Drinkers of the Blood Flame

By: Marjorie Marie v. N.

Many thanks to my beta team: Veronica, Sue, Bradley, and my sister Jessica for their brutal honesty and for always supporting me when my muses took flight and I felt lost.

Chapter 2:

Soon we came upon the main road into Meritis and I hastened our pace. Eager to get home after being out on solitary missions for so long, I could not wait for a hot meal and a soft, warm bed. The prospect of such a thing had become as unreal as a dream in the past months.

The aqueducts ran along the road, red arches of clay brick stretching along side our path like a guiding hand pointing a sure way home.

"Are you thirsty Hasifila?" I asked already knowing her answer.

My mare followed me happily over to a small fountain that trickled down off of one of the many arches. I stopped here to let Hasifila take a drink and fill my water skins.

Ember stewed as she sat in the saddle waiting. "The way you talk to this horse of yours, I'd swear you think it's capable of talking back or even understanding."

"She is usually my only travel companion," I replied, "so yes, I'm in the habit of talking to her. I would just as soon speak with you, but you were quite unwilling."

"We are almost there," I said absently to myself, "just another hour now. I can see the Temple spire from here." The sight of my home warmed my heart, "Thirathos. Home at last."

- - - - - -

Ember's animosity only intensified as we neared the great city. Each moment her eyes were upon me seemed an eternity. The way she looked at me, as if gazing into me, threw me…

I never experienced more gladness than I did the moment I heard the sound of the bustling market, it was a welcome distraction from Ember's disturbing gaze. It met my ears with familiar sounds so long remembered, and I couldn't help but smile.

'Too bad I haven't time to stop off and gather up the local news.'

The walls of Meritis were fashioned from gleaming stone. The strange bluish rock that came out of the north country of Rithnor. The Dwarves of that land claim that "this stone can be found nowhere else on all of Arithria, because Eresses of the Rocks placed it there just for his children".

The Order had helped to build these walls; I myself had spent time working on it as a young lad. I smiled to myself remembering when I had asked a Dwarf who happened to be one of the engineers overseeing the building, "Where does this stuff come from?"

'Oi!' I had sworn to myself, 'I will never ask a Dwarf about stone again,' as a simple question turned into a lengthy lesson on Dwarven Gods and the history of stones. I smiled at the memory of my youth and then continued on.

The gates stood open, as they always did during the day.

"Metis?" a young man stepped out of the guard's hut. I knew him instantly, my dear childhood friend.

"That's him all right," another said, the one who stood beside the gate, "it's Goodspeed or I've never seen him before."

"Falor, Thadral?" I said as they came to greet me. We embraced, "It is so good to see familiar faces again."

Thadral looked Ember over with a scrutinizing glance, his coppery eyes memorizing her as if he thought he were looking over a beautiful, but unholy work of art. "Who's this?"

"She is going before the Council for questioning," I said flatly, "wish I could stay and talk but-"

"Duty calls," Falor finished my sentence.

I walked on, leaving my life long friends behind, but they knew I would be back to see what news they had coming off the south road.

- - - - - -

The journey from Meritis' southern gates to temple grounds would be a short, as the main road led strait to the temple before heading into the heart of town.

The Temple was made of the same odd stone as the city walls (Hadruzen, the Dwarves named it); it seemed almost to sparkle in the sun.

Thirathos stood tall in its splendor. With its base at the center of the temple, the spire rose like the arm of Meritis himself, reaching out to the heavens. All around her was the Temple.

The Temple stood as a symbol of peace and protection, but most importantly to my eyes, the temple was my home. The one place on all of Arithtria where I knew I belonged, where I would always be welcomed as a brother... even by strangers.

As I looked upon the high oaken doors of my home, we made our way to the main entrance.

"Here stands the Temple of Light," the inscription on the doors read, "find what you seek within."

Then there was the Code deeply engraved for all those who passed to see. I touched the fingers of my right hand to my brow and then laid that hand across my heart.

"I walk the path of the Lightbringer," I whispered before turning back to the task at hand.

"Foolish sentiment," Ember said darkly, but the look on her face – it lead me to believe she was still quite pleased about something.

Not bothering to bring Hasifila to the stables, I helped Ember down. Then unbound her feet. Keeping a tight grip on one of Ember's arms I lead her up the steps to the temple doors.

I knocked on the doors and they opened promptly. We were met by two Knights.

"Welcome home, Brethren of the Light," one of them greeted me.

"Welcome stranger," the other said to Ember.

Ember smiled sweetly and spoke softly, "Not so much a stranger as you might think."

That caught me off guard. 'Not a strange; a servant of the light once. Mysteries upon mysteries, this woman.'

"It is good to be home, brothers," my cheery tone belaying my discomfort toward Ember. It was good to be home, no mater what else might transpire.

The entry was lined with large tapestries depicting the heroic battles fought during the War of Anguish. We passed many halls and doors to either side of us, but when at last we came to the end of the hall the Lightbringer himself, Meritis, stood imbued eternally on a tapestry in a glorious array of silken threads, an image of the day he was crowned King of our people.

Turning left, we passed though the block-wood door that would bring us to the briefing room and the keeper of records.

"Good day, brother Knight," a young Templar greeted us warmly, "What can I do for you?"

"Good day Sister of the Light," I spoke softly, "I need to have Ember, here, given locked quarter."

"Very well," the young woman said as she set down the book she studied. She picked up another, larger book of yellowed pages bound in deep brown leather, from the simple desk that she sat at. It was really little more than a small plank table with a shelf to her left.

"May I ask under whose order she is to be given locked quarter?"

"Mine," I answered flatly, "Knight Metis Archeon Goodspeed."

"Back in from the field," she looked at me over the book as she scratched her notes into the book, "Mathrusa has been expecting your arrival for many days now. I need your seal here," she indicated, picking up a stick of sealing wax from the desk and melting it with an already lit candle.

Gently I pulled Ember back a few steps from the desk, her nearness to the candles there made me a bit nervous.

The young woman let six drops of the wax land on the page and then I pressed the ring on my right hand into it. My rune showed perfectly in the red wax.

"Any special instructions?" she asked.

"Ember is not to be given free access to any type of fire or device to create one, not even a lit candle," I answered.

The Templar scratched a few more notes into the book before setting it down. "Certainly," she confirmed my orders, "I will be back in just a moment." I watched as she walked briskly out the door we just entered through. Moments later she returned with two Knights.

"Good day brothers," I greeted them.

"Good day," one answered.

"May the Light of Mithesius always guide you," the other greeted me, then directed his attention to Ember, "This way please."

Ember shot me a hard glance before reluctantly doing as she was asked.

I was relieved to be free of Ember at last.

"Mathrusa," the young woman interrupted my thoughts, "is not ready for you yet. He bids you come back one hour after mid day to give your report."

"Of course," I answered, "may you always walk in the Light."

"And may all paths lead you to the Light," she gave her farewell.

I took my leave then and headed out to check on Hasifila. She was not about so I walked over to the stables.

I smiled to myself when I found her there being tended to by the stable boy. He had relived Hasifil of her burdens and was now brushing out her coat.

"Good lad," I said as I approached Hasifila and patted her on the nose, "thank you for taking care of her." I handed him a coin then. "For your help," I said warmly.

The boy smiled up at me brightly as he accepted the coin from me. "It's my pleasure, Sir," he said warmly, "she's a fine horse. Just a moment and I'll fetch your gear." He disappeared around a corner then and returned a few moments later laden with my saddle bags and other gear.

"Thank you," I said taking the things from him.

"May the Light always protect you," I said and then turned to leave.

- - - - - -

No longer having any tasks that required my attention at the moment, I went off toward the barracks in search of a bed.

Just as I reached out to open the door it swung open. "Good day brother," a Knight and his Page said as they passed me in the door way.

"Good day."

I walked into the room and surveyed the ten beds that were lined up neatly on each side of the room. There was an unused one on the far side beside a window that looked out over the courtyard below.

I smiled and took in the scent of frequently polished steel. At last I could relax.

I took off my mail shirt and placed it in the chest at the foot of the bed along with my other gear. Then I lay down and took a moment to myself, letting my eyes wander the trees in the garden below, and the people walking and sitting, all talking happily and laughing, not focusing on anything in particular.

Most people would think the accommodations of this room stark, unwelcoming, and cold, but I had learned early in life not to take for granted the little things. I couldn't ask for more than a warm bed, hot dinner, and the sound of happy people laughing that drifted up to me through the open window.

'That's enough time for me,' I thought standing up refreshed. I left then and headed for the southern gates of town.

As I approached the gates I found that the guard had already changed for the day. I did not recognize the two men who now stood at their posts.

"Good day gentlemen," I greeted them as I drew near.

"Can we do something for you?" one of them asked.

"Yes, I'm looking for Falor and Thadral," I answered, "do you know where I can find them?"

"You must be Metis." The man seemed to be searching his memory for something.

"Yes, have they left word for me?" I prompted him.

"Ahh, yes," he said lightly, "they said something akin to 'Have him come and share a tankard with us at the Laughing Duck,' or some such thing," the guard answered, "in any case, they're usually found there after their duties are done for the day."

I shook my head with a knowing smile, "So, Falor's still keeping up his reputation then?"

"To be sure," the man laughed, "that boy is always in some sort of trouble."

"Indeed," I agreed lightly.

"Good day to you, Sir," the guard bid me fair well.

"May you always walk in the Light," I said with a smile and headed up the road toward the Laughing Duck Inn.

I passed through the main causeway of the open market on my way, the hustle and bustle of people moving all about me. Walking through the sea of merchants and customers as they passed me quickly in all directions was like picking my way through a maze.

A little while later I saw it, the large wooden building I sought. The sign swinging above the open doors, cut in the shape of a duck simply said "Laughing Duck" the words painted in blue letters. I have often pondered whether the duck was laughing at or with its patrons.

I entered, walking into the wash of warmth and bright firelight. The sweet smell of cigars and pipes burning met my nose as a comforting reminder of many good times shared with friends within these walls. Too many of them now long dead.

I spotted Falor before he saw me. I walked over toward him, but was stopped by a serving maid.

"Gu'day sir. Can I get you somethin', hun?" she asked.

"Yes, I will have a mug of ale," I answered, "I'll be just over there." I pointed to the table that Falor and Thadral were sharing with two other men who had their backs to me.

"Right away," she said hurrying off.

"How are you today gentlemen?" I asked pulling up a seat and sitting beside Falor.

"We're great," Thadral answered.

"This is Metis," he introduced me to the two I didn't know.

Then he named the two strangers.

"This here is Grep," he pointed out the stout fellow with a straggly beard that hung off his very plump round face, "and Varen," finally indicating the other man that sat with him.

I have never seen a man look more out of place in an inn than Varen did; even his name seemed out of place here. His ragged clothes and disheveled hair couldn't hide the cultured look about him and when he offered me his hand in greeting, I got a firm shake.

"Welcome Metis," the sound of his voice, smooth and educated with a hint of an Elvish accent, further affirmed my beliefs.

The serving maid from earlier came around and put a mug in front of me on the table. "That'll be two Nef'kafs, sir."

"I am buying today, keep your kafs, Metis," Varen said handing the woman a Nel'kaf.

"I'll be back with your change straight away, sir," she regarded him with kindness.

"Nay, lady," Varen spoke in that soft fluid voice of his, "it is for you."

The serving maid blushed a deep shade of crimson, "Kind sir, I can't." She shook her head, "It's far too much."

Varen only shook his head in gentle refusal of his change.

"Very well then, sir, thank you very much," was all she could manage to say before another customer called her away.

"So, tell me, Falor," I asked after taking a long draw off of my frothy mug, "is there any news of late coming off the south road?"

"Just the normal comings and goings of the traders and such who have always used the old road. Nothing specially interesting going on," he said lightly as he drowned himself in the last of his tankard and ordered another.

"One thing's struck me as odd though," Thadral added, "There's been a lot more Elvish folk headed toward Brindi these days. I suppose they're headed to 'Delees, to visit their kin. I'm not sure though, keep to themselves most of the time, the Elves do."

"Koad'delees," Varen corrected him gently, practically singing the name as his accent blossomed at speaking an Elvish word, "I was raised there. The Koda'dal are traveling to witness the blessing of Lord Dreledof and Lady Gwelith's first born. There is to be a grand festival in three months time. That's where I'm headed myself."

"Thank you for the news gentlemen," I said finishing off my mug, "but I have to be getting back. It was good meeting you Varen, Grep."

I offered handshakes all around as I stood to leave. "May the Light always guide you all on what ever paths you walk."

"And may that Light of yours always protect you," Falor said lightly as I walked away.

- - - - - -

I headed back to the temple and made my way through the winding halls of its oldest parts toward Mathrusa's office. These parts of the Temple were damp and smelled of moss and dust and the air tasted stale. The walls had just the slightest touch of decay on them for all their age.

I knocked on the door to Mathrusa's office and was greeted by a familiar voice.

"Eh? Metis, is that you? Come in, come in." I have no idea how, but that old man always knows it is me when I stand outside his door.

"Yes, Mathrusa," I said opening the door with a creak. I had to push it open with force to get past the new stack of musty old books that sat nearly in the middle of the door way. Every horizontal surface in the room was covered in books and papers and scrolls. Every one except the desk he was bent over, witch was covered with quills and pens and ink bottles.

I took a seat on a near by crate of books, for there was only one chair in the room and Mathrusa already occupied it.

We spoke a long while and I recounted the mission I had just returned from. The King of the Sefrun people did not want to renew old ties with us. He had sent me off without so much as a stately good-bye and with little notice or care as to where I left to.

Then there was the matter of Ember; Mathrusa had many questions about our encounter and her capture. She had apparently already gone before the council, and all he had left to do was gather my testimony, which Mathrusa wrote down word for word in his scrawling, spidery script.

"Is that all for now, old friend?" I asked standing up and stretching my cramped legs. Mathrusa's gray eyes scanned everything in that room of his as if there were some thing he meant to point out to me but at last he sighed a heavy and tired and nodded my dismissal.

"Ok, then, Mathrusa," I said dusting off my trousers that were dirtier from being in this room than from nights spent in the wild, "I will see you next time, my old friend." I turned and made my way to the door.

"She is one of the fallen," Mathrusa said just as I went to walk out.

I turned around abruptly to face him. Mathrusa's old eyes, so full of untold wisdom stared into mine as if his look would somehow impart knowledge directly into my brain.

"You suspected as much?" he asked.

"It was something she told me," I answered in almost a whisper, "remember I told you, she said 'I was once like you,' I did not know if she meant a Knight or Templar of the order, or merely a follower of Mithesius, but yes, I did suspect. But there's something… she is… there is just something so familiar about her, and I can not place it. Like when she looks at me it's like looking at an old painting of someone whose name I have forgotten."

Mathrusa only nodded. I could tell he knew more about Ember than he hinted at. That old man was never any good at bluffing.

"What is it you are not telling me?" I asked softly.

"I only know half truths and questions," he answered evasively, almost defensively, "if you want to learn who she is I suggest you ask her."

"You are as vague as ever, Mathrusa," I said a bit of a smile on my lips, he was always right in the end though, "may you always walk in the Light friend." With that I turned and walked out the door.

'I think its time Ember and I had a long talk,' I thought to myself as I made my way down to the locked quarters.