these months.

    So, after much careful observation, he finally found Jubei traveling the trail alone. The killer tried to reason with Kanen, saying that he had changed, that Seven had redeemed and saved him, which only caused the knight to become angrier for some reason. He drew his blade and attacked, ignoring Jubei’s pleas to discuss this matter, his body filled with a dark fury as he rained blow after blow on the former assassin. The fight was over shortly later, Kanen’s blade piercing Jubei’s heart, as the knight smiled into the dying face of his prey.

    Just then, Seven walked down the trail, her eyes open wide, with a horrific expression on her face, screaming for Jubei as he died. What Kanen noticed most of all, however, was that her belly was distended greatly, obviously carrying a baby…

    With a near shout, Kanen stood, breathing hard, gasping. He looked quickly around at his surroundings, at his house, as the dream slowly faded. It was very late, but he heard Seven moving about in her study, as though busy at something. He thought of checking on her, but he was so tired and drained from the horrific dream that he instead decided to head directly to bed, falling asleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow.

    A short while later, a tearful Seven emerged from her study, her belongings packed, as she began to prepare for her long journey.


  • CODE OF LIES

    Kanen sat in his chair, idly paging through a book given him by Ashen the ranger that was written about Kanen’s former home, Helm’s Hold, which was so far from here. His mind was not on the book however, as he flipped through the pages, occasionally looking up and staring into the flames of the fireplace. His mind instead was on recent events. The journey to the bandit fortress and the fierce battle that had ensued there, the exploration of the dead city Mintas Rhelgor, and Adam’s sacrifice and final death that occurred before they left that place. But most of all, Kanen’s thoughts were on the encounter from a few days ago just north of Norwick.

    Jubei had finally revealed himself. The assassin had given someone a message to relay to the couple, saying that he would claim their baby. Enraged, Kanen demanded to know where the killer had been seen, and Magnus, who had been forced into the role of messenger, led them to the place he had seen Jubei, Hugh was met along the way and joined them.

    The group also saw the evil gnome again, apparently restored to life, or the approximation that kept him animated. Once they arrived to where Magus led them, Kanen yelled out for the coward to show himself, to face him. The air coalesced into more of the creatures of shadow and air that someone had told him might have been called invisible stalkers, attacked.

    The battle was brief as the three slew the shadowy creatures quickly, then looked about for the source of the attack. Finally Jubei had shown himself and he made claims that Seven and Kanen had built their happiness on the graves and misery of their friends and on betrayal of those friends. They argued with Jubei about what he was doing, what was his purpose, and he again said he would take the child from Kanen and Seven, though for what purpose he did not say.

    Jubei claimed he was following his own code, as Seven had freed him, and no longer had a master that he served. How this assassin was able to summon these creatures of air was a question yet to be answered, but Jubei had obviously gained new power since they had seen him last. And he seemed to have twisted his code to mean whatever purpose he required of it.

    When they moved to attack him, he disappeared and the assassin taunted them for a time from a hidden place, he could be heard but not seen, but Seven grew weary of the exchange and suggested they leave, which they all did. Jubei had denied that his actions were borne of jealousy of the happiness and Kanen and Seven now shared, yet his denial rang hollow to the Paladin…that was what this was all about, he was almost sure. Why else did Jubei toy with them? The strange dreams that had plagued Seven, killing her falcon companion, stealing her personal diary and now threatening the life of an unborn child, one that Seven wasn’t even sure existed yet.

    His head nodding while sitting in the chair, Kanen drifted off to into an exhausted sleep while thinking of these events and how actions of the past had brought them to this point…


  • Very Well written. You did a great job.. 😉


  • THE STRAIN

    Darkness. The bedroom was pitch-black. Kanen heard Seven’s soft rhythmic breathing but nothing else, though his ears strained to hear any sounds that were occurring within their house. Yet he heard…nothing.

    To say the last few days had been eventful would have been an understatement. Kanen had encountered Elendel at the healers here in Jiyyd. It seemed the guard slayer thought Kanen had some influence or control over the actions of others, particularly the Norwick militia. He had all but demanded that Kanen tell them to call off their hunt of him. Of course the Paladin had no such power, but even if he did, he would never agree to such demands, and told the evil elf as much. Others entered the healer's, and a tense standoff ensued, but after making threats that Kanen would be responsible for what happened to the area now, and that he should watch his house, he caused magical darkness to blackout the room and fled before any could stop him.

    So, sometime later, Kanen and Seven had decided to travel to Peltarch. Kanen was low on healing supplies and Seven wanted to look for the gnome, though she didn’t vocalize it, Kanen thought that was her reason at least. The trip had started normally enough, though Kanen had been sure to protect himself and Seven with the power of Helm against Evil, among his regular prayers of for the strength and grace of his Lord.

    The bandits at the bridge were in some strength, several heretics and almost a score of lesser bandits fell to their blades as the pair continued to slowly make their way north. Then the area was quiet, bandit corpses strewn all about, Seven whispering prayers on their behalf, Kanen continuing to watch all around them for any more unseen attackers.

    Then they struck. Kanen still felt the pain from their icy nails from his last encounter and shuddered slightly when he realized the air around them had been distorted into the same creatures of shadow and air. Kanen and Seven stood back to back, combating the near-invisible foes almost silently, except for an occasional prayer from Seven of healing for herself or Kanen. Finally, the last creature had been dissipated, as both of them looked about for any additional foes. Kanen yelled out for the gnome to show himself, just as Seven saw the gnome up on a nearby hillside.

    Charging in fury, Kanen and Seven both rushed up the hill, and encountered more of the unnatural creatures of air, and though it was near midday, darkness descended about them. The fight in the blackness was hard, but it seemed the creatures had difficulty locating the pair in the darkness as well. Finally the group of creatures were defeated…and there was the gnome, apparently caught off guard by their victory as he had not apparently tried to make his escape.

    Seven and Kanen closed on the gnome and attacked. Every spell he attempted to cast was interrupted by their attacks, until he was bloody with several wounds that were bleeding freely. He tried a final time to flee and was cut down, never once attempting surrender or asking for mercy. Seven seemed upset that they had killed him, but Kanen reminded her that Hugh had almost captured the evil little gnome, but that he had been able to suddenly disappear from Hugh, so he likely would have done the same this day as well, if he had been given a chance. Kanen watched about for any further attackers, wondering where Jubei was…apparently the same thoughts were going through the mind of Seven as they both yelled out for him to show himself, but were only answered by silence.

    Seven examined the body of the dead gnome only to make a horrific discovery. The top of the head of the gnome was missing, and there was no brain inside! Somehow this…thing had walked and talked like a person, yet contained no brain to control it. Then before their eyes, the body of the gnome crumbled to dust, as though from great age. Kanen felt they had indeed done a service for Good this day by destroying this powerful creature of evil…even though it seemed he, or it, was only a puppet for someone or something else.

    No matter how hard they looked, they saw no further attack or foe, so continued on their way north into the Pass. Again they encountered bandits of some strength and numbers, yet were defeated by the angry pair, and they finally stood up on the high ground of the area, looking about for further enemies, or perhaps spot a particular one hiding in the shadows…

    Kanen started to ask some question about Jubei possibly being the one who had stolen her diary, but Seven suddenly changed the subject. She asked Kanen if he remembered about the gift from the druidess Ly’Ahnna. Ly’Ahnna had given Kanen a plainly wrapped package saying only that it was for Seven, so Kanen had passed it on to her. When he had asked Seven about it before, she had only replied she wasn’t ready to tell him what it had been…yet.

    Now Seven told him what the package had contained. Apparently the druidess had given Seven a fertility charm. This stunned Kanen, but her next words, barely whispered, stunned him further…that she had been wearing the charm and that she was late. The Paladin’s head was awhirl with sudden emotion, surprise that Seven would wear the charm, dawning joy that she might be carrying his child, yet apprehension Seven didn’t seem that happy about the idea…yet she had worn the charm?

    Seven then revealed to him that she also felt she was growing distant from her Lord Torm, and removed the charm from around her neck. She then threw it far into the Pass below them, saying that she had put more faith in the charm than she had faith in her Lord recently…a startling admission that left Kanen speechless.

    Then their discussion turned back to Jubei. Seven started with not understanding how he could have thrown his code away when it had meant so much to him. Kanen replied coldly that if Jubei came within the reach of his sword, the assassin would be put to death once and for all, finishing what he should have so long ago and that this time he would not allow Seven to save the killer.

    They argued back and forth for a time, their first, until they finally worked out their differences, at least for now and embraced. Gathering their things the couple then made their way north to the city, both feeling the strain of having Jubei somewhere, watching them, and wondering who Jubei was working for that could create such a horrific creature as the gnome they had destroyed.

    Saying a quiet prayer to his Lord for protection and the strength to defend them both, Kanen finally was able to sleep, though waking several times, each at some almost heard sound, that turned out to be nothing…at least so far.


  • MORNING TRAINING

    Kanen stood behind his house, in the early morning light. He was stripped to the waist, only wearing the baggy trousers and soft shoes that he wore during his daily regimen of training. He had just returned from his daily run through the swamp to the south, sweating slightly. The vermin that attacked him in the swamp usually fell quickly. He regularly practiced cutting them down as he ran, trying to not break stride or lose his balance when possible.

    Drawing his greatsword, he began moving the blade around his body in an intricate pattern of steel, moving the blade from position to position.

    His thoughts though, were not on the motions of the blade but instead on recent events.

    At least one of their enemies was now known.

    The fact that it was, once again Jubei, was at first a shock, but now Kanen was filled with a quiet fury. The assassin had been playing, toying with he and Seven. Jubei had wounded Seven by killing her companion falcon, while mocking Kanen’s ability to protect her by the attack into their home, leaving his calling card behind.

    Kanen now passed his blade through complex moves, both attacking an imaginary foe, and defending against their expected responses, moving the blade faster and faster, until he was covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

    Jubei was a weapon, a tool Seven called him. He had killed the Paladin Steele, who though eventually revived, never seemed to have recovered from the duel.

    Jubei was a former rival for the affections of Seven. These thoughts Kanen put aside, because although true, Kanen trusted Seven implicitly. They had pledged their hearts and souls together in marriage; no former rival could damage that bond. Perhaps that was one source of Jubei’s apparent anger, that Seven had chosen Kanen in the end. Perhaps not, but that seemed likely to the Paladin.

    Jubei had apparently been training and was perhaps even more deadly than when Kanen had last encountered the killer. In their many previous chance encounters on the road, there had always been a tension. As though each was waiting only for some signal or word before battle would be joined between them…that signal had never come however, as Seven had usually been nearby, to end the violence before it could begin, pushing them away from each other.

    Kanen returned again to the thought Jubei is a weapon. Who’s weapon? And why? There were still unanswered questions. Who was the foul little gnome who had mastery of the creatures of shadow? He had attacked them in the cleaning woman’s apartment, and apparently attacked Seven again since then as she traveled to Peltarch, though thank Helm, with Vino, Bram, and others. Seven had also mentioned a tall companion to the little gnome, that Kanen had not seen yet, or what threat he represented.

    This was far from over, Kanen knew. So many questions…but at least he now knew who one of his foes was. His old enemy, Paladin killer, and paid assassin. Apparently now working for some new dark master.

    Sheathing his blade across his back, Kanen began running his laps about the town, greeting the guards as he ran past, then, when finally exhausted, running beneath the waterfall to cool down from his morning ritual of exercise and training.

    He then slowly walked back to the house he and Seven shared, taking in the morning air, although occasionally looking about for any signs of anyone watching him…if they were, he didn’t see it. Kanen made his way back into the house quietly, and began his morning prayers and meditation, hearing Seven starting to rise in the bedroom.

    I will be ready. I will protect her. We will learn who is behind this and they will pay, to Helm I swear this.

  • ?

    very cool stuff knight 😉


  • THIRD DUEL

    It was evening, the sun gleaming blood red in the sky as it slowly descended. The Pass was empty of life it seemed. The only thing Kanen could hear was the crunch of his boots on the dry, dirty path. Breaking the stillness, the cry of a hawk was then heard, and Kanen looked up into the sky, tracking the bird’s seemingly slow flight, watching as the bird suddenly faded away.

    Turning his attention back to the road before him, it seemed night had fallen and a figure was blocking the path. The figure was dressed in full plate armor and helm, all black. Actually, the armor looked like the ebon plate that Ashan had worn; yet this man was nowhere near as tall as that servant of Bane. The man had a greatsword pointed toward him, yet was unmoving. Kanen looked down at himself and realized he was dressed only in robes, yet his blade was slung across his back, which he quickly drew.

    They stood staring silently at each other for some time, each unmoving, greatsword held ready. Finally Kanen grew impatient and began his attack, swinging the blade in an arcing curve at the armored man’s side, which the knight easily blocked with his own blade, as the sound of steel ringing on steel echoed in the pass. The armored man took a half step forward, feinted an overhead swing, which Kanen moved to block, and instead stabbed out at him.

    Kanen had maneuvered his blade to block the expected overhand swing, and he was not able to lower his sword fast enough to block the sudden sword thrust. The attack, aimed at his throat, he was able to partially dodge at least, and instead the sword pierced his left shoulder, as he felt it grind against the bones there, blood soaking his robes. Stepping back rapidly, teeth gritted against the pain, Kanen swung his blade horizontally at the rapidly advancing armored man, actually striking him in the side, yet bouncing off the armor, only causing the armored man to grunt slightly from the deflected blow.

    As the fight wore on, Kanen found himself near naked and bleeding from a dozen small wounds, his robes in bloody tatters. The best he had been able to do in kind to the armored man was a wound to his armored right thigh, and that had earned him a deep gash along his own right side for the risky move it had taken to slip past the man’s defenses.

    Kanen’s sword hilt was now becoming slippery with his own blood, and the once dusty ground was slick with it. Kanen moved quickly toward the armored man, beneath the powerful swing that was being aimed at him, attempting to unbalance his opponent and knock him from his feet. Yet the knight saw the move coming and slammed his armored fist into Kanen’s mouth, dropping him to the ground, instead.

    Tasting blood, his vision dimming, Kanen looked up at the armored figure looming over him, as he tried to roll away and scrabble to his feet. The descending blade missed him, and he was able to quickly stand, just as the sword struck the ground where he had been. Moving quickly, Kanen kicked down and pushed at the blade as it was still pointed down, stuck into the ground, with his foot as hard as he could. The armored man lost his grip on the sword and it fell to the ground. Kanen stood on the blade and then kicked it behind him, keeping his sword raised and pointed at the armored man.

    The man circled warily, obviously trying to move towards his sword, but Kanen kept himself and his raised blade between the knight and his fallen blade. Kanen struck out repeatedly with his sword, which the man blocked with his armored forearms that were becoming slick with his own blood, as the armor could not protect him completely from Kanen’s sharp blade.

    With a strangely familiar cry, the man charged Kanen, locking his armored fists around Kanen’s own, as both men struggled for control of the greatsword. The man hammered his armored fist into Kanen’s ribs and into the side of his head, again and again, as Kanen’s grip weakened, as he was being pushed backwards. His vision was growing dark from the beating of the armored fist and he stumbled and fell to the ground heavily, sprawled out.

    The man, sensing victory, reversed the greatsword in his grasp, preparing to stab down at the man at his feet. Kanen, flat on his back, flailed his arms around and behind him, looking for anything to stay the inevitable. Reaching back, he felt something hard, something metal. Kanen quickly wrapped his hand around the hilt of the forgotten sword behind him, and swung it around, still flat on his back. With a cry of his own he stabbed up at the armored knight, the blade piercing breastplate and driving through the armored chest, as Kanen pushed the blade harder, rising from the ground. Blood was pouring from the wound and down the blade and Kanen’s arms, as the sword pierced the man entirely and exited his back.

    With a final surge of strength, stumbling only once, the armored man drove his sword down and into Kanen. The sword stabbed through the center of Kanen’s left thigh, breaking the bone, pinning him to the ground. The man dropped to one knee, then fell on his side, unmoving and apparently dead. Kanen’s sight was growing dark from blood loss and the exhaustion and pain from the duel, yet he felt compelled to turn painfully toward the knight’s head that was within his reach and removed the helm.

    Kanen stared into his own dead eyes, face pale from the blood loss of his mortal wound…

    With a start he awoke. I am fighting myself. Instead of having jealous thoughts or concerns about Seven he needed to focus. Direct his mind and energy at protecting both she and himself from their attackers. Helm willing, they would find a way, but he could not let these other thoughts distract him anymore. This dream he felt he understood. Looking over at Seven’s sleeping form, Kanen closed his eyes and was quickly asleep, perhaps resting better than he had in some time.


  • AMBUSH

    The night was overcast and windy in the Pass. Kanen and Lucia had decided to travel north to Peltarch to replenish some much-needed supplies. As they had passed the bridge across the waterway near the gypsy camp, two bandit clerics had turned and fled from them, leading them further north into the rough and hilly terrain. As Kanen and Lucia pressed the pursuit of the bandits they had been following, the bandits suddenly turned and stood their ground as they stood at the top of a hill along the path. With a curse, Lucia climbed the hill and engaged the two bandit clerics in front of them, as Kanen turned, and moved back down the hill, and engaged the two bandit clerics that were suddenly moving in from the rear.

    With her sheer strength, Lucia cut the first one almost in half in her first swing, as the second barely got his shield up in time to take the blow that was meant to remove his head from his shoulders, though ruining the shield in the process. As Lucia sneered at the bandit she noticed his attention seemed to be focused on someone or something behind her…Lucia tried to turn in time to avoid the attack from the man in dark plate armor who was suddenly behind her, yet she was only able to partially deflect the attacker’s blade from sliding between her ribs, as she felt it slice open her side instead.

    Snarling in rage, turning, Lucia raised her blade to strike down the hidden attacker, and saw him smiling at her with a dark smile, as though he knew some secret that she did not. Lucia realized her vision was growing fuzzy and her side was burning fiercely, much more than such a wound should have. She noticed her strength seemed to draining away as well, as the pain from the wound become very intense. Trying to ignore it, Lucia swung at the head of the bandit knight, who easily parried it with his bastard sword, and opened a new, deep cut across her midsection. Looking at the bandit’s blade, Lucia noticed a faint green glow from it, as her new wound began to burn fiercely as well. She stumbled forward and dropped to one knee, barely able to raise her blade as the bandit thrust his sword into her chest, piercing her heart, killing her instantly, smiling down into her now lifeless eyes, laughing at her corpse.

    Kanen has quickly dispatched one of the clerics he had moved down the hill to face, knocking the bandit to the ground and quickly stabbing into his chest, barely turning in time to block the mace from his remaining opponent, when the Paladin felt an intense pain in his left thigh as an arrow was suddenly sticking out from it, apparently buried deep in the bone of his leg. Scanning about, he saw the archer a short distance away on his left flank. Using the distraction, the bandit cleric swung his mace and connected with the side of the Kanen’s helmet, causing his vision to double and almost stunned him.

    Muttering a curse at the cleric, Kanen swung his greatsword in a descending arc, slamming the blade deep into and through the shoulder of the bandit cleric, the blade lodging deep in the bandit’s chest, leaving a bloody ruin. The archer used this distraction to continue to fire arrows at the armored knight. Two arrows fell short or glanced harmlessly from Kanen’s armor. The third arrow, however, sunk deeply into the left bicep of the Paladin, just as he completed his lethal swing at the bandit cleric. Kanen kicked his blade free from the bloody corpse, now having to favor both left leg and left arm, keeping the pain under control with concentration and force of will. Turning, the Paladin ran as quickly as his injured condition allowed toward the archer, shouting a cry to Helm his Lord.

    The archer’s eyes widened as he saw the knight approaching, but kept his hand steady as he prepared another arrow to fire, held his breath and fired at point blank range, just as the Paladin reached him. Kanen knocked the bow aside and stabbed the sword into the chest of the bandit. The arrow that the bandit had fired at the knight had buried into his chest and his breathing became labored and difficult, as he looked at the shaft sticking out from his chest. Kanen stumbled and then fell to the ground, his vision growing dark, and each breath an agony.

    Just then he heard the laughter of the bandit knight from the hill above, and saw Lucia’s lifeless body at the bandit’s feet. Kanen stumbled and crawled his way from the area, traveling back south before he was found in his helpless condition. His vision was doubled and blurred, and he knew he was leaving a bloody trail behind him, but he continued, crawling and stumbling. Each breath he drew felt as though he was inhaling bits of sharp metal. Finally he reached the waterway near the gypsy camp, and stumbled into it, letting the fast running water cool him and partially revitalize him from the agony of his wounds, as darkness almost took him then, as he heard the bandit’s hounds starting to search for his trail.

    Kanen slowed his breathing and forced himself to concentrate, pulling the arrows from his arm and leg, and then forcing himself to pull the arrow free from his chest, again nearly dropping off into blackness. Removing his punctured breastplate, with a murmured prayer to Helm, Kanen laid his hands upon his chest and willed the flesh to be healed. The terrible blood flow from his chest and leg stopped, and the wounds partially closed from the power of the healing. Taking a deep breath, Kanen then reached into his pack and pulled out his remaining potions of healing and quickly gulped them down, finally feeling somewhat whole again.

    The Paladin then called out to Helm in prayer, in a clear voice to grant him His strength, so that he might defeat his foes. Kanen felt’s his Lord’s might fill him with new strength and energy, as he emerged from the water, buckling his breastplate back on, and headed again back north, toward the ambush and the body of his friend Lucia. He encountered a few bandits along the way, cutting them down quickly as he moved back to the hill where Lucia had died and he had almost joined her.

    Quickly climbing the hill, he saw the bandit knight, who was waiting for him. Lucia’s body still lay where it had fallen, lifeless and still in a pool of her blood. Without a word, Kanen attacked, swinging his blade at the bandit knight who quickly parried it and countered with his own attack, stabbing at Kanen’s legs. The Paladin quickly stepped away and noticed the faint green glow from the sword of the bandit knight. Glancing down at Lucia’s body, he noticed that her wounds were blackened as though by some acid or…some poison.

    Kanen realized that if he allowed the bandit’s sword to slice into his flesh that he would mostly wind up like Lucia, poisoned and then dead. So Kanen changed his tactics to fight a defensive duel, blocking every attack of the bandit knight, only striking out when he had a clean opening. The fight wore on for some time, each man panting with the effort, the bandit unable to pierce Kanen’s defenses, yet Kanen was still unable to do more than block each of the attacks of the bandit. After a time, it seemed they were stalemated, matched in skill with a blade, each unable to find the advantage needed to end the duel.

    Tiring of the exchange, seeing no easy end in sight, Kanen called out to Helm to grant him His power, as he swung the blade overhand and down at the bandit. The greatsword first met the blade of the bandit knight and shattered it. The greatsword continued down and severed the arm the blade had been attached to, leaving the bandit staring dumbly at the blood flowing from the stump of his arm. With a follow up swing, Kanen removed his head, as the body fell heavily and rolled down the hill.

    Looking around, apparently alone, Kanen gathered up the body of his fallen friend and her belongings and began moving south, wary for any further attack but encountering no further resistance.

    Two shadowy figures looked down at the retreating knight from a nearby hillside.

    One turned to the other and whispered in a hoarse voice, “Well? He’s not dead. My mistress paid good money to have his body delivered to her.”

    “Yer mistress will have to come up wit’ more gold if’n she want to continue this. That dark knight alone cost half o’ what she’s paid so far. Tell her to bring more gold if she want any more outta us.”

    Both men watched quietly as the Paladin continued south, the woman’s body thrown over his shoulder, as he faded into the distance.


  • SECOND DUEL

    It was evening, the sun gleaming blood red in the sky as it slowly descended. The Pass was empty of life it seemed. The only thing Kanen could hear was the crunch of his boots on the dry, dirty path, and the occasional sound his full plate armor made while he moved. Breaking the stillness, the cry of a hawk was then heard, and Kanen looked up into the sky, tracking the bird’s seemingly slow flight, watching through the eye slits in his full helmet.

    Turning his attention back to the road before him, it seemed night had fallen and a figure was blocking the path. The figure was a warrior dressed in grey full plate armor, with a matching, full pot helmet. A bastard sword was held in the warrior’s right hand, and a shield strapped on the left. The warrior seemed vaguely familiar to Kanen, but he couldn’t place where he had seen this person before. The warrior was blocking his path, weapon held ready.

    Kanen unslung his greatsword from his back, and cautiously approached. The warrior’s sword was raised, as in a salute, which Kanen, returned, then the warrior attacked, with a quick slash to his legs, which he easily parried, steel ringing on steel. Kanen then swung his own blade in a flat, rising arc to the warrior’s left side, which was skillfully blocked by the warrior’s shield.

    Both combatants were encased in full plate armor. The fight was not about finesse or graceful moves, instead a contest of willpower and endurance. Whoever could withstand the constant hammering on their heavy armor, and the bruises and cuts that were caused in the exchange of blows, while still being able to swing their blade and cause damage to their opponent would be the victor.

    Soon both were breathing heavily, bleeding from small wounds where their armor had not been able to fully protect them, and weary from the constant shock of blade parrying blade. Realizing his strength was reaching his limits, Kanen decided to take a risk. With a deep breath, he feinted yet another attack on the warrior’s battered shield, however instead of finishing the swing, Kanen lifted the blade above his head, leaving himself exposed for a counter move, and then brought the blade around from the left with all the force he could muster, driving his sword deep into the warrior’s right side, beneath the guard of the warrior’s sword, that was moved too slow to deflect the attack. Kanen pulled his sword free with effort.

    The warrior’s sword dropped from nerveless fingers into the dirt, and the shield soon followed. The warrior sat very heavily in the bloody dust of the road, the deep wound bleeding freely. With gasping, weakening breath, the warrior was able to remove the helmet that had offered protection but was now useless. Kanen watched as blonde hair spilled out from beneath the helm…and he looked upon the pale face of Seven, blood dripping from her mouth, as she looked at him in fear and pain, then looking down at her side, at her mortal wound.

    With a curse, Kanen dropped his sword and ran to her side, cradling her in his arms. She looked up at him weakly, smiling a weak, bloody smile. Kanen, tears flowing freely down his face, looked at the terrible wound in her side, knowing that she had only a few moments left to live. Pulling his gauntlets from his hands, he used his remaining strength to partially remove the armor from her torso, exposing the wound and the flesh surrounding it. Kanen closed his eyes, bowed his head, and placed his hands directly on her torn flesh, ignoring her weakened hiss of pain.

    It seemed at first his healing power would not be granted, and Kanen concentrated harder, knowing there was no time to lose. Finally, almost reluctantly, he felt the healing power that Helm granted him flow from his hands into her, and when he opened his eyes, her wound was mostly closed, the flow of blood stopped, and a look of returning life and strength in her eyes, as he cradled her, and rocked gently back and forth, whispering thanks to Helm for his power.

    Looking down at Seven, she seemed to be looking at something behind Kanen, her eyes showing recognition and she began smiling a bright smile. Turning his head, Kanen looked at the sword that was pointed at his throat, and the man of platinum blonde hair and green eyes that the sword belonged to. Looking at the blade, Kanen knew he had no chance. His own sword lay well beyond his reach, and he was pinned by the weight of Seven, who he still held in his arms.

    Kanen started to speak, but with a quick move, the man thrust his sword into the throat of Kanen, who instead sputtered and gurgled weakly. The man helped Seven to stand back up, as she kissed him with passion. Then both looked down at Kanen, the man laughing, Seven smiling her bright smile as Kanen’s vision faded…

    His eyes opened, and Kanen realized he was breathing fast, almost panting as he lay in his bed, Seven lying asleep next to him. Kanen tried to make sense of these dreams he had been having. Seven had explained to him what the parchment he had found meant, even before the first dream. That she had simply been writing of her impressions of the strong dreams she had been having, and had not ever been unfaithful to him.

    He had told himself that she could not control what dreams she had, but something about the dreams seemed to have some outside influence that they had not learned the source of, at least not yet. He had told Seven he would be able to deal with her having these strange dreams, and he had, except for these occasional nightmares, though this nightmare was new. Kanen lay staring at the ceiling trying to determine the meaning of what he had experienced in his sleep. However he drifted off into an exhausted rest before too long, his questions remaining unanswered.

  • ?

    This is so good….


  • Blood! Blood! Blood! Blood! Blood! Blood!


  • FIRST DUEL

    It was evening, the sun gleaming blood red in the sky as it slowly descended. The Pass was empty of life it seemed. The only thing he could hear was the crunch of his boots on the dry, dirty path, and the occasional sound his full plate armor made while he moved. Breaking the stillness, the cry of a hawk was then heard, and the man looks up into the sky, tracking the bird’s seemingly slow flight, watching through the eye slits in his full helmet.

    Turning his attention back to the road before him, it seemed night had fallen and a figure was blocking the path. The figure was dressed in the armor of the local bandits, leather and care worn. This bandit had a hood though, and his face could not be seen within its shadowy depths. He had a short sword in one hand, a dagger in the other, with his arms crossed. He was obviously blocking the path, seeming to dare the armored man to come forward.

    With seasoned confidence, the man unslung his greatsword from his back and advanced slowly, watching the bandit carefully, ready for any sudden movements. He approached within a few feet of the bandit and stopped. His blade was held up in a ready position, but the bandit did not move, only continued to stand in the center of the path, motionlessly. They stood as though frozen for what seemed like hours, each unmoving, seeming to wait for some signal. Then the singing of a girl or woman could be heard, coming from some distance away, slowly approaching. Both men turned toward the sound.

    Rage filled the man as he noticed the bandit was looking off to the side, as though searching for the source of the sweet sounding voice. With a shout he attacked. Lifting the sword above his head, he charged the bandit, who seemed a bit surprised, but he recovered quickly. As the man attempted to swing downward, the bandit caught the hilt of the great blade on his shortsword with a ring of steel on steel, blocking the swing. At the same time, he stabbed at the armored man with his dagger, thrusting it between plates near the man’s right shoulder, drawing first blood.

    With a grunt, the man pushed the bandit away from him, forcing the hooded figure back a few steps. Now a bit more wary of the fast-footed bandit, the man swung again at him, this time bringing the large blade in a horizontal arc at waist height. His sword only met air, as the bandit nimbly ducked below the swing, and stabbed out with his sword, again finding a place between the interlocking plates of the man’s armor, this time stabbing into his lower left thigh, causing blood to trickle down the armor and pool in the dusty ground, as the armored man hastily backpedaled, favoring his left leg.

    The bandit stepped forward now, weaving his blades in a pattern of moving steel. The man blocked the shortsword being thrusted at his eyes with his greatsword, however the dagger stabbed again into his shoulder, in the same spot as before, but now deeper, causing the wound to bleed freely, blood flowing down his right side. Taking his left hand from the pommel of his blade, the man slammed his armored fist into the jaw of the bandit, forcing the hooded figure back, who shook his head from side to side, seemingly stunned at least for the moment from the force of the blow.

    Regaining the initiative, the man spun the sword in a slow, ponderous figure eight, before swinging it down toward the bandit’s legs. The bandit attempted to step out of the range of the blade, but was a bit slow, the tip of the greatsword cutting a long, bloody furrow down the front of the thigh of his left leg, as he hissed in pain. Both men now slowly circled each other, breathing heavily. The man blinked back the sweat that was in his eyes beneath the helm, the air growing hot within the steel confines.

    The bandit seemed to stumble over some unseen obstacle and went down to one knee. The man seeing an opportunity rushed forward with his sword raised, just in time to receive the full force of the kick aimed at his groin by the kneeling bandit, who had kicked up at him in a well-practiced move. The man nearly lost the grip on his sword as he stumbled again quickly backwards, barely able to block the thrusts and slashes of the bandit’s blades as the hooded figure swiftly pressed his advantage. A quick thrust to his armored left side, however opened a new wound there, weakening him further.

    With a shout of desperation, the man flexed his knees, crouching slightly, planting his feet firmly on the ground as the bandit continued to advance. With a move from years of training, the man caught the bandit in the center of his chest with his armored shoulder and lifted up and pushed back, straightening his legs. The bandit was caught flat footed, lifted into the air and fell heavily onto his back, losing both his blades and his wind as his head struck the ground soundly, as he slowly tried to rise back up. Looking down at the leather-armored figure, the man prepared a final blow at his enemy, lifting his sword high, though favoring his wounds carefully.

    Just then a blonde haired woman came running from somewhere behind the man, her voice raised in a startled cry as she ran and crouched at the bandit’s side, seeming to not notice the armored man with his sword poised to strike. The woman cradled the bandit’s head in her arms, lowering his hood, and kissing him soundly with apparent affection. As the woman drew back, the man saw the bandit’s face for the first time. He had never seen this man of platinum blonde hair and green eyes before, but the mere sight of him caused the man to be filled with a dark fury. Then the woman looked up at the man, seeing him at last, with her blue eyes wide in fear and sudden mutual recognition. Seven shook her head, raising her arms protectively over the downed bandit, starting to whisper a prayer of healing.

    His eyes now slits, Kanen swung his blade down…

    With a start, Kanen woke, covered in a sheen of sweat, Seven sleeping at his side. Blinking rapidly, thinking of his dream, he rolled toward her, pulling her gently toward him as he lay on his side. It was some hours before sleep finally came again, however.


  • ROBYN FOUND

    The four were arrayed around the hidden trap door that they had found at the bottom of the ruined tower. Each prepared themselves to enter into the unknown in search of their friend. Kanen knelt in quiet prayer to Helm to protect them all from the strong evil he felt below, and that they might be allowed to find the girl, his good friend, alive and well. Adam sat nearby, humming a quiet tune. Lucia reclined against some rocks, sharpening her blade in a well practiced ritual. Marcus stood, staring blankly at the wall. Through the weeks that Robyn had been missing Marcus had become more and more automaton-like, devoid of feeling and his responses emotionless and sluggish.

    All four then stood and prepared to open the door. After each drank a potion of invisibilty, they lifted the door and descended quickly below. The caverns were dimly lit, yet the forms of men in robes could be seen all about the chambers of the cave complex, moving furtively about. Also a few elementals of fire were in the complex, magical guardians of their fortress. The group quickly searched the connecting caves and found the area where Robyn and a tribesman were being held, stripped naked, badly injured, but still alive.

    Robyn at first thought the ghostly forms were from her imagination, and she had to be convinced that they were real and they were there to get her out. Marcus had moved back out into the main corridor, looking at the men in robes with a blank stare, yet fingering his blade and nodding slightly. Just then the magic of the potions faded and Marcus was spotted. With a yell he charged the first man in robes, who was starting to cast some spell. Hearing the commotion, Kanen quickly hugged Robyn, drew his blade and went out into the corridor to help Marcus, the element of surprise and stealth now lost.

    The battle was short but very vicious. Each robed and cowled man would accept no quarter, continuing to attack until the life was forced from his body. The elementals were able to badly burn both Marcus and Kanen before being defeated. Kanen found a dark altar, that was surrounded with blood and poured a vial of holy water over it, whispering a blessing to his lord, hoping this would 'defile' the altar.

    The group looking about, saw no more enemies but realized some may have slipped away and might even now be summoning reinforcements of some kind. So they quickly made their exit from the evil place, back through the trap door and sealed it.

    Marucs walked ahead with a stony expression, seeming to ignore the distraught and sobbing Robyn, who Kanen half-carried from the place. Muttering a curse at Marcus, Kanen tried to explain to the girl that Marcus had grown more and more filled with worry and despair while she was gone, and might well be half-mad, not knowing how his actions or words were perceived. The group quickly made their way back to town, after returning the tribeman to his home. Kanen realized Robyn would need time to heal, and hopefully the sudden rift between Robyn, who could not understand Marcus' strangeness, and her husband-to-be could yet be mended. However, most importantly, she was alive and safe.

    After a brief discussion Robyn decided to come stay with Kanen and Seven for a time to allow her to regain her strength and will. Kanen quietly thanked Helm for his protection and allowing all to go well, at least for this night, though many questions were raised by this. Who were these men in robes? who or what was the dark altar dedicated to? Would they come back and seek revenge or had they been broken? As always, time would tell.


  • UNION

    The day had come. Kanen stood wearing a deep blue full plate armor, that was cermonial rather than functional in nature. He was toying with a buckle along his side that was sticking out slightly, from his nervousness. Today my life changes forever he thought to himself, his throat suddenly dry, as he took slow, deep breaths.

    He stood at the front of the room, before the High Priestess of Tyr, many of his and Seven's friends sitting quietly in the chairs behind him. Daisy looked at the slightly pale young man, saw his obvious nervousness and smiled warmly to calm him. Kanen started to murmur a thank you to the High Priestess for her efforts, when the door to the back room suddenly swung open, as Kanen turned to watch. Jenna, dressed in her Joydancer finest, came out with a smile and nodded to Daisy. Daisy presented to all the bride, Seven Ecksetter~Dai.

    Seven came walking slowly forward, both regal and graceful. Kanen’s breath caught as he looked at her, as she moved slowly toward him. She was dressed in ceremonial armor of purple hue, and to Kanen she never looked more lovely, the image of her being burned into his memory, as he would always remember how she looked this day. And yet, as she walked toward him, her image seemed to blur a bit. Suddenly she was wearing yellow half-plate, as when he had first met her, smiling her bright smile in greeting to him for the first time. Then she was dressed in silvered full plate armor, looking both troubled and sad. That image changed to Seven in all black armor, as she had worn in Thay, her smile bright but cold. Then she was in her newly made golden armor, with a loving look and smile at Kanen. Blinking, his vision cleared just as Seven moved next to him, taking his hand gently in hers as the ceremony began.

    The High priestess spoke words of wisdom to them both, and bound them together in marriage. Both pledged their love and lives to each other, exchanged wedding rings, kissed happily the first time as husband and wife, and were finally wed. The small crowd cheered as the High Priestess introduced them for the first time as a married couple, and everyone retired to the backroom for some food, drink, and to wish the newlyweds well.

    Jenna first sang for them, then played music that allowed Kanen and Seven to dance together, each holding the other tightly as they moved across the dance floor. Seven with grace, Kanen with careful movements. Many gave fine gifts, and all wished the couple their best. Finally, as the evening drew to a close Kanen and Seven left together, to return to their new home. The trip was uneventful and they reached Jiyyd uninjured, though both tired and drained from the long day filled with emotion. As they walked to their front door, Kanen unceremoniously picked up Seven and carried her into their home, surprising her with the sudden move. Setting her down inside, Kanen looked out onto the sleepy town and closed the door quietly. He started to unbuckle the armor he wore, turned to see Seven doing the same with a playful smile on her face. It was a fine beginning.


  • THE CHOICE

    Kanen lay in his bed, staring up towards the ceiling in the darkness. Seven lay partially draped across him. Her breathing was slow and rhythmic as she seemed to be sleeping easily. For Kanen, sleep would not come.

    One week. In a single week his life and Seven's life would change forever. They would become one. Seven stirred slightly, one of her small arms sliding across his chest before she again lay still. Kanen turned his head and looked at her. She was so beautiful. The word angelic came to mind and seemed no exaggeration. He gently brushed her hair back from her face, before turning his head again to look up at the dark ceiling.

    Some of the litanies of the priests who trained him in faith so many years ago, came unbidden to his mind:
    _Be vigilant.

    Stand, wait, and watch carefully.

    Protect the weak, poor, injured, and young, and do not sacrifice them for others or yourself.

    Anticipate attacks and be ready.

    Know your foes.

    Careful planning always defeats rushed actions in the end.

    Demonstrate excellence and purity of loyalty in your role as a guardian and protector._
    These words were the commands of Helm. Through the years, Kanen had come to a better understanding of their wisdom, he thought. Going through them again and again, he could find no plain evidence that he would be unable to fulfill them by being married.

    It had taken him years to learn the wisdom of some of these words, the commands, and Helm only knew how Kanen had survived until he had. Some of them went against his impulses that had driven him when he was first named Paladin. He had been quite the zealot when first coming to Norwick, so sure that Helm would never let him fall and that all Evil must be identified and destroyed as quickly as possible. While these actions were what had felt right at the time, they were not the commands of Helm.

    So many years ago, Kanen had refused the Vow of Chastity. At times, he had regretted it. He had been poorly prepared or suited for entering into romantic commitments, being so young and having been so sheltered at the Hold. By all rights he shouldn't be holding Seven now. He had walked away from her once. He still remembered that time of confusion, trying to do the right thing and failing miserably all around.

    Shaking his head slightly, he put those thoughts aside. That was ancient history now, and both he and Seven had promised to let it stay in the past. They had gotten back together and after all they had been through together, Kanen had felt it was time to ask for her hand in marriage…it had just seemed right. He had felt no doubt, no trace of hesitation at the time.

    Did he regret it now? He had told Seven, at least in general terms, about how Faramir's fate and the reasons behind his fall had troubled Kanen. She had told him to quit identifying with that man, that he was not Faramir, as Lucia had also said, and as Jenna had said.

    Closing his eyes, Kanen realized he had made his decision. It might be the harder choice, make things more difficult, and he could well regret it later, but his decision was made. He drifted slowly off to sleep.


  • THE EXAMPLE

    “…that is what he did. That is the secret behind Faramir Otarch.” Kanen hung his head and closed his eyes in shame over his brother Paladin’s actions. _To have fallen so far, so fast_… Kanen thought.

    Frowning, Lucia looked at Kanen as he stood next to the fireplace as she sat in a chair with her feet propped up on the table. “That is a terrible thing he did, Kanen. But what does this have to do with you?” she asked.

    Opening his eyes, but still staring at the wooden floor, Kanen replied in a voice tinged with pain “Lucia, Faramir was a married man, and Paladin of Helm, who lived in a fine home. Look around you. This is my home now. In a few weeks I will be married.” Kanen paused then finally said his worst fears “Lucia, what if…what if that was Faramir’s first mistake…to try to be a husband to a woman while still remaining a Paladin? All this time, I thought he was an example of a Paladin who had successfully lived his life as both, yet after what I have learned…what if the reason he fell is he valued his life too much, because he felt he had too much to lose?” Kanen shook his head again, leaning against the wall next to the fireplace.

    Lucia looked at Kanen and sighed. “Kanen, you are not Faramir…remember the other night? That rash young Paladin Chase was standing there outside the south gate challenging and then being threatened by Ashan. What did you do? You went right out there and confronted Ashan. If you hadn’t, that young Paladin would probably have wound up dead. You didn’t hesitate at all. What were you thinking?”

    Remembering the confrontation, Kanen replied “I wasn’t going to stand by and let Ashan take or kill another Paladin while I was there. I was ready to die if that’s what it took…and thank you for being there, my friend. Without your help, I never could have gotten Ashan and Elendel to back down. Everyone else was just standing around watching, that night.”

    “Seven knows that your service to Helm comes first, right?” Lucia asked, her brow furrowed in pensive thought. “Of course. As I know her service to Torm must come before me.” Kanen quickly replied.

    Standing, Lucia began walking toward the front door. Over her shoulder she added, “You are worrying too much about this, Kanen. You are not this other man. Just because he fell doesn’t mean you will, and you don’t really know the reasons for his actions. Perhaps he was always weak, or wasn’t really worthy. And Seven knows your first loyalty must be to Helm…you will do just fine, my friend. May your blade stay sharp.”

    Lucia walked to the front door and out leaving her friend to his thoughts. Kanen sat before the fireplace, staring into the fire, thinking over her words. Lucia was probably right. He was doing a lot of guessing on why Faramir had done what he had done, and he had no real way of finding out the truth.

    Kanen knelt on the floor, praying to his Lord for wisdom in this matter. He truly loved Seven, he knew this, but would he be able to be both a good husband and Paladin? Were his instructors from so many years ago correct? That a Paladin had no time or place for romance and love? These questions weighed heavily on him, as he knelt on the hardwood floor, head bowed, thinking on his upcoming wedding, trying to determine what Duty would require of him this time.