Chapter 8

We fled once more, yet this time I knew where I was going. To the last line of defense against the Dark Legions. To the lands of Alandar, where Queen Adielle was freshly crowned, we had no trouble crossing the oceans, and reached the main city of Larnaon within a week. We found a place to rest at an inn called the Light's Hope, where I left Luf i Tuaeb to her self and set out to speak with the Queen concerning any aid I could give to the defense of her cities.

I reached the palace after asking directions from a shopkeeper, winding my way out of the last alley before the entrance; I stopped, enthralled by the magnitude and magnificence of the ancient building. The walls surrounding it were higher than any of the nearby buildings and sentries made their way along the fortified walkways. Before me were the gates, wrought from massive timbers, and reinforced with studded iron crossbars.

The sentries challenged me at the gates, and after hearing that I wished to see the queen sent a errand boy running into the palace. A captain came up, and escorted me towards the palace. We walked along a gravel path, overshadowed by great elms, at the end of which was a flight of stairs leading into the palace proper. The captain signaled to the men nearby, and they formed up behind us as we entered the building.

We walked down various hallways, till we approached a long slender room, where the captain stopped and said "Here u must go alone, you will be tested as to your allegiance, be warned, if ye fail, you will be put to death." I nodded, somewhat apprehensive as to the manner in which I would be tested, but resolved to go through with this. The captain gestured me into the room and shut the door.

I heard the locks being put into place, and turned to face the room. Walking slowly to the other end I was midway down the length of the room when the door in front of me opened. In stepped one man. Shutting the door behind him, he moved swiftly towards me then stopped a yard away. He was tall, but powerfully built, yet his size was misleading, for he flowed with the grace of a leaf in the wind. His dark eyes scrutinized me for a moment, then he spoke.My name is Void, if u wish to leave this room alive, tell me your name, your purpose, and your allegiance.

I replied, my name is Bane, to which he raised an eyebrow, I have come to offer my abilities in aid of thy liege, the Queen Adielle. My allegiance is to the light, for dark has slain my past.

He pondered this for a short moment then said, if this is true, you must pass my test. If you fail, you will be put out of the palace, and banned from the city. If you pass, you will be granted audience with my liege.

So be it, I said; upon which he drew his sword, defend thyself. I drew my sword, wondering at the manner of the testing, and then stood in a defensive stance, waiting for him to make the first move. He closed the gap in a short stride as his blade flew from shoulder height towards my knees, my sword moved to match his, but at the last second I deviated, and snapped my legs back in a sharp jump. As my blade sped on towards his upper blade he reversed the swing of his blade and parried with a quick upper slice. We moved through the forms, lithely gliding from stance to stance, the only activity in the lifeless hall. Up and down we fought, striving to gain the advantage, not since my training with the blades of Barisium had I met a foe as capable with a blade as this one, and though my skill had far outstripped that of my teachers, this man was close to a match for me.

After what seemed like hours had passed, we were still testing each other, probing for strengths and weaknesses, we were both fury unleashed, and calm unfettered at once. The other finally drew back.

Indeed, I have never seen such skill as yours before, thou art truly a master. One last thing I must ask of thee, if u truly wish to aid my queen, u must strike me with your magic.

Stunned I looked at him, he stood there as a man resigned to his fate. You also are a master of the blades, never have I matched anyone as closely as you, it was an honour. Sheathing my sword I summoned my magic and cast an ivy thorn to entrap him. The magic flowed from me effortlessly, and growing around him, disappeared. Shocked, I tried ice, freezing the very sinew of his bones, once more the magic simply disappeared, shaking with a mixture of fear and anger, I threw a monstrous fireball at him, he simply stood impassively as it drew closer, and once again the magic disappeared.

He suddenly moved, and all the speed and grace I had seen before were as a zephyr before a cyclone, before I could so much as move a hand towards my sword he was at my throat with the bared edge of his blade. You see the power I command? I accept your request to meet my liege, but if any treachery is tried, or if any harm should be attempted. I will kill you.

Still shaken I simply nodded. He led me down the rest of the room and through the door he had entered from. Into the throne room we stepped.