Knights of Honera Chapter 1

The horse’s hoofs left deep prints in the mud as it galloped through the forest. Clumps of mud and wet moss were flung in the air behind the stallion as it ran down the path towards the castle. The horse’s rider was a slim figured man, tall with dark hair and tanned skin. He dug his heels into the side of the battered and tired horse as he urged it forward. The cold wind blew through the bare trees and clawed at the rider’s cheeks that peaked out from under the cloth he had wrapped around his head. Dried blood and sweat stained his ripped clothing, and he shivered as he gripped the horse’s reigns and held on tightly. As the horse and rider curved around a sharp bend in the trail a sound could be heard through the trees. It was the sound of creatures running violently. Claws dug into the ground as strong legs pushed the wolves’ bodies forward sending them speeding through the trees. Teeth showing and jaws clamping they barked and snarled at the rider as they chased him through the forest. The pack of wolves began to close in on him, and fear suddenly overcame him. Looking back at the pack of wolves he kicked his heels into the horse as hard as he could. Turning forward again the chaos was suddenly exchanged with silence as a solid branch struck him in the forehead, cracking his skull with a loud sound, and sending him into eternal darkness.1

The second rider galloped past him a moment later just in time to see the wolves pounce on the fallen rider and begin to tear his flesh from his bones. The second rider shuddered at the site and pressed on at full gallop. Moments later Kelvin burst out of the wood line and out into an open field. The morning sun was now shining despite the cold that still chilled Kelvin to his bones. He had been riding with his companions all night long, and out of the three soldiers he was the only one that remained. The path through the forest was long and dangerous, and few survived the trek. Most traders and soldiers took the longer path over the mountains, and even though it took a few extra days, it was far safer. Kelvin on the other hand did not have the time to spare. His message was vital, and his mission of the utmost urgency. Looking out onto the horizon he could see the outline of the castle slowly coming into view. Kicking his horse a few more times he urged the stallion forward and pressed on.2

The large gold plated doors swung open letting in a draft of cold air that filled the great hall. In marched Kelvin wearing armor and carrying a steel sword in his right hand. His armor was made of iron and it consisted of a large helm, as well as the breastplate and back plate. The rerebraces, couters, and vambraces were all made of strong iron and protected his arms. The iron cuisses and greaves that protected his legs were battered and scratched from prolonged use. His iron solarets fit tightly on his feet and were speckled with mud and moss. His breath could be seen billowing out of his mouth and through the thin slit of his helmet. Trudging forward his steps made loud echoing thuds as his iron boots landed abruptly on the stone floor with each step he took. The hall was a grand hall built in the early ages by the Trians when they first invaded Honera. They built many grand fortresses all across the lands which became properties of the Honerians after winning the Great War. Built out of stone and timbers taken from the Dark Forest, it had stood the test of war and time for the last five centuries. The foundations were dug twenty foot in the ground and were poured six foot wide and six foot tall. A stone wall was then built on top of them coming out of the ground and rising to a staggering forty feet high. On top of that, the roof consisted of rafters one foot by four foot wide which were cut from the timbers, and spanning sixty feet from each wall to the ridge of the roof. The hall as a whole was three-hundred feet long, one hundred feet wide, and sixty feet high to the ridge. The exterior of the Great Hall was somewhat rustic and gave off little beauty but rather an air of strength and power. The inside however was much different. It was elaborately decorated with gold and silver as well as many rare, colorful jewels. The main doors were each ten foot wide and eighteen foot tall with and arch on top of them, making the doorway a total of twenty feet in width. They were built out of wood and were platted on all sides with solid gold. There were engravings of mythical elements and creatures, as well as knights and heroes from the ages past. Gems and jewels of many colors sparkled in the sun as it reflected off of the door. As he walked through the hall he admired the craftsmanship and beauty around him. A respect for the lord of the hall slowly grew in him as he admired the strength and size of the structure. Approaching the throne he sheathed his sword and dropped to a knee before bowing to the man sitting on the throne.3

“My Lord, I bring you tidings from Galanthia!” he echoed through the hall.4

Glancing at the rider, Graethon merely nodded for him to proceed.5

“My Lord, Galanthia has fallen under attack from the Barbarians. We have withstood them for nine days now, but our ranks are diminishing rapidly. We cannot hold them off much longer.” stated the rider in a helpless tone. “We need your aid my Lord!”6

Rubbing his beard with his hand Graethon remained quietly in thought. After a few moments he cleared his throat.7

“What aid might I send? I have two legions on Greenware, and another in Salmanthia. What few soldiers I have left are here protecting my castle. I have no aid to send.”8

“My Lord, what of the soldiers in Toliath? Might you spare a centurion or two for our defense?”9

Becoming frustrated the king leaned forward in his throne, “I will not remove soldiers from the construction of my bridge! Completing the bridge across the river is of far more importance than sustaining one fool’s castle. Your Lord brought this war upon himself and I will not sacrifice my men because of his folly.”10

Dropping his head slowly Kelvin nodded before stating quietly, “Your highness… It is not my Lord who needs your salvation. It is the men, women, and children of our kingdom whose lives are at risk. Why should they suffer for my Lord’s folly?”11

Finishing this statement he quietly turned and began trudging slowly for the exit.12

“How many?” asked Graethon a moment later in a less frustrated tone.13

Turning back to the king and in a quiet voice the Kelvin responded, “Around five hundred Barbarians my Lord.”14

“No. How many peasants are there in your Lord’s castle?”15

“Just under two hundred men, women, and children.”16

Graethon nodded slowly and sat for a moment thinking silently.17

“I will send two centurions to aid your Lord’s soldiers defend the castle. In return I expect fifty peasants be given to me as well as a caravan of silver from your Lord’s mines. If you cannot agree to that then your castle will burn to the ground, and your peasants will all die at the hands of the barbarians. I do not concern myself with the welfare of every fool’s castle in Honera. I have the greatest castle besides the Queen’s, and I have no time to spread my men all over the kingdom to try to defend all of the surrounding castles. What do you say? Do we have an agreement or not?”18

Graethon stared at Kelvin with an impatient look awaiting his response. Kevin nodded quickly hiding the reluctance that he felt. Fifty peasants and a caravan of silver was an outrageous price for the help of two hundred soldiers. He knew this and Graethon knew this, but they both knew as well that Kelvin was in no position to refuse the offer. So with every bit of gratitude that he could muster up he responded in a grateful voice, “Yes my Lord, I am sure the ruler of our castle would agree to those terms. You are very kind my Lord!”19

With that said, Graethon ordered the servants to take Kelvin to a room and where he would be given some food and dry clothing.