Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 13

The bronze and golden armor of Helm was all the man had left of his land. He had to reach Zelstine, and had to complete the three feats of man, the skull of a Hell Hound, the scale of a dragon, and the feather of a griffin. He continued through the desert walking forward. Cladius, was determined, and strong willed; he wouldn't let his Kingdom fall.

Almorah and Agular struggled to keep up with his speed and vigor. It was late in the afternoon and they had traveled all day long. The red sun set complemented the tan and orange sands. The draconic flew in the sky above; Cladius was hoping to reach the rocks soon. He closed his eyes as he took a deep breathe.

When the dark, nearly black eyes opened, a different seen appeared before him. The rocks were still stationary off in the distance, the world a grey and blue. No grass seemed to grow on the ground, instead grey rich soil. Trees could be spotted off in the distance, vines growing from the once brown rocks, where the draconic flew. All was gone, only a single man stood in front of Cladius, the same he had seen in his dream. He wore a green robe and his face was hidden.

The Knight had already long sense stopped to absorb his scenery. The sun in the sky was gone, it was devastating to see. The young man was completely disarmed.

"Ah, Cladius, do you remember me?" The green figure spoke in a soft voice.

"Yes, you came to me in my dream, of what purpose I do not remember." Cladius replied.

Almorah and Agular stopped in their tracks as Cladius's body stood in surprise.

"Clad!" Almorah roared rushing up.

Why had he stopped? Both man and woman shook the knight's body vigorously. What was wrong?

Cladius glanced back, hearing Almorah's cries. Agular was yelling at him to wake up.

"What is going on?" Cladius inquired.

The figure seemed to smile as it walked gently and gracefully towards the knight. The mysterious stranger unveiled her face, to reveal a beautiful woman. Cladius recognize the face, but he knew not from where.

"Come, walk with me." The woman smiled, placing her arm as if the knight was escorting her. "Your friends don't understand what you are experiencing."

"I wouldn't much understand in their shoes either." Cladius replied, "Why, why are you so familiar to me?"

"Ah, I am Arrivail. And I'm glad you recognize me." The woman smiled a wide, yet beautiful grin.

Her long dark and brown hair flowed softly to her shoulders, with a grace that no being could recreate. She was as tall as Cladius, which was six feet. He was surprised a woman could be so tall. Her eyes had a soft glow to them, but brown like his own. She had very feminine features, and her description was beyond his words.

"How can I recognize a woman, rather respectfully, a goddess who I have never seen before, and paintings that do no justice to her true image?" Cladius replied.

"You flatter me, young child. You make me proud, of what a strong solider you have become and I apologies for your troubles and struggles of your life. I know things have been difficult for you. No mother and no father to guide you." The woman said tilting her head towards the ground in sadness, a tear dropping from her cheek.

Cladius couldn't help but feel bad for the woman's sorrow. He knew that Arrivail was the Mother of the World, but even so, he felt a strong connection to the woman.

"Why do you cry so, my mother?" Cladius questioned.

The soft, yet sad expression of the goddess looked back into the man's warm dark eyes, "I have waited thousands of years to hear you say that, my child. I apologies, for it was my fault, and it brings me great pain to know you have been alone."