Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 14

General Nerus glanced at the cold winter mountains of Inger. A select few had golden eyes, though they all claimed the honor, and the city was considered the "City of Gold". The golden eye was a symbol of Claydrin's blessing, and the War God's spirit. The War God was who these Inger people worshiped. The people were quick to anger, war and brute force. They could use their help against the Ommart.

General Nerus continued walking through the small layer of snow fall. They were escorted by twelve Inger warriors. Nerus had four men with him, enough for him to make a hasty escape if needs be. Inger and Helm had always been at each other's throats. Inger held a deep sense of respect for Helm for their victory years ago, yet they still despised the people. Helm had no respect for Inger, yet feared war; being an orderly kingdom, compared to a brutish empire. Both held to their honor, unlike the Ommart. Nerus's hope was to unit them in a common cause, and purpose, the genocide of the Ommart, and cause for honor.

The knight was more skilled than any two men at Inger, even if they had trained their entire life for war. What Helm lacked in physical strength in made for in its unmatchable tactics, and skill. The Inger people were shorter than usual men and stockier as well. They enjoyed a nice harvest of winter plants, such as Cow's foot, Buffil seed, Fyge fruit, and Gail, to name a few. Cow's foot was a bitter root and a favorite among the Inger people, for its highly esteemed healing properties as well as the energy surge it gives. Buffil seed was a savory seed, best served with a pinch of salt, it grew in the cold weather, and it was high in proteins. Nerus favorite was the Fyge fruit, a nice sweet and sour fruit, like that of a riche berry, only the size of an apple and with a nice blue almost purple color. It couldn't grow without an inch of snow on the ground. Gail was a very sour plant, almost like that of the rhubarb plant, except soft and squishy like plant sap when eaten.

They ate meat and grew other editable plants during warmer seasons. The snow could be heard crunching with each step and it finally broke Nerus thoughts. They walked up a stone stair case and opened huge circular doors, inside a giant castle. The throne room was a giant circular shaped room, and from the outside a watch tower was placed above it. Nerus brushed his hair back after taking his helmet off his face. He knelt down on the blue carpet, Inger's people favored blue as their royal color, and the dragon as their symbol. The snow fell from off the knights of Helm's grey capes, as it melted to water and dirt on the floor.

"Emperor Isaac the III, I come baring bad news." Nerus said, opening his mouth.

The emperor wore a red white and golden robe, with a grown made of solid gold. He moved his silver cane in the air, carefree like as he listened to the general.

"Yes, general, give me this news." The emperor spoke.

He was an older gentleman, a clean shaven and neatly combed white hair. He was in his late sixties, and for the Inger people near death. The people of Inger didn't live long, and it was about the only gift from their harsh mountain weather.

"Emperor Isaac, an enemy comes against Helm, and threatens its existence. Under normal circumstances this would be good news to the Inger people, but I beg a differ, and will explain why if so permitted."

"Very well knight, you have caught my attention, speak." Emperor Isaac replied.

"The Ommart come against Helm, and with the forces of Volohs, Emperor of the West Kingdom, known as Lohm. While we have both know of this kingdom's small power, I am here to explain that it has taken power with the Ommart, as said before, and has gained great power under the new king. It now not only threatens Helm, but Dechoneus, and even the great Inger, if I may be so bold to say."

"You may not be so bold general, but never the less, continue."

"I purpose an alliance, nothing more than a temporary alignment. With our combined strength, which agreeably and openly stated will be little from Helm, due to our current situation; we may hope to defeat the great Ommart, to do feats that even our forefathers could not accomplish. The extinction of the Ommart, and honor of the battles victory against a mightier foe, is not this agreeable?"

"You come here with little to offer than your fine words General and I suppose you have wasted your time, though your words compelling. If Helm can last six months under the King of the West's regime, than we shall join them in battle as brothers. Prove your worth to us. This I promise, and give an oath unto you, General Nerus, of Helm." Emperor Isaac replied with a small sign of humor.

"Thank you, Emperor; I greatly appreciate your generosity." Nerus said bowing as, thin Emperor of Inger dismissed them.

A soldier leaned in to Nerus's ear as he whispered, "What does that mean for Helm?"

"It means we are on our own." Nerus replied back.