Chapter Six
Of The Order of Neerij

Grayok sighed in the warmth of the noon sun, and watched as a dragonfly hummed past his horse's head and hovered for a moment, causing his animal to flick its ear in annoyance.

Feeling boredom creep into his shoulders and settle there, he resisted the urge to ask Hallek, his assistant, how long it was until they arrived. That might be a bit immature, he mused. Still, it seemed forever since they had started out that morning, and even longer since they had left Syos three weeks ago.  Knowing it was because they were scheduled to reach the Keep sometime in the day that he was so restless, he wished that duty had permitted him to be at the brief Sir Gallul had given the night previous concerning the logistics of the day.

He could, of course ask Hallek, but being the Aetoriu, the High Priest of the Neerij Order demanded a certain way of conducting oneself, especially in matters of the mundane and commonplace. Like, when they would be arriving...

Grayok turned his mind to the scenery for the hundredth time, trying to occupy himself. The landscape was beautiful, with a vibrant assortment of greenery that had only just begun to be in full bloom, though the dark green of the pines were the most prominent. Spring had only recently claimed its full rights here in the north. Flowers littered the ground and trees in many shades of color, filling the air with sweet fragrance.

Already in the south, the heat was becoming oppressive, so it was nice to be able to enjoy the warmth without the feeling of suffocating. Grayok had always thought he would have enjoyed the quiet life of the north country despite its harsh winters. Alas, the trouble with youth is that you refuse to listen to the sage advise of older men when they tell you what truly can make one happy in life. Too ambitious, young men. That is their most challenging flaw.

It was far too late now. He was counted as one of the most powerful, influential men of his time, the Aetoriu of all the priests of Neerij, considered holy by nearly all humankind. All such a bother.

He blinked as he realized that he could now see the Kenousse Keep rising above the forested horizon, stalwart and grim in its hostile glory. He supposed that the imposing front was necessary to keep the raiding mercenaries and the Loerdie cowed, but he still thought it must be difficult to live in the shadow of such a structure.

It sat hugging a gorge, with its back to the craggy, snow capped mountains that hid the northern sea. To the east and south the great forest Niccleas crouched menacingly, like a spider awaiting a meal...a forest who's edge they were even now passing through.

Grayok shook his head, dispelling the gloomy feeling his thoughts had created. The sun was still warm on his neck, the flowers still fragrant along their path.

Noting the heightened alertness of the soldiers nearest him, he realized that he wasn't the only one having such thoughts. In fact, it seemed that the flowers were entirely forgotten at the appearance of the keep, every man checking his weapons and shifting his weight carefully in the saddle. They had all heard the stories of the northern wilderness.

In fact, the only man that seemed quite at ease was Sir Gallul, riding at the King's side. A northerner born and bred, Gallul had been given an immediate, and  healthy respect from most of his southern fellows when he had first appeared in the capitol city, and had since then proven that respect to be warranted. A quiet, reserved man, yet Grayok liked him. Perhaps it was that despite his lack of noble heritage, he had earned his place as the King's Protector. He was also one of the few saving factors in this land-be-cursed excursion.

It was a mystery to the priest as to why the king felt it necessary to move his considerable entourage to Kenousse for the season, though the rumors said that it had something to do with a royal betrothal. Grayok had his doubts.

The fact that he himself was to accompany the king fueled the rumors, as he would have to approve all marriage arrangements where main-stream politics were involved, but Grayok had not spoken once to the king about the matter. No, he had simply been manipulated into it, as the north had so little contact with the Order, it might be good to let them know that the House was aware of them, and cared to show it. Or so said the king. Translated: you're coming.

No, there was no question. Something was afoot, and Grayok was being dragged into it. As usual.

A deep shadow suddenly covered him, and he looked up at the stone arch as they passed beneath it, the first of three in the slow climb up the incline that ran along the forest edge, ending at the gates of the keep.

The Aetoriu glanced to those cool wooded depths and blinked as his eyes met those of a great stag, its rack the largest he had ever seen. It tossed its tail once, then disappeared into the darkness.

Disquieted, he glanced forward, then to Hallek, curious if the young man had seen it as well.

“Your Grace?” he queried at Grayok's look. The older man shook his head, and fixed his eyes upon the castle ahead.

Horns sounded from the wall top, greeting their king, and warning the inhabitants of the keep to be ready to do the same. As the gates opened, Grayok couldn't help but notice that there was a peaceful feeling that seemed to surround the place, negating the keeps dark presence. He studied the first tier as they crossed to the second gate, noting that the people were well fed and though their garb was simple, it was well cared for and practical. The enclosure had an air of industry, and there seemed to be no immediate signs of idleness.

At the third gate another set of horns sounded, this more of a formality, though he doubted that Duke Carboa had done it to impress. That man had no need to kiss up to his king. Indeed, Grayok thought it was to assure the king that after all these years, he still had no intention of taking back the throne he had given away, that his loyalty was firm, and there was still solid kinship here at the edge of the kingdom.

As their party halted, the Aetoriu studied the duke and his entourage. He had gotten grayer since the last time he had seen him, and his son, Kennen, had gotten taller, which made him resemble his father more than ever, though he seemed less hard, and more inclined toward smiling.

Lacura had grown into a genuine beauty, and for the first time, Grayok thought perhaps there would be a betrothal come from all of this. Next his eyes met those of... Sir Gallul? No, for he was dismounting near the king. So then, this would be a brother? Even a twin, perhaps. Interesting... Grayok smiled as he dismounted, thinking that this might not be such a terrible place to stay for a season.

The king strode up the castle steps and clasped the duke's hand firmly, a boyish smile playing on both men's faces.

“Carboa!” the king grinned as he stepped back from the elder brother.

“My King.” Carboa said, bowing and then stepping aside to allow the king entrance to the castle.

“Carboa,” the king started, his face suddenly serious, “where--?”

The duke shook his head, cutting him off. “Surely you wish to wash the dust from the road, and sample our humble fare before touching upon the business that has brought you here?”

The king studied his brother for a long moment before he nodded. “But of course.” he said as he let himself be guided inside.

**********

Dinner finished, the duke had led his brother and a few others into a chamber that was obviously used as a council room. A large table sat in the center of the floor, several lightly cushioned chairs placed at intervals around it.

Grayok and Hallek had been seated opposite the king and his brother, joined at the table by Kennen, General Rowbes, Prince Aeschel, and a young man dressed in the tabard of a soldier. Behind the king stood Sir Gallul, mirrored by his look-alike who had positioned himself behind Carboa. They seemed not to notice each other.

Carboa opened his mouth to speak, but the king was quicker, leaning forward to stare his brother down.

“Before we say or do anything else, I want Aetoriu Grayok to make sure this creature is not an unholy monster.”

Grayok blinked. “Highness,” he said in a cool tone, “perhaps if you wish my help in some matter, you would do well to advise me of such so that I may prepare before dragging me into the far northern wastes...”

The king seemed taken aback for a moment before his usual determined expression returned. “I've told no one of this. I knew what would happen if even the slightest word of it got out. My castle has far too many ears.”

“This, what?” Prince Aeschel spoke up, his fair features prominent amongst the rest of the table's occupants.

“Curious about that myself, actually.” Grayok said mildly.

The king looked to Carboa, who seemed surprised to have the floor at last. He shifted in his chair.  “It seems that it may be best if you just meet him.” He looked at the young soldier. “Evered?”

The man seemed very nervous at the thought of sitting in the presence of his king, especially while two knights stood. He glanced at the king, then back at Carboa, his face pale. Slowly he nodded. “Now would be okay, sire. He's in the garden.”

Carboa gave one curt nod, pushing back his chair as he stood. “Come then.”

*********


The garden was in full bloom, everything soft in the fading light of the setting sun. A fountain gurgled somewhere to his left as Grayok followed the soldier who led them off of the path, his stride purposeful, seeming to know where to go within the labyrinthine garden. The king kept his face expressionless as he followed the duke, though Grayok thought perhaps his Highness knew why the soldier was so unerring in his walk.

They were led to a corner of the garden still touched by the sun, the light painting everything orange. There, a woman sat on a small stone bench, the light seeming to catch her hair on fire. Another soldier stood just behind her, his eyes intent, and despite their king walking up to them, they kept their gazes trained upon a spot to Grayok's right. He turned, as did the others.

In the shadow of a lilac bush stood another man. Grayok's eyes widened as his body went numb with shock.

He heard the others gasp as they too took in his strange appearance. The king shook his head in wonder.

“What is he?” Prince Aeschel asked, his voice quiet. The creature watched them with complete calm, his stance neither threatening, nor timid, a single lilac in his hand.

Hallek stepped next to Grayok. “Is it some sort of spirit, Your Grace?”

The others turned to look at him as it dawned upon them that Grayok was here to answer those very questions. Even the woman and the soldier were watching him now.

Things began clicking in the Aetoriu's mind. He turned to face them, his own voice subdued. “First, I should tell you that this creature is not, in any way unholy, or evil. I need no chants nor herbs to tell me that.”

The King and Carboa visibly relaxed, a hidden weight lifted from the duke's shoulders. The Sir Gallul look-alike stirred. “So then, what is he? Do you know?”

Grayok looked at Evered. “You can sense him? Where he is, and what he is feeling, yes?” The soldier looked surprised and somewhat relieved as he nodded. Grayok imagined that he had entertained concerns about being thought to be in league with a devil or some such, and all that that would entail. He imagined that the man was quite happy to hear that the Order would not denounce the creature as a thing of hell.

“I can too.” The soldier behind the woman spoke.

Grayok glanced out of the corner of his eye at the white figure beyond them, now almost seeming to glow in the twilight. “Tell me how that happened.” He looked at each one in turn, then everyone else for good measure. “Did he do something to you?”

“He healed them both.” the Sir Gallul look-alike stated flatly. “But,” he continued, “I don't understand why I can't do the same, he also healed me.”

“And you are?” Grayok asked, certain that thinking of him as the 'Sir Gallul look-alike' would soon drive him quite mad.

“Captain Galluc, Your Grace.” he responded, “These are my men.”

“Ah.” Grayok nodded perfunctorily. He worked to still his racing heart, the shock of what he knew was standing there making him want nothing more than to sit down. With effort he willed his tone to remain calm and measured. “I imagine that the nature of the healing would have a great deal to do with it.”

“Wait.” Carboa shook his head as though to clear it. “You speak of this as one would a simple stroll through the woods, yet this creature is the most extraordinary thing I have ever head of, let alone seen!”

Grayok arched a brow. “This coming from one who spends his days fighting what many in the south would call demons from the pits of Hell. Be calm, there are secrets of no small measure of which I am guardian.” He glanced from the duke's face to the object of their discussion. His glittering white eyes watched them warily, even as his long fingers stroked soothingly at the petals of the flower he held.

Turning fully to face the White One, Grayok then bowed, touching the fingers of his right hand to the hollow of his neck. “Forgive us, White Lord, we speak around you as though you are not here. Most rude, even as humans judge.” the priest felt some of his well-hidden emotions touch his face as he straitened. “As always, we mortals are undone in the presence of the Sohl'ile.”

The others in the garden stirred at the unfamiliar word, glancing at each other in ill-concealed surprise. The knight Galluc placed his hand hesitantly on Grayok's shoulder whispering that the boy had not spoken once. Grayok kept his eyes focused upon the Sohl lord. “ I am Aetoriu Grayok Roedinae of the Neerij'ile.”

The Sohl'ile blinked quickly, his face otherwise impassive. He stepped forward and raised a hand, turning it so that his palm was facing himself, the flat of his nails hovering just short of touching Grayok's face.

“It gives my heart ease to know that the words of Neerij Songmaker have yet lived beyond the Last Decree, Aetoriu of mortal man.” His voice matched his appearance, soothing and beautiful, and somehow powerful. “I am called Kail'elis SoulGuard.”