Iron of the Innocent: The Dark Judge (Vol 1)

Chapter 23: Counselor

274 I.C.
Sacren
Solorn Kingdom
Solorn Province
Near Clendon

The flower's petals were a deep red, its stalk green with brown, sharp thorns. Dew from the night's embrace had almost disappeared in the warm pleasant air. Late morning, being about an hour before noon, the bulb opened, allowing the sun's light to rain down on its soft petals. It trembled slightly as a bee pushed off, buzzing on to the next bloom.

The forest was peaceful, and these particular flowers were part of a network of climbing vines that wound their way around numerous tree trunks in the area. The gentle humming of the bees drifted through the air as did the sound of a nearby creek. The trees were nuzzled by the warm breeze as it pushed its way through their leafy limbs.

A man leaned in a bit and drew in the sweet fragrance of the wild flower, a smile touching his lips. He had observed the bee as it gathered sugary nectar, and he waited a few moments until he was sure the bee was not going to return. "Queen's flower," he murmured. His inquisitive mind followed long memorized passages about the benefit and uses of the plant.

His fingers brushed across the petals leisurely, feeling the smooth, soft texture. Then a sharp, small blade glinted in the sunlight as the man trimmed off the flower and stem. "She would have loved a bouquet of your best," the man said softly to the vined plant. His experienced fingers deftly tucked the flower into a wide bag he used for the purpose of gathering.

The man's name was Melerin, and he was wearing dark blue pants held closed with a large, round button of the same color. They were held up by a leather belt. The legs of his pants were tucked into his brown boots. He wore a dark green shirt that buttoned down the front, but it was mostly unbuttoned and hanging open. Though, the wide strap of his bag that crossed his chest kept it in place for the most part. He had a tended brown vandyke that was the same color as the short, soft hair that lightly graced his chest and abdomen. His brown, straight hair was short, but growing out and was covered by his old hat. It had been combed earlier in the morning, but it found its own way since.

Kneeling down on one knee, Melerin snipped another small plant from its place and studied it carefully with blue eyes full of wisdom. He turned it slowly in his fingers standing back on his feet. "You will do nicely," he said quietly. His eyes looked up into the trees a smile touching his lips, experiencing déjà vu as his mind was drawn back half a decade in the past to a day just like this one.

The sound of booted feet on the grassy path drew his attention away from his herbal gathering. Looking back, the walls of Clendon could be seen in the distance through the tall trees. A man appeared on the path after a few moments, and Melerin waited patiently for him, slipping his small knife back into its sheath. "Greetings in the name of the gods," Melerin called out to the man raising his hand to welcome the stranger.

Melerin's careful gaze, looking for the details, passed over the man. The stranger came to a stop a few paces away and ran a hand through his dark blond hair. "Hi," he began subdued, "I was told I could find the priest, Melerin, out this way?" He looked at Melerin with hopeful blue eyes.

Melerin nodded and stepped forward extending a hand, "That's me," he offered.

The stranger looked relieved. "Great," he said, "I'm Dreydan Ruin." The young soldier shook Melerin's hand a couple of moments as he introduced himself.

"It's good to meet you," Melerin said. "I did stay close to the path to make your search easier." Melerin brushed his hands together, took a couple of steps to his right, and lowered himself onto a large log. "Please, come sit Dreydan," he said motioning for Dreydan to do so.

The soldier nodded and took a seat on the log with a comfortable space between them. Dreydan looked down at his hands, clasping them lightly together. Melerin sensed some awkwardness from the man. Dreydan wore a simple tan linen shirt and woven, brown pants.