Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 19

Cladius eyes opened as his eyes saw the smiling face of Almorah, and beside her, Agular. Her beautiful blue hair was longer than usually, falling below her shoulder blades. He could feel his facial hair growing as he looked up into her golden eyes. It seemed like forever, though only seconds had pasted before he spoke.

"How long was I out?" Cladius questioned, sitting up.

"Remarkably, only half a week," Prince Henry replied, his body was covered in his nice polished armor. Scale plates in place of chain male, with steel almost white pauldrons, the breast plate covered by a cloth.

Cladius slowly sat up, as Prince Henry approached him.

"Welcome back to the world." Henry smiled.

Cladius grabbed the prince's outstretched arm, in a friendly gesture.

"It's great to be back, however, I must be leaving now. I cannot stay." Cladius replied, swinging his legs out of the blanket covering his bandaged body.

"You won't be staying for the ball this evening? Some of us would like to thank our hero for our victory. I will admit that many were anxious to meet you, and many fair ladies wish your hand in a dance." Henry persuaded.

Cladius could see the hope in all three surrounding him that he would stay, "Very well, I will stay, but I depart after an hour of my arrival. I will come only to pay my respects."

"There is not much more I, we can ask for." Prince Henry bowed.

"My lord, such honor is not to be given to me." Cladius said, filled with discomfort. He place his hand into the air, gesturing the king stop.

"I disagree, Knight of Helm. Without your knowledge we could have not prepared to fight such a ruthless enemy. Not to mention your bravery, taking ten men nor fifteen at once!"

"I can see the truth has already spread into rumor and legend." Cladius replied, "I hate to ask of you, Prince Henry, but if I may so much as ask, for supplies for my journey further east, into the safari and forest of the griffins."

"You are too hasty, my friend, but very well, for three I am assuming?"

"Only one," Cladius replied, as Almorah and Agular starred back at him in shock.

Henry glanced around the room as Almorah spoke, "You are not going anywhere without us!"

"I can see you all need a moment," Henry replied exusing himself from the room, "oh, and Cladius, careful out there, those forest holds Hags."

"Pardon me, my lord, Hags?" Cladius questioned.

"Yes," Henry replied turning around, "Witches, said to be deities. Infamous among these parts, there is a reason we do not travel to the forest alone."

"Yes, Cladius, we do not travel alone. It can become very dangerous." Almorah said with slight frustration evident in her stance and voice.

Henry quickly left the room, as Cladius watched. Once he had left he turned his head back at the woman.

"I must finish this part of the journey by myself." Cladius replied, "I cannot take you."

"Cladius, we won't have it, you're family now, and family sticks together." Agular replied with a nod.

"While I appreciate the gesture, and return it. I cannot risk your lives in this final task. A woman spoke to me in my dream. She told me this. It was none other than my mother."

The Quails looked at each other and then back at Cladius, "your mother?"

"Indeed, the mother of us all, Arrivail, I had no earthly mother, from my recollection." Cladius replied.